RiggsElementary School

---

• See ALL CUSD Brags • Choose a School or Brag Category • BRAG about your school!

---

Riggs Elementary (2022-2023)

Riggs first graders Zander Wong and Ever Weems are new authors. The books they created were bar coded and added to the school library by the librarian, Kim Reininga. The librarian offers this opportunity to everyone at the school and these two worked hard to create books to share. Now their friends can check out their books to read!

Riggs Elementary (2022-2023)

Riggs fifth grade students participated in a science lab based on balanced and unbalanced forces. The challenge was for the students to successfully run all three cogs simultaneously down the track to get from point A to point B in under 30 seconds. The students were under the direction of a classmate to direct their decision making. Students had to consider size, track lengths, and angles amongst other things.

Riggs Elementary (2022-2023)

Riggs kindergarten had presentations to learn about different jobs in our community.

Riggs Elementary (2021-2022)

Congratulations to the winning girls team in the 2022 CUSD Elementary Track Meet -- Riggs Elementary! Thank you also to all students and staff who showcased teamwork, spirit, confidence, and camaraderie at the event. Individual Championship Results

Riggs Elementary (2021-2022)

Congratulations to the Riggs Cheer and Dance teams for placing in the CUSD Community Education district competition on April 2:
Cheer

• Bigs (3-6) - 1st place

Dance

• Bigs (3-6) - 1st place

Riggs Elementary (2021-2022)

Congratulations to Riggs Elementary teacher Wendy Dafoe who earned National Board Certification in December. Achieving National Board Certification is a rigorous process, and was designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards website: Mission and History

Riggs Elementary (2021-2022)

Preschool students at Riggs Elementary had the Arizona Science Center's Early Childhood team out to do a hands-on learning lesson on rockets! All the students learned about different parts of a rocket before having the opportunity to build their own. Once they were finished, they got to test them out by using the stomp rocket launcher.

Riggs Elementary (2021-2022)

Brenna Jonhson from Riggs Elementary won the Sun Lakes Lions International Peace Poster Contest for the district. Additionally, three other students were recognized as school site winners. Congratulations to all the winners!

Riggs Elementary (2021-2022)

Riggs Elementary students enjoy spending time in the library looking at new books.

Riggs Elementary (2021-2022)

Student comment: "[Thank you to] Mrs. Marianella who helped me through so much throughout my years at Riggs. She made me stronger by every word she told me, and now I love the person I've become because of her!"

Riggs Elementary (2021-2022)

Preschool students in Carolyn Jester's class practice fine motor skills through fingerpainting!

Riggs Elementary (2020-2021)

Riggs Elementary School families raised over $7,600 for the American Heart Association!

Riggs Elementary (2020-2021)

Congratulations to technology teacher Tamara Kreutzbender who won the Apple Achievement Award, Erin Risner who was named the Outstanding Volunteer, and sixth grader Baylor Denny who is the Superintendent Citizenship winner from Riggs Elementary for 2021. Read their stories here!

Riggs Elementary (2020-2021)

Riggs Elementary Chandler Sports League cheer team is excited to participate in the competition at Chandler High on March 13.

Riggs Elementary (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Kathleen Murphy of Riggs Elementary who won 10th place at the 2021 Chandler Unified School District Spelling Bee on February 2. Kathleen will advance with the other top 10 spellers to the Maricopa Region 6 Virtual Spelling Bee to be held on Tuesday, February 16. Good luck!

Riggs Elementary (2020-2021)

Riggs students and staff celebrated the 100th day of school as 100 year olds!

Riggs Elementary (2020-2021)

Riggs Elementary celebrated Custodian Appreciation Day in style.

Riggs Elementary (2020-2021)

In October, Riggs Elementary learned our school was named an Arizona Educational Foundation A+ School of Excellence for 2020! This makes 94 times that CUSD schools have earned A+ Schools of Excellence or U.S. Blue Ribbon awards since 1983, more than any other district in the state.

Riggs Elementary (2020-2021)

Comment submitted about Riggs Elementary: "I want to thank all of you for taking in the kids like they were your own kids. Thanks!"

