Focus on TUSD - April/May 2008

Board President's Message
Rodriguez congratulates winners
Dear TUSD Community:

As another academic school year winds down, we have an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments. What are you most proud of either in your job, as a student, or as a volunteer for Tucson Unified School District? Students and employees across TUSD have accomplished great things this year and we honor you for your hard work. Some of the recent successes and accomplishments include:

• A+ recognition -- This month Fruchthendler Elementary School was awarded the prestigious A+ recognition by the Arizona Educational Foundation, which recognizes and celebrates outstanding K-12 public schools that serve as models of educational excellence in Arizona.
• Graduation rate -- TUSD ranks sixth in student graduations among major school districts in the nation's 50 largest cities. (This story was reported in the Arizona Daily Star on April 1.)
• State championships -- We are proud of all of our student athletes but particularly proud of our state champion winners: the Girls Soccer Team at Sabino High School (4A Division I); the Girls Soccer Team at Rincon High School (5A Division II); the Wrestling Team at Pueblo Magnet High School (4A Division I); and the Boys Cross Country Team at Sabino (4A Division I).
• National merit finalists/semi-finalists -- In September, several TUSD students were named semi-finalists in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program; finalists will be announced soon. Our students include: Markleigh G. Swanson, Rincon High School; Emily J. Brown, Sabino High School; Ruthe J. Foushee and Alex L. Pattison, Tucson High Magnet School; and, from University High School, Polina Bartik, Aaron B. Brown, Jamie N. Burrows, Kristi L. Critchley, Hafez Gharbiah, Adeline A. Hill, Matthew O. Hom, Kevin B. Keller, Eric Lehnhardt, Derek B. Leverenz, Natali E. Liu, Ian H. McEwen, Matthew R. Noble, Mario B. Parks, Caitlin A. Regan, Joshua D. Schulter, Kelley J. Smith, Luke A. Teece, Shangwen Wei, Xingyuan Yu, and Jin Zhang.
• University High School -- UHS, which opened in 1977, is ranked No. 13 among the top 100 high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
• Teacher awards -- TUSD has dedicated, caring, knowledgeable educators who use multiple resources to engage students in learning. We applaud all who have been recognized for their efforts, some of whom are:
  • Gridley Middle School Principal Kathy Scheppe, who this month was named "Woman of the Year" by 94.9 MIXfm. She was nominated by Gridley seventh-grade teacher Karen Arellano for being supportive of Gridley faculty, students and families.
  • Teachers Jan Budak and Katie Felix-Eddelman from Brichta Elementary School, who won a $9,367 grant to conduct "Learning in the 21st Century," a project during which fifth-grade students conducted online and face-to-face research to find out how technology helps students learn.
  • Instructor Nancy Anaya and her drama program at Utterback Middle School were recognized for their achievement by the University of Arizona during the national theater education advocacy event called Theatre in Our Schools. This event is sponsored by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. The university chooses a longtime teacher who has a strong program, is committed to teacher education and has a good relationship with the university.
  • First-grade teacher John Waugaman at Blenman Elementary School won a $5,000 Lowe's grant to purchase a greenhouse for the school that will be used in conjunction with an outdoor area that has enough seating for a classroom.
  • Music teacher Alfredo Valenzuela, the mariachi director at Davis Bilingual Magnet School, will receive an honorary Doctor of Music degree May 17, from the University of Arizona.
• Community volunteers -- Community partnerships are essential for a successful K-12 school district. TUSD is fortunate to have many such alliances and we thank the individuals who donate their time, services and resources to aid student learning. We also thank individuals who serve on committees assisting with the work of our schools and the District, such as the Audit Committee, the Bond Fiscal Oversight Committee, the Blue Ribbon Committee, school Site Councils, PTAs and PTOs, SCPC, the Override Committee, the Educational Enrichment Foundation, and many others. 

Strategic Planning for the Future

As the school year comes to a close, the Governing Board, in collaboration with Superintendent Roger F. Pfeuffer, will continue work on plans for next school year and beyond. A key part of this effort is the transition between Dr. Elizabeth Celania-Fagen, the incoming superintendent and Mr. Pfeuffer. Before the new superintendent officially begins her tenure on July 1, she will have spent 10 working days learning the rich historical legacy of our school district; listening in and contributing to important discussions on budget planning; and participating in the discussions and implementation of audit recommendations from MGT of America.

On behalf of a truly appreciative Governing Board, I thank our students, staff and community members for your commitment to public education and for your focus on student learning and achievement in Tucson Unified School District!

Go TUSD!

--Alex Rodriguez
President, TUSD Governing Board

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

The deadline to submit material for the May Focus is Friday, May 16. The Focus will be published Tuesday, May 27. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the online Tip Sheet.