Glendale Union High School District
Linnartz recognized for high achievement
Sunnyslope senior Connor Linnartz was the top scholarship earner within Glendale Union High School District for 2013-14. He was offered more than $2.2 million in scholarships. Collectively, the entire senior class earned over $15 million in scholarships.
Linnartz completed seven AP classes in his high school career and carried a 4.7 weighted GPA. He also served as captain of the JV soccer team, captain of the football team, and was on the varsity cross-country team. He was a member of the National Honor Society.
In April, Linnartz was honored by Arizona Speaker of the House Andy Tobin, and Representatives Lela Alston, Kate Brophy McGee, and Eric Meyer for being sought by West Point, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Naval Academy.
Linnartz accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and began school at Annapolis last month. Linnartz’s older sister, Kirsten, who graduated from Sunnyslope High School a year before him, also was accepted into the Naval Academy. Parents Troy and Pandora Linnartz are both teachers at Sunnyslope High.
WHS earns an A+ rating award
The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) announced in April that 34 Arizona public schools earned the coveted A+ School of Excellence award for the 2013-2014 academic year. Among them was Washington High School.
Since 1983, AEF has honored exemplary pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public schools in Arizona with this program, which gives recognition to outstanding public schools and strives to create a comprehensive framework of successful programs and practices that other schools throughout the state and nation might adopt.
Applicant schools are evaluated in the areas of student focus and support, school culture, active teaching and learning, curriculum, leadership, community and parent involvement and assessment data.
Madison School District
Simis named an IB World School
Madison Simis Elementary School received official notice that it has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
To become an IB World School offering an IB program, Simis was evaluated by an external review team to verify that IB practices and program requirements are in place.
The IB organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
Only schools authorized by the IB organization can offer any of its three academic programs: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme (and in addition the IB Career-related Certificate).
Madison Meadows is entering the final year of IB World School, Middle Years Programme (MYP) candidacy, and will host an external review team visit in the spring of 2015.
For more information, contact Joyce Flowers, Madison Simis principal, at 602-664-7300 or jflowers@msd38.org.
Phoenix Union High School District
Metro Tech honored with A+ rating
Metro Tech High School has earned the A+ School of Excellence Award given by the Arizona Educational Foundation. The school celebrated the award on May 15 with school and district staff, students and representatives from the AEF. Only 34 schools statewide, including nine high schools, were selected.
To qualify as an A+ School, schools must demonstrate sustained high achievement or significant improvement through assessment data. Winning schools are recognized for their superior ability to identify and meet the academic and non-academic needs of their student population.
Principal Kate McDonald and staff had to complete an arduous 22-page narrative application, and a selection panel of education leaders conducted a two-day site visit, visiting every classroom and interviewing students, parents, teachers, support staff and the administrative team.
Metro Tech also has been named a 2014 Bronze School in the U.S. News and World Report’s Best High Schools list. In the 2012-13 school year, it was recognized as a Beat the Odds “Gold School” by the Center for the Future of Arizona, and was a 2012-13 Arizona Higher Performing School, according to the National Center for Educational Achievement annual report.
Metro Tech has met or exceeded the state average on AIMS scores in math, reading and writing each of the last three years.
Central High opens on-campus preschool
Central High School will open its Central Cubs Preschool this month. The preschool is part of the Early Childhood Education CTE (Career and Technical Education) program, and is staffed by a pre-school director and two assistants. In addition, 11th and 12th grade high school students also participate in the preschool as part of their Early Childhood Education requirements.
Central Cubs is now enrolling fully potty-trained 3,4 and 5 year olds. Preschool hours are 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Full- and part-time enrollment is available. Part-time enrollment will consist of three or four days a week. Three days a week will be $276 a month, and four days will be $368 a month.
Full-time is $460 a month, due by the fifth of every month. The preschool will coincide with Central High School’s schedule, therefore parents will be discounted for any days the high school/center will be closed.
There is a $150 non-refundable registration fee, due upon enrollment, $100 of which will go toward the first month’s payment. Snacks and meals will be provided by the Central cafeteria. For more information, contact Toni Dang, director of Central Cubs Preschool, at dang@phoenixunion.org or 602-764-7591.
