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May 2004

As we conclude the school year, I would like to welcome our new Superintendent Designee, Roger Pfeuffer, back to TUSD. Due to Dr. Paz's recent resignation, Mr. Pfeuffer will be aiding us in the conclusion of this year and will remain with us until a new Superintendent is hired. He first came to TUSD in August of 1970, and in June of 2002, he retired as assistant superintendent.

At the April Board meeting, Pueblo Principal Richard Carranza presented the Board with a plan for high school safety and security. Our high school principals recently met in a day-long planning session to determine the security needs of their schools. They came up with a uniform safety plan with a goal to create a common standard for safety. To do this, they suggested the district establish a high school security personnel to student ratio of 1/250, with the staffing to include only security agents and liaisons. Additionally, they would like a change in the method of funding from a dollar allocation to a standard FTE allocation.

The Board approved an extended year calendar for the 2004-2005 school year.

The Board also approved a plan to revise our high school graduation requirements. Beginning with the class of 2008, students will be required to have earned 21 credits in order to graduate, three of which must be math. This raised the total number of credits required from 20 to 21, as well as raising math from two to three. Driver's education will now be an elective rather than a requirement, and one credit of physical education will be the standard across the district. Also, for all four years of high school our students will now be required to take six credits per semester. By setting the bar higher for our students, we hope to better prepare them to successfully enter the world beyond high school.

I would like to commend everyone on the time and effort they've put into making this school year a success. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.

Joel T. Ireland

IMAGINE...

As I write this I have been at work nearly two weeks as TUSD'S Superintendent Designee, a title that will change to Interim Superintendent after June 30. As I wrote to you via e-mail, I was and am excited and energized about the possibilities I see before us. And, as I expected, I am also inundated by the multitude of issues with which I must deal and the steady stream of people who need a meeting, phone calls that need returning and e-mails that not only contain supportive words, but which also contain questions that their authors expect to be answered. This two week period has rushed by, not allowing much time for reflection or thinking ahead, both of which are necessities for everyone, but certainly crucial to educators in particular.

But then, just today, I received a congratulatory postcard from Cass Burkhart, who was my executive assistant when I led the Vail School District in the mid-eighties. Her note included a line that not only brought back fond memories of working cooperatively, but also struck a harmonic chord with my current experience. She wrote:

"DON'T FORGET OUR FAMOUS OPEN-DOOR POLICY."

In those simple, straightforward words she summarized what-in a flash-I realized must be my approach to leading this district, despite the fact that it is huge and consequently considerably more complex than was the Vail District in 1985. If in my role I can strive to maintain an open-door policy, just imagine how communication and interaction could be enhanced if all administrators, managers, supervisors, directors, executive directors and others might do the same. The occasional need for confidentiality not withstanding, do you think some of the frustration level in this organization might be lowered a little if we were an open-door district? What if principals and assistant principals and counselors were to adopt an open-door policy? Do you think that students, parents and teachers might feel that they are welcome and essential to our enterprise?

I know there are TUSD employees who already subscribe wholeheartedly to the open-door policy. As Superintendent Designee I am joining their ranks and asking the rest of us to give it a try. The web of our workplace relationships with each other is very sensitive to a pressure anywhere on the web. A tear will be felt throughout the organization. A mend will also spread its influence. In this moment of reflection and planning ahead, I imagine seeing open doors at work across TUSD signifying the desire to improve communication on behalf of the ultimate aim of helping students to have the best possible experiences learning and growing in our District.

Roger Pfeuffer

WAKEFIELD A'S TO FETCH $50 EACH: Californian's money would pay for college, from the Arizona Daily Star on 4/16/04

NATIONAL PE HONOR FOR TUCSONAN: He's high-school teacher of the year, from the Arizona Daily Star on 4/16/04

BIG STAGE FOR TUCSON HIGH CHOIR: Troubadours to sing backup for Josh Groban, from the Arizona Daily Star on 5/1/04

STUDENTS BANISH GRAFFITI: Secrist kids wield paint rollers, plan to take lesson to other classes, from the Arizona Daily Star on 5/1/04

TEACHERS LEARN THAT THEY'RE WINNERS, from the Arizona Daily Star on 5/6/04

BIG, LITTLE KIDS JOIN FOR PROJECT: Window boxes for elementary school garden from the Arizona Daily Star on 5/10/04

2004 TUCSON CITIZEN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER, from the Tucson Citizen on 5/14/04

TUCSON CITIZEN STUDENT-ATHLETE AWARD: 2004 from the Tucson Citizen on 5/14/04

Santa Rita and Hudlow students teamed up to build window box planters for Hudlow classrooms on April 29. The Home Depot graciously donated all of the supplies needed to complete the job, including a kid-sized apron for each hudlow student to keep.

Retired Dietz teacher Judy Robinson was honored with the It Takes a Village award by the University of Arizona College of Education Alumni Council for her dedication to education and love of children. She taught at Dietz for 39 years and now is a full-time volunteer at the school, heading up reading groups, teaching music, leading art classes, and working with student council. Robinson received her award May 4 at the Arizona Inn.

