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April 2004
I write this from Washington, D.C. where I am attending the
annual Legislative/Policy Conference of the Council of the
Great City Schools. TUSD has participated in this lobbying
organization for many years. The council is doing excellent
work in trying to get the United States Congress to tweak
federal legislation to better address what happens on the
local level of school districts in the day-to-day operations
of educating students. Specifically, the Council of the Great
City Schools is working toward full funding for No Child Left
Behind, changes to streamline IDEA and more fairness in funding
under Title I, Title II and Title III. The effort is excellent
and I hope TUSD will continue to join in the good work of
the Council of the Great City Schools.
At the March Governing Board meeting, the School Community
Partnership Council emphasized the high parent involvement
level in its organization. The group's moderator, Phil Brenfleck,
reported that they recently have formed several new committees
including one that will educate parents on new technological
advances and procedures for special needs students. Another
will put together hiring practice recommendations to share
with the TUSD Human Resources Department. Still another committee
will track pertinent legislation in Phoenix. Brenfleck also
recommended that TUSD participate for a second year in The
Dad's Project Tax Credit Donation Marketing Program for our
fundraising efforts in 2004. It's all just another reminder
of the value of the entire community working together for
our kids. Thanks, parents!
At every Board meeting, the staff presents to Board members
the many projects within TUSD that have a direct academic
impact on our students. One such project, which was presented
at the March meeting, is DESERT or District-wide Emphasis
in Science Education Reform in Tucson. DESERT is a five-year,
$5 million, K-8 professional development grant from the National
Science Foundation. It is being used to align TUSD's science
program with national and state standards, to develop effective
classroom instruction, to establish school sites as collaborative
learning communities, and to create and sustain equitable
science programs in all K-8 TUSD schools. The continuing result
of this project is that we are able to teach science more
effectively with a more coherent core curriculum.
The Board proclaimed March as Social Work Month in TUSD in
recognition of the many achievements and contributions our
professional school social workers have made and continue
to make. Thanks to each and every one of you for contributing
so much to the educational well-being of our students.
At future Board meetings, the Board will be looking at several
issues including a plan to lobby the state legislature on
critical education issues, recommendations on how to best
use the Keen building and property following the school's
closure, a comprehensive communication plan for the district,
and a process for the recruitment and retention of volunteers
in our schools.
Joel T. Ireland
I recently attended the U.S. Department of Education's Accountability
and Assessment Summit held in St. Louis last month. Dr. David
Krueger, chief accountability officer for the district's Accountability
and Research department, and I presented information regarding
TUSD's Stats website at the summit, which provided technical
assistance for state and local education leaders. Titled "An
Internet-Based System Designed to Support the Requirements
of NCLB," the presentation was made before state and
local education leaders, governors and other statewide elected
officials and district personnel.
After the presentation, Ray Simon, the assistant secretary
for the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary
and Secondary Education complimented us on the presentation
and acknowledged the excellent work the staff at the department
of Accountability and Research has done to help TUSD employees,
parents and community members track the progress of our students.
I also had the privilege of attending the Council of Great
City Schools' annual legislative policy conference with our
Board president Joel Ireland. The four-day conference updated
educators on pending educational legislation, focusing on
how member districts can advance school funding and programs
through congressional advocacy.
As far as funding is concerned, TUSD is coping with another
difficult budget year. Due to a host of factors, the district
is facing a $14 million shortfall. One of these factors includes
the loss of about 1,000 students this school year, resulting
in some schools not being able to support the same number
of teachers they've had in the past.
To cover this deficit, various options will be implemented,
including an across-the-board maintenance and operations freeze.
Although the media has mentioned a layoff of about 50 first
year teachers, the current 100 vacant positions that will
not be filled and pending retirement by senior teachers may
help prevent that possibility. Travel not related to student
trips will be restricted if it is paid out of the district's
state-funded maintenance and operations budget.
As you are well aware, AIMS testing is underway this month.
It is crucial that we all work together to make certain our
students have the optimum conditions to succeed on this exam.
Although the class of 2006 will be the first class to graduate
based on their test results, ultimately, achievement for all
of our students remains the goal of our every day efforts.
Stan Paz, Ph.D.
MARS
IS NOT BEYOND THEIR REACH: 4th-, 5th-graders get a close look
in ASU study from the Arizona Daily Star 4/5/04
Dana Karibian, speech-language clinician
at Dodge and Townsend, earned her doctoral degree in special
education from the University of Arizona this past December.
Her dissertation was titled "Using Fuzzy-Trace Theory
to Predict Memory for Words and Sentences in Children with
Learning Disabilities."
Soleng Tom's Sylvia Morales was the first
person ever to receive the Evelyn Jay Excellence in Education
award from the Educational Enrichment Foundation. She was
presented with the award in February along with $500. Morales
was chosen for her almost 20 years of dedication to helping
struggling students realize the joys of literacy.
Two TUSD counselors were recently recognized at the Arizona
School Counselor Association's annual conference on March
12 in Mesa. Palo Verde's Beverely Elliott
was honored as high school counselor of the year for her dedication
to her students as well as her willingness to give support
and aid to counselors throughout the state and the nation.
Jefferson Park's Saul Ostroff was recognized
as elementary school counselor of the year for his enthusiasm,
talent, creativeness and compassion.
