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It is my honor to hand the mic over to your senior class president for 2025, Miss Valerie [Applause] Angelo. Stick with me here. Thank you so much, Miss Beerman, for your kind introduction. Guys, today is the day we celebrate our unity and our shared adventure. Today is the day we can celebrate a moment we have all been waiting for. And today is the day the class of 2025 can officially close one door and open the next. It's not just high school we're saying goodbye to. For most of us, it's the six years of elementary school, the three years of middle school, and our final four years of high school that have made us who we are. Needless to say, I'm so proud of all of us. Pine Creek has provided us with a community that takes shape beyond just an education. Sure, navigating through the bustling hallways with so many of us wasn't always the easiest.
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You have set positive examples of leadership for others to follow in years to come. Please welcome Jake Mayona. [Applause] Service can be defined as an act of voluntarily giving your time using your skills and talents for the benefit of a community. Through our service efforts as individuals or as a group, we build empathy and we learn more about those in need or crisis. Service also fulfills one of our responsibilities as citizens. As a National Honor Society member, you will be presented with many opportunities and deepen your understanding of service leadership and grow your passion for helping others. My favorite NHS service activities were the Trenton Plates food drive and the Lore Elementary School PTA meetings. For Trenton Plates, NHS members along with many other service clubs spend the day at Cure Arena packing meals for people in need around the world. I along with many other members I'm sure had a lot of fun and met a lot of new people while serving the community and making a difference for those in need.
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Um in terms of CCS, they wanted to thank uh Dr. Josh Middleton who uh went down and presented to the students about career planning and workplace workplace readiness. He also provided uh not only insights and the dos and don'ts of applying for a first job, but also took the time to highlight uh the members of the CCS pathways uh of service learning success through art club. They're the ones that have gone to a variety of different community events to work out uh and help the community and so he recognized them and provided medals for them. Uh the tennis team is on to state. The doubles team um of Elena Rodriguez and Abigail Rutherford. Track athletes uh are breaking some school records as they get ready to finish up their season. Allan show Brady in the 400 meters and 200 meters uh Cherish Jones. Um also the 4x4 uh Cherish is part of and holds a school record along with Isabel Hatch, Bryley Schumacher and Cambria Blue.
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At Desert Wind Middle School, sixth graders in Team Luigi hosted a trash and show that transformed recycled materials into a lesson in creativity, design, and environmental responsibility. Students designed and modeled original outfits using only repurposed items, blending imagination with intention. Along the way, they explored the impact of waste, the importance of recycling, and how innovation can inspire sustainable choices in daily life. Third grade students at Santa Cruz Elementary brought The Lion King to life through two well-crafted performances that showcased both talent and skill. The grade was split into two casts, giving every student the chance to take the stage and play a role. Preparation began last school year with costume design and continued into spring with coordinated rehearsals in music, dance, and theater. The experience blended academics and the arts, leaving students with skills that will carry far beyond the stage. I I was there on the second night, and it was just delightful.
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So, thank you for listening to me today. Okay, great. You didn't get the cut off. Just about though. Just about. I tal I talked too fast. No, that's fine. Good. Well, thank you all for those opening statements and as I said, this is really a discussion. I'll answer I'll ask a question. Um either if someone really wants to answer first, we'll do that. But I think it's the opportunity for each of you to talk about some of the issues that are certainly facing Ashland. Uh so Carlton, you mentioned financial issues. So this is a question I have and it's a little bit there's a little bit of information before the actual question. Okay. Um and Carlton, I'll start with you for an answer. So balancing growth and preservation are key. Ashland is a town with a strong community identity, historic charm as in as in and is in need of economic opportunities.
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Nice to put your best self forward. Is it fun to watch all your classmates also having jobs? Do you think it's been a good program? Yeah. Yeah. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Yeah. Working hard. Yeah. Do you think your building looks a little bit better since you all have been putting in the work? Yeah, I think so, too. Probably. Do you guys have friends who are third graders that you're going to give advice to about what how to do the job application? Um, probably. But we actually never had the experience to do the gardening. So Oh, maybe not. Robbed. Yeah. Well, you guys are obviously really good role models. So, the current third graders who are fourth graders next year were are stepping into some big shoes to fill. But it's it's evident that you guys have been good role models to show them what to do.
