UPC brings parents from across the district together to enhance the PVSchools experience! 

*UPC is independent from PVUSD and information posted in this newsletter does not represent the views of the Paradise Valley Unified School District.*

Join us for the March UPC Meeting at 9:00 am followed by the monthly presentation beginning at 10:00 am. This month, we will be hearing from different parent groups in PVSchools to learn how they recognize teachers and staff at their schools. They will share ideas for making Teacher Appreciation Week memorable for everyone!

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

9:00am UPC General Meeting

10:00am "How Parent Groups Celebrate Teachers & Staff in PVSchools"

This meeting will be held both in person and online.

To attend in person, please join us in DAC East/West at the District Office: 15002 N 32nd St Or, please register in advance HERE to receive the Zoom link

View the UPC Facebook Event HERE and click "Going"

View the Budget HERE

View the February 19, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Superintendent Search Update:

You can learn more about each candidate and provide your feedback HERE.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a letter to recognize an amazing teacher or staff member! 

We received over 1100 letters about the outstanding educators in PV! More information will be sent to UPC Reps soon! Stay tuned!

We are looking for current UPC Representatives that would like to serve on the Executive Board for the 2025-2026 school year! We will hold our annual elections at the April UPC General Meeting - specific voting information is coming soon for eligible UPC voting reps! The Nominating Committee is currently taking nominations. If you are interested in nominating an eligible UPC Rep (see eligibility details below) for one of the officer positions below, or if you would like to learn more about other volunteer opportunities with UPC, please email info@pvupc.org.

From the UPC Bylaws:

IV. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

A. Executive Board is comprised of the elected officers which includes a President, two (2) Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

1. The PRESIDENT will schedule at least eight (8) General Meetings during the school year, preside at all meetings, commission Standing and Select Committees, appoint Chairpersons to lead such committees, and will represent UPC when necessary before the Governing Board and media. In the event of the temporary absence of the President, he/she shall designate an Executive Board member to act on his/her behalf.
2. The VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP will act as liaison between UPC and the schools, maintain an up-to-date list of all UPC members and those in good standing, act as an aide to the President, circulate and record attendance at each General Meeting, coordinate the review of the UPC By-Laws at least every two years and perform other such duties as requested by the President.
3. The VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMMING will plan and coordinate programs, events and schedule meetings. He/she will work with the President and the Executive Committee to establish goals and will perform other such duties as requested by the President.
4. The SECRETARY will record and maintain the minutes of all General and Executive Committee Meetings, and perform other duties as requested by the President.
5. The TREASURER will deposit all funds in UPC’s bank account, maintain a current and accurate account of receipts and expenditures, present a financial report at each meeting and prepare a written annual budget for voting membership approval at the first General Meeting.

XI. NOMINATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

A. Only UPC Representatives shall be nominated for office.

B. Only those Representatives who have signified their consent to serve if elected shall be nominated for or elected to any office.

C. Any candidate for President or Vice President must be an eligible Representative for the current full operating year; or a member of the Executive Committee for six (6) months prior to his/her election.

D. If no eligible candidate agrees to serve in an officer position, two eligible candidates may be considered to share an officer position (except President) provided both candidates consent to the shared position. If a position is shared, there is only one (1) vote for that position during Executive Board voting.

E. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor provided the candidate is present or has agreed in writing that he/she is willing to serve in that capacity, and meets the qualifications for that office. 

There are so many ways to get involved with UPC- we have something for everyone and there are definitely roles that involve a flexible time commitment. Questions? Please email info@pvupc.org.

United Parent Council's Geri L. Morgan Volunteer Award honors volunteers who display dedication and service to community as exemplified by late UPC member, Geri Morgan. In her memory, UPC annually recognizes a consummate volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution of service. Often it is that passionate, devoted, yet humble volunteer who is doing amazing things that benefit the entire school community. This annual award truly recognizes the crème de la crème among volunteers. Please click here to learn more or submit a nomination.

The nominating period will begin March 26th and close April 12th.

Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day is on Wednesday, April 2, 2025! United Parent Council's Outreach and Special Education Committees have joined forces to organize a special appreciation gift for all of PV’s incredible Instructional Assistants! 

UPC Reps,

Please SIGN UP HERE by Monday, March 31st to deliver appreciation bags to your school by April 2nd. Appreciation bags will be available for pick-up at the district office on Monday 3/31 all day and Tuesday 4/1 until noon. Please plan to deliver your school(s)' bags to the front office of schools no later than the morning of April 2nd so they can be distributed to the Instructional Assistants on April 2nd.

