All future Pendergast Elementary School District kindergarten students and their families are invited to join in the fun at a free drive through event on Thursday, February 25, 2021 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at each of the twelve Pendergast school locations. The sixth annual event will celebrate Bee Loved and Bee Ready for PESD Kindergarten.
Starting September 2, the Pendergast Elementary School District Food Services Program will be providing meals to students Monday through Friday at all 12 of our school campuses. Students will be offered three different options for picking up their breakfast and lunch.
Students throughout Arizona will join together in the first virtual conference to Speak Up, Stand Up and Save Lives. Now in its fifth year, the event will be held on January 19, 2021 and will inspire attendees to create lasting ways to combat bullying, depression and suicide in their schools.
The Arizona Tax Credit Program allows each taxpayer to donate up to $200 for a single individual or a head of household per year to public schools and up to $400 if married and filing a joint tax return. That money can go directly to the public school of your choice, reducing your taxes by the amount donated.
As your Governing Board, we work with Administration, Staff, Parents and the Community to provide a quality education for all students so they compete globally in their future endeavors and aspirations.
Dear Pendergast families,
With the COVID-19 cases in our state at the substantial level, it is crucial that we follow the metrics set forth by the Arizona Department of Education, the Arizona Department of Health Services and Maricopa County Health Department because the safety of our students, families and staff is of the utmost importance to all of us in Pendergast District. Governor Ducey has left the decision to open schools for in person learning up to each district governing board and administration. Although there is nothing more we would like than to reopen our schools, due to the high numbers of COVID-19 cases in our zip codes and in the state, schools will remain virtual only until further notice.
Our teachers and administrators have done an amazing job providing exceptional instruction virtually, using the latest tools and technology, and have connected with each student and family. We are so proud of their work and commend our students for staying on task and being focused learners.
We will be carefully following the metrics provided by the Arizona and Maricopa Departments of Health Services, using them as guide for the benchmarks we must adhere to in order to safely open. They can be found at this link. At this point in time, the risk by the County Health Department has been deemed as significant, and all learning will take place virtually. We carefully follow these guidelines so we can be consistent and up to date, so we can make the right decision for your children and our staff. Thankfully, the county and state have begun to issue COVID-19 vaccines and you can locate current information here.
We are here to serve you and we urge you to reach out to your child’s teacher, principal or school counselor with questions or concerns. We have a wide range of services and resources available to you and we want to be sure you are safe and healthy.
Please remember, we are Pendergast, the district that believes in you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lily Matos DeBlieux
Pendergast Superintendent
Pendergast Safe Return to School >>
Pendergast Safe Return to School FAQ >>
Distance Learning Guide: English | Español
COVID-19 Information & Updates >>
Enroll for the 2020-21 School Year >>
Through an Executive Order, schools will delay the start of in-person classes for the school year until August 17 or until further notice, however, online learning is permissible and encouraged. For all Pendergast students, school will begin on Wednesday, August 5, through online Distance Learning.
A comprehensive reopening plan for Distance Learning is in place and was adopted at the Pendergast District Zoom Governing Board Meeting on Tuesday, June 30.
We will follow up directly with families and staff to share the information presented and ensure families and students have what they need to be prepared to learn virtually. We continue to carefully monitor COVID-19 in Arizona and seek guidance from the Governor's Office and other agencies as the situation changes.
A Letter from the Pendergast Board to Governor Ducey >>
ONLINE INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE
We invite you to use these links to encourage your children to continue their learning while our school buildings are closed.
Beginning Wednesday, September 2, 2020, meals will be provided Monday through Friday for all children ages 18 years and younger, at no charge. Breakfast and lunch meals may be picked up at the same time. Parents (adults) and siblings are welcome to pick up the meals for multiple children.
Meal Distribution will be located in the doorway of each school within the Pendergast Elementary School District. This will provide the opportunity for Grab and Go Meals as conveniently and quickly as possible, while maintaining social distancing for everyone's safety.
Grab and Go Service Times and Procedures >>
BUS ROUTES
In addition, our Food Service and Transportation Departments will be collaborating and distributing meals via specified bus routes within each of our school campus communities. This schedule will be continually updated with the most current information regarding routes, so please be sure to check back periodically.
Schedule Bus Stop Times for Food Distribution >>
The PESD Fall Food Service Stop Map contains all bus stop locations, including descriptions. Families may enter their address to locate the closest Meal Distribution Bus Stop. If there are no stops in your areas, please remember that meals are also being provided at your student's school campus.
The Pendergast Elementary School District has so much to offer including innovative S.T.E.A.M. Academies. Other programs we have available are...
- FREE FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN
- DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
- S.T.E.A.M. ACADEMIES
- FREE & REDUCED BREAKFAST / LUNCH
...and so much more!
The Pendergast Quick Tip is a system that allows students, parents, staff and community members to submit information to district administrators anonymously or non-anonymously.
Quick Tip allows authorized district administrators to receive tips at any time and have the ability to respond in a timely manner to issues that impacts the school or individual students.
