H1N1 Update

The district H1N1 Pandemic Flu Response Team has developed Instructions for Schools, as well as parent letters (English | Spanish) which outline how we can best prevent and mitigate the spread of both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus. These materials have been distributed to all principals in preparation for the start of the new school year.

The district will be establishing an information telephone line in addition to ongoing web-based links and resources for school staff and parents. We are currently in discussion with County Health Department officials regarding the feasibility of providing H1N1 vaccinations for our students at school sites. For more information, contact, please visit the County's Health and Human Services Agency H1N1 website or call the district Nursing and Wellness Program at (858) 627-7580.


For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

New Work Permits Needed for School Year

As the 2009-2010 school year begins, working minors and their
employers are reminded of the state law that requires any employee less than
18 years of age who has not graduated from high school or passed the
California High School Proficiency Examination to have a Permit to Employ
and Work.

Minors are responsible for obtaining this work permit application and
employers are required to terminate the employment for any minor for whom
they do not have an active work permit.

Minors who have graduated from high school or passed the California
proficiency exam may give a copy of their high school diploma or proficiency
exam certificate to their employer in lieu of a work permit. Minors who have
not fulfilled one of these requirements must be enrolled in school in order
to have a work permit application processed. A passing score on the
California High School Exit Exam (CAHEE) does not exempt minors from work
permit requirements.

All current work permits expire on September 15, following the start of the
new school year on September 8. The expiration date is indicated on all
permits.

Students may obtain application forms, or get information about work permits
and child labor laws, at any high school, or contact the district’s work
permit office at (858) 627-7355, or see the website at
http://www.sandi.net/career/wp.html

Prop. S Helps Get Ready for Football Season

Synthetic turf football fields have been installed at Mira Mesa, Morse (right), San Diego and Scripps Ranch high schools just in time for football season. This is the first phase of stadium improvements funded by Proposition S.

Depending upon the bond project list for the individual site needs, the second phase will include Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, bleachers, restrooms, concession stands, press boxes, etc.

All the district’s high school stadiums will get upgrades funded by Proposition S.

For more information on the fields that have been installed, please contact Lee Dulgeroff, director of project management, at (858) 637-6280 or ldulgeroff@sandi.net.

For more information on the planned improvements to other high school stadiums, please contact Jim Watts, director of planning, at (959) 627-7241 or jwatts@sandi.net.


For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

New District Logo & Website on the Way

We are excited to announce that with the start of the new school year, San Diego Unified will celebrate a new look and a brand new website.

Our Communications Department has been working over the summer with a local graphic design firm, Greenhaus, which donated its services to design a modern, updated logo for our district. Chief District Relations Officer Bernie Rhinerson will unveil the new logo at the Administrators Back-to-School Meeting on Tuesday morning.

Our new look will also transform the new district website that will be launched on September 8th at the first Board of Education meeting of the new school year. The new website will bring the latest web technology to our district; helping us improve our online communications with our school communities, our employees and the general public.

The new website, designed by Schoolwires, will allow all departments and school sites to manage their own web presence with a full content management system. The district has been working with Schoolwires to develop flexible templates for elementary, middle and high schools. Schools will be able to design their own sites with exciting new features including integrated calendars, news updates, photos, videos and more.

The Communications Department will be working with our schools and departments during the coming months to phase in the new website options for schools and to provide training for our staff to manage their own web content.

So, starting next week, get ready for an exciting new look for our district! For more information, please contact Bernie Rhinerson at (619) 725-5578 or brhinerson@sandi.net.


For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

New Logo, Website Greet New School Year

Design hails every student as star

The San Diego Unified School District will celebrate the start
of the school year on Sept. 8 with a new look and logo.

The district Communications Department has been working over the summer with the local graphic design firm Greenhaus, which donated its services, to design a modern, updated logo. With the endorsement of the Board of Education, the new logo was unveiled Tuesday, August 25, at the annual Administrators Back-to-School Meeting.

The new logo highlights the district’s theme: “San Diego Unified School District — Where Every Student is a Star.”

