Mission
Catalina Foothills Community Schools will unite our schools and community by:
•Providing high-quality services and enrichment for lifelong learning that meet the needs and interests of all ages
•Developing partnerships for sharing resources
•Building a sense of community and belonging through strong relationships
Programs
Educational Extension Programs
In coordination with the District’s commitment to learning in and for the 21st Century, Community Schools offers programs that expand and give more opportunities for students to practice these skills. The Educational Extension Division works to enhance the use of existing resources by developing partnerships between our schools and community.
C.A.R.E.
The Community Schools C.A.R.E. (Children’s Activity and Recreation Environment) Program was named the Best School Age Childcare program in Arizona in 2004. Open to all children enrolled in CFSD elementary schools, C.A.R.E. provides a secure, supervised learning and playing experience that will enhance the quality of the time a child spends away from parents and the school classroom. With small student to staff ratios, dedicated classrooms and buildings, and trained staff, our C.A.R.E. program successfully provides a place for students to develop a strong sense of belonging to an afterschool community. For many children C.A.R.E. becomes their neighborhood where relationships are formed and creative play abounds.
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Valley View Early Learning Center
One of our most successful partnerships serves our district's youngest learners, our preschool-aged children. All of our classroom teachers are certified in Early Childhood Education and our curriculum is child-centered, developmentally-appropriate and aligned with Arizona Early Childhood Standards.
In partnership with our CFSD Special Education Department, Community Schools has developed a model inclusion program to serve young learners with special needs. We believe young children with special needs learn best in an inclusion setting where typically-developing children can model and interact with them.
Valley View Early Learning Center is a place where young children learn and play and celebrate the joys of every day as they develop a love for learning, that will last throughout their lives.
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Elementary
Recognizing the need of our families, especially our working parents, to have a safe and productive place for their children after school, Community Schools works in partnerships with our elementary sites to offer a variety of activities. Early Release and after-school time is an opportunity for students to enhance and expand skills and learning through such activities as chess, Robotics, martial arts, dance, art and physical activity classes. Special Programs, usually scheduled on weekends and school holidays, offer students unique opportunities to explore a variety of activities and learn how to develop new skills.
Middle School
Meeting the needs of our middle school students can sometimes be a challenge. We are proud to say that nearly half of our middle school students choose to be engaged in our after-school Extended Day Programs. The unique developmental needs of middle school students directs a focus of programming at this level. The after school extended day program meets their need to explore a variety of activities. Creative exploration in the arts, outdoor education and culture. Through intramural and interscholastic sports students learn how to experience healthy competition as well as valuable team experience. As they look for a place to belong, these programs offer a positive, safe and social alternative to many other options. As these young adolescents search for a sense of identity, our middle school staff who teach in these programs, provide positive role models and guidance in an out of school time environment.
More - Esperero Canyon
High School
At the high school level, the Extended Day Program focus centers on activities that enhance lifelong learning skills to promote participation, interaction, competition and service to others. Such opportunities as driver’s education, intramural tennis, and SAT preparation classes are just a few.
More - Catalina Foothills H.S.
Summer Program
Our summer program serves students preschool-aged through 11th grade with a wide range of learning opportunities. The summer provides Community Schools the opportunity to create new experiences for students both on site in our district and off site in the community at large. Students can volunteer in the community, enjoy outdoor activities, learn how to develop and build skills, practice teamwork and build lasting relationships.
More - Camp Foothills (summer program)
Outdoor Adventure Program
Community Schools Outdoors offers a wide variety of outdoor adventure programming for students of all ages. We offer day trips, weekend trips, overnight excursions and week-long adventures during the school year, holiday breaks and summer camps. We provide challenges that expand horizons and enhance the lives of youth through wilderness education and outdoor exploration. Our nature-based education can be geared towards meeting a wide variety of national or state academic standards. The Outdoor Adventure Program promotes and instills a healthy self-awareness and self-confidence, pushing one’s limits and learning respect for others and the environment.
More - Outdoor Adventures Programs
Our Team
Tax ID# 86-0206026
CS Summer Camp Staff - 520-209-8454
Office Staff
Travis Kolter: Director of Community Schools
Mary Grodman: CS District Program Coordinator
520-209-7546
Debbie Ross: Community Schools Executive Secretary
520-209-7550
Jennifer Noyce: Community School Office Coordinator
520-209-7562
Lisa Rincon: CARE/K+ Office Coordinator
520-209-7548
C.A.R.E/ Community Schools Site Leads
Canyon View: Autumn Hill - 520-209-7752
Manzanita: Ashley Glaser - 520-209-7814
Sunrise Drive: Camille Warner - 520-209-7943
Ventana Vista: Erin Usie-Cooper - 520-209-8023
Middle School Community Schools Program Coordinators
Orange Grove MS Program Coordinator:
Sarah Deane - 520-209-8251
Orange Grove Athletic Director:
Myranda Christensen - 520-209-8237
Esperero Canyon MS Program Coordinator:
Kristina Horvath - 520-209-8131
EC Athletic Director:
Logan Lowry - 520-209-8134
Valley View Early Learning Center
3435 E. Sunrise Dr.
Jennifer Dooley - Director
520-209-7651
Margie Brown - Secretary
520-209-7650