Hannah Peatrowski surronded by some of her students
Last school year, Ms. Hannah Peatrowsky joined the Warrior family as a community based instructor (CBI). To some, her face seemed very familiar—as she had been a Pueblo coach for both track and cross country.
This is Peatrowsky’s fourth year of teaching altogether, and her contract position at Pueblo is her first “official” teaching position. She was a long-term sub beginning in 2013, mostly assisting teachers rather than actually substituting for them.
Peatrowsky’s said that her classes focus primarily on teaching her CBI students basic skills such as cooking and home economics. Students learn about kitchen safety, food preparation, and measuring ingredients.
“I wish that all students at Pueblo could have the same opportunities that I had back in high school,” said Peatrowsky. As a student at Coconino High School in Flagstaff, Ariz., she said that she had access to many scholastic programs that involved outdoor activities such as learning survival tactics.
Her husband, Mr. Patrick Peatrowsky, also teaches at Pueblo as an economics and government teacher.
“I enjoy working together [with my husband] because we can carpool,” she said. “He even brings me lunch. However, I don’t really get to see him throughout the day, but I hear great things about him around the school.”
Yamaika Romano & Abigail Sotelo at Women’s March 2017 in Tucson, AZ.
On Saturday, January 21, 2017 several Pueblo Magnet High School students and faculty participated in the Women’s March, which began at Armory Park and ended at Joel D. Valdez Library Park.
There were several purposes of the Women’s March, including for marchers to advocate for equal rights of women, to end racial profiling and to voice opposition towards President Trump, who had just been inaugurated the day before. There were also protests related to pro-choice and birth control.
Participant and Pueblo High School teacher Dr. Raul Gonzalez said, “This march was an opportunity for everyone to express themselves and to stand up for those groups and individuals who are under attack. I hope we don’t miss more chances to actually do something about the injustices in the world.”
Men and women of all ages and of all races let their voices be heard. They used their power of communication to stand in solidarity with the many groups that have been under attack—such as women themselves, the LGBTQ community and minorities.
Pueblo High School teacher Ms. Victoria Bodanyi also committed to being a part of the march. She said, “Marching was straight up goosebumps the whole time I marched. I felt I was a part of something bigger, and it felt good to stand up and speak out.”
Marching inspired several of Pueblo’s students to express themselves—to voice their frustrations and opinions.
Junior and participant Yamaika Romano Robles said, “The march made me feel stronger about the future. There’s always hope.”
Another junior, Abigail Sotelo, said, “During the march, I felt empowered by my own fortitude and my own convictions. I mattered—my voice really mattered. I feel as if Donald Trump has nothing on me and nothing on America.” She paused and added, “Trump does not represent me, at all.”
Last month, 45 Pueblo juniors and seniors contacted school nurse Ms. Kate Straub about the Pima Prevention Program, which could provide them with a job opportunity working with Pima County.
According to Straub, joining the program could benefit students who are in need of a job and/or are interested in an array of different fields, such as law, medicine and law enforcement.
Straub said that this program is preferred for students who meet the following requirements: they should speak English as a second language, get free or reduced lunch or come from families where they are the first to graduate from high school or the first to apply to college.
She added that there are only 45 spots to fill; students need to fulfill criteria with age, credits and grades.
Only 45 juniors and seniors between the ages of 16 and 21 can be a part of the Pima Prevention Program, Straub said. She added that students must have at least 12 credits in order to be eligible and need to be on track to graduate.
Students will train for this position on Tuesdays and Thursdays and one Saturday a month. In the end, they will be guaranteed a paying job at Pima County during the Summer of 2017.
“The training will be from 3:30-5:30 and will be held in the special projects room and Mr. Reyes’ room,” said Straub. “Saturdays will be half day.”
Straub recommends that this program could also benefit students who are unsure about career plans.
“Students who are accepted into the program will meet with professionals in different careers and will be able to ask questions and be exposed to professionals’ work,” Straub said. “Students will also participate in field trips and get free training in First Aid and CPR.”
The Pima Prevention Program will determine which students are eligible according to their job applications.
As the second semester started on January 9, 2017, Pueblo welcomed a new member to the list of faculty and staff .
Michael Yslada
Mr. Michael Yslada is Pueblo’s newest campus monitor.