The new look will also transform the new district website that will be launched on September 8 at the first Board of Education meeting of the new school year. The new website will bring the latest web technology to the district; expanding online communications with school communities, employees and the general public.

Designed by Schoolwires, the website will allow departments and school sites to manage their own web presence with a full content management system. The Communications and Information Technology departments will be working during the coming months to phase in the new website and provide training for staff to manage their own web content.

For more information, please contact Chief District Relations Office Bernie Rhinerson at (619) 725-5578 or brhinerson@sandi.net.

JROTC Welcomes New Cadet Leadership

The newly appointed 2009-10 Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Cadet Leadership team is ready to lead more 2,000 students enrolled in JROTC throughout the district. The Joint Brigade Command and staff are responsible for direct coordination with the JROTC Program Manager in planning and conducting competitions, unit inspections, and setting guidelines and policies.

These outstanding cadets also set the example in scholastics, physical fitness, appearance, attitude and personal conduct. This year’s team includes:

• Brigade Commander – Destinee Brittingham, Serra High School
• Brigade XO – Mathew Rohner, San Diego High School
• Brigade Master Chief – Samantha Parks, Patrick Henry High School
• Brigade J1 – Jasmine Ortiz, Mission Bay High School
• Brigade J2 – Jacob Erickson, Kearny High School
• Brigade J3 – Howard Diep, Madison High School
• Brigade J4 – Rafael Ortiz, Crawford High School
• Brigade J5 – Sarah Robinson, Point Loma High School
  

Congratulations to these cadets on their newly appointed positions.

For more information, please contact LTC David Guzman at dguzman1@sandi.net or (858) 496-8203.

For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

H1N1 Flu Update

The district's H1N1 Pandemic Flu Response Team continues to meet on a weekly basis in preparation for an anticipated increase in H1N1 flu infections after school resumes. The team is collaborating with the County Health Department's medical and public affairs leaders on a regular basis.

Principals will receive updated information and printed general instructions during their Friday, August 28 professional development meeting. The Communications Department is developing and will distribute an H1N1 information letter for parents. District and County Health Department Information Technology personnel will collaborate on the sharing of attendance data to monitor the impact of H1N1 infections. For more information, please visit the County Health Department H1N1 website or call the district Nursing and Wellness Program at (858) 627-7580.


For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

Film Helps Youth Make Better Life Choices

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office Youth Advisory Board, which includes a group of high-achieving Lincoln High School students, created a short film titled 4 or 40: The Choice is Yours, which focuses on the hard choices made by teenagers every day.

The film will premier at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 27, at Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Avenue (92113). Please call Charles Nguyen at (619) 531-4355 or charles.nguyen@sdcda.org, if you wish to attend.

For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

Food Services Director Receives National Recognition

Food Services Director Gary Petill has been named a winner in the 2009 Golden Carrot Awards by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

He was honored for his innovative approach to serving healthy, low-fat, vegetarian food to students. The San Diego Union-Tribune recently featured an article on Gary.

For more information, please contact Food Services at (858) 627-7328.

For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

A Message from Supt. Grier: Thoughts about San Diego and Houston

A message from Supt. Grier

Following the announcement this week that I have been named as the final candidate for the Superintendent position at the Houston Independent School District, I have been overwhelmed with calls and emails from not only the media but also many employees, parents and community members. Let me share with you my thoughts about the opportunity in Houston and my on-going work here at San Diego Unified.

First, here are some facts about my current situation. I was heavily recruited for this position and after many calls I agreed to explore the opportunity. Being selected as the finalist for this position does not mean I have been offered a contract or that I have accepted a job offer, which cannot be done under Texas state law until after a 21-day period after the naming of a finalist.

My next step is to meet with our Board of Education to discuss this situation and to review possible options with them. I have and continue to enjoy my work here at San Diego Unified and I am so proud of our entire team for the tremendous progress we have made during the last school year to help our students to succeed. I am looking forward to helping our district launch a successful new school year on September the 8th when we welcome back our students. We’re ready to expand on the many accomplishments of the last year and give our students another year of relevant and rigorous instruction that will add another building block for their successful futures.

