Happy Memorial Day! Today we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and freedoms. We are humbled by their service.

We have now raised over $208,000.00 and continue to march forward toward our goal — with three weeks left, we encourage everyone who has not donated to join the over 400 local families, and those from across the nation, by contributing today. Together we can, and will, make a difference!

Our hope to raise $500 per family, but recognize these difficult times and some families may not be in the position to donate or raise $500. We welcome any donation, regardless of size. Every dollar counts.

There are several easy ways to donate:
On line using the button to your right or mail us a check (made payable to the “CFSD Foundation” and on the memo write “30/60 Challenge”) to:

CFSD Foundation
P.O. Box 65150
Tucson, AZ
85728-5150

We passed the $200,000 mark raised yesterday and continue to march forward toward our goal — with over 25 days left in our campaign, we invite everyone who has not donated to join the hundreds of local families, and those from across the nation, by contributing today. Together we can make a difference!

Foothills residents rally to save teachers
By David Sanders
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.21.2009
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85718/293598

Oversized sunglasses and brightly colored straw hats made for a festive afternoon Sunday as about 500 people attended the 30/60 Challenge rally at Catalina Foothills High School.

The rally raised $12,000 that day, bringing the 30/60 Challenge total to $185,000. The rally was part of a 60-day effort for the Catalina Foothills School District to raise enough money to cover the salaries of 30 teachers, said Mark Kipphut, president of the Catalina Foothills School District Foundation.

“We are trying to raise $1.3 million for teachers and save the 30 teachers that are at risk,” Kipphut said. “One of the reasons this district performs so strongly is because we have small classroom sizes, K-12. What will happen if we lose those 30 teachers, our class size will grow about 20 percent to about 28 to 30 students range. That’s what this all really comes down to.”

With a “Walk a Mile in Your Teacher’s Shoes” event around the track, a dunk tank and various music, art and academic demonstrations, the rally was as educational as it was fun. Sports teams were also on hand in an effort to raise tax-credit dollars.

“This is a joint effort with our community and schools to bring in tax-credit dollars and 30/60 dollars,” said part-time high school English teacher Lisa Millerd, who helped organize the event.

“We are kind of hoping that this not only brings information to people about how this all works in terms of education dollars, but that they feel involved and that they can support the programs and academics that they need to,” she said.

Catalina Foothills alumna Madison Carroll enjoyed the event and seeing everyone care about the district and the high school, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive.

“I love this school. I went here all four years. I had a great time, but with the budget cuts, it’s reality, but it’s nice to to see everyone come together and help out the community,” Carroll said as she surveyed the activities. “It’s my way of giving back.”

● Contact photographer David Sanders at 573-4155 or dsanders@azstarnet.com

Our hope to raise $500 per family, but recognize these difficult times and some families may not be in the position to donate or raise $500. We welcome any donation, regardless of size. Every dollar counts.
There are three ways to donate on line:
1. 30/60 Challenge web site (http://3060challenge.com/)
2. CFSD Foundation web site (http://www.cfsdfoundation.org/)
3. FaceBook 30/60 Challenge Cause Page (http://apps.facebook.com/causes/265190/23609740)
Or mail us a check…make the check payable to “CFSD Foundation” and on the memo write “30/60 Challenge:”
CFSD Foundation
P.O. Box 65150
Tucson, AZ
85728-5150

Another exemple of academic excellence in the Catalina Foothills School District — let’s not gamble with our children’s future by cutting the teachers who enable each student to achieve their full potential! Please support the 30/60 Challenge by giving today.

http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/293623
Arizona Daily Star
May 20, 2009
Valuable Flinn Scholarships go to 3 Catalina Foothills students

Three students from Catalina Foothills High School are among 17 Arizona high school seniors who will attend one of the state’s universities on a Flinn Scholarship.

The Flinn Foundation launched the scholarship program in 1986, paying for four years of study at an Arizona university as well as offering opportunities for academic travel and faculty mentorship.

This is only the second time in 24 years that the incoming Flinn Scholar class has fewer than 20 students. Organizers say several students declined the offer, expressing concern about the state’s commitment to education given recent cuts to higher education by state lawmakers.

Among other criteria, students had to rank in the top 5 percent of the graduating class and carry a 3.5 minimum grade-point average.

Applicants also had to demonstrate leadership ability, submit three essays and take part in two personal interviews.

Winning students were selected from high schools across Arizona, from Patagonia to Yuma to Flagstaff.

The three Catalina Foothills students are:
• Laurel Gray, an Advanced Placement Scholar, served as captain of the varsity swim team, a translator at a Nogales clinic and was a high-school ambassador for middle-school students.

