Manuel "Lito" Peña Jr. School

Parent Satisfaction Survey

Dear Peña Families,

I am so excited to welcome you all back on campus for the 2022-2023 school year. It has been a long 18 months but we made it and we are looking forward to a great school year!  I am honored to have won the Maricopa County Exemplary Principal Award and I credit my staff for our success as well as the success of our scholars. I feel privileged to be going into my 4th year as Principal of Peña Elementary and 22nd year in the Cartwright School District.  Aside from providing an excellent education, my priorities rest in ensuring that all children have a safe place to come and feel loved.  This will lead to them becoming good-hearted people that will make positive contributions to society.  I am excited to use my skills as an educational leader to provide all Peña students with this opportunity.

I was raised in Hawaii and graduated from Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota. In 2000 I moved to Arizona to begin my teaching career and start a family.  I have a beautiful wife and two children, ages 18 and 14.  Spending quality time together building trust & character is invaluable and is the foundation of my family.  I believe that family is very important and that is why I value family input.  I believe that together, we are a team in preparing children for life-long success. I am confident that together we can make Peña an even greater place for children to attend.  I look forward to continuing my relationships with our returning students and families and also meeting and getting to know our new students and families.  If you have any questions or would like to meet and tour the school, please feel free to stop by or call the school at 623-691-3100. 

#bebettertodaythanyouwereyesterday

Principal Casey Newman