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2005-2006 News Archive
MV Math Teacher Receives SRP Learning
Grant
GUHSD 'Perfect' on AIMS
Special Recognition for
Retiring GUHSD Staff
DOE Recognizes GUHSD English Language
Learners Program
Superintendent Vernon Jacobs
Resigns
Student Poets Honored
Two ELL Students Receive Dolores
Jacobs Scholarships
Student Organizers Raise
More Than $72,000 for Cancer Research
GUHSD Supporters, Programs
and Local Media Earn Awards
SHS Life Guides Program
Named Outstanding K-12 Program
Sunnyslope High Selected
as 2006 Model School
Students Receive VASA Art Recognition
Schroeder Selected for AIAAA
Distinguished Service Award
Congressional Art Honors for Apollo
Students
Glendale High Student Named National
Scholarship Finalist
Annual Student Art Exhibition -
March 2-30
Six Students Compete in National
Merit Scholarship Competition
All-Weather Track Yields Bit
of Greenway History
Greenway to Host Sports Card
Show - March 18
March is National Athletic Training
Month
Independence Students Rewarded
for Good Grades and Attendance
Staff Celebrates 25 Years
GHS Grad Saluted for Community
Service by Ford
New Media Center Opens at Independence
Journalism Teacher Receives Columbia
Scholastic Press Award
Arizona Cardinals Football Player
Thanked for Support
GUHSD Joins with Glendale
Police to Share Toys for Tots
Project SHARP Math Program Receives
ASBA Honors
Coach Boie Honored by Jefferson
Lippert to Represent Arizona as
Assistant Principal of the Year
GUHSD Earns "Award of Excellence
in Special Education"
THS Students Selected to Film Documentary
Former Graduate Supports School
Aspiring Teachers Learn About
Alternative Certification
NFL Player Donates $10,000 to Independence
GUHSD Reports Student Achievement
Success
Connecting with Graduates
Dual District Teacher Job Fair
Westcor Endorses Partnership
with Metrocenter Academy
Cortez Student Wins Veterans
Day Award
50th Anniversary Event a Huge Success
Thunderbird NJROTC Unit Conducts
Fall Leadership Training
2005 Marching Band Festival Nov.
7
Eighteen Pennsylvania School
Superintendents To Visit District
MV's DisneyHand Teacher and
Principal Attend Development Institute
National Academic Champions Honored
Parent Association Raises
$28,000 in THS Golf Tournament
Annual Bond Update Meeting Held
in New Facility
TV Chef Donates Time and Talents
to Teaching Teens
Extraordinary Fine Arts Opportunities
Engage Students
Glendale High Receives $25,000
Donation
Helping Hurricane Victims
- A Priority for GUHSD Students
Student Nomination Brings Recognition
to Melanie Droz
District Holds Annual Back-to-School
Event
GUHSD Welcomes 87 New Teachers
Summer School Graduation Features
Renowned Trumpeter
Golf Tournament to Benefit
Thunderbird High
MV Math Teacher Receives SRP Learning
Grant
May 2006 - Moon Valley High School math teacher Veronica
Carlson has been selected to receive a $3,998 Learning Grant
from Salt River Project.
In a letter from SRP, Corporate Contributions Administrator
Rosemary Gannon explains the program and their selection,
"The Learning
Grants by SRP program was designed to help educators provide
math and science learning experiences that would have an immediate
and productive impact on students. Yours is such a program."
Carlson, a 2005 DisneyHand teacher, is excited about the
addition of this technology to her classroom. The funds will
be used to purchase a SmartBoard, multi-media projector and
a computer to assist in the teaching of algebra and math.

GUHSD 'Perfect' on AIMS
May 2006 - The district is pleased to congratulate
this year's senior class for meeting the academic challenges
of the AIMS test. Approximately 3,700 eligible seniors were
able to pass Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards and
receive their high school diplomas.
Associate Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction
Warren Jacobson commented on this year's AIMS scores stating,
"We are thrilled to death about the perfect success rate
and so pleased our students and their families can be part
of the graduation ceremonies."
The Class of 2006 is the first class required to pass AIMS
in order to graduate. For some students it was necessary to
boost their scores enough to pass AIMS through an augmentation
process.

