BCHS Jag PRIDE Newsletter

BCHS Families,

We are on the move, Jaguars! While the mornings are still a bit chilly, the energy on campus is ignited as we move through the third quarter! Time is flying! Graduation and summer will be here before we know it, but right now our focus is on finishing the school year strong and celebrating the incredible learning happening every day at BCHS.

This is a great moment for students to stay engaged, communicate regularly with their teachers and families about their progress, and to keep a watchful eye on grades in PowerSchool. Staying on top of assignments and asking questions early makes a big difference as assessments approach. The habits students build now set them up for success not only this semester, but well beyond high school. We believe in you, Jags, and we are proud of the effort you continue to show.

I am also excited to share a moment of celebration for our entire BCHS community. In December, at the DVUSD Governing Board meeting, Boulder Creek High School was proudly recognized with our A-rated banner from the Arizona Department of Education for the 2024–25 school year. This honor reflects the hard work, dedication, and partnership of our students, staff, and families. We are especially proud of our A-ratings for student achievement on state assessments, our graduation rate, and sustained student growth since 2019.

Congratulations, BCHS. This recognition belongs to all of us, and it reinforces what we already know, our Jaguars rise to high expectations and continue to grow. Thank you for your ongoing support as we move forward together.

With PRIDE,

Mrs. Brittany Sutton

Principal

Brittany.Sutton@dvusd.org

623-445-8604

BCHS has had an incredible annual tradition for nearly a decade to raise $10,000 a year to support the wish of a child through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We are excited to continue our successful community tradition this year with supporting Ben's wish to see the animals at the Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

Wish Week begins with a schoolwide kickoff assembly on Friday, 2/6, setting the tone for a week rooted in service, community, and compassion. The celebration continues on Saturday, 2/7, with a community pancake breakfast at BC hosted by our Junior Athletic Leadership Advisory Committee (JALAC) and a Pilates event on the fields, inviting families and community members to join in the fun while supporting an incredible cause.

Throughout the week of 2/9-2/13, there are exciting events for everyone, including cheering on students at the Powder Puff Football Game, participating in a Pickleball Tournament at the Anthem Community Center, or purchasing food from local businesses who will donate a percentage of sales to the BCHS Student Government to support our fundraising efforts for Make-A-Wish. Additionally, students will participate in on-campus lunchtime activities to sustain momentum and raise additional funds.

Local percentage nights will also take place during the week. Be sure to mention BC Student Government, and a portion of your purchase will go directly toward our $10,000 goal.

Over the past 10 years, Boulder Creek High School, with support from our community, has raised more than $100,000 for Make-A-Wish, helping grant life-changing wishes for children and families. Wish Week is a powerful reminder of what can happen when students, staff, and the community come together for something greater than themselves.

See below for information and links to participate in events!

We invite our entire community to join us, support our students, and help make Ben’s wish a reality.

To donate to Make-A-Wish to support Ben's Wish, please click here.

To sign up for the Pickle Ball tournament, please click here.

To sign up for Pilates, please click here.

Our Paw Pride, PBIS program. We want to reward students for their BC Pride Characteristic behaviors.

Here are the details:

"Be Classy" Cards: When a staff member sees a student following the monthly goal OR a student going above and beyond, the staff member gives them a Be Classy card. The student will then fill it out and put it in the bowl at Ms. Susie's desk in the front office.

Each month, we will draw 10 winners for our PAW PRIDE Winners of the Month to recognize their demonstration of BC PRIDE!

December Winners were:

Talon Rice

Aileen Martinez

Jared Richardson

Avery Pugsley

Mason Meyer

And January Winners are:

Lucas Sargent

Sky Howard

Jacey Shurtleff

Sylas Buntyn

Cameron Toomey

Matthew Robinson

Liam Boross

Jori Ryan-Hines

Tristyn Hall

Myles Young

Our February 2026 Goal:

By February 2026, decrease the inappropriate use of technology (cell phones, gaming on Chromebooks) by 2% by consistently reinforcing the importance of PRIDE. This will be achieved through morning announcements about cell phone expectations and PRIDE, and through positive behavior reinforcement with Be Classy cards, as measured by infraction data for technology use.

Boulder Creek is continuing to reinforce positive technology habits by reminding students of cell phone expectations and celebrating responsible choices through our PRIDE values. Students who demonstrate appropriate technology use may earn Be Classy cards as recognition for positive behavior.

