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September 2005
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A
few days ago as I found myself back into the routine of driving
my daughter to school in the early morning, I reflected on
the possibilities of a new school year and realized that all
the planning and preparations over the summer were becoming
a reality as a new academic year in TUSD begins. Students
and teachers were in the classrooms and support staff, including
custodians, bus drivers, facilities, food service and clerical
employees, principals and central office administrators were
in their places, all committed to doing their part in ensuring
that every student learns. This is a great beginning and an
inspiring time for students, parents, staff and, yes, even
for board members.
In a further effort to provide for the needs of TUSD students,
last fall the Governing Board voted to enter into a TEA/TUSD
partnership grant to gather data regarding the impact of charter
schools on our district. The study and report were funded
by the National Education Association, the Arizona Education
Association and the Educational Enrichment Foundation. Results
of the study were shared over the summer and one of the important
findings came from a survey conducted by Behavior Research
Center. It revealed that of parents who enrolled their children
in charters over a two-year period, over 60 percent of those
parents still have a child or children enrolled in a TUSD
school. It appears that oftentimes parents choose a charter
school to seek a remedy for an individual or personal issue
for their child as opposed to general unhappiness with a particular
school or the district.
In any large organization there is room for improvement,
and TUSD is no exception. Another important finding of the
Behavior Research Center study is that those dealing with
TUSD too often encounter employees who may be viewed as not
helpful, inattentive or uncommunicative. To be more attentive
and sensitive to individual student and community needs, and
to increase the academic success of every student, employees
across the district should take to heart the importance of
maintaining an environment of service and an atmosphere where
people feel welcome. You may have seen the "Service
at TUSD" posters throughout district buildings and offices
that are reminders of our efforts to be more helpful and responsive
as a district. There were many other findings in the charter
school study. For
further information, see the charter study information on
our website.
There was another positive event over the summer. At its
last meeting, the Board discussed extending Roger Pfeuffer's
contract as Superintendent for an additional two years, through
June of 2008. We appreciate Mr. Pfeuffer's leadership and
anticipate a decision on extending his contract at the next
Regular Meeting of the Board on Tuesday, September 20, 2005,
beginning at 6:30 p.m.
I could not close without mentioning a recent Habitat for
Humanity event in which I participated at Santa Rita High
School. As part of the occasion, Jim Brodie, a long-time coordinator
of Habitat Tucson's High School Build Program who died this
past March, was honored for his volunteer work as a mentor
and leader of Santa Rita students participating in the Program.
The Program provides for a vocational education class to build
a Habitat house on location at the school up to 65 percent
completion. The house is then moved to its permanent site
where construction is completed. Santa Rita has participated
in several of these projects over the years. This is just
one of many fine examples of the partnership between TUSD
schools and students in support of the Tucson community.
Welcome back to TUSD and to an exciting and no doubt eventful
2005-2006 academic year!
-- Bruce Burke, Board
President
Sometimes
an event or experience will come along and impart a strong
sense of perspective to our lives. The natural disaster and
human tragedy of Hurricane Katrina is one of those happenings.
The devastation to hundreds of thousands of lives is enormous,
almost incomprehensible. Yet, amid that chaos, individuals
and families are little by little and step by step beginning
to gather their wits and their loved ones and they are carrying
on. TUSD has begun to accept students from the ravaged southeast
who are seeking a place to continue their lives and their
education. Many have found safe haven with friends and relatives.
We welcome those in need and hope to find many ways to bring
help and solace to all who are suffering loss from this incredible
disaster.
In the aftermath of Katrina, we look at our particular challenges
in Tucson and give thanks for all we have and what we have
before us that we can work on together to improve. We had
a smooth opening of school by most all accounts. As of the
first of September we have about 60,000 students enrolled
in K-12. While counts in both our middle and elementary schools
are down slightly, an increase is seen in our high schools.
Because history has shown us to expect an enrollment increase
immediately following the Labor Day holiday, leveling of class
sizes usually occurs during that week.
