education phoenix

24 Pages·2014·4.99 MB·English

“Preparing Every Student for Success in College, Career and Life”
EDUCATION PHOENIX
A Newsletter From the Phoenix Union High School District
Spring 2014
Superintendent’s High School Expo is Great Success
Corner
Over 2,000 people attended the first-ever Experience Phoenix
I have often used this column to
Union: High School Expo which was held January 25 at Phoenix
share our progress as a District, citing the
College. There were 30 booths highlighting every school, magnet
upward trends and the positive trajectory
programs, career and technical education, athletics, arts, JROTC,
of our academic indicators. Indeed,
student services and more. Hundreds of staff and students met
Phoenix Union
prospective students, their parents and community members, who
has improved
were treated to a wide variety of student entertainment on stage,
significantly.
interactive activities and informative break-out sessions about
However, as
high school. A radio station DJ/mixer, giveaways, including free
the author Jim
backpacks for 8th graders, food trucks, perfect weather and an
Collins says,
enthusiastic crowd added to the festivities. Sponsors included Cox
many times, the
Communications and the Connect2Compete program, APS, and
most challenging
Phoenix College. SRP and The Phoenix Union Foundation for
task is going
Education also helped underwrite the Expo.
from “good” to
“great.” We have
been working
on a strategic
plan over the
past 18 months
with Governing Follow Superintendent
Kent P. Scribner on
Board members,
Twitter @KentPScribner
administrators,
teachers and staff, parents, students
and community members. Our vision:
To become the Premier Urban District
in the United States. From September
to November, we gathered feedback
from our community partners, which was
squarely focused on the six pillars of our
Strategic Plan - Leadership, Community
Engagement, Professional Development,
Culture of Excellence, Family Involvement/
Empowerment and Student Development.
In each pillar, we asked two central
questions:
1) What should the District NOT be
willing to compromise in the work that it
does and the services it offers?
2) What would help PUHSD achieve
See “SUPERINTENDENT” - Page 2
ALHAMBRA BIOSCIENCE BOSTROM BROWNE CAMELBACK CENTRAL CHAVEZ DESIDERATA FAIRFAX FRANKLIN HAYDEN MARYVALE METRO NORTH SOUTH SUNS-DBACKS
Education Phoenix - Spring 2014

“SUPERINTENDENT” Franklin Police & Fire Named
- Continued From Page 1
Arizona Higher Performing School
its goal of becoming the premier urban
district in the United States?
Franklin Police and Fire High School has been
Our Steering Committee has
recognized as an Arizona Higher Performing School,
diligently reviewed feedback from the
according to the National Center for Educational
community meetings. The findings were
Achievement (NCEA), a department of ACT, Inc.
truly insightful. We have strong, steady
The school was honored at the Arizona Business
leadership, talented staff and diverse & Education Coalition’s “Advancing Toward College
programs and services. However, we and Career Readiness” luncheon in December.
need to continue changing the perception NCEA identifies Higher Performing Schools
that some have of public education. We based on one or both of two measures: Growth
have a great story to tell at Phoenix Union, and/or Performance. Franklin was cited for student growth in reading and writing, based on
and it is imperative that we continue to three years of achievement scores. The Growth Measure evaluates schools whose students
convey it to our parents, students and perform better than predicted for a school with similar demographics and prior achievement
community members. While our District using statistical analyses.
is large, we must continue to be nimble It was the second year that Franklin was named one of 145 Higher Performing Schools in
and proactive in our decision-making. Our Arizona. The small school that includes public safety career training in law enforcement and fire
school-community is ready for innovation. fighting, has been an “A” school for the past three years, according to the state’s Letter Grade
With all of us working together, we can accountability system.
According to the NCEA, a Higher Performing School indicates a school’s deep commitment
ensure that our students are prepared to
to raising student achievement and putting more students on the path to college and career
succeed in college, career and life.
readiness - regardless of socio-economic barriers or any other obstacles that might otherwise
Now, the real work begins. Working
impede success.
groups will set priorities and measurable
goals and present their findings as a
comprehensive Strategic Plan to the The End of AIMS, But What’s Next?
Governing Board for approval by the end
of the school year.
