The Salvation Army is partnering with Fry’s Food Stores for their 20th annual Back To School Backpack SOS Drive.

From July 9 to July 27, community members can donate backpacks, folders, markers, rulers, colored pencils, glue sticks, pencils, scissors, crayons and other supplies for kindergartners through 12th-graders at any one of 20 Fry’s locations in the metro Tucson, Green Valley and Sierra Vista areas.

For a list of participating locations, visit SalvationArmyTucson.org/back-to-school-drive.

Free pancakes, backpacks, giveaways at back-to-school bash

Tucson City Council member Shirley Scott will host a free pancake breakfast and backpacks filled with school supplies for the first 800 K-12 students to arrive at the William M. Clements Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive, on Saturday, July 14 from 8 to 11 a.m.

The office is also giving out bike helmets and booster seats.

Students will have the chance to win prizes, including a free family membership to Reid Park Zoo, Chromebooks, tablets and bikes. All activities and raffles are free on a first-come-first-served basis.

Gregory School senior chosen

for American Legion Boys Nation

Allen El, an incoming senior at The Gregory School, has been selected as a senator for American Legion Boys Nation in the Washington, D.C., area.

Boys Nation is an annual American Legion program that includes civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism.

At The Gregory School, El has been Junior Statesman of America President and has interned on political campaigns.

Marana USD director chosen distinguished administrator

The Arizona School Administrators selected Cindy Ruich, Marana Unified School District student services director, as the ASA Distinguished Administrator for the Educational Services Division.

Of her 15 years in the Marana district, Ruich has spent the past five years as the director of student services where she serves as the leader of the district’s counseling program, crisis team, and student services department.

This year alone, Ruich has secured over $200,000 in grants and donations to support the specialized needs of students.

Community event will focus

on Arizona education funding

Community members are invited to a free event on how education is funded in Arizona on July 16.

The information session is being hosted by a grassroots group of Marana parents and educators who are partnering with AZED101, a non-partisan volunteer group of parents committed to improving Arizona’s education funding.

The event, which is open to all, will be held at Marana Middle School, 11279 W. Grier Road, at 5:30 pm.


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