Swine Flu Update from the San Diego Unified School District, April 30, 2009

This is an update to the San Diego Unified School District community on issues related to the swine flu outbreak as of 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 30, 2009.

• Cases: As of this writing, no new cases of swine flu have been confirmed in San Diego County since yesterday. No cases have been reported among San Diego Unified students or staff.
• Schools Open: All traditional calendar San Diego Unified schools are scheduled to be open tomorrow Friday, May 1. Year-round schools are currently on Spring break and are scheduled to re-open on Monday, May 4, 2009.
• State of Emergency: The County of San Diego and Imperial County both proclaimed local health emergencies on April 29. The proclamations are routine steps in preparations for addressing an outbreak of swine flu. Read more.
• Connect-Ed Message to Year-Round Schools: A Connect-Ed message will be sent to all year-round school parents and staff on Friday, May 1, and Sunday, May 3, with a reminder to stay at home if they are exhibiting symptoms of fever with recent onset of cough and/or sore throat and other respiratory symptoms such as runny nose or nasal congestion.
• Prevention/Precautions: Frequent hand-washing and covering a cough or sneeze are the best protection from the flu and the best defense against the spread of germs, both at school and at home.
• National Travel Advisory: The CDC has issued a warning to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico.
• Planning: The early stages of San Diego Unified's Pandemic Flu plan are being followed. If needed, the district will further implement the plan.

For More Information: San Diego County residents can call the County of San Diego Swine Influenza Information Line at (858) 715-2250, or visit the county's Swine Flu web page.

Learn more about SDUSD -- subscribe to Friday Notes.

IN THE NEWS: Peer tutoring seen as a success

For the past five months, Scripps Ranch High School students classmates have started turning around their grades under the new “Falcon Incentive Program” that has paired struggling students with top-performing upperclassmen for after-school tutorials up to four days a week. Read More from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: Teens say Cinco de Mayo, alcohol don't mix

A dozen members of a City Heights-based group are nearing completion of their part of a countywide campaign to persuade stores and restaurants to reject advertisements that link drinking with the celebration of the Mexican holiday. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Swine Flu Update from San Diego Unified School District, April 29, 2009

This is an update to the San Diego Unified School District community on issues related to the swine flu outbreak, as of Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

• More Cases: There are now eight cases of human infection with swine flu in San Diego County. Read more from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. No cases have been reported among San Diego Unified students.
• School's Open: All traditional calendar San Diego Unified schools are scheduled to be open tomorrow, Thursday, April 30. Year-round schools are currently on Spring break.
• Parent Message: Superintendent Terry Grier's message to parents, sent by phone on Tuesday evening, April 28, has been posted online.
• Staying at home: Students or staff with symptoms of fever with recent onset of cough and/or sore throat and other respiratory symptoms such as runny nose or nasal congestion should be advised to stay home or be sent home immediately. They will be required to remain at home for a minimum of 7 days. These criteria seem to be changing every day, so watch for updates from the district office or the Nursing and Wellness Office.
• Test Time: Although many schools are currently involved in testing, the health and well-being of our students and staff are the top priority. A student, teacher or staff member who exhibits any of the above symptoms should stay home.
• Planning: The early stages of San Diego Unified's Pandemic Flu plan are being followed. If needed, the district will further implement the plan.
• For More Information: San Diego County residents can call the County of San Diego Swine Influenza Information Line at (858) 715-2250.
  
  

School Budget Town Hall Draws Local, State Officials

Open Forum Scheduled for Thursday, April 30

Members of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education are scheduled to be joined by state representatives for a public town hall meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 30, at Kearny High School, 7651 Wellington Street (92111).

The public is invited to the session to not only share their opinions on current budget issues, but if they arrive at 6:30, can ask district staff members directly about their departments and how they are working to keep cuts away from the classroom.

The town hall is an official meeting of the Board of Education and all five members are scheduled to attend: President Shelia Jackson, Vice President Richard Barrera, John De Beck, John Lee Evans and Katherine Nakamura. State Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Marty Block (D-San Diego) are scheduled to attend. Representatives of other state elected officials are also expected.

Parents, school communities and taxpayers are invited to share ideas with the board members and state representatives. The discussion will include the use of federal stimulus funds and other budget options.

