UPC brings parents from across the district together to enhance the PVSchools experience! 

*UPC is independent from PVUSD and information posted in this newsletter does not represent the views of the Paradise Valley Unified School District.*

March Monthly Meeting

Please join us for the November UPC meeting on Wednesday, March 22nd. We will begin with a brief Q&A with Dr. Bales and then continue with the UPC meeting. We will have a special presentation about assessments and standardized testing by Ms. Jean Koeppen, Director of Assessment for PVSchools. Beginning at 10:00am, we will have the presentation "Let's Talk About Addiction and Our Students" with Josh Azevedo, Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor and Executive Director of The Pathway Program. We will learn about substance abuse and addiction in Arizona's children and teens. Join the discussion so we can all be better prepared to understand, recognize and help our young people struggling with addiction.


Wednesday, March 22, 2023

9:00am UPC General Meeting

10:00am "Let's Talk About Addiction and Our Students"


This meeting will be held both in person and online.

To attend in person, please join us in DAC East/West at the District Office: 15002 N 32nd St Or please register in advance HERE to receive the Zoom link.


View the UPC Facebook Event HERE and click "Going"

Meeting Agenda

Budget

View the February 15 2023 Meeting Minutes

The 2023 UPC Teacher and Staff Appreciation nominations conclude

on March 22nd at 10pm!

This is your opportunity to recognize the teacher or staff member that has gone above and beyond this year. All recipients will receive copies of the letter(s) written for them. They will all also be invited to participate in a special celebration in May! Don't forget about the campus assistants, office staff, instructional assistants, school nurses, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, security guards, coaches and anyone else that has made a difference for your child this year!


You can find more information and the nomination form HERE.

Join us for the Spring 2023 PV Parent Group Leaders Workshop!

Current and future PTO/PTA/Booster leaders can learn more about growing your parent group, best practices and share ideas for events/fundraisers. Do you have an area that your parent group needs help with? Email info@pvupc.org and let us know what topics you would like us to include.

Tuesday, April 25th from 9:30am-11:00am

DAC (District Administrative Center) 15002 N 32nd St

UPC is partnering with the Phoenix Suns again this year to raise money for UPC's Outreach Committee! You can purchase discounted tickets to a Suns game using this link or the QR code above and a portion of ticket sales will go to the Outreach Committee for their work on events like the Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast, Instructional Support Staff Appreciation and supporting PV families at the holidays. There are lots of game and ticket prices to choose from!


Please share this with your communities and help us spread the word!

United Parent Council's Geri L. Morgan Volunteer Award honors volunteers who display dedication and service to community as exemplified by late UPC member Geri Morgan. In her memory, UPC annually recognizes a consummate volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution of service. Often it is that passionate, devoted, yet humble volunteer who is doing amazing things that benefit the entire school community. This annual award truly recognizes the crème de la crème among volunteers. Please click here to learn more or submit a nomination The nominating period will begin March 22nd and close April 19th.

We are currently looking for current UPC Representatives that would like to serve on the Executive Board for the 2022-2023 school year. We will hold our annual elections at the April UPC General Meeting - specific voting information is coming soon for eligible UPC voting reps! The Nominating Committee is currently taking nominations. If you are interested in nominating an eligible UPC Rep (see eligibility details below) for one of the officer positions below, or if you would like to learn more about other volunteer opportunities with UPC, please email info@pvupc.org.


From the UPC Bylaws:

IV. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

A. Executive Board is comprised of the elected officers which includes a President, two (2) Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

