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Our BRAGS! Honors, Awards and Special Programs |
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Rice Elementary (2023-2024) |
What an incredible STEAM night at Rice Elementary! From our captivating art gallery to the thrilling Science is Fun demonstration, the exhilarating animal displays by Wildman Phil, and the mesmerizing music instrument petting zoo courtesy of Milano's Music -- every moment was filled with wonder and excitement. Add in the poetry slam, student science projects, our beautiful garden, and delicious treats from Tiki Joe's, and you've got a recipe for an unforgettable evening!
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Rice Elementary (2023-2024) |
Bravo to Anthony Watson, Evan Carroll, Kolton Kraemer, and Caleb Lewis for earning spots in the prestigious CUSD Honor Band! They did a marvelous job at the concert! Special thanks to our amazing band teacher, Dr. Lennex, for nurturing their musical abilities and preparing them for this remarkable opportunity!
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Rice Elementary (2023-2024) |
Rice student leaders had the incredible opportunity to engage with Mayor Kevin Hartke, Councilwoman Christine Ellis, and other city leaders. We are grateful to the staff and city officials for fostering this enriching experience, empowering our students to be informed and engaged citizens!
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Rice Elementary (2023-2024) |
What a fantastic day at the Chandler Innovation Fair! Special guests dropped by the Rice Elementary booth, making it even more memorable. Big thanks to Mr. Narducci and everyone from our community who stopped by. A huge shout out to Mrs. Barrera and our incredible staff for welcoming and engaging our visitors. The City of Chandler selected the Rice Elementary booth as a winner in the elementary division of the 2024 CIF booth competition.
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Rice Elementary (2023-2024) |
We celebrated the outstanding contributions of three incredible individuals at Rice. Huge congratulations to: Apple Achievement Award winner, Mrs. Sarpy; Superintendent Citizenship winner, Autumn Burns; Outstanding Volunteer: Mrs. Chrissy Schumacher. Thank you for making Rice a better place.
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Rice Elementary (2023-2024) |
Congratulations to Olivia Boeck, Marcelo Ginnane, and Abbie Tillotson who received an Honorable Mention at HISEF in the Engineering Category for their project - Parachutes: Does Size Matter?
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Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Congratulations to Rebecca Crow, 2nd grade teacher at Jacobson! Mrs. Crow is being awarded a Fiesta Bowl grant called Wishes for Teachers this year. This marks the fourth grant being bestowed upon Jacobson teachers this year alone. Mrs. Crow will use the funds to support the second grade team and their Science of Reading program for Jacobson students! #JetsFlyWithPride
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Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Jacobson Elementary came together as a school to recognize veteran heroes from near and far. All children made a special poppy which honors American veterans.
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Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Fourth grade students in Mrs. Vanderah's class honor Native American Heritage Month at Jacobson. Fourth grade students completed a unit that highlighted two students bringing in family photos and artifacts from their very own Native American families, and sharing traditions from their tribe's culture. Then each student created a special project by researching a Native American Tribe and presenting the class with an overview of the tribe's customs. All students made a Native American skin written with traditional symbols and translated that story to English as well.
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Arizona College Prep High School (2023-2024) |
The Arizona College Prep Knights secured the DIII State Championship titles in both the boys' and girls' swimming. Coached by the dedicated duo of Kristine Nelson and Carson Sundem, this achievement represents back-to-back triumphs for the Knights, solidifying their status as the reigning champions. Congratulations to the Knights on their outstanding performance in the pool!
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Arizona College Prep High School (2023-2024) |
Congratulations to following ACP students who won Division III state titles in their individual events: The Girls 200 Medley Relay featured a stellar performance by Ashlyn Tierney, Nicole Byrnes Cortinas, Saylor Debnam, and Abigail Lawarence from ACP. Nicole Byrnes Cortinas of ACP shone in the 200 IM. The Girls 200 Free Relay by ACP, with Abigail Lawarence, Adia Peterson, Surie Feng, and Nicole Byrnes Cortinas, delivered an impressive performance. The Boys Relay team, consisting of Langston Lindsey, Tiago Wakefield, Elijah Peng, and Jeremiah Boyer from ACP, showcased their excellence. Nicole Byrnes Cortinas of ACP achieved remarkable results in the 100 Breaststroke event.