San Diego Unified Swine Flu Outbreak Update, April 28, 2009

This is an update to the San Diego Unified School District on issues related to the swine flu outbreak, as of April 28, 2009.

• School's Open: All traditional calendar San Diego Unified schools are scheduled to be open tomorrow, Wednesday, April 29. Year-round schools are currently on Spring break.
  
  
• Web Page: The district now has a Swine Flu page on its website. Updates will be posted there, along with good advice from health authorities on how to maintain your health through hand washing and other actions, as well as what to do if you catch the flu or a cold.
  
  
• On The Phone: Parents will be receiving a telephone message this evening about the situation. Check back tomorrow for a link to that message.
  
  
• Normal Day: Absences for Monday, April 25, were slightly below average, with 4,271 students absent out of approximately 100,000 students; about 33,000 students are currently on vacation at year-round schools. On average, absences for this time of year are approximately 4,500. Figures were supplied by the district's Pupil Accounting department.
  
  
• Wash Those Hands: Principals have received and are posting "wash your hands" posters. Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease.
  
  
• Health Official on Radio: Dr. Wilma Wooton, San Diego County Public Health Officer, spent a half-hour answering questions about the outbreak on KPBS-FM.
  
  
• For More Information: San Diego County residents can call the County of San Diego Swine Influenza Information Line at (858) 715-2250.

County of San Diego Swine Flu Info Page

A swine flu information page has been set up by the County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency.

The agency is taking the lead in the effort to monitor and control the disease in San Diego County and is working with agencies outside of San Diego (follow the links to their swine flu pages): the California Department of Public Health, federal Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization.

San Diego Unified's own Nursing and Wellness staff is in constant contact with the agency.

Supt. Grier's Letter to Parents, Students and Staff on Swine Flu (PDF)

Supt. Terry Grier sent the following letter Monday, April 27, to parents, students and staff on the outbreak of swine flu in San Diego. Download the letter (PDF): English Spanish

+ + +

Office of the Superintendent

April 27, 2009

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,

As you have likely heard, swine flu has been detected in four San Diego County residents, three of them children. All of the individuals had mild symptoms. The County Office of Public Health Services has not declared a pandemic flu emergency.

At this time, County Public Health is telling us that students who are not ill can safely come to school and schools will remain open. We will continue to closely monitor our schools and children, respond to any public health announcements and rapidly provide information through our website and automated phone system.

We ask for your help in paying attention to your health and the health of our students. The symptoms of the swine influenza virus infection are similar to those of seasonal influenza. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The annual flu shot does not offer protection against this particular virus.

Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your family:

• Practice good hand hygiene—wash your hands properly and often.
• Cover your cough—with a tissue, or sneeze into your sleeve.
• Children and adults who are sick should stay home from school or work and stay away from other people who are sick.
  

Our teachers and staff will also be stressing the importance of frequent hand washing and “sneezing in your sleeve.” If flu symptoms occur at school, students will not be allowed to remain at school.

For more information, please contact the San Diego County Swine Flu Hotline at (858) 715- 2250. If you have a particular concern about swine flu, please call your personal physician or the County Public Health Services at (619) 515-6520. Information is also posted on our website at www.sandi.net.

I want to reassure you that we are doing everything necessary to protect the health and safety of our students and staff.

Sincerely,
Terry B. Grier, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Swine Flu Information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency are monitoring the swine flu situation in San Diego County. These federal and local agencies take the lead in these matters.

San Diego Unified School District is monitoring the situation and making every effort to pass along information from these agencies to parents, students and staff.

Concerned parents can find out more:

• The County has established a hotline: (858) 715-2250.
  
• Information from the Centers for Disease Control: English Spanish.
• Tips on what you can do, from the Centers for Disease Control: English.
  

Superintendent's Friday Notes for April 24

Superintendent Terry Grier's weekly report covers a variety of issues, including: Credit Recovery Paying Off; and State Representatives Commit to Town Hall Meeting. Read More.

IN THE NEWS: Stressful Stereotypes Found to Undercut Girls and Minorities

A new study from Stanford University suggests that stressing over the high school exit exam is a far bigger problem for girls and students of color than their classmates who are white or male because they underperform even when they have similar scores on previous tests.