  1. The PRESIDENT will schedule at least eight (8) General Meetings during the school year, preside at all meetings, commission Standing and Select Committees, appoint Chairpersons to lead such committees, and will represent UPC when necessary before the Governing Board and media. In the event of the temporary absence of the President, he/she shall designate an Executive Board member to act on his/her behalf.
  2. The VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP will act as liaison between UPC and the schools, maintain an up-to-date list of all UPC members and those in good standing, act as an aide to the President, circulate and record attendance at each General Meeting, coordinate the review of the UPC By-Laws at least every two years and perform other such duties as requested by the President.
  3. The VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMMING will plan and coordinate programs, events and schedule meetings. He/she will work with the President and the Executive Committee to establish goals and will perform other such duties as requested by the President. 2
  4. The SECRETARY will record and maintain the minutes of all General and Executive Committee Meetings, and perform other duties as requested by the President.
  5. The TREASURER will deposit all funds in UPC’s bank account, maintain a current and accurate account of receipts and expenditures, present a financial report at each meeting and prepare a written annual budget for voting membership approval at the first General Meeting.


XI. NOMINATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

A. Only UPC Representatives shall be nominated for office.

B. Only those Representatives who have signified their consent to serve if elected shall be nominated for or elected to any office.

C. Any candidate for President or Vice President must be an eligible Representative for the current full operating year; or a member of the Executive Committee for six (6) months prior to his/her election.

D. If no eligible candidate agrees to serve in an officer position, two eligible candidates may be considered to share an officer position (except President) provided both candidates consent to the shared position. If a position is shared, there is only one (1) vote for that position during Executive Board voting.

E. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor provided the candidate is present or has agreed in writing that he/she is willing to serve in that capacity, and meets the qualifications for that office. 


Elementary ELA Adoption Committee


Purpose: The Curriculum and Instruction Department will be facilitating a committee which will determine a new comprehensive ELA curriculum and will cultivate a list of supplemental reading programs that schools can use in addition to the newly adopted Tier I Curriculum.


Tentative Meeting Dates: April 3, April 17, April 27, May 1, May 11, May 15 with additional dates in the fall

Meeting Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm

Meeting Location: District Office


Six elementary parents from around the district are needed to participate in this committee. If you have an elementary student and are able to commit to the scheduled meeting dates, please email President@pvupc.org with your name, child's school and grade level to be considered for this committee.

Gifted Teachers from various programs throughout the district will share their insights teaching gifted learners in PVSchools. Representatives will be there from: Desert Cove ES, Fireside ES, Pinnacle Peak Prep, Quail Run ES, and Sonoran Sky ES. Tamera Ohler, Gifted instructional Coach, and ElizaBeth Warner, Gifted Program Mentor, will also share their experiences.


You can attend in person or virtually. Please register in advance here to receive the zoom link. Learn more about the Gifted program opportunities available in PVSchools here.


Let's help our students have a prom to remember!

PVEA is once again organizing a Prom Boutique that allows students to "shop" for the things they need to make prom special: formalwear, shoes, accessories and gift cards for shopping and local restaurants. You can also donate through this Amazon Wish List. Items can be dropped off at the District Office at 15002 N 32nd St.

Thank you to all the vendors and parents that attended the 2023 School Vendor Showcase! It was a big success and lots of fun! Thank you to the Committee Chair, Hara Dembowski, for organizing the event! Learn more about the vendors and how they can support your school here.

Here is the recording of "Anxiety and ADHD in Gifted Children" presented by Dr. Laura Wingers. Areas she discussed:

-Do You Know a Gifted Learner with Anxiety, Inattention, Distractibility, Impulsivity and/or Executive Function Challenges?

-When We Encounter the Emotional and Behavioral Intensity that Many Gifted Children Experience, We Can Empower Them, and Ourselves, with Greater Knowledge of the Incredible Mind-Body Connection.

-The Emerging Research in Pediatric Integrative Medicine Provides a Wealth of Information about the Impact of Stress, Inflammation, and Lifestyle Factors.

This is a great presentation for all parents!

The bin is now ready for you to get rid of your old clothes, shoes, blankets, sheets, and towels! Place your old items in a bag and then throw them in the bin. Items will be donated if they are still usable or recycled so they do not end up in the landfill. The Bin is located along 32nd Street in the district office parking lot (15002 N 32nd St.) Proceeds from the bin will be used to support UPC's Outreach Committee's activities.


If you have questions, please email Outreach@pvupc.org!

