Greg Stanton's
My Turn – Ahwatukee Republic News Column
March 2007 Kyrene de la Colina Celebrates 20Years
Kyrene de la Colina Elementary School recently celebrated its 20th anniversary of education and service to our Ahwatukee community. Over the past 20 years, 250 faculty members have worked to the best of their ability to provide a quality education to our children. In fact, about 4,000 students in our neighborhood have walked the halls of Colina. The school first opened to serve 300 students - grew to an attendance as high as 1,000 students - and currently has 600 students attending the school. I was honored to be a part of the celebration as community leaders along with former and current students, faculty and families were gathered to recognize the accomplishments of the school during its 20-year journey.
During the evening, four Colina educators were honored for their 20 years of service to the school. I want to recognize and thank Brent Gregory, Mary Deming, Valerie Schutter and Brenda Hardin for achieving this impressive milestone. They all admitted that it doesn’t feel like it’s been 20 years – the students’ vest for learning is still the same along with their excitement to go to school and to learn. They also shared how the community is so involved and very supportive of Colina. The PTO is amazing and they have great relationships on a professional level, but on a personal level as well.
Valerie Schutter was able to share her personal photo album of the school with her second-grade students. They were excited to see what their school looked like from the very beginning and enjoyed pointing out the differences. Valerie mentioned that no homes surrounded the school and she was able to take her students out for nature walks in the desert. In addition to the growth of the neighborhood, the school also has adopted preventive measures to secure the school against various threats which can happen in today’s world.
It’s exceptional to know that these esteemed educators were there when Colina first opened its door to the community and are still there working with our students on a daily basis to educate and nurture them. The entire student body was involved in the celebration by creating birthday banners to decorate the school. Albertson’s generously donated 20 cakes – one for each year and they all featured a different photo of the school, faculty and students. The celebration also kicked-off the school’s PTO Basket Auction night, which raised a total of $9,000 for the school by selling baskets filled with goodies and services donated by local businesses and community members.
I take comfort in knowing that this elementary school and other schools within Ahwatukee Foothills are providing a first-rate education to our children. The teachers not only focus on academics but on nurturing and the development of each child, which are critical as they pursue higher education. As a new parent and the chair of the City Council’s Innovation, Parks and Education Subcommittee, I’m committed to quality instruction for youth and will be at the forefront to ensure our children continue to receive a first-rate education. Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton represents Ahwatukee Foothills. Contact Councilman Stanton's office at 602-262-7491, e-mail greg.stanton@phoenix.gov or visit phoenix.gov/district6.
