Cochise County Schools AEL Effects
If you would like to know more about the Aggregate Expenditure Limit, and how it will impact the education of students in Cochise County, click the image to read or download the full paper.
Congratulations Mr. Nino Casio!
We recently had the privilege of recognizing Mr. Nino Casio as an Outstanding Educator!
Mr. Casio's Principal had this to say about him:
In the classroom, Mr. Casio’s patience and personal connections with the students allow him to meet their needs academically and socially. He devotes an incredible amount of time and invests great care into his preparation and delivery of dynamic, engaging, tech-savvy lessons. He ensures that his is a classroom in which students are accepted and challenged. He is highly reflective of his teaching and continually searches for new ways to enhance his craft and grow professionally.
In addition to this, Mr. Casio is also our Student Council sponsor this year. Student Council and he have been busy all year working on creative and meaningful experiences for our staff and students. Everything from guest speakers, skits, and dances during Dr. Seuss Week to honoring his colleagues with an Oscars Ceremony for Teacher Appreciation Week. As an example of his creative and generous spirit, Academy awards with personal greetings from the students were presented to Joe Carlson's teachers honoring their collective contributions to our school—a truly touching and amazing way to have the students build up and celebrate their teachers.
Mr. Casio is well respected by parents, students, and colleagues. He balances high expectations for student performance while ensuring that his classroom is a safe and enjoyable learning environment.
Check out these images from Superintendent Clay's visit to The Be Kind Project and the Center for Academic Success - Douglas!
"The Center For Academic Success (CAS) Douglas is another AWESOME "Be Kind" school in Cochise County. I had the pleasure of visiting Pueblo Del Sol of SVPS and CAS-Douglas to celebrate our Be Kind initiative with the Be Kind Crew. Cochise County is a "Be Kind" county and proud of it! <3
Students want and need genuine positivity, receiving the message of respectfulness within the classroom and through collaborative organizations is a plus. The Be Kind Project "sings the same positive song" that our educators sing while helping students to encourage each other by being supportive, considerate, and helpful. Watch The Be Kind Project crew was fun, interactive, and displayed the power of interdependency."
Check out this interview of Superintendent Clay by CoolFM! Congratulations on your appointment Mrs. Clay!
Congratulations to all of our AMAZING Spellers!
We can't wait to see you all again in 2023!
The Office of Cochise County School Superintendent congratulates two exemplary teachers for their recent awards and career achievements.
Mr. Ty White from Willcox High School has been named the winner and recipient of the Arizona Rural School Association Teacher of the Year Award. A chemistry teacher, Mr. White sponsors many programs at Willcox High School including the Knowledge Bowl, the Gifted Club, and Robotics. He is also one of the leaders of the STEM program and is the Space Settlement Design Coach and Organizer.
Mr. White’s core beliefs are that every student deserves equitable opportunities to learn, and every student should develop scientific literacy, just as they develop literacy in other subjects. He also believes in being part of the solution in equalizing access to opportunities for students of different backgrounds.
“We are very proud to have Mr. White teaching in Cochise County,” says School Superintendent Jacqui Clay.
Mrs. LeeAnn Howell of Colonel Smith Middle School in Fort Huachuca is also being recognized as a selected finalist of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Recipients of the award receive $10,000, a trip to Washington D.C., and a certificate signed by the President of the Unites States. Mrs. Howell attributes her success to having strong mentors and she believes that being in a room and network with like-minded science and math educators is important.
“Congratulations again, Mrs. Howell,” added Jacqui Clay. “We cannot wait to see what you and your students accomplish in the coming years.”
Check out our Mask Forum that took place on Sept. 14th!
Congratulations
Teacher of the Year Finalists!
We will be recognizing our Champions at the Sierra Vista Mall (Sears parking lot), on the 17th of April, starting at 9:00 a.m.
It is not too late to donate to this event (monetary, coupons, gift certificates, baskets, or items to go in their gift bags).
If you are interested, please contact Ben Reyna (bmreyna@cochise.az.gov) and we will add your name and/or logo to our program on our "Supporters" page.
Thank you for supporting our educators.
(click the images for full size pop-ups)
Congratulations
CEF Mini-Grant Recipients!
Congratulations to our 2021 CEF Mini-Grant Recipients. Each of these amazing educators will receive $200 to fund amazing and innovative projects for the students of Cochise County.
(Click the Image for a Full Size Pop-Up)
Buena Career and Technical Education Fair
Saturday, May 8, from 9AM-Noon
at the Rothery Educational Services Center.
