School Improvement & Program Development
Federal Programs and Grants
Amy Christopher, Director of School Improvement and Program Development
Phone: 623-772-2294
Rachel Watson, Federal Programs & Grants Specialist
Phone: 623-772-2293
McKinney-Vento Homeless/Foster Student Services
Johnny Martinez, McKinney-Vento Homeless/Foster Care Point of Contact
Phone: 623-772-2392
McKinney-Vento
Foster Care
Title I Parent & Family Engagement
Angelica Martinez, Parent & Family Educator
Phone: 623-772-2361
Parent & Family Educator Program
Community Education
Martha Linares, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 623-772-2319
Pendergast Family Resource Center
Betsy Musson, Family Resource Center Coordinator
Phone: 623-772-2339
Pendergast Family Resource Center
School Social Workers
Amparo Medina Perez, Copper King / Villa de Paz
Anna Wilson, Sonoran Sky / Westwind
Evelin Flores, Amberlea / Desert Horizon
Areas of Responsibility
The Department of School Improvement & Program Development oversees compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA is the federal law signed into effect in 20215 that governs elementary and secondary education across the United States. The Department also applies for and manages other federal, state, or local grants that provide additional resources across the district.
Responsibilities include:
- Providing support to district and school staff to ensure compliance with programmatic and fiscal requirements required by federal and state law
- Offering assistance to schools in using all government or other grant related funds to support quality educational programming for all students in order to raise academic achievement
- Supporting and developing quality extended day programs, including before and after-school care, tutoring and summer school
- Collaborating with school and district-based staff and with federal, state, and local agencies on programming or grant efforts to benefit students and families within the Pendergast Elementary School District, including a focus on community education and parent and family engagement
Strategic Plan Goals
Community Engagement:
- Expand the Title I Parent & Family Educator Program to provide additional workshops and resources aligned to the needs of our parents and communities
- Establish a K-8 district parent advisory committee
Student Learning & Wellness:
- Expand after-school programing availability to all schools
- Coordinate district-wide literacy tutoring program to increase student literacy skill development
Operational Excellence:
- Support school administrator audit of multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) implementation to inform continuous school improvement efforts
- Provide resources and training on evidence-based strategies for schools to support the development and implementation of school improvement plans to enable student learning and wellness
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide educational and supplemental resources, services, and programs to ensure positive outcomes for all students, including underserved young people, and to develop a continuum of support for children and adults within the Pendergast community.
Points of Pride
- Work collaboratively with district and site leaders to support the school improvement process
- Timely and accurate grant reporting and compliance monitoring of federal programs
- Provide a high-quality parent/family engagement program which includes a focus on families with children birth to age five and parents of English language learners
- Provide affordable, quality before and after school programs
- School social workers support and enhance student and family emotional well-being and are an integral link between school, home, and the community