PHOENIX - If the students at Paradise Valley Unified School District’s Vista Verde Middle School seem particularly well-rounded, it didn’t just happen by chance... (read more)
Story: Middle Years Philosophy' Helps Vista Verde Middle School Earn A+ Honors from AEF

PHOENIX - She didn't know it at the time, but Rebecca Swiggett was the reason the Pendergast Elementary School District entered into a Professional Development School (PDS) partnership with Arizona State University... (read more)
Story: Westwind Intermediate Teacher's Success Tied to Professional Development School

WILLIAMS - In a field of stiff competition, the Williams High School (WHS) BattleBot team came out on top at the recently held National Robotics League (NRL) National Championships.... (read more)
Story: Robot Vikings crush competition

TUCSON - Some 50 airmen with the 43rd and 42nd Electronic Combat Squadrons at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base met at Ocotillo School this week and spruced up the campus for students... (read more)

Story: ASU mentoring program promotes diversity

M&I Bank holding school supply drive

M&I Bank Arizona is encouraging residents to participate in a summer supply drive to help Arizona schools in need of school supplies.

The supply drive will take place during the entire month of July.

Residents can donate pens, pencils, paper, hand sanitizer and other school related items to local M&I Bank branches.

To find the nearest M&I Bank location, go to www.mibank.com for more information.

ASBA Summer Leadership Institute

Quality leadership and advocacy for children in public schools.

Refresh and refine your leadership skills for the year ahead at the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) Summer Leadership Institute, July 22-24, at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff.

http://www.azsba.org/events/index.cfm?action=daily&cdate=7-22-2010

View/download details on speakers, sessions, schedule and hotel reservations http://www.azsba.org/docs/SummerLeadership2010Flyer.pdf

Princess resort sleepover deal to help schools

SCOTTSDALE - More than 30 northeast Valley schools and non-profit school groups have signed up for the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort's "Sleepover for a Better Tomorrow" deal that will funnel money back to the schools.

Parent-teacher organizations and non-profit education groups can sign up for free with the Fairmont. The resort is offering rooms at $129 a night, 25 percent off standard summer rates, through Sept. 6. After that, schools can continue to be enrolled and the resort will offer rooms at 15 percent off the standard rate.

The school groups get 10 percent of all dollars spent, including spa services and dining - as long as everything is charged to the room. When a school group signs up, the resort will give them marketing materials to spread the word.

For information, call Melisa Lesperance at 480-585-2699.

PTA Healthy Lifestyles Grants

Help PTAs find resources to support good nutrition and regular physical activity in their communities— promote PTA Healthy Lifestyles. This national program addresses our nation's childhood obesity epidemic and emphasizes the important role families can play in keeping their children healthy and ready to learn.

The 2010 PTA Healthy Lifestyles Grants awards of up to $1,000 to local units that will participate in this coming November's PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month.

The grant application will be available mid-May at PTA.org/HealthyLifestyles. All applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EDT, Friday, September 10. That means you have plenty of time to encourage your units to apply.

Ask your friends and colleagues to log onto www.azschoolsmakeadifference.org and sign up to receive our weekly newsletter. They will be one of the first to hear about good things happening in public education around the state.

We are looking for impressive stories about how Arizona's teachers, students and schools are making a difference every day. Log onto www.azschoolsmakeadifference.org and submit your stories.