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Julie Baker, an Apollo High School sophomore, won first place in the Congressional Art Competition in February. She will receive a full scholarship to the Art Institute of Phoenix worth $60,000 where she hopes to pursue a bachelor's degree in graphic art. Her winning art was of her Grandpa, Dr. Lewis Rabinowitz, (as a 5-year-old child dressed in a tuxedo and top hat) with the Hebrew prayer for the dead in the background.It was a scratchboard drawing in black and white. This artwork is on the December page of the Apollo school calendar. Julie's art will be hung in Congress for one year. Julie received four round-trip airline tickets from Southwest Airlines, 2 nights lodging at the Marriott Hotel, $300 and a lucite star-shaped trophy. In June, she will go to Washington, D.C. with her parents, Chuck and Lori, and her art teacher, Barb Dahlstedt. There were 208 entries in the contest sponsored by Congressman John Shadegg. |
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The student councils of all nine high schools in the Glendale Union High School District held a convention in March at Washington High School.
Student body presidents spearheaded the event. Students did all the planning and preparation. Approximately 300 student council members participated. The convention theme was TEAMWORK. Students conducted workshops on how to plan activities and build school spirit. Guest speakers, Paul Wieser and Bill Straus from the Arizona Anti-Defamation League addressed the students. Student body presidents from the nine high schools planned the event as part of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee. The committee meets bi-monthly to discuss issues of common interest with Superintendent Vernon Jacobs. Curriculum Coordinator Craig Mussi is the teacher advisor to the group. Photos by Cindy Whiffen, Curriculum & Instruction Secretary |
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NJROTC Unit Formed at Greenway
Ribbon-Cutting Held
May 6, 2003 - Seventy-five Greenway High School cadets celebrated the opening of their new Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) unit and dedication of their new classroom.
The Unit, which celebrated its "standing in" by the Navy on January 1, 2003, had formerly been a part of Moon Valley High School's program.
Ed Murphy, Ed. D. Named Personnel Administrator of the Year
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Dr. Ed Murphy was named 2002-2003 Personnel Administrator of the Year by the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association. His staff and co-workers echo the honor stating, he is "most deserving of this recogniton."
Murphy has been the GUHSD administrator of personnel since 1997. In this position, he is responsible for certificated personnel, teacher recruiting and district staffing. Murphy came to the position from Greenway High School, where he was principal for 11 years.
In May of 1996, Greenway was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. Because of this honor, Murphy was a guest at the White House with then-President Bill Clinton. Murphy was also a two-time recipient of the Chase Outstanding Arizona Principal award.
A 33-year veteran of the district, Murphy has served as assistant
principal at Sunnyslope High School and teacher at Moon Valley
High School. He will retire in June.
MVHS Principal Receives Service Award
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Moon Valley High School principal Dr. Linda Rosness has been named recipient of the Bernard Steward Distinguished Service Award by the Arizona Career and Technical Education Association. She will be honored July 23 in Tucson.
Rosness was nominated for her work with planning and developing a new culinary arts commercial kitchen at the school and adding an adaptive culinary arts class for students with disabilities.
Rosness has encouraged teachers to gain industry certification while working with industry professionals to gain alternative teaching certification in culinary arts, fire science and English as a Second Language. Rosness has been principal at Moon Valley for two years.
Giant Cake for 2003 4-A State Basketball Championship
Both THS boys' and girls' teams won the 2003 4-A State Basketball
Championship. The teams were honored by their school with
a giant cake baked for the whole school by the Chiefs' Food
Service staff.
Steve Burke is the Girl's basketball coach
Buddy Rake is the Boy's basketball coach
Bernie Stuhan is the THS Food Service Supervisor
Womack Does 'Pitch' For Reading at Apollo
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Arizona Diamondbacks star Tony Womack did physical training at Apollo High School's baseball field for the past few weeks. Tony was pleased to 'work out' with students and coaches at the school and conducted interviews with journalism students from around the district.
Womack obliged Apollo administration by giving a 'pitch' to students on the importance of good reading habits to one's later years. His conditioning coach is former Moon Valley coach Maurice "Mo" Streety.
Student Body President Cassity Tomao interviewed Tony Womack
to learn what he had to tell the students about reading. He
quoted, "we don't have our priorities straight,"
because they know all of the words to music videos but struggle
when it comes to school work. Womack also mentioned that he
has a Tony Womack cover-to-cover reading program where he
emphasizes for kids that it is not how much you read, but
just to read and make sure you understand it.
