Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

Find college workshops at College Depot
College Depot at the Burton Barr Central Library offers several free workshops per week to help people of all ages find their way to a successful post-secondary experience. All workshops are listed on the College Depot online calendar located at phoenix.gov/collegedepot. All participants must RSVP to attend a workshop by calling 602-261-8847, emailing college.depot@phoenix.gov, or visiting College Depot at 1221 N Central Ave on the second floor.

Medical Assistance for Children: The Foundation for Children is a non-profit organization in the valley who offers funds for medical supplies to children who don't or are not covered by insurance or for emergencies. There are no income or residency requirements. The organization works closely with school nurses who identify the needs of the children who then put in requests for aid. For more information on criteria or the process, visit the AFDA website.

Census In The Schools Website Help your students learn what a census is and why it's important—from getting representation in Congress to funding local programs—with the It's About Us program, provided free by the U.S. Census Bureau. Make sure you and your students are counted in the 2010 Census. Start planning with these lessons and classroom ideas today! Visit scholastic.com/census to find more information.

We need your help! - 2050 Phoenix General Plan Update Every 10 years the City of Phoenix is required to develop a new comprehensive General Plan that outlines how the city should develop. We need your help to give youth a voice in formulating a vision for the future of our City. As a thank you for helping us, all respondents will be entered in a drawing for 2009-10 Phoenix Suns Basketball tickets. For more information, please see the flier. If you would like to be added to the planPHX mailing list for regular updates on the 2050 General Plan Update, please visit phoenix.gov/subscribe.

Expect More Arizona has been launched as a public-private partnership dedicated to promoting education in Arizona. The organization seeks to create a movement within the state and capture those individuals who are passionate and actively engaged in creating a competitive state through education. Visit expectmorearizona.org to get involved.http://www.expectmorearizona.org

Arizona College Access Coalition is a statewide network of organizations committed to increasing the access to college education for Arizonans.  By increasing access to college, we are creating a workforce pipeline of talented and motivated individuals who can contribute to the success of Arizona both today and in the future. For more information, visit azcollegeaccess.org

NSTA: Sylvia Shugrue Award for Elementary School Teachers: The National Science Teachers Association Sylvia Shugrue Award honors a teacher who has established (or is establishing) an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based lesson plan. The lesson plan must fully reference sources of information and any relevant National Science Education Standards and benchmarks found in The Atlas of Science Literacy. Maximum award: $1,000, as well as up to $500 to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education, March 18-21, 2010, in Philadelphia; the recipient of the award will be honored during the Awards Banquet at the NSTA Conference. Eligibility: full-time elementary school teachers (grades K-6) with a minimum of three years of experience. Deadline: November 30, 2009.http://www.nsta.org/main/pdfs/awards/Shugrue.pdf

Vernier/ NSTA: Tech Award: Vernier Software & Technology/National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Tech Award recognizes the innovative use of data collection technology using a computer, graphing calculator, or handheld in the science classroom. Maximum award: $3,000 -- $1,000 in cash for the teacher, $1,000 in Vernier Products, and up to $1,000 toward expenses to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education, March 18-21, 2010. Eligibility: current teachers of science in grades K-College. Deadline: November 30, 2009.http://www.vernier.com/grants/nsta.html

Exemplary Middle Level and High School Science Teaching Awards: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Exemplary Middle Level and High School Science Teaching Awards recognize teachers who have demonstrated exemplary science teaching in one or more of the following areas: creativity using science teaching materials; design and use of innovative teaching plans and ideas; and development and implementation of department, school, or school-community programs that improve science instruction and/or stimulate interest in science and the learning of science. Maximum award: $4,000, a one-year membership in the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and up to $1,000 to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education, March 18-21, 2010 in Philadelphia. Eligibility: full-time classroom teachers. Deadline: November 30, 2009.http://www.nsta.org/pdfs/awards/CibaTeaching.pdf

AAPT: High School Physics Teacher Grant: The American Association of Physics Teachers High School Physics Teacher Grant will reward a proposal designed to result in better teaching practice, student understanding and interest, and increased class enrollment. The proposal may use a new teaching method or an adaptation of an existing idea. Maximum award: $500. Eligibility: members of AAPT. Deadline: December 1, 2009

National/State Schools of Character Awards: The 2010 National/State Schools of Character Awards Program names public and private schools and districts (K-12) as National Schools of Character (NSOC) for their outstanding work in character education. The program honors recipients, showcases their work, and helps them to inspire and lead others. Maximum award: $20,000. Eligibility: schools engaged in character education for a minimum of three full years, starting no later than December 2006; districts engaged in character education for a minimum of four full years, starting no later than December 2005. Deadline: December 1, 2009.http://www.character.org/nsoc