DeAnn Rompf, math teacher at Santa Rita,
became a National Board Certified teacher with a concentration
on adolescent/young adult mathematics in December. To earn
this, Rompf had to submit a portfolio as well as complete
a rigorous assessment process. She will retain her certification
for 10 years.
Booth-Fickett's eighth-grade science Olympiad team placed
second in the state Science Olympiad Competition March 6 at
UA. Team members include Maia Black, Megan Button,
Matt Creamer, Andre Dawson, Jaimee Fagg, Nikki Frahm, Cassie
Larkins, Kirstie McKenzie, Tish Merriex, Lisa Moore, Hanh
Nguyen, Kyle Shrag-Toso, Sarah Tang, Krista Varela, and Samantha
Varela. In February the team had placed first in
the regional Science Olympiad Competition.
Carolyn Schulter from Corbett was chosen
as the grand prize winner in the fifth-grade division of the
Smucker/Scholastic "Go for the Gold" essay contest.
Contestants had to write an essay reflecting on what it would
be like to win a gold medal, including what it takes to prepare
for the event. Carolyn won a $750 U.S. savings bond and a
Stars on Ice blanket. Her teacher, Gina Rosen,
won a $150 Scholastic gift certificate.
Doolen's Amanda Duron was one of 12 students
selected nationally as winner of the American Museum of Natural
History's "Young Naturalist Award." Contestants
were required to plan and conduct their own scientific expedition
on a topic of their choice. Amanda studied the geology and
mining of southern Arizona in her project titled "A Comparison
of the Bisbee and Morenci, Arizona Copper Ore Deposits."
As a winner she will receive an all-expense-paid trip to New
York City where she will meet Museum scientists, take a behind-the-scenes
tour, and attend an award ceremony where she will be honored.
She will also receive a $500 scholarship.
Sahuaro hosted the 5A State Speech and Debate Tournament
March 19 and 20, where 350 students from across the state
competed. In the tournament Sahuaro's team of Kendall
Gerdes and Calley Anderson were quarterfinalists
in the policy debate category and the team of Ryan
Ruboyianes and Lucas Gonzales were semifinalists
in the duo interpretation category.
Doolen's team of Nick Ellett, Steven Fan, Matt Horn,
Aaron Quick, and Erich Winters won the Arizona Middle
School Science Bowl on March 20, where the team competed in
a hydrogen fuel-cell car race and an academic quiz. They will
now continue on to compete in the national competition June
17 through 20 in Golden, CO.
Jon Hall from Catalina was recently awarded
$35,500 from the Careers Through Culinary Arts program to
attend the Scottsdale Culinary Institute next August where
he will earn his Associate of Occupational Studies degree.
He competed in Phoenix against students from across the state
and was judged by professional chefs on his cooking abilities.
 |
Rhyasin
Roebuck from Drachman received the "I Can Do
It" student award from the Arizona's Children Association
at their awards luncheon on February 20 in Phoenix. He was
nominated by two of his teachers for his positive attitude,
outstanding academic achievement, sense of humor, and good
citizenship. He is seen here proudly holding his trophy. |
Tucson Museum of Art Educators' Reception:
Tucson Museum of Art is hosting an educators' reception from
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21. This free event will
give educators the opportunity to network, explore, and experience
innovative strategies to use the museum for their students'
benefit. Participants will have the chance to win free bus
transportation for a class field trip next school year. To
register call Terra Feast at 624-2333 ext. 111 or email her
at tfeast@tucsonarts.com
by April 20.
Arizona State Museum Holds Teacher Workshop:
The Arizona State Museum will be holding a teacher workshop
titled "Teaching Toward a Sense of Place" from 8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 24 at the Tucson Convention
Center. The workshop will introduce educators to place-based
education and strategies for implementation. The cost is $15.
For more information or to register contact Annamarie Schaecher
at 626-9172 or anamarie@email.arizona.edu.
Deadline for registration is April 21.
Fine Arts Institute For Educators: Tucson
area K-12 classroom teachers are invited to discover strategies
for integrating the arts into NCLB standards at the Fine Arts
Summer Institute from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 24 through
28. Learn through interactive workshops and share ideas with
teaching teams from neighboring districts as you develop an
arts program that connects to your core curriculum. For more
information call 225-4900.
Become A National Board Certified Teacher:
The University of Arizona is hosting a workshop designed to
prepare K-12 teachers for the National Board Certification
application process from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 12 through
16. Highlights include how to utilize reflective strategies
for teaching, document your professional accomplishments in
effective ways, and write under pressure. For more information
contact Anne-Marie Hall at 621-3436 or sawp@w3.arizona.edu.
Calling All Soon-To-Be Retirees: The Pima
County Retired Teachers' Association is currently recruiting
retired educators to join their over 400 member organization.
PCRTA is a nonprofit organization that provides its members
with continued interaction in Arizona education through monthly
luncheons. If you are soon-to-be retired, or know someone
who is, and would like further information on the group please
email Cookie Bowes at pcrta@comcast.net.
Tucson Unified School District
1010 East 10th Street, Tucson, Arizona, 85719
Governing Board
Joel T. Ireland, President; Judy Burns, Clerk; Bruce Burke;
Adelita Grijalva; Mary Belle McCorkle, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Estanislado "Stan" Paz, Ph.D.
Chief of Staff
Toni Cordova
Communications Specialist/Writer
Estella Zavala and Jennea Moore
Tucson Unified School District does not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, age, religion or disability in admission or access
to, or treatment or employment, in its educational programs
or activities.
For more information contact: