A yellow school bus approaches students and a few parents in their vehicles near an intersection in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The steady rhythm of the engine and the sound of the door slowly opening is familiar, and the Community’s young minds are on their way to learn.

It’s Monday, Aug. 3, and a brand-new school year has begun after summer break.

The first day back started at 7 a.m. at Salt River Schools’ Early Childhood Education Center welcome line, where families and students pulled up to meet with staff and celebrate a new chapter for everyone.

As the students walked up to ECEC, staff celebrated with welcome signs, pom-pom cheers, photo opportunities and plenty of bubbles.

Students have much to look forward to this year. The school opened new classrooms and hired new staff members to serve more families this year. Additional rooms and staff are planned.

A new specially designed entryway for the kids will begin construction within the next couple of months according to ECEC leader Heaven Sepulveda. There will also be a brand-new tricycle path with a little parking area, a “charging” spot, a garage to park them in, a bridge, bumps in the pathway and road signage.  

Tanya Romans is the lead teacher in the Eagle (Ba’ag/Xshpaa) classroom. She’s one of ECEC’s longest-employed staff members. She said the students love the classroom, and she is excited to teach them the O’odham and Piipaash languages and help them become independent.

What’s something that students worry about that they don’t need to?

“Being safe,” said Romans. “All teachers are here to keep them safe.”

In Sepulveda’s second school year as leader, she plans on having the kids be more involved in cultural events such as sewing, making traditional skirts, beading and cooking.

“It’s really important for me to have culture in every aspect of ECEC,” said Sepulveda. “I want you to be able to walk into any room and know that you are within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.”

She said one of the biggest reasons why families choose ECEC is because of their cultural program.

As the new school year begins, Sepulveda reminds staff they are appreciated and that they matter.

“My staff are on the front lines with the kiddos,” said Sepulveda.

Community member staff can particularly be an important cultural bridge between home and school in the early years of a child’s life.

“I want to give the Community members the ability [to teach culture to the kids],” said Sepulveda.

“They’re not [all] lead teachers, but they can still teach that lesson. They can still incorporate it into their classroom.”

Sepulveda hopes that as time goes on, more Community member staff will be interested in growing within ECEC and obtaining their education certifications.

Salt River Elementary School started the school year at 7:45 a.m. There was some construction down the street, outside the school campus, that closed Center Street at Camelback Road.

The Accelerated Learning Academy started its first day of classes at 8:30 a.m.