The American School Counselor Association recognized three TUSD elementary schools' counseling programs as ASCA Model Programs. Schools from across the nation applied for this distinction, but only five schools were chosen to be recognized ASCA Model Programs. Reynolds' Angela Robinson, Lyons' Julee Dodd, and Davidson's Barbara Howes will be honored at the ASCA national conference at the end of June in Reno, Nevada, for their schools' commitment to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program.

Pistor's Carol Rodriguez and Bloom's Kristy Esquerra were two of seven Tucson area educators recently presented with Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year award, which recognizes outstanding educators across the country. The award includes a $1,000 grant for each teacher's school and the opportunity to continue on for the title on a state and national level.

Catalina AFJROTC instructor Lieutenant Colonel August DeRosa was named an outstanding instructor in April by the AFJROTC headquarters. From a total of 535 nominations, 182 instructors were chosen for their unit's accomplishments for the 2003-2004 school year.

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education named Tucson High's Gary Lewis as Physical Education Teacher of the Year at its annual hall of fame banquet on April 6 in New Orleans. Lewis was selected for his dedication to the profession, teaching methodologies, and continued participation in professional development opportunities.

Out of 2,500 students selected nationally, four TUSD students have been named National Merit Scholars. They are: Derek Chan, University High; Joe Kay, Tucson High; Aubrey Arrington, Sahuaro; and Michael Spece, University High. Each will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Two TUSD seniors were honored at the 44th Annual Student Awards Banquet held by the Auto Wholesalers of Arizona on April 14. Palo Verde's Robert Hoffman and Sahuaro's Christopher Toley both received $1,000 scholarships for their outstanding performance in automotive class. Other outstanding senior automotive students received a jacket, tool box, and plaque. They were: Richard Castillo, Cholla; George Scaff, Pueblo; Lucinda Weller, Rincon; and Zachary Fry, Santa Rita.

The American Association of School Administrators, in conjunction with Discover Card, awarded Cholla's Angelica Riesgo a $2,500 scholarship through the Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship Program. Applicants were required to submit a two page essay about his or her talents, leadership experiences, and community service actions, along with three letters of recommendation. Angelica was chosen for her summer volunteer work at St. Mary's Hospital, service work with a temporary children's shelter, role as president of the band, and commitment to athletics.

The Catalina AFJROTC 10 person drill down team won the championship trophy at the 2004 National Invitational Drill Meet held by the U.S. Air Force Academy on April 17. The team, commanded by Cadet Colonel James Williams, included Cadet Second Lieutenant Ryan Blackburn, Senior Master Sergeant Corey Bunch, Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Mundt, Chief Master Sergeant Eric Lance, Master Sergeant Nick Lantz, Master Sergeant Jake Lee, Chief Master Sergeant Sterling Lytle, Senior Master Sergeant Zack Pena, and Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Josh Yoder.

Naylor's Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement team, also referred to as MESA, competed at the state competition and placed third in the science model event. Team members Erick Aparicio, Armando Arvizu, Julio Escoboza, Maria Gutierrez, Hector Ibarra, Marisela Maldonado, Christian Moctezuma, Dulce Ramirez, Maria Ramirez, Mario Soto, Laura Torres, and Christhian Vizcarra successfully built a working Newtonian reflecting telescope.

The Metropolitan Education Commission and the Youth Advisory Council/Tucson Teen Congress presented Vail's Ashley Pike with a $100 check at an awards luncheon May 5. Ashley designed one of three award-winning posters in this year's Goal One: Graduate! poster contest.

The Tucson High Troubadours were invited to perform with Josh Groban at his concert on May 9 at Casino del Sol's Anselmo Valencia Tori, or AVA, Amphitheater. Alison Davis, Oliver-Garifo Green, Genevieve Gaus, Joshua Goodman, Emma Greenbaum, Michael Hemphill, Eric Hobson, Geneva Hodges, Liz Hugo, Ezra Katz, Miguel Miranda, Jordan Moore, Jenni Pearthree, Melanie Romero, Catalina Ross, Michael Sepulveda, and Anna Willis will sing "You Raise Me Up," the song Groban performed at the Super Bowl last February.

Adriana Auilar of Cholla placed first, out of over 60 entries, in the Fifth Annual Corrido Contest for Arizona high school students, sponsored by the University of Arizona Poetry Center. She performed her corrido titled "El Corrido de Caballo con Hambre y Sed" at the awards presentation on April 14, and received a $300 prize.

University High recently competed in MathFax, a competition meant to sharpen students test taking skills. Nationally, the school placed first in the algebra I, third in honors geometry, and sixth in algebra II. The following finished in the top 50 on the Arizona State Math Test: Mitch Wilson, Luke Johnson, Miranda Stewart, Chris Utter, Atip Chatsudthipong, Bingchan Zhang, James Liu, Silviu Smarandache, Riaz Hedayati, Logan Davis, Benjamin Xiong, Anthony Cradit, Sunglin Wang, and Andrew Brandon.