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Basha High (2023-2024) |
Taylor Drewry from Basha High secured victory in the Division I cross country state championship, showcasing an outstanding performance.
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Basha High (2023-2024) |
Congratulations to Basha High's Division I swin state title winner, Andrew Simmons, who stood out in the 100 Backstroke category.
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Basha High (2023-2024) |
Students from Basha High School's Academic Decathlon (AcDec) and Basha Accelerated Middle School's Academic Pentathlon (AcPen) organized a book drive to support the White Mountain Literacy Project. Together, they collected an impressive total of 1,685 books. The AcDec and AcPen teams diligently categorized the books by age group, carefully boxed them, and personally delivered the donations.
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Casteel High (2023-2024) |
Congratulations are in order for COLTech Robotics, specifically Casteel's FRC Robotics team 905. Over the past two months, they have been actively participating in the Arizona Robotics League, an off-season competition designed for high school robotics teams that engage in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). This past weekend, they showcased their skills at the Arizona Robotics League (ARL) Championship hosted at Cactus High School. Their journey was nothing short of remarkable, as they remained undefeated all the way to the finals while collaborating with their teammates. Regrettably, they were narrowly defeated in the final matches of the competition. The Arizona Robotics League (ARL) is an off-season event tailored for high school robotics teams involved in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). The league's primary mission is to offer additional opportunities for Arizona FRC Teams to engage in spirited competition and foster collaboration among teams, all while increasing awareness in the local community. This collaborative spirit aims to inspire mutual cooperation and elevate the level of competition within Arizona.
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Casteel High (2023-2024) |
Congratulations to Casteel's Division I swim state title winners: Baylee Sloan in the 200 IM event and August Vetsch in both the 200 Free and 100 Fly events.
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Chandler High (2023-2024) |
What a win by the Chandler Wolves! The team took back the Battle of Arizona Avenue trophy by taking down the Hamilton Huskies 49-13 Friday night. Prior to the event, the select student-athletes from each school (Chandler High and Hamilton High) were awarded scholarships. We are grateful for the community's ongoing support of our schools, students, and staff!
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Chandler Traditional Academy - Liberty Campus (2023-2024) |
Skye Myers, a second-grade student enrolled in the Dual Language Program at CTA Liberty Elementary, commemorates her Hispanic heritage as she embraces Dia De Los Muertos. She embodies the spirit of La Catrina, representing her cultural roots.
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Chandler Unified School District (2023-2024) |
Once again, CUSD received an A-rating from the Arizona Department of Education! This top rating is a testament to our unwavering dedication to academic excellence and our relentless pursuit of providing the best possible education for our students. We attribute this growth to our highly dedicated instructional staff and their focus on high-yield instructional strategies for all students to have access to a rigorous and relevant curriculum and content. Click for more details about our letter grade report from the Arizona State Department of Education.
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Chandler Unified School District (2023-2024) |
The CUSD Marching Band Showcase brought together all six high school marching bands Wednesday, November 1. Students demonstrated musical talents and months of hard work with CUSD's award-winning fine arts programs! #WeAreChandlerUnified VIDEO: CUSD Marching Band Showcase
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Chandler Unified School District (2023-2024) |
The Chandler Unified School District is embracing Native American Heritage Month by officially proclaiming the significance of this cultural celebration and adorning computer screensavers with inspiring artistic tributes. VIDEO: CUSD Indigenous Heritage Month 2023
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Chandler Unified School District (2023-2024) |
In the week of November 6-10, 2023, the Chandler Unified School District joins schools across the United States in commemorating National School Psychology Week (NSPW). Chandler Unified School District employs more than 40 psychologists and two school psychologist interns who play a crucial role in the success and well-being of our students. National School Psychology Week serves to recognize the vital contributions of school psychologists and educators in nurturing the well-being and success of all students. The theme for this year is 'Let's Grow Together,' drawing inspiration from the significance of both individual and collective strengths in our personal growth and the growth of our school communities throughout all stages of life.