We all need to look ahead to the new school year and keep our focus on our students. That is where my focus will remain, to ensure that we all keep working hard to start the school year ready to provide the very best education possible to every student.

Thank you the many encouraging messages I have received this week and for the support that the entire San Diego community continues to provide for our schools and our students.

TERRY GRIER


For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

Check out this week's Friday Notes

Superintendent Terry Grier's Friday Notes are now online.

IN THE NEWS: Back to School Help for Military Families

We take a lot of time to thank the brave men and women that serve our country, so this morning we honoried the children in military families. A special back to school event is honoring the children of military families.

Bill Kowba, from San Diego Unified School District, and "Navy Mayor," Adm. William French joined KUSI with details. Watch video from KUSI-TV.

Statement on Status of Superintendent Grier

The following statement was issued Thursday, August 20, 2009, by Shelia Jackson, President, Board of Education, San Diego Unified School District.

Today, Superintendent Grier was identified as the final candidate for the Superintendent position in the Houston Independent School District. Under Texas state law, this begins a 21-day period before a final selection can be made. Our board will be meeting with Dr. Grier as soon as possible to better understand this situation and to review our options.

Dr. Grier has provided positive leadership to our district during the last 18 months and we have made significant progress for our students during that time. He has put an excellent leadership team in place who will continue to work hard for to support our schools and boost student achievement.

I want to assure our school community and each and every member of our district team, that during this period the Board of Education remains committed to our focus on our students and to supporting our teachers, principals and our support staff to accomplish our goals. As we get ready for the new school year, we all need to celebrate our accomplishments and use the progress we have made together to help us continue to improve our district.

I also want to encourage all of our staff to continue to work hard to prepare for the best ever school year in our history. Our students depend on all of us to help them prepare for successful futures and that is our primary focus.

I remain positive and optimistic about our future. We can all look back at the 2008/09 school year with great pride in what we have accomplished for our students. This week we announced the most significant gains in STAR test results that we have seen in years. We can also be proud of the decline in our district dropout rate, the increases in students taking AP courses, and several other initiatives we have launched to improve student achievement.

We will keep you closely informed of any developments with this matter in the days ahead.

Sincerely,
Shelia Jackson
President
San Diego Unified School District
Board of Education

IN THE NEWS: Q&A: School nutrition director

Gary Petill, a former hotel executive and caterer, has been serving some of the city's most finicky eaters for nearly seven years as the nutrition services director for the San Diego Unified School District.
Petill recently received a national award for his innovative approach to serving healthy, low-fat, vegetarian food to students. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a national nonprofit organization that promotes healthy diets, named Petill a winner in the 2009 Golden Carrot Awards. A cash prize accompanies the award: $500 for Petill and $500 for the district's food service program. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Tests Results Rate a Star

Overall San Diego Unified results from the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program in math, English language arts and science for students in grades 2-11 showed significant increases in 2009, according to results released August 18 by the California Department of Education.

In English language arts and mathematics, district scores improved at a rate higher than the last three years progress combined. Students meeting state standards in English language arts now total 52 percent, with math 46 percent and science 49 percent. Among California's nine largest school districts, San Diego's science scores are tops; only San Francisco and Garden Grove exceed San Diego's math and English language arts scores.

"Despite record budget cuts, our students and staff have continued to excel and continued to improve," said Superintendent Terry Grier. "This is a great example of the kind of hard work going on in our district and our shared focus on student achievement."

Grier pointed to several bright spots in the test score results for the district. Achievement gains for students in grades 2-5 were significant ranging from 6 to 8 percent. Grade 4 showed the most significant progress and the highest achievement levels with 64 percent proficient in English language arts and 68 percent proficient in math. Math scores continue to show significant gains in all elementary grades but achievement levels drop off at the middle and high school level. And, the persistent “achievement gap” between African-American and Latino students compared to white and other groups showed a slight one-percent improvement district-wide in English language arts.