Special Recognition for Retiring
GUHSD Staff
May 2006 - At a dinner in their honor 44 staff members
were thanked for their years of dedication to the Glendale
Union High School District and its students.
Collectively these district employees have contributed 1101
years of service to Phoenix and Glendale communities through
their district employment, averaging 25 years each.
 |
 |
(L to R) Cortez Principal Tom Hernandez stands
with
retiring faculty members teacher Robert Erickson
and Assistant Principal Pat Witter. |
Veteran Moon Valley teacher Diane Newton (center)
and
her daughters celebrate Newton's retirement. |
Teacher Jim Gualdoni of Independence High School, who began
teaching in 1964, is leaving the district after a 42-year
teaching career. As the longest tenured retiring teacher in
the state, Gualdoni was included in recognition by Starbucks
as the company honored Arizona teachers during National Teacher
Appreciation Week in May. The entire staff of Independence
High School shared in the Starbucks celebration.
Also retiring after 30+ years of service are high school
principals Elizabeth Tataseo and Virginia Gibney. Tataseo,
only the 4th principal in Greenway High School's history,
was among the first to teach at Greenway where she taught
chemistry, advanced biology, and AP Biology for 20 years.
She later became district science curriculum coordinator and
then moved to Cortez High as their assistant principal. In
the fall of 2003 Tataseo was named principal at Greenway High.
 |
 |
Independence High School Principal Mark Farison
highlights the 42-year career of retiring teacher
Jim Gualdoni at the event. |
Thunderbird High School Principal Norman Smalley
reminisces with retiring teachers Linda Pfeifer,
James Jeffries and Kathleen Adams. |
During a school staff meeting, Superintendent Jacobs spoke
of Liz,"Ms. Tataseo is a strong leader and innovative
educator whom we all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude. Greenway
is stong and vibrant, where students learn and are valued.
In naming her replacement, our goal for Greenway is to continue
the great tradition of leadership that Liz and those before
her have modeled."
 |
 |
Retiring Superintendent Vernon Jacobs recalls
working with Liz Tataseo (left) and Virginia Gibney. |
Associate Superintendent Warren Jacobson shares
a story about retiring curriculum coordinators Gayle
Gadus (center)
and Karen Henderson. |
Washington High Principal Virginia Gibney is also retiring
after 31 years of district employment. Gibney began her career
as a teacher of English in Chinle and then moved to Phoenix
to teach at Greenway High School and later assume the role
of the district Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator. She
served as assistant principal at Greenway and later moved
to Washington High School as principal. Virginia Gibney served
on various curriculum development committees for the Arizona
Department of Education on ASAP and AIMS. Superintendent Vernon
Jacobs reflects on Gibney's 7 years as WHS principal and her
career with the district, praising Ms. Gibney's "extraordinary
contributions to the district and to the world of education.
She helped build Washington High School into a respected organization
and leaves a durable record of remarkable accomplishment.
Her work will be remembered with pride, not only in Phoenix
and Glendale, but state-wide. We wish her well in her future
endeavors. She still has much to give."
 |
Retiring GUHSD staff honor Superintendent Vernon
Jacobs with a standing ovation, as Jacobs waves good-bye. |

Department of Education Recognizes
GUHSD English Language Learners Program
 |
|
(L to R) ELL teacher Karen Merritt of Glendale
High,Superintendent Vernon Jacobs and ELL Curriculum
Coordinator Karen Henderson with the Spotlight Award. |
|
May 2006 - The Arizona Department of Education hosted
their second annual Spotlight on Success awards dinner in
Tuscon on May 1, 2006. Glendale Union High School District's
English Language Learners Program was recognized as a state
model during the event. Superintendent Vernon Jacobs, Glendale
High School Principal Deborah Jordan, District ELL Coordinator
Karen Henderson and Glendale High teacher and ELL Department
Chair Karen Merritt were presented the award and honored for
their collaborative leadership.
Karen Henderson and Karen Merritt presented at the Collaborative
Leadership/Professional Learning Communities Summit the following
day. There they outlined how GUHSD's program for English Language
Learners incorporates curriculum, instruction, and assessment,
as well as how to develop a standards-based curriculum for
English Language Learners at the high school level.
This is another example of how GUHSD is preparing secondary
students by providing relevant, personalized teaching and
learning and rigorous, rich content curricula reflective of
data-driven decision making. Professional learning communities,
such as GUHSD's ELL program, support a climate for change
which must exist in order for our schools to move forward
in assuring success for all our students.
Glendale Union High School District offers English Language
Learner programs at nine high schools: Apollo, Cortez, Glendale,
Greenway, Independence, Moon Valley, Sunnyslope, Thunderbird
and Washington. The district staffs its ELL program with teachers
who have training in structured English immersion and who
may have earned a full or provisional bilingual or English
as a Second Language endorsement. The following district teachers
taught ELL during the 2005-2006 school year: Connie Ballesteros,
Brad Bates, Christine Bergner, Thomas Birk, Kierra Burns,
Sarina Buskirk, Angela Cook, Leigh DeVoto, Garry Epstein,
Sarah Finnegan, Rachel Gilpin, Derica Griffiths, Karen Gueli,
Marie Guest, Paul Hastings, Kelly Hearn, Paul Hershberger,
Marguerite Hinojosa, Nicole Kettner, Robin Lewis, Pandy Linnartz,
Kim Means, Karen Merritt, Jeannie Paparella, Damon Pieri,
Ron Pinkerton, Julie Rasor, Susan Seliquini, Richard Sparks,
Antonio Vazquez, Tamara Voas, Jon Vreeken, Lisa Wakefield,
Prince Williams, Melissa Wood and Rosemary Wucinich.

