Welcome to Community Relations
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The Community Relations Department is responsible for effectively interacting with our population in the interest of gaining enduring support for our public schools. Key duties include marketing, public and media relations, student/staff recognition, and crisis communication.
Family Updates
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August 5, 2022
Dear GUHSD Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. We are writing to provide you a few updates as we prepare to welcome all our students back on campus in a few days.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
The first day of school begins on Monday, August 8, 2022. More information about the first day, including modified start times, bell schedules, etc., can be found on your school’s website.
IMPORTANT FOOD & NUTRITION UPDATE
The GUHSD Food & Nutrition Department is dedicated to supporting the educational process by providing nutritious, affordable meals to students. We strive to provide students with access to a wide assortment of foods that are both appealing and nutritious. Meals, foods, and beverages sold or served at our schools are based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Over the past two years, the USDA made it possible for school nutrition programs to serve all students free breakfast and lunch through waivers. Congress did not extend these waivers for the upcoming school year. As a result, we will return to charging the regular meal prices for those who do not qualify for the free/reduced-priced meals.
WE NEED YOU: We are asking all families to fill out a free or reduced-price meal application. Regardless of whether you qualify, completed applications bring additional funds and benefits to the District and our schools.
Families who do qualify for free or reduced-price meal benefits for their teen(s) need to submit an application annually. We encourage you to complete the application today. Please contact our Food Service office at 623-435-6040 for additional information and/or help with filling out the application.
NEW & IMPROVED COMMUNICATION TOOLS
As part of our ongoing commitment and partnership with our families and community, we have updated some of the communication tools we offer.
PARENTVUE: We offer parents/guardians an easy way to stay informed about their teen’s progress at school. ParentVUE is an important tool to help parents be connected and support their teen(s). ParentVUE is a password-protected portal that gives parents/guardians web and mobile access to grades, assignments, attendance, and communication with teachers. Parents/guardians only need one login to see information for all their students.
WEBSITES: The district has upgraded all school websites to provide a more effective and user-friendly experience, making it easier for our students, parents/guardians, and staff to find what they are looking for. Our websites include links and information about upcoming events, calendars, important alerts, highlights/features, teacher contact information, and other information about the school.
SOCIAL MEDIA: We invite all families, friends, and community members to follow our social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Our social media pages are our landing spots for in-depth content and stories about our district and our schools. Here, you will find upcoming events, photos, videos, and content highlighting students, staff, and accomplishments.
Additionally, we invite you to “like” your school’s Facebook page to receive regular updates.
https://www.facebook.com/ApolloHighSchoolAZ
https://www.facebook.com/CortezHighSchoolAZ
https://www.facebook.com/GlendaleHighSchoolAZ
https://www.facebook.com/GreenwayHighSchoolAZ
https://www.facebook.com/IndependenceHighSchoolAZ
https://www.facebook.com/MoonValleyHighSchoolAZ
https://www.facebook.com/SunnyslopeHighSchoolAZ
https://www.facebook.com/ThunderbirdHighSchoolAZ
https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonHighSchoolAZ
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL SUPPORTSLike physical health, positive mental health promotes success in life. GUHSD understands the importance of providing more information and resources to enhance the promotion of mental health, social, emotional, and behavioral well-being for all our students.
SOCIAL WORKERS: GUHSD Social Workers are are key members of the school team. Our Social Workers help improve students’ chances for success in school -- and in life. They assess and address social, emotional, and behavioral factors that may stand in the way of students’ ability to learn fully. They apply social work principles and methodologies in the educational environment with the primary goal of removing barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling his or her academic potential.PROJECT AWARE: As we continue to increase awareness and prevention of mental health issues and make ways to develop healthy practices to support students in school, we are beginning our second year of a five-year grant with Project AWARE, which is another resource available to students and their families. Project AWARE allows us to develop a sustainable infrastructure for school-based mental health programs and services and to build a collaborative partnership with community-based providers of behavioral health care services, ensuring that students and families have access and are connected to appropriate and effective behavioral health services.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE: In addition to the supports offered at our schools through the social workers and Project AWARE, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated 988 as a nationwide number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline. It is available to anyone in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
NEW MOMENT OF SILENCE LAW
Due to new legislation, beginning August 8, 2022, all GUHSD schools will provide students the opportunity to have a moment of silence before classroom instruction begins.
House Bill 2707 ensures AZ students have time for a moment of silence while at school. The legislation requires all public and charter schools to provide students the opportunity to take a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day. This one to two minutes can be used for contemplation in a manner determined by the student and their parents.NEW GOVERNING BOARD MEETING TIMES
Effective July 1, 2022, GUHSD governing board meetings have been changed to a 6:00 pm start time. More information, including dates of upcoming meetings, can be found here.
We have so many wonderful things happening in our district! Please make sure to check out the GUHSD webpage to stay up to date on everything happening in our district. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