"San Diego Unified is on the right path to improve student achievement levels and we should celebrate these results," said Grier. "Our teachers' focus on teaching California standards, the implementation of SMART Goals for our schools, the efforts of our principals to support our teachers and expanded use of student data have all combined to help us realize these test score increases."

Several schools had individual successes, with Correia Middle School in Pt. Loma narrowing its achievement gap, Edison Elementary School in City Heights increasing the number of English language arts and math-proficient students by 20 percent, and Kearny High School of International Business raising the percent proficient in English language arts and math by more than 14 percent.

"As we celebrate these results, we also need to recommit this district to maintaining our focus on student achievement," said Grier. "Our low achievement levels in our high schools and the wide achievement gap between students of color and our white student population remain unacceptable and will be our focus as we move forward."

San Diego's full results are posted on the district's website. Statewide results are available on the California Department of Education's website.

San Diego Unified STAR Test Results Reach All Time High

Test Scores Improve at Every Grade Level

Overall San Diego Unified results from the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program in math, English language arts and science for students in grades 2-11 showed significant increases in 2009, according to results released August 18 by the California Department of Education.

In English language arts and mathematics, district scores improved at a rate higher than the last three years progress combined. Students meeting state standards in English language arts now total 52 percent, with math 46 percent and science 49 percent. Among California’s nine largest school districts, San Diego’s science scores are tops; only San Francisco and Garden Grove exceed San Diego’s math and English language arts scores.

"Despite record budget cuts, our students and staff have continued to excel and continued to improve," said Superintendent Terry Grier. "This is a great example of the kind of hard work going on in our district and our shared focus on student achievement."

Grier pointed to several bright spots in the test score results for the district. Achievement gains for students in grades 2-5 were significant ranging from 6 to 8 percent. Grade 4 showed the most significant progress and the highest achievement levels with 64 percent proficient in English language arts and 68 percent proficient in math. Math scores continue to show significant gains in all elementary grades but achievement levels drop off at the middle and high school level. And, the persistent “achievement gap” between African-American and Latino students compared to white and other groups showed a slight one-percent improvement district-wide in English language arts.

"San Diego Unified is on the right path to improve student achievement levels and we should celebrate these results," said Grier. "Our teachers' focus on teaching California standards, the implementation of SMART Goals for our schools, the efforts of our principals to support our teachers and expanded use of student data have all combined to help us realize these test score increases."

Several schools had individual successes, with Correia Middle School in Pt. Loma narrowing its achievement gap, Edison Elementary School in City Heights increasing the number of English language arts and math-proficient students by 20 percent, and Kearny High School of International Business raising the percent proficient in English language arts and math by more than 14 percent.

"As we celebrate these results, we also need to recommit this district to maintaining our focus on student achievement," said Grier. "Our low achievement levels in our high schools and the wide achievement gap between students of color and our white student population remain unacceptable and will be our focus as we move forward."

Statewide results are available on the California Department of Education’s website.

H1N1 Flu Update

As the district Pandemic Response Team continues to collaborate with the San Diego County Health Department in preparing for potential outbreaks of both seasonal and H1N1 flu within our community and schools, we would like to remind everyone of the simple things we can do to prevent and decrease transmission of both kinds of flu. Here are the current guidelines endorsed by both state and local health department and school officials:

• Do not go to work or school if ill with flu-like symptoms, such as fever more than 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, chills and body aches. Remain home and stay away from large gatherings until your fever and symptoms have been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, such as Tylenol.
• Cover all coughs and sneezes with a tissue, shirt sleeve or inner elbow to avoid transmitting the virus through your hands.
• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  

Check with your doctor or the local health department about getting yourself and your children vaccinated against both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu. (The H1N1 vaccine should be available in November.)

For more information, please visit the County Health Department H1N1 website or call the district Nursing and Wellness Program at (858) 627-7580.

For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

Military Family Back to School Fair Thursday

Navy and Marine Corps family support is joining with San Diego Unified and a variety of local military-child support groups for the Welcome, Enrollment and Resource Fair. It’s especially for families new to the area. 3:30-6:30 p.m., Thursday, August 20, at Farb Middle School, 4880 La Cuenta Dr. (92124).

