Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation’s Mission
Bring awareness to the Scottsdale Unified School District’s significant financial needs and focus on fundraising to support programs that make the biggest difference in the educational experiences of our children.
Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation Goals
Support the District's Vision to:
- Create and sustain 100% Excelling Schools by 2010 (currently 22 of 32 schools in the district are rated Excelling)
- Help each child excel to achieve his/her full potential.
Helios/SUSD Foundation Quest for Excellence Program Promotes New Learning Experiences.
The Quest for Excellence grant program promotes innovative and engaging new learning experiences for students throughout the Scottsdale Unified School District.
The Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation, with support funding from the Helios Education Foundation, provides Quest for Excellence grants to teachers within the district to help them implement valuable new learning experiences for students.
During 2008 the Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation, along with support from the District, asked teachers to apply for Quest for Excellence grants. To win a grant, teachers needed to inspire new classroom learning experiences that were not part of the day-to-day curriculum.
As a result, teachers from across the district submitted grant applications. The outcome was significant. As one District selection committee member put it, “The response heightened our awareness of both the needs and the vast creativity among our teachers and administration.”
30 mini grants ranging from $200 - $2,500 were issued to more than 16 schools throughout the district. The total value of the grants given was $31,000.
Today, teachers are implementing innovative new teaching techniques from science to filmmaking, as well as programs for special needs students.
These programs not only provide hands-on opportunities for students to learn, they also give teachers the essential tools they need to implement new experiences in their classrooms.
A few of this year’s grants include: Video Modeling and Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers for Saguaro High School students. A new DNA study program at Arcadia High School. Expanding math skills through Versa Tiles at Hopi Elementary. A new multicultural studies program at Tavan Elementary. New hands-on techniques for Autistic children at Cherokee Elementary. Exciting math manipulative programs for Desert Mountain High School. A new foreign language immersion program at Pueblo Elementary.
The Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation will expand the Quest for Excellence program in coming years.
Special thanks to the following for their support of the program: The Helios Education Foundation, The Scottsdale Unified School District, Dr. John M. Baracy - Superintendent, Carla Partridge, Marty Day, Andy Forlis, Valerie Pleasant, Barbara Reinert, Mitch Simmons, Patty Defeyter, Katy Cavanagh, Annie Preston, Margaret Serna, Debbie Voris, and Janet Blum
Click here to see a short video highlighting this program.