• Emma Kleiner, a National Merit Scholar, served as president of the speech and debate team, was an intern for former Gov. Janet Napolitano and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and was a campus liaison for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

• Ravi Ram, an AP Scholar with distinction, was co-captain of the varsity tennis team, a state champion on the Science Olympiad team, secretary of the speech and debate team and a teen columnist for the Tucson Citizen.

Thank you to the hundreds of families and friends who joined us at the SCORE! rally. Special thanks to Representative Vic Williams and the CFSD Governing Board members for taking time to attend. The Foundation raised and additional $12,000 for the 30/60 Challenge to bring the total raised to date to just over $185,000!

Thank you to all who have supported us! We still have another 30 days to go so please do not stop rallying support for our teachers and our children!

KOVA, KGUN and the Arizona Daily Star were there as well!

KVOA Channel 4
Tucson, AZ
May 17, 2009
Catalina Foothills School District rallies for teachers

http://www.kvoa.com/global/story.asp?s=10377803

A local school district might be able to hang onto 30 teachers with the help of community members. The Catalina Foothills School District Foundation started a 60 day fundraising campaign encouraging families to each donate $500.

That effort was publicized Sunday at a rally and walkathon at Catalina Foothills High School.

“The teachers are the people who put a face on education. They make it personal. And you really get to know your teachers, so to think of them losing their jobs, their livelihood, and also not being able to teach you, it’s kind of sad,” said Catalina Foothills High School’s student body president, Soleil Schwabe.

The district foundation is trying to save those teachers in 60 days.

“At the end of 60 days, to save every teaching position and fully fund it, we have to raise $1.3 million,” said foundation president, Mark Kipphut.

The district doesn’t expect to get that money from the state, so people in the foundation are taking it upon themselves. Some cash will be pulled in today, but the bulk of it will come from families, each encouraged to donate $500.

“Five hundred dollars for how many cups of coffee? Five hundred dollars for how many dinners out? Five hundred dollars because we’re sending our kids to public school instead of paying private school tuition,” said parent Vicki Capin, who has three kids in the district.

It’s a collaborative effort that legislatures support - like State Representative Vic Williams, who came with his son.

We hope to raise $500 per family, but recognize these difficult times and some families may not be in the position to donate or raise $500. We welcome any donation, regardless of size. Every dollar counts.

There are three ways to donate on line:
1. 30/60 Challenge web site (http://3060challenge.com/)
2. CFSD Foundation web site (http://www.cfsdfoundation.org/)
3. FaceBook 30/60 Challenge Cause Page (http://apps.facebook.com/causes/265190/23609740)

Or mail us a check…make the check payable to “CFSD Foundation” and on the memo write “30/60 Challenge:”

CFSD Foundation
P.O. Box 65150
Tucson, AZ
85728-5150

Tomorrow, Sunday, May 17th from 4:00PM to 7:00PM a rally and walkathon to raise money for teaching positions and extracurricular activities at the Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive.

SCORE will be a fun filled event and showcase students, top school programs while continuing to raise money for the “30/60 Challenge.”

We launched the campaign was launched in mid-April to help save 30 teaching positions in 60 days by asking every district family to contribute $500.

At 5:00 a very special event will take place – the “Walk a Mile in Your Teacher’s Shoes” walkathon with proceeds going towards funding teaching positions at risk due to pending state budget cuts.

The free event also will highlight musical and theater performances, art exhibits, national chess champions and teachers of the year. Food and beverages are available for cash purchase to support student sports teams.

Also bring your checkbook and contribute to co- and extracurricular activities using Arizona State Tax Credits.

The campaign has raised over $170,000. If you have not contributed, please do so using our on-line PayPal account – simply click on the “Donate Now” button. Thank you and hope to see you and your family at the rally!

A short article from today’s Arizona Daily Star — the SCORE! Rally is this Sunday, come and join us.

A fund raising update — the 30/60 Challenge has moved past the $165,000 mark — join us in making a difference by saving teachers!

Arizona Daily Star
May 14, 2009
Event will raise money for 30/60 Challenge
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

A rally and walkathon to raise money for teaching positions and extracurricular activities in the Catalina Foothills School District will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive.

The School and Community Opportunity to Rally for Education, or SCORE, will showcase top district programs and continue to raise money through the Catalina Foothills School District Foundation’s “30/60 Challenge.”

The fundraising campaign was launched in mid-April to help save 30 teaching positions in 60 days by asking every district family to contribute $500. Any money raised through the walkathon, “Walk a Mile in Your Teacher’s Shoes,” will go toward the campaign, organizers said.

The free event also will highlight musical and theater performances, art exhibits, national chess champions and teachers of the year.

Extracurricular teams and clubs will put on demonstrations and encourage people to make tax-deductible contributions to offset state budget cuts.

The campaign has raised about $135,000, organizers said. For more information about the rally or campaign, go online to www.3060challenge.com.