The Ocotillo Early Learning Center will host an open house event. The center houses a nationally accredited preschool and the Parents as Teachers program. More than 400 infants and preschoolers are enrolled at Ocotillo, and Parents as Teachers serves an additional 400 children. Children gain school readiness experiences, and parents are offered GED preparation, literacy and parenting skills training. Open House for Ocotillo Early Learning Center Thursday, October 28, 4 – 7 p.m.

Mission Manor Elementary School student Genevieve J. Vargas is the Arizona Daily Star Student of the Week, featured Oct. 26, Student of the Week

On Oct. 15, 2010, Lauffer Middle School student Brandon Thims was named the national VMath Math Maniac of the Week. Vmath Math Maniac

Kino Rotary donates 1,700 dictionaries In its ongoing support of literacy, the Kino Rotary Club of South Tucson is donating 1,700 dictionaries to Tucson-area students. What began with a small donation to three schools five years ago has grown to 1,700 dictionaries each year for third-graders at all SUSD elementary schools (except Liberty, which is sponsored by Rincon Rotary), and three TUSD schools.

Raytheon to host Math Night at Sunnyside High On Thursday, November 4, all Sunnyside High freshman students who are struggling in math for the first quarter will be given a unique opportunity: one-on-one math tutoring with employees from Raytheon Logistics. A total of 259 students have been invited to this volunteer tutoring program.

Nearly 200 people attended the Sunnyside School District Alumni Association’s seventh annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held on October 16 at Gallego Elementary School. The eight inductees for 2010 are (from left) Isla Hamstra, Gretchen Beardslee, Dr. Jeannie Favela, Nancy Murray, Raúl Ochoa, Don Fuentes, Charles Morehead and Dr. Elizabeth Krebs. Hall of Fame

On October 21, the Sunnyside District middle school Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates (JAG) program held its second annual Initiation and Installation Ceremony in the Desert View High School auditorium. As guest speaker, Congressman Raúl Grijalva formally welcomed 100 eighth-grade students into the program, which aims to assist students with the transition to high school. Congressman Grijalva guest at JAG ceremony

On October 13, 2010, the Sunnyside Foundation and Pima Federal Credit Union hosted the Funding Our Future Breakfast for members, partners and friends of the Sunnyside District. The Foundation, whose goal is to invest in our children’s future by supporting academic achievement in Sunnyside schools, raised more than $8,000 at this event. Sunnyside Foundation raises $8,000 for SUSD students

Approximately 1,200 students, staff and families volunteered for Make A Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 23, Volunteers tackled more than 70 projects at 22 sites, including painting university emblems, repairing a drip irrigation system, planting trees and designing gardens. Following the morning’s projects was a celebration picnic at Mission Manor Park for all participants. This year’s event sponsor, The Home Depot, donated $12,500 in gift cards for the purchase of equipment and supplies. Make A Difference Day