Daily Schools Update: Some responses to missing class may add to learning loss

Click here for updates going forward
Updated: Dec. 7, 2022: Some responses to students missing classes may contribute to learning loss, according to an analysis by the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting and The Hechinger Report.
To produce this three-part series, our teams spent months submitting records requests, processing and analyzing data, and conducting interviews with school leaders, experts and students. Here’s a closer look at how (and why) we did it: https://t.co/2dPe8VfA5U
— AZCIR (@ArizCIR) December 6, 2022
Tempe Elementary Students learned about the firefighting profession.
What an experience! @TempeFire welcomed eighth-graders from McKemy Academy of International Studies & Connolly Middle School to the Tempe Fire Training Facility for a day of immersive activities introducing them to the firefighting profession.
— Tempe Elementary (@TempeElementary) December 5, 2022
Read on: https://t.co/dEwODtpMBY pic.twitter.com/tELt9cwuMU
See what makes one Avondale Elementary School District student happy.
Lauren “feels sunshine” every time she shares her talent. Hear all about her hidden talent ☀️ pic.twitter.com/9NV7tqiBtT
— Avondale District (@AvondaleESD) December 7, 2022
See what students in Buckeye Elementary’s Gifted enrichment club are doing.
@BesdGifted @JasinskiSchool Gifted Enrichment Club met this morning to play Blink and create marble run. #giftesld #buckeyegifted pic.twitter.com/CcNICtm2d8
— Light Bulb Moment 💡 (@MomentBulb) December 6, 2022
See how you can help your students at home with reading comprehension.
Curriculum Connections 🍎✏️
— KyreneSchools (@KyreneSchools) December 6, 2022
Elementary ELA & Social Studies Coordinator, Dr. Raquel Ellis details five ways families can help to improve their student’s reading comprehension at home in a new blog post from Kyrene’s Teaching and Learning team!
Read More: https://t.co/nqZ1V8tRl5 pic.twitter.com/idxeeiqf5h
The latest Arizona Department of Health Services dashboard update shows confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Arizona are 2,353,530 as of Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, up 15,983 cases from last week, and 31,822 Arizonans have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
This week’s #COVID19 dashboard update adds 15,983 cases and 71 deaths.
— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) December 7, 2022
Even if you have already had #COVID19, you can still get vaccinated to #StopTheSpread and stay protected from COVID-19 and its variants.
Find a vaccine provider near you: https://t.co/q2kfD0sU6i pic.twitter.com/q8xF4NTyU1
CDC’s booster tool is an easy-to-use guide to get answers on #COVID19 booster eligibility, timing, and available vaccines for you and your family. Learn more: https://t.co/009bOerScg pic.twitter.com/hsqGdzMHS9
— CDC (@CDCgov) December 6, 2022
In Maricopa County there are 1,470,301 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 305,498 in Pima County, 152,251 in Pinal County, 69,092 in Yuma County, 65,559 in Mohave County, 57,905 in Yavapai County, 51,697 in Coconino County, 46,759 in Navajo County, 37,779 in Cochise County, 34,608 in Apache County, 20,781 in Gila County, 19,079 in Santa Cruz County, 13,770 in Graham County, 5,843 in La Paz County, and 2,608 in Greenlee County.
Don’t wait to get your family’s flu shots. It could keep you out of the hospital, or even save a life.
— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) December 7, 2022
🚨 Flu hospitalizations are at the highest they’ve been in the past TEN years!
It’s #NotJustTheFlu. It’s serious. Get your flu shot: https://t.co/eyZZkAhMGC pic.twitter.com/ZPM17O4gAH
Free vaccinations tomorrow Dec 7:#Flu & #COVID19:
— Maricopa County Public Health (@Maricopahealth) December 7, 2022
⏰8:30-11am: Dysart Community Center
⏰1-5:30pm: Tolleson Fire Dept
⏰2-5:30pm: St Vincent de Paul
COVID-19 only, including updated boosters:
⏰1-5pm: Buckeye Family Resource Ctr
⏰3-6pm: Laveen Education Ctr pic.twitter.com/a2fDxLp9wF
Dysart Unified School District thanked everyone who attended Future Freshman nights earlier this week.
