Focus on TUSD - December 2007

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Booked for the Day
Indoor Tailgate Party Celebrates Literacy Project
Reading brings families together and so does the party celebrating the families who participated in a local literacy project.

The African American Studies Department, along with Pima County Public Library, held its fourth reading party of the year on Dec. 8, for the families participating in the Family Reading Initiative. In this project, families read together for 15 minutes a day and then spend one hour a week playing family games. Sixty-five people enjoyed the "indoor tailgate party" featuring hot dogs and brats that Pastor Buddy Mizell and his crew from Christ Community Church supplied.

Because "Major Taylor: Champion Cycle" by Lesa Cline-Ransome, was the featured book, BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Action & Salvage), a nonprofit organization that educates the community about bicycles and recycles them, helped with the program. After the story was read, BICAS representative Jo Edmondson talked about bicycle parts and led an art activity using recycled bike parts.

Rincon athletes Tamara Pridgett, a 2007 State Champion (100- and 200-meter dash), and Dionae Avendaño, a standout soccer player, talked about their love of reading and offered tips on maintaining an elite status in their sport and in academics.

University of Arizona football players and a coach talked about the importance of reading in their lives. Wide Receiver David Roberts; Safety Nate Ness; Safety Cameron Nelson; Corner Back Trevin Wade; Running Back Xavier Smith; Quarterback Willie Tuitama; and Strengthening Coach Clarence McCray, all listed the titles of their favorite books.

-- 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.