More good news for BASIS Tucson.
The most recent round of AIMS scores show the midtown charter school was the only high school in the state to have 100 percent of its students pass math, reading, writing and — trickiest of all — science. University High School in the Tucson Unified School District had 100 percent in the first three subjects, with a 94 percent pass rate in science.
Interestingly, 91 percent of BASIS Tucson high school students didn't just pass AIMS, but actually scored high enough to be ranked "exceeding."
Organizers suggest that the school's decision to teach biology, chemistry and physics as separate subjects, starting in the sixth grade, is a large part of its success.
TUSD clothing bank at Myers-Ganoung
The TUSD clothing bank will have a new home. Again.
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The facility, currently at 606 S. Plumer Ave., provides free clothing assistance for TUSD students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Its new digs will be at the midtown Myers-Ganoung Elementary School, 5000 E. Andrew St., which is west of Rosemont Avenue and south of 22nd Street.
Chris Molina, the bank's director, said this is the third move in three years.
She's expecting a bad year because of the economy. "There are so many families in need. We're starting to get really desperate calls." She could use some help setting up in the new location — she's hoping to reopen by July 30, about two weeks before the start of school.
And she could use shoes and gently used jeans.
If you can help with either, please call 403-9686.
TUSD ballot panel proceeds cautiously
Members of the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board got a bit punchy toward the end of a meeting last week.
Hours into the meeting, the members came to a discussion item on the ballot-pamphlet language for the district's November override attempt.
A subcommittee was appointed to hammer out precise language, and board members wanted clarification about whether they could use district facilities as they worked, given a restriction on using district resources to sway an election. The answer from the legal department: Yes, because the board is required to draft a "pro" statement for the pamphlet.
Jokes started about whether they should bring their own pencils anyway and turn out the lights.
Board member Bruce Burke quipped: "We've operated in the dark before. We'll do it again."
Melendez to lead TUSD elementaries
Teri Melendez, the principal of Borton Primary Magnet School and Holladay Intermediate Magnet School, was tapped as director for elementary schools, working under the direction of Assistant Superintendent Maggie Shafer.
And Catalina High Magnet School has a new principal. Rex Scott was most recently the assistant principal at Ironwood Ridge High School in Amphitheater Public Schools.
Estes gets a garden
Estes Elementary School in the Marana Unified School District will get started on a new garden, compliments of the Western Growers Foundation.
The foundation hosted 30 teachers from 10 schools statewide at a workshop hosted by the University of Arizona's Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County. Aside from instruction on setting up gardens, each school also received startup assistance of $1,250 and an irrigation kit.
UA offering help with state math test
The University of Arizona is offering a deal to middle-school teachers who want help preparing for the state teaching test to become highly qualified in math.
It's offering free, four-hour summer workshops to help teachers prepare for the Aug. 22 exam.
The first 20 teachers who attend a workshop are eligible for stipends. And reimbursement is available for fees associated with taking the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
For more information or to register for a session, contact the Office of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs at the UA's College of Medicine, at 621-5531.
Local students score in health-care event
Tucson-area teens took home awards from a national health-care competition earlier this month.
"Health Occupation Students of America" held its four-day event at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.
Carlos Ramirez, a student at Pueblo Magnet High School, took third place in the nation in epidemiology.
Other students placing in the top 10 in the nation:
Patrick McCarty, also from Pueblo, ninth in biotechnology.
Adrian Laborin, from Catalina Magnet High School, ninth in epidemiology.
Stephanie Padilla and Samaiyah Fullylove, both from Catalina, ninth place in public-health emergency preparedness.
Christopher Leon, from Sunnyside High School, ninth place in personal care.