Our Success For Children initiative has been implemented
and is focused on improving student achievement for each student.
The Governing Board has approved a new District mission statement
and vision statement along with a set of strategic goals.
(To view, see the Board
Policies on our website.) They are also considering a
set of organizational values for possible adoption at the
September 20 Board meeting. These are important foundation
policies that will be the basis for strategic planning and
district decisions.
Our Bond program is completing the design phase and beginning
a construction and remodeling program to repair and improve
and expand existing and aging District facilities. In light
of what has happened to the schools hit by Hurricane Katrina,
our efforts to strengthen our schools are a happy challenge
indeed.
I am looking forward to a school year that focuses on our
continued improvement in student achievement. I am proud of
what teachers and principals have been able to accomplish
as accountability measures continue to raise the bar for both
teaching and learning expectations. Key to even greater strides
will be the successful formation of professional learning
communities. When they begin to work as anticipated, these
groups promise to eliminate the historic isolation of the
classroom teacher through the process of colleagues working
together creatively to address the challenges of increasing
achievement student by student, class by class, school by
school. I also look forward to increased communication not
only among school personnel but also between TUSD staff and
parents, guardians, and community members.
Finally, I look forward to another school year of working
and living in a community that cares about and for its children
and displays that caring by supporting programs that protect,
educate and enrich the community's future -- your children.
--Roger Pfeuffer,
Superintendent
School
that rewards good attendance ends up in spotlight from
the Arizona Daily Star 8/28/05
World
Care to move into closed school from the Tucson Citizen
8/26/05
Charity
will be new occupant of Keen School building from the
Arizona Daily Star 8/25/05
Latest
school fashion statement: student IDs from the Tucson
Citizen 8/25/05
Safety
award for TUSD unit from the Tucson Citizen 8/20/05
TUSD's
transportation department wins state DPS safety award
from the Arizona Daily Star 8/17/05
Career's
the thing as schools evolve from the Arizona Daily Star
8/14/05
Three TUSD students were recently chosen as semifinalists
in the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. Bloom
student Conrad Hom was selected for his project
titled "Refraction of Light in Clear Liquids," and
Doolen students Brigg Jannuzi
and Teyvan Lowe were chosen for their project
titled "Corrosion." On Sept. 14, 40 finalists will
be named from the 400 semifinalists who will then travel to
Washington, D.C. in October to compete for scholarships and
prizes worth more than $100,000.
Pro Neighborhood recognized Cholla's BreakAway
program with a Neighborhood Success Award in the category
of neighborhood education at the association's third annual
Fiesta de los Barrios event on May 7. The PRO Neighborhoods
Neighborhood Successes Awards recognize and celebrate the
extraordinary creativity, resourcefulness, commitment and
accomplishment of grassroots neighborhood groups in Tucson
and Pima County. Above a group of Cholla's BreakAway students
at the Fiesta de los Barrios event.
Five TUSD students and five teachers became researchers in
the UofA's Summer Institute in Medical Ignorance Program.
Cholla student Robert Encinas,
Pueblo student Yvette Herrera,
Santa Rita student Morgan Stimmel,
Tucson High student Andrea Palacio,
University High student Ana Egurrola,
as well as teachers Patricia Cesarz and Helen
Joglar Chontos, from Booth-Fickett,
Santa Rita teacher Jorge Romero,
TAPP teacher Thomas Gillespie,
and Tucson High teacher Laline Jensen,
were offered the opportunity to update their knowledge
and skills in modern research techniques through hands-on
experience with UofA researchers and medical students.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety awarded the Transportation
Department with an all around safety award for the
2004-2005 school year at a district in-service on Aug. 9.
The award is given to one Arizona public school district that
goes "above and beyond what is required" in student
transportation and for being an outstanding student transportation
provider. DPS officials took into consideration various factors
including year-round fleet maintenence, at-fault accidents,
driver training, and assistance to other transportation departments
and to the DPS Student Transportation Division. TUSD is the
first ever recipient of this award.
