#ThisIsWhoWeAre
PXU Newsletter March 2024
Ms. Thea Andrade Named Permanent PXU Superintendent
PXU would like to congratulate Ms. Thea Andrade who was announced as the next permanent PXU Superintendent after approval by the Governing Board on March 5, 2024.
For more information about Ms. Andrade and next steps in this process, click the button below:
Happy Women's History Month!
PXU is proud to celebrate Women's History Month during March! Stay tuned to our TikTok and Instagram Reels for content.
PXU is also proud to celebrate Social Work Month and Public Procurement Month!
We are so appreciative of the work of our Social Workers to ensure the wellbeing of our students. We are also very grateful for the hard work and dedication of all the PXU staff involved in the procurement process within the district. Without either of these job families, we would not function as a district.
Phoenix Union Foundation for Education Gala Award Recipients
On February 29, the Phoenix Union Foundation for Education again joined the broader PXU community to celebrate our students and educators while raising money for scholarships and mini-grants. The foundation awards three awards to community members, alums, and a PXU counselor each year to celebrate and recognize their dedication to our students.
Congratulations to the following award recipients:
Michelle Alcantar, Alumni of the Year
Phillip Wooley, Alumni of the Year
Jason Gellman, Friend of Phoenix Union
Theodore Balderrama, Counselor of the Year
PXU Student Bill of Rights
We are excited to share the newly minted PXU Student Bill of Rights. Born from the deeply engrained practice of lifting students' voices, our District is once again proud to be a national leader.
The Bill of Rights contains nine key focuses:
- Student Choice
- Protection of Privacy
- Fairness
- Safety and Support
- Use of Voice
- Participation in School Sponsored Activities
- Involvement
- Discipline
- Self-Management
This document was created with the direct involvement of more than 10,000 Phoenix Union students. We are proud to share this document with you and look forward to sharing more details and information about what this document means for our students, staff, families, and the broader community.
Upward and Onward Book It Day
After making their appointments, they arrived early to Studio B Smiles on February 27 and received free dental work thanks to Devin Booker and Special Olympics Arizona. All of them handled their dental work without any issues and came out with beautiful smiles.
After all of them received their dental work, Devin Booker himself walked in and surprised every single one of them with pairs of his unreleased Nike shoes.
Thank you to Devin Booker, Special Olympics Arizona, and Studio B Smiles for making this incredible initiative happen for 3 years in a row.
Phoenix Union's Posse Scholars
Phoenix Union is proud to have 11 known Posse Scholars across the district! This scholarship offers a full ride to the college or university that the student is paired with. See below for PXU's Posse Scholars:
Connor Costa
Case Western Reserve University
Ze'Von Johnson
St. Olaf College
Krystal Oliva
Case Western Reserve University
Jazmine Cordon
Davidson College
Cayden Curtiss
Davidson College
Finn Peichoto
Rhodes College
Ramon Galaz
Franklin
Centre College
Cesar Hernandez De La Cruz
Trevor G. Browne
Case Western Reserve University
Lilyanna Parra
Trevor G. Browne
Centre College
Areli Avelar
Maryvale
St. Olaf College
Brandon Reyes
Maryvale GTA
Rhodes College
Click the button below for more information on the Posse Scholarship:
PXU's Flinn Semifinalist and Finalist
PXU is proud to have one Semifinalist and one Finalist for the Flinn Foundation Scholarship. Kipree Carlisle from Franklin Police and Fire High School is a Flinn Semifinalist and Luis Hernandez Anaya from Bioscience High School is a Finalist and will be informed in April if he is a Flinn Scholar.
Congratulations to both of them! Click the button below to view information about the Flinn Scholarship.
Maryvale Hosts USMC Battle Color Detachment Performance
On Tuesday, March 5, the US Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment performed at Maryvale High School for a crowd of students, staff, and community members.
From the US Marines website, the United States Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment celebrates the historic pride of the Marine Corps through the finest in music and ceremonial drill. From Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., this detachment features “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, and the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps. Each year, this highly skilled unit of approximately 130 Marines travels worldwide to demonstrate the discipline, professionalism, and “Esprit de Corps” of the United States Marines.
Thank you to them for bringing their excellent performance to Maryvale! See below for a few more photos:
Camelback Center for High School Success Visit
On February 27, Camelback hosted individuals from across the country to see their successful 9th graders in action. We are proud to have a National Demonstration School within Phoenix Union, and cannot wait to see Camelback's continued success.
Camelback Job Fair
Camelback High School, in partnership with Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, held its third Annual Job Fair last month.