Superintendent Vernon Jacobs
Resigns
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|
Vernon Jacobs |
|
May 2006 - Superintendent of Glendale Union High School
District Vernon Jacobs announced to his cabinet members, principals
and Governing Board on Friday, April 28 that he would be resigning
from the district effective June 30, 2006. The Governing Board
accepted his resignation at the May 3rd governing board meeting.
Mr. Jacobs began his career as a teacher and a coach at Glendale
High School in 1973. From Glendale High he served as an administrator
at Cortez High School, Apollo High School, and Thunderbird
High School. In 1992, Jacobs was selected to serve at the
District Office as the Assistant Superintendent of Operations.
In 2000, Jacobs was selected to serve as the Associate Superintendent
of Curriculum.
Vernon Jacobs was appointed Superintendent on July 1, 2002.
While the districts demographics have changed dramatically,
the fiscal challenges have skyrocketed as resources diminished,
and medical insurance costs have escalated, under Jacobs superintendency
the teachers and staff at each school have continued to get
the best out of each student every year. Just like Jacobs
motto, children in Glendale Union High School District continue
to learn, behave, and participate.
The improved performance of students under Jacobs' leadership
is reflected in the highest assessment scores since the inception
of the assessment program 30 years ago. The Glendale Union
High School District individual school's state ratings have
risen to their highest labels ever. The number of students
passing the AIMS assessments in reading, language and math
has risen to 97, 97, and 95 percent of their senior cohort
group. The drop-out rate, which is at 2.5%, has decreased
annually and the student participation rate has increased
to 70%. Twenty percent of the student population on each campus
is enrolled in advanced placement courses, fostering higher
student achievement scores and nurturing positive self esteem.
Because of Jacobs' vision, the Glendale Union High School
District has become a well-respected, honored and accomplished
model of educational success, sought out by local, state and
national educators searching for instructional guidance and
innovative leadership.
"As I reflect upon my professional career here at Glendale
Union High School District, the constant, unbending belief
each of us adheres to is the knowledge that ALL CHILDREN WILL
LEARN. This is our enduring battle cry, and the District's
momentum will carry us forward, doing what is best for children.
Students will continue to grow and learn and be successful,
because it's what we believe. And it's who we are," said
Vernon Jacobs. "It has been an honor to serve this community
for the past 33 years."
Mr. Jacobs plans to spend more time with his family, including
two grandchildren.

May 2006 - Parents and staff joined the board in celebrating
youth talent at the annual district poetry reception on May
3, 2006. Student poets and their language teachers were recognized
during the governing board meeting.
Students from each grade level in English and Foreign language
poetry were selected to be honored for their work. Students
addressed the board and read their poetry to an audience of
parents, teachers, district staff and board members.
School poetry coordinators worked with district Language
Arts Coordinator Tami Strege to implement the annual district-wide
competition. They are: Ruben Miranda, Apollo; Rachel Svardal,
Cortez; Marcy Ducca, Glendale; Jeanne Genung, Greenway; Donna
West, Independence; Diane Newton, Moon Valley; Tricia Parker
& Sarah Finnegan, Sunnyslope; Lauren Dahlk, Thunderbird
and Charity Aguilera at Washington High School.

Two English Language Learner Students
Receive Dolores Jacobs Scholarships
May 2006 - This year the Dolores Jacobs Scholarship
has been awarded to two English Language Learner graduates:
1) Fernando Ramirez at Glendale High School and 2) Maribel
Orta at Moon Valley High School. Each student received a $1000.00
scholarship to be used for post-secondary education or training.
Anita Walker, daughter of Dolores Jacobs, will present the
scholarships at the local school's Honors and Awards Ceremony,
on May 1 at Moon Valley High School and on May 11 at Glendale
High School.
Each year friends and family members of Dolores Jacobs, former
English Language Learner teacher and wife of Superintendent
Vernon Jacobs, select the scholarship recipients from the
nominations made by each local English Language Learner Department.
This year two $1000.00 scholarships were awarded to honor
English Language Learner students who embody the qualities
Dolores modeled for her students: a love of learning, optimism,
determination, and dedication to others.

Student Organizers Raise More
Than $72,000 for Cancer Research
April 2006 - After nearly a year of planning, student
council presidents from each of our nine high schools have
brought together more than 950 concerned individuals with
one shared goal - to Fight the Battle against cancer.
Student organizers and staff from each campus joined with
community members to participate in the 3rd annual district
Relay for Life held at Cortez High School on April 28-29.
The overnight Relay was held to raise awareness about cancer,
and bring in contributions for the American Cancer Society's
quest to find a cancer cure.
Keynote speakers for the event were Arizona Secretary of
State Jan Brewer and Dr. Karl Kingsley, a researcher from
the American Cancer Society. Superintendent Vernon Jacobs,
who lost his wife Dolores to cancer just a few years ago,
also addressed the audience. He thanked Tom Hernandez, the
student planners and Cortez staff for hosting the Relay for
Life event this year.
Participants set up camp and shared in fun activities while
alternating team members took turns walking around the new
track throughout the night. With donations still coming in,
these teams raised more than $72,000, creating a three-year
total of well over $300,000 raised by GUHSD students, staff
and members of the community.
Many thanks to CHS student Krisline Isiderio for organizing
the 2006 district wide event, and to the other school relay
representatives/student council presidents: Kayla Dunlap,
Apollo; Natalie Estrella, Glendale; Elizabeth Mecham, Greenway;
Domini Mayberry, Independence; Matt Coronado, Moon Valley;
Andrea Woodward, Sunnyslope; Grant Cushman, Thunderbird and
Saja Al-Jabin, Washington.

GUHSD Supporters, Programs and
Local Media Earn Awards
April 2006 - The Glendale Union High School District
received honors at the recent Arizona School Public Relations
Association awards luncheon held at Metro Tech High School
in Phoenix. Jack Kensler and Mildred Norman of Operation Quality
Time (left side of below photo) were recognized for their
contributions to education with an "Award of Merit"
for their support of the Glendale High School Night School
Program.
Accepting honors in "Multicultural Relations" was
ELL Curriculum Coordinator Karen Henderson for the district's
Model English Language Learner (ELL) Program.

Under "Individual Contributions to Public Education",
Anquan Boldin of the NFL Arizona Cardinals football team was
recognized with an "Award of Merit" for his support
of athletic programs at Independence High School. Accepting
the award for Boldin were football coach Kelley Moore (left
in below photo) with IHS student athlete Jose Sanchez, ASPRA
past-president Terry Locke, and student Rueben Ramirez.
Education reporter Teri Carnicelli (right photo) and the
North Central News received a news media "Award of Merit"
for their coverage of education in their monthly newsletter.

