John A. Kriekard Hands On Science Center named in honor of retiring superintendent Pinnacle, North Canyon and Horizon High Schools rank tops in nation Pinnacle student wins new car for perfect attendance Around the district

Fourth of July / Independence Day Saturday, July 4

Artist's rendering of the John A. Kriekard Hands On Science Center building signage

John A. Kriekard Hands On Science Center named in honor of retiring superintendent

The Governing Board has unanimously voted to name the John A. Kriekard Hands On Science Center in recognition of Dr. Kriekard's leadership and service. He retires June 30, 2009 after 37 years in education including six years as superintendent of PVUSD.

What is the Hands On
Science Center?
The Hands On Science Center (HOSC) launched at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year with the help of a grant from The Foundation for Public Education Supporting PVUSD (www.TFPE.org). The HOSC provides “kit-based” science materials that are ready to use when they arrive in the classrooms. Teachers check out kits — much like library books — and they are picked up and replenished by HOSC staff once the class has finished the investigations.

The board of the National Science Foundation recommends the science materials distributed by the center. These programs integrate reading (non-fiction), writing and math. Research has shown that test scores improve in all areas as a result of using this integrated approach to science instruction.  Visit HOSC site

Pinnacle, North Canyon and Horizon High Schools rank tops in nation

Pinnacle, North Canyon and Horizon High Schools rank among the top nine public high schools in Arizona, says Newsweek magazine. To establish their list of the nation's top 1,500 high schools, schools are ranked according to a ratio called the Challenge Index, taking into account the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests taken by all students in 2008 and the number of graduating seniors. 
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Elissa Siekmann and Principal Jason Reynolds

Pinnacle student wins new car for perfect attendance

Pinnacle High School junior Elissa Siekmann was one of 80 students with perfect attendance this past school year at the school. The students were entered into a drawing sponsored by Pinnacle Nissan to win a new car, and Elissa was the recipient of the blue 2008 Nissan Versa valued at $15,000. Three years ago, Pinnacle had only one student with perfect attendance. Since the free-car drawing program, about 80 students have had perfect attendance each year.

Sierra Smith, far right, at a Rotary Club event

Around the District

Sierra Smith, Horizon High School, was honored for outstanding volunteer service to her community as a finalist in the national Prudential Spirit of the Community Awards. Sierra is involved with the Youth and Education Commission for Phoenix and helped organize the Youth Town Hall, received the Outstanding Young Man/Woman of the Year Award and worked as a student reporter for the local program Know99.

The Prudential Spirit of the Community Award has been presented by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals for 14 years. "These kids are real leaders and have a passion to reaching out to others," said Scott Peterson, executive director of the Prudential Spirit of Community Initiative. "One of the main goals is to identify kids who can inspire other kids. When other kids see what these kids have done, they might start thinking about what they might do in their communities."

Horizon HIgh School 2009 graduate Tommy Joseph led the school's baseball team to the 5A Division II final this year, and was recently picked in the second round of the amateur baseball draft by the San Francisco Giants. The Scottsdale Republic newspaper's Player of the Year, Tommy also made All-Arizona and All NE Valley baseball teams. Also on the All Northeast Valley team are Pinnacle's Justin Walker and Horizon's Dylan Scott.  

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