January 19, 2007
Geography Bee
Desert Canyon Elementary School recently held their Geography Bee. Winners included: 1st Place - Jonathan Stern, of Ms. Lupardo's 5th Grade 2nd Place - Lauren Strickland, of Ms. Roberts' 5th Grade 3rd Place - Annika Weaver, of Mrs. Rotner's 4th Grade. back to top
Sandra Day O’Connor Tutors Student at Navajo Elementary School
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| Navajo Elementary School Student Drew Benton and Sandra Day O'Connor |
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Principal Clay, Sandra Day O'Connor and
Dr. Fred Christensen, founder of the Navajo Volunteer Literacy Program. |
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wants to, once again, set an example for others to follow. Ms. O’Connor hoped to do just that by volunteering as a literacy tutor she can encourage others to do the same. She set an example when she spent an hour tutoring a student at Navajo Elementary School on Tuesday, January 16th.
Ms. O’Connor’s friend, Dr. Fred Christensen, started the Navajo Volunteer Literacy Program about seven years ago. The retired physician says the elementary school’s former principal got him started, but it was originally as a math tutor. “We found out that reading was the biggest area of need,” he says, “which is how this program started.”
Once the need was identified–and with help from patient teachers–the group began teaching reading, writing, vocabulary and all things literary to students in need. The volunteers are all trained—they aren’t just reading with or to a child. About half of them have teaching certificates and others gain a great deal of experience as teachers. “We use a one-on-one formula that makes the child feel special. It works very well,” Christensen says.
Although the group now has about 60 volunteers, they can always use more help—which is just the thing to drive someone once ranked among the most powerful women in America into action.
If you would like to volunteer for this program, contact Navajo Elementary School at 480-484-2600.
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Mark Wood Concert
You are especially invited to attend the "Electric Fusion" Concert featuring professional rock violinist Mark Wood with almost 200 Scottsdale Honor Orchestra students on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Chaparral High School Auditorium. Mr. Wood tours with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra , has performed with Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Lenny Kravitz and many others, is an Emmy award winning composer, and manufactures his own line of unique electric string instruments.
Mr. Wood held clinics and performed with Scottsdale orchestra students last year and the concert was a major hit with parents and students. Teachers and parents said they have never seen students so excited about their practice and performance. A brief review by Channel 3 - AZ can be seen at: http://www.electrifyyourstrings.com/mediacoverage.html A flyer is also attached for more detailed information if you desire.
Please RSVP by January 19th to Glen Turner at glen.turner@dcranchnet.com or 480-391-3442 so we can have a ticket and a good seat waiting for you.
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STAND, or Students Taking Action Now: Darfur
Arcadia High School has a wide variety of student clubs and organizations. This year, a new club was formed. More than 40 students worked together to create a new club called STAND, or Students Taking Action Now: Darfur.
STAND was created to raise awareness about the genocide in Darfur, in the western region of Sudan . This situation has been called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The conflict in Darfur has been ongoing since 2003 with 800,000 people viciously attacked and murdered. Every day, 500 people die and, unless something is done, this number will only increase. In addition, 2.5 million people have been driven from their homes. This situation is made worse by the fact that the government is involved with the crimes.
The STAND club meets weekly to discuss ways to raise money to help victims in Darfur and to educate the Arcadia student body and the community about the situation. They also advocate for more action to be taken by the government.
To aid in STAND's efforts, the Arcadia High School Drama Department and Dance Company have teamed with the club to create a benefit performance of the school's winter play and dance concert. These performances will take place on January 20 and February 1, 2007.
All of the profits and donations received from these two events will go directly to aid the people of Darfur . Students hope that concerned citizens as well as fellow students will join the efforts to restore hope to the nation of Darfur . They encourage anyone interested to invite their friends, neighbors, families, and co-workers to attend the performances. For more information, contact the Arcadia High School office at 480-484-6300.
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Scottsdale Parent Council
Dear SUSD Families,
Scottsdale Parent Council is your voice! We are an organization made up of Parents just like you. We encourage you to come to our monthly meetings and meet Dr. Baracy (he holds a Q&A period at every meeting) and other members of the Administration. SPC meetings help to inform the Administration of the parents concerns and give a forum for input on many levels, including curriculum, safety, prevention, technology, legislative issues, etc. We know many of you work and cannot attend the meetings. Please feel free to call or email your questions or comments prior to a meeting (or anytime) and we will get the answers for you. Our devoted group of volunteers work for you and all of the families of SUSD!
Our next meeting is January 16th 9:30 at the Ed Center, 3811 N. 44th Street, Phoenix 85018 Please check our website to contact us and for additional meeting dates and information scottsdaleparentcouncil.org.
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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
My name is Alec Benjamin a student at Mountainside in House 5. I would like to request your assistance with regard to a project that I am pursuing as part of my preparation to become a Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Commandment) in the Jewish faith later this school year. My project is focused on educating as many individuals as I can about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) a disease that affects more than 100,000 boys in the United States alone. The result is ALWAYS fatal. My friend is dying from Duchenne. We have been friends since preschool when he was diagnosed. He is very brave and has never asked for my help but I think about him and his family every day. I feel it is important for me to work as hard as I can to perform the mitzvah (act of kindness) to help find a treatment and cure for this not well known but always terrible disease. I am only 12 and alone I can not do it all, but you can help me help my friend Brandon and thousands like him.
I have developed a web site that explains what I am attempting to do and why. Let me assure you that this is NOT a request for money! I know that you are very busy but I would really appreciate it, if you would look at the site and if you think it appropriate tell your colleagues to look at it as well. I believe that we must all take responsibility for others as a community. I hope that you share this belief as well.
OneToOneProject.com
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