Baxter, the Diamondbacks’ Mascot, Brings STEM Enthusiasm to ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest

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On the eve of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ first 2023 World Series game, beloved mascot Baxter ignited enthusiasm in young fans when he stopped by ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest. The jersey-wearing bobcat paid students a special visit and brought more than just fun and games. He also brought books and a powerful message about the importance of STEM education.

The books distributed to elementary students feature Baxter as the main character and merge STEM and baseball themes—an innovative collaboration between Honeywell and the Diamondbacks—making reading and learning fun! Local Fox 10 News featured the special visit as Baxter, along with representatives from the Diamondbacks and Honeywell, interacted with ASU Prep students.

The Diamondbacks are not just heroes on the baseball field, but also in their local community. Players have consistently been role models for ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest students, dedicating countless volunteer hours to our campus, which is situated just a mile from their home at Chase Field.

The Diamondbacks and Honeywell are making a significant difference in the community by using their resources and platforms to inspire and educate—one book, one student, and one game at a time. We’re definitely fans of their community commitment.

For more information about our innovative and personalized, tuition-free PreK-12 education programs, visit ASU Preparatory Academy’s website.

 

ASU Prep COVID Mitigation Procedures Through Sept. 30, 2023

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As of August 24, 2023

ASU Preparatory Academy has carefully monitored the health and safety of our school communities since the COVID pandemic. ASU Prep takes all measures to ensure students can assemble in person and learn in the classroom setting.

Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (ARP Act)

Please see below for the ASU Preparatory Academy plans, per campus, for a safe return to in-person instruction:

ASU Preparatory Academy ensures continuity of services through coordination between classroom teachers and families on work to be done at home to prepare for their return to school. Classroom teachers are provided with materials that can be done asynchronously. Student social, emotional and mental health needs are addressed with support staff such as counselors and social workers. Social service resources available in our local communities are provided to students and families and on our website on each campus’ Family Resources pages. Staff have access to these resources as well, along with access to our Employee Assistance Program, providing free and professional therapy to all benefits eligible employees who desire it.

Summer Tips: Get Kids Out of the House

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Learning should be – and can be – fun. Summer is the perfect time to engage young learners in meaningful opportunities to be curious, to explore, and to discover new interests. Check out this list of fun yet educational (and often free) activities to get your kids out of the house and learning this summer.

Try Geocaching: A combination of technology and active outdoor time, “The world’s largest treasure hunt” involves searching for hidden items in a specific geographical area using GPS coordinates on your smart device. Create a free account on www.geocaching.com and download the app. Choose a cache to find based on area and level of difficulty and head out for adventure.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt: Apps like Monkey Spot or Goosechase include scavenger hunts kids can do outdoors or in everyday places like the grocery store, finding assigned objects. You can also search online for free printable scavenger hunts by topic — seasonal, outdoor or color/alphabet-themed. 

Explore Outdoors: Discover history and culture and connect with nature at a state or national park. The National Park Service offers a Junior Ranger program with interactive activities that give kids a chance to earn a badge and certificate. Bonus: Fourth graders can visit America’s National Parks for free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass. 

Roam a Local Garden: Let kids explore exhibits, feed fish, and identify types of flowers. The Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix offers free admission 5:00-7:30 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, and The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix hosts Community Day with free admission on the second Tuesday of the month. Search online to find more beautiful gardens and special deals to explore. 

Tour a Museum or Science Center: Check online for nearby museums of art or history as well as science centers for hours, special activities, and free admission opportunities. Some options near our ASU Prep campuses include Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Through Museums for All, families presenting their SNAP EBT card can gain free or reduced admission to participating venues, and some banks offer their cardholders free or discounted museum passes. Check out an Act One Culture Pass from a public library to gain free access to Arizona’s arts and cultural treasures. 

Visit a Zoo or Aquarium. Check out animal encounters, tour habitats, learn about endangered species, get involved in conservation efforts, and take advantage of play areas.

