Doolen: The 21st Century IS HERE!

We are proud to announce our great strides in becoming an authentic Global Studies Academy.  Ms. Corsi, our Math Co-Curriculum Leader, also teaches H.S. credit French.  Lately, she has been using EPals and Skype to communicate with our brothers and sisters around the globe.  Skype is a free service that allows people to chat via face-to-face video.  Recently, she and our French students have been happily communicating with French-speaking students in Quebec, Canada.  Ms. Corsi reports that both parties are enamoured with one another - they love to hear about our incredible, local Mexican cuisine, and we are learning about their poutine.  Bon Appetit!

Ken, Of Course!

TBird Tweets

During our recent "crisis" with freezing temperatures, pipes bursting, and schools closing, we were able to get out the latest information to those who followed our Twitter feeds.  The local media, and even our TUSD website were oftentimes wrong or slow with the correct news about our situation.  You do not need to have a fancy phone for this capability.  In the future, if you would like up-to-the-minute, accurate information about current events, simply head to Doolen's website.  On the right-hand side of the page is our Twitter feed.  Ms. Stachura and Mr. Beaton will "tweet" away the situation - they are the Ashton Kuchers of TUSD tweets!

Best Ever

We are fortunate to have so many people in (and connected to) our organization who truly care.  It was confirmed that this year was the best ever when it came to the number of Holiday Food Boxes collected and distributed.  Count them: 57 Holiday Food Boxes!  Ms. Reinhart, Ms. Happel, Ms. Borrego, Ms. Atjian, Ms. Kobritz, our Student Council and many others were instrumental in providing much-needed support to families in our community.  Thank you, everyone, for making this holiday season just a bit better for everyone.

Wishing You Well, Pam

Pam Simon, Gabby  Giffords' Community Outreach liason, was extremely lucky to survive the Tucson Tragedy. She has been a mainstay at Doolen, assisting us with different events and even attending our Doolen Meet Yourself experience held in our cafeteria first semester.  She was in the process of seeing whether or not Ms. Giffords might join us for our Retreat when she was understandably way-layed.  We invited her to join us for our Retreat, and hope she can be with us on 2/19.  Get well soon, Pam.  You are family.

Doolen Out In Front

We were recently recognized as having the greatest drop in out of school suspensions in our District.  Suspensions fell by 57% as compared to this time last year.  Thank you to all who have contributed to this amazing accomplishment!

Our Connection To Dr. King

Ollie Woods, our beloved Civil Air Patrol Instructor, met Dr. King a few years back when she was just a little girl.  She recalls him staying over (or attempting to stay over) at her mother's house during the Civil Rights Marches in Alabama in the 1960's.  The interaction left an indelible memory of a kind, driven man who was soft-spoken yet determined.  Ask her about this encounter when you see her next - you won't regret it!

Doolen Meet Yourself

Man did we have fun!  Food from around the world, different native dances representing international cultures from afar, and awe-inspiring jumping castles brought our school family together.  Hugely successful and with rave reviews, we re-started a tradition that existed at Doolen many moons ago.  We expect this to become just another staple of what makes our school accessible, enjoyable and great.  Special thanks to our PTSA for pulling this off with flying colors!

Ben's Bells At Doolen

Jeanette Mare met with our faculty earlier this month to discuss the mission of her (now) worldwide movement: to inspire, motivate, and educate each other to change the world through kindness.  We are huge fans, and feel fortunate to have had this amazing experience just before our city's recent tragedy.  Our kiln is in the process of being fixed so that we can become a main contributor to this awesome cause.  Our Restorative Culture and Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, and Excellence are fully aligned with the spirit of Ben's Bells.  Thank you to our Rewards Committee for brining Jeanette to Doolen.

Ben's Bells At Doolen

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Solar Soar

We have solar power!  After inquiring about them for some time without much response, I invited Ms. Mejia to do a bit of research about the solar panels on the patio.  She was able to track down the companies who sold, run and keep track of this for us.  I understand we have at least one (huge) hot water heater that is fully self-sufficient because of this system, and the savings are substantial.  Not to mention the reduction of our carbon footprint.  More statistics to follow...

