Michael Pusateri Reaches Scholastic Heights Despite Having to Overcome the Effects of Tourette’s and ADHD

(Phoenix)– Fulton Homes has selected Michael Pusateri, an eight grade student at Sonoran Trails Middle School in Phoenix, as the student nominee for the Fulton Homes Be KOOL, Stay in School initiative. Pusateri has been diagnosed with both ADHD and Tourette syndrome and despite these disorders, he continues on as a great student. Pusateri was honored as this week’s winner on KOOL FM on Friday morning, April 29, 2011. Be KOOL, Stay in School is an educational partnership that offers weekly recognition and prizes to junior high school students who have overcome an extreme obstacle or difficulty. The program culminates in June of 2011 with $4,000 scholarships awarded to three deserving students. Fulton Homes and KOOL FM have teamed up again for the sixth time for their dynamic Be KOOL, Stay in School initiative.

Michael Pusateri, an eight grader, was nominated by Gretchen Gorr, a speech language pathologist who has gotten to know Pusateri quite well. Gorr spoke on how Pusateri’s combination of ADHD and Tourrettes makes it difficult to find the right combination of medication without offsetting each other. He has taken a unique method in ensuring that his medication does not affect his lifestyle.

“Michael has chosen not to take any medication at all and would rather “feel like himself” and deal with people making comments to him about his tics,” said Gorr.

Pusateri’s decision to take neither medicine is because the medication affects his personality, and he would rather deal with torment than change who he is. That is something that is quite unique in today’s society. He attends the classes with the general public in school rather than taking special needs classes. This can create an added difficulty in the learning process but he manages to overcome this.

“He tries to mask or “fight” the tics at school, so as not to cause a disruption or call attention to himself,” said Gorr. “He has fought hard to find the balance between trying to control his tics and paying attention and participating to the best of his ability”

Pusateri overcomes his struggle on a daily basis and continues to work hard in the classroom. Recently on his AIMS testing, Pusateri excelled in all areas. He ranked in the 99th percentile. He knows that he must continue to work hard, so that he can complete high school and college and after that, find out what career would suit him the best. At the moment his sights are set on a career as a doctor or a physicist.

“Michael is a courageous young man who has fought through much adversity,” remarked Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “If he continues to work hard, the possibilities of what he can achieve are endless. We are honored to name him this week’s Be KOOl, Stay in School winner.”

The Fulton Homes Be KOOL, Stay in School program recognizes students throughout the academic year who are currently enrolled in sixth, seventh or eighth grade and who have overcome tremendous challenges. Valley residents can nominate junior high students from various Maricopa County public, private and charter schools by submitting a form online at www.koolradio.com, describing the student’s triumph against extreme odds. These selected weekly winners will then be qualified to win one of three $4,000 scholarships. At the end of the school year, all qualifying students and their parents/guest will be invited to attend a dinner banquet where the winners of the scholarships will be announced.

The Fulton Homes Be KOOL, Stay in School program will accept nominations during the 2010-2011 school year, choosing 36 weekly winners who will receive a backpack full of prizes and on-air recognition from KOOL personalities Tom and Maria. Then, all 36 students chosen will be eligible for one of three $4,000 college scholarships, awarded on June 7, 2011. The weekly winners will be evaluated by a board of judges consisting of co-sponsors Fulton Homes and KOOL FM, along with representatives from local schools.  For more information go to www.fultonhomes.com, click on Fulton Foundation and click Youth Education, or visit www.koolradio.com.

Valley Homebuilder Installs Pool Fence For A Couple Dedicated to Giving Back After 9/11

(Gilbert, Ariz.) –The Eighth Annual Fulton Homes Fence Patrol continues to reward Valley families with pool fences along with free installation. This week, Fulton Homes will honor the Ferraro Family of Gilbert. The pool fence will be installed in the Ferraro’s backyard on Tuesday, May 3, at 7 a.m. After the devastating terrorists on September 11, 2001, the Ferraro’s gave up their high paying careers in Manhattan, and have dedicated their careers to servicing their community. With the recent birth of their twins, and financial struggles, the Ferrero family was in need of a pool fence and didn’t have the funds to properly install one. The installation of the new pool fence will ensure optimum safety for their children.

From now until July 12, Fulton Homes will be teaming up with KMLE Country 108 FM radio and Ironman Pool Fence to award 12 Valley families a free pool fence with installation included. The fences are specifically designed to meet city codes for optimum safety. Valley residents are encouraged to nominate themselves or a deserving family for a free pool fence. A properly installed pool barrier prevents a child from getting over, under or through it to gain access to the pool or spa.

The Ferraro family was nominated by their neighbor, Shannon Schott, who said she could not think of two more deserving people to win the pool fence installation. The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks hit close to home for the Ferraro’s. Rob Ferraro was a stock trader at the World Trade Center when the attack happened. Aimee Ferraro worked for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia at the time. They decided to give up their high-paying jobs and comfortable lifestyles and dedicate their careers to serving their communities.
Rob traded in his suit and ties for a badge and became a police officer while Aimee went into nursing. They have since welcomed a pair of twins to their lives and while they are enjoying being new parents, the hospital bills and Neonatal intensive-care unit charges are a constant stress.