This February and April, many sophomores
This process has given the leadership Upcoming AIMS Test Dates
will take the AIMS (Arizona Instrument to Measure
of our District an honest assessment of April 8 - Mathematics
where we are and where we need to be, Standards) tests for the final time, and the Class of
April 9 - Science
to truly become the premier urban district. 2016 (this year’s 10th graders) will be the last class
I want to thank the many individuals who that must pass AIMS to graduate high school. What comes next is the big question mark in
have participated in this process, and look the ever-changing world of Arizona public education accountability.
forward to the implementation of a positive The Arizona State Board of Education will be requesting proposals for a new assessment
road map for the future of the Phoenix aligned with Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards. However, even those standards,
Union High School District. formerly known as Common Core, have been challenged by the state legislature this session.
Three years after adoption, some congressmen want Arizona to abandon them, even as
- Dr. Kent P. Scribner, Superintendent school districts and their teachers are currently teaching the standards in the classroom.
The Senate Education Committee also discussed bills that would withdraw Arizona from the
partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) consortium of 18
Metro FBLA states that developed the standards and ban using any exam it develops.
According to Christine M. Thompson, executive director of the Arizona State Board of
Virtually Education the board will select “the test that best suits Arizona’s needs.”
The new test is important for many reasons. It will determine the state’s accountability
Unstoppable
measures. Right now, AIMS results determine how schools are ranked according to the
A-F letter grade system. Also, teacher and principal evaluations require the use of student
Two Metro Tech teams have qualified assessment data to determine how much students grow in one academic year. A new test is
for the Future Business Leaders of America expected to be more difficult and scores could be much different than AIMS, confusing and
disappointing students, parents and school officials. Also, with student growth factoring into
(FBLA) Virtual Business Management
the A-F Letter Grades formula, and teacher evaluations, a baseline year will be needed before
Challenge and will be two of only 16 teams
growth can be accurately measured.
nationwide competing this summer at the
The new assessment is due to be selected by the summer. In the meantime, about 100,000
FBLA National Leadership Conference.
students, including Phoenix Union students, are taking a field test of PARCC’s Performance-
The “Destroyers” placed in the top eight
Based Assessment in April or May. However, the Arizona Department of Education Board
in the first round of competition, among
says that field testing is not part of the selection process, but rather, is considered a best
500 teams nationwide in October. The practice in test development.
“Triple A’s,” earned a spot in the nationals AIMS won’t be disappearing altogether when the new test is adopted. Tenth and 11th
in the second round that was completed in graders that do not pass an AIMS test this year will be able to re-take the test next year. Tenth
February. graders will have one final chance to pass AIMS before graduation in the 2015-16 school year.
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Phoenix Union High School District
Music Festival Celebrates 30 Years
The 30th Annual Greater Phoenix Music Festival
took place January 17-18 at Camelback High
School. Top musicians from junior high schools
and Phoenix Union high schools converged for two
days of rehearsal, culminating with a performance. A
percussion group, a combined high school and junior
high orchestra, a junior high honors band and a high
school honors band entertained. Guest conductors
worked with the students who earned their way to
the event through
auditions. Fourteen
junior high schools
from Isaac,
Cartwright, Laveen,
Alhambra, Madison
and Roosevelt school districts joined musicians from nine Phoenix Union schools. For the high school
honor band, 167 auditioned, and 97 were chosen. Over 80 students were selected for the junior high
honors band. This event began 30 years ago as a way to introduce junior high students to high school
music programs, and continues to be an effective and fun way to recruit new musicians to the Phoenix
Union programs.
Construction Bond Yields New School Buildings
Three new classroom buildings highlight the latest news for the 2011 Phoenix Union Construction Bond program. A two-story classroom
building at Franklin Police and Fire is getting its final touches. Betty Fairfax will also have a new classroom building for the 2014-15
school year. Designs for a building to house an alternative small school have been completed. Construction for the 40,000 square foot,
13-classroom facility next to Central High School will begin in July and be ready for the 2015-16 school year.