IN THE NEWS: Cubberly Elementary is a News 8 Cool School

This year marks a milestone for Cubberly Elementary in Serra Mesa. The school is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Teachers, students and parents are taking pride in the school's history, along with its commitment to the arts. Read more and watch video from CBS 8 San Diego.

IN THE NEWS: School bonds to finance high-tech renovations

San Diego schools stand to get wireless Internet and other technology upgrades called for in the $2.1 billion Proposition S bond measure at a quicker pace than expected, thanks to interest-free federal construction bonds.

The San Diego Unified School District began taking bids yesterday on the sale of $38 million in qualified school construction bonds authorized under the federal stimulus package. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: Popular teaching tool could be curtailed, cut | School budget woes endanger cultural experiences program

SAN DIEGO — When David Alvarez and his classmates from Cherokee Point Elementary School spent a recent week in Balboa Park, they hit all of the hot spots: museums, zoo and a play.

But the fifth-graders also took on weighty issues during daily lessons that covered things such as racism, discrimination and prejudice conflict resolution. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: San Diego Schools Selling 1st U.S. Tax Credit Debt

The San Diego school system started taking bids Tuesday on the nation's first sale of bonds that will offer investors a tax credit but pay no interest, one of its financial advisers said.

Dell Scholarship Program Awards SDUSD Students

Felimon Colmenares, Nimo Dahir, Amal Hassan, Thanh Nguyen, Andriy Podvysotskiy, and Alissa Viens of the School Of International Business At Kearny High, and Lorena Romero of Madison High have been named Dell Scholars for the Class of 2009 by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

State Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell made the announcement April 17.

"These amazing 106 young men and women are on a path toward attaining the dream of a better life despite overcoming significant challenges in their pursuit of a higher education," said O’Connell. "I want to congratulate them, their parents, and their teachers, for their perseverance and hard work in helping these young people meet California’s high academic standards that will prepare them for more challenging jobs."

The students will receive $20,000 each to continue their education beyond high school over the course of the next six years. The Dell Scholars Program will also provide them with technology, a private scholar networking community, resources, and mentoring to ensure that the students will have the support they need to obtain a college degree. Since 2004, California’s 686 Dell Scholars have been awarded a total of $13,720,000 in college scholarships. 106 students in California were honored for 2009.

For more information about the Dell Scholars Program, please visit Dell Scholars Program.

IN THE NEWS: La Jolla High frosh skating to success

La Jolla may not exactly be known as the figure skating capital of the country, but a pretty good skater calls the area home. Skylar Economy, a freshman at La Jolla High School, has been figure skating for about nine years. Read more from the La Jolla Village News

IN THE NEWS: Athletic ambassador teaches finer points of Gaelic football

Here's something you don't see in San Diego every day: a group of fourth-graders being put through their paces by a visitor instructing them on the finer points of Gaelic football, the national sport of Ireland. That's what happened one recent foggy morning at Cabrillo Elementary School, where Liam O'Neill was teaching students in a lilting Irish brogue as part of his mission to bring Gaelic football to the region. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: Senior hurdler closing gap at Mira Mesa

When Mira Mesa High head track coach Eric Miller says hurdler Brandon Chambers is taking extra classes because "he fell a little behind" his freshman and sophomore years, it doesn't seem possible. It's not often that Chambers is behind.

"My hurdles coach (Rick Sharp) tells me the first one to the first hurdle wins," Chambers said. "There have been a few times that I've had to come from behind, too. If you can't be No. 1 to the first hurdle, be No. 1 at the second." Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: Students get a taste of improved school food | Chicken bowls, wraps win raves

Forget mystery meat.

San Diego school cafeterias are kicking it up a notch next year with new gourmet dishes that were recently taste-tested by young food critics.

About 160 high school students from the San Diego Unified School District sampled and rated the new meals this week. The survey will help the district select which items to feature come fall. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: San Diego High Educational Complex, School of Science and Technology

Profile: Students at the Science and Technology School at the San Diego High School Educational Complex are exposed to a lot more than just science and technology. Japanese, for example.

“One of my biggest goals is to expose these kids to a culture they may have never seen before,” said Emily Richardson, the Japanese teacher at the school. READ MORE FROM THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.