This focus helps create a more engaged and distraction-free learning environment for all students. Thank you for partnering with us to support responsible technology use at school.

We can do this Jags!

Jaguars, we are off to a fantastic start in the new year. One of the first celebrations of 2026 is a big one: student attendance is up 5% compared to this same time last school year. That growth reflects commitment, consistency, and a strong sense of responsibility from our students and families. Way to go, BCHS!

Daily attendance matters. Every class period builds on the one before it, and being present means students stay connected to learning, peers, and support systems. When students are in class, they are more likely to stay on pace academically, ask questions when they need help, and feel confident as assessments approach. Simply put, showing up matters, and our Jaguars are doing a great job.

We also know winter mornings can be challenging. Cold temperatures, darker mornings, and the post-break routine can make it harder to get moving. Here are three simple strategies to help students start the day strong:

1. Prep the night before
   Lay out clothes, charge devices, and pack backpacks ahead of time. Fewer morning decisions mean less stress and a smoother start.

2. Create a consistent wake-up routine
   Set the alarm for the same time each day, even on colder mornings. Turning on lights right away and getting moving helps reset energy levels.

3. Give yourself something to look forward to
   Whether it is a favorite breakfast, music on the drive to school, or connecting with friends before class, small motivators can make a big difference.

As we continue through the semester, let’s keep building on this positive momentum. Thank you to our students for demonstrating Jaguar PRIDE and to our families for supporting strong attendance habits. Let’s keep it going, BCHS!

As a new feature, our newsletter will share some information and celebrations from two BCHS Departments. We are excited to celebrate our Fine Arts and Maintenance Departments in our first edition!

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding work of our Fine Arts Department and the powerful

impact it has on our students. Through the performing arts—choir, band, and dance—and

visual arts, including painting, drawing, and ceramics, our students are given opportunities to

express creativity, build confidence, and discover their unique talents.

Fine Arts students learn far more than technique. They develop discipline, collaboration,

perseverance, and self-expression, as well as skills that prepare them for success in the

classroom and beyond. Whether performing on stage or creating in the studio, our students are

challenged to think creatively, work together, and take pride in their accomplishments.

We are grateful to our talented Fine Arts teachers who inspire, support, and nurture our

students' artistic growth every day. Their dedication helps make Boulder Creek a vibrant,

creative, and well-rounded learning community.

🎺 Band

The Jaguar PRIDE Marching Band had an outstanding season, earning some of the highest competition scores in recent years and capturing first place at the NAU Band Competition, including top honors for Overall Show and Division Champion. Their powerful production, The Black Swan, showcased artistry, precision, and teamwork. The band also delivered a memorable winter concert series featuring small ensembles, full band performances, and a community outreach concert, spreading holiday cheer and representing BCHS with excellence.

🎶 Choir

BC Choir continues to shine through outstanding performances and concert experiences this season. Our Show Choir program earned statewide recognition as the only school selected to represent three elite All-State ensembles, highlighting the strength of our vocal program. In addition, choir concerts throughout the year showcased powerful musicianship, energy, and collaboration, bringing our community together through music and celebrating the talent and dedication of our singers.

🖌️ Visual Arts

Our Visual Arts students continue to impress through campus exhibitions, the BC Art Show, and district competitions. Student artwork on display throughout the school highlights originality, technical skill, and thoughtful expression across painting, drawing, ceramics, and design. We are especially proud of our award-winning artists recognized at the District Art Show, including recipients of the Superintendent Purchase Award and Principal Choice Awards. We look forward to another outstanding District Art Show this year, on March 27-29, and to continuing to celebrate student creativity across our community.

🎭 Theatre

Our theatre program had an exceptional season, highlighted by a successful fall production of The

Importance of Being Earnest, which showcased strong performances, creativity, and teamwork on

stage and behind the scenes. In addition, theatre students earned superior ratings and national

qualifications at the Arizona Thespian North Region Competition, demonstrating excellence in performance, design, and technical theatre.

💃 Dance

BC Dance delivered a powerful winter concert, Among the Stars, highlighting technical excellence, creativity, and the unity of a program dedicated to artistic expression. In addition to their outstanding performances, many dancers are currently applying for the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) award, and are applying for the Arts Seal, reflecting their dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence in the arts.

A shout out to to our BCHS Maintenance and Grounds Crew!