New Building at Betty Fairfax High School
Renderings Courtesy of ADM Group
Renderings of the new Educational Academy facility New Building at Franklin Police and Fire High School
3
Education Phoenix - Spring 2014
Betty Fairfax Student Foundation Dinner Raises Scholarship
Named National
Funds for PUHSD Students
Hispanic Heritage
The Sixth Annual team. Student speakers
Youth Award Winner
Phoenix Union were Ruben Leal Mazon
Foundation for Education from Betty Fairfax, and
Betty Fairfax Scholarship Dinner was Gustavo Loredo, a South
High School senior the most successful ever, Mountain graduate
Genesis Miranda- attracting 375 attendees who benefited from a
Soto was honored as to “An Evening For Foundation scholarship
one of six National Education,” February 7 and is completing his
Hispanic Heritage at the Renaissance Hotel degree at Arizona
Youth Award winners in downtown Phoenix. State University. A new
for her leadership in Sponsored by Blue award for Counselor
the classroom and Cross Blue Shield of Maryvale Mariachi Performing of the Year was given
Genesis Miranda-Soto
community at the Arizona, the evening included silent and live to Trevor Browne’s Allison Williams. The
Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards auctions, student entertainment and awards. “Friend of Phoenix Union” was longtime
event, January 30, in Miami. Proceeds go to the Foundation to fund Foundation member and former president
Over 10,000 high school students apply post-secondary scholarships for Phoenix Dave Johnson, and the evening’s Master
for the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards from Union students. Student entertainment and of Ceremonies, Frank Camacho, was the
10 cities. Those are narrowed to hundreds presentations included singer Alan Ponce “Alumnus of the Year.” Camacho, a 30-year
of regional winners. The Phoenix winners Duarte from North, the Maryvale mariachi television newsman, is a graduate of South
were recognized by local businesses, group, pianists from Alhambra, Central, Mountain.
education and community leaders in Carl Hayden and Maryvale, dancers from Foundation Scholarship applications
November. Miranda-Soto earned her Cesar Chavez and South Mountain; JROTC were available in March, with a March
award in the Business and Entrepreneurship units from Camelback 28 deadline. Last
category. and South Mountain, year, $72,000 in
Miranda-Soto was named the City of Trevor Browne scholarships were
Phoenix Young Woman of the Year last guitars, Metro Tech awarded to 50
spring. She has a 3.98 grade point average guitars and table students.
in the International Baccalaureate program treats and decorations
and was the school’s first junior elected as from its culinary and
student body president last year. Her other floral programs, North
extracurricular activities include National chamber strings and
Trevor Browne’s Allison Williams (middle)
Honor Society, Friends of Rachel club, the Carl Hayden robotics
was named Counselor of the Year.
IMPACT Now, Be A Leader and YHAP
(You Have a Purpose), a club she founded.
Miranda-Soto, who is fluent in Spanish Seven Phoenix Union Academic Decathlon
and French, is a graduate of Valley Teen
Teams Advance to State
Leadership and also is a youth leader at her
church. She plans to attend the University
of Pennsylvania or Arizona State University. Phoenix Union qualified seven teams for the 40-team State Academic Decathlon, held
Her future plans include earning a Master’s March 7-8, at ASU West, and Cesar Chavez led the PUHSD contingent with a seventh place
degree in International Studies. finish. It was the Champions’ fourth Top 10 State finish in five years, including seventh place
Youth awardees received roundtrip finishes in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Alhambra placed 11th, South Mountain was 18th. Maryvale,
accommodations to Miami, an educational Trevor Browne, Betty Fairfax and Bioscience also qualified and competed at State. Canyon
grant, a laptop computer, and then, are del Oro won the event, followed by Boulder Creek and Mesa Mountain View. It was the second
entered into the LOFT (Latinos On Fast year in a row that seven PUHSD teams made it to State, the most ever for the District.
Track) Institute which prepares, connects, Top performers included South Mountain’s Markaya Hill and Eugenia Anane-Wae who
and places young leaders as they transition finished in a five-way tie for first place and
from high school to college, and graduate gold medals in the Scholastic Interview
school, and well into their careers. event. Each scored a perfect 1,000 points.
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is Alhambra’s Jesus Salinas took gold in
a nonprofit organization which inspires, Varsity Science. Other medalists were:
identifies, prepares and positions Latino Mikail Uddin, Cesar Chavez - bronze in
leaders for classroom, community and Scholastic Art; Naila Little, Trevor Browne
workforce. - bronze in the Scholastic Interview; and
The awards ceremony took place at Amanda Canez, Cesar Chavez - bronze
Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s Bongos Cuban in Varsity Art. Mackenzie Kong-Sivert of
Café in Miami. Bioscience was District’s high scorer with
7,123 total points in the Honors Division.
4
Phoenix Union High School District
Seven Phoenix Union Teachers Earn National Board Certification
Seven Phoenix Union teachers, matching the most in one year, became National Board Certified (NBC) teachers this year. They were honored at
the February Governing Board meeting.
