Carmichael Elementary School

🌟 Staff Highlight for April: Mrs. Gracious Davenport 🌟 Meet Mrs. Davenport, our incredible 7th & 8th grade science teacher at JCMS! This is her first year as a Coyote and her eighth year in education, but she’s already made a lasting impact. 💙 Gracious Grace Davenport lives up to her name—she’s passionate, warm-hearted, and full of laughter. Her belief in the potential of every student drives her mission to build a safe, supportive, and inspiring classroom. 🔬✨ Originally from Florida, Mrs. Davenport moved to Sierra Vista with her husband, mom, and kids after her brother was stationed here with the Border Patrol. Her husband—who she met working at a middle school—is now one of our amazing custodians! Together, they’re raising three little ones (ages 6, 5, and 1) and loving life in the SV community. 🏡👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Before becoming a teacher, Mrs. Davenport worked in daycare and was active in church youth programs. One special moment with a teen in her youth group encouraged her to pursue middle school education—and we’re so glad she did! From stepping in as support for a sub while still waiting for her AZ certification to creating fun traditions like Student of the Week (complete with favorite snacks!), she’s all heart. 💫 She says, “People make people, not money,” and we couldn’t agree more. Welcome to the Coyote family, Mrs. Davenport—you’re making a difference every day! 🐾💛 #JCMSCoyotes #StaffHighlight #ThankATeacher #ScienceMatters #CoyotePride #StaffHighlight

🌟 April Teacher Feature – Mr. Austin Meckler! 🌟 Let’s give a big shoutout to Mr. Meckler, our awesome Tech Foundations and Yearbook teacher at JCMS! 🎉 This is his third year as a proud member of the JCMS team—he spent two years teaching Social Studies and now brings his creativity and real-world focus to CTE (Career & Technical Education). Mr. Meckler loves helping students explore life skills through hands-on projects—like his popular budgeting simulation, where students choose a city to live in, find housing and transportation, write checks, and see what it really takes to manage a budget. The surprise on their faces? Priceless. 💸 Outside the classroom, Mr. Meckler leads the charge on PBIS Tier One and brings the fun with school-wide events like Rock-Paper-Scissors tournaments, Simon Says showdowns, and Tic-Tac-Toe competitions—with awesome student engagement and prizes that build community and school spirit! 🏆🎉 He's also a martial arts enthusiast (since the age of 4!), gamer, our former wrestling coach, and proud husband and dad. He’s currently earning his master’s degree in education and is passionate about creating a classroom based on mutual respect and strong relationships. Thank you, Mr. Meckler, for the energy, heart, and creativity you bring to JCMS! You make a difference every day! 💙💻🙌 #TeacherFeature #JCMSPride #SVUSDProud #CTEChampion #PBISLeader #MiddleSchoolMatters #ThankATeacher

🎉 Meet Mrs. Fraiser – Village Meadows Teacher of the Year and SVUSD Teacher of the Year! 🎉 Mrs. Danielle Fraiser is a passionate third-grade teacher at Village Meadows and has been an integral part of Village Meadows Elementary School since 2006. Thanks to the generous support of the SV Education Foundation, she has also been named the Sierra Vista Unified School District Teacher of the Year! This outstanding educator truly brings learning to life. During a unit on the history of the Titanic, students first explored informational texts—then stepped into a transformed classroom where a scaled model of the Titanic stretched across half the room! For Mrs. Fraiser, learning is non-negotiable. She holds herself to the same high expectations she sets for her students, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to growth. When she says, "ALL students will learn," she means it—understanding that while the path to success is rarely linear, it's always worth the journey. Known for wearing her heart on her sleeve, Mrs. Fraiser advocates fiercely for her students' needs. In her own words: "For real, let’s go! We have work to do!" Recognizing Mrs. Fraiser with this award isn't just about celebrating her as an outstanding educator and devoted mother—it’s about honoring the deep, lasting impact she’s made on our Village Meadows Wolf Pack community. 🐺❤️ Congratulations, Mrs. Fraiser! 🌟 #SVUSDTeacherOfTheYear #WolfPackStrong #InspiringEducator #VillageMeadows ##SVUSDProudARatedDistrict #EmpoweringYou

