Fall is here, and so is a brand-new edition of The District Dispatch!
Inside, you’ll find snapshots from our students’ amazing start to the school year, key calendar reminders, and a few can’t-miss updates from around the district.
Thank you for being part of a community where every student has the chance to thrive—we can’t wait to share more great stories with you this month!
|
At Apache Junction High School, Mrs. Everhart's French students wrapped up their recent unit in the most délicieux way possible, by tasting some French cuisine!
Students learned about French food culture and how to order like a pro in a restaurant. To celebrate their hard work, students enjoyed a variety of tasty treats, from sweet crêpes to bold bleu cheese.
|
|
At Cactus Canyon Jr. High, Mrs. Romero's math students discovered that functions can be fantastic! Armed with whiteboards and determination, each group received a mystery function card and embarked on a mathematical mission—to create its perfect match by building the opposite representation, whether through tables or graphs. The classroom transformed into a buzzing hub of collaboration as students decoded equations, sketched curves, and filled in data points. This hands-on approach proved that when math gets interactive and visual, even the most complex concepts become conquerable! |
|
At Peralta Trail Elementary, Ms. Meacham's 3rd graders turned their beloved stuffed animals into literary characters! Each student brought their treasured stuffy to school and transformed into a character analyst, carefully filling out character study sheets with descriptive adjectives and imaginative insights about their toy's unique personality. The magic happened during sharing time, when the classroom filled with laughter and wonder as students unveiled the wild, silly, and heartwarming backstories of their cuddly companions. |
|
At Desert Vista Elementary, Ms. Furey's 3rd graders turned a kitchen disaster into a learning adventure! After reading a relatable story about a child accidentally burning cookies while baking with their parents, these young detectives put on their thinking caps and collaborated to uncover all the causes and effects hidden in the tale. From forgotten timers to smoky ovens, students discovered that every action creates a reaction—and sometimes the best learning happens when things don't go according to plan!
|
|
At The Classical Academy at Superstition Mountain, Mrs. Jones's kindergarten students turned puzzle time into an adventure! With teamwork, focus, and contagious excitement, these young problem-solvers dove right in and collaborated to crack their challenging puzzles. When the first group triumphantly completed their puzzle, they earned the ultimate reward—a special trip to the coveted treasure box! |
|
At TLC, Ms. Ward's little explorers embarked on a thrilling sensory adventure! These curious kiddos became detectives of their own amazing abilities, drawing random senses from the mystery bin and racing to match each one to the correct body part. The excitement was contagious as they discovered connections between their eyes and sight, ears and hearing, and fingers and touch!
After all that brain-boosting detective work, they settled into soothing sensory play—the perfect peaceful ending to their hands-on journey of discovery. Who knew learning about your five senses could be so much fun?
|
|
Students at FPES were spellbound when Miss Arizona Teen 2024, Rachael McLaen, visited and brought The Cat in the Hat to life with character, energy, and charm.
As if that weren’t enough, she also donated school supplies—making the day brighter for both hearts and classrooms alike.
To thank her for the unforgettable visit, students surprised Rachael with a handmade paper flower bouquet.
|
|
Encore's incredible donation of school supplies and recess equipment to Peralta Trail Elementary, Four Peaks Elementary, and Desert Vista Elementary goes far beyond filling shelves and stocking playgrounds—it sparks joy in students' eyes, ignites their curiosity, and empowers every child to reach their potential. Your investment in our students creates ripples of success that will last for years to come!
|
The Cactus Canyon Jr. High Girls' Basketball team brought the heat against the San Tan Mountain Wolves on August 19th, delivering a commanding 28-9 victory that had the crowd on their feet!
Our Cougars showcased championship-level teamwork, rock-solid defense, and electric energy that never let up from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Our girls controlled every possession and dominated both ends of the court.
Way to go, Cougars—this victory proves you're a force to be reckoned with!
|
September
11th - Early Release Day
12th - Early Release Day
17th - AJHS College and Career Fair
17th - Early Release Day
22nd - Fall Break Begins (through Oct.6th)
28th - Broken Lullaby Cars Tribute Concert (Proceeds benefit CCJH Field revitalization)
October
7th - Students Return from Fall Break
22nd - Early Release Day
|
|
Capturing the mini-moments that define us: a small district with a big heart!
