SCV35 News
The Rio Rico Rotary has an annual tradition of donating dictionaries to all third graders across the district. This tradition is one that provides SCV35 students with the gift of knowledge and curiosity. These dictionaries contain not only the meaning of thousands of words, but also fun facts about the fifty states, a list of past presidents, and the longest word in the English language. The District is grateful to the Rotarians for their generosity and kindness towards our students!
by Mark Dittmar
On October 19th, Mountain View 5th grader, Analy Armenta was awarded the highest honor a Santa Cruz County art student can receive, the title of Student Ambassador of the Arts.
The award is given to students who make significant contributions to and help promote art throughout the county.
In Analy’s case, her art work appeared (and sold) in the 2024 Tubac Center for the Arts Mid-High Art Show in April. In May, she was recognized in MVES’ Talent Show and the MV-CtMS End of Year Show. After that her work hung in the Tubac Sotheby’s Office for a month.
Simultaneously, she was recognized by the SCVUSD35 Governing Board and her art was displayed in District Office for the summer. Then in September, Analy won the 2024 Santa Cruz County Fair’s First Place Best of Show Trophy, and her work is currently on display in the Tubac Community Center thru January 1st. Phew! Is it any wonder the humble ten-year old was chosen for this year’s Student Ambassador’s Award?
Recognizing the exceptional talent students like Analy possess, County Assistant Coordinator for History and the Humanities, Mr. Juan Miguel Garcia half-jokingly said, “Students are not just the future, they are our competition.” How true!
“We’re very proud and excited for her,” said her mother Ms. Brenda Armenta, “she loves art.” Her sentiments were echoed by her art teacher, Mr. Mark Dittmar. “Over the years, we’ve had kids on TV, in shows, galleries, festivals, things like that,” he said, “but Analy is Mountain Views first Santa Cruz County Student Ambassador of the Arts. And did you notice, she was the youngest one being presented?”
Hat’s off to Analy! The 2024 Santa Cruz County Student Ambassador of the Arts. You make us proud!
Rio Rico High School Law and Public Safety Club Officers attended the Red Ribbon Luncheon hosted by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department on October 24. This is an annual event which kicked off Red Ribbon Week, known for being America's largest and longest running drug-use prevention campaign. Law and Public Safety Club officers assisted the Sheriff's Department throughout the afternoon, such as the assembling and dismantling of the event and guiding attendees to their seats. This was a great opportunity for students to meet influential figures around the county and learn from a number of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers. One club officer, Suzette Trujillo-Lira said her favorite part of the event was "Meeting the different people who are serving our country, and learning their purposes."
by Uma Gupta
We are proud to announce that Coatimundi Middle School has been honored as one of America's Healthiest Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. This prestigious recognition is awarded to schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting health and wellness through programs and policies that support students in areas such as nutrition, physical activities, mental health and healthy environment. Coatimundi Middle School was one of the 879 national awardees, (19 from state of Arizona). CtMS was also selected as the only All-Star Awardee for the state of Arizona and out of 66 throughout the nation.
For nearly 20 years, the alliance has been a leading children's health organization that advances equitable whole child health. As spokesperson for Coatimundi Middle School in Arizona, Principal Dagoberto Lopez and former Instructional Coach Julianne West attended the America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit 2024 from October 24 through 26 and described how the school/district’s cell-phone policy has improved health for students, families, and staff. Each year, this event brings together hundreds of educators, district administrators, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to advancing equitable whole child health. During Leaders Summit, the alliance honors and celebrates school and district leaders who have been instrumental in implementing healthy practices.
The alliance serves as a motivator for schools to continue improving their health programs and policies, ultimately benefiting student health and well-being. Congratulations to our students, staff and families for making CtMS one America’s Healthiest Schools! We hope to continue our efforts in making CtMS a healthy place for all of our students, staff and families.
Rio Rico High School art teacher Mr. Miguel Grijalva had the privilege of collaborating with RRHS students and others to complete the Present meets Past mural at the Nogales Public Library. Mr. Grijalva oversaw the project and worked directly with the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent's Office. This is the second mural project that Mr. Grijalva has directed. His leadership and expertise working with the SCCSSO last year resulted in him winning the 2023 Mural of the Year Award.
Students and RRHS art club members Fatima Martinez, Maya Gomez, and Bryanna Bustamante were invited by Mr. Grijalva to contribute their talents and efforts to complete the mural this year. The entire project took about three weeks to complete. Mr. Grijalva states that "the students did a fabulous job, working diligently, rendering their creative styles."
The mural is based on Beyond Fronteras Nogales Public Library Mural Program. Historian Dr. Carlos Parra assisted throughout the process by providing historical details and guidance. Speakers during the grand opening of the mural included historian Steve Gastelum and Vicente Lopez-Patronato.
by Emily Van Hassel
Calabasas School is proud to support a vibrant music program, featuring a dedicated 6th/7th grade band, a talented 8th grade band, and a dynamic Jazz Band. These young musicians continually impress with their commitment and talent, providing entertainment for both school and community events.
On October 11th, the 8th grade band had the honor of participating in 8th Grade Night at Rio Rico High School. The students arrived three hours before the football game to practice alongside the high school band, showcasing their determination and passion. During the event, they performed crowd-pleasers like "Hey Ya!" by Outkast and the classic "The Hey Song." One of the highlights for the students was marching down the ramp to the football field, a thrilling experience that added to the excitement of the night. Their performance was met with enthusiasm, and the students left the field feeling proud of their hard work.
Looking ahead, all three bands are gearing up for their upcoming Winter Concert on December 12th. This highly anticipated event will showcase the talents of the 6th/7th grade band, the 8th grade band, and the Jazz Band, offering a festive musical experience for the whole community to enjoy. Be sure to mark your calendars and come out to support these talented young musicians!