Sunghwan Byun: Math, Metro Tech; Carrie Deahl: English, Maryvale; Joyce A. Donaldson: English, North; Niki Karandreas: English, Trevor Browne;
Cynthia Maher: ELL, Alhambra; Christina Yoder: Art, Alhambra; and Sue Wright: Art, Alhambra, who is now at Mesa Red Mountain High School, earned
certification. Considered the teaching profession’s highest honor, it is presented by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to teachers
who demonstrate, through a performance assessment, that they meet the high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and
be able to do.
The seven National Board Certified Teachers match last year for the most PUHSD NBC Teachers named in one year. There are now 31 current NBC
Teachers in the District. Alhambra’s three NBC Teachers are the first earned at the school since Kate McDonald (now Metro Tech principal) in 1999.
SUNGHWAN BYUN JoYCE DoNALDSoN CYNTHIA MAHER
earned his first degree in is in her 16th year with the teaches writing and
South Korea, but became District, including the last grammar to many refugee
interested in the U.S. as seven at North where she and immigrant students
an international exchange teaches sophomore English, at Alhambra High School.
student at the University and Honors English. She She has been with PUHSD
of Hawaii. He went to has also taught transitional since 2006, but has taught
Oregon State University ESL and Literary Magazine. at ASU, American University
where he received his M.S. Donaldson is the English in Cairo, Egypt and at the
in Mathematics Education. Byun has taught for Department Instructional Leader, and coaches UofA. With the certification, she will never be
six years, three at Metro Tech where he teaches Generation Ink, North’s Poetry club. She able to teach again without asking “why am I
AP Calculus and Pre-Calculus classes. He worked two years to earn her NBC, is grateful doing it, how will I assess progress, how will I
believes the NBC process will help him improve for the rigor and wants to inspire all teachers know that the kids have learned it, what will I do
his teaching practices, including reaching out to to pursue it. She thinks more deeply about the if they don’t and how will I extend the learning, if
more parents, colleagues and communities. It individual student and how she can help each they do.” Her grandfather and her father were
also motivated him to establish a Math Club at achieve. Donaldson, who says she wanted to both educators, and Maher says it is in her
Metro to make an impact on students outside of be a teacher all her life, grew up in Washington, genes. “The best part of teaching, besides the
the classroom. He says his students’ success D.C., and earned degrees at Ottawa University students is the fact that there are always ways
stories are the most joyful part of teaching. and ASU. to improve as a teacher, and it never gets old or
stale.”
CARRIE DEAHL has NIkI kARANDREAS
taught for 14 years at knew she wanted to be a CRISTINA YoDER
PUHSD, including the teacher the day her father is in her second year at
last six at Maryvale. brought home a chalkboard. Alhambra, after 13 years in
She teaches freshmen She and her sisters played the Peoria District. Yoder
honors English and school, and she was was an art therapist for
sophomore English, and the teacher. A Chicago years, and never wanted to
is a Professional Learning native with degrees from follow in the footsteps of her
Community leader. She DePaul University, Karandreas grew up in a mother, an English teacher.
pursued the NBC so that she could better meet bilingual family, speaking Greek and English But after having children,
the diverse needs of her students, and it has and developed a love for language. The NBC she became a teacher, and loves every day of
shown her the importance of increasing student- process has made Karandreas want to make teaching. Yoder wants to be the best teacher
to-student interaction. Ever since her sixth grade real-world connections to whatever students are for her students, and she says the NBC process
teacher encouraged her to enter a district poetry learning, and someday, work with fellow teachers really helps refine our craft. She enjoys teaching
contest in which she placed, Deahl had several on an international level so her students can her students how to draw and paint, and see
teachers inspire her to develop a love of reading, learn alongside peers from other continents. them realize that they are capable of amazing
writing, music and culture, and “showed me the She is in her 18th year of teaching, including 16 things. Born in Cuba, Yoder attended colleges in
world beyond my world.” She writes a blog, at PUHSD, four at Trevor Browne. Indiana and Kentucky before coming to Arizona.
“The Real Deahl,” where she reflects upon the
teaching practice. She has degrees from Grand
Canyon and NAU.
Connect2Compete and Cox offer Low-Cost Home Internet and Computers
Having a computer and internet access is critical to a student’s success today. A
program offered by Cox Communications, called Connect2Compete, is working with
Phoenix Union High School District to offer low-cost computer and high-speed Internet
for students and their families, along with free digital training to safely use the Internet.
Eligible families who have a child who receives free school meals through the National
School Lunch Program can receive high speed internet for $9.95 per month for up to two years. Families can also purchase a $150 desktop
or $199 laptop computer. Free in-person computer and Internet training is also available. The discounted computer offer and free digital
literacy training are available to anyone. Visit connect2compete.org/cox or call 1-855-222-3252 to apply.
