2. The Sunnyside District, in partnership with the International Center for Leadership in Education, offered professional development workshops for all certified staff members October 12 and 13. This mini-conference was held at the Harkins Theater, I-19 and Irvington. SUSD holds mini-conference for certified employees

3. Bernie Cohn appointed to Governor’s P-20 Council Bernie Cohn has been appointed to the Governor’s P-20 Council’s Supporting Struggling Schools Task Force, whose mission is to support Arizona’s struggling schools, ensuring that Arizona’s application for Race to the Top funds is well-vetted and thoughtfully considered, and that the assurances made by the Governor under the State Fiscal Stabilization Funds are being met.

4. Ocotillo teacher receives $1k in classroom supplies Ocotillo Elementary teacher Tshilo Galup was selected as one of the nation’s 1,200 teachers to receive $1,000 in classroom supplies as part of the Office Max “A Day Made Better” program which works to erase teacher- funded classrooms.

5. Tech rallies at SUSD high schools As part of Project Graduation: The Digital Advantage, Digital Days Technology Rallies will be held at Desert View and Sunnyside high schools. These rallies are innovative mini-conferences designed to motivate and challenge our Digital Advantage and Digital Scholars students to bring their laptops to school and use them to enhance their educational experience. Desert View: Oct. 15 & 16Sunnyside: Oct. 22

6. Chaparral hosts Imagination Fair Chaparral Middle School celebrated its first-ever Imagination Fair on September 29. The fair, which is sponsored by Chaparral AVID classes, is designed to celebrate each student’s unique interests so that others may get to know them better. More than 200 people attended the event, including families, friends and staff members.

7. On Thursday, October 1, Los Ranchitos Elementary School received a donation of school supplies from the employees at Pepsi. Los Ranchitos receives donation

8. Several Sunnyside District elementary and middle schools participated in National Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 7. The mission of Walk to School Day is to raise awareness of safer and improved streets, healthier habits and cleaner air. SUSD schools participate in Walk to School Day

9. Celebrations and Recognitions Digital Learning Environments Webinar - October 15 th, 2009 National Dropout Prevention Network Conference “Illuminating the Path to the Future” San Antonio, Texas - October 25-28, 2009 National Conference on Education Phoenix, Arizona - February 10-13, 2010 Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education 2009 Pathways to Higher Education Award

11. Approximately 1,500 students, parents, staff members and community volunteers gathered at 24 district sites on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 to complete more than 75 projects. Make A Difference Day

12. Dr. Sharon Hooker receives Ben’s Bell Dr. Sharon Hooker received a Ben’s Bell on October 21 for sharing her kindness with the Tucson community. She was nominated by Gallego art teacher Annie Kruse.

13. Digital Days Tech Rallies More than 600 students participated in Digital Days Tech Rallies were held at both Desert View and Sunnyside high schools in October 2009.

14. SUSD College Fair As part of the Sunnyside Plus wellness and personal development program, the Sunnyside District hosted a College Fair for employees on October 22. The fair provided information on both undergraduate and graduate programs.

15. Thank you, Kino Rotary The Kino Rotary Club of South Tucson sponsors dictionaries for all third-graders in the Sunnyside District.

16. Four SUSD teachers named Rodel Exemplary semi-finalists Four Sunnyside District teachers have been selected as semi-finalists for the 2010 Rodel Exemplary Teacher Award: Andy Townsend, Elvira Valerie Toala, Gallego Michelle Gutierrez, Liberty Maria Cristina Guevara, Los Ranchitos

17. Bob Miranda is Rodel Exemplary Principal semi-finalist Lauffer Middle School Principal Bob Miranda has been named a semi-finalist in the 2010 Rodel Exemplary Principal Initiative.

18. Tom Horne to visit Los Niños Elementary On Monday, November 2, Arizona Superintendent of Instruction Tom Horne will visit Los Niños Elementary School to recognize the school’s continuous progress on AIMS. Los Niños is a Performing Plus School.