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Brian Simler, who's going to come out and uh direct them through the next song for you. This uh this tune is Mercy Mercy. Oh, there's [Applause] Brian. Before I start, I'd like to extend a special thank you both to Mr. Pier and to Mr. Galant because without them, none of this would be possible within our school district. And yeah, so just give it up for them. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] I know [Music] I wonder. [Music] la. [Music] Amen. God again. [Music] Hallelujah. [Music] [Applause] It's our last song of the concert. First of all, my name is Mr. Glant. I'm the uh coral director here. But how it worked out, I got the opportunity to co-e uh this jazz band with Mr. appear this year which provided us with some unique opportunities including this song. Uh we love to brainstorm and these guys just knocked it out of the park in the winter concert if you remember.
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Um, recently Brad's Place has taken up the athlete of the week program that Mesa Verde had started. And so the athletes so far have been myself for boys tennis, Devon Brown for boys tennis, and Arthur Fitzpatrick for baseball. Um, we hope as the season comes to a close, you go out and support our student athletes. for Library Club. Library Club has had a fantastic field trip with the 10th grade to Smith College where we heard renowned Filipino American poet Patrick Rosel give a poetry reading. They visited the Botanic Gardens and tooured the art museum. We have already started planning for next year, but have a couple more events planned for this year, which are a video game and an end ofear picnic. The French Club hosted a very successful coffee house event last week. It was well attended by students and families and featured many exciting performances from both students and staff.
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Um, recently Brad's Place has taken up the athlete of the week program that Mesa Verde had started. And so the athletes so far have been myself for boys tennis, Devon Brown for boys tennis, and Arthur Fitzpatrick for baseball. Um, we hope as the season comes to a close, you go out and support our student athletes. For library club, library club has had a fantastic field trip with the 10th grade to Smith College where we heard renowned Filipino American poet Patrick Rosal give a poetry reading. They visited the Botanic Gardens and tooured the Art Museum. We have already started planning for next year, but have a couple more events planned for this year, which are a video game and an end of year picnic. The French Club hosted a very successful coffee house event last week. It was well attended by students and families and featured many exciting performances from both students and staff.
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I was is this, you know, I was looking for what these subscriptions are and all the the things that go into making the computers work at the school and uh there's this this uh oh, thank you for that. Uh I think it's under the student privacy or something, but there's a list of contracts on the website. Is this current? Because it says uh contracts signed on or after October 1, 2016. That was when the public act 16-189 Oh, so you had to publish these. We had to have these contracts in place. Okay. So, it's been updated more recently. Okay. Yes. So, do you you guys use all these all the time? Susan, I actually have, if I remember, I actually have a breakdown to what Matt actually uses for subscriptions and software. You do? Oh. Oh, yeah. It was He was He was spot on and made me happy by the time they were done.
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I just the thought of being the reason or part of the reason that a child loves coming to school each day. It really means the world to me. I've always said I have grandchildren in the school that I would treat those children that the way I want my grandchildren to be treated in school. That's why you are who you are. Thank you. Well, thank you again. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Mr. Ro, you want to come in? Thank you so much. Thank you. It's a great great night already. We're off to a great start. So now we will follow up now. Dr. Lady, come on up. And it is Rogers Park spotlight for school. [Applause] Down is up. So, I'm ready to go. My clicker. So, thank you so much for having us here. Um, we appreciate being able to come and kind of tell our little story.
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Guess I should have turned it on. Sorry. I had one question and I apologize I didn't. Um there were two on here. I know the first one is on um page six at the top of 17. The sped case manager contract virtual. I saw that it said due process, but there were two on there. Are those two different due processes or is it like one of those is for the due pro due process for the phys um speech and physical therapy uh that we do virtually. Okay. And then the other one is the case manager um due to us having such a high case load for special ed. Uh we contract with this agency to do some case managing for the IEPs because um each um teacher has a certain amount they can case manage and then we contract with the same agency to do the additional students.
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We're not asking for more than what is reasonable. We are asking for what is required, what is right, and what is needed for our children to succeed. This decision cannot be brushed aside because it's complicated or logistically challenging. The district has an opportunity right now to do better, to listen, to act, and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our most vulnerable students. We need a dedicated classroom with a bathroom inside of our for our younger students with IEPs, not a workaround, not a promise, a solution. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Mr. Seso, for your comments. Next, the next speaker is Angela [Applause] Chin. Good evening. My name is Angela Chen. I'm a parent of a special education student in Miss Amy Martinez's class. Currently we are at Toyan Elementary School and my daughter is in the preschool program for special education.
