All Things Avondale April 25, 2025

We are thrilled to announce that two of our dedicated educators have been named finalists in the School Connect 2025 Champions of Education Awards!

Denise Hawk, school social worker at Desert Star School, has been recognized as a finalist in the School Champion category for her outstanding commitment to student well-being and support services.

Emily Emhardt, first grade teacher at Lattie Coor School, has been named a finalist for the Hero Maker Award, highlighting her exceptional classroom leadership and innovative teaching approaches.

These awards celebrate individuals who make significant impacts on Arizona's youth through courageous leadership and collaborative community support. Both educators exemplify our district's commitment to creating pathways for student success.

Winners will be announced at the School Connect Champions of Education Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Hawk and Ms. Emhardt on this well-deserved recognition!

We are proud to share the success of this year’s District Math Challenge, where nearly 120 students from across our schools came together to put their math skills to the test in an exciting and engaging competition.

Students competed in teams by grade level: 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, and 7th/8th grades. The challenge featured two rounds: a fast-paced Lightning Round, focused on speed and accuracy, followed by a Problem Solving Round, where students tackled more complex mathematical problems as a team.

Our students impressed everyone in attendance with their critical thinking, teamwork, and enthusiasm for mathematics. We are proud to recognize the following schools for placing at the top of their divisions:

• 7th/8th Grade Division
  🥇 1st Place: Wildflower Accelerated Academy
  🥈 2nd Place: Copper Trails School

• 5th/6th Grade Division
  🥇 1st Place: Copper Trails School
  🥈 2nd Place: Michael Anderson School

• 3rd/4th Grade Division
  🥇 1st Place: Desert Star School
  🥈 2nd Place: Centerra Mirage STEM Academy

A special congratulations goes out to our first-place teams, who will be moving on to compete in the Regional Math Challenge hosted by Westside Impact next week. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the dedicated educators who have mentored these talented students and to the supportive families who have encouraged their mathematical journey every step of the way. We are cheering you on and wishing you the best of luck!

This week, the Governing Board honored our April award recipients including student recognitions, scholarship winners, members from the community and school awards for Wildflower Accelerated Academy. Honorees include the following:

Congratulations to Wildflower Accelerated Academy's third grade student Cruz G. for winning first place in the Consumer Goods & Fashion category and Best of Show in the Invention Convention Maricopa Regional Awards. Cruz advanced to the Arizona State Invention Convention where he earned a first place in the third grade category. Cruz now qualifies to compete at the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals being held at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan, June 4-6, 2025.

The Avondale Goodyear Education Foundation honored a number of former Avondale ESD students with high school college scholarships. Recipients included:

• Elyana Ortiz, Copper Trails (Verrado High School)
• Dominic G. Saena, Desert Thunder (Desert Edge High School)
• Ryann S. Dobbins, Desert Thunder (Desert Edge High School)
• Daniel Roman Pina, Copper Trails (Verrado High School)
• Cristina Arrieta, Wildflower (Desert Edge High School)
• Autumn Grace Shanahan, Desert Thunder (Desert Edge High School)
• Wyatt David Smorong, Desert Thunder (Buckeye Union High School)
• Owen Roger Smorong, Desert Thunder (Buckeye Union High School)
• Kayla M. Rodriguez, Copper Trails (Desert Edge High School)
• Paul Wesley Campbell, Copper Trails (Desert Edge High School)

Technology Staff: Candice Jaime

Wildflower Accelerated Academy

Classified Staff: Aidee Mireles

Certified Staff: Rob Kiepke

Community Partnership: Sam Perez and Compass Church

Student Artist: Natalia J., 8th Grade

Wildflower Accelerated Academy Kid at Hope: Jette H., 7th Grade

School Principals Day is Thursday, May 1. This day recognizes the hard work our school principals do each day to better our schools and ensure all Avondale ESD students are capable of success ... NO EXCEPTIONS! Please join us in thanking our school principals!

Between preparing delicious food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, our food and nutrition staff have a lot on their plate. Join us in celebrating their hard work on School Lunch Hero Day on Friday, May 2.

Do you know what your child is really seeing online? This important training will explore how smartphones and social media are affecting kids’ mental health and exposing them to hidden risks including inappropriate content, online predators, cyberbullying, and drug access through popular apps.

• Learn how drug dealers use social media to reach kids

• Recognize warning signs of substance use

• Monitor your child’s online life—without breaking their trust

• Gain tools to protect your family and start important conversations

Empower yourself with the knowledge to keep your child safe. Don’t miss this eye-opening session for parents and guardians.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

6:00 p.m.

