As a result of dropping enrollment, the TUSD Governing Board voted to layoff 72 teachers, counselors and other certified employees Tuesday evening. Educators from every school level representing a variety of subjects were given their pink slips.
The district is planning to fill at least one new administrative position this year and they recently spent money on the renovation of one of their in-house attorney’s offices as well.
Conspicuously absent from the list were many teachers from the now defunct Mexican American Studies program. Dr. Pedicone, the district’s Superintendent gave instruction to staff to place them in positions, for which many of them are unqualified rather than risk lawsuits from them.
Several members of the community came forward believing the hype that the MAS teacher’s jobs were at risk. At least two came forward to defend Curtis Acosta.
Acosta, the charismatic teacher used by MAS proponents to sell the program, was not in jeopardy of losing his job, but a manufactured threat to him would certainly generate sympathy and hopefully crowds.
Sympathy was unnecessary and crowds did not materialize. However the attention did raise questions about Acosta and how he has endeared so many students and their parents to him.
One man who identified himself as Michael McNulty told the Board that his daughter was inspired by Acosta while a student at University High. McNulty appeared before the Board to defend Acosta and abuse Board member Michael Hicks.
The good versus evil theme was created carefully by MAS operatives, but the truth is more complicated that the helpful fiction. An examination of Acosta’s emails, in the month of February reveals a more complex picture.
Acosta’s students, who he refers to as mija are advised that he is too busy for their interviews, but he makes special arrangements with reporters from the LA Times, and KOLD . Phallic symbols and sophomoric jokes riddle the mass of emails looking like more of a product of a 17 year old rather than an adult teacher of 17 year old students. A sampling of Acosta’s emails:
(pornographic images have been removed)
From: Acosta, Curtis
To:
Subject: RE: Your old student and friend
Date: Monday, February 27, 2012 12:33:00 PM
Mija,
I appreciate such a lovely request, but I’m overwhelmed with folks asking for such interviews and decided to shut it down for a while. The truth is that I am still trying to figure out how and what to teach since I had to throw everything out. I’m woefully behind in feeling comfortable as a teacher and in my dissertation proposal.
Thank you for understanding and perhaps Ms. Fed is in a better spot than I am at this point.
Curtis
From: Krysta A Diaz [mailto:krystadiaz@email.arizona.edu]
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 11:09 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: Your old student and friend
Hello Mr. Acosta!!!,
I am emailing you to ask a favor, I am wondering if you would let me interview you, rather just document a conversation between you and I, using a lot of “off the record, hes a jack ass” lingo! 😉 I am doing a controversy analysis and a public argument in my English 102 class and I chose to write about our home, your classroom, the program. I understand that this couldn’t come at a worse time, but I would really like to sit with you and talk about everything. I am writing this paper because I want to be heard, I want you to be heard within my classroom and within the English department at the U. I say this because no one in my class had any idea what HB2281 was, which I found to be absurd. Therefore I am taking it upon myself to educate them and I want your help doing so if you’ll allow it.
I feel so weird formally emailing you since you are my friends, but I honestly want to spread the awareness and that is why I am asking this favor. I hope that you’ll consider doing this for me, I’ll meet you somewhere, or go to tucson high,you can come over or i can go over, what ever is easy for you, anything just let me know!
With all the love in the world….
Your friend and student alumni,
P.S. I hope that this doesn’t scare you in terms of your words being twisted into something they are not or you bring misrepresented. I am writing this from a point of view that is FOR the program and against the law and the banning. I love you and Mrs.Fed with all my heart and would never hurt you guys, I will always represent you with class and respect. I will even send it to you before I turn it in for you to see if you would like.
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Goldsmith, Christophe; Passmore, Aaron; Almquist, Arthur
Subject: FW: Asiya the cartoon
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 8:17:00 AM
Fellas,
As promised here is the digital art of
C
From: Acosta, Curtis
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 8:26 AM
To: Armendariz Jr, Carlos; Smith, Vincent
Cc: Burkhart, Lauren
Subject:
Good morning, gentlemen.
I was unaware that was in ISS. Thus, that explains the reason why he hasn’t been provided any work. I’ve also included Lauren Burkhart on this email since we have been working together for since last semester.
Here is an assignment that we are finishing this week that includes class presentations which and I will need to discuss upon his return. However, he can immediately get started on the analysis section of the assignment.
The following will be the class work we begin tomorrow since I am also unaware of when he will return.
Thank you,
Curtis
I. Students should read the opening section of Winter Dreams pg. 841-844 in the Language of Literature yellow anthology.
II. Students should then complete the following tasks.
• What are your first impressions of the main character Dexter Green and Judy Jones? Please write a half of page for each character and cite examples from the text to support your conclusions.
• Discuss how Dexter must feel when the young girl, Judy Jones, calls him “boy.”
• What are Dexter’s aspirations based on the content of his daydreams.
From: Acosta, Curtis
To:
Cc: Packard, Richard; Zapata, Areli
Subject: Homework
Date: Thursday, February 09, 2012 7:34:00 AM
Good morning,
Here is the assignment that we are just completing in class this week. It was a month long project so will need to see me at conference regarding the class presentation. However, she can get busy writing an analysis of the poem or media she selected to present in class.
Thank you,
Curtis Acosta
Latin@ Literature/English Teacher
Tucson High Magnet School
From: Acosta, Curtis on behalf of Mandel, David
To: Vacura, Anthony; Acosta, Curtis; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria; Batty, Robin; Hall, Suzanne;
Gastellum, Richard
Subject: FW: MAS Information
When: Thursday, February 09, 2012 2:00 PM-3:00 PM (GMT-07:00) Arizona.
Note: The GMT offset above does not reflect daylight saving time adjustments.
FYI and I can’t stay for very long.
C
—–Original Appointment—–
From: Mandel, David
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 1:28 PM
To: Mandel, David; Acosta, Curtis; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria; Batty, Robin; Hall, Suzanne; Gastellum, Richard
Subject: MAS Information
When: Thursday, February 09, 2012 2:00 PM-3:00 PM (GMT-07:00) Arizona.
Where:
Curtis, Ismael, Maria, Robin, & Suzanne,
I need to schedule a meeting with you during 7th period tomorrow to share some information coming from Dr. Morado’s office.
Thank you,
David
From: Acosta, Curtis
To:
Subject: RE: Hello
Date: Thursday, February 09, 2012 7:09:00 AM
Good morning, mija.
I’m sorry but I have too much on my plate for an interview at the moment.
Mr. Acosta
From:
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 9:28 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: Hello
Dear Mr. Acosta,
I hope your week is going well! I wanted to ask you a few questions about what is currently going on with ethnic studies; I was told in my newspaper class that there have been a few developments since the board meeting. Please tell me when a good time for an interview would be. Thank you!
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Passmore, Aaron
Subject: RE: Noam Chomsky – Tonight
Date: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 10:56:00 AM
http://tucsoncitizen.com/three-sonorans/
Check out what he said about local issues.
From: Passmore, Aaron
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 10:57 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: Noam Chomsky – Tonight
Oh yeah buddy.. He is the ish and I’m hoping tonight he goes for the kill.
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Mandel, David
Cc: Vacura, Anthony
Subject: Tentative: MAS Information
David,
I have child care responsibilities on Thursday afternoons. I will try to make arrangements, but Davis Elementary dismissal is at 2:45pm and although it is close it does take me at least 15 minutes to get there. Thus, I may have to leave before the conclusion of the meeting. Starting the meeting earlier during 7th period would be helpful. However, I assume that is impossibility due to your busy calendar.
