Yuma Union High School District News

Yuma Union High School District held a special dedication ceremony on Friday, August 23, 2024 to name the auditorium inside Yuma High School’s Snider Hall, the Taylor Dean McBride Auditorium. 

“Honoring Mr. McBride is truly a full circle moment for me and my fellow Choralair Alumni,” YHS Choralair alum Wendy McKay said. “The auditorium in Snider Hall was where he taught and mentored thousands of students over the years. His impact on our lives has been immeasurable and we believe that naming the auditorium the Taylor Dean McBride auditorium is the perfect way to tell his story and share his legacy for many years to come.”

After hearing from McKay during a call to the public at their regular June meeting, the YUHSD Governing Board, citing Policy FF regarding the naming of facilities, voted in favor of the change on July 10. Several board members expressed their gratitude to be a part of making this honor happen for McBride. McKay was in attendance at this meeting along with several other YHS choralair alumni. 

"Naming the Taylor Dean McBride Auditorium at Snider Hall honors the significant positive impact Mr. McBride made on the entire Yuma community,” YHS Principal Michael Fritz said. “I was honored to be a part of the naming process and it was a privilege to work with our Yuma High School Choralair alumni."

The dedication took place during the Choralair reunion weekend where they came together to surprise and recognize McBride and his impact, and share some of their fondest memories. The auditorium was filled with YHS Choralair alumni and McBride was moved to tears.

McKay presented pictures of what the auditorium signage will look like in a few weeks with McBride’s name attached to it. 

About McBride
McBride is a YHS alum himself and he devoted most of his life teaching music to the students of Yuma High. He started the Yuma High Choralairs group in 1964 and continued his career at Yuma High until his retirement in 2009. 

For the second consecutive year, Yuma Union High School District maintained a historic teacher-retention rate.

YUHSD reported a certified staff retention rate of 84 percent, during Wednesday’s monthly Governing Board meeting. That number is nearly on par with its 84.8 percent retention rate from a year ago.

Out of 547 certified staff positions, which includes teachers, counselors, dropout prevention specialists, instructional coaches, instructional leaders, and directors, YUHSD had 459 of them return for the current school year after working in the district in 2023-24.

"Our teacher-retention rate reflects our district's ongoing commitment to fostering a positive and supportive environment where educators feel appreciated, and motivated to continue making a difference in the lives of our students," YUHSD Executive Director of Human Resources Bobby Lambert said. "Retaining staff is a priority for our district.”

Numerous factors have likely contributed to the continued return of YUHSD’s certified staff members: Increased salaries, including a 6-percent increase that started July 1, 2024, alternative certification pathways, and more teacher support such as professional development, leadership/advancement opportunities, and professional learning communities.

Since 2017-18, YUHSD teachers have seen an increase of 44 percent in salary. A mandated 20-percent increase from then-Governor Doug Ducey’s office in 2020 was part of that, but the YUHSD Governing Board has approved an additional 24 percent since then, including the aforementioned 6-percent increase for the 2024-25 school year. I

n addition to salary increases, YUHSD’s Credentialing and Retaining Educators (CARE) program has been another way the district has made a difference in helping ease the burden of teacher certification. The two-year program, which aligns with legislation from the state of Arizona, allows for prospective teachers to get in the classroom after meeting certain criteria and while still actively working towards their teaching certificate. Approximately, 30 teachers are currently enrolled in the program.

To work for YUHSD, visit the human resources section of the district’s official website, YumaUnion.org, and click “Employment Opportunities.”

San Luis High School nurse Cecila Zepeda was honored along with other healthcare workers from across the state at the Arizona Diamondbacks July 30 home game against the Washington Nationals.

This special tribute aimed to recognize the dedication and extraordinary efforts of healthcare professionals who have been tirelessly serving the community. Each nurse was acknowledged for their outstanding contributions, demonstrating courage and compassion beyond the call of duty.

Zepeda began her journey in healthcare by obtaining her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification at SLHS through the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. After graduation, she started her career at Yuma Regional Medical Center. Now serving as the nurse at SLHS, she continues to provide exceptional care to the students, making a lasting impact on their health and well-being.