GUHSD Teacher Gains National Certification
Patricia Jimenez, Sunnyslope High School English teacher, has received national teacher certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Jimenez is one of only eight in the state who are certified in Adolescence/Young Adulthood English Language Arts. She is the third teacher in the Glendale Union High School District to earn this recognition.
To earn national certification, a teacher must prepare a video of his/her teaching and analyze the lesson and submit samples of student work, along with a written analysis. The candidate's list of accomplishments must be documented, and the candidate must pass six tests that examine knowledge of a content area and the science of teaching.
Jimenez is currently earning her Master of Arts degree in Language and Literacy at Arizona State University. She teaches sophomore and senior level English classes at Sunnyslope, where she has taught the entire ten years of her career. She is the sophomore English Team Leader and coaches the school's Academic Decathlon team. She has also coached swimming.
Employees Honored for 25 Years
of Service,
800 Years of Dedication
On February 5, 2003 the Glendale Union High School District Governing Board honored 32 District employees for their 25 years of service to the district and community. Most of these employees started their careers in 1977. Their service years combined totaled a whopping 800 years of dedication!
Principals provided highlights of each staff member's career as family, co-workers, district administrators and the Board listened. Each honoree left with a certificate of appreciation and a caricature depicting various aspects of their life and career.
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Moon Valley Student Wins State Photo Contest
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Moon Valley High School junior Kristie Kennedy recently won the statewide Jack Peterson student photography contest sponsored by the Arizona School Boards Association. The theme for the competition was "Promoting Pride in Arizona’s Public Schools." Kennedy’s winning photo depicts a student reading a U.S. History book near a patriotic backdrop.
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Kennedy stated that she enjoyed photography because " . . . You can express everyday things in your own unique way." Her 8" x 10" entry won first place among black and white photos and was displayed at the annual ASBA conference in Scottsdale in December. It will be reprinted for permanent display in the ASBA offices in Phoenix.
Kennedy is a junior and a second-year photography student.
Her instructor is Loretta Barber, a 34-year veteran teacher.
State Superintendent Dedicates Metrocenter Academy
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GUHSD Superintendent Vernon Jacobs welcomes State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne to the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Metrocenter Academy - Education Resource Center. Business partners are Simon Youth Foundation, Communities in Schools and Metrocenter Mall. |
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Representatives (L) Marsha Oliver and (R) Deborah |
Board members, administrators, staff, students and guests were present for the official ribbon cutting ceremony and facility tour.
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Board members Richard Stapley, seated left, and
Vicki Johnson, second from the right, chat with students
and guests.
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Two students spoke about the academy and its flexibility of hours that accommodates the working student who in most cases also has a family or a job.
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Board member David Braswell greets well-wishers before the ceremony. More than 125 people attended the Grand Opening. |
Metrocenter Academy serves students ages 17 - 21 who left school early and want to return to earn the remaining credits so they can receive their high school diplomas. To date, the Academy (and previous facility at Chris-Town) has graduated 285 students.
The Academy is located on the southeast corner of Metrocenter Mall on the second floor next to Macy's.
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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne poses with Metrocenter Academy teachers (left to right) Carolyn Kelly, Nancy VanderArk and Janice Reed
Governing Board Members Elected
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David
Braswell
Kevin
ClaybornGUHSD High School Kids Donate 10,000 Hours
Each year, Glendale Union High School District students donate more than 10,000 hours of community service. The holiday season is especially busy. Below are highlights of activities in each of the high schools.
Apollo High School
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Students donated gifts and stuffed stockings for needy families.
The Student council sponsored the first ever schoolwide blood drive in November. The group is also sponsoring Adopt-a-Family activities. During the year, students tutor neighboring Horizon Elementary students. Apollo students collected money through an AIDS Walk to fund education and research.
NJROTC color guard performed at the Arizona School Board Association Annual Conference in mid-December.
Apollo choir students sang Holiday songs for district office
staff on their way to their performance at the State Capitol.
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Cortez High School
The Student Council decorated holiday food boxes, collected food, filled and delivered the boxes to needy families in their school attendance area. The Just One/Interact Club sponsored a Halloween carnival for 1,000 children, from toddlers to 11 years old. They had booths, gave out candy and painted faces as part of the festivities at what is now an annual event.
The soccer team participated in a walk-a-thon to help raise
money for breast cancer research. Used greeting cards are
being collected for use in St. Luke's orphanage fundraising
efforts.
Glendale High School
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An all-school clothing drive, held in December, was sponsored by Students Out Serving and the Interact Club. The sidewalk giveaway held in front of the school was a huge success.
