With the first semester winding down, many events have occurred that will impact the district.

The passage of Proposition 203 has raised many concerns regarding its implementation and the status of the district's bilingual education programs.

The district will implement the proposition for the 2001-2002 school year but until that time, current bilingual education programs will remain in place.

To comply with the terms of the proposition, TUSD will develop and implement an English immersion program to be approved by the Governing Board.

Administrators and curriculum staff will work closely with legal staff to ensure the program complies with Proposition 203.

On a lighter note, I would like to thank all the schools who have hosted our Leadership Team meetings for the past several months.

Staff and faculty have been very gracious and have helped Leadership members feel at home. The campuses have offered a special opportunity for administrators and myself to visit different schools in our vast district including:

• Mary Meredith K-12 School
• Gridley Middle School
• Booth-Fickett Magnet School
• Dodge Magnet Middle School
• Blenman Elementary School
• Howell Elementary School
• Kellond Elementary School

A big thank you to all of the above schools for their help in making the Leadership Team meetings a success.

I would like to congratulate all the TUSD high school teachers who have been selected as finalists by the 76/Circle K organization for the Outstanding High School Faculty Awards program. All are mentioned in the Notable Achievers section of the TUSD Bulletin.

This prestigious award honors high school educators who have demonstrated, among other things, outstanding leadership, innovative teaching practices and community involvement. TUSD is proud to have such wonderful teachers among its ranks.

I would like to wish everybody a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year!

About 50 students helped kick off the eighth annual TUSD's disAbility Awareness Week at the Tucson Mall Nov. 5.

Onlookers were treated to performances by the Howenstine High Magnet School's sign language club, Pastime Players of Catalina High School, and the Junior League of Tucson's Kids on the Block. Ronald McDonald also made a special appearance.

The event was to mark the beginning of disAbility Awareness Week which ran from Nov. 13 through Nov. 17. The annual event promotes understanding of special education student needs among students and staff through various activities.

T-shirts bearing the disAbility Awareness Week logo were also on sale at the kick-off that attracted about 60 to 80 shoppers and their children. The logo was designed by Jen Schultz, a graphic arts student at Tucson High Magnet School.

Her logo was among many entered for a logo contest sponsored by the Exceptional Education department. Other entries were put on display in the lobby of the Morrow Education Building during disAbility Awareness Week.

Jen's unique design in black and white portrays equal ability for a person with and without a disability, with an emphasis on ability.