The SUSD Foundation awarded scholarships so students of all economic backgrounds can participate in and benefit from a science camp dedicated to innovation.

Camp Invention, a program from InventNow and The National Inventors Hall of Fame ®, is a weeklong summer enrichment day program for children entering first through sixth grades. Participating daily in five activity-oriented thematic modules, children enhance their understanding of science, math, history and the arts while having lots of fun. This exciting program invites children to let their imaginations run wild through teamwork, creative problem solving and inventive thinking via three different week long programs – Create, Encounter and Discover.

Unitown is a leadership camp that is taught through diversity activities. Students from all five of our SUSD high schools participate in a 5-day retreat where they learn about themselves and others. This camp provides a safe and inclusive platform for students to express how they really feel, create a sense of community, and increase their empathy and understanding of others.

Over the years, we have had the opportunity to create incredible dialogue between students of all races, ethnicities, religions and social backgrounds. Participants discuss issues such as stereotypes, prejudice, and privilege, to name a few, in an open forum. Camp culminates with each school developing an action plan of activities to bring back to their individual schools with the goal of increasing diversity, empathy, acceptance, and knowledge in their communities.

Meet Rocket, a 2 year old Golden Retriever and the first Police K9 to be assigned to a School Resource Officer (SRO) in Maricopa County. Rocket is assigned to Officer Devon Lines at Chaparral High School SRO and will travel to other schools as needed. Rocket’s duties include providing comfort to victims, calming high stress situations, and bridging gaps with community members.

Initial funding for Rocket’s assignment was provided by the Chaparral High School Association of Parents and Teachers (CHAPTS) and the Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation, which raised more than $34,000 to support SPD’s new School Resource Unit canine program. The Foundation intends to continue its support of Rocket, with the hope of expanding the program to other SUSD campuses.

Help us grow the Canine Program by  making a donation today.

The SUSD All-City Athletic Awards banquets are designed to honor outstanding athletes from who attended its five high schools: Arcadia; Chaparral; Coronado; Desert Mountain and Saguaro. There are three banquets per school year honoring students from badminton, cross country, golf, football, volleyball, swimming and diving, basketball, soccer wrestling, baseball, softball, tennis and track and field. Since 2012 the SUSD Foundation has awarded $14,000 to support these banquets.

SUSD Foundation provides two scholarships — one for a male student, and one for a female student — to seniors each year.

National Board Certification (NBC) is one of the highest achievements in the teaching profession. NBC is part of the growing education reform movement that is advancing student learning, improving teaching and making schools better. Teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met high standards through study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review.

The SUSD Foundation provides financial assistance to teachers pursuing NBC. Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded $33,492.50 to support National Board Certification.