Cortez High School

Congratulations to the Class of 2024, who earned over $5 million in scholarships this school year!

Once again, congratulations to the Cortez High School Class of 2024! 🎓🎉

Congratulations to the Cortez High School Class of 2024! 🎓🎉

As we began the year, the Cortez High School community- students, staff, and coaches- committed to engage with the neighborhood and provide more community service this school year. We are still tallying our hours, but we know that we quadrupled the total from the previous year.

On May 14 there was a lot of racquet and love on the Cortez tennis courts as the players chose a faculty member to participate in the Teacher-Player Tennis Tourney. The temps were close to the triple digits in the single elimination tournament.
In an intense championship match full of energy and laughter, Senior Eh and former coach Gittens served up a win. This was especially fitting since Mr. Gittens is retiring this year and can walk away with Eh as the Cortez Teacher-Player champion.
Thank you to the following teams for the great fun this year:
Rahel & Daoust
Eh Htoo & Gittens
Gina & Griepp
America & Bray
Karla & Principal Parsons
Danielin & Asst Principal Dobberphul
Evelyn & Hooper
Emely & Areli
Htoo & Turner
Xavier & McMahon (Captain)
Alex & Archuleta

Next week is graduation and final exams, and Cortez will be on a special schedule.
On Monday, May 20th, all students will be released at 10:25 due to graduation taking place that afternoon at 12:30.
On Tuesday, May 21st, all underclass students will take their period 1, 2, and 3 final exams. Students will be released at noon.
On Wednesday, May 22nd, all underclass students will take their period 4/5, 6, and 7 final exams. Students will be released at noon.
Thursday, May 23rd, is the first day of summer break, and there will be no students on campus. The Cortez front office will be open from 7am-4pm.

Congratulations to our April Colts with C.L.A.S.S. winners.
Freshman: Robert Wiggins
Sophomore: Mohamed Adam
Junior: Kavya Begay
Senior: Andres Varela

Parents and students, the journey’s been long, but the destination is near. Let’s rally together, attend every class, and make these final days ones to remember. The best is yet to come!

🍎✨ Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week! ✨🍎
To all the amazing teachers here and across the district, thank you for inspiring, educating, and empowering our students.

Today is National Lunch Hero Day! If you happen to see any of our fabulous cafeteria staff members, please take a moment to thank them. They work tirelessly every day to feed our students and give them an awesome school lunch experience!

Cortez, graduation is right around the corner! The ceremony will be held at Desert Diamond Arena at 12:30 on Monday, May 20th.
Seniors, graduation practice is on Friday, May 17th!

Hey high schoolers and parents! The finish line is in sight, and every day counts towards reaching those academic goals. Let’s stay focused, attend every class, and end the year strong.

If you are struggling, we are here to help See your teacher before or after class, or visit the Learning Center or Media Center and get the help you need to pass your classes.

Cortez Community, here's a list of what's available this Saturday for just a $15 donation!
Borderlands’ P.O.W.W.O.W
- Spaghetti Squash
- Yellow Squash
- Italian Squash
- English Cucumber
- Plain Cucumber
- Green Beans
- Yellow Bell Pepper
- Grape Tomato in Clams

Bonus Items (In addition to up to 70lbs):
- Watermelon
- White Onion
- Butternut Squash

Borderlands' Produce On Wheels With-Out Waste We all need to accept our role in helping Save Mother Earth by reducing the food waste in the landfil

Hey students, listen up! We are nearing the end of the school year. Remember, it is still important for you to show up to school everyday. Show up, give it your all, and let’s finish this year stronger than ever before.

The final countdown has begun, Class of 2024! Just a few weeks until you toss those caps and step into a new adventure. We could not be prouder of the resilience and determination you have shown. Let’s make these last moments count!

Today seniors attended a meeting where they received all of the information they need to finish the year strong and walk across the stage on May 20th!

🎓🌟When is the last time you checked your teens grades? Do it today by logging into your ParentVUE account. Don’t have one? Activate yours today by visiting the ParentVUE link under the ‘Resources’ tab on the school website: https://parentvue.guhsdaz.org/PXP2_Login.aspx

Cortez Home Health recently partnered with Home Assist Health to provide internship opportunities to several of our Cortez students.

Students are being exposed to various roles in a home health agency including Finance, HR, Administrative positions, IT, and more. There are many career paths within the medical field and this internship gives students the opportunity to gain exposure to these jobs as well as meet and work with healthcare professionals.

Watch the attached ABC15 video from the 5:00 news show, and read the article to find out more!

Valley nonprofit works to fill the need for homecare workers Arizona is facing a shortage of homecare aides, but a Valley nonprofit is trying to change that by creating a way to cultivate the next crop of workers.

Valley nonprofit works to fill the need for homecare workers Arizona is facing a shortage of homecare aides, but a Valley nonprofit is trying to change that by creating a way to cultivate the next crop of workers.

This past weekend, the Colts put on a show in the Epic Tournament, playing three games at Cortez. The Colts, looking to capitalize on the win over Northland Prep the day before, showed up to take on Window Rock.