🌟 April Staff Highlight – Meet Ms. Sophia Macias! 🌟 We’re thrilled to celebrate Ms. Macias, our amazing 7th grade English and Honors English teacher at JCMS! A proud Benson native, Ms. Macias joined us in January after graduating from NAU in December—and she’s already making waves! Originally studying agricultural science, she discovered her true passion for English at NAU and hasn’t looked back since. In her classroom, Ms. Macias brings literature to life with interactive notebooks, creative lessons, and meaningful conversations. Her students recently read The Giver by Lois Lowry and loved connecting with the themes of identity, choice, and community. As a first-year teacher, she’s embracing every challenge with heart, grace, and determination—building her classroom culture, exploring what works best for her students, and learning right alongside them. When she’s not teaching, she’s coaching soccer (a great passion she’s had since she was littlel!), working on her Master’s in Education, and spending time with her big family—she’s number 8 of 12 siblings! Ms. Macias says her students make her feel like both a grown-up and a kid at the same time—and we think that’s the magic of a great teacher. We are so lucky to have her as part of the JCMS family! 💙📚⚽ #JCMSPride #StaffHighlight #NewTeacherMagic #SVUSDProud #MiddleSchoolMatters #EmpoweringYou

🌟 Join Us Tonight for the Discovery Showcase! 🌟 Come out tonight and see the amazing projects our Discovery students have created throughout the school year! 🎨📚🧠 Our Discovery program is a specialized educational experience designed to challenge and enrich gifted learners, encouraging in-depth study, higher-level thinking, and collaboration with intellectual peers. ✨ Here’s a sneak peek at what they’ve been working on: 👧🧒 1st & 2nd Grade – “It’s Not A...” Creations & Alliteration Adventures 🎩🎨 3rd & 4th Grade – Presidential Art, Trading Cards, & Garden Planning 🏕️🧊 5th & 6th Grade – Presidential Art & Cubes, plus a hands-on Camping Challenge! 📍 Where: Rothery Education Center 🕔 When: TONIGHT from 5 PM – 7 PM Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate creativity, innovation, and the brilliance of our Discovery students! #DiscoveryShowcase #GiftedEducation #StudentCreativity #SVUSD #ProudOfOurStudents #EnrichedLearning #EmpoweringYou

🎉 Meet Mrs. Matthias – Carmichael’s Teacher of the Year! 🎉 We’re excited to celebrate Mrs. Shanequa Matthias, one of our amazing 5th grade teachers at Carmichael Elementary! 🐻✨ What sets Mrs. Matthias apart is her unique ability to make learning exciting and fun. Drawing inspiration from her love of Dungeons & Dragons, she weaves mini-adventures into her curriculum, encouraging students to dive into imaginative, collaborative problem-solving. 🐉📚⚔️ These creative learning quests help students build both academic skills and essential life skills—like teamwork, critical thinking, and resilience. And her passion for reading? It’s absolutely contagious! 💛 We’re so proud to have Mrs. Matthias as part of the Bear family! 🐻💙 #CarmichaelPride #TeacherOfTheYear #ThankATeacher #SVUSD #BearStrong #SVUSDProudARatedDistrict #EmpoweringYou

🎉✨ It’s time for Kinder Round-Up! ✨🎉 Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by August 31st? Join us for our upcoming Kinder Round-Up events and get a sneak peek into the exciting world of kindergarten! 📚 Meet our amazing teachers 🎨 Explore classrooms 🚌 Tour the campus 🧩 Enjoy fun activities 📝 Start the registration process 📅 Wednesday, April 30th, 4:00pm- 5:30pm 📍 All SVUSD Elementary Schools 🔗 Sign up here: https://forms.gle/CpkLNt7mve6S196eA 📲 Or scan the QR code on the flyer! Already registered? You’re invited too—come join the fun! 🎈 Let’s get ready for a fantastic school year ahead! 💙💛 #KinderRoundUp #SVUSD #FutureColts #AchievingExcellenceTogether #EmpoweringYou

🌸🐣 Wishing All SVUSD Families and Staff a Wonderful Spring Weekend! Please note that all SVUSD schools and offices, including the District Office, will be closed from April 18th through April 21st for the spring holiday weekend. We hope everyone enjoys a safe, restful break and a very Happy Easter to those who celebrate! 🌷💛 #SVUSD #SpringWeekend #FamilyTime #EmpoweringYou #SVUSDProudARatedDistrict

🎉 Help us celebrate our amazing 2025 SVUSD Teachers of the Year! 🎉 These outstanding educators make a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of their students every single day. We are so proud to honor: 🍎 Bella Vista – Paloma Lepley 🍎 Carmichael – Shanequa Matthias 🍎 Huachuca Mountain – Natalie Wise 🍎 PDS – Haley Lewis 🍎 Town & Country – Isabel Dahl 🍎 Village Meadows – Danielle Frasier 🍎 Joyce Clark Middle School – Danielle Kruse 🍎 Buena High School – Amy Martinez A special congratulations to Danielle Frasier from Village Meadows, our SVUSD District Teacher of the Year! 💙👏 Stay tuned all week as we introduce you to these incredible educators and share their stories. Thank you to ALL our teachers for everything you do! #AchievingExcellenceTogether #SVUSDproud #TeacherAppreciation

📢 Attention Families with Kindergarten-Age Children! 📢 Do you have a little one who’s eager to start Kindergarten but isn’t quite old enough? 🎒✨ Sierra Vista Unified School District offers early entrance testing for children whose 5th birthday falls between September 1 and January 1 of the upcoming school year. This assessment helps determine if they’re ready to jump into Kindergarten fun! 📝 Testing Dates: June 16th & June 30th ⏳ Sign up early to save your spot! 📞 Have questions? Contact Stacy Jackson-Fesser at 520-515-2743 or visit our website for more details: www.svusd68.org/earlykinder Let’s get your child started on their learning adventure! 🚀🍎 #EmpoweringYou #SVUSDProudARatedDistrict

🍕 Pizza on a Monday? Yes, please! Join us on Monday, April 14th, from 11 AM – 8 PM at Vinny’s New York Pizza and support Project Graduation! 🎓✨ Project Graduation gives our Buena grads a safe, fun-filled night with food, games, and prizes to help kickstart their future. 💙 Eat pizza ➡️ Support grads ➡️ Feel good! 🙌 Let’s pack Vinny’s and show our support! #SVUSD #ProjectGraduation #BuenaPride #SupportLocal #VinnyPizzaDay

🎉✨ It’s time for Kinder Round-Up! ✨🎉 Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by August 31st? Join us for our upcoming Kinder Round-Up events and get a sneak peek into the exciting world of kindergarten! 📚 Meet our amazing teachers 🎨 Explore classrooms 🚌 Tour the campus 🧩 Enjoy fun activities 📝 Start the registration process 📅 Wednesday, April 30th, 4:00pm- 5:30pm 📍 All SVUSD Elementary Schools 🔗 Sign up here: https://forms.gle/CpkLNt7mve6S196eA 📲 Or scan the QR code on the flyer! Already registered? You’re invited too—come join the fun! 🎈 Let’s get ready for a fantastic school year ahead! 💙💛 #KinderRoundUp #SVUSD #FutureColts #AchievingExcellenceTogether #EmpoweringYou

💧🎨 SVUSD Students Shine in Water Conservation Poster Contest! 🎨💧 In February, Water Wise Youth invited Sierra Vista-area students to participate in its annual Water Conservation Poster Contest, and the response was incredible! 132 entries came in from 19 teachers across 6 schools, showcasing students' creativity and commitment to water conservation. 12 talented SVUSD students will be recognized for their outstanding artwork at the April 10th Sierra Vista City Council meeting! 🏆✨ 🏅 Huachuca Mountain Winners: 🎨 3rd Grade (Ms. Fisher's class): 🥇 Lily A | 🥈 Evelyn Q | 🎖️ Elizabeth M (Hon. Mention) 🎨 4th Grade (Ms. Maxfield's class): 🥇 Ryleigh H 🎨 5th Grade (Ms. Sehnert's class): 🥇 Calleigh B 🎨 6th Grade (Ms. Nogales's class): 🥈 Vivian M 🏅 Carmichael Winners: 🎨 4th Grade (Mr. Collazo's class): 🥈 Italia E | 🎖️ James T (Hon. Mention) 🏅 Village Meadows Winners: 🎨 5th Grade (Ms. Rojas's class): 🥈 Kaytlin M | 🎖️ Erene M (Hon. Mention) 🎨 6th Grade (Ms. Cabrera's class): 🏆 Eli G (Grand Prize & 1st Place!) | 🎖️ Hailey S (Hon. Mention) The 2024 theme, "Keep Water Flowing, Keep Life Growing," celebrates April's Water Awareness Month 💦🌱. The Grand Prize-winning poster will be framed and displayed at The Cove, and other winning posters will be showcased at the SV Public Library in May. 📢 All participants are also invited to a special pool party at The Cove! 🌊🎉 Amazing job, students! Your creativity and passion for conservation are truly inspiring! 💙👏 #WaterWiseYouth #SVUSDProud #WaterAwarenessMonth

📢 Reminder! Read Across America Night is THIS Wednesday! 📢 Join us for Read Across America Night: Once Upon a Time – A Magical Journey Through Stories on Wednesday, April 2nd, from 4:00–5:30 PM at the Rothery Educational Center! ✨ Play games ✨ Get creative ✨ Have fun ✨ Take home a FREE book of your choice! Don't miss this fun-filled night of reading and adventure! See you there! 📚🎉 #ReadAcrossAmerica #MagicalJourney #SVUSD

