Stella Pope Duarte makes her annual visit to Pueblo
Stella Pope Duarte, author of Let Their Spirits Dance spoke at Pueblo High School on November 21st to the Senior Latino literature classes. Most writers charge a fee to talk about their novels but Pope Duarte does this because she enjoys speaking to young adults, but especially Pueblo High School students.
She spoke to the seniors about her novels but specifically Let Their Spirits Dance since the seniors are currently reading it. She discussed the themes, the conflicts and the characterization in the novel and the process she went through in writing it.
Stella Pope Duarte writes, “The students were FABULOUS! I absolutely loved presenting to them. They also pin-pointed some very important issues in the novel. It is indeed an honor to write stories from our own heritage, stories of heart, soul, blood, and spirit.”
Pueblo would like to introduce our new administration team for 2011-2012. They have set high expectations for our Warriors this school year.
They will be available to answer questions during a special early session at our upcoming Back To School Celebration on August 30, 2011. They invite all Pueblo parents to join them and discuss the school year.
Pueblo Administration Team 2011-2012
From Left To Right:
Assistant Principal Operations: Vanessa Casillas
Assistant Principal Instruction: Ana Gallegos
Principal: Vivi Watt
Assistant Principal Activities: Frank Rosthenhausler
“Allow me to introduce myself as the new Principal of Pueblo Magnet High School. I am very excited to become part of the Warrior community and look forward to meeting and working with you in the upcoming school year. Ana Gallegos will become the new Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction; and along with Frank and Vanessa we believe we will create an awesome leadership team.” – Vivi Watt
Pueblo is the first school in TUSD to willingly adhere to the Wellness Policy, which is expected to become mandatory in October 2012, in that no non-nutritional food/beverage items may be offered on campus before, during, or after school.
In January 2011, Pueblo High School in collaboration with the U of A’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) team (Gayle Alleman) created a student health advisory committee (SHAC) of students and certified and non-certified staff members.
This Wellness movement is part of a national initiative kick-started by Michelle Obama to address the issue of rising obesity and lack of activity among the youth. This generation is the first generation to face a shorter life span than its parents due to these issues.
By adhering to the Wellness Policy Pueblo H.S. requested Desert Oasis to remove all non-nutritional foods from its vending machines and replace them with healthy snacks that are in compliance with the AZ District Nutrition Standards. The cafeteria was already serving healthy foods, but in order to support us in our application for the US Healthier School Challenge silver award, TUSD food services (Pam Palmo and Amy Weitekamp) upgraded the school breakfast/lunch menu to offer a wider choice of fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods.
The Warrior Store has stopped selling non-nutritional items such as candy, power drinks, cookies etc. and has replaced its food/beverage items to be in compliance also.
Nineteen children were selected by their peers and teachers to participate in the Student Advisory Leadership Team (SALT) training at Camp Y in collaboration with the U of A’s CPPW team. They are now providing peer to peer education with Wakefield and Drachman/Hollinger elementary schools.
We also did a health fair in April to introduce students to new healthful foods/beverages through taste tests and health information. Pueblo’s journalism and media class supported us by publishing the Guerrero magazine focused solely on health topics and covering the health fair event with Pueblo media.
The Blenheim Institute has also approached us to collaborate with Pueblo to create a more healthful living environment for the school.
We have been given grants through Fuel Up to Play, and anticipating more grants from the US Healthy School Challenge and CPPW monies. These monies are being used to erect a fitness course for the students’ use, re-decorate the cafeteria to create a more attractive and informative eating environment and to purchase shade trees for our patio area from Trees for Tucson. We are also in the process of using the money to create a sanctuary for the endangered spade foot toad on Pueblo campus, where a natural habitat for them already exists in collaboration with the herpetology department at the U of A and to purchase additional yoga equipment.
It was very hard work in the beginning to persuade students and staff to make the change and risk possible income loss from the vending machines and Warrior store, because this income financed student activities and athletics. However, student council and the site council voted that Pueblo High School students’ health was not for sale and the movement took off from there.
We want our Warriors to live long and healthy lives!
The YES! Club and Future Teachers of Arizona collaborated this weekend to give our parking lot a little makeover. Members of both clubs came on Saturday morning to paint the curb barriers with Pueblo colors.
Painting barricades Pueblo colors
The following spirited students worked very hard on this project:
Philip Alvarez, Yahaira Barcelo, Angel Barcelo, Peter Casillas, Chantelle Contreras, Manuel Encinas, Brandon Garcia, Alejandra Gonzalez, Adilene Guevara, Oscar Hernandez, Laura Karina Lopez, Yaritza Martinez, Jazmin Nogales, Rheannon Olvera, Alvaro Oquita, Ben Rios, Gabrielle Rios, Clarissa Romero, Lauro Soto, Brisenia Sosa, Gardenia Tapia & Brianna Valencia.
The painting crew
Parking lot painting project
It’s a work in progress and we look forward to the completion of the project. Great job Warriors! Thank you Mrs. Avila-Miranda & Mrs. Stull for pictures.
Actor & Film Maker Jose Yenque came to visit Pueblo today to share some of his stories and experiences in Hollywood. Students participated in a Q & A with Jose and he demonstrated how actors participate in ‘theater games’ with one of our Warriors.
Jose Yenque with some fans!
Jose also screened Wednesday Afternoon, an award winning short film with a powerful message he starred in.
Poet Logan Phillips visited Pueblo to share some of his poems and invite students to an upcoming Poetry Slam. He also shared some of his recent experiences living in Mexico and the poems inspired from his stay there. He had the crowd of about 100 students laughing with his repertoire.
Here’s a poem about Dinosaurs:
Logan encouraged Pueblo students to participate in an upcoming workshop sponsored by Nuestra Voz. Several students expressed their interest in poetry and asked various questions.
Logan Phillips with Pueblo students.
We want to thank Logan for taking the time to visit our school and all the kind words he had to say about Pueblo. We will work on forming our Poetry Slam Warrior Team! If you are interested, visit Mrs. Rusk in Room 212 for more information.