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Art students made clay bowls to donate to benefit the Waste Not Empty Bowl program.
The high school choir performed at elementary schools and local retirement homes.
A Student Council blood drive was held and the NJROTC held
a canned food drive. The Distributive Career Education Club
has joined with the Department of Economic Security to sponsor
a Toys for Tots program where a thousand toys are expected
to be donated to children experiencing economic hardships.
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Greenway High School
Students made holiday baskets for school families to be delivered in December. The Key Club is collecting food and toiletries to take to the downtown homeless shelter. Student Council is conducting a food and toy drive, and the school's "Best Buddies" will sing Christmas carols to the elderly.
The school choir performed at the State Capitol and was featured
on the show "After the Bell" which airs on Channel
9.
Independence High School
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The Key Club raised money for UNICEF to combat Vitamin A deficiency throughout the world.
The Spanish Club is working to "Stuff the Bus" with stuffed animals for donations to needy children.
SADD students stuffed boxes at the St. Mary's Food Bank warehouse for Thanksgiving and are now working with the Lions Club on a canned food drive. National Honor Society students tutor their peers in academics and offer free babysitting service for parents during the school's open house.
Students in the Young Environmentalists Club worked at the
Glendale Halloween Fest at Saguaro Ranch Park. They gave candy
and had a booth featuring a hoop and beanbag toss.
Moon Valley High School
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The Spanish Club used their language skills to interview needy families for the Salvation Army Christmas Angel program.
The girls basketball team will visit the Emmanuel Campus of Care bringing songs and gifts to the elderly on Christmas Eve.
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In November, the Student Council joined Glendale Community College at the Read Fest with elementary school children.
Independence also joined with Thunderbird High School to wrap 400 gifts for needy families.
Key Club community service projects include raising money
to purchase diapers and baby supplies for St. Vincent de Paul,
building homes with Habitat for Humanity, visiting senior
citizens at Chris Ridge Village, organizing clothes for a
homeless shelter and working at St. Mary's Food Bank.
Sunnyslope
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Art students have designed, produced and decorated a train in the school's lobby. It is being filled with donations of stuffed toys for distribution to police and fire departments.
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The English as a Second Language department sponsored an adult dinner for English Language Learners at the school. Sunnyslope students volunteer to assist the teacher in evening classes for many ELL students and Sunnyslope neighborhood residents. Students in the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers are tutoring English Language Learners in reading and math. The Environmental Club has been running a recycling campaign and a clothing drive. The club planted trees and flowers on the campus. Peer Tutors volunteered to work one day a week at the Desert Mission Food Bank preparing materials for distribution.
The Viking Pride Marching Band played the National Anthem
at the Sunnyslope Community Picnic in mid-October. Students
in Diane D'Agostino's social studies classes have committed
to ten hours of community service per student.
Thunderbird
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Key Club members traveled to Overgaard in Northern Arizona to help the National Wildlife Service by covering seedlings with straw to assure their safe growth this spring.
For the holidays, the club collected money at the Metrocenter Turkey Trot for needy families, collected canned food, and helped Sunnyslope Community Center with their Christmas party for needy families.
The school social worker coordinated a schoolwide charity garage sale, a clean-up day for the school habitat garden, and an adopt-a-family project in December.
Students participated in the adopt-a-street program to help keep their neighborhood clean.
Washington
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The Student Council sponsored a blood drive earlier this month and spearheaded a canned food drive in November. In October, students decorated the Glendale Care Center for the elderly and sponsored a haunted house. The National Honor Society volunteered their time to help individual senior citizens in the community and prepared boxes of necessities for refugees in Bosnia. Special Education students baked cookies for an army unit overseas and visited nursing homes to give homemade greeting cards. The school's "Best Buddies' plans group activities for special education students and spend time on weekends being a 'buddy' to their peers one-on-one.
The Spiritline participated in the annual Walk for Hope to help find a cure for breast cancer raising over $1,000 for the fight for the cure.
The Interact Club has helped Habitat for Humanity by framing, drywalling, and painting homes on alternate weekends during the year. The Interact Club has served meals at André House, collected for St. Mary's Food Bank, and is tutoring younger students at Ocotillo Elementary School. The Washington social worker organized a school wide adopt-a-family project, including gifts and a meal with students filling Thanksgiving food boxes for needy families.
GUHSD Staff Members Join ADE Curriculum Design Team
Two Glendale Union staff have been invited to be members of the Arizona Department of Education's Education Professions Curriculum Design Team. This very important committee will develop the new vocational program related to education professions.
