Focus on TUSD - November 2007

Looking Ahead
Pueblo offers drug workshop for parents
Stickers in a teenager's room may look innocent, but drugs could be concealed on the sticky side, waiting to be licked off.

That's the kind of tip community drug officials will give parents and students at an informational workshop Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Pueblo Magnet High School auditorium, 3500 S. 12th Ave. Confiscated drugs and paraphernalia will be displayed at the workshop that will include a PowerPoint presentation in both Spanish and English.

Lt. Kathy Gutierrez from TUSD's Department of School Safety & Security and Officer Yvonne Billote of the South Tucson Police Department will offer tips to audience members on how to recognize signs that children could be involved in gangs or may be using drugs. Officials will also answer safety concerns from the audience, such as the security measures schools provide.

For more information contact Evelia Lopez, Pueblo's Student and Family Mentor specialist and workshop organizer, at 225-4525.

Naylor to host Interactive White Board demonstration
Classroom technology -- specifically Promethean Interactive White Boards -- will move to the head of the class during an instructional demonstration at Naylor Middle School on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Promethean boards and their effective use in the classroom by teachers and students, will be demonstrated in John Ostrowski's classroom starting at 10 a.m. at Naylor, 1701 S. Columbus Blvd.

"We're trying to show how interactive white boards are used in classrooms by teachers and students to support student learning," said Ed Kowalczyk, TUSD's coordinator of Educational Technology.

Promethean, a company that produces the interactive board and interactive software called Activestudio, is participating in the demonstration, to which the media will be invited. The Promethean Web site states: "For over 10 years we have worked and continue to work with teachers, listening to what they want in the classroom. As a result we introduced the revolutionary Activclassroom, a fully integrated teaching solution that helps teachers bring lessons to life as never before."

The activity falls in line with the District's "Bright Ideas" campaign. As a "Bright Idea," Principal Supervisor Maria Patterson suggested increasing the "awareness for use of Interactive White Boards."

For more information, call Kowalczyk at 225-6570 or Naylor at 584-6800.

Deadline is Feb. 1 for open enrollment, Magnet school or program
The deadline to apply for an Open Enrollment school, a Magnet school or a Magnet program outside students' attendance zones is Feb. 1. Applications are available on the TUSD Web site, at TUSD schools and at School Community Services (the Welcome Center) at 75 N. Park Ave.

Completed applications should be mailed or delivered to the Welcome Center, where a receipt will be issued. Parents and students will be notified by March 1 if an opening is available at the requested school. Applications will be accepted after Feb. 1, but will not be considered until the applications submitted by the deadline are filled.

For more information about the programs at the school go to the TUSD Web site for each school or call the school. The Welcome Center staff also answers questions about applications and selection procedures at 225-6400.

'Carol's Grove' to be dedicated at Davidson
A grove of 28 trees at Davidson Elementary School designated as "Carol's Grove" for Tucson City Councilwoman Carol West will be dedicated in a ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 29, starting at 10 a.m. at the school at 3950 E. Paradise Falls Drive.

The grove marks the start of a new Davidson School Natural Resource Park project, with expected completion in early 2008. West played a big role in making the project a reality. When completed, the site will be a joint-use city of Tucson/Tucson Unified School District park and will be open after school and on weekends to the public.

For more information, contact Davidson at 232-6800.

Sahuaro's Boys Next Door debuts Nov. 30
Sahuaro High School Theatre Arts and S.T.A.R.S. will present "The Boys Next Door" on Friday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m. each night. The performances will be at the Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., because Sahuaro's Fine Arts complex is being renovated.

"The Boys Next Door," written by Tom Griffin, follows the lives of four mentally handicapped men -- Arnold, Lucien, Norman and Barry, along with their social worker, Jack.

Tickets cost $8 for students, $10 for adults, and $40 for the balcony love seats for two. For tickets and more information call the Sahuaro ticket line at 437-2888.

Elementary students invited to Catalina for health careers event
The Allied Health program at Catalina Magnet High School will host a Health Career Exploration for second- and third-graders on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Catalina, 3645 E. Pima St.

This is an event that started five years ago , said Beth Francis, Allied Health lead at Catalina."This year we have invited approximately 300 elementary students," said Francis.

The event is a process of near peer education that is actually starting at the employment and college level with college students/professors and employers who teach our allied health youth in a variety of capacities. Then our high school youth put together health related topics and present them to the second- and third-graders, she said.

Community partners for the event include the University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy; Tucson Fire Department; and Tucson Medical Center.

For more information, call Francis at 232-8666.

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

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

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