reporter - Pendergast Elementary School District

REPORTER
May 2013
POP issue
Special 2013 Pride of Pendergast Issue
2012-2013 Superintendent’s Award
District PE Teachers Recognized for
Exemplifying the Benefits of Teamwork
The 2012-2013 Superintendent’s
Award was presented to the Pendergast
physical education teachers for taking
their teamwork skills on the field to
working as a team in the District.
Superintendent Ron Richards said
the P.E. teachers demonstrated early
on both the value and potential for
Professional Learning Community
teams. While individually dedicated to
supporting students at their own schools
and serving their communities, they
operated independently with little District
support or connection to each other.
“Today,” he said, “the Pendergast
physical education teachers are a
See SUPERINTENDENT page 2
2012-2013 Ambassador of Excellence
Wojtcuk First iTeachAZ Grad to Earn the Excellence Award
Her passion for learning and for her students is part of what earned Sarah Wojtcuk the
title of Pendergast’s 2012-2013 Ambassador of Excellence.
Her staff calls her “compassionate … committed … bubbly … positive … and childcentered.” Her students say “she is the best teacher ever”… “she makes us work hard”…
and “she makes us learn faster.”
The fourth-grade teacher at Rio Vista builds trust with her students by being encouraging and positive, and they respond to her spirit and instruction with achievement
scores and growth among the highest in the District. She serves as a Team Lead for
fourth grade, she is an outstanding presenter for the staff development and an unofficial mentor for new teachers. Wojtcuk is the first graduate of the iTeachAZ Pendergast program to be selected as Ambassador of Excellence.
“Sarah is an amazing teacher,” says principal, Siobhan McCarthy. “She is dynamic and inspiring.”
Board member Susan Serin presents Sarah
Wojtcuk with her award.
3802 N. 91st Avenue • Phoenix, AZ 85037 • (623) 772-2200 • www.pesd92.org
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District Support Staff Recognition Award
Dolores Martinez a Valued Part of Students’ Lives
Dolores Martinez of Canyon Breeze is a talented,
professional and caring adult who serves as an ace
for struggling students who need help to improve
their reading. It is not every day that an instructional
assistant is valued as a go-to person for making a difference in moving students, but Martinez plays a key
role in the instructional team at the school.
Kindergartners through third-grade students look
forward to their special time with Martinez and
teachers know that she has prepared lessons to
meet their students’ needs. In one-on-one work
and small groups, her enthusiastic, thoughtful and
precise interventions help her students make great
gains in reading.
Principal Jeff Byrnes says that Martinez makes a difference every day.
Superintendent Ron Richards presents the District Support Staff Recognition Award to
Dolores Martinez (middle), shown with Canyon Breeze Principal Jeff Byrnes.
The winner of the District Support Staff Recognition
Award is selected by an employee panel representing
all areas of the District and exemplifies dedication,
commitment and a customer service attitude. .
SUPERINTENDENT continued from page 1
model PLC, an example of a content team that has found
common purpose and synergy and who have developed
leadership within their team and on behalf of the District.”
Richards recalled how four years ago the concept of creating
a physical education teacher PLC seemed a challenge, but they
persevered. They quickly embraced their role as professional
educators and brought physical education, athletics and
fitness to the entire Pendergast community.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of this team, District
and community events were planned including the track meet,
basketball events and 5K runs.
They have also focused on new standards and developed
a district curriculum guide that includes units of study,
suggested pacing, vocabulary and even a suggested lesson
plan format based on TIIES components. They are
working on developing assessments in Galileo to meet state
requirements. They have built partnerships with the local
PENDERGAST ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Ron Richards, Ed.D., Superintendent
3802 N. 91st Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85037
623-772-2200
www.pesd92.org
A complete list of honorees and
photos is available on the District
website: www.pesd92.org. Photos
can be downloaded from the site.
community through sponsorships and donations. They have
enhanced relationships with our Tolleson High Schools.