5
Education Phoenix - Spring 2014
Arizona College Application Campaign
Takes off at Three Schools
The goal is for every senior at Central, Carl Hayden and Betty Fairfax to apply for college and complete
the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) application for financial aid. These three schools
participated in the Arizona College Application Campaign, in partnership with the Arizona Commission
for Postsecondary Education. In November, seniors had opportunities to complete college applications
during the school day with assistance from staff and community experts. Then, February 18-20, the
schools hosted College Goal Nights on campus for parents and students to complete the financial aid
application, prior to the traditional College Goal Saturday and Sunday, February 22-23. Last year, PUHSD
provided transportation to the College Goal Sunday for parents and students, but this year, the three
schools made it easier for parents and students.
Principal Zack Muñoz and Mayor Greg
The campaign hopes to build a college-going culture in Arizona’s high schools that benefits students, their
Stanton at the kickoff event at Betty
Fairfax High School. families, and the community by having each senior submit an application to at least one postsecondary
institution in the Fall and the FAFSA in the early Spring as an expected part of every student’s 12th grade experience. Already in 24 states,
this is the first year Arizona and Phoenix Union has joined the campaign.
“We know that students are more likely to enter a post-secondary institution if they complete FAFSA,” Phoenix Union’s Cyndi Tercero
said. “With these three campuses participating in the College Application Campaign and hosting financial aid prep presentations, their
students are ready to complete this final step.”
Turning in Why Get a College Education?
Assignments,
Getting a college education is more
“The only thing more expensive
important than ever for earning a good living.
Grading Now online than getting college education
A study by Georgetown University Center on
is not getting one. The economic
Education and the Workforce reports that
All Phoenix Union schools have penalties for not getting a
by 2018, 61 percent of jobs in Arizona will
implemented Turnitin, enabling teachers college degree are so much stiffer require some postsecondary training beyond
in every
now than in the past.” high school. Between 2008-2018, there will
discipline to
- Paul Taylor, Pew Center be 907,000 job vacancies both from new jobs
check the work
and from job openings due to retirement, and
of students for
554,000 of these vacancies will be for those with postsecondary credentials. New jobs
originality, online grading and conducting
requiring postsecondary education will grow by 227,000 by 2018.
peer review exercises online. The service
The earnings gap between those with a bachelor’s degree and those without has
allows students to turn in assignments online,
widened to its greatest level since 1965. Young adults with only a high school diploma
saves instructors time grading papers,
earn 61 percent of the typical salary of college graduates, according to a study by the
gives feedback to students, and checks for
Pew Research Center, which concludes that a person with a college degree earns more
plagiarism. It also better prepares students
now, while a high school diploma is worth less, widening the gap between rich and poor.
for college, where much of the student work
is submitted online. College graduates, ages 25-32 earn $45,500 a year compared with $28,000 for high
“Turnitin is one tool helping us prepare school-only individuals. In 1965, the gap was just $7,449 between college grads and
our diverse student population for life high school grads.
beyond high school. We are encouraging The most sobering statistic, according to the study is that young adults with just a
and developing the use of Turnitin across high school diploma are 22 percent more likely to live in poverty, compared to 7 percent
the curriculum in every school in our in 1979.
District,” Language Arts Content Specialist
Ann Murray said.
The English instructors were among the Students who are in dual enrollment drafts. Through the originality checking
first to request Turnitin, and from September programs with Maricopa Community feature I teach students about plagiarism. I
to December, more than 29,000 student Colleges, and those participating in Grand can give fast feedback on draft assignments,
papers were submitted with over 14,000 Canyon University classes are already and make comments for customized
graded using the online grading tool. familiar with Turnitin, and welcome the feedback,” said Dawn Birch of Betty Fairfax
Adoption came quickly with a train- service at PUHSD. High School, who has used the system for
the-trainer model with tech-saavy teachers “I have students submit nearly every nine years, and is a teacher-trainer.
teaching their colleagues. assignment to the service, including multiple
6
Phoenix Union High School District
Dr. Gabriel Trujillo Named Rodel
Exemplary Principal Finalist
Trevor G. Browne Principal Dr. Gabriel
Trujillo was named a 2014 Rodel Exemplary
Principal Finalist, the Rodel Foundation
announced in December. Of the 13 finalists,
seven were selected as Rodel Exemplary
Principals.