The reported issues range from peer pressure, threats, depression, weapons, suicide and bullying. Anyone with access to the web or a smartphone has access to Quick Tip.
The Pendergast Elementary School District, through a partnership with First Things First, have developed the Pendergast Family Resource Center providing quality, comprehensive, diverse and streamlined services centered on a holistic view of early childhood education with neighborhood outreach as a core component. The services offered create a unique collaboration between the educational environment, families and communities combined with staffing support from caring, knowledgeable professionals.
OUR MISSION: The Pendergast Family Resource Center is a family-centered, comprehensive, collaborative and high quality outreach program that supports the development, health and education of all Pendergast Elementary School District families and the surrounding community with a focus on families with children birth to age five.
Family Resource Center Activity Calendar: December | January
Superintendent Dr. Lily Matos DeBlieux and the Pendergast Elementary School District BEE-LIEVES in your child's future! In her January message, Dr. Matos DeBlieux talks about Proposition 208 and what it will mean to the Pendergast District.
The Pendergast Elementary School District offers high quality half and full day community preschool programs designed to prepare 3 and 4-year-old children for school.
1. REGISTER
2. VOTE
3. MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Make a payment for the Use of Facilities, to the P.R.I.D.E. Club or Pre-School online. You can also make a tax or gift Donation online and help make a positive impact in the lives of our students.
The Pendergast P.R.I.D.E. Club provides high quality and affordable before and after school care at Canyon Breeze, Copper King, Desert Mirage, Garden Lakes, Rio Vista, Sonoran Sky and Sunset Ridge.
The District has been using this bond funding to repair and improve our schools and facilities, as well as, to vastly improve and upgrade technology for student learning and District communication.
Find out what's being served for breakfast and lunch at your school by accessing our new Online Menus >>
My School Bucks provides parents with a secure, fast and convenient method for adding money to their children's school meal accounts.
Charlie's Cafe and Catering >>
Pendergast is providing the following financial information in order to give our community with an open view of the financial status of Pendergast.
View the District's FY 2020-21 Revised Budget >>
| AVERAGE TEACHER SALARIES (A.R.S. §15-903.E, amended by Laws 2018, Ch. 285, §10) |
|---|
| Average salary of all teachers employed in FY 2021 (budget year): $52,696 |
| Average salary of all teachers employed in FY 2020 (prior year): $50,870 |
| Increase in average teacher salary from the prior year: $1,826 |
| Percentage increase: 4% |
View the District's Spending Report for FY 2019 prepared by the Arizona Auditor
General: Pendergast Profile | Pendergast Profile - Text Based
View the District's FY 2020 Annual Financial Report at the AZ Department of Education's Website >>
View the District's FY 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report >>
Understanding the Budget: Find out more about how the Pendergast District spends money by watching this fun and informative video. View the Video >>
Visit the Pendergast Financial Services Department >>
We would like to thank our Partners in Education who's generosity helps us provide an educational experience beyond what is possible with public dollars. These partnerships are vital in helping the community and Pendergast work and grow together.
If you would like your business to become a Partner in Education, please contact Kerry Pohlmeyer at 623-772-2206 or by email at kpohlmeyer@pesd92.org.
Visit Our List of Pendergast Partners >>
Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be referred to the District's Title IX Coordinator.
Dr. Gwyn Marr, Pendergast Title IX Coordinator
3802 N. 91st Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85037
623-772-2296
gmarr@pesd92.org
Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, regardless of whether the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of the reported conduct or not. A report may be made in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or electronic mail address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator. The District shall notify students, parents or legal guardians of students, employees, applicants for employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the District, of the name or title, office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number of the Title IX Coordinator. The District will respond promptly when any school employee has notice of sexual harassment. Upon receipt of notice of sexual harassment, the District shall notify students, parents or legal guardians of students, employees, applicants for employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the District, of the District’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the District shall respond. The District is committed to investigating each formal complaint submitted and to taking appropriate action on all confirmed violations of policy. The District shall follow grievance procedures that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints from students and employees alleging sexual harassment.
Target Benchmarks for Return to In-Person Learning
We understand that you are trying to plan for the future, and would like to know when it will be safe to reopen our school buildings for student and staff. The State and County health departments have recommended health benchmarks to guide the decision to transition from remote learning to in-person learning.
Upcoming Parent & Family Engagement Workshops
PESD parents and guardians are encouraged to register to attend one or more of these FREE workshop sessions. All workshop sessions will be from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Registration is required to attend.
CAPIT Parent Night ZOOM
CAPIT is a phonics curriculum on a digital platform used by our K-2 students, so it's accessible anywhere and accommodates distance learning. CAPIT enables teachers to instruct the entire class while individualizing the learning for each student.
McKinney-Vento / Foster Care
The mission of the Homeless Education Program is to ensure that homeless children and youth have access to a free, appropriate public education, comparable to that provided to the children of any Arizona resident and consistent with Arizona’s mandatory school attendance laws.
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains key provisions to promote educational stability and success for students in foster care.