SHS Life Guides Program Named
Outstanding K-12 Program
April 2006 - The Sunnyslope High School Life Guides
Program has been selected as the outstanding K-12 program
to win the "Pathways to Higher Education Award"
by the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education.
Life Guide students from Sunnyslope High School work one-on-one
with elementary students, assist in classrooms, and act as
role models to show the younger students that "big kids"
do stay in school and value education.
In one example of the Life Guides in action, students under
the director of veteran teacher Terri Fields worked on a promotion
of literacy project. The teenagers wrote and created a book,
illustrated the pages and then read their book to elementary
students. The popular project was a win-win for both groups
of students.

Sunnyslope High Selected as
2006 Model School
April 2006 - Sunnyslope High School has been selected
as one of 27 model high schools nationwide to participate
in an initiative sponsored by the Council of Chief State School
Officers, Washington, D.C., and the International Center for
Leadership in Education, Rexford, NY. The project, "Models,
Networks and Policies to Support and Sustain Rigor and Relevance
for All Students," is gathering information on how outstanding
high schools provide all students with a rigorous and relevant
education. The high schools will share their successful practices
with more then 6,000 educators at the 14th annual Model Schools
Conference in Kissimmee, Florida, on June 25-28. Principal
John Croteau will make the Sunnyslope presentation at the
Conference.
Criteria for selection as a model high school includes a
learning environment that promotes high achievement, use of
data to make instructional decisions, a rigorous and relevant
curriculum, personalized instruction, increased student learning
time and parent and community involvement.
Sunnyslope High School will also join the 600 schools in
the International Center's Successful Practices Network. Through
the Network, the professional staff of Sunnyslope can exchange
best instructional practices, successful methodologies and
peer support with other member schools. Case studies will
be prepared by the International Center on each high school
to serve as a resource for educators and policymakers. Visit www.LeaderEd.com for details.

Students Receive VASA Art Recognition
April 2006 - Several district students from Apollo
High School and Washington High participated in the Visual
Art Student Award (VASA) show at the West
Valley Art Museum in Surprise recently. The student artwork
was diplayed for public viewing and judged in the show.
 |
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Artwork by Cristina Drotar, Apollo High |
Danielle Fowler from Apollo and her work |
Receiving cash recognition for their works were: Cristina
Drotar, Danielle Fowler, Jorge Ibarra, Kyle Harrison and Thomas
Lesar.
 |
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WHS student David Still by his artwork,
with art teacher Karen Bell-Zinn |
Artwork by Jorge Ibarra,
Apollo High |
Art teachers are Barbara Dahlstedt at Apollo and Karen Bell-Zinn
at Washington.
 |
 |
Artwork by Kyle Harrison,
Apollo High |
Artwork by Thomas Lesar,
Apollo High |

Schroeder Selected for AIAAA Distinguished
Service Award
 |
|
Robbin Schroeder |
|
March 2006 - GUHSD athletic assistant Robbin Schroeder
has been selected to receive the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic
Administrators Association (AIAAA) Distinguished Service Award
- outside the field of athletic administration.
The award is presented in recognition of her special accomplishments
and contributions to athletic administration at the local,
state and national levels during her 22 years of district
employment.
Schroeder is the only Arizona nominee submitted for the National
Award of the same name. She was nominated by her current supervisor,
Jim Threadgill, Assistant Superintendent of Operations/Athletics
who wrote in the nomination: "She has a unique historical
perspective of the 4A Conference having served with 9 conference
presidents and, as such, has provided a high level of stability
during each year's transition. It is not unusual for Robbin
to receive phone requests for athletic direction or policy
from schools throughout the state and even the AIA on a daily
basis. Robbin is a true professional whose strengths are honesty,
integrity and loyalty. She has earned the respect of all who
have worked with her."
Robbin Schroeder will receive her award and be honored September
10-12, 2006 at the Annual State Athletic Directors Conference
in Prescott.

Congressional Art Honors for Apollo
Students
March 2006 - On March 20, 2006 Rep. Ed Pastor announced
that two Apollo High School students have been selected as
winners in the 2006 Congressional Art Contest for District
4.

Rep. Ed Pastor with art competition honorees
Cody Jayne Albin (left) and Fatma Thoayle.
Fatma Thoayleb, a sophomore at Apollo, received 2nd place
in the competition for her charcoal drawing titled "Found
in Translation". She was awarded a $15,000 scholarship
to the Art Institute of Phoenix. Apollo junior Cody Jayne
Albin earned an honorable mention in the same competition.
Representative Ed Pastor, D-Arizona, hosts the art competiton
for students residing in his district.

Glendale High Student Named National
Scholarship Finalist
March 2006 - Senior Bobbie Wilson of Glendale High
School has met all requirements to qualify as a Finalist in
the competition for Achievement Scholarship awards to be offered
to outstanding Black American students in 2006.
Wilson was among the more than 130,000 students to enter
the annual National Achievement Program competition in which
4,600 participants receive recognition and some 800 win.
The Program is an academic competition in which only Black
American high school students participate.