Thanks to everyone who came out for our Future Freshman Nights yesterday. We can’t wait for our 8th graders to make the big leap to high school! If you were unable to attend, feel free to check out our school websites for program information, or call and schedule a tour. pic.twitter.com/7WDucKGsTu
— Dysart Schools (@DysartUSD) December 6, 2022
Pendergast Elementary School District honors veterans on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Today is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and honors all those who lost their lives when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. More than 3,500 Americans lost their lives or were wounded on that solemn day. #pesd92 #PearlHarbor #PearlHarborRemembranceDay pic.twitter.com/faSan0CzSY
— PESD92 (@PESD92) December 7, 2022
Cartwright School District shares their excitement about the outdoor learning students will do at a new amphitheater.
@DesertSandsMS just completed construction on its brand-new outdoor amphitheater! Take a look at how cool of a structure this is! So many opportunities for outdoor learning! #oneteamunafamilia pic.twitter.com/GRHXAIH5P8
— Cartwright District (@CartwrightSD) December 6, 2022
Would you like to highlight what’s going on in your school? Then take a look at this.
KJZZ is interested in hearing more about what’s happening inside your school.
— KJZZ Phoenix (@kjzzphoenix) December 7, 2022
What are the newsworthy things — accomplishments, innovations, challenges and struggles — that more people should know about? https://t.co/ml1RqvIIzI
Flooding from rains closes some schools

Updated Dec. 5, 2022: Toltec Elementary and Arizona City Elementary schools were closed today after rainstorms this weekend led to flooding and difficult driving conditions.
Both Arizona City Elementary School and Toltec Elementary School are closed today due to flooding from weekend rains, the area’s school district said. https://t.co/FzrjaV3Ed3
— 12 News (@12News) December 5, 2022
See students receive backpacks and headphones thanks to Arizona Cardinals’ Kelvin Beachum Jr .and World Vision.
Cardinals OL @KelvinBeachumJr & @WorldVision handing out backpacks and headphones to students at Champion Schools. Love seeing their reactions ☺️ We’ll have more tonight on @azfamily The Extra Point at 10:35 on 3TV! pic.twitter.com/KcuPz9s5qq
— Julia Lopez (@JuliaLopez3) December 5, 2022
Lawmakers call on Gov. Doug Ducey to call a special session so Legislators can lift the aggregate expenditure limit so schools can spend the money allocated to them in the budget and not have to cut their budget by 17% in the third quarter of the year.
Schools will face $1.4 billion of cuts in the spring if lawmakers don’t act. See how much 💵 your school district stands to lose 👇
— Arizona Mirror (@ArizonaMirror) December 2, 2022
story by @glorihuh https://t.co/ccazfLrsNn
See what would happen to Kyrene School District if the aggregate expenditure limit is not lifted.
Deer Valley Unified School District students explore coding during Computer Science Education Week.
Hour of Code! This week schools are celebrating #ComputerScienceEducationWeek by getting a peek into the exciting world of Computer Science by exploring, playing & creating with coding empowering students to develop as learners, users & creators of computing knowledge. pic.twitter.com/yglKJkoI1X
— Deer Valley Unified School District (@DVUSD) December 5, 2022
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control outlines a multi-faceted approach to helping teens experiencing mental health crises.
Poor mental health among adolescents has grown from a pre-COVID-19 concern to a post-pandemic crisis. A new CDC report identifies some underlying causes and calls for a multipronged approach for helping affected teens.https://t.co/0rxqhaMaSn
— KJZZ Phoenix (@kjzzphoenix) December 5, 2022
See how Sequoya Elementary students give back to their community.
Sequoya Stallions are giving back to the community! Our student council sold Gratitude Grams and donated the profits to the Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary. Well done Stallions! pic.twitter.com/KVDuHuWO7G
— Sequoya Elementary (@SequoyaSUSD) December 5, 2022
Arizona Youth partnership is seeking donations of items to help Mohave County teens in shelters or in transitional housing.
See how a fun run brought the Cartwright School District community together.
Over the weekend, members of the Maryvale community and beyond competed in our Inaugural 5K Fun Run/Walk! The race was terrific, and it was great to see so many of our community members partake in such a fantastic event. Thank you to all who made this possible. #oneteamunafamilia pic.twitter.com/uKm30DYrUi
— Cartwright District (@CartwrightSD) December 5, 2022
The latest Arizona Department of Health Services dashboard update shows confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Arizona are 2,337,547 as of Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, up 12,987 cases from last week, and 31,751 Arizonans have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Children ages 5 and older may now receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters targeting Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 as well as the original coronavirus.
— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) December 5, 2022
Learn more: https://t.co/byzROdUMoZ pic.twitter.com/o2H7E4iqCG
In Maricopa County there are 1,461,222 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 302,920 in Pima County, 151,209 in Pinal County, 68,749 in Yuma County, 65,158 in Mohave County, 57,390 in Yavapai County, 51,314 in Coconino County, 46,284 in Navajo County, 37,525 in Cochise County, 34,191 in Apache County, 20,591 in Gila County, 18,948 in Santa Cruz County, 13,649 in Graham County, 5,825 in La Paz County, and 2,572 in Greenlee County.
Updated COVID-19 booster shots are now available and have been administered to over 50,000 people in Arizona!
— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) October 15, 2022
Join us as we #KeepAZHealthy and find a vaccine provider near you: https://t.co/q2kfD0KuXQ pic.twitter.com/Fiw1ORSmFJ
University of Arizona researchers will study the impact of long COVID-19 thanks to a grant.
University of Arizona awarded $7.3 million grant to study long COVID-19 impact: https://t.co/DR0c6Vaydp pic.twitter.com/UzAeVQuAmi
— azfamily 3TV CBS 5 (@azfamily) December 5, 2022
Peoria Unified students learned about live recording sessions during a field trip to Grand Canyon University.
.@PeoriaUnified11 @SunriseMustangs HS Digital Music Class on their field trip to the @gcu recording studio. Students learned about&experience a live recording session,worked w/professionals to learn about different microphones & how a digital audio interface works when recording! pic.twitter.com/bpGoswCRN2
— Peoria Arts Ed (@PeoriaArtsEd) December 5, 2022
See how you can help families in need.
This year, the number of families whose holiday could be brighter, has increased by over 50%. We have set a goal for this year’s Winter Wonderland at $40,000 to be certain that our families and children have a joyous holiday season. Please give today.https://t.co/tYEcHegV27 pic.twitter.com/7IDBBtHQFe
— Kyrene Foundation (@KyreneFound) December 5, 2022
It’s Future Freshman time in Tucson Unified and many other school districts around the state, where incoming students get to see all the opportunities available at their local high schools.
Future high school & middle school students are enjoying a wonderful time learning and connecting with Tucson Unified’s CTE instructors from across our district at tonights expo. pic.twitter.com/c3Ne4fmrLy
— Tucson Unified CTE (@TUSD1CTE) December 2, 2022
Cheyenne Traditional School’s robotics team took part in their first competition.
Our robotics teams had a memorable weekend at their first competition! One of our CTS teams advanced to the State competition at ASU in January. They also won an award for the team’s robot design. We are so proud of these roadrunners! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/EaIrWgtuy6
— Cheyenne Traditional School (@CheyenneSUSD) December 5, 2022
See ways you can help ensure that students in your community have the nutrition they need to learn.
The heartwarming phenomenon can solve local issues, but probably not what’s expected to be a nationwide rise in lunch debt. https://t.co/xlLxOB6ERl
— Education Week (@educationweek) December 5, 2022
Earlier coverage
2022
Nov. 1 -Nov. 30: Daily Schools Update: House Education Chair says Legislature has enough votes for aggregate expenditure limit special session
Oct. 1 – Oct. 31: Daily schools update: See what Lake’s and Hobbs’ education priorities are
Sept. 1 – Sept. 30: Daily schools update: Sec. of State says not enough signatures filed to block voucher expansion
August 1 – August 31: Daily schools update: When student loan debt forgiveness application launches
July 1 – July 31: Daily schools update: How to save money on back-to-school shopping
June 1 – June 30: Schools update: ASU professor shares how supply chain issues impact Independence Day fireworks shows
May 3 – May 31: Schools update: How to discuss traumatic events with kids
April 4 – April 30: Daily schools update: Chinle principal wins Milken Educator Award
March 1- March 30: Daily schools update: An event-filled weekend of school arts festivals and a CTE competition
Feb.2, 2022 – Feb. 28: Daily schools update: College in Ukraine powered by ASU would have welcomed students next month
Jan. 13, 2022 – Feb. 1: Daily schools update: Students learn more about Year of the Tiger during Lunar New Year
2021
Dec. 20, 2021 – Jan. 12, 2022: Daily schools update: AZ doctors urge schools to require masks as COVID surges
Nov. 23, 2021 – Dec. 17, 2021: Daily schools update: Tolleson Union uses grant to launch Uber-like ride share service for students
Nov. 9, 2021 – Nov. 22, 2021: Daily schools update: Education Advocates get Tax Referendum on 2022 Ballot
Oct. 27, 2021 – Nov. 8, 2021: Daily schools update: Mesa Mother Relieved to get her Young Child Vaccinated
Oct. 12- Oct. 25, 2021: Daily schools update: Supply chain issues cause problems for Arizona school cafeterias
Sept. 27 – Oct. 11, 2021: Daily Schools Update: How will children becoming eligible for COVID-19 vaccine change schools’ prevention measures?