🌟 Teacher Feature March: Ms. Leslie Cooley! 🌟 Meet Ms. Leslie Cooley, one of our amazing 3rd grade teachers at Town & Country! Though this is her first year teaching 3rd grade, she brings 20+ years of experience in education, previously serving as a Title I & literacy interventionist and a Special Education para for 10 years. 📚 A Unique Teaching Approach! Ms. Cooley and her colleague, Ms. Thuma, split subjects to enhance learning—Ms. Cooley teaches math & science, while Ms. Thuma covers ELA, writing, and social studies. 🔢 Multiplication Masters! Her students are hard at work mastering multiplication tables, tracking their progress each week. Those who complete all 12 tables will celebrate with an ice cream party at the end of the year! 🍦 🧠 Daily Math Challenges & STEM Fun! She keeps learning exciting with daily math challenges, where students solve word problems for PBIS points or small prizes. STEM Wednesdays bring hands-on activities like building the longest paper chain with only two sheets of paper, a ruler, and scissors! 🐶 Outside the Classroom A Yuma native, Ms. Cooley loves traveling (Maine is a favorite spot! 🌊🏯) and spending time with her mini schnauzers, Muffin & Milo. She even found a donut shop in Maine that makes potato donuts! 🍩 💬 Principal Elson shares: "Ms. Cooley exemplifies dedication, collaboration, and a passion for education. Her first-year achievements are extraordinary, and she’s a tremendous asset to our school community." We are so lucky to have Ms. Cooley at Town & Country! 💙👏 #TeacherFeature #RoadrunnerPride #WeLoveOurTeachers #EmpoweringYou #SVUSDProudARatedDistrict

🌟🐻 Carmichael Superstars Shine! 🐻🌟 Yesterday, we came together to celebrate our amazing Carmichael Bears at our quarterly awards assembly! 🏆🎉 Parents joined in to honor students for their achievements, including Principal’s Honor Roll, Honor Roll, PBIS recognition, teacher nominations, attendance awards, and incredible growth on the Galileo test! 📚👏 Thank you, parents, for making this moment special for your Bear! 🐻💙 As we head into testing season (3rd-6th grade), let’s keep up the great attendance and make sure our students are ready to shine! ✨ #CarmichaelProud #BearSuperstars #HardWorkPaysOff #EmpoweringYou #SVUSDProudARatedDistrict

📚✨ Join Us for Read Across America Night: Once Upon a Time – A Magical Journey Through Stories! ✨📚 Calling all PreK-8 families! 📖✨ Embark on a magical journey through stories at Read Across America Night: Once Upon a Time on Wednesday, April 2nd, from 4:00–5:30 PM at the Rothery Education Center! 🎲 Play games 🎨 Get creative 📖 Have fun 📚 Take home a FREE book of your choice! Don’t miss this fun-filled night of reading and adventure! See you there! 👏📚 #ReadAcrossAmerica #OnceUponATime #MagicalJourney #SVUSD

🎉 Congratulations to our Employees of the Quarter! 🎉 We are proud to recognize Rhonda Greenberg and Samantha Alvarez from Village Meadows for their outstanding contributions! 👏 ✨ Rhonda Greenberg keeps Village Meadows running smoothly, always greeting students and families with a warm smile and supporting staff with a heart of gold. She is truly a hero on campus! ✨ Samantha Alvarez builds strong connections with students, staff, and families. She is a source of encouragement and always goes the extra mile to ensure every student has the support they need to succeed. Join us in celebrating these amazing staff members! #AchievingExcellenceTogether #EmpoweringYou #SVUSDShoutOut

📢 Exciting News for SVUSD Elementary Families! 📢 We’re thrilled to announce that Champions is now offering before & after school child care AND a summer camp at five of our elementary schools: Bella Vista, Huachuca Mountain, Town & Country, Pueblo Del Sol, and Village Meadows! 🎉 ✨ Program Highlights: 📅 Before-School Care (7 AM - 8 AM) – Flexible single-day or full-week options! 📅 After-School Care (2:55 PM - 6 PM) – Choose the schedule that works for you! ☀️ Summer Camp 2025 (8 AM - 5 PM) – Fun & enriching activities all summer long! 💻 For full details & pricing, visit Champions’ website or pick up a flyer at your school! We’re excited about this amazing opportunity for our families and students! 🎒📚 #SVUSD #ChampionsChildCare #BeforeAndAfterSchoolCare #SummerCamp #EmpoweringYou #SVUSDProudARatedDistrict

📢 JCMS Baseball Tryouts Update! ⚾ Attention all baseball-interested families! We were excited to see all our aspiring athletes today, but unfortunately, we have to cancel today's tryouts. 😞 The good news? Tryouts will resume on Thursday at 4:00 PM—we can’t wait to see you there! 🙌 Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your support! #JCMSBaseball #GoCoyotes #TryoutsUpdate