Barrage: OMA Opportunity For AVMS!

Barrage – A high-octane string group that features an international, multi-talented cast performing an eclectic mix of music, song and dance brings its show to Tucson on Friday, October 23rd. The performance will take place at7:00 pm at the Sahuaro High School Auditorium. This public performance is part of the Barrage tour and features an international cast that delivers an eclectic show at a feverish pace.

Tickets: $20.00 adults; $10 students (children 12 and underFREE).

Call the OMA Foundation at 309-5858 to purchase your ticket OR to purchase tickets online -click here

Tickets will also be available the night of the event, at the door, seating is limited.

Plan now to attend this fun-filled, high energy evening!

        “Barrage is too Wow for Words !” – Denver Post
      2006 marked the end of Barrage’s first decade in whichBarrage entertained millions of people around the globe. Their second decade began with a series of new tours around the world. In 2008/2009 Barrage completed over 200 performances in the , Europe, Asia and . Fans will enjoy Barrage at International Festivals, Theatrical Presentations, Concert performances, Educational Events, Special Events and TV appearances.
      This Barrage performance offers up a diverse fusion of cultures, musical styles and incredible performance vitality. The music of Barrage continues to evolve - combining contemporary world music influences, layered vocal arrangements and pulsating modern beats and rhythms. The cast delivers the new show with amazing energy and musical virtuosity that will take your breath away.

Poised, Confident, Triumphant

The '61 Yankees?  Some would say there were similarities.  The Bulls of the 1990's?  Perhaps when it came to coaching.  Gretzky's Oilers?  Maybe that was pushing it.

But We Did It!  Our sports teams - our young Falcons - thrashed about as mammoth predators this season.  With our talons pointed toward a beak-smacking feast - The Championship - we tore up every net in our way.  We cut our vicious teeth on opponents like starving vultures without restraint. When we were done, we gave our vanquished foes a birds-eye view of what nothingness looked like.  By the end, we grasped in our stealthy clutches the desires of each rival, and swept their spent husks to the dustbin of the past.  Each flock won a bye in the tournament!

But as all majestic creatures must sometimes face from time to time, devastatingly, we were cut down.  Icarus-like, our boys' heroic season evaporated just before the tourney, and our Falconitas fell to less-regal opponents in the first of two rounds.  Our students showed Vail grace and courage, had their glimpse at immortality, and we are proud of them.  Our coaches - Ashby and Weitzner - deserve 1000 thanks.

Soon, we will hatch anew.  We shall sharpen our claws while we wait.  We will once again swoop the sky, and grasp at streams of victory in coming days.  Still perched high above the rest, we can hardly wait.

They Shot A Movie Once - Some Kinda Elvis Thing - Ashby Believed He Was The King's Stand-In

Eager For Everything - Hungry For Victory (&NY Pizza) - Weitzner Says "Bring It On"

Family Strengthening Here - $200 Bonus!

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http://zenhabits.net/2009/06/7-secrets-to-raising-a-happy-child/

Imagine finding new and effective ways of communicating with your son/daughter, and exploring dreams/goals with your child.  Imagine finding out new techniques that encourage better student performance at home and at school.  Imagine having a chance to do these things in an uplifting, supportive environment.

Well, dream no more!  This FREE service is brought to you by Ms. Helen Wilson and Barbara Dawson in association with Pima Prevention Partnership and Alice Vail Middle School.  We invite your family (at least one parent/caregiver and your child/children) to join us for eight sessions* at our Family Strengthening program here on campus.  More information can be had by calling 584-5454 and asking for Helen Wilson.  Welcome to a new world of successful family-building strategies!

BONUS: Dinner (FREE) is served every session

BONUS: $200.00 Stipend will be given to each family completing the 8-week program

BONUS: Drawing for an incredible family-sized dessert at each session

*October 12, 19, 26...November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

6th Grade Class @ Arizona Opera

(Click the Title For Arizona Opera Information)

Laughter.  Crying.  Disbelief.  And that was just the reaction of yours truly (Mr. Beaton) on the way to the show!  Interesting bus ride, I can tell you that!