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Hamilton High (2023-2024) |
The Hamilton Boys Golf team has clinched the D1 State Championship, marking their remarkable 10th state title victory. Under the guidance of Coach Steve Kanner, the Huskies continue to showcase their excellence. Additionally, Angela Chen, representing Hamilton High, secured the title of Division I Individual Champion in Girls' golf.
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Hamilton High (2023-2024) |
Congratulations to Hamilton's Division I swim state title winner, Corinne Warriner, who displayed her prowess in the 100 Breaststroke.
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Hamilton High (2023-2024) |
Manasi Vegesna, a senior at Hamilton High School, recently achieved the publication of a children's book aimed at assisting students with immune disorders. Maya's Tiny Warriors: An Immunology Book for Kids, is tailored for children aged 4-8. By embarking on a journey alongside Maya's valiant warriors, young readers will gain a deeper comprehension of their immune systems and various illnesses.
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Hamilton High (2023-2024) |
Hamilton Teacher Ran An was among four outstanding educators from the Chandler Unified School District who were honored with the prestigious Milestone Award by the United Chinese Association of Arizona (UCAA) and the Chinese Language Teacher Association of Arizona (CLTA-AZ). This award is a testament to their remarkable contributions to education in Arizona. Notably, among the nine teachers recognized statewide, an impressive four belong to the CUSD community: Ran An - Hamilton High School, Hongyu Yang - Tarwater Elementary, Linyong Yao - Tarwater Elementary and Hong Zhou - Tarwater Elementary. Click for more information about the Chinese Teacher Milestone Award award.
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Knox Gifted Academy (2023-2024) |
In the 2023 Arizona PBS Kids Digital Video Contest, Ryan Park from Knox Gifted Academy, a kindergarten student, emerged as the 1st place winner in the kindergarten grade level category. Ryan's winning video creatively demonstrates how to brush teeth like a vampire, educating fellow kids on proper oral care while featuring their favorite spooky creatures.
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Perry High (2023-2024) |
Megan Driving Hawk of Perry High School is the 2023 Arizona State Art Educator of the Year! Megan wears many hats at Perry High (Traditional Photography Program, Visual Arts Level Lead, Fine Arts Department, Indigenous Student Advisor, Indigenous Education Program, Teacher Equity Leader, Equity & Inclusion) and we are so honored to have her on team CUSD! This prestigious accolade, from the Arizona Art Education Association, is testament to Megan's dedication to quality art education in the state.
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Santan Junior High (2023-2024) |
Donna Gustafson, a Social Studies teacher at Santan Junior High, was chosen to take part in National History Day's professional development program for fall 2023. This program utilizes the resources available in the online Library of Congress to enhance the development and backing of historical arguments. This opportunity is made possible through NHD's affiliation with the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium. Donna's selection is particularly noteworthy, as she is one of just seven educators in Arizona to receive this prestigious honor.
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Tarwater Elementary (2023-2024) |
Four outstanding educators from the Chandler Unified School District, including three from Tarwater Elementary, have been honored with the prestigious Milestone Award by the United Chinese Association of Arizona (UCAA) and the Chinese Language Teacher Association of Arizona (CLTA-AZ). This award is a testament to their remarkable contributions to education in Arizona. Notably, among the nine teachers recognized statewide, an impressive four belong to the CUSD community: Hongyu Yang - Tarwater Elementary, Linyong Yao - Tarwater Elementary, Hong Zhou - Tarwater Elementary, and Ran An - Hamilton High School. Additionally, Tarwater's recognition for being named an outstanding Chinese Language School was published this month in the Chinese Language Teacher Association Journal. Click for more information about the Chinese Teacher Milestone Award award.
