Glendale Union High School District
Save the date: Future Freshman Night
GUHSD’s signature event, Future Freshman Night, is quickly approaching, with Sunnyslope High School hosting its event on Wednesday, Nov. 13, followed by the district-wide event on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. During these events, eighth-grade students and their families will discover why GUHSD is the top-performing high school district in the Metro Phoenix area.
Attendees can learn about the district’s nationally recognized academics, championship athletics, fine and performing arts courses, and resources for college and career opportunities. An Honors and Advanced Placement Academy presentation will also be included.
For more information about your local school’s Future Freshman Night, visit www.guhsdaz.org/futurefreshman.
Washington High School’s Interact Club help prepare and serve over 500 meals during a recent volunteer effort for Andre House (submitted photo).
Interact Club volunteers at Andre House
Washington High School’s Interact Club went to Andre House to assist with their mission of feeding, clothing and comforting the most vulnerable. The Interact Club members helped with meal preparation and served over 500 meals.
Senior earns Congressional award
Sunnyslope High School senior Uli Kohrt earned her Silver Medal from the United States Congress as part of the Congressional Award Program. Kohrt participates in and leads theater, holds a job at a local bakery, bakes the most amazing “Uli-Bread,” and has learned and taught others to crochet and make baby hats for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital project.
Members of the Thunderbird Key Club collected donations during a recent Walk-A-Thon to support the efforts of Andre House Hospitality Center (submitted photo).
Key Club participates in Walk-A-Thon
Thunderbird High School’s Key Club participated in the Walk-A-Thon at Hurricane Harbor for the seventh year. This is an annual event sponsored by the North Phoenix Kiwanis. The event raised money to benefit students in the community.
Thunderbird Key Club members were able to collect donations totaling $300 and donated blankets for the blanket drive. This was an additional service event at the Walk-A-Thon this year to benefit homeless guests at Andre House Hospitality Center.
District to host band exhibition
Glendale Union High School District (GUHSD) will present its annual Marching Band Exhibition Monday, Nov. 4.
All nine district high school marching bands will perform beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Glendale Community College Football Stadium, 6000 W. Olive Ave. This is a free event open to the public.
Congressman Greg Stanton stopped by Washington High School in October to discuss the importance of education (submitted photo).
WHS hosts Congressman Stanton
Washington High School students were honored to hear from congressman and proud WHS parent, Greg Stanton, at an Oct. 17 event. He spoke about the importance of education and why understanding economics is crucial for success in today’s world.
Stanton also shared his experiences as a GUHSD alum, inspiring students to make the most of their education.
After the event, the district said, “GUHSD is grateful to have such a dedicated leader and alumnus supporting our school!”
Student visits Rice University
Sunnyslope High School senior Angel Santana Torres visited Rice University as part of the QuestBridge Fly-In Program. The program selected Torres for the opportunity and flew him to the school to join other selected high school seniors in a special tour and program dedicated to other program students.
Artwork created by 90 Madison Meadows Middle School students in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, and the passengers and crew of Flight 93 was displayed in the Memorial Plaza Shelter, which overlooks the Flight 93 National Memorial, on Oct. 1 (submitted photo).
Madison School District
Student artwork displayed at National Memorial
In remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, approximately 90 students at Madison Meadows Middle School collaborated on a piece of artwork focused on the Field of Honor, the national tribute to the passengers and crew of Flight 93.
Inspired by a film shown from the Flight 93 National Memorial website during their social studies classes, the students created a 3-foot by 5-foot drawing of the field and made 40 flowers and 40 trees representing the passengers and crew and included the names along the walking path.
The artwork was sent to the Flight 93 Memorial Pennsylvania and was displayed on Oct. 1 in the Memorial Plaza Shelter, which overlooks the site.
Open enrollment begins in December
Madison Elementary School District will begin accepting open enrollment applications online for the 2025-26 school year on Dec. 2. Open enrollment allows families who live outside of a school’s attendance boundary to apply for enrollment at the school. All eight of Madison’s elementary and middle schools offer signature programs to enhance children’s educational experience by providing opportunities to pursue and develop their interests and talents alongside their academic classes.
The district’s signature programs are offered at both the elementary and middle school levels and prepare students for success in high school and beyond. Signature programs include Visual & Performing Arts, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math), Spanish Immersion, REACH – Profoundly Gifted, International Baccalaureate and Traditional Academy.
More information about Madison’s signature programs, enrollment and tour opportunities is available at www.madisonaz.org.
District’s nutrition program recognized
Madison School District’s school nutrition program was recently named as one of only 39 school districts nationally to receive the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award by Action for Healthy Kids and USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.
The district received the Innovation in Nutrition Education Award for its work educating students on topics such as MyPlate, local foods, healthy lifestyle choices, the relationship between food and the environment and providing nutrition lessons both in the classroom and in school gardens.
The Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards Program recognizes and celebrates school districts that make operational changes to improve the planning and preparation of nutritious school meals, as well as those that engage students and families in menu planning and nutrition education.
The Camelback High School girls flag football team is learning a lot about teamwork during its first season (photo courtesy of Phoenix Union High School District).
Phoenix Union High School District
PXU girls make history, one touchdown at a time
Schools in the Phoenix Union High School District this year added girl’s flag football to their student sports lineup. Here’s how it’s going at two of those schools.