"Mrs. Zepeda representing our San Luis High School community at the state level with this award is an example of the success our students achieve,” SLHS Principal Leticia Anaya said. “She embodies the perseverance and spirit of giving back to our community that we strive to instill in our students. Her passion for student care shines through in all her endeavors."

Each nurse recognized during the event received two game tickets, a pair of Clove shoes designed for healthcare professionals, and a prize bundle from NuWest.

Children need healthy meals to learn. Yuma Union High School District will be offering healthy meals to all
students at NO COST every school day in School Year 2024-2025. Your child(ren) will receive free breakfast and
lunch meals every school day without having to pay a fee or submit a household application.

Your child(ren)’s school is approved to operate Community Eligibility Provision (Cibola High School, Gila
Ridge High School, Kofa High School, San Luis High School, Somerton High School, Vista High
School, and Yuma High School). No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to receive free
meals without having to pay a fee or submit an application.

My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for? To find out how to apply for
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance
office or call 1-855-432-7587.

If you have other questions or need help, call (928) 502-4773.

Vista High School will host an open house event on Wednesday, July 31, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., inviting families to meet their child's teachers and learn about the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

All YUHSD students are welcome to visit the campus and explore what Vista High School has to offer.

“We would like to make our entire Yuma community aware of the amazing opportunities that our Lobos have at Vista High School and show off our beautiful campus,” Vista High School Principal David King said. “We hope to showcase our CTE programs, student council community participation, integration of Technology in classrooms, and give students, parents, and community members an opportunity to speak with our teachers and students about why Vista is a great fit for a diverse population of learners.”

Vista offers unique amenities compared to other YUHSD schools, such as a personalized and cohesive learning community of fewer than 300 students. Students can earn credits twice as fast as at other campuses, take advantage of credit recovery options if they are not credit-current, and enjoy flexible scheduling options.

For additional information about Vista High School, visit vista.yumaunion.org or call the office.
 

Yuma Union High School District schools will be hosting open house events for families to meet their child's teachers and learn about the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

Families will have an opportunity to receive ParentVUE information, learn about campus activities, including clubs and athletics, and tour their school.

“The success of any high school and its students is intimately tied to the relationship we cultivate with our parents and families,” CHS academic principal Itzel Rodriguez said. “During open house, families will have the opportunity to meet our dedicated teachers, learn more about their coursework, and understand how best to support their student's educational needs. We believe that strong partnerships with parents are essential to creating a successful academic environment for our students."

Here is a list of all seven events for YUHSD schools: 

Gila Ridge High School: Tuesday, July 30 (5-6:30 p.m.)
Kofa High School: Tuesday, July 30 (5-7 p.m.) 
San Luis High School: Tuesday, July 30 (5-7 p.m.) 
Somerton High School: Tuesday, July 30 (5:30-7 p.m.) 
Yuma High School: Tuesday, (July 30 4:30-6 p.m.)
Vista High School: Wednesday, July 31 (5-6:30 p.m.) 
Cibola High School: Monday, August 12 (5-7 p.m.)

Parents and guardians should refrain from using the open-house time for in-depth, parent-teacher conferences. Instead, use the open house time to schedule a conference in the future, if needed. 
 

Yuma Union High School District conducted a four-day onboarding orientation at the district office from July 19-24, 2024 for 70 new and returning teachers. 

It is the first-time the district has offered such extensive programming for this annual event designed to equip educators with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in their classrooms. The orientation provided in-depth training on a variety of essential topics, including instructional practices, YUHSD standards, learning management platforms, and other strategies to ensure teachers are well-prepared for the upcoming school year. 

“The new teacher onboarding is a nice opportunity for us to be given all the information and build a foundation for us to start from,” said Kofa High School Physical Education teacher Mia Corners, who is also a YUHSD alum. “We can be more prepared for the students and be more confident in this new role and position, where we can empower the students from the very first day of school. 

The event was further enriched by the contributions of Avenir Financial, which provided lunch for the participants each day. Additionally, Arizona Public Service (APS) and the YUHSD Teaching and Learning department donated breakfast for all four days of the orientation.

“Thank you to all the new teachers for being here,” YUHSD College and Career Readiness and AVID District Director Christal Buckley said. “This is a wonderful district that offers numerous opportunities for growth and learning. We’re excited to have you here and look forward to seeing the positive impact you will have on our students.”

