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Please join us for the monthly UPC meeting on Wednesday, May 17th We will begin with a brief Q&A with Dr. Bales and then continue with the UPC meeting. Beginning at 10:00am, we will have the traditional final presentation of the year: "The Closing Bell" by Dr. Bales.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

9:00am UPC General Meeting

10:00am "The Closing Bell"

This meeting will be held both in person and online.

To attend in person, please join us in DAC East/West at the District Office: 15002 N 32nd St Or please register in advance HERE to receive the Zoom link.

View the UPC Facebook Event HERE and click "Going"

Meeting Agenda

Budget

View the April 19, 2023 Meeting Minutes

Thank you to all the parents and students who wrote letters and everyone who helped with Teacher/Staff Appreciation this year! We had a wonderful, new event to celebrate the recipients this year. Here is the video with photos from the event, slides with all of the recipients' names and vocal performance by Wildfire Elementary 5th grade student, Lilah Guglielmo!

Geri L. Morgan Volunteer Award

United Parent Council's Geri L. Morgan Volunteer Award honors volunteers who display dedication and service to community as exemplified by late UPC member Geri Morgan. In her memory, UPC annually recognizes a consummate volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution of service. Often it is that passionate, devoted, yet humble volunteer who is doing amazing things that benefit the entire school community.

We are pleased to announce this year's recipient: Lisa Hoberg from Paradise Valley High School!

Lisa has been an active volunteer in PVSchools for the last eight years:

-UPC Rep for North Ranch ES, Vista Verde MS and PVHS

-UPC Gifted and Special Ed Committees Liaison for Families of Twice Exceptional (2e) Students

-Active in North Ranch PTA

-Vista Verde Middle School PTA President and School Council Member

-Paradise Valley High School PTO Vice President and School Council Member

-Pride of Paradise Band and Orchestra Booster Secretary

-Community Legislative Network Committee Chair for 4 years

-Yes! for PV Students PAC Chair for the last 3 Bond and Override Elections

List of All 2023 Nominees:

Jennifer Burns- Sonoran Sky

Pat & Charlie (the therapy dog)- Roadrunner

Monica Snyder- Horizon

Madison Beedy- Greyhawk

Esther Kovacs- Palomino Primary

Melinda Turner- Wildfire

Lisa Hoberg- PV High

April Alviar- Desert Springs

Glen Burt- Sonoran Sky

Christina DeMarco- Whispering Wind

Thank you to all the nominees for your tireless support of PVSchools!

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 UPC Executive Board!

Mark your calendars!

Special Summer Presentation for Parents on July 27th!

Gifted in Paradise and UPC welcomes back Emily Kircher-Morris, M.A., M.Ed., LPC. At this session Emily will discuss:

1) Identify the characteristics of a neurodivergent child.

2) Explore strategies to support a neurodivergent child.

3) Examine strategies to advocate for 2E students.

This is an exciting opportunity for parents to attend an information night before the school year even begins! All are welcome to attend! If you plan to attend virtually, please register HERE to receive the zoom link.

Learn more about the presenter:

Emily Kircher-Morris, M.A., M.Ed., LPC, inspired by her own experiences as a neurodivergent person, is dedicated to destigmatizing neurodiversity and supporting neurodivergent people of all ages. She started her career in education and is now in private practice near St. Louis, Missouri as a licensed professional counselor, where she specializes in supporting neurodivergent kids and adults (and their families).

Emily hosts The Neurodiversity Podcast, which explores the psychological, educational, and social needs for enriching the lives of neurodivergent people. She speaks at statewide, national, and international conferences and frequently provides virtual and in-person professional development to educators, mental health clinicians, and parents worldwide.

Emily is the author of two books related to the development of children and teens who are neurodivergent and cognitively gifted. “Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today's Classroom" (Free Spirit Publishing, 2021) focuses on supporting 2e learners in the educational setting, and the forthcoming "Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids" (Routledge, 01/22) is a guide for parents navigating the world of twice-exceptionality.

Have you seen this video yet from Vista Verde Middle School's awesome math teacher,

Mr. Jared Such?

Parents in the community were so inspired by this video that they asked UPC if we could support their efforts! UPC is collecting donations through PayPal so we can match what is raised at VVMS!

Students at Vista Verde raised $601 last week! So far UPC has collected $350 in matching donations. There is still time to contribute! Please support the efforts of the Vista Verde students by making a donation through this link. UPC will then make a donation to Wigs For Kids in the name of Vista Verde Middle School.

Thank you for your support!

As we wrap up another year, we would like to thank all of the UPC Representatives and Alternates that attended UPC meetings and then returned to your school communities to share the information with parents there. Thank you for volunteering your time to make sure parents have all the information and support they need to support their child's education.

Keep an eye on UPC's Facebook page over the summer for any updates and information. Our 2023-2024 meeting schedule will be announced via our Facebook page as well as pvupc.org.

Career and Technical Education

(CTE) Programs

PVSchools offers a wide variety of Career and Technical Education different programs at all five high schools. You can view a list of CTE Programs available at each school HERE. This presentation includes videos of many of the CTE programs and would be great to watch with your student!

Watch the recording HERE.

PVSchools Resources for Families:

HERE is UPC's List of Health and Wellness Resources 

View the District's list of Resources for Families: English and Español

PVSchools is hiring! Check out career opportunities HERE! 

Your participation is vital to the success of UPC and to supporting our students and PVSchools. 

If you have any questions or suggestions, please email President@pvupc.org. 

With gratitude for all you do,

Kea Carota & the UPC Exec Team 

President 2022/2023

PV United Parent Council