Curtis
From: Curtis acosta
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: Asiya the cartoon
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 6:21:25 AM
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Asiya Mir
Date: Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 12:31 AM
Subject: my bitch ass is a cartoon
To: Curtis acosta
thought you wanted this?
From: Vacura, Anthony
To: Acosta, Curtis; Rusk, Sara; Federico Brummer, Maria; Carrion, Dolores; Lopez, Lorenzo; Escamilla, Alec; Arce,
Martin; Martinez, Rene; Gonzalez, Alfonso; Gonzalez, Norma; Gonzalez, Norma; Gonzalez, Jose
Subject: Cancelled Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 9:20:40 AM
Please be aware our meeting for tomorrow, Thursday, 2/9 at the TEA office has been cancelled.
Check your personal email later today. I will have details regarding a new time and meeting agenda for this coming Monday, 2/13. 4:30pm. Sorry for the inconvenience.
IS,
Tony
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: Channel 13 Story
Date: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 1:19:50 PM
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/category/179377/video-center?clipId=6695848&autostart=true
From: Gastellum, Richard
To: Acosta, Curtis; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria
Cc: Mandel, David; Packard, Richard
Subject: Collection of Instructional Materials
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 12:34:58 PM
Colleagues, I have placed in your mailbox a list of instructional materials that were identified in the judge’s ruling. We ask that you include these materials with those you had planned to submit.
Richard Gastellum
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Mandel, David; Gastellum, Richard
Cc: Morado, Abel; Vacura, Anthony; Hall, Suzanne; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria; Batty, Robin
Bcc: Arce, Martin; Acosta, Patricia
Subject: Collection of Materials
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:46:00 AM
Mr. Gastellum and Mr. Mandel,
I am writing this message to ask for clarity in the process of collection of MAS curriculum and instructional materials. At the February 13th meeting Mr. Mandel had agreed to ask TUSD administration for specific details concerning the exact instructional materials we should purge from our classrooms and how TUSD would like them provided. We have also been given a deadline of February 17th for this to be completed. Today is February 15th and I would kindly request that this be communicated to us in written form via email.
Furthermore, after consultation with Ms. María Federico Brummer and Mr. Ismael Arce concerning the meeting with THS administration on Monday, February 13, 2012, we feel that our meetings are not providing nearly enough clarity in definitions of how the statute ARS 15-112 is to be applied in the classroom, or clear definitions for the phrase Mexican American Perspectives. Thus, we would like to forgo such meetings with THS administration and ask for written communication through email in the future. We ask this in respect to all of our colleagues’ time and the increased burden of the tasks given to former MAS teachers. The importance of our planning time, and after school hours, has increased exponentially since the dismantling of the MAS program and our classes. The tasks given from the ADE and TUSD, as well as the meetings with THS administrators, are affecting preparation time for our classes and students. In the event that THS administration feels that a meeting is mandatory, we would kindly ask that we are compensated for our time.
I hope everyone can understand our position and we look forward to your timely
response to these requests.
Respectfully,
Curtis Acosta
From: Mandel, David
To: Mandel, David
Cc: Acosta, Curtis; Gastellum, Richard; Packard, Richard
Subject: Compliance Monitoring 2/16
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 10:24:50 AM
Script
Enter at 10:01 AM
On board: Journal response: Write about whether or not you think power has the ability to corrupt people. Use specific details and examples to support your ideas.
Students are discussing the prompt.
One student shared about being pulled over in Mexico.
One student shared about the Unity Festival.
One student shared about checks and balances, and how MEChA works. “We all have our own power.” “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
One student shared about power in family and abusive relationships.
One student said that you have power too in how you respond. She referenced voting and standing up.
One student commented on the abuse of power by the media and the choices made about what to show and how to write. He referenced a recent arrest of a news anchor in Tucson.
One student said that the news shows Mexican, Blacks and gangs differently than white people.
One student said that “power entitles.” She said that “I see titles with power.”
Mr. Acosta said these are strong voice and good analysis and details. The prompt was connected to the play that they are reading. “I look forward to seeing how your analysis plays out when we read [Macbeth]
On Board: Write about your impression, expectations and past experiences with Shakespeare. Tell me a story and be as detailed as possible. Read pages 314-323 in the purple The Language of Literature textbook. Take notes on the particular concepts that you find interesting or confusing.
Mr. Acosta talked about his experiences with language, Spanish, and Shakespeare. He said that it is natural what the students are going through and they will work through it.
He explained the assignment posted on the board.
One student asked if they would be acting out the play – Mr. Acosta explained how they will be reading the play. He demonstrated reading Shakespeare.
Mr. Acosta referenced a “cold read,” and auditioning.
History about the Globe Theater was shared.
Exit at 10:24
David Mandel
Assistant Principal
Tucson High Magnet School
520-225-5010
Mr. Acosta,
My narrative from today indicates that you are in compliance with the expectations.
Please provide me samples from the student journal prompt on the board. 5-7 samples from different students will be sufficient. Copies can be submitted.
Thank you,
David
David Mandel
Assistant Principal
Tucson High Magnet School
520-225-5010
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Rusk, Amy
Subject: Doc Help
Date: Friday, February 17, 2012 8:32:00 AM
Amy,
I need to make copies of a handful of student work for documentation purposes that I am in compliance with the law. Can I send down next period to use the copy machine?
Gracias, comadre,
C
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Mandel, David; Gastellum, Richard
Cc: Morado, Abel; Vacura, Anthony; Hall, Suzanne
Subject: February 13 Document
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 6:28:23 AM
Good morning,
I have misplaced the document provided to me by THS administration on February 13, 2012. Since it was an attempt to provide clarity of the TUSD position for how former MAS teachers are to proceed with requirements from the state, I will need another copy at your earliest convenience. Either an electronic copy or hard copy will suffice.
Thank you for the expediency in this matter,
Curtis
From: Wallace, Mary Alice
To: Acosta, Curtis; “Mariah Burns McFarland”; Auvenshine, Bridget; “Adelita Grijalva”; Cuevas, Miguel
Subject: FOLLOW UP: Nomination of Judy Burns for Child & Family Resources- Champion for Children & Families Award
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 11:48:29 AM
February 21, 2012
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are proceeding with the nomination of Judy Burns for the Champion for Children & Families award from Child & Family Resources. I believe you are persons who knew Judy well and would be able to write letters describing her dedication and passion for children and families in the Tucson community.
Please let me know if you are willing to submit a letter to support this nomination. If you are, please e-mail it to me by next Wednesday, February 29.
Attached is information containing the criteria for the award and previous winners. For your additional information, here is the link to the website for Child & Family Resources:
http://www.childfamilyresources.org/index.html
Thank you,
Mary Alice
From: Wallace, Mary Alice
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:19 AM
To: Pedicone, John; ‘calvertdm@gmail.com’; ‘Marybelle McCorkle’; Acosta, Curtis; ‘Mariah Burns
McFarland’; Auvenshine, Bridget; Adelita Grijalva; Alexandre Sugiyama; Cuevas, Miguel; HICKS,
MICHAEL; Mark Stegeman; Miguel Cuevas; Sugiyama, Alexandre
Cc: Bynum, Karen
Subject: Nomination of Judy Burns for Child & Family Resources- Champions for Children & Families
January 31, 2012
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Child & Family Resources has solicited a nomination of Judy Burns for their Champion for Children & Families Award. The attached form lists the three kinds of awards with the criteria for each, plus a list of the 2011 winners for each category.
I believe Judy is eminently qualified for the “Champion for Children & Families” category. I would be happy to complete the form. Please let me know if you are willing to provide a supporting letter on how Judy demonstrated the characteristics of the award. The letter should be not more than two typed pages and should be submitted to me by Wednesday, February 29th.
Thank you,
Mary Alice
Mary Alice Wallace
Director of Staff Services to the Governing Board
Tucson Unified School District
520/225-6070
520/798-8767- Fax
The single biggest problem with COMMUNICATION is the illusion that it has taken place!
From: Almquist, Arthur
To: Passmore, Aaron; Goldsmith, Christophe; Acosta, Curtis
Subject: for your viewing pleasure
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 10:33:18 AM
Here is Lori Klein, she of the Arizona anti-profanity in education bill.
Who says drag queens have to be male?
Art Almquist
Theatre Arts Teacher/Director
Tucson High Magnet School
(520) 225-5326
arthur.almquist@tusd1.org
To: Passmore, Aaron; Goldsmith, Christophe; Maher, Kevin; Almquist, Arthur; Erickson, Kathleen
Subject: FW: Advisory, vol. 5 – 2.13.12
Date: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 5:47:00 PM
This explains a HELLUVA lot about this cat.
From: Ranjel III, Alberto
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 4:43 PM
To: Ranjel III, Alberto; Slaine, Elizabeth
Subject: Advisory, vol. 5 – 2.13.12
Guten Tag!
Wir präsentieren Ihnen die neueste Ausgabe von Ihr Advisory Informationen. Vergleichsweise gibt es weniger diesmal jedoch eine beträchtliche Menge an Zeit sollte ausgegeben werden…
Just kidding.
Here is the latest round of Advisory info. Comparatively there is less than last time but a considerable amount of time should be spent on AIMS info. We also have a few announcements about Rodeo break, and some program coordinator prfiles; if your students have any questions about a particular program and they are having trouble finding someone to talk to they can email the coordinators directly and they will either be addressed or directed to the individual who can help them best.
One more PS on the AIMS: encourage your students with AIMS experience to chat with the newbies to share experiences; regardless if they’ve passed it yet there are still tips and tricks that can be passed along. Thank you all for participating in both the student and adult surveys, and if you still have your student stack to be collected please let either Beto or Beth know so we can collect them.
Genießen Sie Ihren halben Tag morgen! (Beto: I hope I got that right…)
Alberto Ranjel Elizabeth Slaine
Advisory co-coordinator A d visory co-coordinator
Tucson High Magnet School T u cson High Magnet School
alberto.ranjel@tusd1.org e l izabeth.slaine@tusd1.org
520.225.5407 (office)
From: Acosta, Curtis
Sent: Thu 1/19/2012 7:04 PM
To: Morado, Abel; Mandel, David
Cc: Vacura, Anthony; Hall, Suzanne
Subject: Yesterday’s Summary.
Good evening Abel and David.
I wanted to send a summation of yesterday’s meeting in order to collect my thoughts and move forward for tomorrow’s meeting. I hope you can be patient about such emails during this process, but I think this is an important way to move forward.
Summation of Notes from January 18th Meeting:
Dr. Morado explained the site administration role in respect to monitoring my classroom for compliance of the new Board policy and the law.
Dr. Morado invited me to give input toward choosing the THS administrator or administrators that will work with me during the monitoring of my classroom.
I asked for time to consider my options in regard to which administrator(s) it shall be and the request was granted.
Dr. Morado explained that he has further clarity toward the issue of curriculum and content which he received from the district, specifically TUSD attorney Martha Durkin (sp?). He has also been working through this process with THS English Department Head Suzanne Hall and THS Assistant Principal David Mandel.
Dr. Morado said there has been no discussion of State Superintendent Huppenthal sending auditors.
Dr. Morado said that the district will be looking at insubordination as a cause for discipline, possible termination and charges against the teacher.
Insubordination was not clearly defined.
Dr. Morado handed me a document titled “Guiding Principles for MAS Teachers” and said I had input in this process and document.
Dr. Morado explained that the administration observation of my class for the spring semester will not occur since he is leaving to a new position and that the fall observation will be the only one used for evaluation purposes this year.
Dr. Morado said that teaching or directing from Mexican American Studies (MAS) perspectives is prohibited.
MAS perspectives was not clearly defined.
Dr. Morado and Mr. Mandel explained that statements in my essay prompts for So Far From God by Ana Castillo were “problematic” and “leading.”
I replied that it was difficult to discern what I can say, write, and especially construct curriculum due to the fact that the examples given were for exclusion included a statement of fact and a quote from the author Luis Valdez. I expressed that this puts me in an impossible decision to construct original curriculum unless clear guidelines Both Dr. Morado and Mr. Mandel affirmed that my questions were legitimate and concerning, but could not provide clear guidelines as of yet.
Dr. Morado stated that my request to be provided a curriculum produced by Dr. Menconi’s office and a pedagogical guide is fraught with issues.
Dr. Morado explained that I will be provided the district adopted textbook and a list of the district approved supplementals and asked to write curriculum from there.
I expressed that I am uncomfortable with that process since I have written curriculum before that is now deemed “illegal,” plus Dr. Morado did not address the pedagogical issues, nor other activities and conduct that may be problematic.
We agreed to continue the conversation on Thursday
On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 2:57 PM, Almada Morales, Aaron Enrique – (aealmada)
wrote:
Just a follow-up email to our conversation from earlier today. I’d like to connect my students with high school students at Tucson High to offer our assistance in their writing and revising of personal statements for college application. In my class we are focusing on issues of access to higher education with an emphasis on local issues such as the ban on ethnic studies.
If there are English teachers interested, but in particular any teachers affiliated with MAS, we’d love to partner with them. Please let me know how else I can help get this partnership established, including any meetings or visits to Tucson High that I can conduct. Thanks Aaron.
Aja
—
Aja Y.Martinez
Ph.D. Candidate
RCTE, Department of English
University of Arizona
aym@email.arizona.edu
“To say [racism] is not our fault does not relieve us of responsibility…We may not have polluted the air, but we need to take responsibility, along with others, for cleaning it up.” — Beverly Daniel Tatum
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Lara, Rogelio
Subject: Gracias
Date: Friday, February 03, 2012 1:41:00 PM
Rogelio,
Thank you for the sweet words in the Chronicle. I really appreciate it, hermano, and it couldn’t come at a better time.
Curtis
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Vacura, Anthony
Subject: Important News
Date: Thursday, February 02, 2012 7:52:00 AM
T,
I’ve got something you need to know that should affect how quickly you and Frances may need to meet with TUSD admin.
C
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Arce, Martin; Federico Brummer, Maria; Gonzalez, Norma; Gonzalez, Jose; Escamilla, Alec; Lopez, Lorenzo;
Sotelo, Yolanda; Carrion, Dolores; Martinez, Rene; Rusk, Sara
Subject: Interesting statements
Date: Friday, February 03, 2012 10:52:00 AM
Mi Gente, remember that this is through our work email so tread lightly. In fact, the best bet is probably not to reply at all, but I thought you would like to read this.
In the meantime, however, TUSD says it’s working to potentially reopen the program in alignment with the state’s educational statutes for next fall. And the Arizona Department of Education (DOE) says it will continue to watch the district to ensure the curriculum that was pulled won’t be taught in classrooms again.
“There will be some monitoring that occurs,” says Andrew LeFevre, Arizona DOE’s director of public relations. “What we don’t want to see is that schools are continuing to utilize the curriculum in Mexican American Studies classes that we found to be out of compliance.”
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/893546-
312/author_de_la_pe%C3%B1a_is.html.csp
From: Almquist, Arthur
To: Acosta, Curtis; Passmore, Aaron; Goldsmith, Christophe; Erickson, Kathleen; Maher, Kevin; amynart@cox.net
Subject: Language
Date: Monday, February 13, 2012 11:23:54 AM
“the worst violators,” Sen. Klein says, “are teachers in the arts and languages, specifically theatre, film, and English. They’re the ***k******s we’re after.”
From: Amy Almquist [mailto:Amy.Almquist@pcao.pima.gov]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 11:01 AM
To: Almquist, Arthur
Subject: Language
Arizona lawmaker aims to censor teacher
language
PHOENIX — A group of Republican lawmakers are backing a bill that would require Arizona teachers to limit their classroom speech to words that comply with Federal Communications Commission regulations on what can be said on TV or radio.
That means no cussing in class or using other gross language.
The bill establishes penalties for anyone teaching in a public school who violate the FCC standards. Penalties range from a one-week suspension for a first offense to being fired for a third offense, the Arizona Republic reports.
The bill stems from complaints about teachers in local high schools using inappropriate language in front of students, Sen. Lori Klein says.
Amy Almquist
Training Unit Supervisor
amy.almquist@pcao.pima.gov
520•740•5419
Pima County Attorney’s Office
32 North Stone • Tucson, AZ 85701
This message has been prepared and sent on resources owned by Pima County, Arizona. It is subject to the Computer Use Policy of the Pima County Attorney’s Office, as well as the computer and electronic mail policies of Pima County and the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
From: Gomez, Stephen
To: Hall, Suzanne
Cc: Acosta, Curtis; Bourland, James
Subject: Matt de la Pena & banned books
Date: Thursday, February 09, 2012 11:02:35 AM
Suzanne,
Could you forward this to our English teachers?
Thanks, Stephen G.
Dear English Teachers,
I received this e-mail from my daughter in grad school in Boston. The link goes to an interesting article about Matt de la Pena. This author will be at THS on March 13 to address our students. I also thought it interesting to know that our banned books are being displayed in Boston. Arizona and TUSD are in the crosshairs of the American Library Association and other groups interested in academic freedom.
Stephen Gomez
From: Hannah Gómez [mailto:hannahgomez@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 6:33 PM
To: Gomez, Stephen
Subject: i assume you know about this,
but just in case Dad, I thought you would find this interesting, if you hadn’t already been hearing about it:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/893546-312/author_de_la_pe%C3%B1a_is.html.csp The Progressive Librarians Guild at my school is hosting an event about Tucson and we’re going to try and raise money to buy some books and send them out there. Simmons’ library has all the banned books on display at the entrance of the library.
~Hannah
—
~(Sarah) Hannah Gómez
hannahgomez@gmail.com
hannah.gomez@simmons.edu
(520) 481-8778
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Mandel, David; Gastellum, Richard
Cc: Morado, Abel; Vacura, Anthony; Hall, Suzanne; Batty, Robin; Federico Brummer, Maria; Arce, Ismael
Bcc: Arce, Martin; Acosta, Patricia
Subject: Meeting Minutes
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 11:05:00 AM
Colleagues,
Attached are the minutes from our meetings on 2/09/12 and 2/13/12. Please review for accuracy. If I do not hear back from you requesting corrections by Friday afternoon, I will assume these minutes are the definitive record of our meeting.
Thank you,
Curtis
From: Hinton Sainz, Amethyst
To: Hall, Suzanne; Acosta, Curtis; Beeson, Mike; Birdsall, Barbara; Brereton, Karen; Chumbley, Janet; Dudash,
David; Friske-Daniels, Christy; Garbe, Kurt; Gettig, Jolene; Goldsmith, Beatrice; Goldsmith, Christophe; Gomez,
Stephen; Harris, Marianne; Hennessy, Pamela; Maher, Kevin; McPheeters, Merle; Noriega, Richard; O”Malley,
Paulette; Ramos, Katrina; Rusk, Amy; Schierer, Brad; Slaine, Elizabeth; Thomas, Eric; Velgos, Guy; Wrubel,
Miriam
Subject: MUST and IRAQ overview sheet
Date: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 9:12:59 AM
Amy Rusk and I typed this up today. I keep meaning to post this for myself for peer obs & written lesson plan purposes.
Enjoy or toss as you will.
From: Language, Reading and Culture on behalf of Michelle Young
To: LRC@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: No History is Illegal: Los Tigres del Norte Lesson plan
Date: Thursday, February 02, 2012 10:42:01 AM
Dear Critical Teaching Colleagues:
Several years ago, I had one of the greatest professional development experiences on my life when I joined Rethinking Schools editors and Global Exchange on a teachers’ social justice oriented delegation to learn about globalization from the perspectives of ordinary people and community activists on both sides of the border.
That experience was so transformative for me, it inspired me to create a similar project where for the past 6 years teachers have explored the root causes of extreme poverty and see first hand the effects of globalization in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Each summer I meet so many engaged, passionate and thoughtful Rethinking Schools teachers and readers from all grade levels and teaching interests. It is having a community like this that helps to keep the fire inside burning as the life of a teacher becomes more and more difficult, and we are continually pressed towards conformity and standardization.
Over the summer as the teachers travel on our social justice tour, we collaborate and exchange teaching ideas. This summer we discussed using music in World Languages classrooms to help students acquire language and at the same time keep the context in the realm of relevant social justice issues. We not only want to help student acquire the L2, but also, as Alfie Kohn said, “widen their circles of compassion.”
In honor or the “No History is Illegal” Project, I’d like to share a packet of Spanish language learning activities based around several Los Tigres songs, including “Somos Mas Americanos,” which was one of the texts at the center of the MAS controversy. They are in the IPA format, with suggested listening, speaking, reading and writing activities based around the song. The activities themselves are simple, but the songs are quite powerful and would nicely compliment lessons similar to those found in “The Line Between Us”.
If you would like the Los Tigres lesson plans, just send me an email with Los Tigres in the subject of your email. I’ll get it out to you as soon as I can. Please use my personal email address:
If you would like to join our teachers social justice tour to the Dominican Republic this summer, or just see what we do, please visit our site:
www.friendsbeyondborders.net
Sincerely,
Kevin LaMastra
This is a mailing of the Rethinking Schools critical teaching and writing listserv. If you would like to subscribe to this listserv send an e-mail message with the word “subscribe” in the subject field to rsrequest@ criticalteach.org. The list is open to all Rethinking Schools subscribers and focuses on teaching and writing for justice in K-12 classrooms.
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Michelle Young
Americorps Volunteer: Literacy for Life Coalition
University of Arizona: Language, Reading and Culture
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer: Vanuatu ’06-’10
Mobile: 401 626 5182
From: Language, Reading and Culture on behalf of Michelle Young
To: LRC@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: No History is Illegal–Solidarity Teach-in Supporting Tucson Teachers/Students
Date: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 3:59:16 PM
Teacher Activist Groups (TAG) invites you to participate in No History is Illegal:
A Campaign to Save our Stories. No History is Illegal is a month-long solidarity campaign in support of Tucson’s Mexican American Studies (MAS) program, which has been banned by right-wing Arizona politicians.
In the month of February, strike back against this attack on our history by teaching lessons from and about the banned MAS program. On the No History is Illegal website you will find a guide that includes sample lesson plans from the MAS curriculum, as well as creative ideas and resources for exploring this issue with students. Whatever happens in Arizona, we can keep the ideas and values of MAS alive by teaching about them in our classrooms, our community centers, our houses of worship, our homes…
TAG is launching this campaign today because February 1 is the first day on which Tucson schools must comply with this law. It is also the first day of African American History Month. And as Dr. King warned us, “Injustice
anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” What is happening in Arizona is not only a threat to Mexican American Studies, it is a threat to our right to teach the experiences of all people of color, LGBT people, poor and working
people, the undocumented, people with disabilities and all those who are least powerful in this country.
