To say 2020 has been a challenging year for our students, families and staff would be an understatement. It is difficult to find words to express how grateful we are for the support, trust, patience and commitment we have received from our PVSchools community as we work to provide the best p…
As Dr. Debbi Burdick, superintendent of Cave Creek Unified School District, nears her retirement at this end of this month, she shared in her December CITYSunTimes column, “It is special to have the opportunity to live and work in the same community and I have been blessed with so many deep …
The Nash Legacy Ensemble is holding auditions for two jazz combos for Spring 2021. Directed by two of the leading jazz musicians/educators in the Southwest — Mike Kocour (director of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University) and Eric Rasmussen (director of Instrumental Music, Scottsdale Comm…
As I near retirement at the end of the month, I can reflect on what a pleasure and an honor it has been to serve as the superintendent of the Cave Creek Unified School District. In 1995, our family moved to Cave Creek from Illinois and we chose a home in CCUSD because of the district’s stell…
Fears about the spread of COVID-19 caused families around the world to shut their doors to strangers, literally and figuratively. But dozens of foster families and adoptive families with Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK) have opened their homes to children in foster care needing the con…
Designed to introduce high school girls across the East Valley to the many career possibilities in the field of Information Technology (IT), this year’s annual Girls Get IT event will feature live virtual workshops about emerging technologies and the related college courses and programs to h…
Just in time for fall break reading, Arizona author Sasha Graham has a new Spanish language edition of her children’s book, Milo does not like Mornings. The new edition, A Milo no le gustan las mañanas, was released Sept. 29.
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind “Sesame Street,” announced that it is expanding its Sesame Street in Communities initiative to Maricopa County. The program, which aims to help young children build coping skills and foster nurturing connections between them and …
Barro’s Pizza, a local family-owned pizzeria, is giving away $10,000 to one Arizona resident in the 2020 Arizona Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. The prize money is available to help pay college tuition or any related educational expenses. Entries will be accepted online at barrospizza.com/drpepp…
PVSchools announced this week that, for teens who need credit recovery or want to get ahead, Sweetwater Community School is now enrolling high school students for second quarter Night Classes. “Night Classes are an incredible opportunity for all students in the district to earn and/or recove…
The mission at Music Together is to empower families with the skills, knowledge and experiences they need to foster their children’s innate musicality. “All children are born musical,” said Kathy Rowe, center director, “but the ability to sing tunefully and move with accurate rhythm needs to…
Our typical school years start with new school supplies and school clothes, an excitement for students to reconnect with their schoolmates, the opportunity to meet new friends and the anticipation of being in new classrooms with their new teachers. Of course, this year that is not the case. …
Arizona Science Center launched its CONNECT programming in response to growing consumer and educator demand for additional science learning resources. The programs include fun and engaging, standards-based science experiences designed to meet the personalized needs of students and educators.…
Parents that have a child who loves playing basketball and wants to get some top-notch training from a professional coach have some new options. The DreamTeam Academy in Scottsdale — a state-of-the-art, indoor basketball training facility for kids and teens — is now offering private, one-on-…
The Arizona Sunrays kicked off its Balance Program Aug. 3. The program is geared toward assisting parents with student care needs during the school year, and runs Monday through Friday, 7:30am–5:30pm for grades K–10. The company says that the program will run for as long as needed to accommo…
While so many are spending so much time at home, Piano Keys to Music Studio owner/instructor Valerie Thomas invites Valley residents to “Emerge from these times with music at your fingertips.” The versatile music program offers online and in-house (when safe to do so) private lessons in the …
Students at most education levels these days — whether K–12 or higher education — are taking part of their required coursework through online instruction. Some excel in this learning environment, and others have never experienced it before or may have reservations. Responding to the needs of…
Greetings, CITYSunTimes Readers, As Scottsdale Unified School District’s new superintendent, I am pleased to make your acquaintance through this publication! Although my contract officially began on July 1, I have been involved in the work of the district since my hiring by the SUSD Governin…
Join Arizona authors in a virtual storytelling of their books through Aug. 8. The free videos, which kicked off mid-July, will be posted on the Pueblo Grande Museum YouTube channel. Each week features a different book and craft to go along with it. Fun craft kits related to each story can be…
The current pandemic may have dramatically changed everyone’s lives, but it didn’t change the fact that when elementary school children at Title 1 schools in Maricopa County are able to return to school, they will need uniforms, backpacks, supplies and clothes. A fact that is being amplified…
The Governing Board of the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) voted to provide families with two instructional choices for student learning when its 28 schools reopen. According to a July 9 press release, at the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel, the Board decided to d…
In these unprecedented and difficult times, here is some good news to celebrate. Please join me in congratulating the Cactus Shadows High School Graduating Class of 2020! Here is our Falcon Class of 2020, By the Numbers: There are 426 grads — 216 females and 210 67 were in our CS eLearning P…
Homes across the country transformed into classrooms as students left their schools two months before the traditional summer break this year. Now, as the weather warms and the official academic year has come to an end, many worry the impact of the “Summer Slide” — the learning loss experienc…
The COVID-19 pandemic has been shaping the situation across our country in all aspects of life. We are all continuing to adjust to find the right balance of interaction, social distancing and health precautions in our work and personal lives. Those impacts have been felt in our schools also …
To say that the last two months have been “interesting” would be an understatement. Words like “unprecedented,” “unimaginable” and “challenging” barely scratch the surface for what all of us have experienced, in one way or another, since COVID-19 began to affect our nation, our state and, of…
As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely reconfigured not only life as we have known it, but also school as we have known it. We know that our families across the nation are adjusting to many situations, including students learning at home whether through virtual school or in some d…
