Focus on TUSD - May 2007

TUSD Wrap Up
Borton Best in Elementary School Web Sites
Borton Elementary School has won the AzTEA 2007 Exemplary Web Site Award for having the best elementary school website in the state. The school received a plaque and $500. View the school web site at http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/Borton/.

ArtWorks! Fund-Raiser a Success
This year's Artist Invitational exhibition, "The Young and the Restless," featuring the work of ArtWorks! Academy students, netted over $45,000. More than 150 people attended this fund-raiser for the academy, which is a TUSD alternative high school serving talented visual arts students who may otherwise drop out of school. The students attend academic classes in the morning and in the afternoon they study painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking and photography with professional artists at the Tucson Museum of Art. ArtWorks! Academy is housed at the museum's school.

The exhibition was April 27-May 30.

Invisible Theatre Performance Wraps Up Year
A production by the Pastime Players highlighted Catalina Magnet High School's 50th anniversary celebration on April 30. "The Me Inside of Me" showcased musical styles, such as jitterbug, disco and hip hop, including the songs "La Bamba" and "Lean on Me," along with excerpts from "Annie" and "High School the Musical."

This presentation marked the end of the students' year-long music, drama and dance studies in the program called The Invisible Theatre's Pastime Players, which provides a multidisciplinary arts education for mentally and physically challenged students. Invisible Theatre local artists teach students aged 15-22, called the Pastime Players, twice a week.

Since it began in 1984, the program has grown into a national prototype of innovative arts education programming that focuses on ability rather than disability, said Cathy Johnson, associate producer and director of public relations for Invisible Theatre. It is funded by Foundation Carinoso, a grant from Tucson City Councilmember Nina Trasoff's Ward VI office, and the Glassman Foundation.

These people are involved with Project Pastime: Director Susan Claassen, Musical Director Linda Ackermann, Associate Director Gail Fitzhugh, and Choreographers John-Peter Wilhite and Carol Ross.

Project Pastime touring members performed at the American Association of School Administrators Conference in Orlando, Fla., in 2001; in Arizona, they've appeared at many events. The players were also honored at the 2002 Volunteers of the Year Awards, where they received the Southwest Gas Corp.'s "Right from the Start for Children" award.

Gilpin Wins Poetry and Arts Grand Prize
Brian Gilpin, a 14-year-old Pistor Middle School student, won the grand prize in Tucson's River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest this year. He and the semi-finalists were recognized in a ceremony April 11, at the Tucson Children's Museum.

The winners' works will be part of a traveling exhibit that leaves the children's museum on June 18 and continues to the Joel D. Valdez Main Library at 101 N. Stone Ave. until July 31. From Aug. 7-Sept. 19, the exhibit will be at Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road; from Sept. 20-Nov. 1, it will be at Brandi Fenton Park, 3482 E. River Road; and from Nov. 2-Feb. 1, 2008, it will be displayed at Pima County Juvenile Court, 2225 E. Ajo Way.

Nearly 1,000 students, ages 5 to 19, participated in the project, including these TUSD students:

Griselda Miranda and Annabelle Sanchez, Hollinger Elementary; Irasema Lerma-Hernandez, Mia Aguirre and Delfina Morales, Peter Howell Elementary; Jocelyn Nacias and Nico Lorenzen, Pistor Middle; Ian Schwind, Corbett Elementary; Morgan Bradley, Van Buskirk Elementary; and Jennifer Weisbrod, Davis Bilingual Magnet Elementary.

Students learned about science and art in their classrooms, as well as at Pima County parks all year. Tucson's River of Words is a local affiliate of the National River of Words program, a California-based nonprofit group dedicated to connecting children to their watersheds through poetry and art.

Vail Middle School had Students for the Cure
Some Vail Middle School students participated in Students for the Cure, a state-accredited curriculum that uses physical activities, wellness learning and community service to help students learn about breast cancer and how to get involved in their communities.

At Vail, Cheryl Pulley led the program with cancer survivor Melinda Radon pushing to get the state accreditation for the curriculum, which will soon be adapted for TUSD high school students.

Vail and other TUSD students, and employees, turned out April 15 for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Reid Park

Dietz First-Grader OMA Students Perform Opera in Green Valley
One of Dietz Elementary School's first-grade classes performed its original Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) opera for the American Association of University Women's spring meeting in Green Valley April 16. This 88-member group is "very seriously interested" in TUSD and the OMA Program, said Joan Ashcraft, TUSD director of Fine Arts and the OMA program.

Ochoa Students Win Science Awards
Nine sixth-graders at Ochoa Elementary School won certificates, plaques and checks at the Southern /Arizona /Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Three of the students were among 4,000 selected as part of the Discovery Channel Young Scientists Challenge nomination, giving them a chance to compete at the national level and possibly travel to Washington, D.C.

