4 schools named to Beat the Odds Apollo, Lauffer, Challenger and Chaparral are among the nine Tucson-area schools that have reached the first milestone on the road to becoming a "Beat the Odds School" — one in which student academic achievement exceeds expectations – by attaining a bronze award from the Beat the Odds Institute. This rigorous, multi-year school improvement program was established to help K-12 principals move Arizona schools toward improved individual student achievement.

Daniel Hernandez to attend State of the Union address As President Obama delivers his State of the Union address this evening, a very special guest will be seated with First Lady Michelle Obama—Daniel Hernandez, the Sunnyside High grad who cared for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords when she was shot January 8, This poised young man continues to bring pride to the Sunnyside community.

STAR student art on display Students in Roberta Lewis’ art class at STAR Academic Center studied Tibetan prayer flags and then created their own symbols of their personal dreams and hopes. Each student’s five flags became part of the whole exhibit, representing the importance of community as the fertile ground that nurtures individual aspirations.

Matthews elected president of national organization Sunnyside District Human Resources Risk Management Specialist Allie Faye Matthews was elected president of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP). With 3,900 members nationwide, NAEOP is the only association for educational office employees. Matthews is the sixth president from the state of Arizona, and the second Sunnyside District employee to serve in this capacity since the founding of NAEOP in She will be installed in Charleston, SC, July 22, 2011.

Results of SUSD spelling bee 1 st placeMichael Alegria, Elivra, 4 th grade 2 nd placeEmerick Morales, Sierra, 8 th grade 3 rd placeXavier Jordan, Los Amigos, 5 th grade 4 th placeJulio Rojo, Gallego, 4 th grade 5 th placeJessica Wolff, Los NiÑos, 5 th grade AlternatesCarolina Chronister, Lauffer and Angelyssa Figueroa, Gallego

Scholarship America in Tucson Scholarship America will hold its national conference in Tucson this Thursday, Jan. 27. Dr. Isquierdo and the Alumni Association will present to a group of 50 leaders of the national organization.

8 th -Grade Digital Scholars Rallies Thursday, Jan. 27, Desert View, 10 Sunnyside Eighth-grade students who are currently “on track” to earn a netbook computer this spring will attend a motivational rally, encouraging them to keep up their studies and work toward success. To receive a netbook computer, eighth-grade students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, 95% attendance, participation in an extracurricular activity, and no out-of-school suspensions. Students will be awarded their computers at the end of the school year, giving them the “Digital Advantage” as they begin their high school careers.

2011 Legislative Forecast Friday, Jan. 28, – 6 p.m. Challenger Middle School Join the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Legislative Latino Caucus for a 2011 Legislative Forecast. This free event will focus on what Hispanic business owners and professionals can expect during the upcoming legislative session. Please RSVP at

Digital Explorers Celebration Monday, Jan. 31, 6 p.m. Desert View High School Fifth-grade students and their families will gather to celebrate Phase II of the fifth-grade netbook distribution. Netbooks will be distributed in February 2011 to students of Craycroft, Elvira, Esperanza, Los Niños, Los Ranchitos and Santa Clara elementary schools.