Although he has been at Pueblo for only a few weeks, Yslada said that so far being a security monitor has been easier than what he thought.
As a football coach for eighth-graders (Pop Warner) for the past three years, Yslada said that he is used to being around children and is accustomed to interacting with them
Already, Yslada said that he feels confident about knowing his way around campus.
As a former Tucson High School graduate, Yslada said that he likes how small Pueblo is and how easy it is to locate the different classrooms and the teachers.
In his first three weeks as a monitor, Yslada said that he has encountered just a few moments when teachers needed to have disruptive students removed from their classrooms. He said that he believes that most students are respectful and well-behaved at Pueblo.
Yslada is unsure how long he plans to work at Pueblo, but he admitted that he would love to be our school’s varsity football coach.
He said that he is interested in learning more about the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or Tucson Police Department.
For now, Yslada said that he is very content about being at Pueblo.
“Even after just a few weeks, I can tell that Pueblo is a community school, and I enjoy how intimate it can be,” Yslada said.
On Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, the Tucson Community joined hearts as they commemorated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a march that began at the University of Arizona Bio Tech Park (on Kino Parkway) and ending at Reid Park. Among the marchers included several Pueblo students and staff members.
Despite temperatures in the very cool 40’s and 50’s and occasional rain, thousands of Tucsonans endured the three miles of the march.
Vanessa Mendez (Left) and Corina Ballesteros (Right) pose with a picture with Congressman Raul Grijalva.
One participant, Pueblo senior Corina Ballesteros, said that she has always been impassioned by King’s life—as well as his legacy.
“King would have loved what we all did on the march,” Ballesteros said. “His life still continues to resonate all of the original qualities that made him such an icon—for all people. He will always symbolize unity and peace, and that is something that we should never lose sight of, especially in our splintered country.”
Another Warrior student, senior Vanessa Mendez, said that this was her first time marching for anybody.
“I was very surprised how many people were involved in this [MLK] march,” Mendez said. “I felt empowered marching because of the vibrant environment.”
She paused and said, “There are still people out there who believe that King does not merit a holiday,” Mendez said. “I recently learned that Arizona was the last state to approve the King holiday back in the 1980s. However, King definitely deserves to be recognized. Next year, this event will be especially moving because it will mark the 50th Anniversary of King’s death. I am already committed to marching—and bringing along a lot of my friends with me.”
Not all was docile during the march. Many of the participants voiced their concerns regarding several issues including: police brutality; the “Jobs for Justice” movement; and racial profiling. Many of the marchers also protested against President-elect Trump, five days prior to his inauguration.
Food was available at the end of the march, and the marchers enjoyed the live jazz musicians.
The sun broke away from the clouds…
Ballesteros said, “President Obama’s farewell speech was playing at the park. I think that a lot of us were already missing Obama—even though he was still officially the president when the march occurred—especially considering what president we’ll have next…”
Mendez said, “Through this march, I learned that I have a civic duty to perform—as an American. I believe in the democratic process, and I wholeheartedly believe in the First Amendment, which is my right to express my voice, peaceably.” She paused and said, “I think King would be proud of all of us today.”
Both students were photographed with Congressman Raul Grijalva at the end of the march, at Reid Park.
This school year, Ms. Claire Brock joins the Warrior staff as a new freshman and sophomore English teacher.
Even at the beginning of the school year, Brock said that she knew that Pueblo was a special school.
“Dr. Romero [principal] welcomed us [teachers and staff] like we were all part of the same family,” Brock said. “It’s great to work in a culture of true professionals.”
Brock began her teaching career at Sunnyside High School last year teaching sophomores. She decided to move to Pueblo to begin her second year of teaching.
Brock is currently finishing her master’s degree in secondary education. Her thesis will focus on the idea of how an English-dominant school culture impacts the community. She plans to complete this degree this May.
“I foresee being a teacher at Pueblo for at least the next five years,” Brock said. “I also foresee myself being a mom to another child. I also want to be a midwife and a lawyer, so I have a lot of plans for my future.”
In the short time at Pueblo, Brock expressed the positive qualities at her new school.
“I really feel that Pueblo has a strong culture of support and trust that keeps everybody focused,” Brock said. “I really want to help my students find their voices and to help them to find evidence with their arguments.”