Participants were Gilbert Smith, Ashley Lopez, Jocelyn Mora, Zuleika Pena, Jose Samaniego-Lopez, Luis Martinez, Alejandro Gallego, Anthony Valenzuela and Ivan Rodriguez.

Sixth-grade teacher Patsy Alday and volunteer Mike Svob worked with the students.

Maxwell Students Win MESA Award
Maxwell Middle School placed first in two events at the MESA Day State Competition. The Roller Coaster Run Team of Destiny Vargas, Yareny Nassi, Monica Neri and Arrisela Romero took first place. Ezzy Chavez, Nick Campoy and Jacob Roque won first place in the Laser, Hit the Target event. Their advisor is Cecilia Northcutt.

Nineteen middle schools in Arizona entered the competition.

Ward Speaks at Cragin's Author Day
Jennifer Ward, the author of seven children's books, spoke on Author Day, April 17, at Cragin Elementary School. Each first-grader received a copy of her book "The Seed and the Giant Saguaro," a gift donated by Gov. Janet Napolitano, Southwest Gas Corp. and Phelps Dodge.

Ward has written "There was a Coyote who Swallowed a Flea," "Forest Bright, Forest Night," "The Little Creek," "Over in the Garden," "Somewhere in the Ocean" and "Way Out in the Desert."

Corbett and Sam Hughes Receive $1,000 Grants from state PTA
The PTAs at Corbett and Sam Hughes elementary schools were two of 15 in the state to each receive $1,000 grants from the Arizona PTA and McDonald's. The money is earmarked for school libraries as part of the "Readers are Leaders Award" program.

Arizona PTA is the largest statewide organization working exclusively for children and young people.

Gridley Middle School Students, Teachers Receive Awards, Recognition
Gridley Middle School recent achievements include:

• Language Arts teacher Kimberlyn Hicks ran in the Boston Marathon April 16.
• The Student Council and Wellness Committee supported the Race for the Cure with their Paws for a Cause, where they sold paper paws and T-shirts. A carwash netted $500. A team of teachers, parents and students participated in the Race for the Cure raising $2,000.
• Seventh-grader Kellynn Payne won first place in the seventh- and eighth-grade "Letters About Literature" writing contest, winning a cash award and $50 Target gift card. A total of 56,000 letters were submitted.
• KVOI radio station recognized Gridley with its "Do It Right Award" on April 14.

Ethnic Studies Programs Honor Students at Ceremonies
Student achievement in academics, fine arts, athletics, and community service were celebrated by the District's Ethnic Studies programs at annual recognition programs:

• The Mexican American/Raza Studies Student Recognition Program was April 30, in the Grand Ballroom at the University of Arizona Student Union. The UA College of Humanities co-hosted the event.
• The Native American Studies Department's High School and Middle School Student Recognition ceremony, May 5 in the UA Student Union Grand Ballroom, included a silent auction.
• The 7th Annual Pan Asian Studies Student Recognition Program was May 7 at the Dragon View Restaurant. The event was sponsored by the Pan Asian Community Alliance.
• The African American Studies Department's Student Recognition Program was May 14 in the Grand Ballroom at the UA Student Union. The event was co-sponsored by the UA College of Humanities.

Lifeguard Training Students Graduate at Catalina
A dozen Catalina Magnet High School students have completed the Lifeguard Training program and have found summer jobs in Tucson. Students earned certificates in the American Red Cross Level VII swim skill, First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Lifeguarding. Monica Holden, the course instructor, said students earned either a physical education credit or an elective credit or both. The course was open to students at all swim skill levels. "It's a wonderful way for kids to improve their swimming skills, a great way to exercise and an excellent means to work and give back to their community," Holden said.

Dietz Student Council Wins Wal-Mart Kids Recycling Challenge
Dietz Elementary School Student Council members helped take care of the environment and earned money for their school at the same time when they participated in the Wal-Mart Kids Recycling Challenge.

By bringing in plastic bags for recycling, Dietz topped the other 162 Arizona participating schools, winning a $3,000 first-place prize, plus $2,345 for turning in bags to Wal-Mart, for a total of $5,345. The entire school helped in the project, filling 489 60-gallon bags with plastic retail and grocery bags brought to school by students from September through March. For each 60-gallon collection bag filled with plastic bags and turned into a Wal-Mart store, Dietz earned $5 from Wal-Mart. This was the first year Dietz participated in the competition.

A Wal-Mart representative presented a check to Dietz during a school assembly, followed by an educational, entertaining program about recycling and reusing materials.

Student Council sponsors, Andrea Rodriguez and Reem Kievit, who are Dietz teachers, organized the project and inspired students to collect the bags and win the grand prize. Dietz staff members helped deliver the plastic bags to Wal-Mart.

