Sun Kings News
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Playa del Rey Flyers
Playa del Rey Flyers
Click to view flyers on upcoming school events, activities, and fundraisers.
News & Announcements
![Half-Day Reminder May 21, 2026 All Grades]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751384315/gilbertschoolsnet/bpcvduxeeubyxshhsqh9/HalfDayMayAllGrades.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1751384315/gilbertschoolsnet/bpcvduxeeubyxshhsqh9/HalfDayMayAllGrades.png","width":512}])
Reminder! Thursday, May 21st is a Half-Day for all K-12 students!
![Graphic that says Sun King News with school logo and photo of Playa del Rey Elementary]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1756926780/gilbertschoolsnet/dopo4uhiqtvwaqupxgn8/PlayadelReySunKingNewsThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1756926780/gilbertschoolsnet/dopo4uhiqtvwaqupxgn8/PlayadelReySunKingNewsThumbnail.png","width":512}])
Hello! My name is Kenna Darst, and I am so excited to be part of the Kindergarten team here at Playa Del Rey Elementary. This is my first year of teaching, and I can truly say that every day in Kindergarten is a brand-new adventure!
![The image features the word "Accelerated" in large text, with silhouettes of three children in the foreground against a deep purple background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764887070/gilbertschoolsnet/lthzcgb7wymy1tulyap0/playa-kindergarten.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764887070/gilbertschoolsnet/lthzcgb7wymy1tulyap0/playa-kindergarten.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764887070/gilbertschoolsnet/lthzcgb7wymy1tulyap0/playa-kindergarten.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764887070/gilbertschoolsnet/lthzcgb7wymy1tulyap0/playa-kindergarten.png","width":1024}])
Learn about 2026-2027 Playa del Rey Kindergarten Classrooms!
Hello! I am Monica Vaughn, and I am thrilled to be a Kindergarten teacher here at Playa Del Rey Elementary. I have been teaching for three years, and my favorite thing about Kindergarten is watching my students grow from the very beginning.
![Gilbert Public Schools Elementary Summer School K-6 "Learn More and Register" graphic]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772117769/gilbertschoolsnet/srw82ijjjg3u07yv4wqc/2026ElSummerSchool.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772117769/gilbertschoolsnet/srw82ijjjg3u07yv4wqc/2026ElSummerSchool.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772117769/gilbertschoolsnet/srw82ijjjg3u07yv4wqc/2026ElSummerSchool.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772117769/gilbertschoolsnet/srw82ijjjg3u07yv4wqc/2026ElSummerSchool.png","width":999}])
Elementary Summer School will be hosted by Finley Farms Elementary and will be June 1 - 25, Mondays - Thursdays
8:30 am - 11:30 am
Classes begin at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30 am.
Registration NOW OPEN. Click here to view the program and learn more.
District News
![Circular graphic with the Gilbert public Schools logo and Congratulations Class of 2025 around it]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777998609/gilbertschoolsnet/demezdoawc33dnbobzuk/Graduation_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777998609/gilbertschoolsnet/demezdoawc33dnbobzuk/Graduation_1.png","width":512}])
Visit our 2026 Graduation page for ceremony dates and key graduation information.
![A large conference room filled with an audience seated in rows, facing two large projection screens displaying content.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1775510561/gilbertschoolsnet/vwzvvqbidfindtrx98pn/EOYSquare.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1775510561/gilbertschoolsnet/vwzvvqbidfindtrx98pn/EOYSquare.png","width":512}])
"You are not only Employees of the Year—you are a reflection of the very best of who we are and who we aspire to be.”
From across every GPS school and department, 44 employees were recognized as Employee of the Year for their leadership, dedication, and the positive impact they have on our students and staff.
![A female teacher in a red jacket is sitting on the floor in a classroom, surrounded by a group of young students who are also seated on the floor.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771441051/gilbertschoolsnet/glmiwqnyiretlzhutslw/AcademicsMidYearGOLDSquare.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1771441051/gilbertschoolsnet/glmiwqnyiretlzhutslw/AcademicsMidYearGOLDSquare.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1771441051/gilbertschoolsnet/glmiwqnyiretlzhutslw/AcademicsMidYearGOLDSquare.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771441051/gilbertschoolsnet/glmiwqnyiretlzhutslw/AcademicsMidYearGOLDSquare.png","width":1080}])
At GPS, students and staff are not defined by data points. Instead, the district aims to connect, create, and care, using data as a tool to support every learner. During the February 10 Board Meeting, district leaders shared evidence of academic growth in literacy, mathematics, science, and advanced coursework, reflecting how educators are working together to make data-informed decisions to support students. As the year continues, this work remains ongoing, with teams across the district focused on building forward and strengthening student success.
![GPS Community Fiesta and Run 4 Fun]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770410276/gilbertschoolsnet/x0givwptgymboqykvm18/2026_GEF_Run_for_Fun_and_GPS_Family_Fiesta_Logo1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770410276/gilbertschoolsnet/x0givwptgymboqykvm18/2026_GEF_Run_for_Fun_and_GPS_Family_Fiesta_Logo1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770410276/gilbertschoolsnet/x0givwptgymboqykvm18/2026_GEF_Run_for_Fun_and_GPS_Family_Fiesta_Logo1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1770410276/gilbertschoolsnet/x0givwptgymboqykvm18/2026_GEF_Run_for_Fun_and_GPS_Family_Fiesta_Logo1.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770410276/gilbertschoolsnet/x0givwptgymboqykvm18/2026_GEF_Run_for_Fun_and_GPS_Family_Fiesta_Logo1.png","width":1205}]){kind=logo}
Join us for a morning of fitness and fun at the 9th Annual Run for Fun and GPS Community Fiesta, Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Campo Verde High School, 9:30 am to Noon.
![GPS Announces New Superintendent Dr. Jared Ryan]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769795103/gilbertschoolsnet/lean5noiesiwxh1pv8dd/JaredRyanSupNewsThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1769795103/gilbertschoolsnet/lean5noiesiwxh1pv8dd/JaredRyanSupNewsThumbnail.png","width":512}])
At a Special Governing Board meeting on Friday, January 30, 2026, the Governing Board unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Jared Ryan as the next Superintendent of Gilbert Public Schools, beginning in the 2026/27 school year.