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September 2004

Please tell us about the wonderful things happening in your school. It's easy! Just submit a media tip sheet online and the Public Relations department will do the rest.

Welcome back! I hope you are as excited about the beginning of school as I am. You have had a terrific start, and I sense an upbeat feeling in the district. Good work.

Perhaps you are aware of some media attention to TUSD regarding a study that suggested the Board explore the idea of closing schools to save the district money. I want to set the record straight immediately. There are no plans to close any schools. As a matter of fact, the following is a Guest Editorial I wrote for the Arizona Daily Star regarding this matter.

Closures are among many suggestions
By Joel T. Ireland

In my 16 years on the Tucson Unified School District school board, I have never seen a more innovative move by the district than the appointment of the Blue Ribbon Committee. The board and superintendent invited this group of business leaders, parents, teachers, union representatives, taxpayers and other stakeholders to take a critical look at TUSD's business practices. Our hope was that the various panels of the committee would identify areas where the district might improve its efficiency. After taking the necessary step of aligning the recommendations with our educational goals, we intend to use the suggestions to better serve the community and our students.

As a part of this process, students from the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management produced their latest report, "Best Practices for TUSD," as a companion report to the work of a staff and community committee - Resources and Opportunities for Investment. The reports contained more than 90 recommendations. Among those was the suggestion that closing several of our smaller schools might bring some cost savings in utilities, building maintenance and administrative expenses. The superintendent and school board, in consultation with the Blue Ribbon Committee, will now examine the recommendations in light of their impact on the district, its students, its employees, the community and, once again, our educational goals.

In assessing the impact of closing schools, TUSD will have to consider several matters. First and foremost, research shows that children simply do better in small schools. The nurturing environment, family atmosphere and feeling of safety give children every benefit needed to excel. It is difficult to duplicate this in large schools.

Next, this district historically has had a commitment to neighborhood schools. Indeed, the city is built around its schools and many of our neighborhoods are named after the schools within their boundaries. The people of the city of Tucson want their kids in neighborhood schools, and neighborhoods take pride in their schools. It is a point of personal honor for many families that parents and grandparents went to the same school their student now attends.

Further, the closure of a school is profoundly traumatic for its parents, students, teachers and neighborhood residents. TUSD recently closed Keen Elementary School because jets that landed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base often flew directly above the school, within 400 feet of our students. The Department of Defense admitted this posed a grave and imminent danger. Even so, we had hundreds of parents, neighborhood residents, teachers and students who were willing to accept that risk rather than have their school closed.

Finally, in the contemporary educational environment, we must also consider the impact of charter schools on public education. Many of our small schools that might be identified for closure contain special programs that help TUSD compete with charter schools. For example, Davis is a dual-language school, academically successful in a desegregation setting that includes after-school programs and transportation for its students. Drachman and Borton are K-2 (kindergarten-second grade) schools whose students are also offered after-school programs and transportation. In addition, Drachman has the only Suzuki violin program in TUSD. Sam Hughes is an excelling school in a historic neighborhood. Miles, at just over 300 students, offers programs for hearing-impaired and autistic children, including a unique student gardening project. Children who might otherwise be lost to charter schools are lining up to be admitted to these and other small schools.

As we move forward, the district and the Blue Ribbon Committee must assess how the money-saving measure of closing small schools will dovetail with these concerns. This will involve a cost/benefit analysis that may lead to the conclusion that the amount of money to be saved is not worth the negative impact upon our students and community. However, TUSD is committed to looking seriously at all 90 of the cost-saving suggestions contained in the two committee reports. Even if we ultimately disagree on school closure, I am encouraged by the environment of collaboration and mutual support between the TUSD board and the Blue Ribbon Committee, a group of business leaders, parents, teachers, union representatives, taxpayers and other stakeholders, which would have been unimaginable 16 years ago. We are all on-board to advance education in Tucson. I thank them for the support. Have a terrific school year and thanks for all you do to provide a positive learning environment for our students.

I hope you have a terrific school year. Thanks to all of you for the positive learning environment you provide for each and every one of our students. The Board appreciates your hard work.

Joel T. Ireland

I would like to extend a warm welcome to you as we embark upon a new school year that promises some exciting innovations and events. I would like to share some of those with you.