The Arizona Archaeological Society named Vail's Gerardo Stanford second place winner for the middle school division of their bookmark contest in March. As a winner, Gerardo received $25 and his bookmark was distributed during the Archaeology Expo March 20 and 21 in Mesa.

Students from across southern Arizona participated in the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair in March. Two TUSD students will go on to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair this month in Portland, Oregon. Tucson High's Matthew Mokler won for his project "Electromagnetic Reciprocating Pump," and University High's Liz Baker won for her project "The Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Vocalization Project: Rediscovering a Lost Form of Communication." Doolen's Erika Schnaps and Pueblo's Melissa Lamberton won the opportunity to go to Portland as observers.

On Saturday, March 13, students from across Arizona competed in the 22nd Annual Torneo de Ortografia Conrado Gomez at Pueblo. The Spanish spelling contest awards $75 to third-place winners, $125 to second place winners, and $200 to first place winners. Winning TUSD students are: Claudio Quinones, Hollinger, first-place (grades 2-3 level); Elias Garcia, Blenman, first-place (grades 4-5 level); Rebeca Salgado, Hollinger, third-place (grades 4-5 level); Stephanie Ramirez, Roskruge, first-place (grades 6-8 level); Diego Dominguez, Maxwell, second-place (grades 6-8 level); Zuleica Sanz, Catalina, second-place (high school level); Alejandra Torres, Pueblo, third-place (high school level).

Several Fickett students teamed up to design and build a diorama of a Mexican mercado scene. They submitted it to the home arts division of the Pima County Fair and took first place and best of class. Participating students were: Charles Brown, Briana Buckner, Jesse Caballero, Samuel Cartes, Alfred Bustillos, Jeran Cooke, Samantha DeLaFuente, David Escobar, William Fennie, Danielle Gallego, Jaclyn Gallego, Kyley Gibson, Megan Hardwick, Grace Hargis, Ryan Kessler, Michael Laube, Zachary Luety, Michael Martinez, Larissa Miranda, Kaitlyn Moushon, Kodey Mundt, Rebecca Paye, Raven Schellenberg, and Krista Varela.

Students at Utterback attempted to out-read each other for the school's annual reading contest. All participants won a pizza party and certificate of appreciation. The top five students won gift certificates to Borders book store. The following is a list of winners and the number of pages each read: Amelia Parris, first-place (19,882); Shalina Aguirre, second-place (5,700); Courtney Norris, third-place (5,090); Sarah Haner, fourth-place (4,395); and Tamara Pridgett, fifth-place (2,955). Other participants include Sarah Ochoa, Brijette Lightbody, Emily Smith, Daniel Gracia, Kaitlin Walsh, Crystal Valenzuela, and Chrish Parker.

Sahuaro's mock trial team placed first and second in the state tournament March 27 in Phoenix. The first place team, who represented Arizona at the national tournament this month in Orlando, include: (top row, left to right) Lindsey Hunter, Robbie Encinas, Kyle Esham, Katrina Conway, Cathy Currier; and (bottom row) Jenna Perry, Caitlin Simonson, Ashley Hunsaker, Lindsey Kugler, Jessica Toal.

ASA 2004 Summer Conference: Arizona School Administrators will hold their 2004 summer conference titled "Leadership: A Window of Opportunity" June 13 through 15 at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort. Keynote speakers include Douglas Reeves, chairman and founder of the Center of Performance Assessment, Paul Houston, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, and Terry "Moose" Millard, former Air Force and Southwest Airlines pilot. For more information or to register go to http://www.azsa.org/sumconf.htm.

Student Writing Skill Improvement Program: The University of Arizona is offering a writing skills improvement program for students July 14 through 30. Open to high school students and teachers, the 20th Summer Institute for Writing and Thinking Across the Curriculum gives participants the opportunity to work with others to enhance his or her writing ability. A graduate seminar is offered to attending teachers. To request an informational brochure or application call 621-5849 or email drabuck@u.arizona.edu.

U.S. Senate Youth Program Scholarship: The United States Senate Youth Program and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation are offering two high school students from each state the opportunity to participate in the 2005 Senate Youth Program free of charge. The program will run February 26 through March 5, and the scholarship will pay for all expenses including transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals. Scholarship winners will also receive a $5000 college scholarship. Students must apply through their principal or state department of education. For more information go to www.ussenateyouth.org.

Call For Papers: The Baja Arizona Science Fiction Association is accepting papers for TusCon 31, an annual science fiction conference, happening Nov. 5 through 7 at the Inn Suites Hotel. High school teachers are invited to submit 200-word abstracts by Sept. 13 to Gloria McMillan, Chair TusCon SFEF Peer Review Committee, 428 E. Adams St., Tucson, AZ, 85705. For more information, email glomc@dakotacom.net or go to the TusCon 31 website http://home.earthlink.net/~basfa/.

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 Designee
Roger Pfeuffer

Executive Director of Public Relations
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.

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