Camelback High School
Camelback High School’s sports season had just begun with their very first girl’s flag football team led by current varsity basketball coach Glen Ellis, who is determined to guide them on what being a team is all about.
“I just want them to be able to experience what it’s like to be on a team,” he explained, “what it’s like to be part of a family at school and bond with other people and come together on something that they have in common such as football.”
Ellis added that learning to be competitive and good people is also imperative in the sport. The coach was certainly correct when explaining the importance of being a team – not only do the girls have the competitive spirit needed for a good game, but they also treasure the love and support of their teammates.
When asked about her favorite part of flag football, 11th grader Inara Martinez answered, “Definitely engaging with my teammates, spending time with them, and just being a team together, making memories, and having fun!”
Martinez also touches on female empowerment in athletics, describing the importance of communication, connection, and having one another’s back to represent Camelback in a positive way.
Camelback’s flag football team includes a rigorous practice routine, making the players strong and ready to compete on game day. London Wilson, a senior at Camelback, who also manages the softball team, provided an inside look at what it takes to be great on the field.
“We work on conditioning to get ready, like running up and down the hill so we’re all in shape,” Wilson recalls. “We also work on weights and lifting so we’re all strong for the girls we’re going against.”
The senior reveals that it takes a lot of focus and work. Additionally, when asked about a female role model that inspires her, she reveals her admiration for former-first lady, Michelle Obama.
“She defeats all odds, and she represents a lot for the Black community and the women!”
These players teach everyone that the perfect recipe for a great sports team includes dedication and supporting one another. Senior Alison Araujo said, “Being part of the team has taught me to be better at communicating with one another and just being able to be supportive with one another and being emotionally for them too.”
Araujo encourages aspiring Spartans who wish to join the field to work hard and go for what they love.
These incredible young role models are not just a sports team, they are a tight-knit community with a love for football, which gives them the ability to express themselves and learn valuable lessons such as girl power and teamwork along the way.
“We have a good dynamic here on our team,” Ellis acknowledged. “A lot of different girls from different backgrounds come together to play football!”
The flag football team at North High School has already formed a strong bond with one another as they look forward to the remainder of their inaugural season (photo courtesy of Phoenix Union High School District).
North High School
The newly established girl’s flag football team at North High School is gearing up for its inaugural season. Led by co-captain Xxylina Flores, a sophomore athlete with a strong passion for sports, the team features several players who played for the school’s basketball team to help launch this exciting new program.
“I really like our team bond,” said Flores. “I think I have a good bond with a lot of girls, especially because we played basketball together last year, and many of them are returning players. The freshmen fit in great with our bond.”
Head coach Michael Butler and coach Andrea Shannon bring enthusiasm to the squad, working hard to prepare the girls for the season, the school said. They provide snacks at every practice, and Shannon raises funds that have allowed the players to receive free cleats. The strong relationship between the players and coaches fosters a positive atmosphere as they aim for a successful season.
Flores plays wide receiver and sometimes serves as quarterback on offense, while also taking on the role of safety on defense. She expressed excitement about the team’s future, noting that despite being in its early stages, the 20-player squad has already gathered significant attention. Throughout the campus, students frequently ask questions about the sport, highlighting that the rest of the school shares their enthusiasm for the team’s potential.
She said, “We are a pretty young team, and we have time to develop over time, and with the new freshmen that come in, it will be a great development for the team.”
Flores values their strong bond and enjoys their time together. Practices are fun and a balance of focus with humor. She remains optimistic about their performance moving forward.
“As long as we keep pushing in our season, I think we got it,” she said. “Let’s continue doing well the rest of our season.”
Members of the Sunnyslope School volleyball team celebrated as district champions in October (photo courtesy of Washington Elementary School District).
Washington Elementary School District
Sunnyslope wins volleyball championship
It was an exciting evening of action and friendly competition last month as the WESD 2024-25 volleyball champions were determined. All students played hard and displayed incredible skill and sportsmanship, the district said, adding, “Congratulations to Sunnyslope School who won the Girls Volleyball K-8 Championship!”
The team also achieved an undefeated season. The district thanked all of the coaches, families, staff and community members for their support throughout the season.
Class receives reading grant
Jennifer Spector’s fifth-grade class at Desert View Elementary School was honored as a “Read Your Way to the Ballpark” grant recipient by the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, presented by Avnet.
Spector’s class was selected to receive a $1,000 grant to purchase new books and help support further reading. The teacher and her instructional coach, Megan Nash, and Principal John Mospan attended a game earlier this fall at Chase Field where Spector and her class were recognized during a special pre-game ceremony for their commitment to reading.
District to host interview fair
The district will host a teacher interview fair Saturday, Nov. 2, from 8:30-11 a.m. in the Governing Board Room at the WESD Administrative Center, located at 4650 W. Sweetwater Ave. The district says that it offers competitive teacher salaries of $53,000-$89,950 with performance pay, student loan forgiveness, paid holidays and personal leave, multi-layer teacher support, professional development, school-age child care discounts, a wellness program and an Employee Assistance Plan, medical, dental and vision benefits, employer-matched contributions to Arizona State Retirement and more.
Whether a seasoned educator or just starting out on a teaching journey, the district invites educators to join their team. Walk-ins are welcome. To apply online, visit https://jobs.wesdschools.org.