Restructuring of Central Office Functions
Over the summer, central office functions were restructured to improve communication, supervision, and the delivery of student services. Changes included the appointment of three principal supervisors who will supervise and evaluate principals as well as oversee principal coaches. The principal coach's role is to support and assist principals. Additionally, an Intake Center/ Community Concerns Department was created to help with school-related issues that may arise not only for parents but for the broader community as well.

Bond and Board Elections
During the upcoming general election set for November 2, TUSD will be seeking a bond and budget override to provide funding for new school building construction, more teaching and support personnel, education equipment, and other materials. Further information regarding the bond and budget override is available at the TUSD Governing Board office and at the Pima County School Superintendent's Office at 130 W. Congress St. In addition, the general election will have candidates vying for Governing Board seats currently held by Joel Ireland, Dr. Mary Belle McCorkle, and Judy Burns. Before you vote, I encourage you to research the budget and bond override as well as Governing Board candidates.

Superintendent Search--Our Quest for the Best
The district continues with plans for a superintendent search. The Governing Board and the Superintendent's Office staff will work together to provide employees and the Tucson community with updates including information regarding timelines and the decision to conduct a high quality search process in our "quest for the best".

Here's to a Great New School Year!
I appreciate everyone's hard work this summer in preparing for the new school year. Through our sustained collaborative efforts to improve student achievement, we exemplify the value of the "US" in TUSD.

Roger Pfeuffer

Here are a few of the many articles about TUSD published since the last Focus. Check the TUSD In the News web page for many more.

THE CHALLENGE OF GOING TO SCHOOL: Refugee kids are braving TUSD from the Arizona Daily Star 8/23/04

RICK MYERS: Maximizing TUSD resources from the Arizona Daily Star 8/22/04

CLOSURES ARE AMONG MANY SUGGESTIONS from the Arizona Daily Star 8/22/04

Twelve TUSD employees recently met all requirements needed to earn the district's Supervisory Certificate, a program recognized by the Board as a development track for employees aspiring to supervision. They are: Victor Boido, Robert Titus, Edward Gomez, Frank Urbina, Enrique Cruz, Joseph Bidwell, Alejandro Roman, Rey Bussari, Paula Stilwell, Pat Hatzelis, Oscar Moreno, and Mark Lamberton. They dedicated the past 2 1/2 years to earning the certificate and are the first to graduate from the program.

Arizona PTA named Soleng Tom teacher Meridon Figueroa "Educator of the Year" at the group's annual convention June 5 at the LaPosada Resort in Scottsdale. She was nominated by her PTSA colleagues for her community volunteer work and dedication to her students.

On May 10, Maria Cristina Donnadieu, librarian at Richey, was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries. She was one of only 136 recipients nationwide to be chosen. The grants were awarded primarily on need and will be used to expand school book collections.

On April 24, Carrillo librarian Carol Cribbet-Bell received the Arizona Historical Society's "al Merito" award at the 45th annual Arizona History Convention held in Safford. The award recognizes individuals who contribute substantially to the preservation of Arizona history.

Four 2004 UHS graduates recently won college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards. These students are among 8,100 nationally to receive a total of $33 million this year. The winners and their corresponding colleges are: Mikaela Bell, University of Arizona; Katherine Brittain, George Washington University; Robert Dionne, University of Arizona; and, Nathan Joyce, University of California, San Diego.

Pueblo's MESA club won the national MESA competition in June in Albuquerque, the first time the school had competed on a national level. Pueblo outperformed teams from eight other states by scoring 392 points through a variety of math- and science-related events. Team members include: Esther Blue, Roseann Mankel, Abraham Contreras, Johnnie Gasper.

The Doolen science bowl team placed first in the hydrogen-fuel cell car race at the 2004 National Middle School Science Bowl in June in Golden, Colorado. The Doolen team, the first ever to represent Arizona in the middle school competition, designed, built and raced a hydrogen-powered model car. Team members include: Nicholas Ellett, Steven Fan, Matthew Hom, and Aaron Quick.

Wheeler's Odyssey of the Mind team competed in the 2004 World Finals May 29 through June 1 on the University of Maryland campus. Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program for students of all ages. The Wheeler team competed against 49 others in the Envirover division one category, which required students to create and utilize a human-powered vehicle prototype. Students also were required to present a sales pitch for their creation. Team members include: Aaron Green, Jesse Oster, Kristin Prinz, Brandon Nelson, Kiana Necoechea, Jazmin Rogers, and Thi Nguyen. Alisha Neubauer, student at Palo Verde, attended as an assistant coach to the team. Other Wheeler students who placed third in the state competition last April include: Samantha Reynolds, Tanner Kent, Alexa Schwalbach, Melissa Gustafson, Jasmine Hill, Nicole Reed, and Ky Nguyen.