Marble's Mural

Mr. Marble put this mural together with his students about ten years ago.  It is quite telling since we have always been a global community in one way or another.  This inspirational piece can be found in our cafeteria, in the main lunch-line area.  Included on this full, wall-sized artwork are hand prints of those who have lived, learned, and enjoyed themselves during their formative years in our hallowed halls.  Remember to take a peek at its incredibleness sometime soon.

Driven To Be The Best

Honor Rollers

A record-breaking number of students were recognized this year for their incredible achievements.  We had the highest number, and the highest percentage of academic superkids in memory, according to Mr. Marble who has been at Doolen for 27 years.  We are proud of your accomplishments, Thunderbirds.  Now, let us translate this into awesome AIMS Test results, LOL!

Hey, Robot! Leave Those Kids Alone!

At $51,000 a pop, and with a personalilty similar to a bottle of Windex, these machines can supposedly show, "...six basic emotions in the classroom - surprise, fear, disgust anger, happiness and sadness."  Sounds like my dentist, frankly.  Well then, YOU ARE HIRED!  Interesting links (Click here).

(Pictures and quotes courtesy of the Telegraph News & CNET)

Would You Like Fries With That?

"Would you like fries with that?"  Yes, Mr. Crowe pointed out to me that I made a mighty fine fry cook.  Well I thought I looked mighty spiffy in my MickeyDees grease-smeared apron, thank you very much!  It was all for a good cause.  Ms. Q made the McTeacher fundraiser arrangements with McDonald's on Speedway and Craycroft.  I got to man the most important part of operations that night - the cappacino machine!  Q had the McFlurry mechanism (and got sticky mile-product all over the place!  We almost ate all of our profits right there, Q!)  Mr. Ajaja sold cookies - best salesman ever!  Ms. Kobritz and Ms. Zanin were on the registers, Mr. Crowe did the raffle, Msl Atjian helped to host and carry our equipment, and many others helped too.  Thank you Doolen family!  

Click Here For More Pics!

Operation Moon-Shot's Genesis

From the very beginning, data analysis and research-based discernment have been ongoing in order to make Doolen the best middle school around.  Listening, collaborating, and putting together a plan of action for the year (and beyond) has been nothing short of amazing.  Operation Moon-Shot is the core of our overall plans to help ensure our students and their families get only the best our profession has to offer.  With insight from all stakeholders, our mission, vision, values and goals have been steadily fleshed-out.  Thank you to all who continue to support us on our journey to ultimate student achievement!  

Unique To USA: We Have Civil Air Patrol

War clouds loomed in Europe and Asia long before the United States' entry into World War II.  Pilots who owned personal aircraft remembered enemy sub operations occurring just beyond our shores during World War I.  They aimed to help the cause, and defend our shores from enemy attack from the beginning of this new conflict.

It took a while for the Roosevelt administration to get on board with this newly proposed guard unit, and we should all be thankful that it did!  With shipping losses mounting, Civil Air Patrol bases were set up "...from Mexico to Maine."  The mere presence of these volunteer units in the sky was enough to make U-Boats cut and run.  The more than 20,00 missions they flew during WWII helped ensure our safety, and turned the tide of the war to our favor.  We are grateful for their courage and service, and Doolen is humbled and honored to have Ollie Woods as our fearless CAP instructor.  Thank you, Ollie, for all you do for us!  We salute you!

Priceless Art - Our History

This painting was done by one of our former students in the 1950's.  It is representative of the values we still hold dear today at Doolen - Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, and Excellence.  For some reason, this painting was taken down a while back.  Upon my arrival, Mr. Crowe and Mr. Marble put it back up (in the library) where it still stands as a reminder to us that we can do ANYTHING we set our minds to.  The greatness of America is the greatness of Doolen Global Studies Academy.

This amazing work of art can be admired in our school library.

Hats Off To Parents And Teachers