Taking the mound for Cortez was senior Andrew Alvarez who pitched a complete game with 5 innings of work. Alvarez struck out 7 and only walked 2 of the 26 batters he faced. The offense continued their momentum from the day before by putting up 14 hits on the night. Backing up his work on the mound Alvarez went 2 for 2 with 2 triples, a sac fly and 2 walks and 6 RBI's. Julian Bernal had a stellar night going 3 for 5 and was just one base hit short of hitting for the cycle, hitting a double, triple, and his second home run of the season while also driving in 5 runs. Senior Cesar Ruiz also put on a show, going 3 for 3, getting on base with 2 hit by pitches and coming into score 4 runs for the night. Senior X Nevarez added to the team's energy, going 2 for 4 with an RBI and scoring once. Sophomores Aeryk Snyder, Julian Cabrera, and Kriztian Visuet all got a hit on the night as well. Eleven of the Colt's 18 runs, came in the top of the 5th inning, Cortez was the away team. Window Rock fought till the end adding 4 runs to the three they scored in the first, but Cortez was able to hold on and close the game out 18 - 7 in five innings.

Window Rock wasn't the only school Cortez played this past weekend. After getting home well past 9 the night before, the Colts showed up for a 10 am game the next day to face off against Monument Valley. The Colts had to fight the Mustangs, but were able to pull off an 11-10 victory over 5 innings. Earning the win was sophomore Kriztian Visuet, who pitched the final 3 innings, ending with 4 strike outs against 5 walks with the 12 batters he faced. The defense was solid completing the game with zero errors and shutting down the Mustang offense in the fourth and fifth inning, including an inning ending 4-6-3 double play between Julian, Andrew and Carlos Gomez. The offense was steady throughout the game putting 3 runs in the first, second, 2 in the fourth and adding 3 in the fifth go up 11-10. Alvarez and Bernal had great success at the plate again that day, with Andrew going 2 for 2, with an RBI, a Sac Fly and an RBI while Bernal went 4 for 4 driving in 6 runs on 3 doubles and an in the park home run. Adding to the batting success, was Junior Carlos Gomez who went 2 for 3 on the day while Cesar and Kriztian both went 1 for 2 with Cesar scoring 2 and getting hit by 2 pitches, while Kriztian drove in 2 runs.

If you want to see them in action, there is just one home game left. On Monday, April 22nd, the Colts take on Coronado at 6 pm for Senior Night.

Parents and students, we’re in the final quarter! Now is the time to buckle down, show up, and give it your all. Let’s finish this year strong and set the stage for an amazing future.

💲💸Invest in your neighborhood high school and Save on Taxes! AZ residents, did you know you can support extracurricular activities AND get a tax credit? Donate up to $400 to your favorite program and reduce your state taxes. It’s a win-win for your wallet and the future of our students! Learn more at www.guhsdaz.org under the Tax Credit link. Share this with your AZ family and friends.

Congratulations to our March Colts with C.L.A.S.S. winners.

Freshman: Leydis Tamayo Olivera
Sophomore: Priscila Altamirano Escalante
Junior: Cristofer Esquivel Diaz
Senior: Devan Fowler

Cortez congratulates our HOSA state winners!

National Qualifiers:
Elizabet Vega – 3rd place - Cultural Diversities and Disparities in Healthcare
Asia Wilson – Barbara James service award Bronze level (100+ community service hours)
Adam Bryson - Barbara James service award Bronze level (100+ community service hours)

These 3 students have worked diligently over the past year to be able to earn their place among the few who will represent Arizona HOSA at this year’s international conference in Houston Texas! Every student who competed this year performed admirably and furthered their understanding of the medical field through competitive events, workshops hosted by industry, and College program representatives from state universities as well as Midwestern, Pima and GCU.
Cortez is so proud of all of our students as well as our HOSA Advisor Steven Shively for leading the group.

Attention Glendale Union High School District community! Your input is crucial as we consider a November 5, 2024 ballot bond initiative. Join us on April 11 at Cortez High School for a public presentation where we'll discuss the potential bond and gather feedback from the communities of Cortez, Greenway, and Moon Valley High Schools. Your participation is vital in shaping decisions that impact our students and community. See you at 6:00 p.m.!

We're a couple days late, but didn't want to miss giving a shoutout to Assistant Principal Dobberphul, Galbreath, and Krumpos for their dedication and hard work this year! Your efforts don’t go unnoticed.

Cortez Parents & Students: The semester is already winding down! With 28 days of school before final exams, make sure you use all resources available to finish strong.
Teachers are available in their classrooms every Wednesday morning at 8:15am, as well as after school daily.
Or, join us in the Media Center this Wednesday and Thursday at 3:30.
See you there!!!

🔑Unlock the power of ParentVUE today! To get started, simply reach out to your school and grab your Activation Key. 🌟 Your student’s success is just a click away! 💪

🙌Cortez High School is one of the Arizona Educational Foundation’s Schools of Excellence. As part of the A+ School of Excellence, we’re dedicated to continuing our tradition of providing an exceptional educational experience for all our students.

Please visit this link from the Cortez website to read our monthly message from the principal:
https://www.guhsdaz.org/cms/lib/AZ50010915/Centricity/Domain/9/March%20Round-Up%20pdf.pdf