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Upcoming Events
5/23/2013
- Last Day of School5/27/2013
6/6/2013
6/20/2013
Congratulations Education Graduates . . .
Where Our Belief Drives Your Desire!
If you are interested in making a difference in children's lives and providing a quality education to prepare students for college and career readiness, Alhambra ESD is the district for you! View our website and take a look at our schools. If you are interested in becoming a part of our team, visit our Human Resources Department web page for application instructions.
What's Happening Around the District
For the latest information on what is happening throughout the district, visit our "News Around the District" link.
Alhambra To Hold Special Budget Election
Alhambra Elementary School District will hold a Special Capital Outlay Override Election on November 5, 2013. Additional information in the voter information pamphlet will be mailed to all registered voters in early October. Please click on the link below to see the request for Statements “For” or “Against” the Special Capital Outlay Override Election.
Bring Your Parents to School Day
Parents across the district went back to school today for Bring Your Parents to School Day. They enjoyed learning along-side their children, participating in science, engineering, math, reading lessons, eating breakfast or lunch, and enjoying quality time with their kids at school! Parents and students used current technology like iPods, iPads, laptop computers, and CPS responders. Schools even displayed art projects and held band/choir concerts. School has certainly changed over the years, and our parents witnessed the quality education Alhambra students receive! Thanks for partnering with our schools and committing time out of your schedules to “come to school”!
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Special thanks to Fox 10 News for airing a segment on this event. Click this link to check out Syleste Rodriguez’s report. To see additional pictures from around the district, visit our Facebook page.
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Alhambra Selected for STEM Pilot Program
Alhambra District was one of seven Arizona sites selected, from a statewide pool of 57 applicants, to receive the prestigious Helios STEM School Pilot grant. The funding will allow the district to implement junior high engineering elective classes at Granada East and Cordova Middle schools. Classes are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2013 furthering our vision to create future STEM professionals and college graduates. A special thanks is extended to the Helios Education Foundation and the Science Foundation Arizona for providing the resources to make STEM education a priority in Arizona!
February Superintendent's High Five Recipients
Dr. Williams and the Governing Board recently honored the February Superintendent's High Five Award recipients. The Superintendent’s High Five Student Recognition Program recognizes outstanding students in grades K-8 who display five characteristics of a quality student. The five characteristics include:
- Achievement – Meets High Academic Expectations
- Character – Displays Exemplary Character
- Attendance – Demonstrates Excellent Attendance
- Teamwork – Works Collaboratively with Everyone
- Service – Commits to Learning Beyond the Classroom
February Superintendent's High Five Winners
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| Alondra Castaneda, Kdg. Sevilla Primary |
Angel Castro, 1st Gr. Sevilla Primary |
Nicole Hinzo, 2nd Gr. Carol G. Peck School |
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Analicia Guevara, 3rd Gr.
Granada Primary
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Brigette Andrade 4th Gr., ATS |
Dario Macias Castaneda 5th Gr., Sevilla West |
| Gloria Dusenge, 6th Gr. Granada East |
Monique Lopez, 7th Gr. Catalina Ventura |
Jose Pacheco, 8th Gr. Cordova Middle |
Employees of the Month
Dr. Williams and the Governing Board honored Employees of the Month. Below are the March and April recipients:
Certified Employee for the Month of March
Susan Ourada Academic Coach, Sevilla Primary |
 Classified Employee for the Month March
Gilberto Arroyo Custodian, Granada East |
 Certified Employee for the Month of April
Adam Moon 6th Gr. Teacher, Andalucia Middle |
 Classified Employee for the Month of April
Shirley Fernandez Inst. Asst., James W. Rice Primary |
Alhambra Excels at STEM Regionals
The Alhambra District had a stellar showing at the MESA (Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement) Regional Competition at Arizona State University on Saturday, February 23, capturing a total of 20, out of 30, awards! Alhambra District teams earned seven first place awards, seven second place awards, and six third place awards. For a list of winners, visit our "News Around the District" webpage.
