All Things Avondale March 28, 2025

Avondale ESD has been recognized as one of the top school districts in the 2025 Best of the West Awards! We are proud to be named Best School District and celebrate Desert Star School for earning Best Public School.

Additionally, we received Reader Recommended honors in multiple categories:

• Best Place to Work

• Best Preschool – Desert Star School

• Best Elementary School – Desert Star & Copper Trails Schools

• Best Elementary Teacher – Breanna Madison (Wildflower Accelerated Academy) & Sandra Becker (Copper Trails School)

Thank you to our incredible community for voting for Avondale ESD and for making our district a place where students, staff, and families can pursue their limitless future!

This week, the Governing Board honored our March award recipients from our Exceptional Student Services Department and Desert Thunder School! Honorees include the following:

2024-2025 Dr. Cathy Stafford Passion & Commitment Recipients

Exceptional Student Services Employee: Jeri Farkas

2024-2025 Dr. Cathy Stafford Passion & Commitment Recipients

Desert Thunder Classified Employee: Ana Barragan

Desert Thunder Certified Staff: Stephanie Santos

2024-2025 Community Partnership

Desert Thunder Community Partner: Officers Morales, Morris, Ramirez, and McCubbins, of the City of Goodyear Police Department

Desert Thunder Student Artist: Isis H., 7th Grade (not pictured)

Desert Thunder School Kid at Hope: Nicole S., 5th Grade

Centerra Mirage STEM Academy Kid at Hope: Zaydon H., 8th Grade

All students in Arizona are required to pass the Arizona Civics Test in order to graduate from high school. Our district offers eighth grade students the opportunity to take and pass this test prior to entering high school. This week the Governing Board honored those additional students who passed the test with a 90% or higher grade.

To date, 464 students have passed the state civics test. Among them, three students achieved a perfect score, and 82 students scored 90% or higher showcasing their exceptional understanding of our government and history. This week the Governing Board honored those additional students who passed the test with a 90% or higher grade. By taking the test early, students can focus on other academic challenges during their high school years, setting them up for greater success!

Congratulations to all of our outstanding eighth graders who have passed the Arizona Civics Test!

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day is Wednesday, April 2, 2025. This day is dedicated to those who work in classrooms alongside our teachers. Our paraprofessionals are incredibly important and they assist our teachers in the classroom providing additional instructional support to our students. Our educators could not do what they do each day without the support of our paraprofessionals.

Please join us in celebrating and thanking our paraprofessionals!

Avondale Middle School recently honored its most dedicated students at a special attendance recognition event that proved that showing up matters! Our incredible students with three or fewer absences during the third quarter were the stars of the day, enjoying a sweet celebration courtesy of the Helping Children Succeed in School Foundation.

The highlight of the afternoon was a delightful ice cream party that brought smiles to the faces of our most consistent learners. These students demonstrated remarkable commitment to their education by maintaining an impressive attendance record, proving that consistent presence is key to academic success. We are incredibly proud of these students who have shown that being present and engaged makes a real difference in their educational journey.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in making Centerra Mirage's Love Our Campus Day such a success! Your hard work, dedication and care for their campus truly made a difference, and they couldn’t have done it without the support of the community.

From cleaning and painting to various other tasks, every effort contributed to bringing the community together. We are deeply grateful for all the volunteers who came out to help! Let’s continue to carry this spirit of kindness and community throughout the year.

At Desert Thunder Middle School, Mr. Burnett's Dual Language sixth-grade class is taking science education to the next level, transforming complex ecological concepts into an exciting, accessible learning experience. This week, students explored the critical relationship between producers and consumers in our natural ecosystem.

Through an innovative visual approach, they’re learned how these two parts work together to keep nature in balance. The hands-on lesson not only enhances students' scientific knowledge but also promotes critical thinking and environmental awareness.

Physical education at Lattie Coor School transformed into a vibrant playground of learning and laughter, as students discovered the joy of volleying and striking through an innovative balloon-based activity. PE teacher Ms. Lukaszewski orchestrated a dynamic lesson that turned physical skills development into an exciting, engaging experience. Students participated, using balloons to practice their hand-eye coordination that made every movement feel like pure play.

The magic of this approach lies in its ability to blend skill-building with fun, proving that physical education can be both educational and incredibly entertaining. As balloons sailed through the air, students learned valuable lessons in teamwork, spatial awareness, and motor skill development—all while sporting the pure joy of movement. This creative teaching method not only helps children develop fundamental athletic skills but also fosters a positive attitude toward physical activity, ensuring that exercise feels less like a chore and more like an adventure.

STAR Academy's Cooking Club had a fantastic time making English muffin pizzas! The students put on their aprons and jumped right into the kitchen, spreading sauce, adding cheese and customizing their pizzas with their favorite toppings.

It was a fun experience that not only introduced them to the joys of cooking but also encouraged teamwork. The kitchen was filled with the delicious aroma of fresh pizza, and everyone had a great time tasting their creations.

Future Careers Spirit Day was a huge success at Wildflower Accelerated Academy! Students came ready to envision their futures, with everything from doctors and astronauts to chefs and engineers filling the hallways. The day was full of inspiration, creativity and big dreams.

It was incredible to see students proudly share their aspirations and learn from one another about the endless possibilities ahead. Thank you to our wonderful Wildflower community for making this day so special!

Get ready for an exciting evening of arena football while supporting our school athletics program! Avondale Elementary School District is thrilled to host a special night out with the Arizona Rattlers.

This fun-filled event doubles as a fundraiser for our athletics program. A portion of each ticket sold will directly support our student athletes and help enhance our schools' sports initiatives.

Event Details

• What: Avondale ESD Night Out with the Arizona Rattlers

• When: Saturday, April 12, at 6:05 p.m.

• Where: Desert Diamond Arena at Westgate

• Why: To support Avondale ESD's athletics program while enjoying professional arena football

Who's Invited?

Everyone! We welcome all Avondale ESD staff members, families, and community members to join us for this special event. It's the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and neighbors while cheering on the Arizona Rattlers and supporting our schools.

How to Purchase Tickets

Ready to secure your spot? Tickets are available now through this special event link:

https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Avondaleelementary2

Don't miss this chance to enjoy an action-packed evening of professional arena football while making a difference for our students' athletic programs!