The Rodel Foundation of Arizona is
committed to recognizing extraordinary Nearly 30
principals who are making a difference in
Career and Technical
the lives of students in “high-need” schools.
Rodel Exemplary Principals are recognized for
Education Programs
exceptional leadership and for two years will
train, mentor, and inspire the next generation offered at
of Arizona principals. Exemplary Principals provide professional development and
mentoring to three Rodel Aspiring Principals, creating a pipeline for educators who can Phoenix Union
eventually lead high-need schools.
Schools
Trujillo is in his fifth year as the principal of Trevor Browne, the largest school in the
District with over 3,000 students. He was an assistant principal for three years at Browne
prior to becoming principal. He has been a principal and assistant principal at charter February was Career and Technical
schools, and taught social studies and ELL English for five years. Trujillo earned a B.A. Education (CTE) month. What used to
in History from Park University (Missouri), a Post-baccalaureate Secondary Education be referred to as vocational education
degree and a Masters of Education at ASU. He completed his Doctoral Program of has come a long way. Phoenix Union
Educational Leadership from ASU last fall. He is also president of the Phoenix Union has 29 programs as varied as Business
Administrators Association. Operations, Sports and Entertainment
Trujillo was selected as a semifinalist in November. A site visit team conducted Marketing, Web Design, Law Enforcement,
an observation and interview with Trujillo and select staff members at Browne during Early Childhood Education, Engineering,
November. Computer/Networking Technology and
“I’m incredibly honored and humbled to have been selected as a Rodel Exemplary Pharmacy Support Services. Almost 9,000
Principal finalist. Thank you for this incredible opportunity and for coming out to TGB to PUHSD students have taken a CTE course,
see all of the amazing things we do for kids,” Trujillo said. including a freshman class, where students
explore a variety of careers, develop an
Education Career Action Plan (ECAP) and
receive internet safety and technology
Support My Club is literacy training.
There is a myth that CTE programs are
Helping Schools, Students for students not going to college. In fact:
• The percentage of CTE students entering
post-secondary schools is 13 percent
Since Support My Club has teamed up with
higher than non-CTE students.
PUHSD, clubs and teams all over the District
• Nearly 50 percent of all Dual Enrollment
have received over 1,000 items with no cost to
(earning college credit) opportunities at
teachers or students.
Phoenix Union are through CTE programs.
Here is a sampling of items received just in
• CTE students score significantly higher in
the last couple months:
AIMS reading, writing and math than
• Tools for theater set designs and robotics
other PUHSD students.
clubs
• Students enrolled in a CTE program had
• Soccer balls, swim goggles and baseballs
a 99 percent graduation rate in 2012-13.
• A 50lb. bag of sugar for culinary training
• CTE graduates are 10-15 percent more
• Prismacolor pencils for art likely to be in the labor force and earn
• Theater and museum tickets nearly 10 percent more than academic
Support My Club guides donors to their program graduates.
website and gets club and team members the Members of the Metro Tech Robotics Club
with their new drills! L to R: Maria Sumale,
items needed. Go to www.supportmyclub.org to Ariana Lima, Seefa Islam, Dalia Uriostegui To learn more about PUHSD’s Career and
find out more about Support My Club. Technical Education programs, visit
www.phoenixunion.org/cte.
7
Education Phoenix - Spring 2014
Another Maryvale State Champion Wrestler
Maryvale High School has a long tradition of outstanding wrestlers.
Everyone knows of Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo, but there have
been more before and after Henry. In fact, there have been 19 Maryvale
State Champions since 2001. A few weeks ago, the Panthers added another
name to their Wall of Fame. Alejandro Calderon of Maryvale was crowned
a Wrestling State Champion, February 22, in Prescott Valley. The senior
won four matches at the Division I State Tournament in 113-pound weight
class. He came into the tournament seeded second, and won four straight
matches, including beating the top-seeded wrestler from Mesa Mountain View, 4-3, in the
championship match, avenging a loss to the same wrestler last month. Calderon finishes
the season with a 50 win-4 loss record.
South Mountain
Girls Among the
North Coach Gets 300 Wins
Best in Arizona
North High Boys Basketball coach Joe Bustos, recorded career-win number
300 when the Mustangs beat Trevor Browne, January 7. Bustos, who led
The South Mountain Girls Basketball
North to back-to-back state titles in 2009 and 2010, has been coaching for
team made it to the quarterfinals of the
18 years.