A huge thank you to Kurtis Ryan and Fred Garcia, who have been the only two grounds workers at BCHS for the past four months and have gone above and beyond— working overtime every day—to keep our campus running smoothly. If you’ve noticed how great the inner campus and practice fields look lately, that’s because of their dedication and hard work. Despite being severely short-staffed, they’ve kept operations moving without a hiccup, handling everything from repairs and toilet paper ordering to grass overseeding and daily maintenance. They are truly doing the work of a five-person crew, and we are incredibly grateful for all they do to keep BCHS afloat.

This Monday, DVUSD students officially began the GCU Manufacturing Specialist Intensive (MSI) Program, a FREE college credential opportunity offered in partnership with Grand Canyon University and TSMC. Through this fast-track program, students gain hands-on, industry-aligned training in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor technology while earning an industry-recognized credential at no cost. The program provides a direct pathway to high-demand careers, including strong employment opportunities with TSMC Arizona, helping students graduate with real-world skills, college experience, and a clear career launch plan. We are proud to support our students as they take this exciting step toward their futures.

DVUSD is currently in the process of recommending elementary boundary changes to support long-range planning for the district. While this is largely impacting K-6 and K-8 schools, there is an area between Dove Valley and Carefree Highway that is being proposed to be apart of BCHS's boundary area. Please review all of the detailed information on the DVUSD website. There are details from the community presentations in January, minutes from the committee meetings, and more! The link to the BCHS Region presentation is here for your information as well!

We had our very first graduation meeting with the Senior Class of 2025 on January 28th where we covered our countdown to graduation and also senior class expectations. Students received a paper copy of the countdown and the Panoramic and Cap & Gown Picture Order forms. Information was also emailed to students and parents later that day.

Seniors received a letter regarding senior expectations to ensure they are leading by showing exceptional behavior and Jag PRIDE as well as keeping up on their grades to ensure they all have the credits to get to graduation! Our seniors are amazing students that I cannot wait to see honored at our commencement ceremony! The class of 2026 can do this!!

As a reminder, all graduation information and resources are posted on our website here at http://bchs.dvusd.org >Student Life > Seniors & Graduation!

Resources from the meeting are also linked below:

Respect: When you set goals, you’re showing respect for your own potential. But reflection is just as important—look back to see how far you’ve come and what you’ve learned. Growth isn’t always a straight line, and that’s okay.

Integrity: Honest reflection takes courage. Integrity means owning your progress and your setbacks—and using both to move forward. When you check in with yourself regularly, you stay aligned with your values, not just your outcomes.

Disciplined: Goals don’t work unless you do. Discipline means showing up every day, even when motivation fades. Track your progress, adjust when needed, and keep going—you’re building more than habits; you’re building resilience.

Everyone United: When we share our goals, we invite support and accountability. Find a friend, teacher, or classmate who can walk with you as you pursue your next step. Together, we can help each other become who we’re meant to be.

In February, Jaguars will focus on Healthy Relationships: Words and actions that build trust!

The Deer Valley Education Foundation's Teacher and 1st Year Teacher of the Year Program is designed to celebrate and honor the contributions of Deer Valley School District's teachers - we want to celebrate and spotlight those exceptionally skilled and dedicated teachers who have gained the respect and admiration of students, parents, and co-workers and who have the superior ability to help students achieve.

Our District is blessed with many, many teachers who possess all these qualities. Please honor these teachers by nominating them!

Teachers who are selected as a DVEF Teacher of the Year are honored at a very special award ceremony at a DVUSD Board Meeting on May 12th and receive trophy and a cash award.

1st Year Teachers (Rookie Teachers): candidate must be in his/her first year of teaching.

Teachers of the Year: candidate MUST HAVE COMPLETED their 5TH YEAR of teaching in the Deer Valley Unified School District by May, 2026

PLEASE BE SURE TO FILL OUT THE APPROPRIATE NOMINATION FORM FOR TEACHER OR ROOKIE- THANK YOU!!

Nominations must be submitted by the end of the day on February 12th, 2026. The nomination form is here and is also posted at www.dvef.org.

Please don't hesitate to call with any questions you may have and we look forward to receiving many nominations!

Sincerely,

The DVEF Board of Directors

and

Marie G. Brennan
Executive Director

Check out our Fall Sports schedule and come watch a game and support your Anthem Community High Schoolers!