Annual Student Art Exhibition - March
2-30


Six Students Compete as Finalists in
National Merit Scholarship Competition
March 2006 - Glendale Union is pleased to announce
that all six of this year's semi-finalists have advanced to finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship
Competition.
Vincent Leonard from Glendale High; Denise Gray and John
Rogers, Moon Valley High; Alexandra Clarke, Sunnyslope High;
Colin Penrose, Thunderbird High, and Zechariah McElrath of
Washington High School have been named National Merit Scholarship
finalists. These students have an academic record of high
performance in all 4 years of high school and have each been
recommended by their principal to compete in this year's competition
for one of the three types of scholarships awarded: National
Merit $2,500 Scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships,
and college-sponsored scholarships.
For further details on these scholarships, visit: http://www.nationalmerit.org

All-Weather Track Yields Bit of
Greenway History
March 2006 - As Greenway High School prepared for
their first track meet on the new all-weather track, those
in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony took a trip
down memory lane to recognize some of the individuals who
had been instrumental in the development and success of the
school's Track and Field Program:

Left to right are track coaches: Mike Brown, Tony Helm, Clyde
Volz, Rob Roberson,
Scott Giddings, Robbie Robinson and Wendall Sheets.
Coach Wendall Sheets, started the program in 1973 as first
head coach, setting the foundation for its future.
Robbie Robinson, Head Boys Coach from 1975 to 1981, currently
serving as Greenway's jump coach.
Scott Giddings is the only distance coach Greenway has ever
known and current Head Girls Coach since 1966. His Lady Demon
Squads have won the Region Championships 5 of the last 10
years.
Rob Roberson, current Athletic Director at Sunnyslope, coached
at Greenway in the late 70's/early 80's.
Clyde Volz arrived at Greenway as Head Boys Coach in 1983
after a successful career at Sunnyslope.
Tony Helm, a Greenway counselor was coach of the Girls team
from 1992 - 1994.
Mike Brown currently serves as Boys coach and has been instrumental
in the success of Greenway hurdlers and sprinters in recent
years.

Greenway to Host Sports Card Show
- March 18
March 2006 - Greenway High School will host a Sports
Card Show at the school on March 18 featuring several Hall
of Fame players who will be available for autographs. Admission
is $1. The show will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4: 00 p.m. Nearly
65 tables will be set up in the show.
Hall of Fame guests will be:
- 12:00 - 1:00 Phoenix Suns Eddie House and James Jones
- 1:00 - 3:00 Brett Sagerhagen - 2-time Cy
Young winner and 1985 World Series MVP
- 1:00 - 3:00 Jim Abbott - winning pitcher
on the 1988 Team USA that beat Japan for the 1st U.S. Gold
Medal in Olympic Baseball. Abbott pitched a no-hitter for
the Yankees on 4-8-89. His accomplishments, not just in
sports, but in life have made him a hero to anyone with
a disability - he was born without a right hand.
- 2:00 - 3:30 Minnie Minoso - 7-time baseball
All Star, 3-time gold glove of Chicago White Sox and Raja
Bell from the Phoenix Suns.
Tickets will be needed to get autographs and can be obtained
by contacting Jeff Thalblum at 623-587-9766. Phoenix Suns
autographs are $15; Saberhagen & Abbott autographs are
$20.

March is National Athletic Training Month
March 2006 - Congratulations to the GUHSD Athletic
Trainers during National Athletic
Training Month:
Tia Bowling, Apollo
Jerry Cross, Cortez
Mike Hilditch, Glendale
Ron Kordonowy, Greenway
Darren Couts, Independence
Junita Payne, Moon Valley
Mark Espinoza, Sunnyslope
Ryan Wolff, Thunderbird
Kim Rodgers, Washington
National
Athletic Trainer's Association

Independence Students Rewarded
for Good Grades and Attendance
March 2006 - The 11th annual P3 celebration was held
to recognize 566 students for academic excellence and perfect
attendance for the fall semester. Specially designed T-shirts
were given to the students who earned grades of B or better.
Students had the opportunity to receive one of several donated
door prizes from local businesses.
The P3 team, made up of teachers, staff and students, coordinated
the assembly for students.

Staff Celebrates 25 Years
March 2006 - Governing Board members, administrators,
and principals congratulated 26 staff members for their career
longevity and thanked them for their dedicated service to
the district at a dinner in their honor on March 1.
Photos dating back to 1980 and 1981 were provided to the
25-year staffers along with personalized caricatures depicting
highlights of their lives and careers.
Honorees include: Walter Phillips, Apollo; Jennifer Johnson,
District; Marcy Ducca, Kris Willis, Glendale; Lea Anne Alvarez,
Darrell Barrett, Jeanne Genung, Julie Stockwell, Greenway;
Rosie Andrade, Corby Archer, Marita Callaway, Phyllis Gendreau,
Karen Haskell, Sandra Roberson, Independence, Julie Harvey,
Deborah Hoff, Art Smith, Moon Valley; Trudee Ely, Susan Hodge-Parker,
Teresa Peters, Northern Annex; Joey McAuley, Sunnyslope; Steve
Gurule, Scott Kay, Thunderbird; David Blood, Salvatore Rizzo
and Virginia Rodriguez, Washington.