Contact: Kirsten Webb, (619) 532-4251. Open to active military families only.

Free and Reduced Lunch Policy Announced

The San Diego Unified School District today announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The Food Services central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The household size and income criteria identified will be used to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price (currently there is no charge for reduced-price meals in San Diego Unified School District), or full-price meal
benefits (meal prices are $ 1.00 for breakfast, $2.00 for elementary lunch,
and $2.50 for secondary lunch). Children from households whose gross
income is at or below the levels shown here are eligible for free or reducedprice
meals. Children who receive Food Stamp (FS), California Work
Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Kinship Guardianship
Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian
Reservations (FDPIR) benefits are automatically eligible for free meals
regardless of the income of the household in which they reside. Eligibility for
a foster child is based on a separate application and solely on the amount of
the child's “personal use” income.

Forms will be distributed to households with a letter informing them of the
availability of free and reduced-price meals for enrolled children.
Applications are also available at the office in each school. To apply for free
or reduced-price meal benefits, households must complete an application and return it to the school office or mail it to the central Food Services office
for processing. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school
year. The information households provide on the application will be used to
determine meal eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school
year by school or program officials.
Requirements for school officials to determine eligibility for free and
reduced-price benefits are as follows: For households receiving Food
Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits – applications need only
include the enrolled child(ren)'s name, Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP,
or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household member.
For households who do not list a Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or
FDPIR case number, the application must include the names of all
household members, the gross amount and source of the income received
by each household member, and the signature and corresponding Social
Security number of an adult household member. If the household member
who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the
household member must check the box indicating on the application that
they do not have a Social Security number.
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the
determining official(s), as designated by the San Diego Unified School
District Food Services department, shall review applications and determine
eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the eligibility ruling may
discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis.
Parents may also make a formal request for an appeal hearing of the
decision and may do so orally or in writing with the Food Services hearing
official. Parents or guardians should contact Food Services for specific
information regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing
official for San Diego Unified School District.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size
increases, the household should contact Food Services. Such changes may
make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household's
income falls at or below the levels shown above.
Households that receive Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR
benefits may not have to complete an Application for Free or Reduced-Price
Meals. Food Service officials will determine eligibility for free meals based
on documentation obtained directly from the Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-
GAP, or FDPIR office that a child is a member of a household currently
receiving Food Stamp or FDPIR benefits or an assistance unit receiving
CalWORKs or Kin-GAP benefits. Food Service officials will notify
households of their eligibility, but those who do not want their child(ren) to
receive free meals must contact Food Services. Food Stamp, CalWORKs,
Kin-GAP, and FDPIR households should complete an application if they are
not notified of their eligibility by September 5, 2009.

To find out more about the free and reduced-price meal program, contact
Food Services as (858) 627-7328 or on the web at www.sandi.net/food.
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
policy, the San Diego Unified School District is prohibited from
discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or
disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office
of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).
The USDA is an equal opportunity provider.

A Renewed Focus on Service

As we get ready to start a new school year, there is a renewed and rejuvenated focus on customer service by central office employees. We are recommitting ourselves to provide the best possible educational support services for our schools, our teachers and our students.

During the past 18 months, more than 350 central office positions were eliminated as part of our ongoing effort to ‘right-size’ our support service departments. Numerous divisions have been reorganized with each renewing their focus on improved customer service. During these tough budgetary times, our staff understands that we must rapidly move away from a rigid bureaucratic focus on “directing and prescribing” and move towards a more service-oriented function of “supporting and enabling” the educational mission of our district.

All support departments are transitioning their role to one of coaching, providing resources, training and assessing. It’s our job to provide schools with the information and resources needed to make informed decisions that will improve student academic achievement. For schools to improve, they cannot continue business as usual. They must implement instructional practices and deliver curriculum that get results. Quality teaching in every classroom and meaningful student engagement are keys to student success.

