Maricopa Unified School District Superintendent Tracey Lopeman told the Governing Board on Feb. 8 that several recent events and activities show a positive trajectory in the district.
During her annual State of the District luncheon, community leaders enjoyed food prepared by Maricopa High culinary students. An MHS quartet provided entertainment, and inspiring messages were delivered by students in culinary and 24-Pin Tech studies.
Region champ MHS girls soccer headed to state
The region champion Maricopa High girls soccer team beat Basha, 2-1, on Feb. 9 in a state-tournament play-in game and made the 16-team Class 6A state playoff field as the No. 11 seed. The Lady Rams open tourney play at sixth-seeded Pinnacle at 6 p.m. on Feb. 15.
Teachers earn national certification
Five MUSD teachers have attained National Board Certified status, considered the gold-standard in the profession.
New NBCT teachers include:
- Tyler Jump, Maricopa Wells Middle School.
- Lindsey Sulik, Maricopa Elementary.
NBCT teachers whose certification was renewed include:
- Katherine Persitz, Maricopa High.
- Jacqueline Hahn, Maricopa Wells.
- Jennifer Cameron, Maricopa Wells.
MUSD job fair
District human-resources staff hosted more than 60 prospective employees interested in joining the MUSD family. Fourteen offers were made to fill teaching and classified positions and more than 70 additional applications were received within days of the event.
Nathaly Montano, MUSD recruitment and retention specialist, plans to attend five more recruitment events in the weeks ahead.
AFJROTC incentive flight
Air Force Junior ROTC cadets Jacob Vonderheide, Minnie Jones, Irabella Morales and Arianna Cox flew approximately 80 miles round trip from Chandler Municipal Airport to Ak-Chin Airport. Maricopa High partners with the Civil Air Patrol annually to provide incentive flights for cadets with a passion for aviation.
Marketing students taking care of business
Maricopa High marketing students won 43 medals, including 13 first place, at the Southern Region District Career Development Conference. They’re next headed for DECA State Career Development Conference Feb. 23-25.
Career and Technical Education: MHS automotive
February, being Career and Technical Education month, is a reminder that students in Erick Fierro’s Maricopa High program leave with skills to repair, service and maintain all types of automobiles. The MHS automotive-technologies program is among CTE programs that prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to secure positions in their trade.
Butterfield STEAM event
Students and parents researched robotics, explored astronomy and built catapults at the Butterfield Elementary STEAM event. It was the highlight of parent-teacher conferences and reinforced science, technology, engineering, arts and math concepts students have learned.
Community Pride: MUSD grounds crew
The grounds crew recently spread 543 tons of gravel – the equivalent of 18 dump truck loads — to give Pima Butte, Butterfield, Saddleback and Santa Rosa more curb appeal. In addition to routine trimming, mowing and cleaning, beautification projects like these keep neighboring property values high and foster pride.
Maricopa Friends of the Arts make grand donation
A stunning grand piano arrived at Maricopa High, a generous donation from the Maricopa Friends of the Arts. Choir director Kelsey Snyder and her students were the first to play the magnificent piano.
