Kyrene superintendent announces enrollment open and community awards; board recognizes 'super students'

Superintendent Laura Tengiz told the Kyrene Governing Board that enrollment for the 2025–26 school year — preschool through grade 8 and before- and after-school programming — has opened and that families can enroll through the district website. Tengiz also alerted the community to award and nomination opportunities and upcoming family-facing events.

Tengiz asked the community to consider nominations for the Tempe Diablos Excellence in Education Awards (nominations open through Jan. 31) and noted the Kyrene Foundation is eligible in local "Best of Ahwatukee" voting that runs through Jan. 31. She congratulated district athletic teams, citing Altadena, Aprende and a third school listed as champions for the winter sports season as noted in her remarks.

Tengiz also promoted a Positive Parenting presentation in partnership with the Tempe Coalition; an upcoming session will address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma. She reminded the community that schools will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day the following Monday.

The board then recognized the district's "Kyrene super students," presenting certificates and small gifts from sponsors to a group of students identified by principals. Students named in the meeting included Chloe Pascoe (collaborator), Addison Larson (community contributor), Leila Williams (critical thinker/problem solver), Kaylee Kaye (adaptable learner/community contributor), Sophia Sparks (community contributor/collaborator/critical thinker) and Ronan Braum (community contributor). Principals or school staff read nomination summaries for each student, and families were invited to gather for photographs after the recognition.

During public comment, Michelle Hirsch addressed the board to welcome and congratulate the newly elected members (Satri, Davis, Collins), urged them to engage with impacted community members when making decisions, and encouraged board members to temper votes with the community perspectives she said were valuable from her experience serving previously on the Kyrene board.

Ending: Superintendent Tengiz emphasized enrollment next steps and upcoming family events; the board closed the recognition segment and continued into business items and committee appointments.