For Immediate Release Media Contact: Becky Kelbaugh Communications Specialist Phone: 602-449-2009 Email address: [email protected] PVSchools Expands Early Childhood Learning Programs PVSchools is expanding its early childhood learning programs with the opening of the Little Cubs at the Arrowhead Early Childhood Center on July 25, 2019, at the Arrowhead campus (get directions). "Little Cubs is opening to provide our employees and working families an option for childcare in the southern area of the district. Families will have district staff taking care of their children. This is the beginning of their experience with PVSchools," said Jennifer Kelly, childcare coordinator with the Community Education Department. The center is fully licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The program will be open from 6:30 a.m-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and will follow the school calendar. Classroom ratios for staff and children are as follows: Infants 1:5 or 2:11 One-year-old 1:6 or 2:13 Two-year-old 2:8 Three-year-old 1:13. One feature that stands out from other childcare programs is that the Little Cubs will also have an onsite registered nurse. Parents will have peace of mind knowing that a trained medical professional is on site should a situation or issue arise. A Snapshot of the Program Children attending the Little Cubs program will participate in art, music, dramatic play, story time, songs, and dance. "Children are naturally curious. We play with them, introduce toys or activities that are right for their age. We read to them, sing, and dance with them," said Ms. Bush. Infant and Toddlers Program "Our Infant and Toddlers program will incorporate individual play using developmentally appropriate toys good for both large and small muscles, socialization with children in the classroom, story books, art activities, music, and movement. We also work on toilet training in the Toddler 2 classroom. Children are diapered and fed on a fixed schedule," said Barbara Bush, a childcare associate at Pinnacle High School. Parents provide diapers and wipes in these classrooms. In the infant room, parents also provide bottles of either breast milk or formula. Children in the Toddler 1 and 2 Program are fed breakfast, lunch and two snacks daily. Infants nap according to their individual schedule, and children in the Toddler 1 and 2 Program nap after lunch daily. 3-Year-Old Program "A typical day will include large and small group activities that are developmentally appropriate for 3-year-olds. These will include activities in literature, early math, art, and music, as well as social studies and science. Children will also have the opportunity to choose free choice dramatic play, use large muscles on the playground, develop social skills, and make friends. The children nap after lunch," said Ms. Bush. The center provides breakfast, lunch, and two snacks daily. Daily reports are provided to parents. These reports include when diapers are changed, nap times, activities completed, food eaten, and eating time. If you are interested in touring Little Cubs at the Arrowhead Early Childhood Center prior to July, please call Ms. Bush at 602-449-4080 to tour the Lil' Pioneers Program at Pinnacle High School. After July, please call the Community Education Department at 602-449-2200. Learn more about the programs offered through the Community Education Department . North Canyon, Shadow Mountain Win Big in AIA Track and Field State Championships Two PVSchools high schools, North Canyon and Shadow Mountain, brought home individual and team first-place medals from the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Track and Field State Championships, which were held at Mesa Community College from Wednesday, May 1, through Saturday, May 4. North Canyon Winners The North Canyon High School Girls won the Division II State Championships with an overall score of 142, an impressive 73 points over the 2nd place team. North Canyon High School claimed several first-place awards in Saturday's events. The school boasted winners in the following Division II competitions: 4x800 Meter Relay North Canyon's championship-winning relay squad consisted of: Stefana Purkovic Makayah Richard Cassie Ogburn Bailey Mukai 4x400 Meter Relay The first-place squad featured the following NCHS student-athletes: Jadyn Mays Dominique Mustin Delphine Dah Jayde Charlton 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash Jadyn Mays took home gold in both the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes. 100 Meter Hurdles, 400 Meter Dash & 800 Meter Dash Dominique Mustin claimed a whopping three victories in the following championship races: 100 meter hurdles, 400 meter dash and the 800 meter dash. Shadow Mountain Winner A Shadow Mountain student-athlete took home gold in three Division III competitions: 100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash and Long Jump Gifty Doeplah earned the top prize in not one, not two, but three championship competitions on Saturday. Congratulations to all of our state championship winners, and