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Our BRAGS! Honors, Awards and Special Programs |
• See ALL CUSD Brags • Choose a School or Brag Category • BRAG about your school! |
Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Congratulations to Rebecca Crow, 2nd grade teacher at Jacobson! Mrs. Crow is being awarded a Fiesta Bowl grant called Wishes for Teachers this year. This marks the fourth grant being bestowed upon Jacobson teachers this year alone. Mrs. Crow will use the funds to support the second grade team and their Science of Reading program for Jacobson students! #JetsFlyWithPride
Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Jacobson Elementary came together as a school to recognize veteran heroes from near and far. All children made a special poppy which honors American veterans.
Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Fourth grade students in Mrs. Vanderah's class honor Native American Heritage Month at Jacobson. Fourth grade students completed a unit that highlighted two students bringing in family photos and artifacts from their very own Native American families, and sharing traditions from their tribe's culture. Then each student created a special project by researching a Native American Tribe and presenting the class with an overview of the tribe's customs. All students made a Native American skin written with traditional symbols and translated that story to English as well.
Chandler Traditional Academy - Liberty Campus (2023-2024) |
Skye Myers, a second-grade student enrolled in the Dual Language Program at CTA Liberty Elementary, commemorates her Hispanic heritage as she embraces Dia De Los Muertos. She embodies the spirit of La Catrina, representing her cultural roots.
Knox Gifted Academy (2023-2024) |
In the 2023 Arizona PBS Kids Digital Video Contest, Ryan Park from Knox Gifted Academy, a kindergarten student, emerged as the 1st place winner in the kindergarten grade level category. Ryan's winning video creatively demonstrates how to brush teeth like a vampire, educating fellow kids on proper oral care while featuring their favorite spooky creatures.
Tarwater Elementary (2023-2024) |
Four outstanding educators from the Chandler Unified School District, including three from Tarwater Elementary, have been honored with the prestigious Milestone Award by the United Chinese Association of Arizona (UCAA) and the Chinese Language Teacher Association of Arizona (CLTA-AZ). This award is a testament to their remarkable contributions to education in Arizona. Notably, among the nine teachers recognized statewide, an impressive four belong to the CUSD community: Hongyu Yang - Tarwater Elementary, Linyong Yao - Tarwater Elementary, Hong Zhou - Tarwater Elementary, and Ran An - Hamilton High School. Additionally, Tarwater's recognition for being named an outstanding Chinese Language School was published this month in the Chinese Language Teacher Association Journal. Click for more information about the Chinese Teacher Milestone Award award.
Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Students at Jacobson study United Nations 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Project Based, authentic learning has taken over the JPG (Jacobson Gifted Program)! Learners in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 studied the United Nations Global Goals, then wrote down their top three choices. Scholars were paired together based on their passion or interest level of the global goal. Partners or small teams then researched together to find out more about their assigned global goal, creating a final showcase project that was shared with the whole school. Besides researching, writing, and drawing, this project required learners to collaborate with each other and share their findings and ideas. Scholars also had to manage their time so that their posters were finished for presentations. Their overall work was impressive! PHOTO ALBUM: Students at Jacobson study United Nations 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development
Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Clean Up Crew back in Action! The JETS are thankful for their leaders on campus! We are sending a big thank you to the FIRST lunch bunch clean up crews to help our school. Students from grade 3 and grade 4 worked HARD to clean up all three playgrounds, including the front kinder playground. Hooray for the Lunch Bunch Clean-up crew for helping our learning environments stay beautiful for learning and working. Our school would not be the same, without your dedication and hard work.
Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Lights, Camera, Action! Some of you might have seen a student news crew interviewing teachers and students. That's our school Recycling Crew who are making a video about WHY we recycle at Jacobson and how it helps the environment. Keep up the good work with recycling, everyone, and click to watch the video! VIDEO: Jacobson Recycles!
Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag... Congratulations to ALL fourth-grade students for learning proper flag etiquette and WHY we have etiquette for the American flag. Fourth grade students are in charge of our two school flags -- both in the courtyard and on the school's front lawn. Students take on this leadership role after an intense training with our local high school. Recently student-leaders and teachers went through this training with the Hamilton ROTC, learning proper etiquette like how to handle, display and care for our American flag and state flag. Students also discuss how to show the flag and our nation reverence and pride through flag etiquette.
Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
Jacobson is a one-to-one school! Every child in every classroom has access to a personal device in their classroom and those devices link to our new IFP (Interactive Flat Panel) screens in each classroom. We are grateful that CUSD supports every child at our amazing community school. Congratulations to Mrs. Gahn in sixth grade who welcomed Superintendent Frank Narducci and the CUSD marketing team to her classroom! Mrs. Gahn shared how the new IFPs are like a huge computer, and students are now using the graphics and new media in their classrooms! Some Jacobson sixth grade students even showed Superintendent Narducci how to use the new HUGE computer! #JETSflywithPRIDE PHOTO ALBUM: Jacobson is a one-to-one school!