Cholla's Angelica Riesgo was the only Tucsonan to be awarded a $2,500 scholarship in May through the Discover Card Tribute Award scholarship program. Selected from a pool of over 4,500 applicants, Angelica competed on the basis of grade point average, leadership, and community service. She advances into the next round where nine national scholarships worth $25,000 each will be awarded.

Santa Rita graduate Pamela Pierce was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship from Tucson Federal Credit Union in May. Pamela was required to write an essay about her most inspirational teacher and was judged on the essay's content, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness. She was one of three winners, and the only TUSD student, selected from a total of 63 entries.

Corbett student Drew Sheets was chosen in May as the grand prize winner for third grade in the "Help Stop UV Ray" contest sponsored by Scholastic, Inc. Drew's essay "The evil Dr. UV Ray and how the sun screen soldiers prevailed over him," along with an illustration he drew, won him a $750 U.S. savings bond. His teacher, Thomas Dodd, received a $100 Scholastic gift certificate and a set of Scholastic encyclopedias.

EEF Asks For Donations: The Educational Enrichment Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides resources to TUSD students and teachers. Every year hundreds of TUSD employees generously donate money through payroll deductions ranging from $1 to $20 per paycheck. For those who would like to participate in this year's payroll deduction program please download the form and return it to EEF. For more information, visit the EEF website.

Learn Microsoft Word: Tucson Educational Office Professionals is sponsoring a Beginning Word class for professional development credit. Classes will be taught by Nancy Dettman on Tuesday nights from 5:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Sept. 7 through Sept. 28 at Catalina. The class costs $31 for TEOP members and $41 for non-members. For more information or to register call Gail Hall at 225-6038.

Grantsmanship Training Program: The Grantsmanship Center will hold a five-day intensive, hands-on workshop covering all aspects of grants, including researching, writing proposals, and negotiating with funding sources Sept. 20 through Sept. 24 at TUSD facilities management, 530 S. Norris. Cost of the workshop is $825 which includes a one-year TGCI membership. For more information call Suzi Shoemaker at 225-4854. Limit for registration is 30 participants.

Media Literacy Program At The Loft Cinema: The Tucson Cinema Foundation is beginning a 10-month educational media literacy program for local high school students at the Loft Cinema. Students with a valid school ID card can attend free film screenings every Saturday morning at 10 a.m., and teachers can schedule free field trips during the week by special arrangement. For more information read the Arizona Daily Star article on the program or email Kathleen Kuehn. To set up a screening reservation call 322-LOFT or email the Loft Cinema.

Fun At The Arizona State Museum: The Arizona State Museum will be holding a free open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23. Participants can go behind the scenes and talk with the museum's archaeologists, researchers, conservators, and curators about their careers. The event will also include the opening of a new Navajo rug exhibition and a used book sale. For more information call the museum at 621-6302.

TUSD Needs Tutors/Mentors: Do you know anyone who would make a good tutor or mentor? TUSD has various programs in need of dedicated volunteers. The OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program combats illiteracy by building self-esteem while strengthening reading skills. The program is seeking volunteers over 50 to spend one hour a week, during the school day, working one-on-one with a child in kindergarten to third-grade who is struggling to learn to read. Tutors receive free training and materials plus ongoing support. For more information or to sign up call Barbie Wagoner at 232-8040 or Stacey Moore at 322-5627 or 907-6590. Another program in need of volunteers is Project: One Hour/One Child, which provides students in grades one through five at Ft. Lowell Elementary, 5151 E. Pima St., with mentoring support as well as reading and math tutoring. One-hundred fifty volunteers are needed an hour per week to help a child who could benefit from one-on-one encouragement. Participants will receive free training. For more information or to sign up call Edie Lauver at 745-9443. Both programs are in need of Spanish-speaking bilingual volunteers.

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.

Interim Superintendent
Roger Pfeuffer

Interim Director of Public Relations
Estella Zavala

Communications Specialist/Writer
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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