Division II State Championship before
a disappointing overtime loss to #1
seeded Seton Catholic, February 25 at
Alhambra Soccer Shines
Jobing.com Arena. The Jaguars led for
much of the game, and by two points in
The Alhambra Lions Boys
the final minute, but Seton tied it with
Soccer team went toe-to-toe
13 seconds in regulation and outscored
with the best team in the state,
South by 10 points in the overtime. It
February 12, before dropping a
may have been a matchup of the
heart-breaking Division I Semi-
two best teams in Division II. Seton
Final match, 3-2, to Brophy Prep,
ultimately won the state title. South
the eventual state champion.
had defeated Seton in the final week of
The game was decided in a
the regular season to become the top-
penalty shot shoot-out after the
ranked school in the state, undefeated
teams were tied in regulation
in regular season games. However, a
1-1 and again after two overtime
loss in the Sectional Tournament, the
periods, 2-2. Alhambra led
Jags first loss of the year, relegated
1-0 at halftime, thanks to a
them to an 8th seed in the tournament,
Josias Ortiz goal, and stellar
even though they were still ranked 2nd
goaltending by the Lions’
in the state power rankings. South had
Eriberto Paredes, who had
made one stop, but Alhambra missed a
a bye in the first round, and beat Marcos
several brilliant saves throughout the game.
shot, and in the final round, Brophy made a
de Niza in a second round game to
Brophy tied it, 1-1, eight minutes into the
goal, and Alhambra’s final shot was blocked.
set up the rematch with Seton. South
second half. Alhambra took a 2-1 lead in
Alhambra finished its best season ever, at
finished the year, 26-4 overall, including
the first 10-minute overtime with a Benny
17-2-1, under coach Zachary Zamenski.
holiday tournaments. The Jaguars were
Meza goal, but seconds later, Brophy tied
Brophy went on to beat Hamilton, 1-0 in
vying for their first state championship
it again, 2-2. In the shoot-out, Paredes
penalty kicks in the championship game.
since 2007-2008.
Zamenski was named the
Section 1 Coach of the Year and
six Alhambra players were on the
All-Section first or second teams.
Aziz Allanidkim (forward); Jules
Pacifique (midfielder); Omar Llanos
(midfielder); Brian Martin (defender)
were first team picks. Kevin Nunez
(defender) and Eriberto Paredes A Camelback girls bathroom, decorated
with notes of love, hope, inspiration,
(Goalie) made the second team.
encouragement and friendship, greeted
girls on Valentine’s Day with the theme
of “You Are Beautiful.”
8
Phoenix Union High School District
North Students Meet Former Secretary of State Carl Hayden Student
Honored for Filmmaking
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, met with North High International
Baccalaureate (IB) juniors to discuss the importance of international diplomacy and respond
Mia Hernandez, a senior, won an
to their questions during a visit to Phoenix, January 10. This event was held in conjunction
honorable mention in the Scholastic Art &
with an exhibition of her collection of pins, often worn to send subtle diplomatic signals in the
Writing Competition in New York City. She
course of her work.
competed with art students from around the
North High was one of a select group of schools invited to identify a total of 50 students to
United States. She is a fourth year Magnet
participate in an hour-long program with Ms. Albright at the Phoenix Art Museum. IB student
student with exceptional skills in design,
Yohan Sivakumar shared the stage with Secretary Albright and after participating in a question
animation, video and audio editing. Her
and answer session, presented her with a silver Mustang pin to add to her collection.
animation “Tea for Two,” is an original story,
designed specifically for the Duck Tape
Company award.
“She created and animated the
characters, from duck tape, animated
and wrote all the music herself. This is a
tremendous undertaking for one artist,”
teacher Michele Delgado said.
Camelback Hosts
Student Government Conference
Camelback hosted the Phoenix Union
High School District Student Government Metro Strongman
Conference, February 19. Students
from 14 schools attended workshops Metro Tech’s Martin Lopez finished 5th in
and listened to speakers. The event the 56-kilogram weight class at the National
started with a performance from the Youth Olympic Weightlifting Championships
National Comedy Theatre, showcasing in Aurora, Colorado, February 1. Lopez,
performers from Camelback. The 5-4 and 123 pounds, snatched 167 pounds
group then held a workshop for the and “clean and jerked” 191 pounds. Only
students about “Finishing Strong.” The lifting since August and competing in only
conference finished strong with a music his second event in his life, Lopez has
festival presented by the High School been identified as a top prospect by the
Nation Tour. Camelback students and United States Olympic Committee. He is
staff were invited to join the festivities on the Spartan Football field for a free music and also a member of the Metro Tech Olympic
arts assembly and concert with interactive experiences to raise awareness and support for Weightlifting club and is strong in Calculus,
music and arts in schools. as well.