Sierra Vista Unified School District is hosting a great opportunity to meet Buena High School CTE teachers and see live student demonstrations. Local leaders, industry professionals, and businesses are welcome to stop by and see the learning opportunities available for students at Buena! The CTE programs demonstrated included Arizona Department of Education vetted Curriculums and Standards, Industry Certifications, Career and Technical Student Organizations, Internships, and Work based learning options.
New Principal at PPTEC
Congratulations to Mrs. Johanna Scott, former Community Outreach Coordinator for CCSSO and New Principal of PPTEC High School in Sierra Vista. Pictured above is Mrs. Johanna Scott in her new office and Cochise County School Superintendent, Jacqui CLay with new Principal, Johanna Scott at the entrance of PPTEC High School in Sierra Vista.
Free Parenting Workshop
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Our Valley Union High School Seniors help the Elfrida Library!
A collaborative approach to improve a rural County library has not only enhanced the environment for patrons but saved taxpayers hundreds of dollars.
The Elfrida Library, a branch of the Cochise County Library District, has been a busy community hub since it opened in 2003. Books and programs have come and gone, but the physical space has not changed much over the years. The collection of books sat on bare metal shelves, which were functional but uninviting.
Library staff hoped to improve the appearance of the facility by adding wooden end panels to the shelving, but the cost – more than $2,100 – was more than was available to spend. In March, the library reached out to Valley Union High School for help.
Principal Kyle Hart and Agriscience Instructor Davida Noble were willing to consider the end panels as a student project, and the library was able to purchase wood and supplies for under $400. Seniors in the Agriscience program got to work in their wood shop and by the end of the school year had crafted eight end panels, nearly identical to those from the library supplier.
The Cochise County Facilities Department installed the panels at the library earlier this month and name plates were added thanking the students and Valley Union High School.
“It is amazing how much this changes the look of the library,” said Branch Manager Stephanie Fulton. “It is much warmer and more welcoming. The students did an amazing and professional job.”
The improved shelving combines with new children’s furniture and updated youth collections at the library, which were purchased with support from the Troller Fund, held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.
Library District Director Amadee Ricketts said, “We are excited about the opportunity to make the library a more comfortable space for the whole community, and we are thankful for the help we have received from partners like Valley Union High School and the Troller Fund. With their help, the Elfrida Library is better than ever.”
Learn more about the libraries at www.cochiselibrary.org, or call the Cochise County Library District at 520-432-8930.
(reprinted from the Cochise Today, vol. 2 no.13, June 25, 2019, a public information newsletter published by Cochise County)
Connecting the Dots...
Bowie USD receives Health and Wellness Award from Cochise County School Superintendent, Jacqui Clay
Students, school board members, community members, staff, teachers, administrators from Bowie USD, and employees from the Cochise County Health Department and the University of Arizona came together to present the County Superintendent of Schools Health and Wellness Award to the Bowie Unified School District. This award recognizes the Bowie school district for their effort, work, dedication, and attention to school health and wellness. With the support and leadership of Mrs. Wendy Conger (the Bowie USD Superintendent) Bowie USD has been working with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension and the Cochise County Health Department to strengthen and expand their school health policy through monthly school health advisory committee (SHAC) meetings, direct nutrition and healthy living instruction with Andrea Parra ( U of A / SNAP Ed), and adding specific school policy that increases physical activity, implementation of school gardens, and incorporation of agriculture curriculum in the classrooms. These efforts are supported by the Cochise County School Superintendent, Jacqui Clay - who is seeking to strengthen school health and wellness policy throughout Cochise County. In 2018, Mrs. Clay came together with the University of Arizona, the Cochise County Health Department, the Food bank of Southern Arizona, and First Things First in a collaborative grant called Building Healthy Communities - funded by the Legacy Foundation. This grant seeks to fortify and expand county wide school health and wellness, expand food access for all Cochise County residents, and improve community efforts that move forward goals in the Cochise County Health Improvement Plan. The award was presented by Joseph Sprietsma, Program Coordinator School Liaison/Building Healthy Communities.
Loretto Catholic School
School Visits
What a wonderful time visiting Loretto Catholic School in Douglas. Sister Mary Aloysius and her staff give 100% to their students. Visiting this school warmed my heart and was a great blessing.
Lunchtime Conversations with STEM
Hosted by AZSciTech
Cochise County School Superintendent Jacqui Clay Spoke during this hosted lunchtime conversation. The entire video is embedded below.
Past News and Events
Two Cochise County Students Nominated to Air Force Academy
Congratulations to Jade Luinstra of Tombstone High School, and Ashlynn Sweet of Buena High School, for their nominations to the United States Air Force Academy!
Ashlynn Sweet
Buena High School
Jade Luinstra
Tombstone High School
Congratulations!
