The Latest in CAFE Partnerships, Conversations & Collaboration
Throughout the year, School Connect hosts trainings, CAFE conversations, and events that bring school leaders and community members together to help solve problems and address the biggest needs in our schools.
The ultimate goal?
To empower every student across Arizona to thrive and realize their full potential. As you know, it truly takes a village!
Keep reading to hear about recent CAFEs that brought a new level of innovation, applying the lessons of history and the collective learning of other school districts.
Chinle Unified School District CAFE + CCAPS
Inspiring Students and Families with College and Career
This CAFE was a unique celebration of traditional Navajo culture and people, combined with the innovative vision of Superintendent Quincy Natay and Federal Programs Director Sheila Betz, who focused this CAFE on Chinle’s CCAPS program (College and Career Academy for Parents and Students). Providing a rich and diverse set of career exploration for both students and parents, the CCAPS program addresses an often misunderstood reality: the opportunity gap is not just about access to resources and opportunities, but also about exposure. It begs the question, “If children cannot dream of a big future, how can they prepare for one?”
As Mr. Natay explained, the need for this opportunity for students and families is significant, as the median wage in the Navajo demographic is $31,101, while the median household income for a bachelor’s degree in the US is $77,719. Additionally, only 10.3% of Navajos have a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 36.2% in the US.
The CAPPS program, therefore, builds upon the existing strengths and aspirations of families and children by shining light on what is possible and how to achieve it. This mission, united with the CAFE program, leverages opportunities for community partnerships to stoke students’ imagination – resourcing leaders with diverse expertise and backgrounds to share their experiences with students and parents alike.
- 89% of participating students felt more excited about going to college or having a career
- ALL students and parents said they talked more about college and careers at home since they joined the program
- 94% parent participants felt more optimistic and informed about their child’s college and career options after attending CCAPS
In fact, Chinle Unified now has students identify with their graduating class from kindergarten, coloring placemats with the colors and logos of colleges all over the United States as they strive toward a commitment to every Chinle student, reminding them that, “College and career are more than a dream when we make a plan!”
Paradise Valley Unified School District CAFE
Purpose Driven Community Work
Our team found deep joy in witnessing the purpose-driven community work at the PVSchools CAFE. Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Dan Courson and Dr. Heidi Lindsey, this CAFE was the first of its kind to host two CAFEs simultaneously to address limited space. This team was highly organized and strategic with every moment, honoring partners as the key to unleashing opportunity for PV youth. You could feel the intention with which participants listened for alignment to unlock resources and solutions with every challenge, as each school created an action plan with their community.
At one school table, they looked at how to address student behaviors and turn them into leadership lessons. Channing Chasten, a former professional soccer player and founder of “The 1% Kid Foundation”, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through the pillars of soccer, literacy, and mindset, shared,
“With sportsmanship, they can struggle with keeping their hands to themselves, behaviors, the words that they say… We focus on “on-the-field” leadership training. So we’re big on practice, perseverance, and patience, and we focus on that through the game of soccer.”
At another school, the principal shared their mission to improve attendance rates by helping students find purpose in their education. Judy DuSell from Year Up United was able to connect this need with guided career pathways for youth from Maricopa Community Colleges (such as applied technology, behavioral science and human services, business, entrepreneurialism, and management). With this in mind, they discussed ways to blur the lines between high school and post-secondary, giving kids a taste of careers even before graduation.
Miami, Globe, Hayden and San Carlos Unified School Districts
Four School Districts United by Student Vision
Last month, the Miami Unified School District hosted a joint Business Partner CAFE in collaboration with Globe Unified School District, Hayden Unified School District, and San Carlos Unified School District, a groundbreaking step toward leveraging the network of the entire region to increase the depth and breadth of student support.
The event kicked off with the color guard, followed by a welcome from students, including a poem titled “Level Up” read by Andrew Brown.
”You can’t level up in a room that’s comfortable in staying the same. If your friends laugh at your goals, you’ll shrink yours. If they push you higher, you’ll surprise yourself. You are only as steady as the people holding your ladder.”
