In the Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD), we empower each student to achieve excellence in all pursuits and lead with integrity. We expect our students to be successful, compassionate and productive in their learning so that the next generation of ethical citizens can lead our community both locally and globally. Part of instilling citizenship in our students is reinforcing the importance of civic responsibility.
Each QCUSD classroom proudly displays the American flag, Pledge of Allegiance and Constitution, and each school day begins with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Students learn civics concepts beginning with roles in the community in kindergarten, up to Advanced Placement U.S Government and Politics offered to our high schoolers. From our elementary school Veterans Day assemblies to our award-winning Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, we provide students with opportunities to show appreciation and thanks to those who serve in our armed forces and explore those career paths for themselves.
Through our district-wide Participatory Budgeting program, QCUSD empowers students to engage in their own form of civic responsibility as they research, propose and ultimately vote on an improvement project for their school. In partnership with the Center for the Future of Arizona, this civic engagement program is designed to inspire students to participate in civic life for the long-term.
As a district, we encourage our QCUSD parents/guardians and families to reinforce academics in their home, and the same goes for civic responsibility. When we model this behavior, it shows our students the value of their own voice, and the potential we see in them to become future community leaders. I encourage everyone in our community to register to vote. Practice your civic engagement. Show our students the most important responsibility we have as Americans.
Dr. Perry Berry has been superintendent of the Queen Creek Unified School District since June 2015.
