April 2019
Matt Gorman is the “Matty G” behind Mesa’s newest burger shop. See more on page 23.
Mesa teens help dying woman realize her last wish
Mesa teachers stressed, make little use of technology
By Sierra Poore
By Kayla Rutledge
Sue Pulvirenti gets a hug from one of the members of the Red Mountain High DreamCatchers Club. (Submitted photo)
With only months to live, Sue Pulvirenti, a 74-year-old hospice patient, fulfilled her lifelong dream of publishing a book March 23 when she attended her own book signing at Half Price Books in Mesa. The book signing was made possible by students in the DreamCatchers Red Mountain High School club and Rage for Charity. And it brought Pulvirenti to tears. “It’s like it shouldn’t have even happened,” she said. “I’m flabbergasted.” Hospice DreamCatcher Foundation, also known as DreamCatchers, works with high school and college students to
Author...continued on page 8
Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Ember Conley and the school board got eye-opening news about staff and students. (Submitted photo)
Mesa Public School board members appeared blindsided and shocked when a consultant expressed concern about the district’s little use of technology and the mental health of teachers and staff. After visiting 13 schools and 66 classrooms in five days, strategic planning consultant John Ross highlighted key findings that he suggested may be keeping the district from realizing its vision of graduates with a robust set of knowledge, skills and interests. The assessment is the first step of what a four-phased master plan for the district, anticipated to roll out in the com-
Teachers...continued on page 12
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