All Things Avondale March 7, 2025

The Arizona Milk Producers and Fiesta Sports Foundation hosted a youth football clinic for 600 of our fourth and fifth-grade students. The event, held at Agua Fria High School, transformed the football field into an interactive learning environment with 15 different skills stations.

Marquis Flowers, a West Valley football player who graduated from Millennium High School and went on to play at the University of Arizona and in the NFL, was a special guest coach. High school athletes from Agua Fria and Desert Edge High Schools volunteered their time, helping to run training stations and mentor our students. The clinic provided students with hands-on instruction in football fundamentals, giving them a unique opportunity to learn from experienced athletes.

Each student received a Nike Fiesta Sports Foundation jersey and sports backpack, and enjoyed a lunch that included pizza and protein-rich chocolate milk. The event showcased the organizations' commitment to youth athletics, community engagement, and promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

By bringing together professional athletes, high school volunteers, and elementary students, the football clinic created an inspiring day of learning, mentorship, and community support.

Phoenix Raceway hosted its annual STEM Day, welcoming 180 students from Centerra Mirage STEM Academy, along with other students from across the Valley, for a day of hands-on learning and excitement. The event showcased the fascinating intersection of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with the high-octane world of motorsports.

Students participated in a variety of engaging activities designed to highlight the scientific principles behind racing. The day featured CTE career exploration stations, eNASCAR and STEM, and hands-on activities included building balloon-powered cars, an interactive spray paint activity, a challenging build-a-box competition, and creative paper circuits project.

Adding to the excitement, NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez and Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Roy Lopez made special appearances to welcome the students.

The event successfully demonstrated how classroom STEM concepts apply to the thrilling world of race car driving, potentially sparking future interest in both racing and STEM-related fields among our CMSA students.

Avondale Middle School’s robotics class is gearing up to build some incredible robots! This hands-on class gives students the opportunity to dive into the world of robotics, where they design, build, and program their own creations. As they work through these projects, students are developing critical skills in problem-solving and collaboration, all while applying their knowledge to real-world challenges.

In addition to learning technical skills, students are discovering the importance of teamwork as they work together to solve complex problems and bring their ideas to life. With each project, they gain valuable experience that will serve them well in the future, whether in robotics or other fields. We’re excited to see the amazing robots they create and the skills they’ll continue to develop along the way!

Centerra Mirage STEM Academy's Kids At Hope Day gave students a glimpse into their future careers through engaging speakers and hands-on experiences. Students heard from diverse professionals including a prosecuting attorney, military personnel, women in trades, a software engineer, and beauty industry specialists.

The day featured interactive displays from a local car club, law enforcement vehicles, and the sheriff's K-9 unit, while a chef demonstrated pizza-making skills. As a highlight of the day, Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo took time out of his busy schedule to spend part of his morning at CMSA!

In addition, students dressed as their dream professions—from astronauts to doctors, teachers to firefighters—showcasing their aspirations and reminding everyone of their limitless potential. This fun, inspiring event reinforced that with determination, these young learners can achieve anything they set their minds to!

Desert Thunder kindergartners celebrated Read Across America Week with fun and creativity while they enjoyed reading Dr. Seusses' book, Green Eggs and Ham! The kiddos showed off their school spirit by rocking their class color—GREEN—dressing in vibrant green attire that made them stand out in the walkways. It was a visual feast, as their energy and excitement brought the day to life. To make things even more exciting, the students enjoyed a special treat: green eggs and green milk! The unique food items were a hit and brought even more joy to the day, creating an unforgettable experience for our little learners.

Not only did the children get to show off their school spirit, but they also got to immerse themselves in the fun and magic of reading as part of Read Across America Week. As they dug into their green eggs and sipped their green milk, the students were also engaged in their classroom activities, embracing the joy of reading. It was a day that beautifully combined fun with learning, making it a memorable one for both the students and their teachers. The excitement in the air was palpable as our young learners made lasting memories while celebrating both their school and their love for reading!

Agua Fria High School District's Senior to Senior Program celebrated Read Across America Day at Eliseo C. Felix School. More than 50 high school seniors and senior citizens from the community and the Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary spent the morning reading to second through fifth graders. Our students loved having high school mentors and adults sharing their passion for reading.

This week, we were thrilled to have Operation School Bell visit Avondale Middle, Eliseo C. Felix, Lattie Coor Schools to provide new uniforms to our students! Fifty students from each school were randomly selected to receive school uniforms, shoes, books, and backpacks, ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed in school. It’s a wonderful opportunity that helps our students feel confident and ready to learn.

This generous initiative is just one of the many ways our community comes together to support our students and their success. We are so thankful for the positive impact it has made and grateful for the Assistance League of Phoenix providing these resources to our students.

Ms. Gokool's K-1 class at Lattie Coor had a blast celebrating Read Across America Week! In honor of Dr. Seuss, the students got creative by designing their very own Seuss-inspired socks. With bright colors, bold patterns, and plenty of imagination, their designs reflected the whimsical spirit of the beloved Dr. Seuss stories.

This fun activity allowed the students to express their creativity while also celebrating their love for reading. As they worked on their sock designs, they were reminded of the joy that reading brings and how it sparks their imaginations. It was a week full of excitement and creativity, and the students had a wonderful time bringing their favorite stories to life through their artwork.

The Avondale-Goodyear Education Foundation is a non-profit foundation that provides support for college scholarships and recognition programs that honor the excellent work of our staff. The Foundation offers annual college scholarships to students who have promoted from eighth grade from any one of our schools, graduated from high school (Spring 2025), and have been accepted to a university, junior college or vocational/technical/health-related program. The deadline for applying is Friday, March 21. Simply click the link below for more information and to apply.

AESD is proud of our amazing teachers. Parents and guardians can nominate your outstanding teacher for Arizona's Family 3TV Silver Apple Award. Nominations are accepted through March 16, 2025. Winning teachers will receive a $1,000 prize and will be featured on 3TV! Simply download the Silver Apple Nomination Form, in 100 words or less share "Why This Teacher Is Special," get the principal's signature, and email it to apple@azfamily.com. For more information, visit azfamily.com/silverapple.