Education

LOCAL BUSINESSES HELP STUDENTS FIND EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS

Aunique program has brought to teachers and staff at Sandra Day together Deer Valley’s small O’Connor High School. Students learn businesses with students with food safety skills, money skills, and disabilities to give students skills for time management. successful employment long into the future. Senior Nina Coppola said, “This experiIndividuals with disabilities are em- member, helps me sharpen my cusployed at far lower rates than those tomer service skills and gives me real without. In the state of Arizona, the life experience I will be able to use in employment rates for individuals with the future.” disabilities is 34.1 percent, compared to 72.6 percent for those without. “The students are able to demonstrate The Deer Valley Unified School District The value in these business partnerships (DVUSD) Transition from School to is that students are also exposed to new Work (TSW) Program provides stu- skills that they can only learn in a work dents with career exploration, work- setting,” said TSW Senior Teacher Albased learning opportunities, assistance lison Caylor. with job searches, and more. “In developing partnerships with community “I feel like my self-esteem and confibusinesses, our students gain hands-on dence have increased. We are providing real world skills in the natural employ- a service the teachers enjoy, and that ment setting. Additionally, we are able makes me feel happy,” said Coppola. to educate businesses about the skills and talents these individuals bring to the Senior Bryanna Baker says her work companies,” said Stephanie Johnson, experience at the Men’s Warehouse also Ed.D, Transition Coordinator/TSW. built her confidence. “I have learned the Elevate Coffee’s Troy Hailpern con- hands-on experiences. After seeing that nected with a school staff member at a my qualifications fit their expectations DVUSD business partner networking for the job, I applied and was hired!” event. “I was looking to support our local high school with the skills and “The work based learning opportunities resources that Elevate Coffee has to have provided hands-on learning expeoffer. Great people in the district make riences for the students in the field of it a pleasure to give what we can,” said their interest. The students came back Hailpern. from visiting Sweeteez excited about That connection led to the creation of Renee Manley-Medic. the “Eagle Grind Coffee Cart,” which ence teaches me how to work as a team skills that we work on in the classroom. ins and outs of the store and have had the baking field,” said TSW Technician serves coffee and tea from Elevate. Sweeteez is new bakery in North Students take orders, sell, and deliver Phoenix run by three sisters. “One of our goals in opening our store was to be a community-minded bakery. Our partnership has been one way we’re working towards that goal. The students have done an excellent job,” said younger sister Chelsea Jenkins.

“It has helped us incredibly, by freeing up some of our time to work on other aspects of the business. We hope to continue to grow with DVUSD and who knows -- maybe some of these students will be on the Sweeteez team!”

EXTRAORDINARY Teachers EXTRAORDINARY Results 95% of DVUSD schools are rated A or B!

Kindergarten Registration Now Underway

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SUCCESS STARTS EARLY.

COVER STORY

SPRING TRAINING IS UP TO BAT THIS MONTH By Molly Cerreta Smith ment of watching pre-season baseball the surrounding area including amaz- experience on the second level, a with multiple food and beverage op- ing hiking, bicycling, shopping, dining, new social bar located in the Corral,

