Blog
Conquer Ninja Gyms Helps SUSD Conquer Behaviors
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Conquer Ninja Gyms for its generous donation of free passes to our elementary schools. These passes are being used to incentivize good behavior as part of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.
Community partners like Conquer Ninja Gyms play a crucial role in supporting student success. Their contributions help us create a positive and motivating environment for our students, and we are grateful for their continued support.
You can learn more about Conquer Ninja Gyms here.
HonorHealth Supporting SUSD Student Athletes
Fall sports are in full swing, but before our students take to the fields, courts, running course or greens, they must first ensure they're physically ready to play.
So far in 2024, our valued community health partner, HonorHealth, has completed 387 student athlete physicals. The $25 it collects from our families is donated back to the schools the students attend. That has added up to $9,675 so far this year.
But HonorHealth’s support doesn’t stop there. Whether it's near the tee box, on the sidelines, or courtside, HonorHealth is there, looking out for the well-being of our AIA athletes. Its board-certified physicians work closely with our district athletic trainers and assistants to prevent injuries and provide expert care when needed.
We are grateful for this partnership, which plays a vital role in keeping our student athletes healthy, safe, and performing at their best.
You can catch the HonorHealth Sports Medicine crew supporting these SUSD high school sports:
Fall:
- Boys and Girls golf
- Boys and Girls cross country
- Boys and Girls swim and dive
- Volleyball
- Badminton
- Freshmen Boys and Girls tennis
- Girls Flag football
- Tackle football
Winter:
- Boys and Girls basketball
- Boys and Girls soccer
- Boys and Girls wrestling
Spring:
- Baseball
- Softball
- Boys and Girls tennis
- Boys and Girls track and field
- Girls beach volleyball
Celebrating the New School Year and Our Commitment to Elevate Excellence:
Reaching New Heights Together!
This week, Scottsdale Unified School District welcomed back all staff and kicked off the new school year at Desert Mountain High School, which hosted the annual Welcome Back Rally. The theme, Elevate Excellence: Reaching New Heights Together, was on full display with our staff decked out in matching shirts exemplifying our #OneTeam spirit.
Our inspiring speaker, Hoan Do, captivated the audience with his motivational insights on resilience and teamwork, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and a positive mindset as we embark on a new academic year.
We are immensely grateful for the support of our community partners who made this event possible. Special thanks to Scottsdale Community College, Albertsons/Safeway, Capital One, and Harkins Theatres for sponsoring the event and contributing to its success. Additionally, we are grateful to all those who provided door prizes, bringing excitement to some lucky employees.
A heartfelt thank you to:
- SUSD Foundation
- McCormick Ranch Golf Club
- Phoenix Rising
- Medieval Times
- Phoenix Suns
- Phoenix Mercury
Your generous support and commitment to our district help us elevate excellence and reach new heights together. As we move forward into the school year, we are reminded of the power of community and the new heights we can reach together when we unite as #OneTeam.
DeFusco Law and Community Donors Support SUSD Teachers
Every year since 2018, DeFusco Law has coordinated donations to award stipends to SUSD teachers, helping them purchase much-needed classroom supplies. This initiative continues to grow, and this semester, 19 dedicated teachers will receive stipends, thanks to the generous contributions from our community.
Thank you to the following donors who made this possible:
- Anonymous SUSD Family
- Mara Siegel, Attorney at Law
- Phoenix Mountain Animal Hospital
- Retired SUSD Educator
- SUSD Graduate
The support of these donors highlights the ongoing commitment to enhancing the educational experience for our students. Their contributions ensure that teachers can create optimal learning environments without bearing the financial burden alone.
We know many teachers spend their own money to create even more meaningful classroom experiences. If you’re interested in joining this effort and supporting our teachers, there is still a stack of applicants seeking assistance. For more information on how you can help, please contact info@defuscolaw.com.
A Heart-Healthy Partnership
Together, SUSD and the American Heart Association made a big impact in the 2023-2024 school year.
The Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs are designed to inspire students and families to become leaders of health in their communities by developing heart-healthy habits and raising lifesaving donations.
Here are some highlights from our partnership this year:
- Schools Involved:
- Fundraising Achievement: Our district collectively raised an impressive $18,772 in contributions for the American Heart Association. These funds will go towards lifesaving research and community health initiatives.
- Community Impact: Through our partnership, 2,877 SUSD families were positively impacted by the resources and educational programs provided by the American Heart Association.
- Lifesaving Skills: 53 students took part in learning the lifesaving skills of Hands-Only CPR and stroke warning signs by watching instructional videos and completing Finn’s Mission.
As we celebrate these achievements, we look forward to continuing our collaboration with the American Heart Association to promote heart health and education across our district. Together, we are making a difference and creating a healthier future for our students and community.