Sahuaro basketball coach Dick McConnell
was named the 2005 'Pursuing Victory with Honor Coach of the
Year' by the Arizona Interscholastic Association at the third-annual
Everyday Heroes awards gala on May 28 in Phoenix.
The award recognizes an Arizona coach that encourages sportsmanship
and healthy lifestyle choices and exemplifies the characteristics
of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring
and citizenship. He was chosen out of a group of five finalists
from across the state and received a trophy and a monetary
award.
On May 11, Lyons hosted the third annual
Lyons Elementary Career Fair, an event that links academic
success, good attendance and use of life skills to the greater
working world. Over 18 community members from various professions
spoke to students about their careers and gave demonstrations
of real-life job activities. Careers represented included
landscape designer, florist, fire fighter, veterinarian, neuro-scientist,
musician, and pre-school teacher. Participating businesses
included Krispy Kreme, Jim Click Automotive, the Arizona Department
of Public Safety, Sidewinders baseball, KOLD-TV, and the Arizona
Air National Guard. To end the event all students had the
opportunity to learn about helicopter pilot training from
a representative from the Western Army National Guard Aviation
Training Site. This included seeing a helicopter up close
and watching it take off from the school playground.
On May 21 at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, Tucson Education
Office Professionals awarded the following four TUSD employees
with $200 scolarships: Glee McCauley and
Themla Carpenter, Finance;
Grace Arino, Duffy; and
Tracey Borders, Educational Support
Services. In addition, Fort Lowell's
Sherry Hubbard and Employee Relations'
Gail Hall were awared $75 mini-scholarships.
The scholarships can be used for any Professional Development
opportunity.
Fifty third-graders at Blenman participated
in a national project to write the world's longest letter.
One school in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia
was selected to participate in this project. Blenman students
in Anita Raptis and Nanci Molina's
third-grade classes wrote letters that were included in a
half-mile long scroll which will be unveiled at a public ceremony
on Thursday, Sept. 15 on the National Mall in Washington,
D.C. The school will receive 500 pens for their participation.
For more information go to www.worldslongestletter.com.
Lawrence teacher Teresita Allen
and Cholla teachers Jerry Curley
and Bonnie Thompson attended the US Department
of Education 2005 Teacher to Teacher Initiative Supporting
Success Teacher Workshop held June 27 through 29 in Phoenix.
The event included some of the nation's best teachers and
researchers who shared their strategies for raising student
achievement and informing teachers of the latest, successful
research-based practices.For more information regarding these
workshops go to the Teacher
to Teacher Initiative website.
Wakefield teacher Dolores Renteria
was nominated for the Angels in Adoption Award by
Devereux AZ and US Representative Raúl Grijalva, for
her tireless efforts as an advocate for adopted children.
Each year, members of the US Congress are invited to participate
in the Angels in Adoption program which allows federal legislators
to recognize individuals from their home states that have
improved the lives of children through adoption. Representative
Grijalva honored Renteria at his Tucson office on August 23.Renteria
will attend the Angels in Adoption Awards Gala in Washington,
D.C. in September. Devereux AZ will sponsor her flight to
D.C.
The US Department of Education recently awarded OMA
a federal grant titled Professional Development for Arts Educators
that will provide the district with approximately $1 million
over the next three years. The grant will fund additional
research on past student achievement results and specific
OMA components that help increase student achievement. More
information about OMA can be found at www.omaproject.org.
The Tucson Association of Realtors and DM50
presented a $30,000 check to the Governing Board on June 21.
These funds will be allocated to Kellond, Duffy, and
Dietz to assist former Keen students, now enrolled
in these three schools, with after-school programs. Pictured
above from left to right: Steve Weathers, CEO, Tucson Association
of Realtors; Bruce Dusenberry, Owner, Horizon Moving Systems;
Pamela Clarridge, Kellond Principal; Richard Foster, Duffy
Principal; Lisa McCorkle, Dietz Principal; Michael Harris,
President DM 50; and Ed Parker, CEO, United Way of Tucson
and Southern Arizona.