During the coming year, we plan to continue our efforts to support and empower teachers and parents to become more involved with the decision-making process. Teamwork, innovation and collaboration will be our themes and improved student performance will be our objective. Timely, transparent and inclusive communications will help develop trust and cooperation to reach that goal.

As our restructuring continues, we want to make sure you know who to call when you have questions or concerns. Here are some simple tips:

San Diego Unified employees:

• For personnel matters, contact your direct supervisor and allow 24 business- hours for a return call. If your phone call is not returned, contact your School Improvement Officer (Elementary , Secondary) for school-based employees or the Chief Officer overseeing your division.
• For information about job openings or vacancies, contact human resources or check the job postings and employment section at http://www.sandi.net. Applications can now be submitted online.
  

San Diego Unified parents/community members

• For classroom matters, contact your child’s teacher first. If the issue is not resolved, contact the principal. If you have questions about district administrative matters, contact your School Improvement Officer (Elementary , Secondary ) or the Deputy Superintendent.
• For school matters, contact your child’s school principal. Remember that a school administrator’s day is unpredictable and allow him/her 24 business hours to respond unless it’s an emergency. If your principal is not able to help, contact the School Improvement Officer (Elementary , Secondary ), then your Chief School Improvement Officer and finally the Deputy Superintendent.
• For other matters please go to our website at www.sandi.net or call the following numbers:
  Food Services (858) 627-7301
  School Choice and Registration (619) 725-5672
  Special Education (619) 725-7700
  Transportation (858) 496-8460
  Information Technology (619) 725-7471
  Maintenance and Facilities (858) 627-7122
  Finance (619) 725-7585
  Communications (619) 725-5578
  Fraud Hotline (800) 539-6621
  Human Resources (619) 725-8000
  Volunteering (619) 725-5594
  

Finally, feel free to contact my office at (619) 725-5506 with any concerns or questions you may have.

For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

iHigh Virtual Academy Open House Wednesday

iHigh Virtual Academy Open House at Mt Everest campus, 1-2 p.m., Mt. Everest School, 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd (92117).

Come learn what iHigh Virtual Academy is all about. Who are we? What is online learning? What is Independent Study? What kind of student does well in this kind of school? Contact: (858) 627-7448. Open to the public.



Watch a video on the iHigh Virtual Academy on YouTube (not available inside the San Diego Unified network)

IN THE NEWS: Balboa Park teen actors learn a classic in English, Spanish, American Sign Language

In the mornings, the kids in the Summer Shakespeare Intensive for Teens start off with some yoga. After some salutations, it's on to some vocal exercises. Students from Serra and SCPA were among the participants. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: Bird Rock Elementary gets new principal

After a hard fight simply to keep a principal position all their own, Bird Rock Elementary parents, students and faculty will be welcoming Carol Barry to the post this fall. Because of that hard work, the nearly 500 students at Bird Rock will enjoy the efforts of a principal who has worked in the San Diego Unified School District for 25 years and has sent three children through the school at various times. Read more from the La Jolla Light.

IN THE NEWS: Arts school encoring | Juilliard-style summer session taps pro talent

On a humid August day in Paradise Hills, dozens of teenagers are crammed into a dark and stuffy studio watching — visibly in awe — as famed musician Mark Dresser plucks away at his bass. Welcome to the School of the Creative and Performing Arts' first-ever Summer Intensive, a two-week session of workshops led by professional artists from San Diego and across the country. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Can-Do Students

The “ObamaCan” created by students from Crawford High’s IDEA (Innovation and Design Educational Academy) won three awards last month at the Canstruction San Diego Design-Build Competition. Engineering students (in photo, from left, Melissa Woods, Rafael Quiroz, Hong Trung, Ray Mello, and Arthur Sisomsouk) designed and built the ObamaCan, which contained more than 2,700 (full) cans of diced tomatoes and other products. The President’s campaign logo and colors were used to represent IDEA students’ challenge to fight hunger. The sixth annual competition is among San Diego’s top architects and engineers who create works of sculptural art entirely from canned foods. They’re as tall as eight feet and as wide as ten feet; no interior structural support is allowed. Once judging is complete, all the food is donated to food banks in the San Diego area.