We are proud of you!
We're Moving!
Press Release
For Immediate Release, March 17, 2021
Contact: Nikki Madden kmadden@cochise.az.gov
County School Superintendent’s Office Relocating
The Cochise County School Superintendent’s Office will be relocating from Bisbee to Sierra Vista on March 30, 2021. Computer and telephone equipment will be moved on this date, so communication may be intermittent.
New Address
4001 E Foothills Drive
Suite #A
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
New Phone Number
520-803-3380
2021 Innovations in Education Conference registration is now open!
Saturday, January 23rd, 2021
9AM to 5PM
Cochise County: Facing the Future Together!
Our fun and exciting conference is flexible to fit into your busy schedule!
Join us for the full day, or choose from an amazing selection of workshops at your convenience and earn up to 8 PD Hours!
Registration for educators is Free, sponsored by SSVEC and Local Education Leaders
General Public Registration is $30.00
For Registration and More Information, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8KQ2QSR
For a tentative session list, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2021IoEPRGM
For questions, please contact Ben Reyna @ bmreyna@cochise.az.gov
Willcox Teacher Recognized as HS Chemistry Teacher of the Year
Ty White, a chemistry teacher from Willcox high school, has been named the "Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Chemical Society High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year!"
CONGRATULATIONS TY!!!
We are EXTREMELY Proud of you!
 Sheriff Dannels, Jail Commander Bradshaw, Superintendent Clay and Deputy Superintendent Madden discuss further educational plans for the jail |  Sheriff Dannels, Jail Commander Bradshaw, Superintendent Clay and Deputy Superintendent Madden discuss further educational plans for the jail |  Sheriff Dannels, Jail Commander Bradshaw, Superintendent Clay and Deputy Superintendent Madden discuss further educational plans for the jail |
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Currently, services provided at the jail are Special Needs services for students up to 22 and educational services for those minor students. Soon we will add adult services which includes GED preparation and GED testing. This collaboration will be great for our county.
Free Mobile Clinic on October 20th!
Click the images for a downloadable PDF
Our rescheduled Teacher of the Year Celebration
It is our pleasure to announce the rescheduled Teacher of the Year Celebration on the 26th of September, 2020. The event will take place from 10 AM to 12 PM in the Sears parking lot at the Mall at Sierra Vista. RSVPs are now open for Honorees and for those interested in attending to support our amazing teachers.
A complete list of our amazing honorees can be found here!
***This will be a GALA event!***
RSVP for Honorees: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WDSQ8MX
RSVP for Attendees: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WDYZ5HY
Save The Date for the 2021 Innovations in Education Conference!
We are also looking for student art submissions, music and performance recordings to spotlight during the event breaks and transitions.
If you are interested in submitting , please contact bmreyna@cochise.az.gov for more information.
Tu Nidito Expands Services to Southern Arizona
Tu Nidito provides services for children, families, and young adults who are grieving the death of a loved one or a serious medical diagnosis.
If you or someone in your network meets a family who is interested in our services, a referral can be made online at our website (tunidito.org) or by phone (520-322-9155).
Their programs are free to families, provided virtually, and available in English and Spanish. Descriptions can be found on the attached flyers.
Click on the images for downloadable PDF files.
Working to Connect the Dots for Education in Cochise County
 Online Accommodation School on the Horizon for Cochise County |  Online Accommodation School on the Horizon for Cochise County |
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Collaborating with GradSolutions, LLC to form a County "Dropout Recovery" Accommodation school. This will potentially help reduce our Opportunity Youth rate (see Expect more Arizona - Arizona Education Progress Meter ) which is currently at 13% (our goal is 7%) and helps our schools. Opportunity youth are 16 - 24 year olds not going to school or working. More information to come.
GradSolutions have also donated 10 Chromebooks to our County Education center. THANK YOU!
We will use these devices for GED preparation or online education for our students who are released from the jail or detention center. Did you also know that we are now a GED testing site for our jail/detention center students? Everyone should have a second chance and we love ALL of our students.
Superintendent Clay's Recent conversation with Todd Ryen at CoolFM Online
COCHISE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS JACQUI CLAY speaks on the Closing of The Youth Detention Center in Sierra Vista and the effects on local troubled Youth and their families.
Notes from Rep. Udall's Town Hall Meetings
AZ State Representative Michelle Udall, Chair of the Education Committee, recently held two Town Hall meetings on July 17 and July 27, 2020. Many of the educational leaders of Cochise County were in attendance. Below is a link to notes from those meetings. Click on File link to view
FLASH! Important Town Hall Meeting Tomorrow , Friday July 17, 2020
Representative Udall (Chair of the Educational Committee) will have an educational town hall meeting tomorrow online at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 17th from 11 am to noon, regarding the upcoming school year, the executive orders, and the delay of in-person classes.