IN THE NEWS: Schools Urged to Get Creative with Stimulus Dough

As money from the federal stimulus bill trickles out to schools in San Diego County, districts are being urged to devise new and innovative reforms -- a sticky prospect for schools that have been squarely focused on the dismal business of simply staying intact.

Such dollars are "a huge opportunity," said David Plank, executive director of Policy Analysis for California Education, an independent research group. "But the devil's bargain was that it could only happen at a time when schools were under such duress that their enthusiasm for innovation -- however intense it was to begin with -- is greatly reduced." READ MORE FROM THE VOICE OF SAN DIEGO.

IN THE NEWS: Hoover High badminton player uses strengths to his advantage

Hoover High is as strong in badminton as any team in any sport this spring. The Cardinals, who have won seven of the past nine City Conference titles, have the defending champions in boys singles and boys doubles. READ MORE FROM THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.

IN THE NEWS: Scripps Ranch, Henry students win at Science Fair

First-rate researchers
Science fair's winners will move to the next level

If the future will be decided by young minds like the winners at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, fear not. The future is in good hands.

They've set their brains to topics ranging from designing a robot to detect deadly chemical spills, to cellular experiments to help find cures for diseases, to studies of distant “eclipsing stars,” even to explorations of our existence. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: Morse jumper a triple threat

Sherie Key likes round numbers – 20, 40 and 5.5.

The Morse High junior carries a 4.0 grade-point average, so she knows 5.5 isn't a round number. But when you compete in the high jump in addition to the long jump and triple jump, you have to bend the rules a little. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: Students Grade New Cafeteria Menu -- Fox 5 San Diego

HILLCREST -- The school lunch menu is about to change for the San Diego Unified School District, and students have the final say.

Student congress members were asked put their taste buds to the test. On the menu chicken: pesto, teriyaki chicken, and tuna wraps. READ MORE

UC Berkeley bridges Students Present at Kearny SCT

Students from UC Berkeley’s bridges Multicultural and Resource Center gave up time during their spring break to visit 17 different classes of students at the Kearny Complex School of Science, Connections & Technology on Thursday, March 23. They presented students with a booklet created by their organization entitled, “What’s next? A guide for what to do after high school,” and discussed what every student needs to know to apply and get into college. For more information, please contact Lisa McDonnell at (858) 496-8370, ext. 2507 or lmcdonnell@sandi.net .

Henry High Student Wins Regional Speech Contest

Drew Spence from Patrick Henry High School recently won the Regional Level of the Lions Club Speech Contest, earning $250 in scholarship money. He will now compete at the next level on April 19 at Grossmont College, where the winner will earn $4,500. For additional information, please contact Pat Crowder at (619) 286-7700.

Crawford Students Inducted into Math Honor Society

On Friday, March 27, sponsor Jonathan Winn recognized 106 Crawford CHAMPS students as new inductees into Mu Alpha Theta . Mu Alpha Theta is the National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society that is dedicated to inspiring keen interest in mathematics, developing strong scholarship in the subject, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics in high school. For additional information, please contact Jeff Olivero at jolivero@sandi.net.

Lincoln High Fire Protection Classses Get Hands-On Experience

Lincoln High School’s Center for Public Safety had their Fire Protection Technology classes take tours of the San Diego Lifeguard Headquarters and San Diego Fire Department’s FCC and Dispatch Center on March 25-26. Read more.

Five SDUSD Campuses Named 2009 Distinguished Middle and High Schools

California's Distinguished Middle and High Schools for 2009 included five campuses in the San Diego Unified School District.

Challenger Middle School in Mira Mesa, the schools of Digital Media Design and International Business at the Kearny Educational Complex, John Muir High and San Diego Met High were named April 1 by the California Department of Education. Read More.

IN THE NEWS: Pt. Loma High Tennis Play Returning After Injury Layoff

POINT LOMA — Point Loma High tennis player Corey Smith has received advice over the years from the USC men's coach. He calls him Uncle Peter.
Whether it be through frequent phone calls or family visits, the advice from Peter Smith is much appreciated as his nephew returns to the Pointers for his junior sea-son after missing a year because of ankle surgery. READ MORE FROM THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.