Social Studies Teachers Get a Lesson in the Arizona Constitution
Twenty-four members of PUHSD’s Teaching American History Grant attended a seminar taught by Arizona’s two leading Constitutional
lawyers, David Bodney and Paul Eckstein. They convened in the historic Senate chamber of the Arizona Capitol Museum, February
26, where the lawyers presented key cases in Arizona and United
States First Amendment law, the legal history of statehood, and
100-plus years of Arizona ballot propositions.
The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education four
years ago, has introduced content instruction and materials to
Phoenix Union social studies teachers that integrate the history of
the Southwest and Arizona with U.S. History.
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Education Phoenix - Spring 2014
Carl Hayden Robotics Coming to a Theatre Near You
Documentary, Motion Picture Feature Robotics Team
Ten years ago, when supporters and fellow version. The movie, starring George Lopez,
the Carl Hayden Falcon competitors. In fact, the Marisa Tomei and Jamie Lee Curtis, is coming
Robotics team arrived Falcons traveled to MIT in the fall. Much of the filming took place in
at its first underwater in November for a day Albuquerque, where a local high school
robotics competition in of filming, and a reunion was renamed Carl Hayden for the shooting.
Santa Barbara, California, with the MIT Alumni they Coaches Lajvardi and Alan Cameron, and
coach Fredi Lajvardi said defeated. the Hayden students were on hand to meet
“we looked like the carnival “It’s still affecting their acting counterparts, and lend technical
had arrived.” That my life, even 10 years assistance and insight into the story.
carnival has now turned after,” said Falcon “I love having real people on the set. It
into a media circus for alumnus Oscar Vazquez makes it more authentic. Every so often they
the ultimate underdogs to an MIT student who would say ‘Oh, I wouldn’t do that,’” Director
from central Phoenix, who asked how the experience Sean McNamara said.
beat every college team, had changed his life. Lopez is playing a hybrid of the two
including MIT, to win the “It gave me a career in coaches, Lajvardi and Cameron.
event. It spawned a legacy engineering; it helped me “I’m a huge fan of ‘Rocky’, and ‘Stand
of college-bound student pay for college; it brought and Deliver.’ This story has the elements of
engineers and social me to MIT today; it sent what makes movies great. There are heroes,
activists that continues me on the right path.” twists and turns, and emotions. Nothing is
today. The unlikely story While “Underwater better than real life,” Lopez said.
was first chronicled in Dreams” is a real life look “It’s the chemistry. Sometimes things just
a magazine article, and at the story, a motion click, and it clicked so much this time that we
Carl Hayden student Jose Martinez is
now, a motion picture and featured on the promotional poster. picture, entitled “La Vida didn’t even know what we were getting into,”
a documentary film are Robot,” is Hollywood’s Lajvardi said, in retrospect.
coming out this year.
The documentary is called “Underwater
Dreams,” produced by Mary Mazzio and 50
Eggs Production. The release date is this
spring. The film crew came to Phoenix
and Carl Hayden Community High School,
and interviewed the 2004 team, as well as
current and former team members, coaches,
Mary Mazzio, writer/producer, interviews Team members and their acting counterparts meet on the La Vida Robot set. From Left to right: oscar Gutierrez
Carl Hayden student Sergio Corral for documentary. plays Luis Aranda; Lorenzo Santillan is played by Jose Julian; oscar Vazquez, played by Carlos Pena, and
Cristian Arcega, played by David Del Rio. Front row: Alan Cameron, George Lopez and Fredi Lajvardi.
School Safety Bus Drivers Needed
is Everyone’s Business
Phoenix Union High School District is in
need of bus drivers. Drivers work six-
A big part of school safety is the communication between parents, students, the hour shifts but receive fulltime benefits,
community and our schools. We encourage our students and parents to contact school and start at $12.58 per
hour. A job description,
administration when they have information that may impact the safety of our students and
qualifications and
campuses. The Phoenix Police Department also has resources for reporting. You can
application can be found
contact the Phoenix Police Department Crime Stop at 602-262-6151, or Silent Witness at
at www.phoenixunion.org
480-WITNESS, or (in Spanish) 480-TESTIGO. For more information, call
[phone].
10