All Things Avondale May 9, 2025

Our district has emerged as a top contender in the prestigious 2025 Best of the Desert Community's Choice Awards, sponsored by the Arizona Republic! These celebrated awards recognize excellence among businesses and organizations throughout the metropolitan Phoenix area, and we are thrilled to announce our district has secured three distinguished honors!

We've been proudly named Best Public School, Best Preschool, and Best Place to Work in the West Valley. These accolades truly reflect the unwavering dedication of our educators, the commitment of our staff, and the tremendous support of our families and community in creating an exceptional learning and working environment where all students and adults can achieve their limitless future.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our remarkable community members who took the time to vote for us during the selection process. Your continued support and pride in our district have made these achievements possible. Thank you for helping us earn this wonderful recognition!

Nine Avondale ESD educators were honored as recipients of the Westside IMPACT Teacher of the Year Award. Their dedication and passion for education have made an impact on students' lives. This honor showcases their dedication to outstanding education and shaping tomorrow's leaders.

Congratulations to the 2025 Westside IMPACT Teachers of the Year:

Allyson Sorenson, Avondale Middle School

Karina Moon, Centerra Mirage STEM Academy

Allison Kamps, Copper Trails School

Rachel Shirey, Desert Star School

Tracy Contreras, Desert Thunder School

Caitlin Tomczyk, Eliseo C. Felix School

Jennifer Dewandler, Lattie Coor School

Carly Schoettes, Michael Anderson School

Claudia Hurtado, Wildflower Accelerated Academy

Mr. Vaughn is a student-centered leader who prioritizes both academic excellence and the well-being of every student, fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment. Through close collaboration with staff, students, and families, he cultivates a shared vision that promotes a culture of excellence and continuous growth. His leadership in advancing student achievement, enhancing school culture, and supporting teacher effectiveness has helped elevate Desert Star Elementary to receive the prestigious state letter grade “A” recognition.

In addition to this honor, Desert Star has been named Best Elementary School in the Best of the Best Awards and recognized as Best Middle School by U.S. News & World Report.

Congratulations, Mr. Vaughn, on this well-deserved recognition and your continued impact on the Desert Star community!

This week, the Avondale Elementary School District proudly celebrated student creativity at our annual Kids at Hope Art Walk! Students from across the district were given cameras and challenged to capture photographs that represent what it means to be a Kid at Hope. Their powerful and thoughtful images were displayed in a gallery-style walk at the Avondale District Office, where families and community members came together to celebrate their work.

We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing the Kids at Hope philosophy and expressing it through such creative and meaningful projects. A heartfelt thank-you to our families and community for supporting and celebrating the talents of our young artists, thinkers, and future leaders!

Our gifted students recently wrapped up the year by diving into the world of business and innovation through an exciting, Shark Tank–themed project showcase. This dynamic event gave students the opportunity to channel their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills as they took on the role of young entrepreneurs.

Throughout the project, students identified real-world problems and researched ways to develop innovative, practical solutions. From there, they crafted unique business ideas and brought them to life through detailed display boards and prototypes. During the showcase, students confidently presented their research, marketing strategies, and product concepts to an audience, just like on the popular TV show Shark Tank. Their thoughtful presentations and imaginative ideas wowed peers, teachers, and guests alike—demonstrating not only their academic growth, but also their entrepreneurial spirit and passion for making a difference.

Avondale ESD partnered with Arizona State University, the University of Florida, and CAST to expand computer science opportunities for all learners. Through this collaboration, the district provided professional development for computer science, exceptional student services and grade level teachers focused on increasing access, participation, and success in computer science—particularly for students with disabilities. This initiative reflects our commitment to high-quality STEM education for all students.

This week, the district celebrated the culmination of this effort with a Computer Science Showcase. Students proudly demonstrated their skills in coding and robotics, showcasing the knowledge they’ve gained throughout the program. From programming robots to solve challenges to explaining their code, students impressed attendees with their creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills. The event highlighted not only student achievement but the power of partnership in expanding educational opportunities.

This week, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week by inviting our community to share just how much our educators mean to them. Families, students, and community members stepped up in a big way—sending heartfelt videos and thank-you messages to honor the dedication and hard work of our teachers.

From kind words to creative shout-outs, the outpouring of appreciation was a powerful reminder of the impact our teachers have every day. We hope you catch some of their video messages on the district's Facebook or Instagram pages @avondaleesd. Here’s a look at how our community came together to show their love and gratitude with words of thanks!