One of the greatest times of the tions that range from a Burger Bar to arts and entertainment. Free three-hour more permanently shaded structure year to be a valley resident, in various specialty items like the jalape- parking is available and free Old Town and 20% more capacity. The private my opinion, is during Spring no-wrapped foot-long hot dog, mac n’ trolley, which extends its route to facility within the stadium offers fans Training! The amazing weather, the cheese hot dog, family-size souvenir Scottsdale Stadium starting 90 minutes a VIP experience and with the Charro array of beautiful stadiums and the helmet nachos, and street tacos. before and ending 30 minutes after each Lodge pass includes general admission, amount of sheer baseball talent that game, is a great way to catch a game as complimentary food and beverages, flocks to the valley throughout Febru- Mayor Carlot adds, “With many unique well as a ride around exploring the sites patio-style seating with optimum views ary and March in the name of Spring amenities designed to keep the entire of Old Town! of not only the game but of the fabulous Training all add up to a great time, family entertained, this year we are also people watching for which Scottsdale regardless of which team is up to bat. proud to continue our discount program There is something to be said for the Stadium is known. Many of the nearby With convenient stadiums within reach for Peoria residents called Resident charm and history of Scottsdale Stadi- restaurants and bars get in on the Spring in every area of the valley, there’s no Rewards. This offer allows Peoria resi- um, and according to Karen Churchard, Training action by offering specials excuse not to get out and catch a game dents a chance to save 25% on tickets Director of Tourism and Events for the during games as well as transportation during Spring Training. and receive free parking. Additional City of Scottsdale, it still sits on the via bus or otherwise to and from the game promotions include events like same corner where the original wooden games. Tickets for Scottsdale Stadium Attending Spring Training games is one Dog Days, Kids Days, Friday night bandbox was built in 1955. can be purchased at www.sfgiants.com of my favorite pastimes, and I’m not happy hours, and Hometown Heroes to As the location for the San Francisco alone in declaring my love for Spring support our veterans and active military. Giants Spring Training “home,” Scotts- During Spring Training, the Arizona Training. The City of Peoria’s Mayor And, as always, Autograph Alley and dale Stadium and the City of Scottsdale Diamondbacks share their home, Salt Cathy Carlot calls spring training one of the practice fields are open for up close itself has become a highly desirable River Field at Talking Stick, with the the City’s favorite seasons of the year. interactions with the players.” tourist destination for baseball fans Colorado Rockies. The stadium itself from far and wide with its great weath- has become an integral part of the “Now in our 27th year, Peoria is proud The Peoria Sports Complex opened in er, outdoor recreational amenities and rapidly growing entertainment district to be the spring training home of the 1994 and was the Cactus League’s first world-class resorts and spas. In fact, that draws thousands to its multitude Seattle Mariners and the San Diego two-team facility. After an incredible Spring Training serves as a powerful of attractions beyond just baseball. Salt Padres. While we continue to host the partnership that spanned more than two economic booster for the City. River Field prides itself on building best lawn seating experience in the decades with the Seattle Mariners and “the biggest and best spring training Cactus League, over the years, Peoria San Diego Padres, in 2013, the teams According to the 2015 Cactus League baseball facility in the country.” With a has worked hard to elevate the fan signed an agreement for another 20 Attendee Tracking Survey, the total wide array of dining and drinking opexperience through a series of upgrades years. This long-standing partnership is economic impact of Spring Train- tions, a beautiful layout and surroundand new amenities,” Mayor Carlot says. a tremendous point of pride for the City ing at Scottsdale Stadium is nearly ing mountain views, it’s tough to argue “This includes more shaded seats, a of Peoria, and a unique opportunity for $28 million, which includes spending that point. children’s splash and play zone–the first families and friends to join together that occurs in Scottsdale by residents of its kind in the Valley, and a private, in celebration of America’s favorite and out-of-town visitors attending From Camelback Ranch in Glendale to luxury room available for up to 200 pastime. the games. Estimated tax revenues to Tempe Diablo Stadium, there are opguests that offers a VIP experience with the City as a result of this spending is portunities from one end of the valley a private patio overlooking the dia- Over in the heart of Old Town Scott- nearly $695,000. to the other in which to catch a game mond.” sdale, the Scottsdale Stadium is a fan while enjoying a frosty brew and a clasfavorite. Due to the fact that it’s nestled This year, Scottsdale Stadium boasts sic ballpark dog (and some of the that This year, baseball fans in the Peoria so supremely in Old Town Scottsdale, a new and improved famed Charro wonderful people watching) under the area can enjoy the action and excite- baseball fans can also enjoy the best of Lodge, featuring an exclusive elevated glorious Arizona sun.

PHOTO BY FLYING ROBOT @FRAERIALS

PREVIEW NIGHT: THE TRADITIONAL ACADEMY AT BELLAIR A new traditional choice for your child’s education

2020

www.dvusd.org/Traditional

The Deer Valley Unified School District is excited to offer a traditional choice for the 2020-2021 school year!

This traditional academy will provide: • Back-to–basics learning environment • Opportunities for accelerated learning • Strong behavior expectations • A focus on citizenship and patriotism • Strong parent involvement & more!

Now accepting applications for the 20-21 school year. Apply now at openenrollment.dvusd.org. Select Bellair. Stay updated on this new traditional school by signing up for emails at: www.dvusd.org/TraditionalEmail Special Preview Night: January 30 at 5:30 - 7 p.m. at 4701 W. Grovers Ave. in Phoenix.

Discover how this tuition-free, choice school could help your student thrive!

Pre-K - 6th Grade Preview Night: January 30, 2020 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Traditional Academy at Bellair 4701 W. Grovers Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85308

Join us to learn about this new school for the 20-21 school year. • Meet the Principal • Learn about the structured, back-to-basics environment • Hear about the curriculum and accelerated learning • Discover opportunities for Parent Involvement