Big plans in place for the Welcome Back celebration

Fredi Lajvardi

Yes, we know . . . you might not want to think about this just yet . . . but we're too excited NOT to mention it.

This year’s Welcome Back celebration will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 4 in the Grand Canyon University Arena starting at 9 a.m. Transportation will be provided to and from your campus.

Fredi Lajvardi, a teacher from Carl Hayden Community High School, will be the keynote speaker. Lajvardi is one of two teachers who led a team of students to the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center’s Annual International Remotely Operated Vehicle robotics competition in 2004. This group of high school students competed against and beat college teams from all across the United States, including MIT. Some of you may know, four of the students on Carl Hayden’s team were undocumented immigrants.

In his remarks, Lajvardi will reinforce that when we raise expectations, students will meet them. The Carl Hayden students are an example of this, and they have much in common with the young people in our classrooms. Our students will rise to the expectations we set for them. We need to raise our expectations and support you in getting them there. Focused and structured intentional work led by our Educational Services Division and other departments will be a priority for us moving ahead.

The accomplishments of the Carl Hayden Underwater Robotics Team are outlined in the documentary, Underwater Dreams (the movie Spare Parts is the Hollywood version of the same story). Here’s some more good news: you’ll be able to see this documentary yourself in the days leading up to the Welcome Back event. Keep an eye on your email, because we’ll provide you a link and an access code that will allow you to see the film.

In addition to Lajvardi, the District will also recognize schools and employees for a variety of accomplishments. Because data from AzMERIT will not be available, we will celebrate student achievement at a later date.

We hope you’re enjoying your summer and getting in some well-earned rest. In the meantime, we’re working hard to get everything ready for your return. You know, it’s just not the same when all of you aren’t here.