Gavilan Peak Elementary recently had a fundraiser to benefit their sister school in India, and through their creative excellence, won the 2006 A+ Exemplary Program Award. The school developed a “MultiCultural Appreciation Week,” designed to educate and empower the students for positive change. With an arts and activities fair, the students raised over $1400 for Gavilan Peak’s sister school in Mahapura, India.

The MultiCultural Awareness Week activities are authentic, real-world experiences based on Arizona standards. Students at Gavilan Peak arranged a “Quarters for Caring” fair in the fashion of an international bazaar. The 7th and 8th grade students chose a country and developed and sold related products. They sold their goods to Kindergarten through 6th graders for just a quarter, which went directly to the school in India to pay for new uniforms and classroom supplies.

This is the second consecutive year that Gavilan Peak Elementary has won the A+ Program Award. Last year the school was given the award for the all-grade science fair. The A+ Exemplary Programs Award recognizes educational excellence in Arizona schools. The winning schools’ criteria is that they demonstrate superior ability to go above expectations, produce concrete results and outcomes, creativity, sustainability, potential for replication and to show an improved school culture. Each school may only apply once a year to win the $100 prize and plaque.