Congratulations to all the students from IDEA, along with teacher Ray Mello, and Melissa Woods, IDEA’s employment outreach specialist. For more information, contact Dr. Arturo Cabello, IDEA principal, at (619) 583-2500, ext. 2880.

For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

Community Barbecues Highlight Kids Summer Fun Café

Our Food Services division’s highly successful Kids Summer Fun Café enters its final month with a few more special barbecues for adults. While the kids eat free every day, the barbecues are a community celebration at lunchtime, with adults invited for only $3. The events include games for the kids, food-stamp prescreening and fresh food and vegetable giveaways from the Food Bank. Upcoming dates include August 13 at Paradise Hills Park and Recreation Center, 6610 Potomic St.; August 21 at Mountain View Park and Recreation Center, 647 S. Boundary St.; and August 28 at Azalea Park and Recreation Center, 2596 Violet St.

The Kids Summer Fun Café will provide free lunches to more than 100,000 children ages 18 and under this year and summer jobs to more than 300 members of our Food Services team. This excellent program could not exist without our partner, the City of San Diego’s Park and Recreation Department, and generous funding from the state and federal governments. Other participants include SDG&E, San Diego Food Bank and the Network for Healthy California. For more information, contact Gary Petill, food services director, at (858) 627-7301 or gpetill@sandi.net.

For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

Back-to-School Events

The first day of the 2009-2010 school year is Tuesday, September 8. The district is co-sponsoring two Back-to-School events to help students and families get ready for the new school year:

• Back-2-School Resource Fair & Enrollment Event will be held from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 20, at Farb Middle School. The event, co-sponsored by San Diego Unified and the Navy School Liaison Program, is intended as a “one stop shop” for families new to the area. For more information, please contact Kirsten Webb at (619) 532-4251 or Kirsten.Webb@navy.mil
  
  
• 6th Annual New Everybody Recommitting to Academic Achievement (ERAA) Conference will be held on Saturday, August 22, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Lincoln High School. For more information, contact Zoneice Jones, conference chair, at (619) 264-6870.
  

For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

H1N1 Flu Update

The district Pandemic Response Group held its first weekly meeting last Friday and reviewed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza during the 2009-2010 School Year.

The interim guidance document was announced Friday at a joint news conference by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. The guidelines offer a range of options for responding to 2009 H1N1 influenza in schools, depending on how severe the flu may be in their communities.

It’s important to note that the recommendations may need to be revised to meet the specific needs of San Diego Unified and/or as more information becomes available. The district will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis.

For more information, please visit the flu.gov website at http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/schoolguidance.html or call the district Nursing and Wellness at (858) 627-7580.

For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.

IN THE NEWS: Student Spotlight -- Daniel Chiu from La Jolla High

Entering the Dream Deferred essay contest this year was kind of random. Daniel Chiu was bored in class one day and decided to look up possible contests in which to compete. The Dream contest, sponsored by Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance, asked writers to address the issue of civil rights in the Middle East. Daniel won third place. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IN THE NEWS: Teen in Hire-A-Youth Program shares story of struggle

One of hundreds of teens, who have benefited from a special program, explains how it could change his life. KNSD-TV also covers the Hire-A-Youth celebration at the USS Midway. See more from KNSD-TV.

Update: New School Principals Appointed Throughout District

Since June 16, the Board of Education has approved many new principal assignments for the 2009-10 school year. Many of the principals will be replacing those who have retired; others have moved to different schools or administrative jobs.

Here are the schools affected and their new principals, as of August 4, 2009.

Elementary/K-8 Schools

• Bay Park: Elizabeth Ballard, formerly vice principal, San Diego High.
  
• Bethune: John Spiegel, from director, High School Instructional Support.
• Bird Rock: Carol Barry, formerly Chief Elementary School Officer.
• Cadman: Leslie Barnes, from principal, North Park Elementary School.
• Chollas-Mead: Julia Bridi, formerly vice principal at Jerabek Elementary.
  