We use GOFAN for all home events!

Types of ticketing available

1. Single game tickets on GOFAN - https://gofan.co/app/school/AZ12766

2. Boulder Creek Student pass, online or in the bookstore for $30. Please add the athletic pass symbol to your students I.D. by having it re-printed at the Bookstore, prior to an event.

3. Family pass punch cards, $60 at the bookstore only. 20 punches per card, can use 1 or 20 punches at each event.

4. There are NO backpacks or water bottles allowed into any BCHS event. please plan accordingly.

Facebook -@ Boulder Creek Athletics

JALAC Insta - @BCHSJALAC

Congratulations to our students who participated in the talent show in January hosted by our theatre department! All acts did a great job! Congratulations to the winners: 1st Madeline Teixeira, 2nd Clara Matzke, 3rd Talia Griffin! Great job, Jags!

In January, BC had over 40 musicians participate in the Arizona Music Educators Association Solo Ensemble Festival at Shadow Ridge High School. These students performed professionally and with decorum, and we are so proud to share that 5 groups have earned their way into tier 2!

Flute Choir: Excellent

Sax Orchestra: Excellent

Tenor Sax Solo: Excellent

Bass Clarinet Solo: Excellent

Alto Sax Duet: Excellent

Wind Quintet: Excellent

Eligible to move on to Tier 2

Clarinet Choir: Superior

French Horn Solo: Superior

Sax Quartet: Superior

Clarinet Quartet: Superior

Brass Quintet: Superior

On Saturday, Jan 24th, we had 52 BC Band Students audition for 57 spots in the Regional Honor Ensemble Auditions at Desert Vista High School. These students were Freshman through Senior and from all 4 of our concert ensemble classes. Students performed a blind, timed audition for an adjudicator, including scales, etudes, and sight-reading, to demonstrate their musicianship and technical skills. We are proud to share that 29 students qualified for 34 spots. Congratulations to all who auditioned, and good luck to all performers as they prepare for the event!

Skylynn Chapman - Flute & Piccolo* in Band
Evyn Tombaugh - Flute in Band
Bella Seils - Flute* in Band & Bassoon (1st Bassoon in Region)
Arianna Ricci - Flute
Ben Johnson - Flute
Jasmine Varner - 1st Alternate for Oboe
Logan Hallman - Bassoon & Choir*
Ed Walters - Clarinet in Band
Tyler Hughner - Clarinet in Band
Kiley Smith - Clarinet in Band
Holley Burch - Clarinet in Band
Elliot Bray - Clarinet in Band
Corey Rork - Clarinet in Band
Joshua Bigney - Clarinet in Band
Jackson Mosher - 1st Chair Bass Clarinet in Band (2nd in Region)
Evan Van DerToorn - Alto Sax in Band* & Bari Sax (1st in Region)
Marcus Ferrill - Alto Sax in Band
Justin Ward - Alto Sax in Band
Andrew Johnson - Alto Sax in Band
Wesley Caraway - 1st Alternate Bari Sax in Band
Hayden Stanwick - Trumpet in Band
Massimo Guagenti - Trumpet* in Band & French Horn
Clarissa Wen - Trumpet in Band
Ivy Atkinson - Trumpet in Band
Hannah Bennet - 1st Chair French Horn in Band (2nd in Region)
Jack Beverley - French Horn in Orchestra
Zane Weaver - Trombone* in Band & Tuba
Matthew Diaz - Euphonium in Band
Ryan Miller - Tuba in Band

Congratulations to all of our band students and to their director, Mrs. Broderick. We are so proud of you!

Support the BCHS Interact Food Drive! From January 20th through February 27th, Interact is collecting packaged foods. There are baskets for donations outside of classrooms! Please consider donating to support our community.

BC Engineering students in Mr. Jordan's classes learned from guest speaker, Joel King, Director of BE-4 Turbomachinery from Blue Origin! Students were engaged in the real world application of engineering that sends rockets to space. They also got to fill out a post card that will be sent to space on a rocket and returned to them. Thank you, Mr. Jordan, for bringing real-world experts into the classroom to show our Jags what is possible with continued learning and growth.

Congratulations to BC theater on their one acts they presented in January. These were student written performances that were fully realized by our students! Absolutely amazing! Congratulations to all of the participants both on stage and off and to miss Munson, their director.