Below is the information video teleconference information regarding the Townhall meeting tomorrow:
Topic: Education town hall
Time: Jul 17, 2020 11:00 AM Arizona
Join Zoom Meeting
https://azleg.zoom.us/j/99039890888?pwd=T3pjZWMwblB0SEVyY1FScHcwT0lpUT09
Meeting ID: 990 3989 0888
Password: 758220
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,99039890888# US (Houston)
+16692192599,,99039890888# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 219 2599 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 990 3989 0888
Find your local number: https://azleg.zoom.us/u/aeqguEMSwT
IMPORTANT!
Supporting educators in the new school year
register now for the state webinar
15 July 2020
Executive Order 2020-41 and 2020-44 FAQ, which was released today.
This FAQ and more will be discussed at this Wednesday’s School Finance and Executive Order Webinar with the Arizona School Administrators, Arizona School Boards Association, and the Arizona Association of School Business Officials. You may register for the webinar here.
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4265103868781914379
Announcing #DistanceLearningDay
Tune in on Thursday, June 4th, to feature presentations on lessons, insights, strategies, and tips from innovative educators around the country. You won’t want to miss this impressive lineup!
Topics range from app-smashing for remote learning, to fun social-emotional learning activities, synchronous vs asynchronous learning, collaboration tactics, and robust systems to track students progress from afar.
You’ll discover new tools, strategies, and systems of learning applied by professional educators who are driving the education technology industry forward. In addition, during an interactive portion of the event you’ll have the opportunity to join a Zoom Breakout Room and connect with other educators, share your experiences, and learn through collaboration and conversation.
If you are planning what you’ll implement in the upcoming school year, you won’t want to miss out on this day of learning
Palominas Elementary School District wins the 2020 School Health and Wellness Award!
Pictured are Jacqui Clay, Cochise County School Superintendent, and Sepp Sprietsma, U of A Cooperative Extension Building Healthy Communities Coordinator presenting the Cochise County Schools Health and Wellness Award to Palominas Wellness Team Leaders, Marissa Herrera and Liz Allen along with other team members. In recognition for all of their work on the Cochise County Healthy Schools initiative. Congratulations to all of the students, parents, School Staff, and community members who worked to make Palominas ESD an example of school wellness in Cochise County!
Bowie Salutes 2020 Graduates!
Let's all join the Bowie Unified School District in honoring it's High School Graduates, Class of 2020. Pictured left to right are, Alyssa Landt, Judy Tumlinson, John Houston Klump, Morgan Murray and Destiny Bragg. This Class will be distingushed and honored by being the first High School graduating class of Bowie USD to have a virtual graduation ceremony.Click on button below to view their commencement ceremony.
Education Improvements at the Juvenile Detention Center
County collaboration leads to education improvements
A collaboration between Cochise County’s Superior Court and School Superintendent’s Office has seen significant improvements in the level of education being offered at the Juvenile Detention Center.
A new approach to educational classes has allowed School Superintendent Jacqui Clay to provide the services of a special education teacher from the Cochise County Jail to young people held at the Detention Center in Sierra Vista. These services were previously provided by a contractor at a minimum of $50 per hour, but these costs will be eliminated by combining resources.
“We’re having better results with this coming under the Superintendent’s Office,” Clay told the Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting on April 21. The Board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the two County entities following a trial period.
“We have seen students receive reduced sentences due to their grades and educational performance,” said Clay, adding students are enrolled into an online high school which allows them to more easily transition to their community school upon release. They also have the option of continuing high school online.
Additional class modules have also been added, allowing students to follow a more traditional learning schedule.
“We’ve been doing this on a trial basis, but it’s working,” said Clay.
Presiding Juvenile Judge Terry Bannon said she was delighted with the initial results of the new partnership, adding the students had “responded with the type of enthusiasm and engagement I had not seen before”.
Supervisor Ann English praised the cooperation between the School Superintendent’s Office and the Superior Court.
“I compliment them for realizing a strong need for an education service for these students,” she said. “There is a need to have something concrete and for a program that’s viable. A lot of thought and attention has gone into it and there are measurements.”
The IGA, effective from July 1 through June 30, 2022, was unanimously approved by all three Supervisors, who attended the meeting remotely via conference call.
Many Thanks to Arizona G&T Cooperatives
for Their Generous Support of Our CEF
Mini-Grants Program!