GHS Grad Saluted for Community Service
by Ford

Edsel B. Ford II presents David Kimmerle the portrait Ford
Motor Company commissioned
for his 2006 Salute To Dealers award February 10 in Orlando,
Florida.
February 2006 - Edsel B. Ford II and Ford Motor Company
recently honored David Kimmerle of Sanderson Ford in Glendale
as part of its 2006 Salute to Dealers program for his outstanding
commitment to the community and those who live in it.
David Kimmerle is the only automobile dealer in Arizona and
one of just nine Ford Motor Company dealers - across all eight
brands - to receive this award.
Kimmerle, a graduate of Glendale High School, is passionate
about young people and supports opportunities for local youth.
He has been a loyal district supporter and an instrumental
partner in the Best Buddies program within the Glendale Union
High School District.

New Media Center Opens at Independence

February 2006 - A ribbon cutting ceremony was held
at Independence High School to celebrate the completion of
the school's new media center and classroom complex.
Principal Mark Farison hosted the ribbon cutting. He was
joined in cutting the ceremonial ribbon by (see photo, above):
Glendale City Council member Joyce Clark; IHS student body
president Domini Mayberry, GUHSD superintendent Vernon Jacobs;
Governing Board members Vicki Johnson and Kevin Clayborn;
Glendale Union Education Association President Mary Pat Eul;
IHS teacher Linda Parrott; McCarthy Construction Project Engineer
Pam Culbertson; A.R.T. Architect Eve Eppard and McCarthy Construction
Vice President of Education Services Rob Langhoff.
Both McCarthy Construction and Architectural Resource Team
(A.R.T.) are currently working on similar projects at other
schools in the district. Joyce Clark is City of Glendale Councilmember
from the Yucca District which includes Independence High School.
The new building, nearly 27,000 square feet, was made possible
due to the support of district voters in passing the GUHSD
bond override in 2003. The building will house a large open
library with an attached 64-computer lab and space for media
and science classes. The science wing is expansive enough
to accomodate for growth.

Journalism Teacher Receives Columbia
Scholastic Press Award
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Peggy Gregory
Greenway High School |
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February 2006 - Teacher Peggy Gregory of Greenway
High School has been selected to receive the James F. Paschal
Award of the Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association
for 2006 (on the unanimous recommendation of the Honors and
Awards Committee of the Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers
Association).
The Paschal Award will be presented to Gregory on Friday,
March 17, 2006, in the Rotunda of Low Library on the Columbia
University Campus. She and a guest is invited to attend the
Awards Luncheon.
Peggy Gregory has also received the Gold Key of the Columbia
Scholastic Press Association for 2006 from the same committee.
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association is a program of
the Graduate school of Journalism at Columbia University in
the City of New York. Their web address is www.columbia.edu/cu/cspa.
Peggy currently teaches journalism and is a teacher mentor
at Greenway High School.
About the awards: The Paschal Award, first given in
1987, is named for Professor James F. Paschal of the University
of Oklahoma in Norman, in honor of his service to both CSPAA
and to the Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association.
The Gold Key was first presented publicly in 1930 and has
been awarded to distinguished faculty advisers, professional
journalists and others in public life who have supported the
student press. It is the Assoication's highest honor for a
person.

Arizona Cardinals Football Player
Thanked for Support

December 2005 - Arizona cardinals football player Anquan Boldin
holds the personalized jersey
he received from Winnie Moore on behalf of Independence High
School for his numerous
contributions and support of athletic and academic programs
at the school.

GUHSD Joins with Glendale Police
to Share Toys for Tots
December 2005 - Four GUHSD locations joined with the
U.S. Marine Corps in cooperation with Lieutenant Frank Balkcom
of the Glendale Police Department and former governing board
member Ian Hugh to participate in the 2005 U.S. Marine Corps
Toys for Tots holiday collection campaign.
Apollo principal Brian Capistran, former governing board member
Ian Hugh, Glendale police
officers, and U.S. Marines join AHS student council members
in the Toys for Tots holiday
campaign. Toys were collected at four GUHSD locations: Apollo,
Glendale, Independence
and the District Office
Staff and students at Apollo, Glendale, Independence and
the District Office donated new toys during the month of December
which were picked up by Marine Corp representatives and GPD
officers for distribution. The toys were then distributed
to needy children of the community just prior to Christmas.

Project SHARP Math Program Receives
ASBA Honors
December 2005 - The Arizona School Boards Association
selected the GUHSD Project S.H.A.R.P. math program for a Golden
Bell Runner-up award. District Math Coordinator Cory Shinkle,
Project S.H.A.R.P field trip coordinator Marilynn Steffen,
and Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Warren Jacobson accepted the award at a December banquet.
Program coordinator Suzanne Somers was unable to attend.
Project S.H.A.R.P., which stands for Summer High School
Algebra Readiness Program, has provided its incoming ninth
grade participants an expanded opportunity in mathematics
that has delivered impressive results. Overall, students who
successfully completed the course had higher grades at the
end of the first semester than those who did not enroll in
the program. A collaboration of teachers from Glendale Union,
Washington Elementary and Glendale Elementary school districts
worked together using cooperative learning, team teaching,
games, activities and field trips to shape the minds of the
incoming freshmen.
Students who participate in Project S.H.A.R.P. have a much
higher success rate in high school algebra. The Project impacts
students' math ability, and teachers value the well-defined
objectives, teaching strategies, student-teacher ratios and
the ability to collaborate with colleagues.