At their August 9 meeting, the Board approved two new policy
codes: A, titled "District Mission, Vision, Strategic
Priorities and Values," and IKF, titled "Graduation
Requirements." Additional revisions are expected to be
made to policy A at the Sept. 20 Board meeting. Board approved
policies and regulations are posted on the TUSD web site on
the Policies,
Regulations, and Guidelines page.
The Board appointed Jerry Holmes Principal
at Magee. He was formerly the school's Assistant
Principal. They also appointed retired TUSD administrator
Jack St. Amand as Doolen's
Assistant Principal. Former Curriculum/Compliance Specialist
Vivi Watt was appointed as Assistant Principal
at Tucson High.
Agreements approved with the following employee groups: Consensus
w/TEA; White Collar/Food Service w/TEA; wages and benefits
for exempt administrators; wages and benefits for Supervisory/Confidential
Employees. Agreements will be online as soon as they become
available.
The Board approved bids for classroom additions to Banks
and Oyama. Contracts with vendors are pending.
Volunteer And Field Trip Opportunities:Volunteers
are being sought for Tucson Meet Yourself which will be held
Oct. 7 through 9 at Presidio Park. The annual festival presents
the culture of the various ethnic and folk communities of
Tucson. Field trip opportunities are also available. For more
information contact the Tucson Meet Yourself office at 792-4806
or email festivalj@aol.com.
Mark Your Calendar: Tucson Educational Office
Professionals, or TEOP, will hold their annual Bosses' Dinner
and Silent Auction at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the
Holiday Inn on Palo Verde. This year's theme is Wild West
Round-Up and attendees are encouraged to come dressed accordingly.
Donation items are being accepted for the silent auction.
Cost is $21 for TEOP members and their guests and $25 for
non-members. For more information contact Gail Hall at 225-6038.
Plan For Your Retirement: Pima Community
College is offering a course titled Retirement Planning
for ASRS Members. Course cost is $39.00 for two household
members. This two-part workshop is being presented by SJI
Financial Services, Inc. and will give you an accurate picture
of your retirement plan and to help you identify how to meet
your retirement objectives. Call 520-206-6579 for additional
information.
Opportunity For Students Interested In Media Technology:
The Media Literacy Project at the Loft Cinema will
feature two events in September: LatinBeat 2005 and Native
Eyes Film Showcase 2005. LatinBeat will offer the best new
films from Latin America to students interested in technology.
During the event, students will be able to observe the revolutionary
projection process which is the cutting-edge technology of
a digital server. It will run from Sept. 9 through 15 with
a free Media Literacy screening at 12:00 noon on Saturday,
Sept. 10. The Native Eyes Film Showcase will feature the film
"A Thousand Roads" directed by native Tucsonan Chris Eyre
at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24. Writer and poet Joy Harjo
will be at the screening to speak to students about the film
and her personal creative process as a writer. Schools can
schedule special 10:00 a.m. screenings during the week and
the Media Literacy Project has limited funds available to
help pay for buses. For more information, email mlp@loftaz.com.
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 and newsletters. 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.
Attention Teachers Grades 1-5: The Nature
Conservancy offers educators a free 45-minute program appropriate
for grades one through five titled "Tucson: Our Home
in the Desert." The lesson teaches about Tucson's unique
eco region, how it is changing, and what we can do to preserve
its beauty and includes a hands-on activity, slide show, and
opportunities for discussion. For more information contact
Dorothy Boone by email
or by phone at (520) 547-3437.
Tucson Unified School District
1010 East 10th Street, Tucson, Arizona, 85719
Governing Board
Bruce Burke, President; Adelita Grijalva, Clerk;
Joel T. Ireland; Judy Burns; Alex Rodriguez
Superintendent
Roger F. Pfeuffer
Interim Director of Public Relations
Estella Zavala
Temporary Communications Specialist/Writer
Kim Jacobs
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: