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The Queen Creek Unified School District is proud to offer students in grades 7 through 12 access to a free, online program called ASPIRE, or “A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience.” ASPIRE provides an engaging, evidence-based curriculum for youth to learn about the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarette use, encouraging students to quit smoking or, better yet, never start. The program incorporates video-game-like components, customized messages, graphics, animations, and streaming video.

Queen Creek Unified will be offering middle school and high-school students the opportunity to take the ASPIRE class over fall break. We have limited space. For more information on how to register, please contact QCUSD social workers Ramona Sylvester or Dena Morgan.

Through a partnership with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, ASPIRE is available at more than 20 middle and high schools in the East Valley. The program is free and available to all school districts and all Maricopa County students ages 11 to 18.

Community and Family Engagement in QCUSD! Queen Creek Unified School District’s mission is to empower each student to achieve excellence in all pursuits and lead with integrity. Effective partnerships are imperative when it comes to achieving this mission. On Thursday, September 19, QCUSD hosted a Community and Family Engagement event (CAFE) at Eastmark High School. The purpose of the CAFE is to develop and strengthen partnerships with organizations in our community that inspire authentic engagement and impact our students. Attendees included members of the community, parents, non-profits, and faith and business leaders. All received personal invitations from our school principal. Thank you to the more than 130 individuals who took part in our 4th QCUSD CAFE!

The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce held its 10th Annual Business Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 19 at Encanterra Country Club. Community members, businesses, and a teacher received awards. This year, the chamber named Queen Creek Unified School District teacher Mrs. Heather Hilland as educator of the year!

“The Queen Creek Unified School District is honored to have Mrs. Hilland as a teacher,” said QCUSD Superintendent Dr. Perry Berry. “The passion she shows for educating our students is inspiring.”

Mrs. Hilland teaches kindergarten at Desert Mountain Elementary. She has been with QCUSD for 25 years and has taught only in this district. Her four children have also been a part of QCUSD since kindergarten.

Congratulations, Mrs. Hilland, and thank you for all that you do for our students and families!

On Tuesday, August 20, the cafeteria and learning stairs of Eastmark High School were packed with more than 100 people for the first Business Partner Breakfast of the 2019-20 school year.

In attendance were governing board members, Queen Creek Vice Mayor Robin Benning, Mesa Mayor John Giles, local business leaders, realtors, and several community members. Attendees enjoyed a breakfast catered by the QCUSD Child Nutrition Department followed by the first public performance of the EHS Fight Song played by the Firebird Marching Band under the instruction of Mr. Nathan Johnston. 

Business partners then transitioned to the learning stairs where they learned about the EHS Career Path Academies as well as a new tool soon to be used in QCUSD called 'Career Match'. This tool is designed to partner community members and businesses with teachers looking for industry professionals to be guest speakers, take part in a career day event, host a field trip, and/or mentor students.

Thank you to all who attended. Effective partnerships help our students succeed!