In The News

In July, two Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) assistant principals (APs) will take the reins of the schools they’ve been serving as seconds-in-command. 

The SUSD Governing Board recently voted to elevate Maggie Finan to the principal’s post at Hohokam Elementary School and Zachary Woodward to the principal’s post at Cherokee Elementary School. Finan will succeed award-winning, 30-year SUSD educator Chuck Rantala; Woodward takes over from 15-year Cherokee principal and 32-year veteran educator Walt Chantler.

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With a passion for the game and a commitment to his players, Dean Lamppa has become a cornerstone of Arcadia varsity girls’ tennis, leading them through challenges and triumphs. Coaching and running a sports team is no easy task, yet Coach Lamppa handles each of its elements with grace – and it’s only his second year at the school. 

When it comes to his philosophy, Lamppa keeps an open mind. He believes in the importance of multiple opinions and listening to each individual player. He said that becoming a good listener was an essential step in becoming a successful coach. 

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Music education is thriving in the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), where students from elementary through high school receive top-tier instruction and performance opportunities. 

As March marks Music in Our Schools Month, educators and administrators reflect on the profound impact of music on student development and the district’s commitment to fostering musical excellence.

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Artwork and entertainment helped transform the courtyards between Desert Canyon Elementary and Desert Canyon Middle schools into a Chinese night market recently as the schools’ Mandarin Dual Language Immersion students and their families celebrated Chinese New Year.

Outfitted in red, traditional Chinese garb, students’ performances showcased what they’re learning about Chinese language and culture through the Scottsdale Unified School District.

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Phoenix, Ariz., February 20, 2025 – The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) announced 53 Arizona public schools have qualified for its prestigious A+ School of Excellence Award®. The A+ School of Excellence is the highest state-level recognition given to a public school.

The A+ School of Excellence adjudication process was initially developed 42 years ago as a way of identifying which Arizona public schools would be recommended for the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Award.

• Hohokam Elementary, Scottsdale Unified School District
• Navajo Elementary, Scottsdale Unified School District
• Pueblo Elementary, Scottsdale Unified School District

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Two Scottsdale Unified School District middle school students claimed the district’s annual spelling bee championships last week.

Tonalea Middle School eighth grade student Fabian Marquez Rodriguez won the SUSD Spanish Spelling Bee, followed the next day by Ingleside Middle School sixth grader Landry Bruyere, who claimed the district spelling bee title. Both events were held at Coronado High School.

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Fiesta Bowl Charities received a record 4,000 applications for its Wishes for Teachers program this year, which granted $2,500 to 500 deserving teachers across Arizona.

Hopi Elementary fifth-grade teachers Laura Mitchell and Margo Shein and Tavan Elementary second- and third-grade gifted teacher Michelle Moreno Bilger are the three Arcadia recipients of the 2024-2025 Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers grants. 

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Laguna Elementary School, 10475 E. Lakeview Drive., Scottsdale, will host its annual community STEAM night, Thursday, Jan. 30 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Interactive experiments and classroom tours will be offered, and Laguna’s teachers will be in their classrooms to greet both current and future Laguna families. Gifted Specialist Stephanie Shamy was recently named the recipient of a 2025 National Science Foundation Presidential Award for excellence in mathematics and science teaching.

In addition to being a Cognia-certified STEM school, Laguna is home to Scottsdale Unified School District’s only toddler program for two-year-olds, offered by the school district’s Community Education department, along with preschool and pre-kindergarten classes.

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Michael Longfellow felt overwhelmed when he was hired as a featured player on “Saturday Night Live” two seasons ago.

“It was so big,” said the Desert Mountain High School graduate. “There was panic, dread, excitement, numbness. I thought, ‘Shouldn’t I high-five everyone in the area?’ I didn’t know how to feel, so I just sort of got ready for work. But this has been the greatest thing ever.”

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Marching band and orchestra students at Desert Mountain High School will be taking the trip of a lifetime to start 2025. 

They'll get to perform in the New Year's Day Parade across the pond in London.

It's a trip the students at Desert Mountain get to make every handful of years, but this is the first time the students have gotten to go since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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As Principal Margaret Serna prepares for retirement in 2025, her 48-year career with Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) leaves countless memories, celebrations, and success stories behind. Among those is that of Phoenix Jose, a student whose journey has been defined by perseverance and the support of family, friends, and educators.

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As captain of the varsity girls’ soccer team, senior Sadie Schwartz is kicking it both on and off the field this season. Known for her leadership, determination, and fierce competitive spirit, Sadie has been a pillar of positivity for the team.  

What has your soccer journey been like?

I started as the JV starting goalkeeper my freshman year. The next year, I was bumped up to varsity, where I have continued to start and play for the past three years. 

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As we usher in 2025, it is the perfect time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) in 2024 and look forward to the exciting year ahead. 

We hope the new year brings health, happiness and success to all of our students, staff, families and community.

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The Lady Titans had the opportunity to cheer for freshman, JV, and varsity football this season and are currently supporting both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. This year, they competed in the USA Regional 1 Competition, earning second place in JV Show Cheer Novice and third place in Varsity Show Cheer Advanced, along with national qualifications for both teams. 

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For the sixth time in the school’s 30-year history, Scottsdale Unified School District’s Desert Mountain High School marching band and orchestra will ring in the New Year in London, England.

The 68-strong member band, joined by its color guard, will take part in the Jan. 1 London New Year’s Day Parade, known for its nearly two-mile route past some of central London’s most iconic landmarks. The parade is expected to draw an in-person audience of up to 500,000 people and a television audience of at least 500 million. Here at home, KAET-TV(Channel 8) will carry the parade, tape-delayed, at 1:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

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The Desert Mountain High School Marching Band will be welcoming 2025 over 5,000 miles from home.

Band members will be joining some 8,000 other entrants in the 39th annual New Year’s Day Parade in London, England, which will be broadcast worldwide.

The globally renowned street spectacular makes a hugely popular return to the heart of the West End of London and will be shown in its entirety on network television across the U.S. and beyond. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will fill the iconic 2-mile route.

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