Thank you for helping UPC to show appreciation to our wonderful PVSchools' Instructional Assistants!

Please email any questions to specialed@pvupc.org. 

Join Karen Brown, Director of PV Gifted Education for one of our evening Parent Informational Presentations. Engage in a dynamic conversation with a panel of PV Gifted Specialists focused on strategies to support the gifted child. Join us in person at Greenway Middle School or on Zoom. Please register HERE to receive the Zoom link.

K-12 Science Curriculum and Supplemental Resources

The Curriculum & Instruction Department will be facilitating a committee which will determine a new Tier 1 comprehensive K-12 Science curriculum and possible supplemental curriculum. The District is requesting 6-9 Parent Representatives to serve on the committee. Science educational or work experience is preferred, but not required. The Committee will include:

·    2-3  Elementary School Parents

·    2-3 Middle School Parents

·    2-3 High School Parents

Proposed Meeting Dates: (Tentative)

Meeting #1: Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Meeting #2: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Meeting #3: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Meeting #4: Thursday, May 15, 2025 

Times will be approximately 4:00 - 6:00 pm

*Additional dates will be continued in the Fall 2025 semester and will be

determined at a later date. 

If you would like to volunteer for this committee, please complete this Google Form.

Committee Update:

Band/Strings and Fine Arts Supplemental Resources Committee

This committee has met several times since the fall and created a list of supplemental materials that teachers can use for instruction. You can find more information, the list of supplemental resources and the feedback form HERE. The opportunity to provide feedback ends on April 22nd.

Introducing UPC's New

Digital Learning & Emerging Technologies Committee!



Providing resources for parents regarding PVUSD technology and digital learning services like artificial intelligence, digital citizenship, data governance and technology equipment. You can view the slideshow that was presented at the January UPC meeting HERE.

Reach out to technology@pvusd.org for more information and to join this committee!

All PV parents and guardians are invited attend:

Horizon High School has invited all district parents and guardians to attend this presentation! Stephanie Siete "will explore the significant differences and impacts of growing up on a playground versus in front of a screen. She'll discuss how smartphones can inadvertently expose teenagers to adult content, shaping their expectations and realities. Additionally, Stephanie will address the ease with which strangers can connect online, potentially misleading our youth. She will also engage in an essential conversation about appropriate phone use in schools and at home, along with strategies for wisely managing student screen timeouts."

Learn more HERE.

"How Smartphones and Social Media Impact the Teen Brain"

Tuesday, April 1st at 6:30pm

Horizon High School Auditorium

With the PVEA Prom Boutique just around the corner, we're reaching out for a few remaining wishlist donations. We're looking for items under $10, gift cards, and especially suits in sizes 28-32. You can conveniently support our PV students by purchasing items through our Amazon Wish List. Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and we encourage you to share the link with others.

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3G6TFQMW9C6OY/ref=nav_

Donations can also be dropped off at the district office!

In case you missed it...

HERE is the recording of January's presentation "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Facilities." Thank you to Ms. Jill Barragan, Asst. Superintendent of Business Operations, and Dr. Drew Davis, Director of Facilities, for providing this information and answering our questions!

You can view the slides HERE.

New on UPC's YouTube Channel!

Career and Technical Education

(CTE) Programs

PVSchools offers a wide variety of Career and Technical Education different programs at all five high schools. You can view a list of CTE Programs available at each school HERE. This presentation includes videos of many of the CTE programs and would be great to watch with your student!

Watch the recording HERE.

Fine Arts in PVSchools

Learn about the many programs and opportunities for students to learn more about the fine arts. Also, learn the steps a student needs to take in order to earn the Seal of Fine Arts upon graduating from any of high school.

Watch the recording HERE.

The Gifted Committee and PVSchools' Gifted Education Department have been working together to bring parents information about the variety of gifted programs available in the district.

You can watch videos of all the recent presentations on UPC's YouTube Channel:



CREST Program, click HERE!

Digital Learning Center (DLC at Sunrise Middle School), click HERE!

Journey at Mountain Trail Middle School, click HERE!

North Valley Arts Academy (NVAA), click HERE!

Early Childhood Programs, click HERE!

Learn more about the many Gifted Programs available in PVSchools HERE! .

PVSchools is hiring!

Check out career

opportunities HERE! 

Your participation is vital to the success of UPC and to supporting our students and PVSchools. 

If you have any questions or suggestions, please email President@pvupc.org. 

With gratitude for all you do,

Julie Blumenreich, President 2024-2025

& the UPC Exec Team 

PV United Parent Council