North High lauded for SAT scores
North High School made a list of the Top 50 High Schools in Arizona, based on an average SAT score. The statewide ranking is based on 2013 SAT test scores from The College Board, which administers the test nationwide.
North had a 1602 average score, and ranked 41st. Every school on the list had at least 10 students take the test. Phoenix Union Bioscience High School also made the list with a 1581 average.
Most Phoenix Union schools concentrate on the ACT exam, which is given free to every 11th grader. Students choose to take the SAT on their own.
Students win Skill Point Certificates
Metro Tech High School students won awards at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, held June 23-27 in Kansas City, Mo.
Industry leaders representing more than 600 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized competitors from around the country for their demonstrated excellence in 99 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. All contests are designed, run and judged by industry using industry standards.
High scorers in the contests received Skill Point Certificates. The Skill Point Certificate was awarded in 86 occupational and leadership areas to students who achieved a high score defined by industry.
David Hernandez from Metro Tech was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Computer Maintenance Technology. In addition, the team of Du Vu and Nicholas Renteria from Metro Tech was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Humanoid Robotics.
Top student winners received gold, silver and bronze medallions. Many also received prizes such as tools of their trade and/or scholarships to further their careers and education. The SkillsUSA Championships is for high school and college-level students who are members of SkillsUSA.
Washington Elementary School District
Resource center available to assist families
The Washington Resource Information Center, on the campus of Washington Elementary School at 8033 N. 27th Ave., is a family resource center designed to be a one-stop shop for:
• Resource and referral information for food, clothing, medical services and much more
• AHCCCS/SNAP application assistance
• Parent support programs via classes, workshops and groups
• Early literacy programs such as Raising A Reader and Laugh & Learn Family Play group
• Kindergarten readiness programs
The resource center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parents and caretakers are encouraged to call or come by for information on parenting skills training, family-centered support, kindergarten preparation, preventive programs and more.
For more information, contact EnriquetaDiSanto at 602-347-3471 or enriqueta.disanto@wesdschools.org.
Private and Charter Schools
Bourgade receives prestigious award
For its exemplary record of leadership, service and activities that serve to improve the school and community, Bourgade Catholic High School has been awarded a 2014 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). Bourgade is the only high school in the state of Arizona and one of only seven Catholic high schools in the country to be honored.
“Receiving a NASC National Gold Council of Excellence Award reflects the highest dedication on the part of the local school to provide a strong, well-rounded student council program,” says Ann Postlewaite, Director of National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Student Programs. “NASC applauds the work of the National Gold Councils of Excellence and challenges them to continue their leadership and service to their schools and communities.”
Bourgade Principal Kathryn Rother said, “Bourgade is extremely proud of our student leaders who continuously model unwavering dedication to the call to learn, lead, and serve. These young people represent well the students of our school as they serve their school, their community, and their God. We congratulate them for this recognition of all their hard work.”
Bourgade Catholic High School has successfully met criteria for the NASC National Gold Council of Excellence that includes a democratic election process; leadership training; teacher appreciation activities; school and community service projects; spirit activities; goal setting; financial planning, and active participation in the Arizona Association of Student Councils and the national association.
The National Association of Student Councils promotes and provides leadership development opportunities to prepare and empower students to serve their schools and communities. NASC is a program of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The NASSP also sponsors the National Honor Society.
Eleven Xavier seniors named Merit Finalists
All eleven Xavier College Preparatory seniors who were selected as Semifinalists in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Competition were named Finalists.
The eleven young women received this honor for placing in the top one-half of one percent of the 1.5 million students nationwide who took the PSAT; earning SAT scores that confirmed their earlier performances on the PSAT; boasting outstanding academic records throughout high school; and participating actively in community and school activities.
Among the Xavier Finalists were: Maha Ahmed, who is attending Duke University in the fall; Julia Burke, who will be a freshman at the University of California-Berkeley; Andrea Filler, who will be wearing the red and white for Santa Clara University; MaeherGrewal and Kelsey Harrison, who head to our nation’s capitol and Georgetown University; Emily Hastings, who stays close to home at the University of Arizona Honors College; Cecilia Hoang, who will start at Vassar College this fall; Marissa Patel, who will be a Big Red Bear at Cornell University; Sarah Sakha, who will attend the prestigious Princeton University; Sophia Wix, who is Los Angeles bound for the University of California; and Claire Woodrow, who will attend Stanford University also in southern California.
