Did you know?

• The city of Maricopa is the 5th fastest growing city in the U.S. according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau.
• Projections estimate an additional 7,400 students in the next 10 years. That's the equivalent of a new school every 2 years!
  
  

Due to the rapid growth in Maricopa, the MUSD Governing Board has called for a special bond election on November 5, 2024. The proposed $70 million bond will supplement state funding to construct and expand school facilities over the next several years.

What Will the Bond Fund?

• Construction of two new schools for kindergarten through eighth grade students.
• Additional classroom space at our existing high schools for Career & Technical Education (CTE), College Prep, and Workforce Development.

The district is committed to good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. A committee comprised of district representatives and community stakeholders will be established to provide oversight and regular updates to the community.

For years, MUSD has partnered with a local agency to provide essential food packs for our students. However, just before the school year began, we learned that this partner could no longer continue their support. MUSD staff quickly partnered with Maricopa Pantry and Jim Shoaf to create Hope Boxes filled with shelf-stable items. Thanks to this collaboration, each school, including Maricopa Virtual Academy, received 40 Hope Boxes, ensuring our students have the support they need.

The first episode of our podcast Inside MUSD for the 2024-2025 school year is now available on iTunes, Spotify, and our website. In this episode, CFO Jacob Harmon and Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman take a deep dive into the facts of MUSD Bond Proposition 488. We know our voters have a choice and it’s important to know how this bond impacts our schools and community. Everyone is encouraged to give it a listen!

In partnership with the Maricopa Police Department, we invite you to join us for a:

Safety Town Hall

Wednesday, September 18

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

MUSD Governing Board Room

44150 W. Maricopa Casa Grande Hwy

With recent concerns about school threats, this Safety Town Hall will offer an open dialogue with district leadership and our partners in law enforcement. We’ll collaborate on safety strategies, address concerns, and work together on a proactive response. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts.

To help us prepare, please take a moment to submit your questions in advance so we can ensure they are addressed (https://forms.gle/3ShNvuxMb7BY2hMj9).

Butterfield - Early Release every Wednesday @ 1:35pm

Pima Butte - Early Release every Wednesday @ 1:35pm

• 9/18 - Student Council Meeting @ 7:45am
• 9/19 - PTO Bingo Book Swap @ 5pm
• 9/24 - Site Council @ 5pm
  
  

Maricopa - Early Release every Wednesday @ 1:10pm

• 9/13 - MES Tailgate at the MES Field @ 5pm
  
  

Saddleback - Early Release every Wednesday @ 1:10pm

• 9/20 - Coffee with the Principal @ 7-9am
  
• 9/23-9/27 - Scholastic Book Fair
  
  

Santa Cruz - Early Release every Wednesday @ 1:35pm

• 9/24 - 2nd Grade Art Showcase @ 5:30pm
  
  

Santa Rosa - Early Release every Wednesday @ 1:35pm

• 9/17 - Site Council Meeting @ 4:30pm, Watch D.O.G.S. Pizza Night @ 6pm

*This is not a comprehensive list, please follow the link to your school calendar for more details*

Pima Butte Elementary School's first Watch DOGS (Dads Of Great Students) event turnout was OUTSTANDING! This program is a fantastic opportunity for fathers and father figures to be actively involved in their children's education, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on our school community.

"The 'Dot' stood out to us due to its rich literary significance and the inclusive nature of the mural project. At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, our final staff-building event had every teacher paint their own dot. Over the summer, we painted the wall and displayed all the dot paintings. We plan to engage parents and students by selling dot canvases for them to paint, raising funds for the fine arts department." - Jenna Cummings

Butterfield Elementary School was honored as a School Mental Health Champion in collaboration with Arizona Project AWARE, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, and Arizona Department of Health Services. This award recognizes their commitment to creating a healthy environment for student's academic, social, and overall well-being. MUSD has cultivated relationships with mental health providers offering access to services through school counselors and community partners. Butterfield Elementary earned recognition for their notable efforts, including partnering with behavioral health providers, streamlining mental health referrals, and providing staff with mental health training. These efforts are paving the way toward a future where every student is immersed in a positive, supportive, and mentally nourishing educational environment.

Desert Wind - Early Release every Wednesday @ 2:10pm

• 9/13 - Fall Pictures
• 9/13 - Baseball @ 4:30pm
• 9/18 - Baseball @ 4:30pm
• 9/20 - Girls Volleyball @ 5pm
• 9/20 - Quarter 1 Dance @ 5:30pm - 7:30pm
  
  

Maricopa Wells - Early Release every Wednesday @ 2:10pm

• 9/13 - Family Game Night @ 5pm
• 9/16 - Boys Soccer @ 4:30pm
• 9/24 - Girls Volleyball @ 4:30pm
• 9/25 - Girls Volleyball @ 4:30pm

*This is not a comprehensive list, please follow the link to your school calendar for more details*

At Desert Wind Middle School, the brilliance of our students was on full display during the 4th Annual Toy Expo. 140 students from the Blended Learning program applied the engineering design process to design and prototype their own toys, complete with custom packaging. The Expo is a testament to their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills—qualities that will serve them well in the future.

At Maricopa Wells Middle School, the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Panther Store is making a big impact. This program reinforces positive behavior by allowing students to earn “Panther Paw Tickets” for demonstrating respect, responsibility, and safety. Students can then exchange these tickets for rewards at the Panther Store. This system promotes a positive school culture, encourages good behavior, and keeps students engaged and motivated to achieve.

Desert Sunrise HS - Early Release every Wednesday @ 12:30pm

• 9/13 - Varsity Football @ 7pm
  
• 9/14 - Homecoming @ 7pm
• 9/17 - Varsity Flag Football @ 7pm
• 9/19 - JV Football @ 6pm
• 9/24 - NHS Induction Ceremony @ 6pm
• 9/25 - Cross Country @ 3pm
• 9/25 - Girls Volleyball @ 4pm-7pm
• 9/27- Varsity Football @ 7pm
  
  

Maricopa HS - Early Release every Wednesday @ 12:30pm

• 9/13 - Varsity Football @ 7pm
  
• 9/16 - Picture Day (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors)
• 9/18 - FR/SO Football @ 6pm
• 9/19 - Ak-Chin Education Parent Night @ 5:30
• 9/19 - Flag Football @ 6pm
• 9/20 - Varsity Football @ 7pm
• 9/24 - Girls Volleyball @ 4pm-7:30pm, Flag Football @ 6pm
• 9/25 - FR/SO Football @ 6pm
• 9/26 - Girls Volleyball @ 4pm-7:30pm
• 9/ 27 - Varsity Football @ 7pm

*This is not a comprehensive list, please follow the link to your school calendar for more details*

Both Maricopa High School and Desert Sunrise High School recently held their own Senior Sunrise events, marking a special moment for their respective senior classes. For Desert Sunrise, this was an especially exciting occasion, as it celebrated their first-ever Senior Sunrise with the Class of 2025, who will be the school's inaugural graduating class. Students from both schools gathered early in the morning, dressed in cozy pajamas, and enjoyed breakfast as they posed with handmade signs and photo frames, capturing the excitement of their final year of high school.

The CTE team is excited to launch the first edition of Career Compass- your go- to guide for planning your future! Discover tips on choosing the right career path, securing scholarships, and making the most of your high school journey. Whether you're dreaming of college, trade school, or jumping right into a career, Career Compass has you covered. Start planning today for a bright future tomorrow!