Above all, the physical education teachers serve every day
as critical ACES for all of our students, helping them gain
skills and confidence and providing them opportunities for
their success.
Recognized with the 2012-2013 Superintendent’s Award is
the Physical Education Professional Learning Community:
Mark Wood, Amberlea
Ryan Schmidt and Jim Lacy, Canyon Breeze
Matt Grove, Copper King
Alan Tolifson and Glen Punchios, Desert Horizon
Jennifer Guilland and Mark Necaise, Desert Mirage
Daryle Donahue and Frank Villa, Garden Lakes
Robin Cotto, Pendergast
Chris Camacho and Brandon Bertram, Rio Vista
Kelli Hart and Jeromy Beaver, Sonoran Sky
Tim Flanery, Sunset Ridge
Larry Butson, Villa de Paz
Brian Collins and Jose Tapia, Westwind
Also recognized was the team’s District Sponsor, Becky
Lopez.
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Pendergast 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year Awards
Amberlea: Kimberlie Byrne. Byrne
has proven to be a phenomenal teacher
who will accept nothing less than the best
her second grade students can give and
has consistently increased her students’
achievement in both math and reading.
She has built strong relationships
with her parents and volunteers as a
basketball and volleyball coach.
Calderwood: Valerie Tellez. Tellez is
a leader in using Galileo data to improve
s t u d e n t
performance,
employing
small groups
for
her
students
and pulling
students from
other classes
Governing Board member
i n t o h e r Susan Serin and Valerie
g roups. She Tellez.
never misses
an opportunity to teach students about
social skills and make community
connections, and is looked to as a
mentor to new staff members.
Canyon Breeze: Elisha Refle.
Refle’s Kindergarten students moved
from 40% core in the fall to 76% core
on the DIBELS reading assessment.
She has had a similar impact in student
achievement in her students’ math growth.
Appreciative parents gave her a standing
ovation following the Kindergarten
Readiness Night she organized.
Copper King: Katie Jacobs. Jacobs
creates a classroom community of
acceptance and encouragement so
students who transition from selfcontained Special Education are able to
be successful academically and socially.
She also tutors, coaches sports, sponsors
National Junior Honor Society and leads
the school spirit committee.
Desert Horizon: Stephanie Stanley.
As Team Leader for third grade, Stanley
has led the way in truly incorporating
data into decision-making. She was the
first to volunteer to open her classroom
to students with autism. With her work
with her PLC and as a member of the
Math Task Force, Stephanie’s students
know they can go to her for extra
support, no matter what.
Desert Mirage: Edgar Martinez.
Martinez does an outstanding job of
meeting individually with students to
set and monitor
academic goals.
In addition,
he contributes
to the campus
climate and
student success
by ser ving as
t h e s p o n s o r Governing Board member
f o r S t u d e n t Hilda Ortega-Rosales and
Council, as a Edgar Martinez.
basketball coach
and as a member of the community
service adopt-a-park program.
Garden Lakes: Aaron Stiner.
Stiner’s primary responsibility general
music and chorus and he “is the role
model for anyone who wants to make
learning fun.” He also is involved in the
sixth grade outdoor education experience,
serves on the Boys Town Committee
and continuously supports classroom
teachers when the need arises.
Pendergast: Bridget Mevissen.
Mevissen brings learning to life. Her
style reaches the diverse needs of
learners in her class; she pulls small
groups and integrates technology
and hands-on lessons. She helped
Pendergast start the “Fill a Bucket”
initiative which is a way for staff
members to fill each other’s buckets
with positive praise and support.
Rio Vista: Sarah Wojtcuk. Wojtcuk’s
positive feedback to students builds
trust that she believes in each and every
one of her kids. She gets results: 90% of
her students are meeting or exceeding
and her English Language Learners and
Special Education students are never far
behind. She also served as PLC team
leader this year and mentored two new
teachers.