Coach Boie Honored by Jefferson
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John Boie
Moon Valley High School
Basketball Coach |
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November 2005 - NBA entertainment was on the Moon
Valley High School campus the day after Thanksgiving. Their
purpose was to gather sound bites and interview Coach John
Boie for a video clip of Moon Valley graduate and NBA All-Star
Richard Jefferson. The story, Mentors of NBA Players, will
air at a later date on 'NBA Inside Stuff' with Ahmad Rashad.
Jefferson, who was in town for the Mets vs. Suns game, attended
the filming and visited with the boys basketball team who
were present for practice. After the film crew finished taping,
Richard invited the boys and Coach Boie to join him outside.
Once outside, Richard Jefferson presented Coach Boie, his
mentor and high school basketball coach, with the keys to
a brand new Toyota Sequoia sport utility vehicle.

Lippert to Represent Arizona as Assistant
Principal of the Year
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Carol Lippert
Moon Valley High School |
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November 2005 - Carol Lippert has been named Arizona
Assistant Principal of the Year by Arizona School Administrators
(ASA). She will be honored at the annual Assistant Principal's
Forum and Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C. on April 28 &
29, 2006.
Nominations for the award were submitted by her school principal,
Dr. Linda Rosness; Language Arts Department Chair Deborah
Hoff; fellow Assistant Principal Susan Hertneky and District
Superintendent Vernon Jacobs, each of whom commented on her
committment to students, putting them and their interests
first.
As Arizona's representative, Lippert becomes eligible for
the National Assistant Principal of the Year award sponsored
by the National Association of Secondary School Principals
and Virco, and the prize award of $5,000.
A native of Arizona, Lippert earned a BA in secondary education,
majoring in Biology from the University of Arizona. She received
her Masters in Educational Administraton from Northern Arizona
University. She began her career with the district in 2000
as a science teacher at Thunderbird High School, and became
Assistant Principal at THS on 2002. Carol Lippert joined the
MVHS faculty in 2004 where she continues to serve as the Assistant
Principal for Student Services.

GUHSD Earns "Award of Excellence in Special
Education"
November 2005 - The GUHSD Transitions Program at Northern
Annex received the "Excellence in Special Education Award"
from the Arizona Department of Education at the Director's
Institute this year.
GUHSD Special Education Director June McCulley explains,
"This program is so successful because the Transition
teachers believe that students with emotional or behavioral
disabilities can meet the requirements of our curriculum in
a smaller setting. The teachers meet every morning before
school starts and discuss individual student needs and develop
a plan for dealing with those needs. Everyone is on the same
page, working together for the student. It is a very committed
and competent staff."
An upcoming issue of the ADE
SPECIAL EDition newsletter will feature a profile of program
facilitator Denise Scafone. Scafone oversees the Transitions
and Homebound services provided to students with emotional
and behavioral learning disabilities at the 10 classroom campus
referred to as the Northern Annex.
Denise Scafone was the first teacher in the developing Transitions
program under the guidance of psychologist June McCulley,
and social worker Jackie Nelson. Nelson was facilitator of
programs at Northern Annex prior to moving to the district
office as Guidance and Support Services Coordinator.
Transitions teachers are: Paul Bojanac, Brett Eklund, Trudee
Ely, Patrick Ferrel, Kathy Gindt, Todd Ockenfels, Patrick
Wilson, Dan Jones, Tanisha Lawrence, Colby Mills.
Program Aides are: Ira Lazenby, Robert Johnson, Nathan Lange,
Lorena Ochoa, Curtis Ogland, Robin Kornegay, Joseph Meyers,
Cindy James, Erin Reilly, Randy Huizar.
Job Coach is Stephanie Dunlap-Daye.

THS Students Selected to Film Documentary
November 2005 - Thunderbird High seniors Grant Cushman
and Justin Yngelmo have been selected to film a documentary
on Teenagers and Peer Pressure in Ennis, Ireland during Spring
Break 2006, as part of the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassadors
Program. This past summer they both spent three weeks overseas
as part of the program.
Grant and Justin were chosen as youth ambassadors for the
project partly because of their passion for film which has
now spanned most of their high school careers. They are both
founding members of HBD Productions and Thunderbird High School
Film Club and have been making short independent films as
well as school video announcements, and commercials for upcoming
special events for the last three years. Grant is the Student
Body president at Thunderbird and Justin is the Student Body
vice-president. They are both members of the National Honor
Society and the Thunderbird Tennis team.

Former Graduate Supports School
November 2005 - NBA player Richard Jefferson recently
expressed support for Moon Valley High School through a generous
donation of sports equipment and clothing, valued at nearly
$31,000.
Jefferson, a graduate of Moon Valley, has kept in contact
with MVHS staff, including his former basketball coach John
Boie, throughout the years. He has been a strong supporter
of the basketball program, the school and the district.
This year, Richard Jefferson agreed to serve as a 'poster
child' for the district program that highlights many successful
graduates. His image and a personal reflecting is printed
on posters that hang throughout the district as reminders
to students that a good high school education is the foundation
to a successful future.

Aspiring Teachers Learn About Alternative
Certification
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Dr. Johnson reviews the Alternative Certification
program. |
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November 2005 - Dr. Jennifer Johnson hosted a meeting
at Sunnyslope High School for aspiring high school teachers.
The meeting provided candidates with details on the Alternative
Path to Secondary Certification program that is sponsored
by the Arizona Department of Education.
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Marguerite Hinojosa received her certifcation through
this program and shares her point of view about changing
her career into teaching. |
After a welcome from district Superintendent Vernon Jacobs,
Patty Hardy from the Arizona Department of Education explained
the purpose of the program and the ADE requirements for this
certification.
Independence High School Principal Mark Farison shared the
principal's perspective of this new program with the audience.
ELL teacher Marguerite Hinojosa is certified through this
program. She explained how she was able to change her career
of more than 10 years as producer of the Good Morning Arizona
program on Channel 3 TV into the teaching profession, by completing
the alternative certification process.
If you are interested in a career teaching at a high school
and would like more information pertaining to alternative
certification program, visit our Employment page.

