Focus on TUSD - May 2008

StrengthBuilding Mentors Honored at Three TUSD Schools
More than 73 pairs of mentors and their mentees from Johnson Primary, Lawrence Intermediate and Hohokam Middle schools were honored at a May 6 dinner that was sponsored by the StrengthBuilding Partners Mentoring Program, a nonprofit organization that works to improve student attendance and behavior. The dinner and awards presentation was held in the cafeteria of Hohokam, 7400 S. Settler Road. Johnson is at 6060 S. Joseph Ave; Lawrence is at 4850 W. Jeffrey Road.

Peter Yucupicio, chairman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, spoke at the dinner that included parents, Tribal administrators, members of Gov. Janet Napolitano's staff, principals of the three schools, TUSD administrators and StrengthBuilding Partners donors and board members.

The majority of the mentors were members of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. The annual event celebrated the relationships between 73 mentees and their mentors. It also served as a thank-you to mentors for their dedication to the StrengthBuilding Partners Mentoring Program.

StrengthBuilding Partners (SBP) is a nonprofit training and coaching organization that works in partnership with children, families, schools and businesses. Founded in 1999, SBP's initial focus has been working in disadvantaged school communities. Currently, SBP has partnerships with four schools in Tucson Unified School District, one school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, and the STAR Academic Program in Sunnyside Unified School District.

The mentoring program also is designed to help with teacher retention and satisfaction. For more information on StrengthBuilding Partners, visit http://www.strengthbuilding.org/about_home.htm.

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

The deadline to submit material for the June Focus is Friday, June 13. The Focus will be published Monday, June 23. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the online Tip Sheet.