Did you know high school students have the opportunity to work towards earning the Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency? During the October UPC Meeting, we were joined by Mrs. Maureen Minnick, PVSchools Director of Fine Arts, for a presentation about this distinction for graduates. You can view the slides from her presentation HERE.


You can find additional information from the Arizona Department of Education HERE.

The gifted supplemental materials are available for viewing in the PVSchools dristict lobby (15002 N 32nd St). The materials will be available during the 60-day viewing period from January 3, 2023 - April 10, 2023.

College Depot at Phoenix Public Library is a FREE full-service college access center located at the Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix, Arizona. Our team of college planning and re-engagement advisors offer one-on-one appointments to assist with all action steps necessary to earn a GED, diploma, college degree or apprenticeship, and host workshops including admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and more. College Depot offers both in-person and virtual appointments. Learn more about College Depot HERE.


Here is a recording of a recent presentation of College Depot's Virtual FAFSA Lab!

You can find more information HERE from the PVSchools College and Career Services Department.

Collection boxes are also available at Desert Shadows Middle School and Wildfire Elementary. HERE is the link to the Amazon Wish List to have items shipped directly to a collection site. Questions, please email Outreach@pvupc.org

Thank you for your donations! 

Thank you to the Quail Run PTA for your donations to the Hygiene Drive!

Thank you to the North Ranch PTA for your donations!

Thank you to the Pinnacle High School National Honor Society for their amazing support of the Hygiene Drive!  Their generous donations have been sorted and placed on the shelves so the Social Workers & School Nurses can get what they need.

Save the date for the April 19th UPC Meeting and Presentation....

New on UPC's YouTube Channel!

An Overview of Special Education Programs and 504 Plans in PVSchools


You can view the recording HERE


School Finance Issues Explained!


Ms. Jill Barragan, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, explains the different sources of public school funding, state and federal laws and the role voters play in school funding.

You can watch the recording HERE





Understanding the Twice-Exceptional Learner

You can watch this presentation HERE!

Supporting Diverse Learners in PVSchools!

Hear from Karen Brown, PV's Director of Gifted Education, about the program options for gifted students as well as those that qualify for Special Education services. 

You can watch this presentation HERE!

Teen Suicide and Depression Prevention Workshop by Teen Lifeline

If you missed this important presentation, you can watch the recording HERE. .

View the Teen Lifeline Resources List HERE
View the presentation slides HERE

Career and Technical Education

(CTE) Programs

PVSchools offers a wide variety of Career and Technical Education different programs at all five high schools. You can view a list of CTE Programs available at each school HERE. This presentation includes videos of many of the CTE programs and would be great to watch with your student!

Watch the recording HERE.

Positive Behavior Support
Jon Bowen, PVUSD District SEL Specialist, and Erin Smith, PV Special Education Department, will discuss Positive Behavior strategies at home and school. Families will receive easy to implement strategies to use at home, as well as, learn what strategies are used in PVSchools
Watch the recording HERE.

The Gifted Committee and PVSchools' Gifted Education Department have been working together to bring parents information about the variety of gifted programs available in the district.
You can watch videos of all the recent presentations on UPC's YouTube Channel:

CREST Program, click HERE!
Digital Learning Center (DLC at Sunrise Middle School), click HERE!
Journey at Mountain Trail Middle School, click HERE!
North Valley Arts Academy (NVAA), click HERE!
Early Childhood Programs, click HERE!

Learn more about the many Gifted Programs available in PVSchools HERE! .

PVSchools Resources for Families:


HERE is UPC's List of Health and Wellness Resources 


View the District's list of Resources for FamiliesEnglish and Español


PVSchools is hiring! Check out career opportunities HERE! 

 

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Your participation is vital to the success of UPC and to supporting our students and PVSchools. 


If you have any questions or suggestions, please email President@pvupc.org. 


With gratitude for all you do,

Kea Carota & the UPC Exec Team 

President 2022/2023

PV United Parent Council 

PV United Parent Council | Website
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