Education notes

While many in the United States often look to China as a leader in education, it seems the tables have turned as a group of Chinese educators makes its way to Tucson for a lesson in the arts.

The group of 20 delegates from Guangzho, China, will visit Kellond Elementary School and Dietz K-8 school today and Tuesday to observe how fine arts are integrated into curriculum as part of the Tucson Unified School District’s Opening Minds Through the Arts program.

OMA uses instrumental music, opera, dance, theater and visual arts to help teach reading, writing, math and science to children in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The group, which has an association with Vanderbilt University and the University of Washington, learned about TUSD’s arts program through the OMA website and requested the visit because members are interested in expanding the instructional strategies used in China to include more work in critical thinking and creative problem-solving.

2 honored for STEM

Two Tucson teachers are up for a STEM Superhero Award.

Barbara Cushing of Legacy Traditional Schools and Krisha Leyva of Marana Middle School were named finalists in the “Most Dedicated STEM Teacher” category.

The awards, announced by the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, are presented by Freeport-McMoRan. They highlight excellence and innovation in STEM teaching throughout Arizona.

St. Ambrose hosts fiesta

St. Ambrose Catholic School will host its All-American Fiesta Friday through Sunday.

The event, which is open to the public, will feature carnival rides, entertainment, a bar with the University of Arizona game on Saturday, and food booths.

Admission is $2, but veterans will get in for free.

The hours are: Friday, 2 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to midnight; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., with brunch at 9:30 a.m.

TUSD seeks applicants

The Tucson Unified School District is seeking applications to fill a vacancy on the Governing Board Audit Committee.

Committee members help assure that the Governing Board adequately complies with its fiduciary oversight obligations, helps strengthen TUSD’s internal financial controls, and helps provide greater transparency of the district’s stewardship of tax dollars. This is a non-paid volunteer position.

For more information and to apply, go to http://www.tusd1.org/contents/govboard/audit.html

TUSD reviewing
its Ebola protocol

Like many around the country, the Tucson Unified School District is reviewing practices in response to the Ebola situation.

While TUSD Superintendent H.T. Sanchez said the chances of an outbreak in the United States are slim, it provides an opportunity to plan “just in case.”

TUSD Health Services is collaborating with the Pima County Health Department to work on a response plan.