NFL Player Donates $10,000 to Independence
November 2005 - Anquan Boldin, wide receiver for the
Arizona Cardinals, visited Independence High School on November
15 to make a generous donation of $10,000 to purchase new
equipment and sports items for the school's football program.
"This is a school that I just fell in love with,"
commented Boldin. "I actually held a camp here over the
summer and Coach Moore was so helpful. He got his whole team
to come out and help with my camp and ever since then I've
been in contact with the football team and the basketball
team."
"He has come out to lift with the guys and he has really
taken a special interest in our kids," shared Independence
Head Football Coach Kelley Moore. "He's been on the sidelines
for a couple of games and it has really been a morale booster
for our program."
Boldin donated $5,000 out of his own pocket and that figure
was matched with a grant from the NFL's Youth Football Fund.
Read more on this topic at: http://www.preppublications.com/issues/2005/11/06.shtml

GUHSD Reports Student Achievement
Success
November 2005 - Parents and students attended the
annual student achievement report to the governing board on
November 2 at Apollo High School, where information from each
curriculum area was presented. Included in the program was
AIMS testing, student test results, and program successes
from the 2004-2005 school year.
Curriculum Coordinators, Read 180 teachers, and the Associate
Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction spoke to the
group about the continuous improvement district students are
experiencing on the AIMS tests. Emphasizing the importance
of reading in all subject areas, Associate Superintendent
Warren Jacobson provided the audience with several sample
readings and explained the unique features in each reading
and how it pertains to the new Read 180 program the district
has implemented at all nine schools. Students from actual
Read 180 classes provided videotaped testimonials about how
the new program has helped them read better and understand
more of what they read. The featured students were present
at the dinner event and were introduced to the governing board
and the audience.

Connecting with Graduates
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Glendale High graduates Jake Long with
his father John F. Long reminisce with Superintendent
Vernon Jacobs. |
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November 2005 - Superintendent Vernon Jacobs presented John
F. Long with a poster that features the successful developer
and home builder.
The poster is a thank you for Long's offer to serve as a
'poster child' for the district's campaign that highlights
successful graduates as living testimonials to the benefits
of having a great high school education as a foundation to
a lifetime of success.
Both John F and his son Jake are graduates of Glendale High
School.

Dual District Teacher Job Fair
November 2005 - Interested teaching candidates,
mark your calendars for our Teacher Job Fair coming March
25, 2006.


Westcor Endorses Partnership with
Metrocenter Academy

November 2005 - President Vicki Johnson presented
a Certificate of Appreciation to Michael Fisher, Property
Manager of Metrocenter Mall for Westcor's continuing support
of educational achivement in the Glendale Union High School
District.
Westcor recently purchased the mall property and with that
transfer of ownership reaffirmed support of the district's
Metrocenter Academy which operates within the mall.

Cortez Student Wins Veterans Day
Award
November 2005 - Cortez High School student Nicole
Gallagher received notification from the Carl T. Hayden Veterans
Affairs Medical Center that she won first place in the annual
State Veterans Day Essay contest. More than 459 entries were
submitted from across the state.
Veterans Affairs committee representative Carole Ann Suarez
presented Nicole with a $200 savings bond and balloons at
her school. Suarez informed Nicole that she will be riding
on a float in the November 11th Veterans Day Parade. November
9th Nicole participated in an essay reading with Phoenix Mayor
Phil Gordan.
Nicole's essay, which was about her grandfather, is published
in the Veterans Day Parade program that is handed out along
the parade route.

50th Anniversary Event a Huge Success
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Students, families, alumni and former staff watch
history in the making. |
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November 2005 - A 50 year rededication celebration
was held on November 3 & 4 in conjunction with the homecoming
football game at Washington High School this year.
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Mayor Phil Gordon |
Graduates, current and former staff, local dignataries along
with students and their families were invited to share in
the festivities. For the Homecoming parade, homecoming kings
and queens dating back to 1955 rode in convertible cars from
the same year they earned their crowns.
Commemorative bricks and T-shirts were sold as fundraisers
for the event. Log onto www.whsrams.com for more details.
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Featured speakers at the
50th anniversary event. |
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Washington High School wishes to thank the following people
for being part of the 50th Anniversary Rededication event:
Pat McMahon,
TV/radio personality
WHS Vocal
Ensemble and Jim DeBusk, music director
Phoenix Mayor
Phil Gordon
Claude Mattox,
District 5 City Council member
David Lujan,
AZ House of Representatives from District 15
Joe Cole,
senior class president 1955-56
Saja AlJabiri,
student body president 2005-06
Virginia
Gibney, WHS principal
Vernon Jacobs,
GUHSD Superintendent
A special thank you to the committee members who worked
many hours to make the event a success.
Visit our Alumni & Grads page
for more information.

Thunderbird NJROTC Unit Conducts
Fall Leadership Training
October 2005 - For the second year in a row, the Thunderbird
High School Navy JROTC Unit conducted its highly successful
Basic Leadership Training (BLT) Camp at Prescott Pines Camp
in Prescott, Arizona over the Fall Break, 10 to 14 October.
The 28 cadets, instructors and chaperones departed Thunderbird
High School on Monday and returned Friday. |