"The Job Fair was another huge success. We had dozens of employers and over 350 students come to the event to find their next job and maybe career. The workforce of tomorrow is here at Camelback, and we are so grateful for these partners providing opportunities for our students and community,” said James Arndt, Principal at Camelback High School.
Emily Ruiz, Junior, said, “As a student who wants to major in hospitality, I decided to go to the Job Fair and look for opportunities which would help me for my future. I stopped by the Hilton Resort and Spa and decided to apply. I got the job!”
Stephanie Strephans, Sr. Community Awareness Partner at Goodwill, said, “Goodwill is dedicated to the ongoing support of educators and students at Camelback High School. Our Community Awareness team was happy to assist such a successful event and look forward to future collaboration.”
We look forward to expanding our event for 2025. If you know a company that would be interested in having a booth at next year’s event, please contact Camelback High School, 602-764-7256.
Camelback Partners with Bethune Elementary for Read Across America
In celebration of literacy, Camelback High School students recently partnered with Bethune Elementary for Read Across America. Spearheaded by Spartan alum Salma Ballesteros, in collaboration with Camelback's literacy coaches, this initiative brought high school ambassadors into Bethune classrooms. On March 1st, students Kimber Bowsher, Isabella Chamberlain, Zoe Elvin Lynn, Matthew Gondos, and Jatziri Izazaga Fierro proudly represented the Spartan family, sharing the joy of reading with elementary students through read-aloud sessions. They also offered a glimpse into high school life, sharing personal anecdotes and engaging in an enlightening Q&A session. This interaction not only aimed to ignite a passion for reading among the younger students but also to bridge the gap between elementary and high school experiences. Many Bethune students expressed excitement for reading and a curiosity about their future educational journey.
Camelback ESS Transition Night
Camelback recently held their 4th Annual ESS Transition Night. They had eleven Community agencies attend the event, and students and parents were excited to have many opportunities at their fingertips. Their Parents and Students appreciate this amazing opportunity to receive outside services from agencies that are normally only available during the workday.
Phoenix Digital and Bioscience NHS Park Cleanup
The National Honor Societies of Phoenix Digital Academy and Bioscience High School recently teamed up with the City of Phoenix to help clean up Encanto Park. They had a wonderful morning connecting their two campuses and helping our community!
Trevor Browne Auto Tech Program Good News
Trevor Browne Auto Tech has been up to some amazing things this school year! On February 8, they visited Universal Technical Institute. Their student leadership team, Ruby, Miguel, and Ramses were commended by staff there for the organization and behavior that all of the students demonstrated while there.
For the next piece of good news from TGB Auto Tech, on Saturday March 2, 2024, UTI held their annual Top Tech competition. There were over 64 teams entered into the competition. TGB entered for the second time with three teams:
- Miguel A. Gutierrez and Isaac Avina Rosas
- Ramses G. Lopez and Dylan R. Wichner
- Alexis G. Saabedra Hernandez and Alejandro Orona Sosa
The top ten teams were recognized with awards and scholarships. We are so very proud to announce that one of our TGB teams took 9th place. Alexis Saabedra Hernandez and Alejandro Orona Sosa each earned $2,000 scholarships.
We are proud of the work of TGB Auto Tech this year! Keep up the great work!
Fairfax Key Club Kids' Day at the Ranch
The Betty Fairfax Key Club's most recent service project was Kids’ Day at the Ranch. They hosted over 200 foster and group home youth from the Laveen Village at Misty’s La Salvia Veterans’ Ranch. The event was completely free for the families and BFHS Key Club with the help of AVID, BSU, and Stu Go, worked with Laveen Satellite Kiwanis to bring face painting, BBQ, music, sand volleyball, petting zoo, sensory bottles, friendship bracelets, snow cones, cotton candy, books, and hats to make the day a special one to remember.
Linda Abril Book Boutiques
Congratulations to the English teachers of Linda Abril Educational Academy! Every English classroom at Linda Abril now has a Book Boutique with interesting and trendy selections of youth literature for students to check out.
They would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Dobias and Ms. Holly Purtell for writing grants, researching books, and creating a school-wide literacy campaign. The entire team works tirelessly to get good books into the hands and before the eyes of students.
Bostrom Students Out and About
Bostrom has been very busy lately with preparing their students for college, career, and life. They have brought their students to places like Northern Arizona University, and the Black, Brown, and College Bound event. We are so excited to see Bostrom thriving and their students making a positive impact.
PXU Visual and Performing Arts Good News
PXU's Visual and Performing Arts Department has been up to amazing things, as per usual. First, Maryvale Touring Guitar went to Las Vegas for the National School Summit Guitar Festival (NaSS). They interacted with other high school classical guitar programs from across the western part of the country and participated in workshops led by some of the biggest names in classical guitar education.