thank you for representing excellence within PVSchools! Paradise Valley High School Graphic Design Students Work With Local Jeweler to Design New Logo Jazmyne Galindo Students in Christine Brandell Melendez's Advanced Graphic Design class at Paradise Valley High School had the opportunity to work with local client Jan Stiles to design a new logo for her company Tres Elegante Designs. This real-world experience gave students the opportunity to work with a client and to create a logo that will be used for rebranding the company's image, including business cards, social media, postcards, and eventually as a maker's mark that will be used to stamp her jewelry. "I feel like these students listened to me better than a major ad agency did 40 years ago. It was a very nice surprise to come away with a feeling that the students listened and responded to my request," said Ms. Stiles. The winning submission by Jazmyne Galindo, a Horizon High School student who takes the Graphic Design class at Paradise Valley High School as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) participant, represented the company the best with a visual presence and versatility of the logo. Jazmyne also submitted a written proposal that outlined her reasoning and insights behind the design. "Ms. Stiles' pieces are inspired by nature and plants. Once I understood her jewelry design, I designed a logo that ties it all together," said Jazmyne. Ms. Stiles visited the class and presented the criteria of the logo and provided details as to how the logo would be used. "This was an incredible opportunity for my students to be able to design a logo and gain real-word experience while in high school. My expectations for my students were to do their best as the door was wide open to showcase their individual creativity and talents," said Ms. Brandell Melendez. Jazmyne Galindo, Jan Stiles, Christine Brandell Melendez, Deona Del Brocco. and Anthony Gutierrez Paradise Valley High School students Deona Del Brocco and Anthony Gutierrez received second and third place recognition for their logos as well. Ms. Stiles has been designing jewelry for 10 years. She retired from the PVSchools during the 2000-2001 school year. At PVSchools, our CTE programs provide students with the foundation and opportunity to explore different career paths while gaining real-world experiences. Paradise Valley High School offers a variety of CTE classes that are open to all district students; district transportation provided. Learn more about our CTE programs. PVSchools Hosts Its Annual Faculty Art Show PVSchools will host its Annual Faculty Art Show May 13th-17th from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at the District Administrative Center (get directions). Paintings (watercolor, acrylic, and oil), drawings (pencil, charcoal, and pastels), photography, multimedia, and ceramics will be on display. "The PVSchools Faculty Art Show is a celebration of the creativity and talent we have among our colleagues. It spotlights to our community that PVSchools employs fine arts teachers who are, themselves, artists, as well as also celebrating our other artistically creative employees," said Norm Pratt, director of Fine Arts. A reception will be held on May 16th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. where attendees will be able to meet the artists, discuss art and learn more about arts education in PVSchools. NVAA Hosts 2nd Annual Phoenix Fine Arts Fest The North Valley Arts Academies (NVAA) will host a Phoenix Fine Arts Fest on Friday, May 17th from 4-8 p.m. at Shadow Mountain High School (get directions). The festival is planned and led by student artists from the three NVAA schools - Desert Cove Elementary School, Shea Middle School and Shadow Mountain High School, and includes artwork and performances from both NVAA and non-NVAA students. This free event is open to the public and will include art, performances and hands-on family-friendly art activities for all ages. Activities will include: Three art galleries, which will feature 100 pieces of art, including photography, 2D and 3D. Four hours of student performances, including vocal, instrumental, dance, theater, film and interdisciplinary. Performances include solo, duo, small group and large group combinations. Performances will take place at various locations throughout the campus. A variety of student-run workshops on topics such as music technology, visual arts, theater, dance and performance. Family-friendly activity center with booths and hands-on projects, including face painting, arts and crafts, club and student group booths. Food trucks will be onsite, including Aioli Food Truck, Modern Tortilla, Frosted Frenzy Cupcakes and Kona Ice. The Phoenix Arts Fest is partially funded by the Youth Engagement Project Grant, which was awarded by the City of Phoenix's Office of Arts and Culture. Learn more about the NVAA program. About the Paradise Valley Unified School District For more than 100 years, Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVSchools) has consistently represented the best in Pre-K-12 education.