Our history is not illegal. Please join us by pledging your support.
Visit: www.teacheractivistgroups.org/tucson
***************************
Paul C. Gorski
EdChange – http://www.EdChange.org
Multicultural Pavilion – http://www.EdChange.org/multicultural
SoJust – http://www.sojust.net
JUSTICE: the People’s News – http://www.thepeoplesnews.net
International Assn. for Intercultural Education – http://www.iaie.org
Social Justice Store – http://www.cafepress.com/edchange
Feminist Tees – http://www.cafepress.com/feminist_tees
EcoJustice Gifts – http://www.cafepress.com/ecojustice
****************************************
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Multicultural Pavilion email discussion group. To unsubscribe send an email to mcprequest@ edchange.org with the word “unsubscribe” (without the quotation marks) in
the subject line. This email must come from the email address with which you’re subscribed.
For more equity, social justice, and multicultural education resources visit EdChange at http://www.edchange.org.
—
Michelle Young
Americorps Volunteer: Literacy for Life Coalition
University of Arizona: Language, Reading and Culture
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer: Vanuatu ’06-’10
Mobile: 401 626 5182
From: Almquist, Arthur
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 6:19 PM
To: Passmore, Aaron; Acosta, Curtis; Goldsmith, Christophe; Maher, Kevin; Erickson, Kathleen
Subject: overkill?
From: Moll, Ana
To: Acosta, Curtis; Federico Brummer, Maria
Subject: Precious Knowledge
Date: Thursday, February 09, 2012 11:27:16 AM
I got a call from Ariana Rocha from Chicago. They will be showing Precious Knowledge in her area and she would like to talk to some of the people that have knowledge about the film. Her # is and she works for a small town paper. Thanks Ana
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Goldsmith, Christophe; Passmore, Aaron; Maher, Kevin; Almquist, Arthur; Erickson, Kathleen
Subject: RE: And They”re Off…
Date: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 5:51:00 PM
By G’smith’s standard I would:
Piss on Santorum
Hit Santorum
And throw Santorum off a cliff
At the bottom of the cliff are urine soaked and bruised bodies of Newt and Romney. Shampoo style. Rinse and Repeat!
From: Goldsmith, Christophe
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 5:47 PM
To: Passmore, Aaron; Maher, Kevin; Acosta, Curtis; Almquist, Arthur; Erickson, Kathleen
Subject: RE: And They’re Off…
OK so of the three repub running for pres, who do you hit, piss on, and throw off a cliff?
I’m thinking: piss on Newt, Santorum gets the cliff and Romney I hit Ron Paul once again is left out.
From: Passmore, Aaron
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 5:42 PM
To: Maher, Kevin; Acosta, Curtis; Goldsmith, Christophe; Almquist, Arthur; Erickson, Kathleen
Subject: RE: And They’re Off…
K-Mar..
You are a beautiful man.
Love,
Newt
From: Vacura, Anthony
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: Collection of Instructional Materials
Date: Friday, February 17, 2012 7:52:44 AM
Nice job
—–Original Message—–
From: Acosta, Curtis
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 5:16 AM
To: Gastellum, Richard; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria
Cc: Mandel, David; Packard, Richard; Vacura, Anthony
Subject: RE: Collection of Instructional Materials
Good morning, gentlemen,
As the meeting minutes indicate from February 9th, my former MAS colleagues and I were informed that we would need to submit instructional materials to Assistant Superintendent Abel Morado by way of THMS administration by February 17th. We were also told by Mr. Mandel and Mr. Gastellum that clarity was being sought for the definition of “instructional materials” since the language was too vague. At that time, I implored that these definitions, and questions forwarded by participants in the meeting, be obtained quickly to avoid placing my colleagues and I in the difficult position of having very little time to prepare the collection of materials. I specifically indicated that since the dismantling of MAS classes we have been given deadlines that are far too short and I feared the TUSD would do the same in this case and we would be getting direction on February 16th which I objected to and hoped to avoid. I was assured by Mr. Mandel and Mr. Gastellum that this was a pressing matter for TUSD and we would get answers at a follow up meeting on February 13th.
At the February 13th meeting, Mr. Mandel provided a document with answers to most of the questions from the February 9th meeting. By the conclusion of the meeting there were still questions concerning the types of instructional materials we were to provide and the process for which we are to submit the materials. Mr. Mandel responded that he needed to seek clarification and would get back to us. Today is February 17th, the date of the imposed deadline, and since the February 13th meeting the following occurred:
– On February 15th, I sent an email asking for guidance and clarification concerning specific instructional materials and the process for submitting those materials to THMS administrators.
– There was no response to my email.
– On February 16th, Mr. Gastellum sent a brief email indicating specific instructional materials that needed to be collected and added that these are in addition to the other materials “we planned to submit.”
– On February 16th, I replied to Mr. Gastellum restating that I was still unclear about the additional materials we needed to submit and the process for submission to THMS administration.
– There was no response to my email.
– There has been no indication from TUSD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Morado, nor THMS administration, that the deadline of February 17th has been lifted or postponed.
Today is February 17th. Please advise or reply to my concerns as soon as possible, since I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon, and will need time to gather the materials to meet the deadline.
Respectfully,
Curtis Acosta
—–Original Message—–
From: Gastellum, Richard
Sent: Thu 2/16/2012 12:34 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria
Cc: Mandel, David; Packard, Richard
Subject: Collection of Instructional Materials
Colleagues, I have placed in your mailbox a list of instructional materials that were identified in the judge’s ruling. We ask that you include these materials with those you had planned to submit.
Richard Gastellum
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Mandel, David; Gastellum, Richard; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria
Cc: Packard, Richard; Vacura, Anthony
Subject: RE: Collection of Instructional Materials
Date: Friday, February 17, 2012 12:42:00 PM
Mr. Gastellum,
Thank you for the extension and the quick talk last period, although I’m still struggling with what may be required of me to submit.
However, I have just read Mr. Mandel’s email and there appears to be a contradiction in what is expected from us. Is it possible to receive further clarity whether we have complied with the directive by submitting the material from the memo or if there are other instructional materials that are being requested?
I have copied the emails below to illustrate the confusion.
Thank you,
Curtis
—–Original Message—–
From: Gastellum, Richard
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 12:17 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria
Cc: Morado, Abel; Packard, Richard; Mandel, David; Moll, Ana
Subject: RE: Collection of Instructional Materials
Curtis, you along with Ismael and Maria have been given an extension on the submission of aforementioned MAS “instructional materials” from Friday, February 17th to no later than second period Wednesday, February 22d.
Thank you,
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Mandel, David; Gastellum, Richard; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria
Cc: Packard, Richard; Vacura, Anthony
Subject: RE: Collection of Instructional Materials
Date: Friday, February 17, 2012 11:47:00 AM
Thank you for the clarity, David. Also, I left the documents you requested from yesterday’s observation with Maggie during my lunch time.
Have a good weekend, everyone.
Curtis
—–Original Message—–
From: Mandel, David
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 11:14 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis; Gastellum, Richard; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria
Cc: Packard, Richard; Vacura, Anthony
Subject: RE: Collection of Instructional Materials
The materials listed on the memo are the ones that meet the requirements of the current direction from the District.
Instructions are located in the top portion.