Beginning Monday, April 13, hours for PVSchools’ meal distribution sites will change to 8am–10am in order to help families balance distance learning schedules. (See graphic below or download the PDF.) PVSchools Nutrition & Wellness Department will provide free meals to any child 18 or yo…
For families who are interested in learning more about Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott and the summer sleepaway camp experience, there will be a fun-filled open house event held Saturday, March 28, from 11am to 2pm. Bring the whole family for a day of camp tours, wagon rides, toasting marshm…
When the children are off from school during spring break, the DreamTeam Academy in Scottsdale — a state-of-the-art basketball training facility for children — will host Spring Break Basketball Camps for ages 6 to 12, March 9–13 and March 16–20. The fun-filled camp days include three hours o…
Scottsdale Community College (SCC) interim president Chris Haines hosted an award ceremony to recognize 115 former students who will receive funding from the Complete Your Dreams initiative in Scottsdale, Jan. 9. Haines was joined by Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, Maricopa Community College Dist…
Those who may be looking for a seasonal summer job are in luck. The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is looking to hire more than 650 lifeguards to staff Phoenix’s 29 pools. The pay is $13.80/hr. Certification classes (five-day course) are coming up in the North Valley at Para…
The 2019–20 school year is off and running, and our nearly 23,000 students continue to show us every day their curiosity and thirst for learning. Whether they are building a robot, their mathematics fluency or a theatrical set, Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) provides myriad opport…
By Alexandra Anton Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Bike ride Not only can girls do recreational bike rides through the mountains of Arizona, but as Troop 7314, girls can take on the challenge of a 200-mile, eight-day bike ride. The girls of Troop 7314 participated in the Tour de Sih …
Anasazi Elementary School, part of the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), has been named as a Candidate School for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP). The IB aims to create global student citizens who learn to think critically and creatively about the …
The Paradise Valley Unified School District will host a job fair to fill open Education Support Professional (ESP) positions for the 2019-20 school year Wednesday, July 10, from 8am–noon at the District Administrative Center, 15002 North 32nd Street, Phoenix. “Our Educational Support Profess…
New principals have been appointed to lead Tavan Elementary School in Phoenix and Mountainside Middle School in Scottsdale. Tavan assistant principal Julie Ballard will take over from longtime principal Margaret Serna, who moves to the administration side of the Scottsdale Unified School Dis…
Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVSchools) announced the intention to raise its primary property taxes over the current level to pay for increased expenditures in those areas where the governing board has the authority to increase property taxes for the fiscal year beginning July 1,…
Cave Creek Unified School District No. 93 (CCUSD) announced the intention to raise its primary property taxes over the current level to pay for increased expenditures in those areas where the Governing Board has the authority to increase property taxes for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2…
Twin Peaks restaurant has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix (BGCMP) for a summer sports equipment drive. From June 14 through Aug. 2, all three Valley Twin Peaks locations will support the need for sports equipment for local youth. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro…
Aspiring entrepreneurs ages 11–17 are invited to participate in a new class offered at Foothills Community Foundation’s Holland Community Center. The five-week startup workshop will educate and inspire young, creative minds about the opportunities to do business in today’s world. The program…
Maricopa County officials are encouraging residents — particularly young readers — to include summer reading in their vacation plans. More than 60 libraries across Maricopa County participate, so people of all ages can log their reading online, complete challenges, and attend library events …
Now that summer’s almost here, it’s time to get the kids enrolled in fun-filled summer day camp. Camp Hubbard — a Valley summer sports camp since 1998 — will host informative open house events for parents and children Saturday, May 4, 12:30–3:30pm, at its four summer day camp locations: Sunn…
When the kids are off from school during Spring Break, the Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics & Dance Center will offer its “Supercamp” for ages 3 to 13. Children will have the opportunity to learn gymnastics and dance, and participate in a “Ninja Zone,” yoga, trampoline, playing games and much …
Hiking and kayaking in the cool high country near Payson are a great way to spend a week in June. And doing it while bringing smiles to the faces of children in foster care is even better. The Sixth Annual AASK Sibling Summer Camp is recruiting volunteer counselors for a week of adventure at…
The PVSchools Governing Board has selected Jesse Welsh, Ed.D., assistant superintendent of Clark County School District, to serve as superintendent of the Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVSchools) beginning July 1, 2019 and will vote to approve Dr. Welsh’s contract at its March 7 m…
Last week, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board approved a contract naming longtime Valley educator Dr. John Kriekard as SUSD’s Superintendent through June 30, 2020. Kriekard has been serving as the district’s Acting Superintendent since May 2018. “I am pleased the G…
Spring is just around the corner and it’s a great time to clean out those closets. The Paradise Valley Education Association (PVEA) is collecting prom attire for its annual Prom Dresses & Ties for PV Girls & Guys event. PVSchools students are invited to visit the boutique prior to pr…
The City of Phoenix Youth and Education Office is now accepting applications for the 2019 Outstanding Young Man/Young Woman (OYMYW) of the Year awards. The OYMYW of the Year program recognizes and honors the outstanding achievements of young people, enhances the perception of youth and raise…
Cactus Shadows High School announced that Sarah Weiss, Angela Khammo and Mikaela Morris were the first, second and third place winners, respectively, of Arizona State University’s 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration contest. This year, students were encouraged to participate in the …
Ashley Hall, a junior at Shadow Mountain High School, achieved a rare perfect score of 1600 on the SAT® exam. According to the CollegeBoard, less than 1 percent of test takers scored in the range of 1500–1600. Earning a perfect score on college admission tests is rare and very hard to accomp…
As part of an ongoing effort to foster collegiality and promote transparency, the PVSchools Governing Board announced its Bagels with the Board events. These events occur quarterly and are held at various schools throughout the district. The next Bagels with the Board for the 2018-19 school …
