The Phoenix Suns and Grand Canyon University (GCU) have launched “Educator of the Month,” a program designed to reward Valley teachers and guidance counselors for their exceptional work in the classroom and community.

    Students are encouraged to nominate an “Educator of the Month” by logging on to Suns.com/gcueducator to submit an application. The Suns will select one honoree to be recognized each month through the remainder of the 2011-12 season. Honorees will receive four lower-level tickets to an upcoming Suns home game, a $50 Team Shop gift card and the opportunity to watch the Suns pre-game warm-ups from the team’s bench prior to participating in an on-court photograph. Recipient and guests will also enjoy dinner in the team’s Club Annexus.

    Students who nominate the winning “Educator of the Month” will receive four lower-level tickets to the Suns home game in which his or her educator is honored. In addition, the student will have the opportunity to watch the Suns warm up with his or her educator from the Suns’ bench.

Madison Elementary School District

Students donate items to CASS
    Students in Greg Patrick’s class at Madison Simis assembled and donated almost 100 toiletry bags to Central Arizona Shelter Services before the holidays. Among the items in each bag were a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and tissue as well as a personal note from a student. The class’s annual project benefits many homeless families.

Simis students are entertained
    Madison Simis preschoolers were treated to a showing of the “The Princess, the Unicorn, and the Smelly Foot Troll” by The Great Arizona Puppet Theater. The visit was funded through the Dorothy M. Gugleman Memorial Fund, which supports preschool and kindergarten programs at Simis.
    The fund also provided for a visit by Rich Ihle of Reptile Adventures. Ihle brought a number of reptiles, including snakes and an iguana, for students to touch and observe.
 

AAA Arizona is accepting nominations for its fourth annual Crossing Guard of the Year Award, which recognizes those who’ve made the ultimate pledge to school traffic safety.

    School administrators, staff, parents, students and community members are invited to share why they believe their candidate deserves Crossing Guard of the Year designation. Nomination forms can be downloaded online at: www.az.aaa.com/news/traffic/crossing guardoftheyear.htm.

    Mail completed forms can be mailed to AAA Arizona, Attn: Public Affairs, 3144 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, Ariz., 85013; faxed to 602-776-0466; or e-mailed to publicrelations@         arizona.aaa.com.

    Nominations must be submitted by March 23 and winners will be announced April 29. Winning guards will receive a $100 Target gift card and a plaque.

Six local students were honored by the Kiwanis Club of Sunnyslope during its “Student of the Month” luncheon on Jan. 12 at Sunnyslope High School.

    Honored as Students of Month were seventh-grader Allyson Lidstrom, and eighth-grader Sean Sherwood from Sunnyslope School. Lidstrom was praised for her patience, her positive attitude and her leadership qualities. Her favorite subject is math and she plays basketball as well as the flute.

    Sherwood, who plays basketball and football, was recognized for his strong work ethic, his willingness to participate, and for working well in a team. He hopes to someday join the military.

    From Royal Palm Middle School, seventh grader Miranda Bacon and eighth grader Sheila Barron Flores were recognized. Bacon is taking advanced algebra, the equivalent of a ninth-grade class, and maintaining an A. She also is artistically talented and always has a positive attitude.