Sonoran Sky : Elissa Fenton .
Fenton is always studying to perfect
her teaching and she passes that
passion for learning on to her students.
She is a team leader and a Boys
Town consultant. She presents math
professional development for the
District and formed a partnership with
the NAU science program and brought
it to Sonoran Sky.
Sunset Ridge: Tracy Arciga. Arciga
delivers instruction that exemplifies
passion, fidelity, rigor and intention. She
teaches a first-grade SEI classroom and
has utilized new learning of effective
instructional practices, and data, to
help produce heightened results in her
students’ achievement – 86% of her
students are showing both high growth
and high achievement in math.
Villa de Paz: Don Neville. Neville’s
sixth-grade students’ growth scores on
Galileo far surpass the District average.
He provides his students with positive and
constructive feedback, regularly monitors
their growth and communicates that
growth to students. He leads the sixth
grade in collaboration and planning,
delivers professional development
contributes to school leadership.
Westwind: Lori Marshall. Sixthgrade teacher Marshall creates positive,
nurturing relationships with her students
and holds them to high standards. She
participated in
the Vanderbilt
University math
study this year
and she served
as an exemplary
team lead for
her PLC and her
PLC became a
model for the Governing Board member
entire Westwind Jose Arenas and Lori
Marshall.
staff.
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Pendergast Bids Farewell to 23 Retirees
Some of the Pendergast retirees were honored by, at left, Superintendent Ron Richards and Board Member Hilda Ortega-Rosales; and at right, Board
Members Susan Serin and Jose Arenas. Retirees, from left, are Carol Arvizu; Ida Pollard; Denise Stokes; Terri Jayich; Sandra Kohlhaus; Linda Maple;
Jeri Ward; Tim Ramsey; Dale Purlia; David O’Connor; and Sheryl Dellinger.
A total of 23 District employees are retiring this year, and they were honored for their
years of service to Pendergast and the children in our schools. Nancy Schwander of
Human Resources and Superintendent Ron Richards presented each with their parting gift.
Terri Jayich being congratulated by
Board Member Jose Arenas
Karen Andersen-Hunter
Carol Arvizu
Patricia Burgess
Yolanda Burruel
Andres Cardenas
Arthur Carrillo
Shown is Gerry Chuirazzi (left) 20 years, Art Carrillo (right) who
is retiring after nearly 32 years with Pendergast, and Maintenance
Director David Morales who also celebrated 20 years in the District.
Susan Casas
Sheryl Dellinger
Luis Felix
Catherine Guzman
Terri Jayich
Janice Kantor
Sandra Kohlhaus
Linda Maple
Mary Morris
Lawrence Nolen
David O’Connor
Ida Pollard
Larry Nolen, 25 years, with
Westwind Principal Margaret Santa
Cruz. Larry has been a member
of the teacher’s association for 15
years, president for eight and state vice
president for four.
Dale Purlia
Tim Ramsey
Elizabeth Samaniego
Denise Stokes
Jeri Ward
Janice Kantor, instructional coach at Villa
de Paz with her principal Dani Portillo.
Janice is retiring after 25 years with the
Pendergast District.
44
Years of Service Awards Given to Pendergast Staff
25 Years
Superintendent Ron Richards congratulates Sheryl Dellinger, left, and
Viki Bigelow on 25 years of service with the District. Other 25-year
celebrants not pictured are Janice Kantor, Pamela Lang, Lawrence Nolen
and Cindy West.
20 Years
Employees honored for 20 years with the District inlcuded David Morales,
Marian Medley, Susan Foss and Denise Lentz. Not pictured are Gerald
Chuirazzi, Stacie Rennie, Pamela Soza and Vicki Walker.