Andrew concluded, “You guys are the ones holding our ladder.”
The celebrations continued from every region as Superintendent Dr. Ramos opened the mic to hear from the diverse leadership present and acknowledge the partners in the room as well as the collective efforts such as dual enrollment now provided for through Gila Community College and donations to the Globe, Miami and San Carlos high schools to the tune of $30,000 per school from Capstone Copper’s Annual golf tournament fundraiser.
By far, the defining feature of this CAFE was the student leadership driving every element. Globe Unified presented on their Junior ROTC. Hayden Unified shared about their Business, Law, Education, and Technology programs. San Carlos Unified School District presented on SkillsUSA, and Miami Unified showcased their Future Farmers of America team.
Finally, Treshawn Kumparak, a junior at Miami Unified who also spoke at the School Connect Summit, reminded us of the powerful impact we have when we come together. Treshawn recalled a pivotal moment when he realized that community action was no longer an option but a necessity for his community’s well-being.
“You know, when you are in a one-ton truck that’s floating across the bridge with your family inside of it, it’s kind of a scary situation, especially in the driver’s seat. I had an epiphany in that moment. When I get out of this – if I get out of this – I am going to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again. And if it does, I’m going to be the first one on the ground to be there.”
Treshawn concluded,“And I believe that this is what we are doing right now. We are setting down the kindling for future generations to light that fire.”
Washington Elementary School District CAFE
Round the Dinner Table with Washington Elementary
This February, the Washington Elementary School District put a twist on the CAFE, welcoming guests for family-style dinner with mouthwatering Italian cuisine courtesy of Anzios Italian Restaurant. The packed house, hosted by CalvaryPHX, had every school table overflowing with guests, united around a common mission: to create a village of support for every child.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hightower launched the event, honoring the women in leadership who mentored her and supported her as a young teacher. At a star-studded WESD event, she thanked the leaders on whose shoulders we stand as we pursue the district’s mission to achieve excellence for every child, every day, at every opportunity. Dr. Hightower went on to express her gratitude to every single partner in the room, saying, “There is no way that we can do this alone.”
This CAFE celebrated partnership in pursuit of impact. As table discussions commenced, the energy in the room was palpable; leaders came ready to take action, listening intently for goals, planning support for testing, teacher appreciation, and even Love Our Schools Day next fall – a favorite of district principals.
Mindy Pallagi, principal of Cholla Middle School, shared about the impact the partnership with CalvaryPHX has had on their school. CalvaryPHX team members turned an old supply closet into a game room, revitalized the fitness center for the weightlifting club, and helped create a dance studio, which has become a reason many students choose to attend Cholla.
In the words of Principal Pallagi,
“The impact is not just in what they build or give, but how they make students feel. Our students see adults who choose them, choose their school, invest in their future, and it tells the students that you matter.”
Julia Radliff, a social worker at Cholla, described the impact of the partnership with CalvaryPHX on a personal level.
My mom passed away suddenly, and I received a gift basket on my desk one day. I came into work, and I see it…just comfort items like basic necessities, you know? I’m in there by myself…sitting there, and I remember pulling out the Burt’s Bees chapstick. Nobody knows I like this! And I think to myself, ‘Oh, this is community!’ She’s not my family. She doesn’t have to do anything, but she’s doing something. Then I realize, well, that’s what I’m doing, and that’s what Mindy’s doing, right? That’s what we’re all doing. So, it’s not a piece of paper, it’s not a checklist. This is a relationship. This is a partnership with people. At the end of the day, it’s everybody in this room showing up for our community, for our students, and for our families.”
Interested in getting involved? See the list of upcoming events, and let us know where you want to get plugged in!
| Event | Date |
| Litchfield Elementary School District CAFE | March 24, 2026 |
| Queen Creek Unified School District CAFE | March 26, 2026 |
| Cochise County CAFE | Date TBD, 2026 |
| Beaver Creek School District CAFE | Date TBD, 2026 |
| Champions of Education Awards | April 30, 2026 |