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 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!
Pueblo High CTE/JTED Early Childhood Education Students Gain Real-World Experience at Hollinger’s PACE Program
Pueblo High Magnet School CTE/JTED Early Childhood Education students plan, conduct and evaluate developmentally appropriate activities for preschool students in collaboration with the PACE Program at Hollinger Elementary, under the direction of Sabrina Navarrete-Camacho.
In these photos, Pueblo students are directing children in a chemistry science activity called “gooey-goop.”
Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood teacher at Pueblo High Magnet School is Mary Ellen Hardin.
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.
Pueblo has started the interview process for our new Principal. The search committee met today for the 1st round of interviews.
Pueblo had a considerable amount of applicants from various backgrounds. This round of interviews will determine the top applicants that will move on to the 2nd round of interviews to be conducted by the Assistant Superintendent.
Search Committee prepares for interviews
We will keep you informed with the latest on the search for Pueblo’s new leader.
The Air Force Chopper built by the Orange County Choppers was on display at Pueblo today. The bike is in Tucson for the Air Show at Davis Monthan this weekend. Students gathered around to marvel at the detailed work on the bike during both lunches.
Air Force Chopper built by the O.C.C.
What did you like about the bike? Let us know in the comments.
