By Anne Gibson
Vail Pride Day is a celebration of the academic, artistic, scientific, and community achievements of the over 13,000 students and nearly 2,000 staff members of the Vail School District now over 20 years of bolstering community pride and involvement! Vail continually ranks among the top school districts in Arizona for academic achievement and every eligible Vail school is an AZ Education Foundation A+ School of Excellence. Vail’s success is truly a community effort!
Vail Pride Day was established in 1999 through the collective inspiration of Rosemary Carrier McCain, Vail School District Community Services Coordinator, and Anne Gibson, Vail School District Governing Board Member. The two represented one staff member and one community volunteer to model the district’s motto of “Where Education is a Community Effort.” The inspiration was rooted in the concern that the school district was growing rapidly and as new schools were built there was beginning to develop a feeling of disconnect.
The idea was for a district-wide program that would bring everyone together in celebration of their successes big and small. The first Vail Pride Day was held on a Friday afternoon in Thurber Hall at the Pima County Fairgrounds. Seeing the success of the program, future Vail Pride Days were held on Saturday and grew into the use of Thurber Hall, the Park, and Pima Hall. It became second only to the Pima County Fair in size and attendance. A team of thirty volunteers, evenly divided between staff and community, oversaw the program and it was recognized nationally with a SODEXO Award of Excellence and presentations at two National School Board Association Conferences in Orlando and Chicago.
Vail Pride Day celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019 and will continue to meet its purpose for at least another 20 years under the leadership of Linda Kubiak and Heather Stough.
Teacher of the Year
The importance of this category is two-fold, as the employees in this category not only spend the majority of their time with our students in the classroom teaching, but they are also assessing student progress through grading that goes back to our District families. Nominate teachers here who are an amazing representation of a seasoned teacher in Vail.
NOMINATIONS CLOSED
Support Staff of the Year
This category represents a large part of our staff that works collaboratively with each other for the benefit of our students and families. Support Staff members are those that are in a role to support teachers, the school and the district as a whole.
NOMINATIONS CLOSED
Rookie of the Year
Take the time to nominate Support Staff and Teachers who are “True Rookies” – new to their profession and the District – who go above and beyond the standard of what we expect in Vail. We want our new professionals to not only feel welcome in our District, but appreciated as well.
NOMINATIONS CLOSED
Volunteer of the Year
We all have those volunteers in our schools and departments that we feel like we can’t live without. Please take the time to nominate a volunteer in our district that not only gives of their time, but who also has a heart for giving back to others, so that they know how much they are appreciated.
Vail School District Art Displays
Vail School District Science Project Board Displays
Vail School District Classroom Displays by school and grade
Vail Heritage Display
Vail Schools, Organizations and Community Booths
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Community Showcase
Community Fun Run
Jumping Castles
Food Booths
Academic Jeopardy Competition for Vail School students
Math Bowl Competition for Vail School students
Vail School District Band, Choir and Orchestra Performances
Vail Community Special Performances
Awards Ceremony recognizing Vail students’ academic achievements
Vail Pride Day Parade