David Mandel
Assistant Principal
Tucson High Magnet School
From: Gastellum, Richard
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: Collection of Instructional Materials
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 11:02:04 AM
No more clarity, submit what was requested in the memo. On another note, Dean Packard will be your evaluator as had previously been decided by Dr. Morado. Dean, David and I will be visiting former MAS teachers on occasion.
Richard
From: Mandel, David
To: Acosta, Curtis; Gastellum, Richard; Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria
Cc: Packard, Richard; Vacura, Anthony
Subject: RE: Collection of Instructional Materials
Date: Friday, February 17, 2012 11:13:51 AM
The materials listed on the memo are the ones that meet the requirements of the current direction from the District.
Instructions are located in the top portion.
David Mandel
Assistant Principal
Tucson High Magnet School
From: Vacura, Anthony
To: Mandel, David; Acosta, Curtis
Cc: Gastellum, Richard; Packard, Richard
Subject: RE: Compliance Monitoring from 2/16
Date: Friday, February 17, 2012 11:57:13 AM
Hi David,
I’m seeking clarification on a couple points. Based on your email to Curtis indicating compliance, am I to fairly surmise that you possess some kind of observation form that is being applied towards other MAS teachers as well?
Also, it is my understanding that Abel provided Curtis with the option of choosing the administrator that would be observing him. Subsequently, Curtis chose Dean. Has that preference been miscommunicated?
Thanks,
tony
—–Original Message—–
From: Mandel, David
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 11:12 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Cc: Gastellum, Richard; Packard, Richard; Vacura, Anthony
Subject: RE: Compliance Monitoring from 2/16
Hi Curtis,
My statement regarding compliance is based on the documents that we have reviewed and the discussions we have had. I am happy to discuss the narrative and its elements that indicate compliance.
Please let me know if you would like to meet.
David
David Mandel
Assistant Principal
Tucson High Magnet School
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Mandel, David
Cc: Vacura, Anthony; Gastellum, Richard
Subject: RE: Compliance Monitoring from 2/16
Date: Friday, February 17, 2012 12:26:00 PM
David,
I gather from your response that no written criteria or instrument exists for assessing our compliance? If that is true could you please answer that more directly?
Also, I am curious how monitors have been normed if no criteria are available and an instrument does not exist.
Written responses will suffice. I will not need a meeting to discuss the narrative.
Thank you,
Curtis
From: Almquist, Arthur
To: Passmore, Aaron; Goldsmith, Christophe; Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: for your viewing pleasure
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:21:49 PM
Totally agree – and yeah, the Kelly and Antenori signs are killing me. But damn it, Amy and I both have great gigs here that we might not find elsewhere, Amy especially. Trying to be fine and keep hoping that the tide will turn. Will miss you two suckahs more than I can say.
Going to see this show in a couple of weeks for a dose of humor. They rock.
http://www.sexyliberal.com/
From: Passmore, Aaron
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:09 AM
To: Almquist, Arthur; Goldsmith, Christophe; Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: for your viewing pleasure
KJ gets her PhD in 2014.. and wants to move back to Oakland. I’m honestly not going to put up much resistance to that thought as we pack up the hoop ride and move 800 miles away from this backwards ass hell hole.
Dr. Cornell West gave me some hope last year, but this tea party takeover is KILLING me. Seeing the Jesse Kelly placards back up on street corners is another red flag.
We need help so badly, but I don’t know where it will come from.
I want this lady representing me:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/maxine-waters-to-tea-party-goto-
hell/2011/08/22/gIQAjgEeWJ_story.html
From: Almquist, Arthur
To: Passmore, Aaron; Goldsmith, Christophe; Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: for your viewing pleasure
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:23:14 PM
Oh, man, I missed your Maxine Waters link – she’s AWESOME and calls it straight every single
time.
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Passmore, Aaron; Goldsmith, Christophe; Butler, Bradley
Subject: RE: Goodnight My Sweet
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 9:35:00 AM
God, I hope so.
PS – Obviously, I was filled with confidence about yesterday that’s why I talked smack when I was able to. The window of opportunity was as tiny as the brains in Phoenix.
PPS- Who knew that Robinho was such a big literature fan?
From: Goldsmith, Christophe
To: Acosta, Curtis; Passmore, Aaron; Butler, Bradley
Subject: RE: Goodnight My Sweet
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 9:48:21 AM
Forget literature knowledge you know who is all politics?…Jeremy Lin, 13 assists last night..that is pure socialism, nothing like spreading the sugar!
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Rusk, Amy
Subject: RE: Intellectual Freedom Training
Date: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 9:24:00 AM
Priceless.
From: Rusk, Amy
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 9:12 AM
To: Rusk, Amy
Subject: Intellectual Freedom Training
Dear Faculty and Staff –
Christy and I are the co-chairs of the Intellectual Freedom Committee- the committee that reviews all the books that are challenged in TUSD.
If by any chance you are interested in learning about First Amendment rights and District policy as they apply to library materials (versus curriculum materials), we are hosting a 3-hour training in the library on Monday February 20th from 4-7 for 2.5 hours of professional development.
It is always the hope that you might be willing to serve on a future committee, if needed, but it is NOT A REQUIREMENT to take the training.
Snacks will be provided – and you can sign up via the Professional Learning Portal!
Thank you!
Amy & Christy
Be patient toward all that is unresolved in your heart…
-Rilke
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Samantha Neville
Subject: RE: Hello
Date: Thursday, February 09, 2012 7:09:00 AM
Good morning, mija.
I’m sorry but I have too much on my plate for an interview at the moment.
Mr. Acosta
From: Samantha Neville [mailto:samantha.g.neville@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 9:28 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: Hello
Dear Mr. Acosta,
I hope your week is going well! I wanted to ask you a few questions about what is currently going on with ethnic studies; I was told in my newspaper class that there have been a few developments since the board meeting. Please tell me when a good time for an interview would be. Thank you!
Samantha
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Gregory Rodriguez
Subject: RE: LA TIMES INTERVIEW
Date: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 7:43:00 AM
Gregory,
Here is my number for any future contact. I really need to stay away from such discussions through district email. Please feel free to text me or email me at since I’m teaching and try not to answer my phone during the school day.
Curtis
—–Original Message—–
From: Gregory Rodriguez [
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 6:06 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: LA TIMES INTERVIEW
Dear Mr. Acosta,
I’m a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and am hoping to get an interview with you. I’ll be in Tucson all day Wednesday. Could you spare a half hour?
I’d be grateful.
Thanks,
Gregory
Cell
From: Acosta, Curtis
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 10:55 AM
To: Federico Brummer, Maria; Rusk, Amy; Arce, Ismael; Sotelo, Yolanda; Rusk, Sara
Subject: RE: Latino Youth Writing workshop
I’m slammed with putting another event on during that weekend. I’ll get that info to you (through home email) once things are finalized.
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Passmore, Aaron; Goldsmith, Christophe
Subject: RE: Lil” Poca Cosa
Date: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 6:25:00 PM
I totally remember that place when I was in Oregon. They had one in Lincoln City which is on the coast. After a night camping on the cold Oregon beach with your homies and ladies, nothing felt worse than polishing off the trip at Sambo’s. A lot of sinning followed by a racist brunch.
From: Passmore, Aaron
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 6:14 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis; Goldsmith, Christophe
Subject: RE: Lil’ Poca Cosa
Hahaha…
Hey bro, when I was his age my favorite spot was freaking SAMBO’S!
Who was I? What universe was that??
Some serious racist eating.
From: Mandel, David
To: Acosta, Curtis; Vacura, Anthony
Cc: Morado, Abel; Hall, Suzanne
Subject: RE: Meeting Notes
Date: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 5:38:39 PM
Curtis,
I have reviewed the syllabus and this represents standard English 11 & 12 curriculum.