Kim St Clair, Cortez High School; Pam Ferguson, retired Moon Valley teacher and Dean Petersen, District Administrator of Vocational Education and Special Programs represent GUHSD on this committee.
The district's Aspire to Teach program will qualify for state and federal funding once the course is established as part of Arizona's vocational education program. "It is imperative for all levels of education to work together to create the teaching force needed in the future," stated ADE educational professions Curriculum Project Director, Barbara Border.
Glendale
Union Finance Department Honored
For the 12th year in a row, the Glendale Union High School District business department has been honored with the Achievement of Excellence in Financial Reporting award bestowed by the Government Finance Officers Association.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
The award-winning comprehensive annual financial report was evaluated by an impartial panel and was judged against high standards which include demonstration of a 'spirit of full disclosure' to clearly communicate its financial story.
Associate Superintendent for Finance Gene Dudo was honored at the October 16 meeting of the GUHSD Governing Board.
Performing Schools
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Marching Band Directors
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GUHSD Students Named Merit Scholars
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Six Glendale Union High School District seniors were recently named among the nation's elite group of National Merit Scholar Semifinalists. They are:
Kevin Frei, Glendale
Tommy Clarke, Sunnyslope
Ben T. Folsom, Thunderbird
Giao X. Quach, Thunderbird
Dimitri T. Davis, Washington
Julia C. Peters, Washington
Honorees attended a reception where they were formally recognized by the GUHSD Governing Board at its regular meeting on September 18.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION - Merit Scholar Program
- Semifinalists in the 2003 National Merit Scholarship Program competition
- Students represent the top one-half of one percent of Arizona's graduating class.
- Merit scholar semi-finalist status is based on scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test taken during their junior year.
- To qualify for finalist status, semifinalists must write an essay outlining community service and work experience, personal interests and goals - must be endorsed by school principal.
- Finalists will be eligible to receive corporate scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 per year for four years of college.
- Finalists will be named in February 2003.
September, 2002:
GUHSD music teachers sing National Anthem at Bank One Ballpark.
High School Students Show Patriotism
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Moon Valley High School Shows Colors on Patriot's DayMore than 1500 students at Moon Valley High School 'showed their colors' September 11 by wearing red, white and blue on campus to honor Patriot's Day.The school's Red, White and Blue Day began at 7:30 a.m. with a visit from the Phoenix Fire Department. The Student Council sponsored the planting of a memorial tree on campus. The Moon Valley band and choir performed.
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Superintendent Jacobs Appointed to Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education
GUHSD Superintendent Vernon Jacobs was appointed by Governor Jane Dee Hull to serve as a Commissioner on the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education. The Arizona State Senate confirmed his appointment August 13, 2002.
The Commission is a State education agency whose mission is to support and assist Arizona citizens and educational institutions through education awareness. It works to prepare students for access to postsecondary education and achievement through financial aid, policy analysis and communications administration. The commission began as a unit of the Arizona Board of regents and became a separate state education agency in 1994.
Glendale Union has been active in affording dual high school and college credit for students and for developing business and college partnerships that lead students to industry certification in a variety of career fields.
A CARDINAL COINCIDENCE?
The Glendale (High School) Cardinals marching band, flag line, cheer squad, pom-pons and Cardinal mascot joined to welcome dignitaries and the media as sports history is made Friday, August 30, 2002 at the Glendale Civic Center.
The colorful reception was held to welcome the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team to Glendale after Mayor Elaine Scruggs and the City Council unanimously voted to place the new Cardinals stadium in Glendale.
Glendale High School, the longest continually operated high school on the same campus in the state, has had its Cardinal mascot since the early 1900's. The school opened in 1911 and is located just west of the city offices at 62nd Avenue and Glendale.
District programs featured in Journal
Glendale Union was recently featured in the Arizona School Boards Journal for its highly successful school-to-career programs designed to lead students into twenty-first century careers.
Business, higher education and the district's high schools have joined to teach academic skills at school, while providing on the job training. Local schools create partnerships that allow both schools and businesses each to contribute what they do best. High schools provide students, classroom facilities and teachers, while business partners provide trainers' salaries, technical expertise, equipment, and student and staff training. Institutions of higher learning cooperate with the district and business partners to award dual credit for college-level work completed in high school.
GUHSD programs win state awards
Glendale Union has 'swept' the annual Arizona School Public Relations Association ASPRA*tions awards. District programs have won five awards that recognize standards of excellence.