Jacobson Elementary (2023-2024) |
All Jacobson scholars use thinking maps or mind maps to help organize their thoughts and ideas. Thinking maps reduce anxiety by providing visual patterns for thinking and working with complex ideas. The maps are used in grades kindergarten through six and offer opportunities to learn through collaboration and create solutions to difficult questions, so kids understand complex ideas. Most of all thinking maps help our students organize their thoughts and help develop good writers! PHOTO ALBUM: Thinking Maps
Auxier Elementary (2023-2024) |
Evan Corbin, 5th Grader at Auxier Elementary School, competed at the USA National Championships and Team Trials in July. Evan brought home a Bronze medal representing Arizona and Chandler Martial Arts Center!
Knox Gifted Academy (2023-2024) |
CS100 Awards Recognize elementary schools nationwide that commit to teaching at least ten hours of computer science to every K-5 student in the 2023-2024 school year. Congratulations to KGA for being awarded the CS100 "All In" Award! 2023 CS100 Awards
Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
We are so proud of our Rice Rhinos who participated in the National Mathleague Competition in June 2023. Their dedication, hard work, and passion for math brought them to this prestigious event.
Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
Congratulations to Jennifer Kraemer who was named 2023 CUSD Educator of the Year by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. This recognition is a testament to her outstanding commitment and dedication to education. We are incredibly proud of her well-deserved achievement.
Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
Congratulations to Principal Shirley Mathew for being selected as a 2023 Maricopa County Exemplary Principal! "It is an honor to recognize Shirley Mathew as an Exemplary Principal. Shirley is a dynamic instructional leader who has thoughtfully and strategically built and implemented a collective vision for students, teachers, and the Rice community. She is a positive force and has created a school environment rooted in caring relationships, high expectations, trust, guidance, feedback, and sheer joy."
-- Superintendent Steve Watson, Maricopa County School Superintendent
Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
What a fantastic day for our fifth-grade students! Chef Tess led an incredible cooking session, immersing our students in the art of preparing a healthy dish and emphasizing the significance of nourishing their bodies with wholesome food. The engagement and enthusiasm were truly remarkable, making it a memorable and enjoyable learning experience. She taught 5th-graders how to make a caprese pasta salad with pesto at the Growing Chef event. Thank you, Chef Tess, for your expertise and for inspiring our students to embrace healthy eating habits!
Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
Congratulations to our Rice team on their outstanding performance at the state MathLeague competitions in May! They did a fantastic job. Rory McGillicuddy, Gavin Schumacher, Chase Leavy and Benjamin Bear have qualified for the national competition. Huge thanks to Mrs. Tate and Mrs. Kraemer for their dedication and hard work in preparing these talented students. We're so proud of you all!
Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
Great news! Rice Rhinos took home the second-place trophy for cheer at the district competition hosted by Hamilton High School on Saturday. Congratulations to our talented team for their incredible energy, spirit, and for representing Rice with pride. We want to give a huge round of applause to Coach Cook for her dedication and hard work in preparing our students.
Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
Check out our amazing 3rd grade students who just finished reading, One Plastic Bag! This inspiring true story tells the tale of a woman in Gambia who finds a unique way to recycle plastic bags and help her community with their pollution problem. Our students were so inspired that they decided to take on a recycling project of their own, turning plastic bags into beautiful bracelets. This is a wonderful connection to our school's overarching theme of sustainability!
Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
As part of Disney's 100th anniversary celebrations, they invited educators for a special "Disney Imagination Campus 100 Teachers Celebration" at Disneyland on May 5, 2023. Rice K-6 Technology Teacher Nasreen Wahid, was selected from the nearly 8,000 applicants as one of the 100 chosen from around the nation to take part in the festivities. They were chosen due to their essays which highlighted how they bring wonder, creativity, and imagination to life in their classrooms. Teachers appreciation with some Disney magic | Good Morning America
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
Jacobson Artist WINS City contest - JETS fly with PRIDE! Congratulations to fourth grader Emma Liao! Emma has been selected as one of 19 student-winners in the City of Chandler's 20th Annual Environmental Art Contest. Emma's picture which encourages Chandler residents to recycle will be one of 19 student works of art included in the annual city calendar and on city buses! In honor of her effort and commitment to the environment, she and her teacher will be honored at a ceremony in April in the City Council chambers. We are PROUD you took a chance on a big contest, Emma! City of Chandler Environmental Art Contest website
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
The Chandler Elks Lodge is pleased to announce Jacobson Elementary has a 1st AND 2nd place winner in this year's Division I Essay Contest, 'What is your American dream?' The judges chose their entries out of 150 essays received from students all over the city of Chandler. 1st Place winner from Jacobson is Pragun Arora in fifth grade. 2nd Place winner from Jacobson is Eva Rema in sixth grade. Both students read their winning essays to the school and are excited to attend an awards reception in May, where they will be honored with a dinner and certificate. Kudos to Mrs. Banas, their English Language Arts teacher!