Avondale ESD Governing Board Room

295 W. Western Avenue

*Spanish Translation Available

Across the district, schools and departments came together this week to celebrate the incredible contributions of our administrative professionals. From thoughtful notes and heartfelt messages to small gatherings and special treats, each site found its own way to show appreciation for the individuals who keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. These moments of recognition were a reminder of just how vital these team members are to the daily life of our campuses.

We are deeply grateful for the professionalism, organization and warmth our administrative staff bring to their work each day. Their attention to detail, calm presence and constant support make a lasting impact on students, staff and families alike. This week’s celebrations were just a small reflection of the appreciation we have for all they do year-round.

Avondale Middle School recently partnered with Ms. Randi from Imperfectly Inspired Studio to bring our students a special painting experience filled with creativity and fun!

With Ms. Randi’s expert guidance, each student had the opportunity to create their very own masterpiece—an Emoji painting that was as unique as they are. From bright colors to big smiles, it was an experience that sparked imagination. Our students were thrilled to pick up a paintbrush and discover their inner artist.

There’s something timeless about the sound of kindergarten laughter during a game of Duck Duck Goose. At Centerra Mirage, our youngest learners experienced just that—an unforgettable gym day filled with joy, movement and memories that reminded us all of the simple fun of classic childhood games.

We’re grateful to Mr. Meier for leading the way with such energy and enthusiasm. His ability to turn fitness into something playful and meaningful is a gift to our students. Days like these don’t just encourage physical activity—they create the kind of school memories that stay with you for years to come.

At Copper Trails School, our kindergartners are making the countdown to summer both educational and fun with a letter-a-day activity. This day was all about the letter F—and what better way to celebrate than by focusing on "Fitness"? Our students spent the day learning that taking care of their bodies can be just as exciting as learning their ABCs.

It’s never too early to introduce the importance of health and movement, and we’re proud to see our youngest learners embracing these lessons with enthusiasm. Through playful activities and meaningful discussions, they're building healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

In celebration of Earth Day, Desert Star's preschoolers rolled up their sleeves and got to work making a difference—right in their own playground! With tiny gloves and big hearts, they picked up litter and learned simple ways to care for the planet. It was a joyful reminder that you’re never too small to help create a cleaner, greener world.

Congratulations to the Desert Thunder boys basketball team for their outstanding victory over Centerra Mirage in a thrilling District Championship game at Desert Edge High School. Both teams gave their all, battling fiercely until the final buzzer. In the end, the Eagles emerged victorious, securing the District Championship title.

A special thank you to Desert Edge High School for hosting such an exciting event, and to all the fans, families and staff who came out to support our athletes. Your dedication and enthusiasm truly make a difference!

At Eliseo C. Felix School, the love of reading is alive and well. Each day, students are making their way to the library with curiosity and enthusiasm, eager to discover new stories and expand their understanding of the world around them.

This daily commitment to reading is more than just a routine—it’s a reflection of a learning environment where imagination and literacy are growing hand in hand. We’re proud to see our students developing strong reading habits that will support their academic journey for years to come.

At Lattie Coor, Earth Day was more than just a celebration—it was a chance for students to actively care for their environment. Ms. Emhardt’s and Ms. Guzman’s classes teamed up for a campus clean-up, taking pride in making their school a cleaner, more beautiful place.

In addition to their hands-on work outdoors, students also had the opportunity to express their creativity through Earth Day-inspired art projects. These activities encouraged both environmental awareness and personal expression, making the day meaningful and memorable for everyone involved.

Last week’s Spring BBQ at STAR Academy was a wonderful celebration of community and connection. It was a joy to see students, parents and staff come together to share good food, laughter and great company.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated staff, whose efforts brought the event to life. From organizing and setting up to manning the grill and handling every last detail, their commitment helped create a day filled with memorable moments.

A huge round of applause to the Copper Trails girls softball team for their incredible victory over Desert Thunder in an exciting championship game. In front of a packed and spirited crowd at Desert Edge High School, the Coyotes delivered a thrilling performance that had fans on the edge of their seats from the first pitch to the final out.

Both teams showed tremendous heart and sportsmanship throughout the game, battling fiercely inning after inning, but it was the Coyotes who pulled through in the final inning to secure the win and bring home the district title. A huge thank you to all the families, friends, staff, and fans who showed up to cheer on our athletes—you helped make the night even more special.

*AI DISCLAIMER: Some content in this document was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools. All content has been reviewed and approved by Avondale Elementary School District staff prior to publication.