TUSD Notable Achievers

Dr. Sheila Baize, TUSD Interscholastics director, was selected as 1998 Athletic Director of the Year for the 5A region by the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. She received the honor at the association's September conference in Mesa.

Cecilia Chavarín, a bilingual kindergarten teacher at Safford Engineering and Technology Magnet School, received honorable mention at the 11th annual UA Summer Session 1998 Excellence in Teaching Awards Reception held in November at the university. She has served for more than 10 years as an adjunct faculty member for UA's department of language, reading and culture.

Mary Hinson, a job devoloper and student council advisor at Catalina High Magnet School; Pat McAndrew, a social studies teacher at University High School; and Leslie Franzblau, an English teacher Rincon High School were among the nine finalists selected for the U of A/Circle K Outstanding Faculty Awards program.

Dr. Lina Trujillo, principal at C.E. Rose Elementary, was conferred the honor of being a Paul Harris Fellow at the Rotary Zone Institue in September. She received a medal, certificate and had $1,000 donated in her name to the Rotary International Fund. The honor is considered one of the highest among Rotary members.

TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
1010 E. 10th St., Tucson, AZ 85719
www.tusd.k12.az.us

Governing Board
Joel T. Ireland, President
Gloria C. Copeland, Clerk
James N. Christ
Brenda B. Even
Mary Belle McCorkle, Ed.D.

Superintendent
George F. García, Ed.D.

Director of Communications
Toni Córdova

Communications Specialist/Writer
Estella Zavala

Senior Administrative Secretary
Susan Cruz

Tucson Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment, in its educational programs or activities.

Tax Credit Worth $200 Available for TUSD Employees

It may be too soon to start thinking about taxes, but TUSD employees can start planning now for a $200 tax credit for 1998 taxes.

What is a tax credit?  It's a dollar-for-dollar reduction of taxes a person owes to the state.  The tax credit is credited toward state taxes owed.

A new Arizona tax law allows taxpayers to take a tax credit of up to $200 if they contribute to support activites in TUSD schools.

Statute 43-1089.01 permits individuals to support extracurricular activities for which the school charges a participation fee.

Now individuals can donate to elementary and middle schools as well as high schools. Recently, TUSD's Governing Board approved a proposal to institute at grades K-8 and alternative schools K-12, a nominal $1 per student fee for all extracurricular activities.

Persons can make a donation now through Dec. 18, 1998. Please note that payment must be made at a school site to receive a receipt which is necessary to claim the credit. Checks must be made payable to a particular TUSD school and can be made for any amount up to $200.

Married couples filing joint returns are limited to a maximum of $200. Those filing separately can claim only half of the credit on each return.

Persons are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding any questions they may have about this tax credit.

Write out your check today to reduce your state tax bill and at the same time support our students in their extracurricular activities.

Congratulations!

At the November 10 Governing Board meeting, the following individuals were inducted into the Superintendent's Honor Roll:

The following students represented TUSD at the 1998 LULAC National Youth Leadership Seminar held Sept. 30 through Oct. 4 in Washington, D.C. Pictured from left to right are Ariella Encinas, a student at Pueblo High Magnet School; Estehela Gonzalez, a student at Rincon High School; Javier Herrera, a student at University High School; and Jovan Leonardi and Richard Fimbres, students at Tucson High Magnet School. Nationwide, only 50 students were selected to participate in the event. The students prepared by reading a variety of materials and writing essays related to the seminar's topic, "Bilingual Education: The Attack, The Solutions."

James Clark, volunteer at Booth-Fickett Math and Science Magnet School, oversees the school's remedial program to assist students who are having academic difficulty. He provides individualized tutoring sessions. and serves as a tutor in the program.

Nancy Call, parent volunteer at Ford Elementary School, instructs students in the fundamentals of music. Her efforts to teach music appreciation and song have enhanced student learning while her piano accompaniment enriches student performance. Ms. Call's willingness to share her talent reflects her belief that students grow whole in a caring community.

If you would like to nominate someone for the Superintendent's Honor Roll, call the Communications Department for a nomination form at 617-7303.

Food Services To Sponsor Free Meals Program

TUSD's Food Services Department will sponsor the 1998 Extended Year Schools Fall Intersession Meals program.

This program provides free meals during the Extended Year School fall intersession break to children 2 to 18 years of age who live in the extended year school neighborhood. Breakfast and lunch meals will be served in extended year school cafeterias during posted meal times, Monday through Friday, Dec. 1 - Dec. 18.

Dates and times may be subject to change because of student participation rates.

For more information on school dates and times, please call Steve Bartlett, Summer Meals Coordinator for TUSD Food Services, at 617-7037 Ext. 1399.

Call for Holiday Artwork

Teachers can submit student holiday artwork to be considered for next year's superintendent holiday card.

From Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, teachers can send drawings, paintings, photos, etc., via school mail to Estella Zavala at the TUSD Communications Department.

Please include students name, grade and school on the artwork.

Artwork will be returned during the week of Jan. 15.