“The Ferraro family would love a pool fence and the peace of mind in knowing that their children can grow up safely in their own home,” adds Schott.

“Fulton Homes is especially concerned for families with toddlers who are constantly around a pool,” said Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “With a set of twins, the Ferraro’s already have their hands full, and just a second of distraction could lead to a tragedy. We are pleased to install a pool fence for this couple who have dedicated their careers to serving their community.”

Drowning related deaths is one of the leading causes in children across the country. According to childrensafetyzone.com, in the first four months of 2011, there have already been 17 water related deaths in Maricopa County including five children. There have also been a total of 34 water related incidents. In 2010, 48 deaths, including 20 children, resulted from 140 water-related incidents.

Fulton Homes has always been a proud proponent of Water Safety in the Phoenix area. The Fulton Homes Fence Patrol has helped hundreds of people equip their homes with barriers to help prevent youngsters from falling into the pool. The long-running Two Seconds is Too Long campaign has helped raise awareness of the tragedy of child drowning. The company also supports the Valley of the Sun YMCA, providing swimming lessons to disadvantaged youths who learn valuable life skills, including personal safety and growth, stroke development, rescue and water sports.

Arizona Pool Fence Laws state that all residential pools must be enclosed by a barrier. Families with children under six must also have a barrier blocking access to the pool from the house. Some cities allow door alarms in place of the pool barrier. Also, certain homes are exempt depending on when they were built. However, most homes must be brought up to code if remodeled or sold.

Interested parties in the Fulton Homes Fence Patrol have until July 4, 2011 to nominate themselves or someone else for a pool fence, by logging on to www.kmle108.com and clicking on the Fence Patrol icon. For more information call (602) 452-1000 or go to www.fultonhomes.com and click on the “Fulton Foundation” link.

Melissa Diggins Is Recognized For Her Colorful Teaching Methods And Commitment To Her Students Outside of the Classroom

(Scottsdale, AZ) – Melissa Diggins of Copper Ridge School has been chosen as this week’s Fulton Homes “Teacher of the Week”. Diggins was recognized for her outstanding dedication to her students in and out of the classroom. She received the award on the Ben and Matt Show on KNIX on Friday, April 29. Diggins was nominated by Aubrie Bailie, a sixth-grade student at Copper Ridge.

Students across the Valley have been recognizing the teacher that’s made a difference in their lives with the 11th Annual Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week program, run in partnership with KNIX Country Radio. The popular program, which serves to honor outstanding educators, is now running through the school year, ending in May of 2011.
Diggins is originally from Chicago and received her Master’s Degree in Education at Northwestern University. She has been teaching for 14 years and worked with the Scottsdale Unified School District for the past three. Diggins has been at Copper Ridge for only one year and has already impacted many of her students, including Bailie, who wrote a poem to thank Ms. Diggins.

“I didn’t know I could enjoy social studies so much,” Bailie wrote. “With your sweet words, it’s my heart you touch.”
Diggins takes full advantage of the technology resources available at Copper Ridge and is a fan of incorporating performing arts into her teaching. She engages her students in hands-on enrichment projects, reader’s theater and student rap performances.

“I always knew teaching was my calling,” Diggins said. “I love making a difference in the lives of our future.”
Diggins attended Space Camp for Educators and led a space camp at her former school. She serves as the school union representative for the Scottsdale Education Association and hopes to help improve the Arizona education system.

“Unfortunately, the state is not properly funding education and as a result, the poor salaries take valuable teachers out of the classroom seeking a salary that will provide for their families,” Diggins said.
Diggins’ job is not over when the bell rings. She is supportive of all her students and their extra-curriculum activities outside of the classroom, as well. She attends many of her students’ out-of-school functions, sports games, performances and other events.

“Melissa Diggins is exactly the kind of dedicated educator our classrooms need,” remarked Fulton Homes CEO Douglas Fulton. “She is fully-committed to all of her students and makes sure they know that they can accomplish anything. Fulton Homes is grateful for all her hard work and proud to name Diggins our Teacher of the Week.”

Fulton Homes invited students and peers across the Valley to recognize those teachers who make a difference in other’s lives with the 11th Annual Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week program, in partnership with KNIX Country Radio. The popular program, which serves to honor outstanding educators, continues throughout the school year, ending in May of 2011.

Teachers nominated will be entered for a chance to win a prize package that includes $300 in cash plus prizes from Fulton Homes and the Dairy Council of Arizona. The winning teacher will be surprised and presented the award by KNIX radio personality, Carolyn Coffey. Recipients of the award will also be spotlighted on the KNIX Morning Show with Ben and Matt, where they will receive special recognition on their Friday show between 6:20 – 7:20 a.m.

At the end of the school year, on May 24, the 34 winning teachers will be honored at a special luncheon, where one outstanding teacher will be chosen as the Fulton Homes “Teacher of the Year.”  Winners are chosen based on their commitment to education, career achievements and impact on students’ lives.

For more information about Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week, visit www.fultonhomes.com and click on the Fulton Foundation link, or visit knixcountry.com, keyword “Teacher.”