• "Your passion, dedication, and tireless efforts do not go unnoticed. You inspire minds, nurture hearts, and help shape the future every single day. Thank you for all that you do! - Cyani (7th) and Roland Cruz III (5th), Mom and Dad as well!"
• "I want to thank all the teachers for helping us with the learning and education of our children, especially Mrs. Davis Reyes, Carolina Carrasco's second grade teacher. Thank you very much."
• "Big thanks to Ms. Smith for having patience and doing everything she could for Ayleen Uribe. Kinder couldn’t have been great without Ms. Smith! Also a big thank you to Ms. Bremer and the 4th grade teachers for taking their time and patience for Angelique Vaca!"
• "Fourth grade wouldn’t have gone great without Ms. Bremer and the rest of 4th grade teachers! - Ayleen Uribe"
• "Thank you Ms. Valenzuela very much for helping Daniel Baca this year. I really appreciate it. Thank you, may God bless you."
• "Mrs. Celina Torres, Desert Star, thank you for your lessons and for guiding me on my educational journey. Happy Teacher's Day!! - Jehilyn Arvayo
• "We are incredibly grateful for Ms. Gallegos and all she has done for our daughter this year. As a fourth grade teacher, she has shown exceptional kindness, patience and understanding, helping our daughter feel welcomed and supported in her new school. Under her guidance, our daughter has grown more confident and independent, and it’s clear that Ms. Gallegos truly cares about her students’ growth both academically and personally. This being our daughter’s first year at a new school, we couldn’t have asked for a better teacher to guide her through the transition. Thank you, Ms. Gallegos, for making such a positive impact! " - Elizabeth Pena
• "We feel so fortunate to have had Ms. Lambert as our daughter’s fifth grade teacher. This was her first year at a new school, and Ms. Lambert made the transition smooth and positive. She is incredibly sweet, kind, and caring, and her welcoming nature made a big difference in helping our daughter feel comfortable and confident in a new environment. Ms. Lambert’s support and encouragement have truly made this school year a wonderful experience, and we’re so thankful for the impact she’s had on our daughter’s growth and happiness." - Elizabeth Pena
• "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Ms. Avila (Michael Anderson, second grade) for being such a wonderful teacher to Isaac. Your patience, kindness, and constant support have meant so much to our family. You’ve made school a place where Isaac feels motivated, understood, and proud of his progress. Your dedication has left a special mark on our lives, and we will always be deeply grateful for everything you’ve done for him this year. Michael Anderson School is truly lucky to have you!" - Lucia Cisneros & Family
• "Noah’s teacher this year has helped him reach new highs. His appreciation and love of learning has grown so much. He feels proud to be a “Math Magician” as his teacher, Ms. Marinelli, Wildflower, has called him. Everyday he has lots of new knowledge to share about what he’s learned that day and now loves to read. He has certainly taken huge steps this year and is more than ready for 1st grade. We can’t thank her enough for her dedication and ability to bring this out of him and her other students." - Brandon
• "Mrs. Waltho, Wildflower, I want to extend a special thank you for being the kind of kindergarten teacher who truly cares and takes that extra step to help your students succeed. Your patience, dedication and commitment do not go unnoticed. Adriel Colon and our family deeply appreciate everything you do. Thank you for making a lasting impact." - Adriel Colon and Family

Ms. Rivas's eighth grade class at Avondale Middle School recently took an exciting field trip to the Museum of Illusions, where nothing was quite as it seemed. While a few students were unsure of what to expect at first, that quickly changed once they stepped inside. The museum was filled with mind-bending exhibits that challenged their senses and sparked curiosity. From rooms that flipped gravity to optical illusions that tricked the eye, every display offered a new way to explore perception and the science behind how our brains interpret the world.

As students wandered through the museum, they engaged in hands-on learning, asked thoughtful questions, and shared plenty of laughter. The experience made science fun, interactive and encouraged critical thinking in a creative environment. It was a day full of discovery, wonder, and unforgettable memories—proving that learning goes far beyond the classroom.

Centerra Mirage STEM Academy fourth graders had an unforgettable day filled with laughter, energy, and excitement at Elevate Trampoline Park! From bouncing high into the air to engaging in epic dodgeball matches, students were all smiles as they explored everything the park had to offer.

The field trip was a perfect blend of fun and physical activity, giving students a chance to connect, move, and make memories outside the classroom.

Seventh and eighth grade students from Copper Trails and Desert Star schools recently took part in an unforgettable educational trip to Washington, D.C., designed for those eager to deepen their understanding of our nation's history.

Over the course of four days, students visited some of the most iconic monuments and memorials in the country, including Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt. They also got to see the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, the Pentagon Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, and the Marine Corps Memorial.

The group explored museums including the Holocaust Museum, the Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and even had the opportunity to tour Arlington National Cemetery and the Capitol Building.

It was a trip that brought history to life and inspired a deeper appreciation for the people, places, and events that have shaped our nation.

Ms. Lutha’s kindergarten class at Desert Star School recently became published authors with their new book, All About Bugs! The students worked together to write the content, create colorful illustrations, and bring the project to life. The book’s cover was beautifully designed by student Alyss R., showcasing the creativity and teamwork that made this project special.

This writing project not only supported literacy and art skills but also gave students a chance to take pride in creating something meaningful from start to finish. Congratulations to our budding authors and illustrators!

Students in Ms. Valle’s class at Lattie Coor School are turning geometry into a hands-on adventure! Using clay and toothpicks, they are constructing 2-D shapes to deepen their understanding of sides, angles, and vertices. This creative activity reinforces key math concepts and encourages collaboration and problem-solving.

By building shapes with tangible materials, students are able to visualize and explore the properties of each figure in a meaningful way. The classroom is buzzing with excitement as learning takes shape—literally! It's a great example of how interactive lessons can make abstract concepts both fun and accessible.

Wildflower Accelerated Academy third and fourth graders explored the exciting world of programming in technology class! Students are learning how to use X and Y coordinates to code characters that move across the screen—just like real game developers.

Through activities such as this, students are developing coding skills and building confidence in problem-solving, logic, and creativity. It’s inspiring to see their enthusiasm as they bring their ideas to life through code!

May 18 is National Speech-Language Pathologist Day, a time to recognize the essential role these professionals play in supporting student success. From helping students overcome speech and language challenges to fostering communication skills that build confidence and connection, SLPs make a lasting impact every day. Their work reaches beyond therapy sessions—they collaborate closely with teachers and families to ensure each student’s unique needs are met.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate and thank our incredible speech-language pathologists for their compassion, expertise, and dedication to helping students find their voice!

Looking for a job? Join us at our Hiring Event on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., at the Avondale School District Office, located at 295 W. Western Avenue, in the Governing Board Room.

AESD was named the Best Place to Work and Best School District (2024, 2023, 2022)! We have a number of positions available and would love for you to join our team!

We offer up to 10 years of related experience, education credit, and eligibility for performance pay. Please check out our available positions below. Click this link to Register for the Hiring Event, and visit our Careers webpage for salaries, benefits and more!

*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.