February 1, 2010

With help and support from our Leadership team, Ms. Sawyer, our school founder and principal, has been working diligently for more than a year to develop the flagship campus for Champion Schools. U.S. Charter Group, a facilities development company has been an essential part of this process. They helped us identify and purchase 4.5 acres next door to the South Mountain YMCA, create a fantastic school design and obtain City of Phoenix approval for all aspects of our building project. U.S. Charter Group has also been helping us raise the final financing so that we can break ground and complete the project.
This last year has been challenging for all sectors of the economy and even though we have had this final piece of financing approved three different times, it has not ended up being funded yet. We agreed with U.S. Charter Group that we needed to review, re-think and re-vise our fundraising strategy. This new strategy was started in December and we are progressing as quickly as the underwriting process allows. We are working with U.S. Charter Group and D.A. Davidson to finance the entire building project by raising a bond through our non-profit organization: Fit Kids, Inc. Some of you may already be familiar with Fit-Kids through our fund-raising efforts for the “I’m going to College” field trip to UCLA and other athletic activities.
As an established leader in charter school financing, D.A. Davidson understands the legal and financial variables that allow charter schools to gain access to the tax-exempt capital market. They have provided financing to 100 charter schools totaling over $800 million in Colorado, Illinois, Florida, New Mexico, Texas, Pennsylvania and Arizona. D.A. Davidson has also provided financing to 13 of the schools built by U.S. Charter group. The following link will give you information about D.A. Davidson’s commitment to public facilities financing and biographical information about the investment bankers at DA Davidson who we are working with directly. If you have any questions feel free to contact csawyer@championschools.org.
January 27, 2010

The Stingers Boys Basketball team Stung the Desert Heights Huskies 35-27 in last night’s basketball game to win their 6th game of the season!!
Players of the Game
Daniel Wrights 23 points, 17 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks
Jaquon Davis 2 points
Sage Cardoza 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Josh Arroyo 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Photos from the game at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=140078&id=106188829884&ref=mf
January 20, 2010
January 11th – January 15th

Name Jessica Hodge-Green
Grade: 6th
Teacher: Ms. Ray
Achievements
I have chosen Jessica Hodge-Green to student of the week. Jessica is a great example to her piers through her positive attitude and good work ethic, and she always has a smile on her face. She is also a great example of how to manage time effectively. She always finds time to do all of her school work despite her busy sports schedule.
Jessica is a great student and a pleasure to have in class. Jessica works hard during class, and is engaged in her learning by participating during lessons, and is a diligent worker when she is given time to work in class. – Miss Kuipers
January 19, 2010

Practice Starts today!
The 2nd – 5th grade division will hold practice each
Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45 to 5:00pm
The K – 1st grade division will hold practice each Monday and
Wednesday from 3:45 to 5:00 pm
January 15, 2010

1/04/10 Monday Classes Resume
1/18/10 Monday No School (M. L. K. Day)
1/28/10 Thursday 100th Day of School
2/15/10 Monday No School (President’s Day)
3/01/10 Monday Spring Break Begins
3/05/10 Friday Spring Break Ends
3/08/10 Monday Classes Resume
5/28/10 Friday Last Day of School (Graduation)
January 15, 2010

The Champion Schools Stingers Boys JV Basketball team Stung the Desert Heights Huskies 24-12 in Wednesday night’s basketball game!!!
Players of the Game
Sage Cardoza 11 points, 6 rebounds, 10 steals
Payson Crawford 6 points
Santiago Cisneros 2 points, 4 rebounds
Lorenzo Sepulveda 2 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds
December 22, 2009

The Champion Schools’ Staff gathered at the Grande Luxe Cafe in Scottsdale for a holiday party. The occasion marked the end of another successful term and the first term for a number of teachers and coaches.
Champion Schools would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to starting off another great term come January 4th, 2010!
More photos from the party
December 21, 2009

December 18th was the last Friday of the fall term and also the first school sanctioned dance for Champion Schools. The Eastlake gymnasium was the site of the First Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Dance for middle school students. The event was a chance for the upper-class students to mingle and move to the dj once more before the holiday break. Tomorrow, December 22nd, is the last day of school.



For more pictures visit: http://www.facebook.com/editphoto.php?aid=129659&id=106188829884#/album.php?aid=129659&id=106188829884
December 18, 2009
December 14th – December 18th
Name: Cecelia Arroyo
Grade: 7th
Teacher: Ms. Kuipers
Achievements
Cecilia has been an amazing student-athlete. She is a starter on the Volleyball team, and has managed to keep her grades for the first quarter above a 3.2 grade point average. She works hard on the court and in the classroom. She maintains good peer relationships and is respectful to teachers. -Ms.Redmond
December 16, 2009
Student-Athletes that made the honor roll with a 3.5 grade point average or higher were treated to a special field trip last night. 15 Stinger Students were given tickets to watch the hometown Phoenix Suns defeat the San Antonio Spurs in an exciting, high scoring affair. Below are some pictures from the field trip.

Honor roll standouts pose before boarding the vans

L to R: Jeremy, Mateo, Vincent, Marc, Anthony & Coach G

L to R: Angelrose, Victoria, Alyssa and Melissa

- For more of these visit: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=128383&id=106188829884&ref=mf