Riggs Elementary (2020-2021)

Riggs third grade teacher Erika Gagnon raised $400 for the Chandler Care Center by sewing adorable Roadie-patterned face coverings for staff.

Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)

Congratulations to our musicians selected for the Riggs Honor Band: Brenleigh McKinney (flute); Charlotte Glover (clarinet); Noah Cooke (trumpet - 1st chair!); Eddie Chen (baritone - 1st chair!). Riggs Honor Band Photo Album

Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)

Mrs. Edwards' second graders at Riggs Elementary designed inventions that would solve everyday problems. Students from the Willis Junior High STEAM Academy added to the original designs and created advertisements to market the new products.

Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)

Our Roadrunners did an excellent job at our track and field meet at Casteel!.
5th graders

• Athena Zapata 4th 100, 1st 200
• Sybil McFarlane 4th 200
• Sienna Biesen 2nd 800
• Braylen Kasper 2nd 100, 1st 200
• Adrien Spores 4th 100
• Julian Hackett 4th 200 2nd Javelin
• Preston Brooks 3rd 400
• Cameron Koeller 4th 800
• Gavin Schow 3rd 800
• Declan Costello 4th long jump

6th

• Kamille Scott 3rd 100, 1st 200
• Kendall Peachacek 4th 200
• Landri Steenhard 1st 400 1st 800
• 4x100 1st - Brenna Davidson, Kendall Peachacek, Taryn Sanders, Kamille Scott
• Morgan Davis 4th Javelin
• Xander Sterwerf 2nd 100, 2nd 200
• Reed Brown 1st 200
• Collin Kvamme 3rd 400
• 4x100 1st - Xander Sterwerf, Kobe Olivares, Ty Sternke, Reed Brown
• Reese Jones 3rd Javelin
• Riley Hunt 2nd Javelin
• Kobe Olivares 2nd long jump
• Noah Betz 4th long jump
Running Club Photo Album


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congratulations to our Riggs cheerleaders who took first place at the weekend showcase!


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


I Ran 4 Ira is a family-friendly 5k fun run to help area youth get specialized therapy they need to succeed and improve their quality of life.  I Ran 4 Ira website |  I Ran 4 Ira Photo Album


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congraulations to Lilian Holt, 5th grader in Becky From's class, who was named the Gilbert Citizen of the Month for February 2020.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Riggs Elementary principal Jan Weyenberg was the "Mystery Reader" for Dawnielle Edward's second grade class and read the book Dex, the Heart of a Hero.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Superintendent's Student Citizenship Award winner: Alex Josanu displays great character and provides an excellent example for his peers. He has high expectations for himself and his learning, and also for others. Alex is enthusiastic about school, enjoys a challenge, and takes pride in his work. He comes to school every single day with a positive attitude and a smile. Alex is very kindhearted, and the first to welcome new students or be a friend to those left out.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


The Riggs school fundraiser Pre K -6 Boosterthon FunRun Raised over $30,000 in just over a week! Boosterthon FunRun Photo Album


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congratulations to Alyssa Vesco, 6th grader in Corey Swint's class, who was named Gilbert Citizen of the Month for January 2020.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Riggs first grade teachers aged overnight to celebrate the 100th day of school with their students. Special activities also took place in the classroom. In language arts, students wrote about how they will look and what they will be doing in 100 years and in math they had to work on how they would spend $100.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Thank you to Seville Country Club for sponsoring a Riggs foursome at the Seville Charity Classic in January. One of the charities, "Inspire and Achieve," has benefited several of our Riggs students. Inspire & Achieve website


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congratulations to Riggs 3rd grader Ellie Villalpando who was named Gilbert Citizen of the Month for December 2019!


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congratulations to Riggs Cheer Squad for winning 1st place in the Cheer and Spirit Awards at the district cheer competition on December 14.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Riggs 4th grade students were selected to taste test new menu items for CUSD Food Service. They gave great feedback and were very proud to help out!


