Isaac School District #5

Congratulations to two Isaac School District teachers, Ms. Tracy Soldat from Alta E. Butler Elementary School and Mr. Shawn Youngberg from Isaac Middle School for being two of 500 teachers selected for the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers Program. On behalf of the Fiesta Bowl organization, those two teachers will receive a $2,500 grant to support their students.

Ms. Kimberly Ortiz from J.B. Sutton Elementary has been selected as Teacher of the Month by Desert Ford Dealers. This honor celebrates dedicated Arizona teachers who make a meaningful impact on students’ education and lives across the state. This campaign is sponsored by Desert Ford Dealers in partnership with Univision Arizona and All In Education. Univision Arizona produced a 30-second commercial spotlighting Ms. Ortiz, airing statewide throughout November. Additionally, J.B. Sutton will receive a generous $1,000 donation in support of the site’s educational initiatives.

Mrs. Dalila Vargas, a 6-8th grade middle school teacher at Pueblo Del Sol (PDS) was selected as Burch & Cracchiolo's October Star Teacher. Mrs. Vargas was nominated by fellow PDS teacher, Ms. Lauren Hawks, who is also a Star Teacher alumni from May of 2022.

Director of Family and Community Programs, Ms. Marcela Lopez, was featured in the “Focus on” series by WorkingNation. WorkingNation shares the ideas and efforts from people across the nation that are creating jobs and giving opportunity for family-sustaining jobs and economic mobility.

ISD was honored with the Healthy Arizona Worksites Platinum Award by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). This award recognizes our efforts to support the well-being of our employees and community through evidence-based initiatives. Here at Isaac, we remain committed to improving the health, well-being, and equity of our staff, students, and community.

AZ Central covers the story of our recently introduced electric school buses as part of a broader initiative funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The new buses are part of a $5 billion program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aimed at reducing emissions and improving air quality.

Isaac Middle School has been announced as one of 122 schools from across the nation and the only individual school in Arizona to have been named a 2024 SupportMusic Merit Award winner by the NAMM Foundation.  This designation is awarded to schools for their committment to music education.

The Isaac School District partners up with the City of Phoenix, Arizona Sustainability Alliance, V&P Nurseries, ISD Staff, students, families, and volunteers to plant trees across schools for a healthier future for our students and community. This landmark event marks the first school tree planting funded by the American Rescue Plan Act through the Canopy for Kids Program in Arizona.

Our ISD Communications Department was honored and recognized with 7 Awards of Excellence from the Arizona School Public Relations Association for their diligent work on various projects that enhance communication, branding, and sharing our district’s story.

Director of Family and Community Program, Marcela Lopez, speaks about the Heart of Isaac Community Center and their mission to empower and support the community.

AZ Central showcases Mr. Jason Catanese for his efforts in launching a camp to help students prepare for college. Our Isaac students participate in this camp and continue their higher education priorities. 

The Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program was created in 2016 which grants classroom wishes to teachers across the state of Arizona. We are happy to announce that 12 Isaac School District teachers were selected to receive a $2,500 grant through DonorsChoose on behalf of Palo Verde. 500 recipients across the state were selected at random during a virtual Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP. These recipients were invited to walk in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade and were recognized on-field during the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

Mr. Kevin Sotomayor, Principal at Isaac Middle School, has been recognized as Principal of the Year for his outstanding leadership and dedication to student success. This prestigious honor acknowledges his tireless efforts in fostering a positive learning environment and implementing innovative strategies that have significantly impacted the school community.

Congratulations to our Superintendent, Dr. Mario Ventura, for being recognized as the 2023 Outstanding Superintendent presented by the Arizona Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (AZALAS). Your leadership, commitment, and guidance supports our mission, vision, and core values here at the Isaac School District.