J.W. Rice School Earns Beat the Odds Honor
Congratulations to Jaime Camacho, principal, and James W. Rice Primary School for being one of three schools in Phoenix to receive a Gold Medal Award and become a “Beat the Odds School” sponsored by the Center for the Future of Arizona. James W. Rice Primary showed consistent increases in student achievement over the past three years, and met the criteria of attaining an A or B label. According to the staff at the Beat the Odds Institute, Ms. Camacho and her school, “achieved all of this with excellence!” Hundreds of parents, students, and staff celebrated the school's success at an awards ceremony on February 26.
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2013-2014 School Calendar Approved
The Governing Board recently approved the 2013-2014 school calendar. School begins on Monday, August 12, 2013, and ends on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Click this link to view the 2013-2014 school calendar.
Teachers Earn National Board Certification
Three Alhambra teachers earned their National Board Certification, which is an advanced teaching credential that complements a teacher’s state teaching license. National Board Certification is achieved upon successful completion of an assessment program designed to recognize effective and accomplished teachers who meet high standards. Congratulations to Jill Bahti, District Academic Coach; Maggie Walton, third grade teacher at Cordova Middle; and Gerri Layton, District Academic Coach, for achieving certification.
Teacher Receives Golden Bell Award
Michelle Blilie, junior high math teacher at Alhambra Traditional School, received a Golden Bell Award from the Arizona School Boards Association for her Math Mentors Program. Congratulations Mrs. Blilie!
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Alhambra Highlighted for National Board Certification Cohort
Superintendent Dr. Karen Williams, Assistant Superintendent Mara Wayland, and Staff Development Coordinator Marian Vandermate were featured in an article published by the AZ K-12 Center on Alhambra District’s Take One® National Board Certification Process. Check out the AZ K-12 Center's website to view the article.
Alhambra Teacher Honored by OfficeMax
Congratulations to Carin Bayer, third grade teacher at Granada Primary School, for being selected as a winner in the OfficeMax “A Day Made Better Program.” Ms. Bayer received a box filled with classroom supplies and resources worth nearly $1,000, an office chair, a laminator, and other donated items. This donation totaled nearly $3,000. Thank you OfficeMax for honoring an Alhambra teacher!
District Receives Grant Totaling $500,000
Alhambra received a 21st Century Community Learning Cent Grant representing a half-million dollar total investment. The district will receive $100,000 a year to support STEM-related after-school and summer school programs for fourth through eighth grade students at Andalucia Middle School, as well as initiatives designed to assist families and staff in encouraging and supporting students in STEM career choices.
Excellence in Financial Reporting
Dr. Doug Virgil, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, and the Business Department received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for achieving the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting for our comprehensive annual financial reports.
Rodel Exemplary Teacher Semifinalist
Megan Kristianson, third grade teacher at Granada Primary School was selected as a semifinalist for the 2013 Rodel Exemplary Teacher Awards! The Rodel Foundation will conduct site visits and interviews with all semifinalists and will announce the 2013 Exemplary Teachers towards the end of November.
National Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition
James W. Rice Primary School was invited to apply for the National Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition Program. Schools are invited by the Arizona Department of Education, the National Association of State Title I Directors, and the U.S. Department of Education. In order to qualify for the Distinguished School award, schools must be highly performing and significantly closed the achievement gap between students. . .and James W. Rice Primary School is one of Arizona’s selections for the honor.
Alhambra's Preschool Program Earns National Accreditation
Congratulations to Alhambra School District’s Preschool Program for earning its national accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Alhambra’s Preschool Program offers families and children a continuum of services including full and part day options in a tuition based preschool program, First Things First Pre-K Scholarships in both full and part day options, Head Start for families meeting federal income eligibility guidelines, and a Special Education preschool program for children experiencing cognitive or physical challenges. For more information on our preschool programs, visit Alhambra’s Preschool Programs website.