In addition to these eleven finalists, 14 Xavier students were named Commended Students for placing among the top 5 percent of students who entered the 2014 competition.
Xavier principal given accolades
Xavier College Preparatory principal Sister Joan Fitzgerald, BVM, was honored by the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) at the AIA Champions Awards Luncheon on May 19 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Fitzgerald, Xavier’s principal since 1974, was named the organization’s “Pursuing Victory With Honor” Administrator of the Year.
In the fall, Fitzgerald traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept the U.S. Department of Education’s prestigious 2013 National Blue Ribbon School award on Xavier’s behalf. Recently, she was named “Most Influential in Valley Education” by Arizona Foothills Magazine.
Chambers bids farewell to Brophy College Prep
John Chambers attended Brophy College Prep’s 2014 graduation for the last time this June, leaving with many accomplishments. Among them is his recognition as the only coach in Arizona who has taken both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams to the Arizona state finals.
Chambers was born in Florence, Ariz., graduated in the first graduating class as a Prospector from Apache Junction High School and went on to produce a legion of accomplished athletes and students in his professional career as a teacher and coach.
In the 45 years at Brophy (with a one year interruption from 1987-88 at The College of William and Mary), Chambers taught world history, biology, AP biology, anatomy, kinesiology and PE. He served as Brophy’s head basketball coach for 10 years and assistant varsity football coach, topping his career off as Brophy athletic director for 24 years.
Father Edward Reese S.J., president of Brophy, said, “John has spent more than half his life at Brophy, developing young men on and off the court as a role model, a gentle yet demanding teacher and coach. He will be greatly missed by all.”
Gilberg an intern at TGen this summer
North Central teen Grace Gilberg was selected for a prestigious internship with the Ivy Neurological Science Internship Program at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Gilberg, a junior at Phoenix Country Day School, was one of nearly 800 applicants for the position designed to “inspire a new generation of scientists with the skills needed to pursue the complexities of studying the human brain,” according to a TGen spokesperson.
The 10-week, paid internship will have Gilberg collaborating with college undergraduates, as well as graduate medical school students, in her research. She has been placed with two researchers, Nhan Tran, Ph.D., and research associate, SerdarTuncali, in the division of Cancer and Cell Biology. During her research program, Gilberg will study the brain, with particular emphasis on genetically based malignant brain tumors.
Middle school kids win Algebra awards
Middle school students at All Saints’ Episcopal Day School on May 5 participated in the State Algebra Contest, sponsored by the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics. The State Algebra Contest is open only to students who have not taken a math class more advanced than first year algebra.
The test consisted of 50 multiple-choice questions and one open-ended question. This year, seven students from All Saints’ Episcopal Day School placed in the top 10 students in the state.
Seventh-grader Eric Lin captured first place, and classmate Nicholas Rau took second place. Seventh-graders Michael Perry, Ursula Gately and John Paul Rabusa and eighth-graders Isabella Gordon and Oliver Jacobsen all tied for fifth place.
“The success of our students is encouraging since our aim is to facilitate learning in all academic disciplines, including STEM-related courses,” said Head of School Leo P. Dressel. “Their achievements are a credit to the foundation provided through the collaborative work of our teachers.”
SFX expands religious education offerings
Daniel J. Sullivan, SJ, pastor, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Faith Community, announced the introduction of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the church and the school’s Religious Education program. The catechesis program will be offered to all religious education students at St. Francis Xavier starting in the fall.
The Catechesis program will be overseen by Melinda “Mindy” Longwell and Claudia Margarita Schmitt, who have a combined experience totaling more than 50 years in this teaching methodology.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori method of spiritual formation in which the catechist and the child together explore the mystery of God. By creating a sacred environment for their spiritual needs, the child can grow in a loving relationship with God and the church.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is one of more than 70 religious and educational programs that are offered at t
