School News - Tucson International Academy

Be The Best You Can Be

Roy Fierro is like the student who said, "I don't want to miss out on one thing my educational experience can mean to my life." When TIA has a Language Fair, Roy is there. When we go to Paris, Roy is there. Grand Canyon, Washington DC, Chinese New Year...you name it. Roy is there soaking up the experience. He is the same way about the academics. He just takes it all in. When it is hard to understand, he digs to understand. It's no wonder he makes good grades.

How to Have the Most and Be the Best You Can Be

Roy Fierro pushes the limits when it comes to taking his TIA experience seriously. So, when he heard that he could pay for next years international trip by helping TIA enroll new students he just started telling his friends at church and Boy Scouts about it. He has already earned his trip. He'll be on the plane when wheels are up for Peru next spring.

You can be there too!!!

It's easy for Roy to get others excited about TIA, because he knows TIA. He just talks about his experience and tells other people, "You should check it out." One Wednesday in April, 2012, Roy made a tour of all four TIA campuses. He spoke to our students about his experience at TIA. Roy is doing great things, but we believe that you can do great things too. Roy sets a great example. So can you. Roy just does what he can do. We are proud of him for doing that. Make up your mind that you don't want to miss out on one second of what these years can mean to you. When you do that, you will be the best you can be.

Cinco De Mayo and Mothers day!

Early Mothers Day Celebrated at TIA Cinco De Mayo Performances

On May 8th, 2012, the four TIA campuses celebrated Cinco de Mayo, the holiday which this year marks the 150th anniversary of the Mexican victory over French forces in the Battle of Puebla. If Mexican heritage and pride weren’t enough cause for celebration, the moms in attendance were in for a pleasant surprise, as the students also took the opportunity to observe an early Mother’s Day. From kindergartners performing the Spanish folk song “La Cucaracha” to high schoolers performing a play depicting the Battle of Puebla, every student in attendance had a part in the program.

Each Campus’ Celebration was Slightly Different

The Midvale and East campuses opted to host the event during school hours, while the Broadway and West campuses hosted the event after school. The Broadway campus included a jumping castle. But in keeping with Cinco de Mayo tradition, good Mexican food was a crucial component in all of the festivities. At the West campus, TIA's lunch lady Miss Maria prepared the meal, and Delgado’s Catering donated rice and beans.

Mother's Day is Celebrated May 10 in Mexico

To commemorate Mother’s Day (celebrated in Mexico on May 10), several students recited poems which they dedicated to their mothers. After their performance, they presented their mother with a rose. A mariachi band provided authentic cultural entertainment throughout the night, and serenaded moms with “Las Mananitas,” a traditional Mexican song often sung on birthdays and other important holidays. Not only did the dual holiday celebration make for twice the fun, but it was a great opportunity to reinforce cultural appreciation—for Mexico, and for moms.

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Credit-Wise Cats on Board

Today’s economy may be rough waters, but one offering at Tucson International Academy (TIA) is equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to chart a steady course.

What is Credit-Wise Cats All About?

Credit-Wise Cats is a program of the University of Arizona which aims to improve the financial literacy of Arizona youth. Each month, students from the University of Arizona who have been trained in personal finance and presentation skills teach workshops at each TIA campus. The seven workshops integrate valuable financial principles and practical life skills. Workshop titles include Spending Plans, Savings, Credit Reports, Credit Cards, Invest in Yourself, Identity Theft, and Paychecks. One of the of the most popular workshops, according to TIA Educator Jonathan Basurto, is "Invest in Yourself," which compares the long-term differences between earning a wage now versus completing school and earning a higher wage later on.

Free Program Open to All

The workshops take place once a month during the last hour of the school day. They are open to all grades, and are an Economics course requirement for Juniors and Seniors. The program is free, but parents must attend at least one workshop. Typically however, parents attend more than one, surprised by the personal benefit they receive. This year, TIA is excited to participate in the Arizona Financial Faceoff for the first time. A competition for the whole family, the event includes fun activities such as “Financial Football” and “Budget Ball” where teams build a financial portfolio. And the thematically appropriate prize for the winning team? You guessed it - money.

Program Impact Beyond Academic

It's easy to see that the program's impact is beyond academic. "Every single day I hear students talking who are excited about what they're learning. They tell me stories about how they talked to their cousin about saving for college, or shared with their parents something they learned about budgeting," says Basurto. “It comes up everywhere - whether it’s a word problem in math or a discussion in economics, the ideas stay fresh in their minds.” There’s a new wave of Credit-Wise Cats at TIA. Wherever the financial winds blow, they’re on board.

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