Thank you,
David
David Mandel
Assistant Principal
Tucson High Magnet School
From: Acosta, Curtis
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 12:18 PM
To: Mandel, David; Vacura, Anthony
Cc: Morado, Abel; Hall, Suzanne
Subject: Meeting Notes
Mr. Mandel,
As requested, here are the revised syllabi for both English 11 and English 12. If I do not hear back from you by this afternoon with specific corrections, I will assume that these documents meet the criteria that was given in yesterday’s meeting.
Respectfully,
Curtis
From: Mandel, David
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 5:12 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis; Vacura, Anthony
Cc: Morado, Abel; Hall, Suzanne
Subject: Re: Unit / Lesson Plans
Curtis,
From my perspective, this unit plan addresses standard English content.
David
On 1/28/12 8:43 PM, “Acosta, Curtis” wrote:
David,
Thank you for the units to use as a model for my instruction from this point forward. I was hoping you could look at a unit of Macbeth that I found online to see if this is similarly acceptable. Since I have never taught either play, I would rather go with the one in the district adopted textbook since it will include more structure and support.
Thank you,
Curtis
—–Original Message—–
From: Mandel, David
Sent: Fri 1/27/2012 8:35 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis; Vacura, Anthony
Cc: Morado, Abel; Hall, Suzanne
Subject: RE: Unit / Lesson Plans
Sounds good. Let’s meet at least briefly so I can deliver the units to you. I would like to also arrange something next week when Suzanne can be present as well to review the units and to go over the titles that you would like to use from the book room (if this is not already done).
David
David Mandel
Assistant Principal
Tucson High Magnet School
—-Original Message—–
From: Acosta, Curtis
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:08 AM
To: Vacura, Anthony; Mandel, David
Cc: Morado, Abel; Hall, Suzanne
Subject: RE: Unit / Lesson Plans
That works for me since I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon and can’t afford a long meeting either.
C
—–Original Message—–
From: Vacura, Anthony
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:03 AM
To: Mandel, David; Acosta, Curtis
Cc: Morado, Abel; Hall, Suzanne
Subject: RE: Unit / Lesson Plans
I can make 7th
—–Original Message—–
From: Mandel, David
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 3:33 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Cc: Morado, Abel; Hall, Suzanne; Vacura, Anthony
Subject: RE: Unit / Lesson Plans
I can meet for the first 20-30 minutes of 7th period tomorrow. The next time that I have during the day is Wednesday of next week. Can everyone make it tomorrow?
David
David Mandel
Assistant Principal
Tucson High Magnet School
From: Goldsmith, Christophe
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 2:51 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis; Garbe, Kurt; Passmore, Aaron; Maher, Kevin; Almquist, Arthur
Subject: off the res
Look what I found on the Sherman Alexie website
FIGHTIN’
Students in Tucson have been protesting the racist educational policies of Arizona. Here’s a photo of one young woman at a protest: This is one of my favorite photographs of all time. As writers, we spend most of our time
in self-involved bubbles, but to learn and see how much our work can mean to people is amazing. I might get a t-shirt made of this photograph shot by D.A. Morales.
From: Almquist, Arthur
To: Goldsmith, Christophe; Acosta, Curtis; Garbe, Kurt; Passmore, Aaron; Maher, Kevin
Subject: RE: off the res
Date: Monday, February 13, 2012 2:52:09 PM
BEAUTIFUL
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Garbe, Kurt
Subject: RE: Poetry Out Loud Books
Date: Friday, February 17, 2012 9:42:00 AM
Can I hold on to them for another week since I was behind in one class due to the loveliness of the school board?
C
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Garbe, Kurt
Subject: RE: Poetry Out Loud Finals – please read
Date: Thursday, February 09, 2012 9:59:00 AM
At the risk of sounding overdramatic, it’s going to be very understated. There is far too much crap in my vida to even attempt anything celebratory. I’m finding it difficult to really articulate this to anyone so I try to avoid it, but it’s unbelievably awful so reflecting on things with a big birthday bash would be disastrous for anyone invited. Plus, my Orals are tomorrow afternoon.
I figure that when I get my Ph.D. in a few years I will make up for this one with some fun.
C
From: Garbe, Kurt
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 9:55 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: Poetry Out Loud Finals – please read
Awesome! Thanks! What are you doing for the big 40? If you can get away and toss down a few cold ones some afternoon next week, I’d buy you a beer or two.
Kurt Garbe
English Department
Tucson High Magnet School
http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/kgarbe/
225-5065 class / message
975-4624 cell
Main 307
Consumption is not a fundamental human right! Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refuse,
Recycle.
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Moll, Ana; Federico Brummer, Maria
Subject: RE: Precious Knowledge
Date: Thursday, February 09, 2012 11:37:00 AM
Thank you, Ana.
I think in the future María and I need to stay clear of these requests through the district. If it’s not too much trouble you might want to tell them they need to reach us through different means.
There are ways outside of TUSD people can find us.
Gracias,
Curtis
From: Moll, Ana
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 11:27 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis; Federico Brummer, Maria
Subject: Precious Knowledge
I got a call from Ariana Rocha from Chicago. They will be showing Precious Knowledge in her area and she would like to talk to some of the people that have knowledge about the film. Her # is and she works for a small town paper. Thanks Ana
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: seth aleshire
Subject: RE: presentation on MAS and knowledge legitimacy
Date: Monday, February 06, 2012 7:26:00 AM
Seth,
I’m sorry but I really need to avoid these types of emails through my district account.
I hope you understand.
Curtis
From: seth aleshire
Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 9:11 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: presentation on MAS and knowledge legitimacy
Mr. Acosta,
Good morning, this is Seth Aleshire, we met over the summer when I interviewed you as part of my ongoing research into the issues surrounding the Mexican American Studies program.
I hope this e-mail finds you and your family well. My professor Dr. Ylimaki in the Educational Leadership department is trying to organize a presentation for her class of doctoral students on the evening of the 22nd of March. She asked if I knew of any teachers from MAS that might be willing to participate and I immediately thought of you. I know your time is extremely limited but if there would be any way you could spare a few hours to talk about your experiences I think it would be deeply meaningful and important to these students.
Thank you for your time,
Seth
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Vacura, Anthony
Subject: RE: Quick Advice
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 7:17:00 AM
Morning, bro. Thanks for all the work with that meeting on Monday. I felt the local stuff from you and Frances was of great value for us moving forward.
I didn’t have time to condense the notes. Should I just fire them out and let them deal with it?
Swing by and take a look at the doc this morning if you can and see if it’s too much.
C
From: Vacura, Anthony
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 3:28 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: Quick Advice
Yes, I’m way behind as well. Getting it down to the crucial stuff is most important. We develop the narrative. They sign off on it.
From: Acosta, Curtis
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:01 PM
To: Vacura, Anthony
Subject: Quick Advice
12 pages of notes about the last two meetings…overkill?
Should I revise a tighter version this afternoon?
C
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 7:32 AM
To: Mandel, David; Hall, Suzanne; Packard, Richard
Cc: Davis, Angeline; Morado, Abel; Vacura, Anthony
Subject: Release time
Good morning,
This email is to inform you that I would like to take one of the release days, for curriculum preparation purposes, on Friday, February 10, 2012. I will discuss the details with Ms. Hall regarding any resources I may need on that day. I hope to hear confirmation of this suggested date soon in order to prepare lesson plans for my substitute.
Thank you,
Curtis Acosta
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Vacura, Anthony
Subject: RE: Release time
Date: Friday, February 03, 2012 8:23:00 AM
Sure and here’s Ruben Reyes’ number from Rep. Grijalva’s office.
