Last week, the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board convened for its regular monthly meeting, where they welcomed a special presentation highlighting one of Winslow High School’s outstanding students. The meeting opened with congratulatory remarks for WHS student, Aiyanna Yazzie, who recently earned a superior score on the Navajo Nation Bilingual Proficiency Test. This remarkable accomplishment demonstrates Aiyanna’s dedication to preserving and promoting the Navajo language, a significant cultural cornerstone for many students within the district.
Aiyanna was introduced to the board with fanfare, and she addressed the members in Navajo, showcasing her linguistic proficiency and confidence. Dressed in traditional Diné attire, her presence underscored the importance of celebrating Indigenous languages and cultural identity within the school community. Aiyanna’s achievement has garnered attention beyond Winslow’s city limits, she has been invited to meet with Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and will be formally recognized during a ceremony at the Twin Arrows Casino in April.
The Winslow Unified School District Governing Board commended Aiyanna for her dedication to academic and cultural excellence, taking a moment to acknowledge how her success reflects positively on the entire district. It was also mentioned that Aiyanna’s achievement has also gotten her some attention from scholarship boards that could help pay for education beyond Winslow High School. Several doors have been opened for this young girl due to this wonderful achievement and the board was able to celebrate with her for all she has achieved.
In addition to honoring Aiyanna, the board discussed adjustments to its upcoming meeting schedule. Originally, a meeting was set for March 19, but to allow sufficient time for agenda items to be received following spring break, that meeting was postponed one week to March 26. This change also affects the April schedule: the April 2 meeting will now take place on April 9, and the April 16 meeting will move to April 2. The board emphasized that these modifications are intended to ensure that all necessary agenda items are properly reviewed and that ample time is provided for thorough discussion.
The board also received a generous donation of $400 from Sharon Greenwood to the Winslow Junior High School music program. Board President Debbie Martinez and the other members of the board expressed their gratitude for the contribution.
In other business, the board:
* Approved hiring Matt Astaca-An as Winslow High School (WHS) English teacher and Darrell House as an emergency substitute.
* Approved resignation from Laurel Poleyestewa a high school counselor and Jennifer Brown a cheer coach.
* Approved a retire and return to work request from Denise Estudillo as choir teacher.
* Approved transferring Heather Fallahaha from second grade teacher to reading specialist and Jana Jordan from second grade teacher to fourth grade teacher.
* Approved the following student fundraisers: WHS Track Club, timing at Prescott and Sedona meets; WHS Indian Club, Pow Wow vendors/admissions, WHS Future Business Leaders of America, Bulldog Day; WHS Class of 2025, senior hoodies; WHS HOBY Club, Captain Tony’s fundraiser night and Winslow Junior High Spirtline, summer camp.
* Approved out of state travel for WHS Dance Line for nationals to Anaheim, California.
* Approved a second reading of administrative policy updates from the Arizona School Board Association advisories 809-819.
The next meeting of the WUSD school board will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, in the meeting room, located at 800 N. Apache Ave.