• Field: Yesenia Robinson, from principal, Marshall Elementary.
• Encanto: Debra Baker, formerly principal, Roosevelt Elementary School, Desert Sands Unified School District.
  
• Gage: Kathy Burns, formerly vice-principal of Wilson Middle School.
• Garfield: Chip Dale, formerly principal of Green Elementary.
• Grant: Monique Robertson, from principal, School of Law and Business, Crawford High Educational Complex.
• Green: Bruce Ferguson, formerly Hardy Elementary School principal.
  
• Hage: Eric Takeshita, from principal, Bay Park Elementary.
• Hamilton: Mary Tayler, formerly principal, Jefferson Elementary School, Hoffman Estates, Ill.
  
• Hancock: Yolanda Lewis, from principal, Rolando Park Elementary.
• Hardy: Kathy Wolfe, formerly principal at Bay Park and Clay elementary schools.
  
• Hawthorne: Kimberly Lopez, from vice principal, Encanto Elementary.
  
• Holmes: Evva Cross, formerly principal of Porter Elementary.
• Jones: Rita Powell, from vice principal, Logan School.
• Kimbrough: Flavia Soria, formerly principal of Longfellow School.
• Longfellow: Cynthia Garrison-Arce, formerly IB Diploma Examiner, International Baccalaureate Organization, United Kingdom.
• Marshall: Staci Monreal, from Los Angeles Schools (on loan from SDUSD).
  
• Miramar Ranch: Peggy Crain, formerly principal of Rosa Parks Elementary.
  
• Oak Park: Milton Martin, from vice principal, ALBA.
• Porter: Lillie McMillan, formerly principal, Hamilton Elementary School.
  
• Rosa Parks: Carolanne Buguey, formerly principal of Chollas-Mead.
• Rolondo Park: Kimberly Meng, from vice principal, De Portola Middle School.
  
• Sequoia: Ryan Kissel, formerly vice principal, Emerson/Bandini Elementary.
• Sunset View: Jackie McCabe, formerly principal, Cadman Elementary.
• Vista Grande: Mary Catherine Calcagno, formerly vice principal, Adams Elementary.
  

Middle Schools

• Creative Performing and Media Arts Middle School (CPMA): Scott Thomason, formerly vice-principal San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts (CPMA).
  
• Wangenheim: Lamont Jackson, formerly Certificated Staffing Administrator.

High Schools

• Crawford (School of Community Health and Medical Practices [CHAMPS]): William Laine, formerly vice principal at Clairemont High School.
  
• Crawford (School of Law and Business): Patrick Holland, formerly high school principal and associate superintendent, Benecia Unified School District.
• iHigh Virtual Academy: Patty MacIntyre, formerly San Diego County Office of Education Program Manager.
• Lincoln (Schools of Social Justice and Arts): Ana Shapiro, from vice principal, Lincoln High.
• Madison High: Richard Nash, from Madison vice principal.
  
• Mission Bay: Fred Hilgers, formerly principal of the Creative Performing and Media Arts Middle School.
• Morse High School: Harry Shelton, from Morse vice principal.
  
• San Diego High (School of Media, Visual and Performing Arts): Consuelo Manriquez De Beltran, formerly vice principal, Correia Middle School.

Atypical Schools

• ALBA: Richard Moore, formerly principal of Lincoln High Arts and Social Justice.
  
• Mt. Everest Academy: Nicole Wahab, from Principal, Escondido Classical Academy High School.
• Twain: Cesar Alcantar, formerly Principal on Special Assignment.
  

Additional principal appointments will be made at future meetings. For more information on Board meetings, go to the Board of Education section.

IN THE NEWS: School Spotlight: Lincoln High School

Hurley, the clothing company rooted in surf culture, and Lincoln High School, an inner-city campus in a minority neighborhood– Dan Camacho, the yearbook and Associated Student Body adviser and AVID teacher at the school, admits that the combination doesn't initially sound right, but it works. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.