SURPRISE - For the third consecutive year, seventh and eighth-grade students at Surprise's Western Peaks Elementary School have entered "A World in Motion." At Western Peaks, that now means becoming involved with a nationally recognized program!"...(read more)    Story: Western Peaks Elementary School Teaching Team Earns National Accolades for ‘A World in Motion'    PHOENIX - At the beginning of the school year, 7-year-old Conrad Varela was happy just to know how to strum a few chords on his father's old guitar. But by December, the student at Shaw Elementary School...had his own instrument and was playing songs... (read more) Story: After-school music program hopes to keep kids in tune   YUMA - They may have lacked the over-the-top antics of Jack Black's "School of Rock" movie persona, but the band Alter Ego knows how to get the kids at the McGraw School into a groove, especially when they achieve their reading goals.... (read more) Story: Principle rewards readers with rock concert   SHOW LOW - Instead of taking her kids on a field trip to a museum, a Show Low Junior High teacher brought a little piece of the museum to her students... (read more)  Story: Show Low Junior High hosts Nazi Olympics exhibit   National Forum to Discuss Elevating Student Achievement 'One Day at a Time' Utilizing Intervention Tools & Technology February 13, 2009 SCOTTSDALE - Assessment Technology Incorporated (ATI) believes educational policy makers have focused solely on what students learn over time - not the "One day at a time" learning approach.  However, the ...one day at a time" approach may provide the key to effectively elevating student achievement - one of the most important challenges currently facing our nation.    To discuss changing the educational dynamic, as well as the student intervention technology and tools necessary to do so, ATI will host a FREE National Educational Interventions Forum on February 13, 2009.   On-site participants...will be able to produce a series of student intervention portfolios designed specifically to meet the district's needs...and address How can it be determined that students are at risk for not meeting standards on statewide assessments?   For more information on this event and how to register (click here) . City of Phoenix Youth and Education Office If you have not checked out the most recent News for Schools or Education Grants, you're missing out on many great grant opportunities!   The City of Phoenix Youth and Education Office has been compiling a list of grants specifically for schools and teachers with deadlines in the new year like the Arts Education Grant from the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture. This grant is aimed to create projects which serve pre-k to 12th grade students, classroom teachers, teaching artists, arts specialists and/or administrators. Applications are due by February 17th, so there are only a few more weeks left!   More information and applications can be found at phoenix.gov/ARTS.   This grant and many more are featured on the Youth and Education Programs  School and Teacher Grants page. Be sure to add us to your favorites so you don't miss any opportunities. While you are there, be sure to check out the newly posted know99 stories about Phoenix Schools.   To read about other education news in Phoenix, visit the News for Schools website.     Ask your friends and colleagues to log onto www.azschoolsmakeadifference.org and sign up to receive our weekly newsletter. They will be one of the first to hear about good things happening in public education around the state. We are looking for impressive stories about how Arizona's teachers, students and schools are making a difference every day. Log onto www.azschoolsmakeadifference.org and submit your stories.