"Over 230 family members and community supporters filled our cafeteria for the first-ever "Goodies with Grown-Ups" breakfast, creating a buzz of love and excitement that you could feel the moment you walked in. Watching our Bobcat kiddos beam with pride as they shared breakfast with their special grown-ups reminded us why these moments matter—when our school family comes together, magic happens." - Pat Smith, Principal, PTES
"A parent reached out to tell me how much she loves my coaching and that her daughter really looks forward to practices—it completely made my day! It's amazing how a simple positive message can remind you why you do what you do. What an honor it is to have students and parents who believe in me and trust me to share my basketball experience with their kids. I am so excited to build Apache Junction into a powerhouse basketball program." - Marcus Neal, Head Coach, AJHS Girls Basketball
"I love watching Mr. Muller's music class in action. He has this amazing way of getting kids excited about rhythm and beat—not by lecturing, but by getting them up and moving. He'll hand out instruments, put on music, and suddenly the whole room is alive with kids discovering they can feel the beat. The way his face lights up when a student finally "gets it" is pure joy. That's what great teaching looks like—turning a classroom into a place where learning feels like playing." - Sunni Braaksma, Principal, FPES
|
|
AJUSD is currently in need of experienced bus drivers to join our transportation team. Do what you love while supporting students in their educational journeys!
|
|
Join us for The Cars tribute concert featuring the band Broken Lullaby, where every ticket sold helps fund essential upgrades to the Cactus Canyon Junior High School sports field.
Sing along to classic hits while making a real difference in our students' athletic experience. It's the perfect combo—great music, cool summer fun, and community support all rolled into one unforgettable evening.
Don't miss this chance to rock out for a great cause! Get your tickets now and help us build something our whole district can be proud of.
Friday, September 26 at 6 PM
Apache Junction Performing Arts Center
|
Discover where timeless education meets tomorrow's innovation.
Our classical curriculum builds strong academic foundations and develops character, while our thoughtful technology integration equips students with the digital skills they'll need to lead in the future.
Ready to see the difference? Schedule your personalized campus visit and witness firsthand how we're shaping well-rounded students prepared for both academic excellence and real-world success.
Don't wait—secure your child's spot in our transformative learning environment today!
Call 480-677-7570 to schedule your tour and learn more about our unique approach to education.
|
|
Be in the know! Follow AJUSD and your school on Facebook! Click below to find your school’s page and stay connected.
|
|
As September unfolds around us, I'm reminded of one of nature's most beautiful lessons: change takes time, and growth happens gradually.
While we may not see the dramatic autumn displays here in the desert, we're all familiar with that timeless image of leaves slowly transforming from green to brilliant shades of gold and crimson. The leaves don't rush to reveal their colors—they take their time, changing subtly each day until something breathtaking emerges.
Our students are much like those changing leaves. They too are in a season of transformation, and just as those leaves need time to reveal their full beauty, we must give our children the patience and support they need to show us their own amazing potential.
Some students will show their brilliance quickly, like the first leaves to turn. Others will take longer, quietly developing their talents and confidence throughout the year. But every single one of them—just like every leaf on a tree—has something beautiful to offer when given the right conditions to grow.
This September, as we settle into new routines and relationships, let's remember that meaningful growth happens in small moments: a patient explanation when a concept doesn't click immediately, celebrating effort over perfection, and recognizing that a struggling student today might be tomorrow's success story.
In our classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias, we're not just educating—we're nurturing potential. We're providing the sunlight of encouragement, the water of knowledge, and the soil of belonging that every child needs to flourish.
Just as the most spectacular autumn displays take weeks to fully develop, the most remarkable transformations in our students often happen gradually, quietly, beautifully—one day at a time.
Let's embrace this season of growth with patience, wonder, and faith in what our students can become. After all, in a small district with a big heart, every student's journey matters.
Dr. Robert Pappalardo
Superintendent, AJUSD
|
|
The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) plans to honor the team at halftime of the upcoming 3A title game, and we want to make sure every player and coach is invited to be part of this special celebration.
If you have contact information for any members of the 1975 team (led by Coach Jack Davis), please reach out to communications@goaj.org so we can connect with them.
Let’s give these history-making athletes the recognition they deserve!
|
|
|
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
