Tolleson ESD

Dear Tolleson ESD Families,

This past week, our Kinder Nights were filled with excitement as we welcomed families ready to take the first step in their child’s educational journey. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making these events special! If you were not able to join us, remember that online enrollment is now open - ensuring every family has access to these important opportunities.

As we continue to improve how we connect with you, I invite you to take a moment to complete our Communication Survey, if you have not already done so. Your feedback will help us refine our methods to better meet your needs. Additionally, stay updated on all district happenings by following us on social media @TollesonESD and checking our weekly newsletter.

Lastly, I would like to personally invite and connect with you during our Conversation & Connections Nights next week. Join me in discussing the exciting goals we are working toward and share your insights.

• Monday, January 27 | Arizona Desert | 4:30 – 5:30 P.M.
• Wednesday, January 29 | Desert Oasis | 4:30 – 5:30 P.M.

I’m looking forward to seeing new and returning families, share more about myself and continue to strengthen our partnership in creating the best for our students.

With gratitude,

Ms. Gisselle Herrera

Superintendent, Tolleson Elementary School District

Our Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) are hard at work preparing to present their LOVE (Leadership, Opportunities, Vision, Excellence) projects to a panel of judges. These incredible projects showcase the students' creativity, dedication, and leadership as they tackle meaningful topics to inspire positive change.

The winner of this competition will proudly represent Tolleson ESD at the JAG State Competition on February 5th, where they will compete against other top students from across Arizona. A huge thank you to our panel of judges for dedicating their time and expertise to support our students in this exciting journey.

We are so proud of our JAG students and their commitment to excellence. We cannot wait to see all our students will achieve 💙👏

Tolleson ESD proudly celebrated our Staff of the Quarter during this past week’s Governing Board meeting. These individuals exemplify dedication, excellence, and a passion for making a difference every day.

• Jennifer Cohn, Occupational Therapist
• Sophia Matos-Jerez, School Nurse
• Marsha Thomas, Music Teacher
• Tiffany Cerda, Nurse
• Joy Villarino, 5th and 6th Grade Science Teacher

At Tolleson ESD, building strong community connections is a cornerstone of our mission, and it starts in the classroom! This week, our amazing School Resource Officer, Officer Gaytan, joined a group of enthusiastic 2nd graders for a special story time session.

With a book in hand and smiles all around, Officer Gaytan shared his love for reading while fostering meaningful connections with students. We are grateful for Officer Gaytan's dedication to building trust and inspiring our future leaders—one story at a time. Thank you for being a role model in and out of the classroom, Officer Gaytan!

This week, we had the privilege of celebrating a remarkable group of parents who successfully completed English classes offered through Maricopa Corporate College. These dedicated individuals exemplify the power of lifelong learning!

The graduating parents were honored during last week’s governing board meeting, where their hard work and commitment were celebrated. Congratulations to our graduates! Your determination and success reflect the values we hold dear—excellence, growth, and the belief that learning never stops.

Last week, 8th graders across our schools had an incredible opportunity to visit West-MEC, where they explored the many exciting programs available to them while attending high school. This hands-on experience gave students a glimpse into unique career pathways that spark curiosity and build real-world skills.

These programs provide students with hands-on learning in fields that shape our communities and environment. Our students left feeling inspired, motivated, and excited about the possibilities ahead! We are proud to give our students early exposure to the tools and opportunities that help them dream big and plan for their futures, especially as they start to plan their course journey for their freshman year of high school.

This past week, our Kinder Enrollment Nights welcomed families eager to learn about the amazing opportunities at Tolleson ESD schools. Parents and guardians had the chance to meet our incredible staff, tour our classrooms, and ask questions about the exciting journey that lies ahead for their little ones.

If you could not make it, don’t worry! Enrollment is still open online, making it easier than ever to join our district family. We are thrilled to see so many future scholars ready to embark on their educational adventure with us! 💛