Cortina Elementary School

09/25/2026

What a wonderful afternoon at Cortina Elementary! Our 1st Grandfriends Event was filled with smiles, laughter, crafts, games, and special memories shared with some very special friends.

We loved seeing our students spend time with their grandfriends and create memories that will last long after the afternoon was over. From enjoying activities together to visiting the Book Fair and grabbing a tasty treat, fun was had by all!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make our very first Grandfriends Event such a success. We are so grateful for our amazing Tiger Family and the special people who make our students feel loved and supported!

09/23/2026

09/18/2026

Cortina Elementary students took a closer look at the U.S. Constitution in recognition of Constitution Day. 🇺🇸

During morning announcements, Principal Faith Orr and Assistant Principal Mr. Terry Peper shared the importance of this foundational document and how it protects the rights and freedoms of Americans.

Learning about the Constitution gives students an opportunity to better understand our nation's history and the role we all play as responsible citizens. 📜

09/09/2026

🏰👑 Our 4th graders stepped back in time! 👑🏰

Our fourth graders kicked off the Middle Ages unit by traveling back in time and experiencing history in a fun and memorable way!

To bring this fascinating unit to life, our amazing teachers transformed into medieval royalty, complete with crowns and scrolls, as they introduced students to the world of the Middle Ages.

Instead of simply reading about kings, queens, castles, and medieval life, our students got to see their teachers become part of the story! What a fun way to spark curiosity and excitement for learning! 🏰✨

09/05/2026

09/03/2026

🐯TIGER STAFF OF THE MONTH! 🐯

Help us celebrate Mrs. Swait & Ms. Karee, our amazing Tiger Staff of the Month! 🎉

These ladies bring so much heart, positivity, and dedication to Cortina each day. They make a difference in the lives of our students and help make our school such a special place to learn and grow.

We are so lucky to have you both on our Tiger team! 🧡

Congratulations, Mrs. Swait & Ms. Karee!

08/31/2026

Our Garden Club students & parent volunteers were hard at work on Saturday morning, getting all the garden beds ready for fall planting! 🌻🥕🌿

We are so thankful for the time, care, and teamwork they put into making our school garden so beautiful. We are incredibly proud of our garden and can’t wait to see what our Tigers will harvest this fall! 🍅🥬🥕

A HUGE TIGER THANK YOU to our amazing Garden Club for working hard to make our garden something to be proud of! 🧡🐯🖤

08/28/2026

Cortina Tigers Represent!
Our 6th Grade Student Leaders had a special opportunity to join Higley High Knights for their first Spirit Assembly of the year!

Our student leaders got to experience the energy, excitement, and the pride of a high school spirit assembly while proudly representing Cortina Elementary!

We are so proud of these student leaders for showing up, getting involved, and being amazing ambassadors for our school. Way to ROAR, Tigers Leaders!

08/27/2026

Celebrating Our Cortina Team! 🧡🐯🖤

We're celebrating something truly special—the dedication, commitment, and years of service of our incredible employees! 🎉

This year, we are proud to recognize team members celebrating 5, 10, 15, and 20 years with the district! 👏

Each year represents countless moments of making a difference, supporting students, building relationships, and helping our school community grow. We are so grateful for the experience, heart, and dedication you bring to Cortina each and every day. What an incredible milestone!

Congratulations to all of our honorees:

6th grade teacher Jessica Bailey - 5 years
4th grade teacher Marie Garcia - 5 years
3rd grade teacher Nicole Smith - 5 years
Cross Cat teacher Chantelle Chandler - 10 years
Para Emily Puckett - 10 years
Kinder teacher Nicole Flores - 10 years
1st grade teacher Shannon Deskins - 15 years
Para Lisa Mixco - 15 years
School Office Manager - Ms. JM 20 years
Health Aide Daphne Patrick - 20 years
Not pictured Custodian Oralia Carranza 10 years & Music teacher Grace Yum 20 years

THANK YOU for being part of our Tiger family! 🐯