What an incredible opportunity!
The next piece of good news comes from a member of Maryvale's very own Panteras de Oro. Senior Claudia Mercado was recently brought on stage by the Phoenix College Mariachi to sing with them. We are proud of her!
Another amazing VAPA story comes out of the Academies at South Mountain!
The South Mountain Visual Arts Department wanted to share with you the award recipients from our ASU West Valley Campus student art exhibition, “Lines”. The visual arts department had a record number of around 75 student artworks on display in this exhibition. Students were tasked with creating an artwork that centered around the concept of “lines” and their interpretations of what line means to them. Most students are in the Media, Arts, and Design Academy apart from about 20 freshmen for whom this is their first time having artwork on display in an art gallery. South Mountain provided two judges, Andrea Holland and Laura Motush, and the visual arts department would like to thank them again for their participation in helping to choose winners for this exhibition. ASU West Valley Campus provided five judges consisting of faculty and a student currently working on their master’s within the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Students went on a field trip earlier this week to visit the ASU West Valley Campus, participate in faculty workshops, and see their artwork in the ArtSpace West Gallery.
Below are the names of the student winners and the category in which they won.
Digital Art:
1st – Yaritzel Tizoc
2nd – Josue Lara
3rd – Crystal Tebo
Mixed Media:
1st – Ashley Hernandez Silva
2nd Avi Peru
3rd – Tyler Valadez
Photography:
1st – Aaron Altuzar
2nd – Michael Gomez
3rd – Jose Gastelum
Drawing & Painting:
1st – Brianna Mendoza
2nd – Micole Hendricks
3rd – Annemari Olmeda
Ceramics:
1st – Star Espinoza
2nd – Mitzi Sanchez
3rd – Javier Mercado
Best in Show:
Avi Peru – She Who Wears Herself
Stay in the loop with all things PXU Visual and Performing Arts! Click the button below to visit their website:
PXU JROTC Good News
We have a lot of great news coming from PXU JROTC! First, Maryvale JROTC Drill Teams were competed well in the Arizona All-Army Drill competition held at Carl Hayden. The Unarmed Drill Team, Armed Drill Team, and Color Guard Team are the 2023-2024 Phoenix Union HS District and Arizona All-Army drill Champions!
Out of 12 trophies, 11 were 1st place and one was 2nd place in respective drill categories. Maryvale Cadets worked hard and represented very well.
On February 25, Phoenix Union High School District JROTC programs participated in the annual United States Marine Corps Private First-Class Oscar P. Austin Remembrance Ceremonies sponsored by the PFC Oscar P. Austin Recognition Committee. Private First Class Austin attended Booker T. Washington Elementary and Phoenix Union High School and he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in 1969. Carl Hayden JROTC Cadets posted the Colors at the annual Private First-Class Oscar Austin Remembrance Ceremony at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery where Private First Class Austin is buried. American Legion Post 41, America’s Buffalo Soldiers, Phoenix Union JROTC Cadets, veterans, friends and family attended this year’s ceremony.
The US Navy Destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79), commissioned in 2000, is named in his honor. The ship’s motto is “Honor and Sacrifice” a reference to the sacrifice of Private First Class Austin. Crewmembers from the USS Oscar Austin, CMDCM Angie Quakenbush, DCC Robert Miller and ENS Benjamin Norville attended this year ceremony at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery.
In late February, PXU JROTC Programs conducted classroom discussion about the life, bravery, and sacrifice of PFC Oscar Austin. Each JROTC classroom has a plaque memorializing PFC Austin.
PHOTO:
L-R: Crewmembers of the USS Oscar Austin: DCC Robert Miller, ENS Benjamin Norville , CMDCM Angie Quakenbush
CH JROTC Cadets: Antonio Montijo, Jennifer Munguia, Maria Gonzalez, Pablo Diaz
Academies at South Mountain student and JROTC Cadet Ivan Shaw was recently featured by the Army JROTC Website! He conducted his very first solo flight as a high school student. Click the button below to read the entire story:
Carl Hayden Handball Good News
JR WPH Supports the February Advisory Doubles at Carl Hayden High School
JR WPH continues to proudly support Coach Chris Hogan’s Carl Hayden High School handball program, providing WPH jerseys and gear to the Carl Hayden handballers at the February 15-16, 2024 Advisory Doubles Tournament.
The 2024 Carl Hayden Advisory Doubles Tournament featured thirty-six players and eighteen teams competing in a two-day doubles tournament on the high school’s 3-Wall courts during Advisory. Matches were one game to nine, with teams needing to win by two in each game.