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congratulations to Eliza Schwitzer of Riggs Elementary whose Peace Poster Contest entry was selected as the club level winner by the Sun Lakes Lions Club. Her poster now proceeds to the state level. For over 30 years, Lions clubs around the globe have sponsored this international art contest to give children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. Eliza was also awarded a certificate and cash prize from the Sun Lakes Lion's Club, sponsored by Intel.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


The Arizona Department of Education announced that Riggs Elementary received an "A" grade for the 2018-19 school year.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congratulations to Riggs 5th grader Sailor Maher, the Gilbert Citizen of the Month for November 2019.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Riggs 3rd graders started a gardening project to promote healthy choices. Research shows school gardens have a positive impact on student learning, health, and nutrition. They teach good eating habits, science, math, and business skills. They also introduce students to new and healthy foods -- and get students moving and outside. A hydroponic garden tower was donated by Benita Riesgraf, a Chandler mom, thanks to a grant she received from Changex.org and the Arizona Sustainability Alliance. The program, "Sow It Forward," empowers teachers and students to learn about food growth and the importance of having access to fresh fruits and vegetables. We will have the tower until Thanksgiving, at which time the seedlings will be transplanted into our community garden. Students planted the following plants in the Tower Garden: Sweet Basil, Arugula, Bib Lettuce, Gourmet Lettuce, Black Magic Dino Kale.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congratulations to Mrs. Wendy Dafoe, 1st Grade Teacher at Riggs Elementary. She was selected as one of the winners of an SRP Touchdowns for Teachers Grant, in partnership with the Arizona Cardinals. She received $500 to be used to benefit her classroom, to purchase hands-on materials to improve lessons and class engagement. Way to go, Mrs. Dafoe! SRP Touchdowns for Teachers website


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congratulations to Preston Brooke who was honored as Gilbert Citizen of the Month for September 2019.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


In the recent Riggs PTO Read-a-Thon, students read a total of 196,585 minutes -- surpassing last year's total by 33,690 minutes! In addition, the total amount raised was $18,646.


Riggs Elementary (2019-2020)


Congratulations (and thank you) to our outstanding custodial staff! Riggs Elementary was presented the Clean school award for the 12th year in a row!


Riggs Elementary (2018-2019)


The Riggs Relay for Life team was able to fundraise all year with all their donations going toward the American Cancer Society.


Riggs Elementary (2018-2019)


Congratulations to the Riggs Elementary Battle of the Books team of Nadia Harris, Hailey Merrill and Ethan Mireles, coached by Kim Reininga, 3rd place winners of the district competion on April 24. They will head to the regional competition at Highland High in Gilbert in May.


Riggs Elementary (2018-2019)


Congratulations to our Riggs Roadrunners who lived up to their name capturing the girls and boys team titles at the third annual Chandler Unified School District Elementary Track and Field meet at Perry High's John Wrenn Stadium. Thank you to Boosterthon and the Chandler Education Foundation for sponsoring the event.


Riggs Elementary (2018-2019)


Saira Urbina's Preschool classroom at Riggs Elementary recently hosted the Arizona Science Center for a lesson on Bugs and Blooms. The students discovered the important relationship between insects and plants, learned about the parts of a plant, and why insects are so important to plants.


Riggs Elementary (2018-2019)


Congratulations to the Riggs Elementary boys and girls track teams, placing 1st at the district elementary track meet on April 1!


Riggs Elementary (2018-2019)


Riggs Elementary staff recently participated in the "I Ran 4 Ira" event at Seville Country Club. This fun 5K walk/run and pancake breakfast event supports 3rd grade Riggs' student Ira Hamilton. The funds help to pay for Ira's intense 3-4 week therapy camp at the VIP Neurorehabilitation Center in California. The Riggs community is "Ira Strong."

UPDATE: The Ira Run this year raised over $20,000! We were able to raise enough funds for Ira to attend her specialized therapy AND have enough funds to fulfill special grant requests to help other kids as well!


Riggs Elementary (2018-2019)


Riggs Elementary School hosted a VEX IQ Robotics tournament with guests Auxier Elementary and Tarwater Elementary. Students worked collaboratively with other schools to show off Robotics skills to gain points as they drove and completed tasks on the VEX IQ Next Level playing field. For fun, the groups also did some drag racing in the main hallway and showed off programming skills in a maze.


---

Click to: Jump to Top | BRAG about our school!