SanTanValley.com

After careful review of all of the facts surrounding the cafeteria incident of May 17, 2013, the School Board of J.O. Combs Unified School District stands behind and fully supports the decisions of the Combs High School Administration. Policies and procedures were followed appropriately. There are many facts which were not initially presented, or announced by the media, which fully support the discipline invoked, which involve the suspension of twelve students. Only three seniors were involved, among whom only one may have been eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies. The consequence of suspension prohibits students from being on campus, participating in extra-curricular activities or competing in competitive events. A suspension received this time of year impacts all end-of-the-year events, including the graduation ceremony.

Last year, which was Combs High School's first graduating class, the "Senior Prank" was to tag the school with spray paint. This year, they started a food fight in the cafeteria.

Last year there were no consequences, this year 12 students involved in the food fight were suspended and some are banned from their graduation ceremony.

This year, the J.O. Combs Unified School District has partnered with Banner Ironwood in a Student of the Month program which recognizes one student every month from each of our schools. There is a selection process in place where students get recognized for the various pillars of the Character Counts Program which include Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Caring, Respect and Fairness.

This presentation will take place each month at our Regular Governing Board Meeting where representatives from Banner Ironwood Hospital will be in attendance to present each student with a Certificate of Special Recognition.  A photograph will be taken with the representatives from Banner Ironwood, the Governing Board, and Superintendent Gayle A. Blanchard.

This year, the J.O. Combs Unified School District has partnered with Banner Ironwood in a Student of the Month program which recognizes one student every month from each of our schools. There is a selection process in place where students get recognized for the various pillars of the Character Counts Program which include Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Caring, Respect and Fairness. This presentation will take place each month at our Regular Governing Board Meeting where a representative from Banner Ironwood Hospital will be in attendance to present each student with a Certificate of Special Recognition.  A photograph will be taken with the representative from Banner Ironwood, the Governing Board, and Superintendent Gayle A. Blanchard.

The Combs High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club, a national career and technical student organization is awarded a $3,500 grant from the Greater Valley Area Health Education Center (GVAHE).

This year, the J.O. Combs Unified School District has partnered with Banner Ironwood in a Student of the Month program which recognizes one student every month from each of our schools.

There is a selection process in place where students get recognized for the various pillars of the Character Counts Program which include Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Caring, Respect and Fairness.

This year, the J.O. Combs Unified School District has partnered with Banner Ironwood in a Student of the Month program which recognizes one student every month from each of our schools.

There is a selection process in place where students get recognized for the various pillars of the Character Counts Program which include Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Caring, Respect and Fairness.

Combs High School wrestling team competed this past weekend in the Division III State Championship in Prescott, Arizona.

Sophomore, Ted Rico defeated his opponent 3 – 1 for the Division III title in his weight class, and brought home the first Arizona State Championship title to Combs High School.  He finished the year at 47 – 1.

Also qualifying for the state tournament were Kelvin Taylor, Riley Bourgeous, Joey Salas and Nigel Gardner.

Combs High School students in Ms. Pat Rivera’s and Ms. Jane Chu’s Life Skills classes participate weekly in the Hoofbeats with Heart project in San Tan Valley.

Hoofbeats with Heart is a non-profit organization which provides programs that improve physical, cognitive, and social emotional skills of individuals with special abilities.

For Immediate Release from the J.O. Combs Unified School District:

The J.O. Combs Unified School District is hosting a Community Budget Meeting/Forum on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at the Combs High School Cafeteria from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm located at 2505 E. Germann Road, San Tan Valley.