Pendergast District to Receive Microsoft Large Community Empowerment Funds
The Pendergast District recently received news that The Builder Bees Makerspace Program was made possible with funds from the Microsoft Corporation. The program will serve over 5,500 students throughout the West Valley.
White and Quezada Elected to PESD Board Leadership Positions
By state statue, board elections are held during the first board meeting in January of the new year. To honor that, the Pendergast School District conducted board elections at the January 12, 2021 board meeting. At the meeting, Jete White was elected board president, and Senator Martin Quezada elected vice-president.
COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Plan for Re-Opening Schools 2020-2021
The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) recommend that reopening decisions be driven by the current prevalence of COVID-19 in the community. The following protocols are to be implemented across all District sites.
2020 Pendergast Distance Learning Guide
The Distance Learning Guide was created by educators in our district in order to help all of our students succeed and do their very best. It includes sections that will provide a step-by-step guide to online learning and everything that you will need to know.
Safe Place - Distance Learning
To comply with Executive Order 2020-51, PESD will be providing a location for students that have nowhere else to go, to be supervised while they participate in distance learning classes. Beginning August 17, 2020 enrolled students that are pre-registered will be able to attend our on-site supervision located at the Pendergast Community Center.
Garden Lakes Principal Jill Helland to Receive Exemplary Principal Award
Jill Helland, principal of Garden Lakes Elementary School was awarded the prestigious Exemplary Principal Award from Steve Watson, Maricopa County School Superintendent on September 29, 2020 at a virtual community event in the Pendergast District.
Pendergast District Receives National Honor Through Everfi
We are so proud to achieve the status of Everfi District Champion. The seal, awarded to less than 5% of districts nationally, highlights the dedication that Pendergast has put into preparing students for their brightest possible future both in and out of the classroom!
Student-Parent Handbook 2020-2021
The purpose of this handbook is to inform parents and students of the policies, procedures, and operations of the Pendergast Elementary School District. It presents information highlighting district policies and guidelines necessary for the academic achievement, safety, welfare, and well-being of our students.
To learn more about parent and student rights and responsibilities, please review the 2020-2021 Student-Parent Handbook.
Pendergast Elementary School District Dr. Lily Matos DeBlieux hosts a virtual bi-monthly Community Partners Lunch & Learn, as well as, a virtual bi-monthly Parent Lunch & Learn. All from the comfort of home, office, or your favorite spot to relax and learn more about education and the Pendergast District.
Shaylyn Savage, Pendergast District Special Education Teacher at Sunset Ridge Elementary School was chosen as a top ten finalist in the competition for the Arizona Teacher of the Year.
The Pendergast Elementary School District was awarded a $20K grant from Corning Incorporated Foundation. The Corning Incorporated Foundation is a charitable contributions organization established by Corning Incorporated in 1952. Through leadership and collaboration, the Foundation strives to foster vibrant, enriching, and supportive Corning communities.
The Glendale Star - Schools Act Fast to Serve Families During Crisis
The rising concerns of COVID-19 prevented the normal resumption of classes as Gov. Doug Ducey ordered all schools closed.
Now, many students, teachers and parents are attempting to get their balance and find a new normal.
Online Instructional Resources Available
We invite you to use these links to encourage your children to continue their learning while our school buildings are closed.
Desert Mirage Elementary School Students Win Grant from SRP
Stefanie McKee’s second grade students at Desert Mirage School in Glendale have been putting their interest and knowledge of being a Green School into action by forming the Junior Green Team, developed in order to get younger learners involved in the SRP Energy Savings program.
Water from Air: ASU Professor's Technology Produces Clean Drinking Water Around the Globe
A partnership with the Scottsdale startup Zero Mass Water allows students in the Copper King STEAM Academy to explore the off-grid technology behind the company's "hydropanels," which use sunlight to pull water from the air.
We are so excited to be partnering with motivational speaker Jeremy Anderson. Jeremy Anderson knows how to connect with students and teachers in an amazing and transparent way. Jeremy is one of America's Top Youth Speakers, and one of the Best Keynote Motivational Speakers for Teachers.
For more information about Jeremy and his services visit his website at https://www.jeremyanderson.org Check out some of Jeremy's motivational videos below.
- Top School Motivational Speaker >>
- Jeremy's School Take Over
>>
- Motivation for Teachers
>>
What You Need to Know About Standard-Based Grading (SBG)
Standard-Based Grading is a way for the school or teacher to tell you how your child is progressing toward mastery of a new skill or knowledge. Check out this handy infographic for a better understanding about what SBG is and how it benefits your child.
Arizona Department of Education Parental Rights Handbook
In the 2020 Arizona Legislative Session, the Legislature passed Senate bill (SB) 1061 (Laws 2020, Chapter 64) which the Governor signed on June 5, 2020. SB 1061 established ARS § 15- 249.16 which requires the Arizona Department of Education (Department) to establish and post a statutory handbook of parental rights.
Media Releases
For additional information and past stories about the Pendergast School District, please visit our Media Section.