Sept. 14 – Sept. 27, 2021: Daily schools update: Students decision to mask up may have stopped a classroom COVID-19 outbreak
Aug. 24 to Sept. 1, 2021: Daily schools update: COVID-19 outbreaks rise among students in Maricopa County
Aug. 17 to Aug. 23, 2021: Daily schools update: FDA approves Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine
Aug. 3 to Aug. 16, 2021: Daily schools update: Arizona school mask mandates receive presidential praise
July 19 to Aug. 2, 2021: Daily schools update: Teens struggle with mental health as school starts
June 20 to July 14, 2021: Daily schools update: Arizona lawmakers ban mask requirements in schools
June 14 to June 17, 2021: Tempe Union’s board approves comprehensive mental health policy
June 1 to June 11, 2021: It’s time to get students enrolled in school for fall & ready for in-person classes
May 17 to May 28, 2021: A year after George Floyd’s murder, a look at empathy, equity, what’s changed & what hasn’t
May 10 to May 14, 2021: Students ready for graduation ceremonies
May 4 to May 6, 2021: Amendment to bill would prohibit teachers from discussing controversial policy & social issues not essential to learning objectives
April 28 to May 3, 2021: Thank a teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week for all they do for students
April 21 to April 27, 2021: 3 years after Red for Ed there’s much left to do
April 12 to April 20, 2021: How & why teachers discuss trial with students; Schools keep masks after Gov. rescinds mandate
March 29 to April 9, 2021: Children, young teens may be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine before next school year
March 15 to March 26: Masks are still required in all schools; Video: Dr. Christ’s news conference today
Feb. 24 to March 11, 2021: COVID-19 aid funds will help AZ students, families & schools
Feb. 11 to Feb. 23: U.S. Dept of Ed: Students must take standardized tests, but there’s flexiblity on when & how
Feb. 2 to Feb. 9: Video: Supt. Hoffman gives State of Special Education address
Jan. 21 to Feb. 1: Black History Mural Month Project to highlight pioneers of the Black community launches in Phoenix
Jan. 10 – Jan 20: How students engage with Inauguration Day
2020
Dec. 21, 2020 to Jan 8, 2021: Teachers help students deal with attacks on Congress, Capitol
Nov. 30 – Dec. 16: Watch it now: Dr. Christ asks people to avoid holiday gatherings with people they do not live with
Nov. 18 – 25: COVID-19 cases rise before Thanksgiving adding to school and hospital leaders’ concerns
Nov. 16: More schools return to online learning as COVID-19 cases rise
Oct. 20 to Oct. 30: AZDHS amends COVID-19 school benchmarks
Oct. 7 – Oct. 19: What are teachers doing ahead of elections to support students afterwards
Aug. 25 – Sept. 8: Parents voice concern about online class size; school nurses prepare for students
Aug. 12 – Aug. 24: Students, teachers affected by Zoom outage
July 30 – Aug. 11: Parent organizes co-op for learners; group rallies for in-person school days after benchmarks release
July 13- July 30: Teachers prepare for digital learning and back to school
June 29 – July 12: Video: Gov. says ‘Goal is to get children back to school when it’s safe;’ Schools lay out learning models
June 29: Video: Gov. delays in-person classes to Aug. 17 due to rise in COVID-19
June 15 – June 29: Video: Gov. pauses re-opening of some businesses as COVID-19 cases rise
June 24: Plan provides more funding, flexible instruction as schools re-open
May 26 – June 12: Increase in COVID-19 cases marks a new daily high
May 20 – 25: AZ Dept. of Ed releases COVID-19 guidance to schools for summer programs, back to school
May 11 – 19: Arizonans consider workplace safety, what back to school will look like amid COVID-19
April 26 – May 10: Stores re-open, COVID-19 testing blitz resumes on Saturday
April 8 – 25: You can get tested now if you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19
March 12 – April 7, 2020: Coronavirus response: Cases rise; AZ Day of Giving