Try Something New: Research local kid-oriented classes and workshops like pottery, painting, cooking, bird-watching, coding, or photography. Consider looking into Lowe’s or Home Depot’s building workshops or events held at nearby craft stores. Perhaps a new physical activity like gymnastics, martial arts, indoor rock climbing, dance, or ninja warrior training would be a good fit.

Stop in the Local Library: Local public libraries don’t only offer books for free check-out, but also host story time and hands-on activities like crafts, as well as interactive demonstrations like a magic show or science experiment.

Can’t Get Out of the House? Take your kids on a virtual field trip from the comfort of home to places like the Louvre in France or the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Tune in to one of the many educational programs offered on YouTube or keep kids busy with an at-home scavenger hunt. 

No matter where this summer takes you and your family, try to include fun learning opportunities for the kids. When planning outdoor activities, be sure to consider the weather. Wear sun protection, hydrate, and have fun! 

Summer Tips: 5 Ways to Get Creative with Summer Reading

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Avoid the dreaded “summer slide” — a decline in reading ability and other academic skills — by encouraging your student to read this summer in fun and unexpected ways. While quiet time spent reading on the couch is fantastic, the following tips offer some easy and engaging alternatives for readers of all ages—even reluctant ones. Let’s get creative. Reading fun awaits! 

Make Real Life Connections.

Tie reading into already planned summer activities. Have your child research native plants observed on a nature hike or a favorite animal in conjunction with a visit to the local zoo. If headed on vacation, have the kids read up on the destination ahead of time in order to participate in the itinerary and packing list. If they’ve seen something interesting on the news or been cheering on a favorite sports team, encourage them to dig deeper and find out more by completing an online search. 

Host a Movie Night.

While summer nights are often a little slower (and later), consider a family read-aloud before bedtime with the plan of watching the film adaptation once you’ve completed the book. Get cozy on the couch with some popcorn or thematic treats and be prepared to be entertained while also spotting similarities and differences between the book and movie. The following titles offer PG-rated movie versions for a range of ages: The One and Only Ivan, The Magician’s Elephant, Wonder, Holes, A Wrinkle in Time, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and the many adaptations of Roald Dahl’s collection. 

Borrow a Book.

The local library is a perfect spot to cool off indoors at no cost. Most public libraries participate in a collaborative, nationwide summer program for kids that offers free events (like storytime and crafts or guest entertainers), reading logs, and prizes. The inspiration and incentives may lead to checking out a few books. 

Ever spotted a Little Free Library while out and about? It’s a small wooden box that kind of looks like a large birdhouse, full of books that are free for the taking. The “Take a Book, Share a Book” mission is to build community, inspire readers, and expand access to books. Many neighborhoods have Little Free Libraries. Use the Little Free Library World Map to find one near you. 

Ready, Set, Read!

Challenge kids to read a certain number of books or amount of hours this summer by providing them with some guidance. A quick online search will display a multitude of downloadable reading challenges appropriate by age. Younger readers might appreciate Reading Bingo with each block assigning what or where to read: a book with a blue cover, with a stuffed animal, in a fort. More mature readers might prefer a bucket list-style challenge with tasks like reading a biography, a classic novel, an award-winner, or a book written by a local author.

Just Look Around.

There are opportunities to read everywhere you go! On the road, have younger children “help” navigate by reading road signs or make it a game by having them call out all the words they can find starting with a particular letter. At restaurants, encourage reading the menu or any advertisements at the table. Older kids can read food labels at the grocery store and once home, read the recipe while assisting with a meal. 

An absolute crowd pleaser for sneaking in reading and a whole batch of important skills (like collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving) is playing board games. Reading directions or task cards alone is great practice for kids, so really any board game will work, but there are also lots of fun games that amp it up, like Scrabble (or Scrabble Jr.), Boggle, Upwords, Letter Jam, and Bananagrams. 

Find the fun in reading this summer by sneaking it in at any time, in any place. Exposing kids to real-world reading opportunities builds necessary skills that will help in and out of school. So think outside the book this summer and get creative with reading!