15 Years
Kerrie Byrn
Brooke Carlson
Kimberly
Collingwood
Cathy Davis
Aida Douglas
Alan Dwyer
Chris Erickson
Cathe Goff
Francisca Guardiola
Holly Hutchinson
Susan Knoebel
Barbara Parnell
Margaret Santa Cruz
10 Years
Traci Beverly
Sara Cutrone
Branwyn Davis
Patricia Garcia de Vaca
Fernando Gil
Kelly Goodwin
Gayla Grubbs
Bradley Hess
Damaris Ianos
Jennifer Johnson
Diana Kauffman
Don Kirgan
Ai Labrecque
Christopher
Strickland
Lisa Tyree
Rosa Vasquez
Teri Villa
Carmen
Vingochea
Melissa Ward
Trish Wirt
Michael Labrecque
Janice Lacewell
Rosie Luna
Charles Otterman
Francisco Paez
Lydia Perez
Kerstin Petock
Vivian Rubio
Patty Segura
Susan Sporleder
Maryhelen Vargas
Alicia Vasquez
Jeri Ward
Rachel Watson
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2013 Pride of Pendergast Site Awards
Sunset Ridge
Certified: Melissa Oster
Classified: Tracy Duarte & Staff
Villa de Paz
Certified: Elissa Nelson
Classified: Rachel Watson
Amberlea
Certified: Monica Acedo
Classified: Tina Araiza
Calderwood
Certified: Marzia Pasqualini
Classified: Alicia Westmoreland
Desert Mirage
Certified: Jessica Filer
Classified: Patty Estrella
Garden Lakes
Certified: Andy Bjorge
Classified: Denease Mahon
Westwind
Certified: Matt Williams
Classified: Lorena ‘Lupita’ Ortega
Canyon Breeze
Certified: Roseanna Gonzales
& Stefanie McKee
Classified: Dolores Martinez
Pendergast
Certified: Robin Cotto
Classified: Debbie Padilla
Rio Vista
Copper King
Certified: Megan Manasco
& Laura Lundy
Classified: Marva Villa
District Office Support
Regina Robles, Business Services
Certified: Tara Delgado
Classified: Jessica Rodriguez
Sonoran Sky
Desert Horizon
Certified: Maria Wheeler
Classified: Jennifer Endreson
Certified: Heather Lorenz
Classified: Gina Trimble
Educational Services Support
Melissa Parks, Special Education
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Westside Impact Teacher of the Year
One teacher from each school is chosen by their Principals
and peers as a Westside Impact Teacher of the Year for
their outstanding contributions to students. Assistant
Superintendent of Administrative Service Paul McDonald
honored those instructors who were Westside Impact
Teachers of the Year for 2012-2013: Amberlea – Juana
Lang, Calderwood – Valerie Tellez, Canyon Breeze – Jason
Reschke, Copper King – Shannon Walker, Desert Horizon –
Tanya Markgraf, Desert Mirage – Tricia Ridgeway, Garden
Lakes – Shari Van Cleave, Pendergast – Kellie Capko, Rio
Vista – Kristi Nelsen. Sonoran Sky – Joni Clowes, Sunset Ridge
– Mark Sablan, Villa de Paz – Don Neville and Westwind –
Tracy Shaw Smith.
Thanks ...For making it all possible!
A special thank you to University of Phoenix for
sponsoring our Ice Cream Social and to ASBAIT for
sponsoring the awards. And thank you to Top Choice
along with all of Pendergast’s PTA, PTO, and PTSA
groups that support our students and staff.
Setting the Stage -- Getting Ready to Promote the Pride!
There’s a lot of background work and preparation that goes
into the biggest celebration of the school year. The kitchen
staff pre-scoops the ice cream — no waiting! — and plaques
and awards are checked and re-checked to make sure names are
spelling correctly and there are no mistakes. Jenny Adams (left)
in the Superintendent’s Office coordinates all of the Pride of
Pendergast program activities and Assistant Superintendent Paul
McDonald serves as the master of ceremonies for the celebration.
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Pride of Pendergast Brings the District
Family Together to Celebrate Excellence
8