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Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Students at Jacobson study United Nations 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Project Based, authentic learning has taken over the JPG (Jacobson Gifted Program)! Learners in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 studied the United Nations Global Goals, then wrote down their top three choices. Scholars were paired together based on their passion or interest level of the global goal. Partners or small teams then researched together to find out more about their assigned global goal, creating a final showcase project that was shared with the whole school. Besides researching, writing, and drawing, this project required learners to collaborate with each other and share their findings and ideas. Scholars also had to manage their time so that their posters were finished for presentations. Their overall work was impressive! PHOTO ALBUM: Students at Jacobson study United Nations 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development
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Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Clean Up Crew back in Action! The JETS are thankful for their leaders on campus! We are sending a big thank you to the FIRST lunch bunch clean up crews to help our school. Students from grade 3 and grade 4 worked HARD to clean up all three playgrounds, including the front kinder playground. Hooray for the Lunch Bunch Clean-up crew for helping our learning environments stay beautiful for learning and working. Our school would not be the same, without your dedication and hard work.
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Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Lights, Camera, Action! Some of you might have seen a student news crew interviewing teachers and students. That's our school Recycling Crew who are making a video about WHY we recycle at Jacobson and how it helps the environment. Keep up the good work with recycling, everyone, and click to watch the video! VIDEO: Jacobson Recycles!
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Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag... Congratulations to ALL fourth-grade students for learning proper flag etiquette and WHY we have etiquette for the American flag. Fourth grade students are in charge of our two school flags -- both in the courtyard and on the school's front lawn. Students take on this leadership role after an intense training with our local high school. Recently student-leaders and teachers went through this training with the Hamilton ROTC, learning proper etiquette like how to handle, display and care for our American flag and state flag. Students also discuss how to show the flag and our nation reverence and pride through flag etiquette.
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Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Jacobson is a one-to-one school! Every child in every classroom has access to a personal device in their classroom and those devices link to our new IFP (Interactive Flat Panel) screens in each classroom. We are grateful that CUSD supports every child at our amazing community school. Congratulations to Mrs. Gahn in sixth grade who welcomed Superintendent Frank Narducci and the CUSD marketing team to her classroom! Mrs. Gahn shared how the new IFPs are like a huge computer, and students are now using the graphics and new media in their classrooms! Some Jacobson sixth grade students even showed Superintendent Narducci how to use the new HUGE computer! #JETSflywithPRIDE PHOTO ALBUM: Jacobson is a one-to-one school!
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Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
All Jacobson scholars use thinking maps or mind maps to help organize their thoughts and ideas. Thinking maps reduce anxiety by providing visual patterns for thinking and working with complex ideas. The maps are used in grades kindergarten through six and offer opportunities to learn through collaboration and create solutions to difficult questions, so kids understand complex ideas. Most of all thinking maps help our students organize their thoughts and help develop good writers! PHOTO ALBUM: Thinking Maps
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Auxier Elementary (2023-2024) |
Evan Corbin, 5th Grader at Auxier Elementary School, competed at the USA National Championships and Team Trials in July. Evan brought home a Bronze medal representing Arizona and Chandler Martial Arts Center!
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Casteel High (2023-2024) |
Casteel Senior, Joshua Corbin, competed at the USA National Championships and Team Trials in Richmond, Virginia this summer. He made the USA Junior Karate Team by placing in the top three in the nation! Joshua will be training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado and competing internationally through out the year.
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Hamilton High (2023-2024) |
Hamilton High School has the largest enrollment of international student in the district. Recently the students attended a welcome lunch in the HHS Career Center. In addition to being treated to some great food, the students met many of the important staff members available to help them throughout the year. Students in the picture have traveled across the globe to come to school in Chandler. Countries represented are: Brazil, France, Vietnam, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, Austria and Japan.
