Focus on TUSD - February 2007

Love of Reading Week
Using the theme "Spinning Yarns and Weaving a Web of Words," many schools in the Tucson Unified School District celebrated Love of Reading Week Feb.12-16. TUSD originated Love of Reading Week over 20 years ago in the community.

• Banks Elementary School
  Activities included: Artsmobile visit, door decorating contest, Literary Character parade, community readers, teacher reading swap, storytellers and musicians, and drop everything and read.
  
• Drachman Primary Magnet School
  The school celebrates Love of Reading Year instead of Love of Reading Week. Every Wednesday at 8:25 a.m., students who regularly check out books from the school library are honored. Over 15,000 checkouts have been recorded. On Wednesday, Feb. 14, students who are part of this frequent reader program were honored.
  
• Erickson Elementary School
  On Wednesday, Feb. 7, family members joined the school for the Community Lunch.
  
• Jefferson Park Elementary School
  Author Marge Pellegrino read her newest book and discussed her life. Also, bilingual storyteller Dr. Martin Rivera performed Tuesday, Feb. 13. The PTO hosted a Scholastic Book Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 13, Family Literary Night. TUSD Governing Board members and other community guests read books to students during the week.
  
• Lynn-Urquides Elementary School
  From Feb. 12-16, TUSD Governing Board members, media representatives and community volunteers, totaling more than 40 people, read to students.
  
• Marshall Elementary School
  Some of the Up with People cast read to students on Wednesday, Feb. 14. On Thursday, Feb. 15, family and community members read to the children.
  
• Naylor Middle School
  The school hosted a reception for guest author Eric Kimmel at the library on Thursday, Feb.15 from 4-5:30 p.m. Eight students attended the Young Authors conference at the Roadway Inn on Feb. 15-16. Also, Naylor students read and performed for Roberts Elementary School students.
  
• Oyama Elementary School
  From Jan. 24-Feb. 7, classes wrote a 29-page progressive book featuring the administrators as the first-page authors followed by kindergarten through the fifth-grade and ending with the administrators. One student read the book over the school intercom. On Monday, Feb. 12, each grade had an assembly when students distributed the books they wrote this year. Some students read portions of their books. Community volunteers read to students during the month.
  
• Richey K-8th Elementary School
  On Wednesday, Feb. 14, students dressed up as their favorite book characters. On Thursday, Feb.15, Ronald McDonald gave a presentation. Slated to read to children were Superintendent Roger F. Pfeuffer and Marge Peregrino, a published author.
  
• Steele Elementary School
  On Friday, Feb. 16, students dressed as their favorite book character marched from room to room.
  
• Townsend Middle School
  From Feb. 12-16, the voices of students talking about their favorite book were digitally recorded and published on the library website linked to a picture of the book's cover. Also during those days, students were asked to bring used books that could be exchanged for new or slightly used books.
  
• Vail Middle School
  The Falcon Bookmark Contest concluded with awards for the top choices students selected by ballot. For the fourth year, Bonillas Elementary teachers Alma Jones, first-grade, and Stephanie Hill, kindergarten, walked with their students to the Vail Library to share picture books with the middle school students. Vail teachers Cheryl Polley, Dick Butler, Kathy Chavez and Shannon Dineley provided readers.
  
• Wright Elementary School
  Guest readers scheduled during the week were Tucson City Council member Nina Trasoff and Martha Cooper Librarian April Rice. Pam Lefko put together a musical program for reading-themed assemblies.
  

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

All photos in the February issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations.

The deadline to submit material for the March Focus is Friday, March 9. The Focus will be published Friday, March 16. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the Focus Online Submission Form.