The Queen Creek Unified School District is marking its third quarter by highlighting its student success.

“These highlights boast an array of programs, clubs, activities, and more our district offers to keep students engaged and learning,” a press release from the district stated.

Desert Mountain Elementary

• Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek partnered with DME for donations for children in need.
• Students had a productive field trip to JA BizTown learning about business operations.
• Hosted a successful Grandparents Day pancake breakfast.

Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary

• Selected as an A+ School of Excellence by Arizona Educational Foundation.
• Students were paid a visit from Roots ‘N Boots Queen Creek Royalty to learn about the history of the rodeo.
• Second graders got to experience Lunar New Year in VR in the school’s SmartLab.

Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary

• Color fun run took place with funds going toward beautification projects, shade structures, technology and classroom support.
• Students shared some family time at the Pickett family picnic.
• Placed third in the district kickball tournament.

Gateway Polytechnic Academy

• Annual Aviator Dash raised more than $100,000 with funds going toward playground shade structure, banners along the portable area, field trips, teacher grants and PTO community events.
• Kindergarten Star Lab

Jack Barnes Elementary

• Students raised more than $4,000 for the Kids Heart Challenge.

Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary

• February marked the start of building the school garden.
• Visit from historical-fiction author Jennifer Nielson.
• Staff received “Stop the Bleed” training and learned how to perform life-saving actions in case of emergency.

Queen Creek Elementary

• Former QCUSD councilor Shelly Sheldon visited to speak on becoming a published author.
• The school had Career Truck Day where students got to check out trucks/cars from different professions (semitruck, police car, construction lift, etc.).

Schnepf Elementary

• Students celebrated raising more than $6,500 for the Kids Heart Challenge with a color tunnel at the school's field day.
• Won the QCUSD kickball championship tournament for the second year in a row.

Silver Valley Elementary

• Fourth-grade students took a field trip to Schnepf Farms to learn about the American Revolution.
• Girls Who Code started this quarter for third and sixth graders.
• Fourth grade ELP had an overnight trip to the Phoenix Zoo.

Newell Barney Junior High

• Eighth grade visit to Queen Creek High School.
• Pom competition.
• Meet-and-greet for incoming freshmen interested in Queen Creek High School football.
• Student-and-parent workshop for post-secondary planning.

Queen Creek Junior High

• The eighth-grade girls’ basketball team won the East Valley Conference championship with an undefeated season.
• Eighth-grade grade students visited Queen Creek High School for the “Running with the Big Dogs” event where they learned about their future high school.
• Student Brooklyn S. earned second place in the QCUSD spelling bee.

Crismon High

• Orchestra students earned a “superior” rating at area festival.
• Eighth-grader Ben A. earned third place at the National Civics Bee competition.
• Future Business Leaders of America students won 12 medals at the Region 2 competition hosted at ASU.
• The cheer team placed fourth at the state cheer competition and earned the “Overall Lasting Impression” award.

Eastmark High

• The cheer team won a national competition.
• The wrestling team earned several podium spots at the state wrestling tournament.

Queen Creek High

• DECA students brought back 15 medals from their state conference, along with numerous other recognitions.
• Elizabeth F. earned a spot in the AMEA Regional Choir.
• Several Students won awards in the Musical Theater Competition of America.

Districtwide

• QCUSD voted favorite school district in Independent Newsmedia’s East Valley Favorites.
• The Queen Creek Schools Education Foundation softball tournament raised money for student scholarships and teacher grants .
• Elementary and junior high orchestra students performed with Mark Wood, one of the founders of the original Trans Siberian Orchestra, in an electric orchestra concert.
• All QCUSD schools hosted open house nights for National School Choice Week to invite members of the community to learn about the district.