The Latest News
There's a lot happening in our vibrant and growing school district! From events taking place at school, to public information notices we may send out to families, we’ve included all the latest events here on one page. Make it your first stop when you visit our website to ensure you are always aware of what is going on.
Enrollment for the 2020–2021 school year is right around the corner! We encourage families new to the Queen Creek area to attend our elementary school showcases happening at all QCUSD elementary schools on Thursday, January 23, 2020, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Kindergarten round-up will also be taking place that evening. Specific times for the kinder round-up presentation at each elementary school are below. This event is your opportunity to meet teachers, tour the campus, and learn about all the great programs and enrichment opportunities our excellent and high-achieving schools have to offer.
Kinder Round-Up Times
- Desert Mountain Elementary - 5:00–6:00 p.m.
- Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary - 5:30–6:00 p.m.
- Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary - 5:30 p.m.
- Gateway Polytechnic Academy - 5:30–6:00 p.m.
- Jack Barnes Elementary - 5:15–5:45 p.m.
- Queen Creek Elementary - 5:00–5:30 p.m.
- Silver Valley Elementary - 5:00–5:15 p.m.
- Elementary #8 - The kinder round-up presentation will happen twice (5:00 to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.) Information about all other grades will be available from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. This will take place at the district office (20217 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Queen Creek, AZ 85142.)
On Thursday, December 19, the Queen Creek Unified School District Governing Board was awarded the Lou Ella Kleinz Excellence in Governance Award. This award from the Arizona School Boards Association recognizes an exceptional school board that demonstrates outstanding educational leadership. Only one district is eligible to receive this prestigious award each year. The Queen Creek Unified School District Governing Board members are Ken Brague (president), Bill Schultz (vice president), Samantha Davis, Courtney Narancic, and Jennifer Revolt.
Queen Creek Unified School District Governing Board members are everyday people in our community elected to this position by public vote. The school board assists the district in planning, budgeting, and implementing school programs. Queen Creek Unified School District Governing Board members are elected for four-year terms and are not compensated for the position.
We would like to welcome a new accelerated elementary school, Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary, to the Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) family. QCUSD Governing Board members unanimously voted to approve this name during the December 10, 2019, governing board meeting. A naming committee brought three name recommendations to the governing board for consideration for this new, state-of-the-art school of choice. The Naming Committee consisted of staff, students, administrators, and parents.
Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary School will be a school of choice option for families across the Queen Creek district. This new school will serve students in grades kindergarten through 6th grade and will feature accelerated curriculum, science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) programing, school uniforms, and specialty trained teachers. Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary School, a Leader in Me® Campus, is in the Barney Farms Fulton Home subdivision and will open in July of the 2020–2021 school year.
“On behalf of the QCUSD Governing Board and staff, we are honored to name this school after Katherine Mecham Barney. Naming our newest school after Mrs. Barney honors the great care and commitment that both the Mecham and Barney families have given to our community,” said Dr. Perry Berry, QCUSD superintendent.
In 1948, the Mecham and Barney families bought raw desert to farm cotton where the school is located (Signal Butte and Queen Creek Roads). In fact, the original Barney farmhouse still sits on the land today. Additionally, Katherine’s husband, Newell Barney served on the QCUSD school board for 21 years.
Please visit the Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary website to learn more about our new school.
The 2019–2020 school year is here! We hope that you are aware of these important dates!
- January 20 - No School - Civil Rights Day
- January 21 - EHS Future Firebird Night - High School Presentation from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- January 22 - EHS Future Firebird Night - Junior High Presentation from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- January 23 - Kinder Round-Up/Elementary Showcases from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- January 28 - Parent Institute: Internet Safety for Parents from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- January 29 - All Schools Early Release
- January 30–31 - Running with the Big Dogs at Queen Creek High School (daytime field trip)