As our welcome letter (originally included in the school's registration packet mailed to your home) describes, NPO's purpose is to enrich your student's high school experience at IRHS. As parent support increases, our impact continues to grow. This year with your contributions NPO can:

• broadcast weekly newsletters to help keep parents up-to-date and increase school spirit and pride
• bring you speakers throughout the year to give you valuable information to help plan your student's future
• host staff luncheons and teacher appreciation events
• purchase educational equipment for the classroom 

Michael Szolowicz, Principal 

I am thrilled to work with you as your new principal! I've already had the opportunity to meet and work with many of you over the last nine years in my previous role as an assistant principal at Ironwood Ridge. I've also taught history and government at Amphitheater High School and am currently in my second year as a doctoral student at the University of Arizona. I look forward to continuing developing positive and effective relationships, ensuring that each student is prepared to succeed in the college or career of their choice upon graduation, and promoting Ironwood Ridge in the community. Go Nighthawks!

Phil Tilicki, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director

[For the fun of it, NPO will let this article in Wednesday's (8/8/12) edition of the Arizona Star do the talking.]  

Danielle Mulleneaux, Art Teacher 

I graduated from the University of Arizona in December 2008 with a BFA in Art Education, and a minor in Art History. I grew up in the Amphi district -- attending Copper Creek Elementary, Wilson K-8 Middle School, and CDO for high school. While I am new to Ironwood, I am not new to the district. I student -taught at Ironwood and later worked at Cross Middle School for 4 years. I cannot be more excited for this new year and the very exciting new curriculum that I have begun to design for our students at Ironwood. I believe that art is one of the few venues of education that enables young minds to illustrate their personality, spirit, and character in their work. Art consists of passion, inspiration, and determination. Every student has the ability to achieve new levels and skills as a result of an artistic environment. I hope to challenge my students to personally provide themselves with the courage and self esteem which develops in art. It is from that courage that students can empower themselves to achieve great and wonderful things later on in life.

Liz Iverson, NBCT, Resource English 11 and E.D. Special Education 

This is my 18th year of teaching. I come from an interesting teaching background in many grade levels, many subjects, and the last nine years of my career have been dedicated to teaching English. I have spent the last year focusing on special education instruction as my professional development. In 2010 I became a National Board Certified Teacher, with English as my certificate area. I am dedicated to making a difference in our world. I am the mother of three brilliant children, and have a wonderful husband. I am originally from Wisconsin, and moved to Tucson in 1978.

Gwen Kane, English Teacher 

This is my first year at Ironwood Ridge, but my sixteenth year in the Amphitheater School District. Before moving to Tucson with my air force husband, I taught 16 years in Texas. I am a West Texas farm girl who fell in love with literature and writing in the eighth grade and decided then that I wanted to become an English teacher. Over the years, I have taught every level of secondary English. In 2005, I attained National Board Certification in Adolescent and Young Adult English Language Arts. I am excited about joining the Ironwood Ridge community. This year I will be teaching English 9 and English 11.

Meredith Taylor, Counselor 

I look forward to working with the students and staff of IRHS as the newest member of the counseling department. I recently moved to Tucson from the Chicago area where I have lived all of my life. Prior to coming to Ironwood Ridge, I served as a middle school counselor for the last 6 years. I also worked with both high school and middle school students in an alternative school setting for 2 years. I am excited to help the students in their preparation for a successful future!

Manny Padilla, PE Teacher and Football Coach

I'm thrilled to be teaching PE here at "The Ridge." I'm a Tucson native, and a proud graduate of Amphi High School as well as the University of Arizona, where I earned a degree in Physical Education. This is my fourth season coaching football at IRHS. I've coached track here as well. I look forward to representing the school with pride, and making a positive impact in the lives of our students. Go Nighthawks! 

Would your student like to be in this year's Broadway Showcase?

The Broadway Showcase is IRHS's yearly event where students join together to put on a variety of songs from famous musicals. The proceeds go to the Musical Club to help pay for this year's musical. No experience is necessary - we train students during our scheduled rehearsals. Auditions will take place after school on Tuesday August 14th in the Blackbox Theatre. Students will be asked to sing 30-60 seconds of a solo or duet from one of the shows. They should see Mr. Canalia in the Drama Room, E 117, and bring a blank CD to get a copy of the music. For more info email Mr. Canalia or ask on the "IRHS Musical Club" Facebook page. 

All-School Play Auditions

 Students can come by the IRHS Auditorium after school on Wednesday August 15th and audition for the all-school play "The Hobbit." This story is the prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. No experience necessary. Students will be given a short scene to perform with someone on stage. Students should bring a pencil and your class schedule. For more info email Mr. Canalia  or ask on the "IRHS Drama Club 2012-2013" Facebook page. 

This academic year we are excited to again have an IRHS SMART Team (Students Modeling A Research Topic). SMART teams have been a national program for the last 11 years, with over 60 teams participating from the US and Canada. The purpose of the SMART Team is to expose high school students to the research occurring at local institutions (i.e. U of A) by partnering the team with a research scientist. The researcher will introduce a specific protein to the students. Students will learn how to design and build a three dimensional color model of the protein, create an oral presentation and scientific poster explaining this protein's structure/function relationship as well as it's scientific importance, and (hopefully) to present at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) meeting in Boston, MA in April 2012. This program will not only allow students to conceptualize the science they can only read about in the classroom, but will allow them to improve their communication skills and be able to network with national scientists. Interested student should add their name to the list in Rm A312 by Thursday August 23rd. Liane Futch, who led last years team to their presentation in San Diego, CA, is again the coach and can answer your questions.