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Thank you. Oh, okay. We're going to let them uh go give hugs, take pictures. So, what you may or may not know. Oh, no. Hey, no. You all need to stay. Sorry. You're not allowed to leave yet. Stay here. All right. We need to take pictures. Um what uh what you may not know about how the decades were chosen, we had a um trivia contest at a staff meeting where each grade level had to um identify the bands and u musical singers from throughout the years. And so uh kindergarten did not do well, fifth grade did not do well, fourth grade got first pick. So um come see what fourth grade has to offer next Friday. Um but um I am also here to present um our superintendence awards for um this uh this month and I feel especially honored because as far I know this is the last superintendent award that Kelly Staley is going to be presenting before her upcoming retirement.
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Anyways, this is insane to look back and think just four years ago, we were just starting this journey. We really felt like it was just last week we were all coming up as small little freshman besides Jude. I'm going to take you on a journey back to those times. The adventure of high school felt like a road trip. At the beginning of our freshman year, we were cautious and scared and we had to wear our masks. You remember these? I do. It was our first semi-normal school year in almost two years. Even though we all had masks on and we still couldn't sit next to each other, it felt like sunny weather outside, windows down, sunroof open. Everything was good. Everything was great. I mean, we did just survive a global pandemic. Our biggest worry in the world was if we ate outside or ate in the lunchroom or if a tornado could hit and we could be quarantined again.
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Nor was trying to leave the parking lot after school. That was never easy. Don't even get me started on those stairs. I never thought that falling up the stairs existed until I fell up the stairs my freshman year of high school. Maybe one of these days I'll miss those stairs. But Pine Creek meant more to us just beyond the crowds. The truth is our education had meaning deeper than just homework assignments and lockdown browser. its foundation really begins with our educators, staff, and admin. So, here's where the thank you begins. And if we haven't made it obvious enough, teachers, you are greatly appreciated. One thing truly amazing about all of us is despite our unique interests, differences, and preferences, we've all shared a se special bond with at least one incredible teacher here at Pine Creek. There's really a teacher for all of us, and they've helped us in ways we may not have fully realized it until now.
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The Lord PTA meetings were something I helped organize this year. Each month we spent a few hours watching the children while their parents are able to go to the PTA meetings. We play games with the kids and had a lot of fun. It also helped strengthen our connection with one of our elementary schools and their families. These experiences of NHS service have had a longl lasting impact on me, our membership, and our local communities. Thank you and [Applause] congratulations. At this time, will the new inductees please rise, raise your right hand, and repeat the NHS pledge after me. I pledge to uphold I pledge to uphold the high purposes of the National Honor Society the high purposes of the National Honor Society to which I have been selected to which I have been selected. I will be true to the principles for which it stands.
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Road Runners had the Aren Ranch had their big multicultural night uh where the students in classrooms, every classroom took part and that always draws a large enthusiastic crowd and so it was a very good uh event for them. Uh Simington is shining through the spring with a lot of different trips, field trips to the musical instrument museum. That would be something you guys approved several I think it was a year ago that they were able to attend uh for mental health awareness. Uh Principal Lopez, Mrs. Feifel, Miss Swit, and Miss Pay took the ice bucket challenge, and I believe Dr. Fountain took the ice bucket challenge just the other day uh relative to um mental health awareness. So, that's always good. Harmon's continue having a great uh year. Their staff appreciation week was very successful. They also raised over $1,600 in scholarships that they were able to present to four Harmon students at the uh Combmes High School uh excellence uh evening.
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It was wonderful. The Butterfield Student Council took a closer look at government in action during a visit to the Arizona State Capital. From debating a mock bill on the official state ice cream flavor to touring the Capitol Museum, students gained a firstirhand look at how government works at how government works. State representatives and staff helped make the experience memorable by bringing the legislative process to life. Maricopa Unified is proud to announce that Maricopa Virtual Academy has been named a 2025 top virtual school by Imagine Learning, a distinction earned by fewer than 200 schools nationwide. This recognition reflects the commitment of our MVA students who demonstrated academic growth in both math and reading through their daily engagement with the digital curriculum. In an environment where flexibility meets high expectations, MVA has become a space where students take ownership of their learning with access to the guidance they need to stay on track.
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As development continues, how would you ensure that new investments, businesses, and infrastructure projects enhance economic vitality while preserving the aspects that make Ashland unique? So, that's the first question. And as you answer, think about this. what specific policies or strategies would you implement to maintain or create this balance? Thank you. So, in terms of our economic growth, I think the biggest thing is that we have to continue to increase commercial business right now. Ashlin is not robust with commercial business um in terms of excuse me commercial revenue. We need to increase that. I think the best idea and the best solution is we have to look at like communities. We have communities under 40,000 residents right next to us such as NATIC for example. What are some of these other communities doing that is increasing their commercial revenue and what is Ashlin not doing? Now to say that also last week at the town meeting there was a big discussion about making a historical district.
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