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Hamilton High (2023-2024) |
Nikolas You made a monumental achievement over the summer. He set a new all-time world record at a powerlifting competition in Las Vegas on July 11 and brought home four gold medals. BarBend.com | 16-Year-Old Nikolas You (75KG) Sets All-Time Drug Tested Raw Open Deadlift World Record Of 343 Kilograms
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Knox Gifted Academy (2023-2024) |
CS100 Awards Recognize elementary schools nationwide that commit to teaching at least ten hours of computer science to every K-5 student in the 2023-2024 school year. Congratulations to KGA for being awarded the CS100 "All In" Award! 2023 CS100 Awards
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Basha High (2023-2024) |
Five amazing Basha students, Kalia Cole, Emily Metheny, Gillian Wirtz, Annabelle Sanborn, and Lindsay Graham, traveled to Denver, Colorado in July to compete at Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Nationals, bringing home four silver medals and one gold medal. Annabelle Sanborn was a Top Ten National Finalist in the Early Childhood Education STAR Event, and Emily Metheny took FIRST place in the nation in the Promote and Publicize STAR Event, earning a perfect score! Additionally, the Basha FCCLA Early Childhood Chapter was recognized on stage as one of six national service project challenge award winners from the Lead4change organization.
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Hamilton High (2023-2024) |
HAMILTON SOPHOMORE BECOMES MULTI-NATIONAL CHAMPION IN 2023 ROLLER SKATING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PENNSYLVANIA
Hamilton sophomore Olivia Lu recently won gold in the Domestic International event and two silver medals in the Freshman A and Junior Women Solo Dance events in the 2023 American Artistic Roller-Skating National Championships held in Pennsylvania, marking this year her fifth consecutive year as the national champion. Despite contending with older and more seasoned skaters, she emerged victorious among a large number of competitors, exhibiting the exceptional skills she has honed over her 11-year journey in the competitive arena. Congratulations to Olivia for her outstanding achievements!
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Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
We are so proud of our Rice Rhinos who participated in the National Mathleague Competition in June 2023. Their dedication, hard work, and passion for math brought them to this prestigious event.
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Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
Congratulations to Jennifer Kraemer who was named 2023 CUSD Educator of the Year by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. This recognition is a testament to her outstanding commitment and dedication to education. We are incredibly proud of her well-deserved achievement.
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Basha High (2022-2023) |
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT: Shelby Gilkerson of Basha High School loves art of all kinds. Shelby enjoys fashion, boba, music and time with friends. She's an incredible singer and loves jamming on the guitar. She will be pursuing a Bachelor's in Illustration with a focus in video game character design at her dream school, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), with scholarships. Basha High Graduate Spotlights
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Chandler Early College (2022-2023) |
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT: Jack Norton from Chandler Early College plans to attend a trade school to pursue auto mechanics. One of his high school highlights was graduating a semester early. Chandler Early College Graduate Spotlights
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Chandler High (2022-2023) |
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT: Gillian LaFlam of Chandler High School loves singing in choir. She is a member of NHS, cheer captain, and president of the choir program. She works with Kids Express in CUSD Community Education. She will be attending Northern Arizona University to study elementary education. Chandler High Graduate Spotlights
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Hamilton High (2022-2023) |
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT: Isabelle Strambi of Hamilton High School loves gaming, reading, and listening to music. She is very funny, smart and beautiful. She will be attending the East Valley Technical Institute. Hamilton High Graduate Spotlights
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Perry High (2022-2023) |
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT: Peter Vierthaler of Perry High School is a hardworking student who also enjoys playing tenor saxophone both in marching band and jazz band. He is excited to make an impact in the world. He will be studying mechanical engineering, focusing on energy and sustainability at Arizona State University. Perry High Graduate Spotlights
