Focus on TUSD - Summer 2008

Late Risers
Cholla summer school appeals to students who like to sleep in
Because Cholla Magnet High School started its summer school sessions at 9 a.m. – later than any other TUSD high school – enrollment swelled, particularly among Native Americans who are bused by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Between 15-20 percent of the Cholla summer school enrollment of 220 students is Native American.

That makes Dr. Debra Cunningham, the summer school director for the second year, happy because increasing the Native American attendance was one of the goals when she was hired. Cholla also enrolled about 30 students from other schools, who attend because classes start later.

Cholla, at 2002 W. Starr Pass Blvd., has found that the Plato online computerized classes have been popular in its summer school debut, offering students the chance to complete self-paced work on weekends and evenings in addition to attending regular weekday sessions. Because some classes attracted only a handful of students, some were combined under the Plato umbrella.

"They are so motivated," Cunningham said, "They say, 'Miss, I've done it,' and they are so proud. Not one student has quit Plato. We're really pleased with this." Nicole Collier coordinates the Plato classes.

Senior Odell Howell finished the Plato program before summer school ended because he did the work at his own pace, competing two semesters of American History. He was excited about wrapping up the course one hour ahead of his friend Carol Barnett, who had been in a contest with him.

"I would advise other kids to do this, especially if they don't want to be at summer school all summer," he said.

In a regular classroom, Sarae Beal takes students through geometry in a schedule that she describes as hectic. Teaching summer school was her first teaching job. She has developed a routine to manage her time, testing students on alternate days and encouraging students to finish homework during school hours.

"Summer school is different," she said. "It's five hours of pure math. Students get overwhelmed, so when they go home, most of the time they need to relax."

She said most students don't drop out, partly because their parents have paid the fees and encourage them to finish.

"Most of my students have seen the material before and failed the class," Beal said. "I try to brainwash them that we love math. That's our cheer during class and it's how we'll end the class."

One of her students, Joseph Cheav, called the class a "crash course with a lot of work, so we have to pay attention. It's all about keeping up," he said. "Anyone can do it."

In another classroom, Melissa Hall, one of the Gear Up math teachers, helped students get ready for a University of Arizona summer camp competition where they planned to submit the rockets they designed. During class, Hall quizzed them on water level and density, elevation angle and design.

In the relaxed summer school atmosphere, teacher Billy Campbell, who paired a T-shirt and shorts with a cap perched backwards on his tousled hair, sat cross-legged on a counter in his tennis shoes, taking his students through the same paces. Four classrooms built rockets, using math to construct the projects.

Fellow teacher Jessica Slade sat on the floor in her English Language Learning Academy classroom, making posters for her room on the meaning of satire. Discredit, exposes and morals were all new words in the description so she took time to explain that new vocabulary.

"It helps to have her explain everything step by step," said sophomore Olga Leal, who's in the class.

This was the first year ELL Academy was offered. Julie McIntyre directed the program, which had no tuition.

GEAR UP, a grant-funded program designed to prepare freshmen in high-poverty middle and high schools for a successful college career, offered English, math, career and technical education, law, public safety and study skills. Fifty-five students were in the freshmen experience unit and the same number were in Algebra Academy, all under the supervision of Paula Bachman-Williams. In addition, four students attended the Math Mariachi Camp at the UA.

Cholla received $12,410 in funding from these extra sources, besides tuition, to help students attend summer school:

• Scholarships that were part of a federal Title I program helping neglected, delinquent or at-risk students : $3,080
• Jobs for Progress of Southern Arizona Inc. contributed $670 to Cholla and $560 as parental reimbursements for a total of $1,230.
• The Pascua Yaqui Tribe contributed $3,170.
• The Native American Studies Department contributed $5,490. Cunningham said she appreciated departmental help from Jose Figueroa and Cathy Polanco.
• Language Acquisition with the help of Ricardo Hernandez provided $1,415 in scholarships.

-- By Sharon Dunham
Communications & Media Relations

Photos in the summer issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations, unless otherwise noted.

The deadline to submit material for the September Focus is Friday, August 15. The Focus will be published Monday, August 25. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the online Tip Sheet.