Elementary students experience music of Symphonette

CCUSD – Students in grades three through five will attend a concert performed by the Symphonette Orchestra, a division of the Phoenix Symphony Guild. The orchestra consists of 100 young musicians, primarily junior high students.

Some will tell the younger students about their experience and allow them to ask questions. The concert is a result of a request to Musicfest from music teachers seeking sources of musical experiences for their students. The concert will be held April 13 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Rd in Scottsdale.

Students take hats off for cancer

CAVE CREEK – Students at Lone Mountain Elementary had the opportunity to wear hats inside and outside of the classroom during the school day, April 7, if they paid $1 to their teacher. The money will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

The students raised $900 matching last year’s total. At the end of the day, the students donated their new or gently used hat and any extras they brought in to the society’s hat room for cancer victims experiencing hair loss. One parent brought in more than 100 hats allowing the school to more than double last year’s collection and donate 530 hats to ACS.

High schoolers win chance to shave head

PHOENIX – The student body at Sandra Day O’Connor High School can purchase raffle tickets for the opportunity to shave the head of a fellow student or staff member. Proceeds benefit two O’Connor teens battling cancer and Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Child Life Department and Teen Room.

More than 30 staff and students have already volunteered to have their heads shaved May 5 during the “Shave Your Head for a Cure” event. Raffle tickets are $2 each. Students raised $600 last year. For more information, call (623) 445‑7100.

Tech Transfer students succeed in ‘Odyssey of the Mind’

CCUSD – Students from Lone Mountain Elementary and Desert Willow Elementary excelled in the Tech Transfer Division of the “Odyssey of the Mind” Arizona State Competition in Tempe. The April 1 competition provided creative problem‑solving opportunities for students in kindergarten through college.

Teams were scored for their long‑term problem solution and elaboration and how well they solved a spontaneous problem. The Lone Mountain team earned first place and qualified for the World Finals competition in Iowa at the end of May. The team was coached by Gifted Learning Opporunities teacher, Cheryl Woodwell, and Assistant Coach/parent volunteer, Salpi Boyadjian. The Desert Willow team, coached by GLO teacher Maria Richardson, was awarded second place.

Prevention forum focuses on‘Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n Roll’

CCUSD – The next prevention forum for parents with children in the Cave Creek Unified School District will examine the role of “Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n Roll in the Year 2006.” A representative from NotMyKid.org will discuss current trends in dating, clothing and music/lyrics. After the presentation, a sergeant from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will address the dangers of drinking and driving or riding with a drunk driver.

The forum begins at 6 p.m., April 19, at the Cactus Shadows Fine Art Center, 33606 N. 60th Street, Cave Creek. For more information, call (480) 575‑2026.

O’Connor Winterguard,  musicians in spotlight

PHOENIX – The Sandra Day O’Connor High School Winterguard placed first in the Gilbert High School Winterguard Show. This was the first time earning top honors.

Additionally, the “Drum Bumz” were selected by audition as one of the featured performing acts for the Cox TV “Everyday Heroes” Awards Show in May. It will be taped live and can be viewed throughout the summer on Cox Channel 7.

Artistic students receive Valley, state recognition

CCUSD – Cactus Shadows High School senior David Libertella won first place in the student division of the Phoenix International Film Festival. He wrote, directed and produced “Porcelain,” a 17‑minute film that deals with the fragility of life as a teenager.

Cactus Shadows students Ashley Abbruzzio, Tham Carroll and Bobby Reisner were selected by the Arizona Department of Education to have their artwork displayed at the State Transition Conference in September.

Gavilan Peak ends busy year

ANTHEM – April 24‑30 students will observe Turn off the TV Week.

Gavilan Peak’s “Night of the Arts” will take place April 25, when parents are invited to visit their child’s class art gallery, enjoy a catered dinner and bid on a gift basket courtesy of each child’s grade.

A Volunteer Appreciation Lunch in the Media Center is planned April 26. For more information on school activities, call (623) 445‑7400.