HONOREES:
Governing Board member Bill Stout, was recognized
for his tireless energy at the local and state levels promoting
funding for education and for his leadership is career/vocational
education and personnel development. He has served twenty-one
years on the Glendale Union board.
The district's Public Affairs Office earned the Award of Merit for the Governing Board's 25-Year Employee Recognition program.
Cactus Park West Neighborhood Association newsletter editor Don Gerard received an Award of Merit for Individual for contributions to education. He was nominated by Moon Valley High School for his ongoing efforts to promote school and community activities among residents.
KTVK-TV reporter Brooks Blanton earned the Award of Excellence for News Media Reporting on a Single Topic for his work on "Three on Your Side." Blanton helped Washington High School collect a two-year old debt of nearly $1500 that was owed to students in the school band.
The GUHSD Unitown program was honored with the Award of Excellence for Multicultural Relations. Apollo High School's Hawktown Community Builders helps students and staff get to know and appreciate diversity in all of us.
School resource officers also teach
Four of the district's high schools have the services of a full time Police Department School Resource Officer. The focus is on educating students and staff about the law and its consequences and providing a positive role model for students. Additionally, police officers work to develop a rapport with students and the school community and assist with legal difficulties that may arise.
Superintendent Kieffer to retire
GUHSD Superintendent James L. Kieffer has announced his retirement effective July 1. He began his career with Glendale Union as a student teacher 30 years ago and served the past seven years as superintendent. Kieffer, 53, plans to teach at the college level.
One of his lasting accomplishments is the implementation of school to career programs that allow students to earn industry certification and college credits while learning through on-the-job training. Examples are Certified Nursing Assistants, automotive technicians and teachers. Kieffer was recognized for his efforts when he was appointed by Governor Jane Dee Hull to serve as commissioner for the Arizona Post Secondary Education Commission.
Kieffer was instrumental as a founding member of Arizona Close Up, a non-profit organization that offers social studies students a week-long tour of Washington D.C. to meet with legislators and learn 'close up' how government operates.
Known for his 'hands-on' approach, Kieffer organized a committee of students across the district who meet monthly with the superintendent to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.
Superintendent Kieffer has used his rich background in curriculum and instruction to continually improve curriculum alignment with the state standards and provide appropriate training and collaboration among teachers, administrators and support staff.
Clayborn, Hugh elected board officers
Glendale residents Kevin Clayborn and Ian Hugh were unanimously elected by their peers to serve as GUHSD Governing Board officers for the calendar year 2002.
Governing Board President Kevin Clayborn, whose children have attended Independence High School, is beginning his fourth year on the GUHSD Governing Board. Clayborn is a product manager for an electronics firm and serves on the board of directors for a national youth service group. He is actively involved in local issues and places strong emphasis on continued quality education for all students.
Newly elected Board Clerk Ian Hugh is a former member of the Glendale City Council and beginning his fourth year on the district's board. Actively involved in community service, Hugh has served on the board of directors for several commissions and non-profit organizations. He also coaches softball and baseball for summer recreational programs. Hugh is a Glendale native, a graduate of Glendale High School and a local businessman. His two daughters attend Apollo High School.
Tax credits benefit students
Arizona taxpayers are eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $200 (or $250 for married couples filing jointly) off their bottom-line state tax bill.
Taxpayers may choose to contribute tax monies to the school or program of their choice instead of paying it to the state general fund. Call your local school or the district office (623-435-6001) for a brochure and more information. You may also complete the form and mail it to the district office.
Acrobat
Reader is required to view the above form.
GUHSD Teachers win state, national honors
Five Glendale Union High School District teachers have been honored this year with state or national honors.
Mike Brown, AP Physics and Accelerated Thinking Science teacher at Greenway High School was named Innovative Science Teacher of the Year and won $10,000 plus a computer for his award.
Terry Gesell, district Occupational Therapist was recently selected to serve a three-year term on the Certification Examination Development Committee with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Hal Eastin, retired Cortez High School Physics teacher who currently works with Sunnyslope High School's R.E.E.L. program has won the 2001 Arizona Innovative Teacher of the Year award for the High Tech Industry Cluster for his work in developing technology education in the state.
Mary Anne Berens, Moon Valley High School Business teacher has been named Arizona Cooperative Education Teacher of the Year for 2001.
Pam Ferguson, Moon Valley High School Family and Consumer Sciences teacher has been names a finalist for the Arizona Teacher of the Year sponsored by the Arizona Educational Foundation.
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Glendale Union High School District #205
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