Get to know Principal Alexander—National Podcast interview—Educatered

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Key Points

  • Model as a leader how you create relationships. Walk across the street and meet with the community.
  • It’s essential that students feel embraced and included and that they know how to include others.

Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode. Speak with an affordable, licensed therapist at your convenience and save 10% on your first month at BetterHelp.com/GettingSmart.

On this episode of EduCatered we’re joined by Heidi Alexander, Founding Principal at ASU Preparatory Academy – Pilgrim Rest Elementary.

We love getting to work alongside ASU Prep in a number of ways and are always blown away by their incredible innovations and most of all… their incredible people. Heidi is one of those amazing individuals. Alongside her team, she keeps ASU Prep Academy at the center of their community.

Let’s listen in as they talk about food, belonging and how to best communicate with families.

View Full Article at GettingSmart.com

Child Nutrition Programs Request for Proposal

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Solicitation/RFP Number: 03-22-CAT-23

Description: ASU Preparatory Academy desires to contract with a Caterer to provide meals for our SFA’s food service program. Offers received by the correct time and date will be opened and the name of each Offeror will be publicly read. Offers must be in the actual possession of ASU Preparatory Academy on or prior to the time and date, and at the submittal location indicated. Late offers will not be considered. Offers must be submitted in a sealed envelope or package with the Solicitation Number and the Offeror’s name and address clearly indicated on the envelope or package.

Proposals will be accepted until April 29, 2022 at 12 p.m.

Physical Location At:
ASU Preparatory Academy
1130 E. University Dr., Suite 230
Tempe, AZ 85281

Electronically at:
jocelyne.canestrelli@asu.edu

For more information contact:
Jocelyne Canestrelli
1130 E. University Dr., Suite 230
Tempe, AZ 85281
jocelyne.canestrelli@asu.edu


Solicitation/RFP Number: 03-22-FSMC-23

Description: ASU Preparatory Academy desires to contract with an FSMC to provide meals for our SFA’s food service program. Offers received by the correct time and date will be opened and the name of each Offeror will be publicly read. Offers must be in the actual possession of ASU Preparatory Academy on or prior to the time and date, and at the submittal location indicated. Late offers will not be considered. Offers must be submitted in a sealed envelope or package with the Solicitation Number and the Offeror’s name and address clearly indicated on the envelope or package.

Proposals will be accepted until April 29, 2022 at 12 p.m.

Physical Location At:
ASU Preparatory Academy
1130 E. University Dr. Suite 230
Tempe, AZ 85281

Electronically at:
jocelyne.canestrelli@asu.edu

For more information contact:
Jocelyne Canestrelli
1130 E. University Dr., Suite 230
Tempe, AZ 85281
jocelyne.canestrelli@asu.edu

Join Our School Launch Team!

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No available positions at this time. Please check back again.

ASU Prep is excited to launch ASU Prep Academy Pilgrim Rest, a new public charter school in the ASU Prep Academy network. We’re looking for a diverse group of passionate and talented teachers interested in becoming founding members of this innovative school.

We’re enrolling learners in grades PreK–6 to start in August 2022 on the downtown campus of Pilgrim Rest Baptist church in Phoenix, AZ. Community-driven and innovative by design, Pilgrim Rest aligns with the ASU Prep mission to build new models for educational success and raise academic achievement for all learners.

A commitment to strong literacy skills, STEM, visual and performing arts, leadership and health and wellness guide the program. Community integration, family partnerships, personalized learning, project-based approaches and culturally relevant pedagogy support these commitments.

This is an amazing opportunity to be part of a new school launch. We’re seeking education professionals with a strong growth mindset, innovative approach, leadership skills and a commitment to the success of every learner.

D-Backs Support MLK with Service Day at Pilgrim Rest

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The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day commitment to service. D-Backs volunteers spent the day painting the ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest campus in preparation for its grand opening this August.