“When pairs would lose, they immediately asked me when the next tournament was,” stated Coach Hogan. “Everyone played at least two matches. It was organized chaos. I can’t believe how well it went. It was funny how excited the players got, even after losing. All of the players awarded really liked the WPH shirts. Thanks again to the WPH for the continued support and encouragement of our program!!!”
“The WPH has been proud to support Coach Hogan and the Carl Hayden handball program for many years,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “Coach Hogan is one of the most enthusiastic and exceptional coaches in handball and we are so grateful for his passion for growing the game. JR WPH looks forward to continuing to support Coach Hogan and Carl Hayden High School in the future.”
Article & photos: https://wphlive.tv/jr-wph-supports-the-february-advisory-doubles-at-carl-hayden-high-school/
The Handball Club also traveled to sunny Chaparral Park in Glendale recently to compete in the 8th Annual Don Stewart's Double's Handball Tournament.
Though they were the only Juniors at the event, they had a great time competing against each other. Congratulations to Kevin and Julian for winning the Junior's Division. Special thanks also go to USHA's "very own" & the 8th ranked player in the world, Sam Esser's, for taking time off from competitive to have a mini clinic with Hayden's players.
Their next campus event will be on March 28, and their next tournament will be next month at the USHA Hall of Fame Classic in Tucson.
Their website: https://carlhaydenhs.sportsengine-prelive.com/page/show/3290779-handball-club
PXU Libraries Quarter 3 Circulation
PXU Libraries had a successful third quarter! PXU Readers checked out 5,527 physical books, 218 eBooks and audio books, and accessed 13,394 research databases.
Way to go, PXU Libraries and readers! See below for PXU Libraries' Women's History Month celebration:
HBCU All-Star Game
Can you feel it? The 2024 HBCU All-Star Game is one month away and excitement is building all across the Valley of the Sun. All eyes will be on Phoenix as the nation's most dynamic and talented basketball players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities will hit the court on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Grand Canyon University.
Tickets to the 2024 HBCU All-Star Game are on sale now and we want to see PXU educators, students, parents, and club sponsors on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Grand Canyon University! This event will be televised on CBS. So, click the link below and purchase your tickets today: https://hbcuallstargame.com/
Carl Hayden Dual Language Program
PXU is proud to launch a new Dual Language Program at Carl Hayden beginning in the 2024-2025 Academic Year! The dual language program will provide an immersive experience for students in both English and Spanish. Students will receive direct instruction for half of their core classes in each language. The initiative aims to provide students with an enriching educational experience that not only fosters bilingualism but also equips them with the skills necessary for success in college, career, and life.
Learn more by visiting PXU.org/HaydenDLP or clicking the button below.
Ed Prep Future Student Nights
We encourage you to spread the word about Phoenix Educator Preparatory's Future Student Nights within your networks. They are accepting applications for 9th and 10th graders for the 2024-2025 School Year.
PXU Sports Photos
Are you looking for sports photos taken by the district? Visit PXUSports.org to view the library of sports photos taken by PXU. This library is updated as sporting events and seasons occur.
PXU Safety Tip Line
PXU Family, if you notice something regarding safety that you want to report confidentially, dial 602-764-SAFE (7233) to report it.
Strive for Less Than Five
As you know, at the beginning of the year PXU launched our Strive for Less than Five campaign encouraging our students to have less than five absences each semester. We also launched the Strive For Five campaign at Phoenix Digital Academy, to promote online class engagement five hours, five days a week each quarter. Since the launch of both campaigns, we have seen amazing things happening at each campus. Both students and parents/guardians have received a variety of information about our attendance expectations and new initiatives. Keep up the good work!
You can find many attendance tips, tools, and resources on the Attendance Works website: https://www.attendanceworks.org/.
Employee Wellness Support
Do you or a PXU Employee you know need any support? PXU has Health and Wellness Clinicians on staff to support our staff with difficult times. If you or a colleague are in need of emotional or mental health support, please click the link below to be directed to a form for support. A Staff Health and Wellness Specialist will respond to you within 24 hours (Monday thru Friday).
Teachers, you can earn $1,000 when you become dual enrollment certified!
Calling all teachers! Arizona needs more educators to teach dual enrollment and is now offering a $1,000 incentive for becoming DE certified. The Arizona Teacher Academy will also cover tuition and fees for those interested in becoming a dual enrollment teacher.
About ElevateEdAZ
We encourage you to share with your networks and encourage students to seek out the resources that ElevateEdAZ provides!
Stay in touch with us!
Email: vherb@phoenixunion.org
Website: pxu.org
Location: 4502 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-764-1528
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixunion
Twitter: @phoenixunion