Mountain Park Health Centers provide access to quality health care for the students and families that South Phoenix serves. MPHC recognized the academic accomplishments and strong leadership qualities of the students at Phoenix Collegiate Academy and developed a partnership to bring our school into their community. MPHC created a great art project in which students created artwork to be displayed in the Baseline Clinic. The theme of the art work was “I have fun outside, when I…”. The purpose of this program was to highlight the arts in local schools and to encourage children to stay healthy and active.
A special congratulations goes out to PCA’s top three artwork winners; Juliet Allen, Fernanda Lechuga, and Karen Melchor. They each received a $50 gift card to Big 5 Sporting Goods.
PCA appreciates and thanks MPHC for establishing this partnership to help our student’s artistic talents shine and support in our physical education funding efforts.
Great coverage of the PCA/ASU partnership in the Republic this week! Get excited about all the great things happening at Phoenix Collegiate Academy. This ongoing project with Barrett College at Arizona State University is a match made in heaven. And it’s just one of the many awesome things PCA is doing for college-bound scholars in South Phoenix.
Read more here.
Nathan Aguilera, a 6th grader at Phoenix Collegiate Academy won 3rd place in the 2011-2012 Arizona State Spelling Bee. Nathan’s perseverance and dedication consistently show in his studies and everyday at PCA. A huge congratulations goes out to him!
PCA held it’s 3rd Enrichment showcase for the 2011-2012 school year. Teachers and parents gathered after school on Thursday March 8th, 2012 to see their student’s present their newly acquired talents. Student’s worked diligently for 9 weeks to learn these new talents.
At the showcase, 5th and 6th grade students displayed their abilities in Taekwondo, created puppets, and planted a fruit, vegetable, and flower garden. 7th and 8th grade students presented dance and cheer routines and demonstrated basketball drills. The success of each showcase can be attributed to the hard work, interest, and dedication of our Enrichment teachers and PCA staff members who help coordinate the event.
Congratulations to Mrs. Carrie Wypiszynski who won Teacher of the Year!
The Arizona Teacher of the Year program is the only statewide program that spotlights the contributions of Arizona’s teachers. The program annually recognizes five exceptionally skilled and dedicated pre-kindergarten through 12th Grade public school teachers. Nominees are those individuals who have gained the respect and admiration of students, parents, and co-workers. They play an active and useful role in their communities as well as their schools, often distinguishing themselves as leaders. They have a superior ability to help all students achieve.
View Mrs. Wyp’s Teacher of the Year Winner Video.
Carrie is among the many excellent teachers at PCA who work hard everyday to ensure our students are receiving an excellent education. Their drive and ability to motivate our students is one of the many reasons PCA was given a letter grade of A.
PCA students in 5th and 6th grade began their college search early when they visited Arizona State University over the weekend. Special thanks to STEP, a multicultural honors organization, who planned the events for the day. Students were welcomed to ASU with vivid posters and signs and then led to the Student Memorial Union where the festivities began. Students participated in teambuilding and icebreakers to get to know college students. STEP then gave students a tour of the ASU campus, the dorms, the student recreational complex, and many more areas around ASU. Students ate lunch then played kickball with the ASU Sports Club and learned a dance from various Multicultural Greek Organizations. At the end of the day students received a goody bag and reflected on, for many, their first experience on a university campus.
ASU students giving PCA students a tour of the campus.
Students talked about their future plans, which all included college. Kayla Palafox, 5th grade, felt the dorm bed was a good sell for why she should stop in and attend ASU on her way to become President. Angela De Orta, 5th grade, said, “this place is so cool” over four times. Rodrigo Barrera, 5th grade, told the ASU staff that this was his best day ever. When asked if it’s worth all the PCA hard work if they could get to college, all three of them gave a resounding yes!
Sports Club and Multicultural Greek Organization teaching PCA students how to stroll.
Each student at Phoenix Collegiate Academy received a hard-back copy of the book ‘The Unwanteds”, written by bestselling author Lisa McMann.
"The Unwanteds" Lisa McMann
Bestselling author Lisa McMann
Fascinated by the world in which the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their graves, students could not put the book down. While reading the book teachers would discuss comprehension elements with students and formulate questions for Lisa McMann regarding her book or career as a writer.
5th and 8th grade sit in active listening position as they listen to Lisa McMann explain how she created the plot of the book.
What made this book even more special and exciting was knowing that Lisa McMann would visit PCA. Lisa came to PCA to discuss her book “The Unwanteds” and see just how hard students at PCA worked to succeed academically.
5th and 6th grade show Lisa McMann the PCA applause.
Lisa discussed the point in her life when she realized she wanted to become an author and the steps she took to accomplish this goal. She then answered the many questions PCA students had for her.
5th, 6th, and 7th graders are all questions.
After speaking, Lisa kindly autographed all books. Students were thrilled to be a part of this experience and grateful that Lisa came to visit them specifically at PCA.
At the beginning of the year, students elected extra curricular activities, which appealed to their interests and talents. Once enrolled in their top choice Enrichment class students practiced diligently for 9 weeks with an end performance in mind. These Enrichment classes included activities such as learning Taekwondo, sports, dance, musicals, origami, yoga, drama, and debate. At the end of the quarter, students participated in a talent show, which showcased their work thus far. PCA held it’s first quarter student showcase on Thursday September 29th, 2011. Students performed afterschool for their parents, teachers, and community members. Parents were thrilled to learn all of the amazing things PCA students are doing in addition to their relentless coursework studying. PCA strives to insure students are well-rounded individuals and all parts of their day, including Enrichment, serves to do just that.
Much appreciation and thanks goes to The Arizona Cardinals Football Team who donated tickets to PCA for students to attend their game on Thursday September 1st, 2011. Top students from 5th – 7th grade were rewarded with this afterschool opportunity.
PCA 6th graders are all smiles!
About 65 students boarded the school bus and took the journey to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. For some students this was the first time they had stepped foot inside of the stadium and seen football players up close. For all students this was an experience that will never be forgotten. Students watched the Cardinals play while enjoying their concession bought snacks and cheered all night as the Cardinals ended the game with a win.
Students talking about the game as they await the bus.
With four grade levels this year and enrollment numbers on the rise, students were in need of a larger area to take a break and exert some energy. PCA gives thanks to a generous donor who helped remodel the courtyard of our school.
Thanks to a generous donor, students now have a place to practice their skills on the courts.
The past two years students displayed hard work and academic achievement proving that this addition was greatly deserved. This donor valued our work at PCA and wanted to support us in changing the world through the lives of our students. Students are excited to have new basketball hoops and volleyball net to practice their skills on the court.