Seriously though, students were well behaved on buses and at the performance.  Our Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) integration opportunity led us to the La Boheme show this afternoon.  What a delight!  A world-class, inspiring drama.  The actors/singers were extremely talented, and the responses elicited at the end of the program were very entertaining.  Our students asked some very good questions.  I am sure the follow up lessons left in teachers' boxes will be equally amazing!

Special thanks goes out to Darden Bradshaw for her incredible work.  She organized everything from the buses, to the show, and we are certainly appreciative of her superior efforts!   Kudos Darden!

Festival Of Schools

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Want to explore what school is right for your child?  Would you like more in-depth information on what each school is all about?  Come to our Festival of Schools at Reid Park Zoo on November 7.  Admission is free.  Booths from all of TUSD's 100+ schools will be set up for you to peruse.

When:    9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, November 7

Where:  Reid Park Zoo, 1100 S. Randolph Way

(Regular admission will be charged after 1:00 PM)

Sponsored by Tucson Electric Power

Cutting Edge: Ron Clark On CNN

(Click On Title For Link To Story)

Many Alice Vail faculty were fortunate enough to have previewed the powerful Ron Clark Academy (RCA) first hand in 2008/2009.  Two groups of AVMS teachers have already attended this incredible experience in Atlanta, with a new group slated to go in the new year.  Attendees of RCA have shared these similar observations: Ron Clark is an effective and brilliant master-teacher, one who has an undying energy and passion for teaching students in often unorthodox ways.  These methods certainly get students' attention, and insure that instruction is interactive/student-centered.  Multiple Intelligences are omnipresent to confirm that student learning endures.  Implementation of Mr. Clark's strategies have already been occurring in many of our classrooms at AVMS.  Ron's Excellent Eleven (qualities he feels must be present in the classroom in order to achieve at the highest levels) are listed below:

* Enthusiasm
* Adventure
* Reflection
* Balance
* Compassion
* Confidence
* Humor
* Common Sense
* Appreciation
* Resillience
* Creativity

Pictures, video, commentary, and the like from AVMS faculty will appear here in future postings!

Here are a couple of related links that you may find appealing...
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/ronclark0305/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473389/

Extra Help!

Did you know that Alice Vail Middle School has extra help each morning for students who may need additional time with their studies?  This free tutoring service, provided by numerous AVMS teachers every morning, begins at 8:30 AM and goes until the day's opening bell.  Mr. Michael Greer has organized our Study Conference, and has excelled in this leadership role with the gracious assistance of an all-star cast of supporting teachers.  Students interested in taking advantage of this program should go to the school's foyer every morning, and talk to One of these teachers on duty: Ms. Deb Ferreira, Ms. Roberta Waldren, Ms. Marsha Willey, Mr. Dusty Fields, and Mr. Greer.  All teachers in this program give their time and energy without financial compensation.  Please thank them for their efforts on behalf of our students!

Here is a recent tidbit from AZStarnet regarding city-wide, after school tutoring:


Kids can get free help in math, reading

Free tutoring services are being offered to a select number of students at nine schools in the Tucson Unified School District.

The tutoring is for students who need extra help if they have fallen behind in math and reading. Participating schools and contact numbers:

• Robison Elementary School: 232-7800. Informational meeting is 5:30 p.m. Oct. 6.

• Hohokam Middle School: 908-3700.

• Naylor Middle School: 584-6800.

• Maxwell Middle School: 225-2000. Informational meeting is 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

• Safford Middle Magnet School: 225-3000. Informational meeting is 6 p.m. Oct. 8.

• Valencia Middle School: 908-4500. Informational meeting is 6 p.m. Thursday.

• Wakefield Middle School: 225-3800. Informational meeting is 5:30 p.m. today.

• Myers-Ganoung Elementary School: 584-6700. Informational meeting is 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7.

• Cavett Elementary School: 225-1300. Informational meeting is 4 p.m. Wednesday.