Focus on TUSD - December 2007

Seeds of Success
Director of Dunham's After-hours Program Wins Awards
A decade ago, Annie Himebaugh planted the seeds of community cooperation at Dunham Elementary School.

Now those seeds have sprouted and are bearing fruit. As the founder of SEEDS (Scholastic Excellence and Enrichment at Dunham School), the school's before- and after-school and summer program, she received a state award this fall for her exemplary work.

The Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence honored Himebaugh with its "Individual" award, which she received in Phoenix.

About half of Dunham's enrollment -- about 200 students -- attends the SEEDS program at 9850 E. 29th St. Twenty staff members, most part-time college students, help run SEEDS. It uses a $250,000 tuition-based budget to pay for staff, field trips, supplies and materials. The State Department of Economic Security and the Arizona Health Services also provide funding.

SEEDS is its own little school on campus, using the rooms and outdoor space, but operating from a separate office.

As she's led the program's progress over the years, Himebaugh never lost sight of her goals to enhance the academic skills of the children, and to build a bridge between the school and the East Side residential area where it's located.

"We're not separate from the community," Himebaugh said. "We're a part of everything that happens in our community."

For example, two years ago, Himebaugh gathered volunteers to put the Christmas lights up for families whose fathers had been deployed with the military. Children display their artwork at the nearby Target store, and residents help the school raise funds for cancer research.

"Children see this and they know they're connected to our community," Himebaugh explained. "So when we have vandalism in our school, it's a big deal. It's their school and the students take pride in it. It hurts them to see the damage."

Looking ahead, Himebaugh still dreams of starting a pre-school, a project she's pursued for the last couple of years. SEEDS already offers adult classes in subjects such as pottery, parenting and Pilates, and a pre-school would add the final component in serving all ages.

But for now, Himebaugh is satisfied to see the SEEDS program grow and grateful for her award. "It meant a lot to me," she said. "It empowered me to work even more for our children, to advocate for our team. I know that if I died tomorrow, my life's work would continue."

-- By Sharon Dunham
Communications & Media Relations

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

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

The deadline to submit material for the January Focus is Friday, Jan. 11. The Focus will be published Monday, Jan. 21. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the online Tip Sheet.