Focus on TUSD - February 2008

Awards and Recognition
First-graders enrolled in library program
All the first-grade students at the Banks, Cavett, Fort Lowell, Gale, Hudlow, Hughes, Lynn/Urquides, Manzo, Roberts, Safford, Schumaker, Sewell, Vesey, Warren and Wheeler elementary schools are enrolled in the Pima County Public Library 1st Grade Card Program. LEARN, READ, GROW, SUCCEED is a state-funded grant that provides special library cards to first-graders along with backpacks and coupons for a free tote bag and book. First-grade teachers who want to have their classes involved should call Lisa Bunker or Ella Gomez at 791-4391. The deadline to request enrollment packets is March 14.

La Pilita Museum program nationally recognized
Students from Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School, 440 S. Main, who participated in a Tucson museum youth docent program, have received a national 2007 Coming Up Taller Award. The development and education director at La Pilita Museum, along with former senior docent Jacob Mejias, 12, and his mother attended a ceremony in the East Room of the White House where first lady Laura Bush presented the award on Jan. 28.

Photo courtesy of Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School

The museum program, which trains children ages 8 through 11 to lead site tours was one of 18 community arts and humanities programs nationally that earned Coming Up Taller Awards. More than 350 programs competed for the honor.

Children, typically from Carrillo across the street from the museum, usually participate in the docent program for three years. About 15 to 20 children participate after applying for positions. Four days a week for one hour each day, students lead museum tours, take care of the garden and talk about the history of various sites.

The youth docent program which began seven years ago has received more honors, including Gov. Janet Napolitano's Youth Service Award in 2003.

Pistor groups will perform in California
Orchestra, band and chorus performing groups at Pistor Middle School will perform at Disneyland in May after auditioning for acceptance. The dance group will perform at Knott's Berry Farm, said Randy Krieg of the Pistor Panther Orchestras.

Booth-Fickett wins Future City awards
Students in the Booth-Fickett G.A.T.E. program won several awards at the Future City Competition. A seventh-grade girls team won the Best Essay award from among 56 entrants, as well as the Popular Choice Award for the best physical model, which students at the competition choose.

A seventh- and eighth-grade boys team won the Award of Distinction, which honors exemplary team achievement chosen by the engineering judges. A third team of seventh- and eighth-grade boys and girls won an award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers for the strategic placement of industrial zones, allowing for the maximum return for quality of life issues, said Susan Kelly, the Booth-Fickett itinerant teacher.

Palo Verde student wins Baird scholarship
Christopher Pankratz has won one of seven Baird scholarships, which he will use to attend the University of Arizona this fall as an education major. Pankratz, the first Palo Verde Magnet High School student to win this award, participates in drama, choir and other school activities, as well as volunteering in the community.

Borton awarded technology grant
Qwest Foundation has awarded Borton Primary Magnet School, 700 E. 22nd St., a $7,907 grant that will pay for Learning Language Live, a portable computer lab with five laptops, a projector, microphones and digital cameras that will help students learning English. Students' daily technology use will help teachers accurately and frequently assess students, said Sheri Marlin, the Borton instructional coach. Students will create projects in programs such as Photo Story III, Movie Maker and Inspiration that teacher teams will review to monitor students' progress toward achieving state standards. The computer lab, which will arrive within the next month, will be available in several school locations.

"We are delighted to have been chosen to receive this grant," Marlin said. "We look forward to seeing great results as we incorporate technology into our daily instructional routines."

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

Photos in the February issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations, unless otherwise noted.

The deadline to submit material for the March Focus is Friday, March 7. The Focus will be published Monday, March 17. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the online Tip Sheet.