YUHSD remains committed to supporting its educators and providing them with the resources they need to succeed. The success of this year’s onboarding orientation underscores the district’s dedication to create a collaborative and supportive environment for all its teachers.
 

As a way of ensuring that members of the Class of 2024 have access to financial aid for postsecondary education, Yuma Union High School District is hosting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Finish Line event at Somerton High School on Saturday, June 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will focus on helping individuals who were a part of the Class of 2024 and did not complete their FAFSA, get the document completed and submitted. It will also feature additional information for families about postsecondary education including opportunities to meet with colleges and universities.

“FAFSA is an important source to different types of aid,” Somerton High School Director of Counseling Maria Dillard said. “Completing and submitting your FAFSA form is easy and free. It gives you access to different scholarships, work-study, grants, and loans. It’s a great day to do your FAFSA.”

While the event is geared towards students who graduated in May, families with younger students, especially those are welcome to attend and learn more about FAFSA and the transition from high school to college.

“Getting our students and parents involved together to look at financial literacy as a senior is crucial, especially when it comes to post-secondary education,” San Luis High School Director of Counseling Cesar Castillo said. “I feel like this is a huge stepping stone for our families to know that they may get assistance to at the very least start at a trade school or junior college.  The hardest thing to do is to start something.”

Families with questions about completing the FAFSA are highly encouraged to reach out to YUHSD’s new FAFSA Hotline at (928) 502-4628. The hotline will be in place Monday through Friday through July 16 from the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the exception of June 19 (Juneteenth) and July 4 (Independence Day).

The Kofa High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC) received several medals and a top honor recognition at the National Rifle Association (NRA) rifle championship.

Cadet Mildreth Hernandez received the Bronze National Championship Medal for placing third out of 152 competitors, which got the Kofa team their first ever top honors recognition. Cadet Jasmine Escalera received a bronze medal for her third place finish out of 27 competitors in the JROTC category and 17th overall in the entire competition. Cadet Karla Borel finished seventh in the JROTC category and 25th overall. Cadet Delila Mendez finished eighth in the JROTC category and 28th overall. 

Additionally, the team received silver medals for their second place win in the Scholastic JROTC category. ​​Three members also received expert shooting pins and Hernandez received a Master’s pin. 

The KHS JROTC team finished third overall out of the 25 teams.

“This has been an incredible year for our team, and there is still one more national event this summer to wrap up the season,” KHS JROTC Instructor Major Todd Birney said. 

This was the first year that Kofa was selected to take part in the NRA rifle championship. The team will wrap up the 2023-24 season with the Civilian Marksman Program (CMP) National Championship in Ohio from June 19-23, where Hernandez will be competing after placing tenth at CMP regionals in April. 

The Kofa MCJROTC program, which is overseen by Sgt Maj. Colen Laarman and Maj. Todd Birney, has earned numerous awards and recognitions over the past several years. Additionally, the program has been previously named a distinguished Naval Honors School.  

Yuma Union High School District, in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Education, hosted a PREPaRE model workshop on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

This collaborative effort guided participants through an intensive learning process aimed at establishing and maintaining school safety measures that prioritize both physical and psychological well-being.

"I am excited that our staff were able to attend and participate in the training," YUHSD Director of Health and Safety Henry Gonzalez said. "Staff now have a solid understanding of crisis preparedness. This training will increase their confidence and competence in crisis response planning, translating to successful and safe outcomes for our students and staff."

The workshop covered topics such as making and practicing safety plans and crisis plans. It also highlighted the cooperation of school staff and community providers in delivering school-based crisis preparedness and response activities.

Participants included a diverse range of professionals from YUHSD, such as campus administrators, department directors, social workers, counselors, nurses, dropout prevention specialists, transportation department, and facilities staff. Community agencies were also represented, with attendees from Community Partners for Integrated Health, School Resource Officers from the Yuma and San Luis Police Departments, Crane Elementary School District, Arizona Complete Health, and Desert Choice Schools. 

As a result of this workshop, participants are now better equipped to enhance their school's climate, boost student resilience, and improve the crisis response capabilities of school staff. The training underlined the importance of ongoing crisis prevention, mitigation, protection, response, and recovery—key elements for the Emergency Operation Plans within YUHSD.