Arizona’s G & T Cooperatives , Geoff Oldfather, Cooperatives Communications and Public Relations Manager. Along with James D. Wallace, Cooperatives Communications, Social Media and Marketing Administrator. Visits Cochise County School Superintendent, Jacqui Clay to present their donation in support of CEF’s Mini Grant Program.
Arizona Generation and Transmission Cooperatives (AzGT) provides wholesale electricity for six Class A Member Cooperatives, including Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative(SSVEC), that serve rural Arizona, New Mexico and California. AzGT also provides energy management services for a growing list of customers. As a cooperative, AzGT abides by the Seven Cooperative Principals, which include Concern for Community. Supporting education in Cochise County is another way that AzGT serves the members who use its power at the end of the line.
Community Leaders, Lawley Kia and Legacy Foundation Step Up to Support our Students' Asthma Inhaler Program.
Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, Chief Executive Officer, Margaret Hepburn presents a check to Cochise County School Superintendent, Jacqui Clay. The donation from Legacy is towards the Cochise County Student Asthma Inhaler initiative.
Sean Lawley of Lawley Kia presenting a check to Cochise County School Superintendent, Jacqui Clay, which will sponsor the School asthma inhaler program for Cochise County Students and also for the upcoming Cochise County Teacher of the Year Awards
Lawley Kia, along with Legacy are sponsoring a school asthma inhaler program that will be introduced at the 2020 Innovations In Education Conference taking place January 24-25. Lawley Kia is also sponsoring our Teacher of the Year awards banquet coming up April 5th.
Congratulations message from Cochise County School Superintendent Jacqui Clay to our Graduating Class of 2020
Good News to use for our Graduating Class of 2020!
To all our Amazing 2020 High School Graduates of Cochise County,
Cochise College is giving every graduating high school senior a $1000 ($500 over 2 years) scholarship. Dr. Rottweiler, President of Cochise College made the decision to award scholarships to all high school seniors, Class of 2020 of Cochise County.
Besides the scholarships, Dr. Rottweiler lowered online tuition rates for the summer and fall semesters. Because of the uncertainty of in-person instruction, he wanted to offer online classes at the same price as in-person instruction. Cochise College Summer Registration opened May 1st
For more information: https://www.cochise.edu/fa/#1481128058655-40e3ae72-dd9d
The scholarship can be used in addition to financial aid. This is in conjunction with the Achieve 60 initiative.
We Thank You Salvation Army, for your support to Cochise County!
Sheriff Dannels, Jail Commander Bradshaw, Superintendent Clay and Deputy Superintendent Madden discuss further educational plans for the jail | Sheriff Dannels, Jail Commander Bradshaw, Superintendent Clay and Deputy Superintendent Madden discuss further educational plans for the jail | Sheriff Dannels, Jail Commander Bradshaw, Superintendent Clay and Deputy Superintendent Madden discuss further educational plans for the jail |
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Currently, services provided at the jail are Special Needs services for students up to 22 and educational services for those minor students. Soon we will add adult services which includes GED preparation and GED testing. This collaboration will be great for our county.
Arizona G&T Cooperatives and CoBank's Sharing Success program make a combined donation of $5000 to Cochise Education Foundation
Pictured above are CCSSO Community Outreach Coordinator, Ben Reyna, Cochise County Schools Superintendent, Jacqui Clay, and JD Wallace of Arizona G&T Cooperatives. Arizona G&T Cooperatives and CoBank's Sharing Success program made a combined donation of $5000 for the Cochise Education Foundation to support the Teacher of the Year, Education Mini-Grant, and Professional Development programs, as well as other CEF initiatives.
Welcome Dr. Eric Holmes!
Cochise County School Superintendent Jacqui Clay welcomes newly appointed Sierra Vista Unified School District School Superintendent, Dr. Eric Holmes. Dr. Holmes previously served as School Superintendent of the City of York, Pennsylvania. Dr. Holmes also worked as an Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the City of York School District and as a middle school principal. Dr. Holmes has 32 years’ experience as an educator.
Cochise County School Superintendent Jacqui Clay welcomes and sits down with newly appointed Sierra Vista Unified School District School Superintendent, Dr. Eric Holmes in her office in Bisbee.
Read AZ Superintendent of Instruction, Kathy Hoffman and Task Force considerations for Fall 2020 school opening!
Discussion about our next step
We would like to share an interview with you between Cochise County School Superintendent, Jacqui Clay and Kareem Neal, Arizona Teacher of the year for 2019
Question
What are you most concerned about with everything opens back up?
Remember Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs?
To listen to the interview please click the link below:
Thank YOU Kareem, also, for your insight. I look forward to our continued collaborative efforts to serve our educational communi