Foundation for Technology Education: Pitsco/Hearlihy Grant: The Pitsco/Hearlihy/Foundation for Technology Education Grant recognizes and encourages the integration of a quality technology education program within the school curriculum. Criteria include: evidence of an effective quality technology education program, documented success in the integration of technology education with other academic subjects, and plans for professional development via the anticipated grant. Maximum award: $2,000. Eligibility: Teachers K-12 who are members of the International Technology Education Association. Deadline: December 1, 2009.http://www.iteaconnect.org/Awards/granthearlihy.htm

Character Education Partnership: National Schools of Character: The National Schools of Character Awards identify exemplary schools and districts to serve as models for others, and helps schools and districts improve their efforts in effective character education. Maximum award: $2,000. Eligibility: To be eligible, a school must have been engaged in character education for a minimum of three full years, starting no later than December 2006 for the 2010 awards. Districts need to have been engaged in character education for a minimum of four full years, starting no later than December 2005. Smaller administrative units that maintain a separate identity within a large district may apply in the district category, e.g., a school pyramid or cluster. Deadline: December 1, 2009.http://www.character.org/nsocapplicationprocess

American Management Association and Leader to Leader Institute: Year-long Scholarship : The American Management Association (AMA) and Leader to Leader Institute scholarship program assists social-sector nonprofit organizations in developing strong leadership. The scholarship is designed to give nonprofit leaders an opportunity to step out of the day-to-day, interact with peers across sectors, and develop practical skills to apply immediately within their organizations. Maximum award: one-year scholarship. Eligibility: employees of 501(c)3 organizations with a minimum of three years of work experience in the social sector. Deadline: December 15, 2009. http://www.character.org/nsocapplicationprocess

Adopt a Family for the Holidays: Looking for a way to share your holiday spirit? The city of Phoenix Human Services Department is sponsoring its annual Holiday Adopt-A-Family Program. Sponsors are needed to provide toys, clothing and household items for participants in the department's social service programs. Participants are low-income families who are experiencing difficult times and would not otherwise be able to provide gifts for their children. Last year, 475 families were assisted through the Adopt-A-Family Program. The families who benefit include parents involved in the Family Self-Sufficiency (residents of public housing), Family Services Centers and Head Start families. For more information or to volunteer as a sponsor, call 602-262-4520. Information will be provided regarding the specific family's needs and special gifts wish list.

2010 Meth NOT EVEN ONCE^® Poster Contest : Attorney General Terry Goddard and the ARIZONA METH PROJECT have partnered in the 2010 Meth NOT EVEN ONCE® Poster Contest. Seventh & Eighth graders throughout Arizona are invited to submit original artwork illustrating the Meth NOT EVEN ONCE® message for use on a poster that will be distributed as part of a statewide anti-meth campaign. Contest winners will receive first, second and third place prizes of $500, $350 and $100. The deadline for entry is 5:00 PM on January 29, 2010.

We the People “A More Perfect Union” Bookshelf: The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association's (ALA) Public Programs Office is now accepting applications for the "We the People" Bookshelf Project. This year's theme, "A More Perfect Union," invites reflection on the idea of the U.S. as a "union," as "one" as well as "many," and will complement library programs observing the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. To stimulate programming, the Bookshelf features a DVD edition of "The Civil War," the award-winning documentary by Ken Burns. Public and K-12 school libraries are invited to apply online through January 29, 2010. In spring 2010, NEH and ALA will select 4,000 libraries to receive the 17 books for young readers, as well as bonus materials for readers of all ages, and the option to receive three titles in Spanish transition. Since 2003, NEH has awarded some 13,000 bookshelves. For more information, go to http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/

Arizona Construction Championships: For high school educators looking to challenge their construction students, the upcoming Arizona Construction Championships event is the perfect opportunity to test students’ skills while introducing them to construction companies from across the state in a fun, competitive environment. The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday, February 19, 2010, at Metro Tech High School, located at 1900 W. Thomas Rd in Phoenix. The championship is open to all qualified high school students involved in a construction or trade training program and there is a $20 registration fee per student, which includes lunch, an event T-shirt and a certificate of participation. For more information or to register, email Dave Severn or Doug Bogart.

Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers Program: The Examining Your Environment through the Power Of Data (EYE-POD) project provides teachers with the means to implement interdisciplinary, technology-integrated, project-based learning modules with an Earth science focus in their classrooms. Students learn science and math concepts as they collect and analyze data in an attempt to solve a community problem and communicate those solutions through the use of geographic information systems (GIS) software. Applicants must commit to full participation in one of two scheduled 10-day professional development institutes at Northern Arizona University’s Flagstaff Mountain Campus in June and July of 2010. Only 20 schools from across Arizona will be selected to participate in this amazing opportunity, so apply today! Application deadline: March 2, 2010.

Scholarships and Leadership Development Opportunities for Youth