Neighbors, nurturing community bonds: ASU Prep South Phoenix and The Kroc Center

« Back  |  October 23, 2023 - ASU Prep Academy

This school year, ASU Prep South Phoenix and The Salvation Army Kroc Center Phoenix have become more than just neighbors. Thanks to a special partnership, every ASU Prep South Phoenix 7–12 student and all K–12 staff members will now enjoy gold membership access at the Kroc Center.

Intermediate and High School Principal Patrick Gibbs credits the support of ASU Prep’s senior leadership Amy McGrath and Betsy Fowler, along with the Kroc Center’s community-driven generosity for making this possible. The Kroc Center already offers a discount for nonprofit partnerships but also extended an additional neighborly discount, making it possible for ASU Prep to purchase memberships for staff and students.

“We wanted to make sure that it was 100% accessible to all students,” says Gibbs. The partnership doesn’t stop at students and staff—50 families have also been offered a discounted family membership that allows for up to 6 members. This way, parents/guardians and siblings can benefit too.

A shared vision

This partnership between ASU Prep South Phoenix and The Kroc Center is a testament to the strength of community collaboration. It’s about more than just sharing resources—it’s about shared values, shared goals, and a shared commitment to uplifting individuals and families.

As Principal Gibbs notes, “The Kroc Center is doing good work and we’re doing good work. It just makes sense for organizations that have that same goal of uplifting people and creating safe community spaces to work together.”

Captain Caroline Rowe, Corps Officer and Administrator at the Kroc Center, agrees, “ASU services the same individuals we seek to serve, so it is such a pleasure to have these children and families come and use The Salvation Army Phoenix Kroc Center.”

ASU Prep South Phoenix is more than a school—it’s a close-knit community. Many of the students are on the path to becoming first-generation college students. Their families send them to ASU Prep South Phoenix for its challenging college and career preparatory programs that include a dependable support network. Sometimes that support comes from family members who are also at the school. Whether it’s classmates who are cousins or a staff member who holds the title of godfather, many individuals at ASU Prep South Phoenix share connections and look after each other.

And now this network of support extends to the neighboring Kroc Center. The Kroc Center, since its opening in May 2012, has served more than a million people with its programs in arts, education, recreation, wellness, and spiritual guidance. It was developed thanks to a $90 million grant from a bequest to The Salvation Army by the late Mrs. Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. Captain Rowe says, “We believe this facility is here as a beacon of light and a safe place for the children and families in this community.” She’s happy to see all the new faces making use of the membership opportunity and all it has to offer.

The benefits

The Kroc Center is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., providing an accessible and safe space for students to use exercise equipment or study areas, before or after school. This is especially beneficial for students navigating parents’ work schedules that don’t align with school drop-off and pick-up times. Students enjoy the athletic opportunities, like basketball, volleyball, and the state-of-the-art Aquatic Center.

Students who are weightlifting might spot the school’s security guard or their math or English teacher. There might even be some students attempting to out-bench one of their teachers. Principal Gibbs says some teachers walk the indoor track at lunch, saying, “That’s a super cool bonus to help with teacher wellness and balance. It’s also really fun for the kids to see the teachers living a healthy lifestyle.”

Because of the close proximity of the Center, within walking distance, ASU Prep South Phoenix has even been using the facilities for regular P.E. classes. The school also takes advantage of the gaming lounge to host their weekly eSports club, a competitive electronic sports team.

Founder Joan Kroc’s vision for the Center was “A place where you will feel welcomed and supported no matter what your physical, educational, or social goals, and every person in our community is a critical component.” This collaboration recognizes and uplifts the staff and students of ASU Prep South Phoenix as the critical components they are—honored members of our community.

Learn more

To learn more about ASU Prep South Phoenix, visit asuprep.asu.edu. For more information about The Phoenix Kroc Center, visit krocphoenix.org.

ASU Prep COVID Mitigation Procedures Through Sept. 30, 2023

« Back  |  August 24, 2023 - Stefanie Contreras

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

« Back  |  July 17, 2023 - randramadani

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

« Back  |  July 3, 2023 - randramadani

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!

2023 ASU Prep COVID Mitigation Procedures Update

« Back  |  April 26, 2023 - Stefanie Contreras

As of April 24, 2023

ASU Preparatory Academy is carefully monitoring the health and safety of our school communities in light of the COVID pandemic. ASU Prep is taking all measures to ensure that 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 will ensure 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 will be provided with materials that can be done asynchronously. Student social, emotional and mental health needs will be addressed with support staff such as counselors and social workers. Social service resources available in our local communities will be provided to students and families and on our website on the 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.

Child Nutrition Programs Request for Proposal

« Back  |  March 31, 2022 - Stefanie Contreras

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

ASU Prep Keeps ASU in the Family

« Back  |  November 23, 2021 - Stefanie Contreras

For more than a decade, ASU Preparatory Academy has served K-12 learners as a conduit for young Sun Devils to receive a top tier college preparatory education—and in that time, Prep’s schools have grown and expanded their reach:

  • ASU Preparatory Academy now has three K-12 immersion campuses in the metro Phoenix area, and a high school in Casa Grande.
  • ASU Prep Digital has a digital K-12 school that supports student success within an interactive and enriching remote learning environment with flexible full- and part-time program options.
  • ASU Prep also supports hundreds of schools around the state to lift up communities in need and increase academic achievement for all learners.

The K-12 learning landscape has changed in response to the variables surrounding the pandemic. Many schools began to design new options to support learners in multiple modalities when we went into quarantine. ASU Prep was ready prior to the pandemic, and seamlessly shifted its immersion schools to virtual learning when needed, with no gaps in student learning.

ASU Prep high school students are encouraged to take ASU courses beginning their freshman year with the cost of two courses each semester covered by Prep. By the time they graduate, students can earn more than 24 ASU credits while simultaneously completing the requirements for their high school diplomas. Prep’s college-going culture is further enhanced by collaborations with the university’s academic colleges, where students explore deep pathways to their desired major or field of study.

“ASU faculty and staff receive priority for student enrollment in the case of a waitlist,” said Julie Young, Vice President and Managing Director of ASU Prep. “If your family is looking for a college preparatory K-12 option, I invite you to explore ASU Prep where K-12 students are already Sun Devils and on the path to ASU.”

To learn more about ASU Prep and schedule a time to talk or tour a campus, please call 844-692-3372 or visit https://asuprep.asu.edu/.

ASU Prep COVID Mitigation Procedures Update

« Back  |  August 27, 2021 - ASU Prep Academy

As of October 21, 2022

ASU Preparatory Academy is carefully monitoring the health and safety of our school communities in light of the COVID pandemic. ASU Prep is taking all measures to ensure that 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 will ensure 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 will be provided with materials that can be done asynchronously. Student social, emotional and mental health needs will be addressed with support staff such as counselors and social workers. Social service resources available in our local communities will be provided to students and families and on our website at https://asuprep.asu.edu/families/family-resources. 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.