520-
From: Davis, Angeline
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 7:37 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: Release time
Will get you a sub.
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Federico Brummer, Maria
Subject: RE: story
Date: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:57:00 AM
HA! I’ll gladly take that compliment as my 30’s wane away. J
From: Federico Brummer, Maria
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:25 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: story
Great job as always! You looked pretty J
From: Acosta, Curtis
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:34 AM
To: Acosta, Patricia; deyanira.nevarez@gmail.com; Goldsmith, Christophe; Passmore, Aaron; Koppy, Kathleen;
Vacura, Anthony; Almquist, Arthur; Donovan, Catherine
Cc: Arce, Ismael; Federico Brummer, Maria; Gonzalez, Norma; Arce, Martin; Gonzalez, Jose; Martinez, Rene;
Lopez, Lorenzo; Rusk, Amy; Rusk, Sara; Carrion, Dolores; Sotelo, Yolanda; Escamilla, Alec
Subject: FW: story
FYI, thank you all for the love and support and perhaps this will help illuminate our issues, tambien.
Forward to whomever I forgot…gotta teach and design a brand new curriculum.
C
From: Blake, Mindy
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:06 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: story
Hi Curtis,
Just wanted to let you know the story will be on today at 4p.m. on Channel 13. I will post it on the web as well. (tucsonnewsnow.com) It should be there sometime tomorrow morning.
Thanks for letting us into your classroom. The enthusiasm in there is amazing!
Mindy
Mindy Blake
Noon Anchor
KOLD News 13
kold.com|Facebook|Twitter|
From: Packard, Richard
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 3:18 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: RE: story
Nice story.
From: Acosta, Curtis
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 1:54 PM
To: Morado, Abel; Mandel, David; Packard, Richard; Pedicone, John; Menconi, Maria
Cc: ‘FRANCES.BANALES@ARIZONAEA.ORG’; Vacura, Anthony
Subject: FW: story
Good afternoon,
I thought you would all like to know about this.
Warmly,
Curtis
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Brian Schlemmer
Subject: RE: Support for your program
Date: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 7:42:00 AM
Reverend Schlemmer,
Please forgive my delay in responding to you. I have been beyond overwhelmed in the hopes to save our classes from being eliminated and I am sure you can appreciate how labor intensive that struggle had become. Unfortunately, you probably know by now that we were unsuccessful, and although our legal challenge of the law continues, our classes have been shut down. This has been heartbreaking and proves more difficult each day, however, my students and I are trying to be resilient.
I was hoping that your offer still exists. I am desperate to find some space to continue our work and would love to talk with someone from First United Methodist. It is the ideal spot! I am hoping that we could start a conversation about how we can make this happen.
Here is an email address that is a bit safer for me to continue our dialogue since my relationship with TUSD is quite acrimonious as of late.
curtis.acosta@gmail.com
520-891-7327
As a closing, I was raised in Methodist churches so it warms my heart that you reached out to me months ago. I obviously never forgot it and I hope we can develop a relationship to benefit the youth in Tucson.
Sincerely,
Curtis Acosta
From: Brian Schlemmer [mailto:briantwschlemmer@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 8:28 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: Support for your program
Dear Mr. Acosta,
My name is Brian Schlemmer and I am a United Methodist Pastor here in Tucson. I and several of my colleagues have been following the controversy surrounding the Mexican- American Studies programs within the Tucson Unified School District and I wanted to write a letter of support. Many of us believe that the work you are doing is vitally important to our community here and we appreciate your willingness to stand up for the rights of your students to learn about the pride and heritage of this place we live in. From a faith perspective many of us believe that God is firmly on the side of those who have been marginalized by power, making your program a healthy way to remind people of their value and self-worth. From a personal perspective, as an Anglo-American and a native of Arizona, it breaks my heart to see how fear and ignorance is currently characterizing my home.
All of this is to say that I and many others within my community appreciate the work you are doing and would like to help in any capacity we can. I have recently been in contact with my colleague at First United Methodist Church of Tucson, just around the corner from your school, and we have agreed that if you lose your fight in the schools, we would like to offer space at the church to continue teaching classes to the community. We recognize that this is a far-from-ideal solution, but it is the offer we can extend. Please let us know if we can partner with you in other ways and please know that you are not alone in the struggle.
Your brother,
Rev. Brian Schlemmer
From: Acosta, Curtis
To: Goldsmith, Christophe; Almquist, Arthur; Passmore, Aaron; Maher, Kevin; Erickson, Kathleen
Subject: RE: Taking the German theme in a new direction
Date: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 6:28:00 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZM9GX8vEJ4
From: Goldsmith, Christophe
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 6:16 PM
To: Almquist, Arthur; Acosta, Curtis; Passmore, Aaron; Maher, Kevin; Erickson, Kathleen
Subject: RE: Taking the German theme in a new direction
Um that’s not German….its Catholic.
From: Almquist, Arthur
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 6:16 PM
To: Acosta, Curtis; Goldsmith, Christophe; Passmore, Aaron; Maher, Kevin; Erickson, Kathleen
Subject: Taking the German theme in a new direction
From: Acosta, Curtis
To:
Subject: Requests
Date: Monday, February 06, 2012 8:40:00 AM
Curtis,
My apologies I completely understand. My number is , please call if and when you have a chance.
Thanks and again I apologize.
Seth
—–Original Message—–
From: Kenneth Deloera [mailto:kdeloera@asu.edu]
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 8:19 AM
To: Acosta, Curtis
Subject: Re: Ethnic Studies at TUSD
I understand, thank you so much for your time. Again, best of luck to your program.
Sincerely,
Kenneth deLoera
kenneth.deloera@asu.edu
From: Almquist, Arthur
To: Passmore, Aaron; Acosta, Curtis; Goldsmith, Christophe; Maher, Kevin; Garbe, Kurt
Subject: that”s our Arizona!
Date: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 11:17:57 AM
Attachments: image003.png
image004.png
image005.png
image006.png
image010.png
My favorite part of this is how ineptly written the bill is. Reading good books in school might have helped.
Arizona Bill Would Likely Prohibit
Teachers And Professors From Teaching
Any Book With ‘Profanity’
By Adam Peck on Feb 13, 2012 at 11:30 am
A new bill in Arizona is seeking to impose harsh restrictions on teachers’ conduct, even in their own homes. The bill, SB 1467, states that educators at the state’s public schools and universities can be fined, suspended and ultimately fired if they “engage in speech or conduct that would violate the standards adopted by the Federal Communications Commission concerning obscenity, indecency and profanity if that speech or conduct were broadcast on television or radio.”
That does a great deal to limit what can be taught in classrooms. Banning books is certainly not a new practice, but this law would cover far more than controversial books. Here’s a look at some of the key books that would be outlawed in Arizona classrooms:
Worse, as Angus Johnston notes, the bill is so ineptly drafted that it could intrude deeply into teacher’s private lives. SB 1467 doesn’t just ban public speech or conduct, but all speech and conduct. That means public school teachers in Arizona will be forbidden from engaging in any FCC regulated activities no matter where they are. That means no sex, no going to the bathroom, no cursing and no showering. Ever.
One of the bill’s five sponsors, State Senator Lori Klein (R-AZ), has some experience in the national spotlight. Last summer she raised eyebrows when, during an interview with a reporter from the Arizona Republic, she took out a loaded handgun and pointed it at the reporter’s chest. And in the middle of Herman Cain’s sexual harassment scandal, Klein dismissed the allegations against Cain because he had “never been anything but a gentlemen” to her, “and I am not an unattractive woman.”
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