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
Nacho' Average Staff Meeting! Congratulations to Mrs. Nicol and Mrs. Vanderah, the 2023 winners of the annual 'Nacho' Average Staff Meeting' at Jacobson. The whole JETS squad played hard, but only two were left standing and a fun time was held by all. Happy Spring Break everyone!
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
We had a BLAST at Jacobson's annual Space Explorer's Rocket launch. More than 300 rockets took off from our field and students learned basic aerospace engineering in the process. Thank you to Northrop Gruman engineers who worked with students during lunch over the last four months. And thanks to the Arizona Association of Rocketry for helping to announce and set off all those rockets! That's one small step for students, one giant leap for Jacobson. PHOTO ALBUM: Space Explorers Rocket Launch
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
Celebrate good times, come on! Third grade was in a celebrating spirit this week! All third graders took a huge field trip south of Tucson. They visited the National Saguaro Forest and spent the afternoon at a very special award-winning museum - the Arizona Desert Sonoran museum. Students spent the day on a scavenger hunt, studying animals and desert vegetation, and spent the whole day discovering all things Arizona! What a great way to end the quarter.
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
Jacobson JETS buddies love to work together! Third graders and kinder buddies create illustrations and connections about how to work together at school. Students learn to value others input and own team decisions! They are excited to present their ideas to their buddy combo class.
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
Congratulations to our AMAZING Jets who were honored this week at a District Assembly! Please help us in honoring: Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Amy Denny; Student of the Year, Ms. Lilly Foster; and Volunteer of the Year: Mrs. Kim Bannon. Amy has taught over 20 years in primary grade levels, Mrs. Bannon organizes nearly 50 parents to help teach art to 700 students each month, and a Lily Foster is being recognized for her resilience, being inclusive and kind to all, and working hard in her studies.
Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence Campus (2022-2023) |
CTA Independence families had a blast at the Math and Science Night. There were math games throughout the school run by National Honor Society high school students, vendors, food trucks as well as science fair boards and projects displayed in the hallways. Families were invited to walk around looking at the projects and played games with their children.
Tarwater Elementary (2022-2023) |
On February 3, Tarwater hosted its Annual Lunar New Year Festival! Games, performances, cultural activities, and more were showcased to the Toro community. Photo Album: Tarwater Lunar New Year Celebration
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
The Jacobson Elementary "Space Explorers" club was recently feature in the Santan Sun News. Check out the story online here (pages 38-39).
Knox Gifted Academy (2022-2023) |
Please help us congratulate, Manomay Vader of Knox Gifted Academy! Fourth grader Monomay placed 8th in the State Math League Contest. He placed fifth at the district level. As the largest network of local and state math competitions at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in the United States and abroad, mathleague.org runs more than 400 contests globally and reaches over 30,000 students each year.
Chandler Traditional Academy - Freedom Campus (2022-2023) |
Principal Christina Lucas-Sheffield and Dean Melissa Anderson were turned into an ice cream sundae by CTA Freedom students! Families that participated in PTO's checkathon got to vote and participate in this fundraising reward.
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
Jacobson alumni refereed the Annual Turkey Bowl at Jacobson Elementary. All four young men are seniors in CUSD: Hayden Nikolaus (Hamilton), JJ Hinsberg (Hamilton), Xavier Arnett (Hamilton), Drew Vanderah (Arizona College Prep - High School).
Santan Elementary (2022-2023) |
Family, friends, and fun! The Santan Elementary School Pumpkin Fest Carnival was a huge success.
Tarwater Elementary (2022-2023) |
The inaugural meeting of Tarwater's Genius Hour was held this month. Project Managers - Travis Nguyen and Elise Bohn (pictured) are fourth graders helping facilitate the project process for the second grade teams. They will also get an opportunity to work on a project of their own. Students work on their projects at school in a self-directed manner within clear project process framework. Teams recommend and vote for a topic to explore, hone in on a question, and decide how they would like to present their learning. This is part of the empowering skill practice Genius Hour targets. They are nurturing self-motivated learners and self-directed problem solvers. Genius Hour has also provided opportunity for second grade teachers Cindy Bickley, Janell Ochs, Sophia Limjoco, and fourth grade teacher Regina Rahberger to collaborate. They hope to expand the program in the coming semester.
Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence Campus (2022-2023) |
Congratulations to CTA Independence's Spelling Bee 2022-2023 Winner, Snikitha Panyala! We are so proud of your efforts and hard work preparing. Good luck at the district Spelling Bee in January!
Hancock Elementary (2022-2023) |
Priscilla Gillison, office manager at Hancock and an ASU student, is one of three CUSD recipients of the 2022 Intel Teacher Diversity STEAM Grant. Priscilla receives $1,200 which can go toward schooling and education.
"This is going to help me so much because I need a printer at home, but they are so expensive. I also need a desk, so I will not have to cover my dining table with all my schoolwork. I feel incredibly lucky! I want to thank principal Dr. Joe Walters. I would have never even known about this grant, let alone been able to apply had he not recommended me."
"Intel is proud to support CUSD educators dedicated to transforming the school-to-STEAM pipeline into an equitable pathway for all students. Most people had a teacher who changed their life for the better. We are investing in teachers who are inspiring families and striving to make Chandler a more vibrant community for everyone," Jenn Sanchez, Intel Arizona Community Manager, said. Read more on the Intel Teacher Diversity STEAM Grant Winners.
Knox Gifted Academy (2022-2023) |
Nkiruka Aningo, fifth-grade student teacher at Knox Gifted Academy, is one of three CUSD recipients of the Intel Teacher Diversity STEAM Grant in 2022. Nkiruka receives $1,200 which can go toward schooling and education.
" I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I would like to thank the committee for selecting me as one of the winners. I would also like to thank my principal Kristy Braaksma and my mentor teacher Laura Yockey for recommending me for this opportunity."
"Intel is proud to support CUSD educators dedicated to transforming the school-to-STEAM pipeline into an equitable pathway for all students. Most people had a teacher who changed their life for the better. We are investing in teachers who are inspiring families and striving to make Chandler a more vibrant community for everyone," Jenn Sanchez, Intel Arizona Community Manager, said. Read more on the Intel Teacher Diversity STEAM Grant Winners.
Rice Elementary (2022-2023) |
Jack Courtright represented Rice Elementary and won 1st place in the Chess Emporium Fall Classic tournament held in Tempe. Way to go Jack! We are proud of you!
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
Jacobson Jets LOVE our new soccer nets! Thank you, PTO. All three playgrounds received brand new soccer nets and our students are playing hard. Look for the new, large-sized nets on the K-1 playground, the 2-3 playground and the 4-6 playground. Thank you, also, to our sixth grade Leadership Club for putting the nets together for our school community.
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
JETS WORK HARD... PLAY HARD! Hooray for new recess equipment! Our students work hard in the classroom and need time to run and play and socialize together. Beautiful updated playgrounds with new equipment get our kiddos excited.
Jacobson Elementary (2022-2023) |
Jets are making the earth a better place! Thank you to our Jets sixth grade leadership crew. Mrs. Banas and class collect paper to recycle each week. Our recycling crew has filled up an entire dumpster which totals over 400 pounds of paper recycling! The city of Chandler picks up our school's recycling every two weeks.
Santan Elementary (2022-2023) |
Kindergartners in Mrs. Reuss' class took a visit to our health assistant, Mrs. Wingate! They learned where her office is, landmarks they see on the way, and asked her about helping our school and community. She even had time to answer some questions!
Weinberg Gifted Academy (2022-2023) |
Congratulations to Kerri Zitar, winner of the 2022 Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics (AATM) Copper Apple Award for Teaching in Mathematics. The Copper Apple Award is the highest recognition awarded annually by the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics to recognize excellence in mathematics education in Arizona. The Copper Apple Award for Teaching is given to one K-12 teacher who has made outstanding contributions in fostering an interest in mathematics among students.
Basha Elementary (2022-2023) |
A huge shout out to Hamilton High Air Force Junior ROTC for coming to Basha Elementary and training the new flag corps students. They did an excellent job explaining flag etiquette, and our Basha Bobcats are ready to begin their flag corps duty.
Riggs Elementary (2022-2023) |
Riggs first graders Zander Wong and Ever Weems are new authors. The books they created were bar coded and added to the school library by the librarian, Kim Reininga. The librarian offers this opportunity to everyone at the school and these two worked hard to create books to share. Now their friends can check out their books to read!
Riggs Elementary (2022-2023) |
Riggs fifth grade students participated in a science lab based on balanced and unbalanced forces. The challenge was for the students to successfully run all three cogs simultaneously down the track to get from point A to point B in under 30 seconds. The students were under the direction of a classmate to direct their decision making. Students had to consider size, track lengths, and angles amongst other things.
Basha Elementary (2022-2023) |
What a turn out! Basha Elementary PTO held its first event of the year -- Family Bingo Night. Basha families and staff had a great time!