Safford Artwork, Writing Exhibited at Juvenile Court Gallery
Artwork and writing created by students of Karen Mitchell at Safford Middle School have been on view at the Juvenile Court Gallery since April 27 and will continue on view through Aug. 10. Viewers can preview the work at www.wikiarts.pbwiki.com/SaffordMiddle. The artwork is all on cloth, which can be a difficult surface to work on, Mitchell said. "The colors are vivid and the subjects are joyful," she added. "The writing is thoughtful and shows an amazing amount of insight. More people should be aware of the wonderful artwork coming out of TUSD schools." The gallery is located 2225 E. Ajo Way.

Tucson High Work Displayed at Courthouse Gallery
Outstanding artwork and writing by the students of Harold Gabitzch at Tucson High Magnet School went on display at the Superior Courthouse Gallery April 30 and will continue through July 19. For a preview of the show, go to www.wikiarts.pbwiki.com/TucsonHigh. The gallery is at 110 W. Congress St. "The artwork is spectacular and more people need to see it," Gabitzch said.

Catalina AFJROTC Wins Award
The AZ-943rd AFJROTC Cadet Group at Catalina Magnet High School has won the "Distinguished Unit with Merit award." It is the fourth consecutive time the unit received the Distinguished Unit Award and the first time it received the "Merit" distinction. "They proved themselves worthy of all the accolades by setting goals which they deemed important for the Corps, and working hard to achieve those goals throughout the school year," said August I. De Rosa, senior aerospace science instructor for the cadets.

Finding My Voice Celebrates
The ESL Magazine Club at Catalina Magnet High School celebrated the publication of its magazine "Finding My Voice" on May 17 in the school auditorium. Students read their work, celebrated their language development and shared their cultures and experiences.

University High Place in Optimists Speech Contest
University High School sophomores Dercio Arnot-Hopfer and Vy Kieu placed first and Cyndi Mallgren second, in the Optimists Club Speech Contest on March 28. They gave five-minute speeches entitled "My Biggest Challenge" as they went up against St. Augustine's High School. The trio will now compete statewide for a $1,500 college scholarship.

Safford Students Complete Dell TechKnow Program
Nine Safford Magnet Middle School students celebrated completing the course work for the Dell TechKnow program on May 17. Each student was given a refurbished Dell computer to take home. Sandy Merz III, a Safford Magnet teacher, guided the students through the project.

TEA Recognizes Students and Members at Annual Luncheon
Eleven TUSD students and employees were recognized at the Tucson Education Association's Annual Awards Luncheon April 21.

Student winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest were:

• Daniel Vega, Hollinger Elementary School
• Ana Trifonova, Corbett Elementary School
• Jamie Watts, Pistor Middle School

Student winners of the Cesar Chavez Humanitarian Award were:

• Armando Olivares, Lineweaver Elementary School
• Jennifer Beltran, Mansfeld Middle School
• Eddie Diaz, Cholla Magnet High School
• Michelle Ramirez, Rincon High School

Juan Carbajal from Catalina Magnet High School won the Tlamatinime Award; Joyce Green from Palo Verde Magnet High School was named the 2007 ESP of the Year; and named 2007 Educators of the Year were Dave Kukla of Sabino High School and Marjorie Letson of Magee Middle School.

Seven Students Receive Cecilia Avalos Scholarships
The Cecilia Avalos Scholarship recipients for the class of 2007 are:

Tucson High Magnet School

• Dalianna Cruz - attended the Menlo Park PACE program.
• Dylan Pesqueira - attended the Safford PACE program.
• Demetrius Yrigoyen - attended the Safford PACE program.

Howenstine Magnet High School

• Zenobia Romero - attended the Johnson PACE program

Rincon High School

• James Williams - attended the Pueblo Gardens PACE program

Pueblo Magnet High School

• Andrea Reyes - attended the Van Buskirk PACE program.
• Hector Rojas - attended the Cavett PACE program.

Each of these students has been awarded a $500 scholarship, contingent on their acceptance at and enrollment in a college or university program.

Cecilia Avalos Scholarship Committee members are Kathleen Rishel Allen, Belva Lackey, Anne Rumps, Jane Fitzgerald, Betty Hauser and Kay Rencken.

Droegmeier to Receive ADE "Award of Distinction"
Eleanor Droegmeier has been selected by the Arizona Department of Education as the recipient of the "Arizona Department of Education Award of Distinction" for her hard work and commitment to Arizona's early childhood programs.

This award was given to Nadine Basha last year, and will be presented to Eleanor, who is TUSD's coordinator of Title I and Early Childhood Block Grant Preschool programs, during the ADE's Early Learning Conference in mid-June in Fountain Hills.

"We are fortunate to have someone like Eleanor working in our District. I'm sure you will agree that a hearty congratulations is in order," wrote Paul J. Ohm in an e-mail. Ohm is an Early Childhood coordinator in the District's Exceptional Education Department.

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

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

The deadline to submit material for the June Focus is Friday, June 8. The Focus will be published Monday, June 18. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the Focus Online Submission Form.