#SUSDHeartHealthy #KidsHeartChallenge #ElevateExcellence
New Teacher Orientation
Cherokee Elementary School hosted this year’s New Hire Orientation (NTO) for the 130 teachers who are new to SUSD this school year. This is a massive event that relies upon many SUSD internal and community partners to be successful!
We want to give many thanks and a big shout-out to the following local organizations that contributed to our new teachers’ feeling welcome in their new district:
- Scottsdale Charros – Day 1 breakfast, five $100 gift cards
- SUSD Foundation – $5 Starbucks cards
- Scottsdale Education Association - Day 1 lunch
- Chasse Building - Day 2 breakfast coffee cart
- Grand Canyon University - Day 2 pizza lunch, school swag
The NTO’s resource Expo was also supported by the following community partners:
Musical Instrument Museum – 5 bags, each with a CD and admission tickets
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – tickets for 2 to SMoCA and a performance at the center, art display books
Scottsdale Education Association
Treasures 4 Teachers – school supply bags, $35 gift cards on first purchases over $50
SUSD Benefits, which gave away:
- a pair of designer sunglasses
- an electric toothbrush
- $25 Target gift card
- $25 Visa gift card
- $50 Amazon gift card
Lou Malnati’s - $25 gift card
Wetzel’s Pretzels - 12 $15 gift cards
Madewell - 11 $20-off gift cards
OHSO - 5 gift cards
Elite Eats - $35 charcuterie board
SUSD and Scottsdale Community Partners Unite
Each year, Scottsdale Community Partners, in collaboration with the City of Scottsdale, ensures that more than 900 SUSD students receive brand-new school supplies, clothing, and more through the Vista del Camino Center's Back to School program.
While the final donations to this year’s program are still being tabulated, an estimated 940 students attended the distribution event this week at Scottsdale Stadium. Last year, $24,935 was raised and supplies were provided to 918 students. This assistance is crucial, as the average family spends approximately $1,320 per child annually on school supplies, technology, and extracurricular fees. To qualify, household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
SUSD's Nutrition Services also plays a part at the annual event, registering kids for free and reduced meals and offering healthy snacks.
Scottsdale Community Partners also operates year-round programs to support youth, families, and seniors. For more information about Scottsdale Community Partners and its efforts, visit scottsdalecommunitypartners.org.
Thank you to everyone involved for your ongoing support and generosity!
We may have only just closed the book on another successful school year but already the City of Scottsdale’s Back-to-School Program is gearing up for next school year. City, non-profit, civic and business organizations are coordinating their efforts to support income-eligible Kindergarten through 12th grade Scottsdale SUSD students with essential school supplies, clothing, shoes and health check-ups.
There are an estimated 6,500 low-income students in SUSD, and this program aims to outfit about 1,000 of them and position them for success with the supplies they need to start the new school year in August.
Each year, as a community, we strive to reach more students, and you can help by donating, sponsoring or volunteering to support the cause.
Find more information on how to get involved here: https://scottsdalecommunitypartners.org/program/back-to-school/
Together, we can support Scottsdale's students and set them up for a bright and successful future!
Join us at the Arizona Children’s Learning & Play Festival coming up Saturday, June 29th at WestWorld of Scottsdale.
This free public event features a wide range of activities and showcases vendors from across the Valley, including authors, illustrators, STEAM partners, live performances, wildlife exhibits, and much more. SUSD will be there, too, with a fun activity center for kids!
The festival benefits The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the Sonoran Desert and inspires people to positively impact the environment. The Children’s Learning and Play Festival offers families a chance to engage in cool, indoor, interactive learning experiences.
Enjoy food concessions, entertainment and hands-on learning, including live music, inflatables, STEAM activities, robotics and more.
The Arizona Children’s Learning & Play Festival is on Saturday, June 29, 2024, and is FREE for all ages! The Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at WestWorld of Scottsdale, located at 16601 North Pima Road in Scottsdale. Parking is $10.
The power of literacy was palpable at Tavan Elementary School. Embracing the importance of fostering a love of reading within our community, Tavan Elementary School partnered with the Scottsdale Public Library for a special Family Read Night last month!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Scottsdale Public Library for its invaluable partnership and unwavering support of our schools. Together, we organized an evening filled with laughter, joy, and, of course, plenty of reading.
Families from our school community gathered to enjoy the simple pleasure of reading together, but the fun didn't stop there! There were smiles, laughter, and even some impromptu dancing as families bonded over the stories.
There's truly nothing quite like the magic of bringing a good book to life and sharing that experience with loved ones. We are grateful to the Scottsdale Public Library for helping us create such a memorable and meaningful event for our families and visiting so many schools over the course of the year.
We look forward to more joyful reading adventures at Navajo Elementary School on April 11 and at Echo Canyon School on April 23!