Amphitheater Public Schools welcomes back students with new initiatives [Video]

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN — The Amphitheater Public Schools is kicking off the new school year today, with about 12,000 students returning to classrooms.

Michelle Valenzuela, the district’s director of communications, mentioned several new initiatives. Unlike previous years, the district decided to start school on a Wednesday. Valenzuela explained that this change allows students to ease into the school year with a shorter day, helping them get acquainted with their teachers and classmates before diving into the curriculum on Thursday and Friday.

“We wanted to give students a day to adjust,” Valenzuela said. “Wednesday is typically an early out day for professional development, so it’s a perfect day for students to get used to their classrooms and meet their teachers.”

The district has also achieved a significant milestone by implementing preschool programs at all elementary and high schools. High school students enrolled in the career and technical education class for early …