The Arizona Cardinals visited Moya Elementary to read books with students to promote the importance of reading. The Arizona Cardinals, SRP, and Albertsons-Safeway have been partnering for 20 years to offer the “Milk & Cookies” Reading Program. Two Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders and Arizona Cardinals player, Daniel Arias read several books and provided 2 Q&A sessions. Students also received an autographed backpack with some goodies.

The Stepping Stone Foundation collaborates with ISD schools to provide high quality multi-generational learning. The foundation provides a tuition free, high quality, developmentally appropriate preschool program for students and their parents.

The Isaac Back to School Health Fair is an annual event that takes place each summer to ensure students, families, and community members have access to school supplies, resources, and health screening at no cost.

The Isaac School District was recognized by the Arizona Department of Health Services for our efforts in the health and well-being of our Isaac Community. The Healthy Arizona Worksites Award recognizes businesses that are making efforts to positively affect the health and well-being of their employees, families, and their community through evidence-based worksite health initiatives and programs. 

A press conference was held regarding our recent purchase of new electric school buses as we were recipients of a grant. This grant allowed us to make these purchases that will ultimately have a positive impact on our Isaac Community and the environment. We thank our community partners Environmental Defense Funds (EDF), Chispa Arizona, and Moms Clean Air Force organizations for contributing to this event.

Congratulations to the ISD Business Services Department as they receive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association. They have been awarded 5 years in a row.

Congratulations to Isaac Middle School as they have been honored with the SupportMusic Merit Award for the second year in a row. Isaac Middle School is one of 78 schools across the nation to receive the SupportMusic Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation for demonstrating outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

The Arizona School Boards Association awarded recipient, Evalani Dela Cruz, teacher at J.B. Sutton Elementary for the Afterschool Cool Initiative. She was awarded $500 AZEdNews Classroom Grant.

Congratulations to the ISD Communications Department for being recognized and receiving the Award of Excellence at the annual ASPRA*tion Awards held by the Arizona School Public Relations Association. Their hard work and dedication to serving Isaac students and the Isaac Community continues to provide a culture of positivity while capturing all of the amazing opportunities provided to our students and telling ISD's story.

Ms. Kristen Jahrman, Special education teacher and after school coordinator at Isaac Middle School received recognition from Burch & Cracchiolo Law Firm. She was awarded the Star Teacher Award.

Students at Morris K. Udall Middle School start the first day of school ready to learn. Eighth-grade math teacher Ramarao Cheepurupalli noticed a difference when students showed up to his class. For the first time in three years, the school year is starting without all the COVID chaos.

This Annual Back to School Health Fair in partnership with United Healthcare is open to the community. Backpacks, school supplies, resources and basic health screenings at no cost. This annual event is supported by volunteers and community resources.

Corbin's Legacy donates to the Heart of Isaac Community Center. Corbin’s Legacy’s mission is to help school children through the elimination of food and medical insecurity in addition to providing other resources to families. 100% supported by volunteers.

Mr. Salvador Rodriguez, Director of Bands at Isaac Middle School received the 3TV/CBS 5 Pay It Forward Award. He was nominated by Isaac Middle School parents for his hard work and dedication to his band students. He was awarded a $500 check. Thank you to Mr. Salvador Rodriguez for making a difference through music.

Ms. Lauren Hawks, 7th grade math teacher at Pueblo Del Sol Middle School received recognition from Burch & Cracchiolo Law Firm. She was awarded funds for her classroom and school supplies to help her students succeed.

Moya Elementary School uses STEM Sports and science to learn how to play football. Students in the Isaac Learning Club participate in multiple activities with the inclusion of math and science concepts.

The Isaac School District partnered up with ASU's University Technology Office and Watts College to launch a "Digital Equity Pilot" to connect the unconnected. Director of Technology, Mr. Wadalberto Perez stated "The goal is expanding that, so that all our students have internet and Wi-Fi access at home, so they can learn remotely and off hours."

The Isaac School District gives back to the community as Pueblo Del Sol staff and students volunteer to join AZTV 7 and their partners in preparing backpacks filled with school supplies for scholars across Arizona.