Congratulations to our Academic Decathlon team on their outstanding performance at the Regional competition! Our students brought home an impressive 13 medals total and have earned their spot at the State competition. Individual medal winners include Ian Ciudad with 6 medals, Sophia Torres with 4 medals, and Ben Hanson with 3 medals. Their hard work and dedication have truly paid off. The team will advance to compete at the State competition at the end of February. Ms. Compere and Ms. Lodolce, the team's coaches, are incredibly proud of their students' achievements and look forward to continued success.

Junior Jaguars, spring testing is coming soon! Juniors will take the AZSci test on March 31st and the ACT on April 7th for Arizona State testing. Juniors are eligible to positively impact their semester grades in specific courses with proficient scores on the ACT and AzSCI State Assessments! Please see the graphic below for specific information!

For more information, go to dvusd.org/gradeenhancement!

To help eliminate distractions during class time, BCHS expects students to keep cell phones in their backpacks in either off or silent mode. Students will have access to their Chromebooks for learning and must come with them charged each day. Please keep any other items that may distract students in the learning environment at home.

Congratulations to Mr. Donovan on being named a Top 50 Educator in America!

Congratulations to our employees of the month!

Certified Employee of the Month:

June/July: Lisa Larance- ELA Teacher & Student Government Sponsor

August: Mike Leblanc - EL Teacher

September: Betty Lake- ELA Teacher

October: Michelle Chase- Earth Science Teacher

November: Erin McCracken- Gifted Coordinator & Spanish Teacher

December: Darien Chang- Math Teacher

Classified Employee of the Month:

June/July: Hyrum Wines- Cafeteria Custodian

August: Joe Bayus- Security

September: Kurtis Ryan- Plant Foreman

October: Cindy Clarke- Athletic Secretary

November: Jeni Owenes- Cafeteria

December: Tony Cea- Paraprofessional

Thank you for making BCHS AMAZING! #JagPride

See the information in our Jaguar life section. It will appear here in our next newsletter.

In October, Seniors met with Jostens to learn about graduation product orders including cap and gown, announcements, and other optional products. If you haven't purchased your cap and gown yet, be sure order ASAP so it is here during product delivery in spring! To order, go to https://jostens.com

Yearbook

The 2025-2026 Yearbook is available to purchase online through Jostens using this link. The link is also available on the DVUSD online payment system and on the Boulder Creek web site.

Our BCHS Parent Association is incredible! To support BC Staff our parents hosted a soup and salad lunch in January! We are so grateful for the support through making copies, providing supplies, and giving us a lovely time to enjoy a meal together! Thank you so much, parents! You mean the world to us!

Our Parent Association is always looking for membership to do amazing things for our students and staff! Please reach out to our Parent Association through our their email: bcjagparents@gmail.com

BC Jaguar PRIDE means that our Jaguars are Prepared, Respectful, have Integrity, are Disciplined, and show that Everyone is united! To ensure a safe, focused, and positive learning environment, we PRIDE expectations with students on Thursday in second period.

• This includes our expectation that students keep their cellphones on silent or off in their backpack so students can properly engage in learning.
• Students should be prepared with a fully charged Chromebook each day and any other items required for class to help with their success.
• It is also critical that students are in class and on time to be present for learning which is critical for their success.
• We also expect our students to be respectful of classrooms, school and personal property each and every day.

Please review our BCHS PRIDE expectations in our Student/Parent Handbook . Taking time to show Jaguar PRIDE is important as we work toward our mission of providing “a safe learning environment with rigorous academic opportunities for all students to graduate as productive, responsible, and contributing citizens!”

• X (Twitter): @bchs_dvusd
• Facebook: @BoulderCreekHighSchool
• Instagram: @bouldercreekhigh
• TikTok: @BoulderCreekJaguars

The Jag PRIDE Newsletter is published 8 times each school year and captures highlights of all things BCHS for the month of the edition. The newsletter also includes upcoming information for our community.

The 2025-2026 Newsletter Editions will be as follows:

• July 2025 (published July)
• August 2025 (published early September)
• September 2025 (published early October)
• October/Early November 2025 (published mid November)
• Mid November/December 2025 (published before Winter Break)
• January 2026 (published early February)
• February/March 2026 (published mid March)
• April/May 2026 (published mid May)

You can read past Jag PRIDE Newsletters or find our most current editions on our website!