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480-541-1002

Attendance:

480-541-1002

 

 

Superintendent's Message

May 20, 2026

Dear Kyrene Community,

The final weeks of the school year seem to move faster than any other time. Students are completing end-of-year testing to showcase how much they have learned; school communities are coming together to celebrate another successful year of learning and growing; and everyone is looking forward to a well-earned summer break.

Celebrating Team Kyrene

During Teacher Appreciation Week, we celebrated our world-class Kyrene educators. Our teachers create welcoming and inclusive environments that are vibrant and world class, where they provide rigorous and responsive lessons to ensure Kyrene kids are ready for the future. Our students and our entire community are better because of them.

We also had the privilege of celebrating excellence in Kyrene at the Tempe Diablos Excellence in Education awards ceremony. Finalists were nominated by staff, students and community members for their impact in our District. Congratulations to our District winners and to all who were nominated!

At the end of the school year, we will be saying goodbye to three Kyrene schools whose buildings hold decades of memories for families both past and present. These campuses have been more than places of learning; they have been the backdrop for first friendships, proud milestones, and the everyday moments that shape a child's story.

All three campuses held special open house events so that community members, former students, and teachers could walk the hallways one last time and carry those memories with them.

While the buildings may close, their legacy and spirit will endure. Memorabilia from each school will be housed in a dedicated public area at the Kyrene School District office, where their history will be preserved and honored for years to come.

Kids on a large swing set with a bouncy castle in the background on a school field.

Kyrene de la Colina

A man with a microphone stands in front of a crowded multipurpose room in front of a projector screen with text: Celebration of Estrella.

Kyrene de la Estrella

A younger woman and a young boy looking at a school yearbook in the library. An older woman opposite them is doing the same thing.

Kyrene de las Manitas

A young girl with brown hair stands in front of a tree made of paper and a sign behind her with text: Gratitude is Attitude. She wears a tshirt that reads Kyrene del Norte Mission Possible.

Spotlight on Dual Language

Bilingualism is one of the most powerful tools we have for preparing students to thrive in a connected world. We visited our students participating in Kyrene’s Dual Language Program to learn first-hand what they find so special about learning in both languages.

Watch the Video

Golden Apple Awards

Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation celebrates teacher mentors with a variety of awards for their work with student teachers placed in their classrooms. At this year's Golden Apple Gala, two Kyrene teachers received awards. 

Please join me in congratulating Caitlin Sabato from C.I. Waggoner and Keely Marinella from Kyrene de las Brisas, who both received the Compassionate Leadership Award!
Two women in dresses stand in front of a stage and a projector screen that says %22Golden Apple Gala.%22
A woman holding a certificate stands on the left hand side and a man on the right hand side standing in a ballroom.

This award acknowledges mentors who lead with kindness and patience, providing safe spaces for students to make mistakes, learn through experience, and develop strong problem-solving and reflective skills along the way. Congratulations!

Kyrene Values

During the last week of April, members of my team visited our 4th quarter Kyrene Values Educators Award winners throughout the District. Check out our district social media accounts this week as we spotlight each of our winners. It was another very successful year for this program, as our Kyrene Values Committee received more than 200 peer nominations!

A collage of photos of people with certificates posing with colleagues.

Thanks to our sponsor, CORE, 48 members of Team Kyrene received a certificate and a $100 Amazon gift card as a token of appreciation for their dedication to Kyrene this school year.

A Thank You to Kyrene's Superintendent Councils

As the school year comes to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our community for staying actively engaged in Kyrene through groups like the Kyrene Business Alliance and Parent Organization Roundtable. Your thoughtful feedback, collaboration, and commitment have helped us tackle challenges, embrace new opportunities and make meaningful progress that benefits all students and families. 

As this school year draws to a close, we acknowledge the full range of emotions that come with it. Pride in what our students and staff have accomplished, gratitude for the communities we have built together, and the bittersweet feeling that often accompanies significant change. This has been a year of growth, perseverance, and heart. Thank you for being a part of it.  

Sincerely,
Laura Toenjes, Superintendent