Friday, October 30, 2009

H1N1 Update for Oct. 30

On Oct. 29, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency announced it had received an additional unexpected shipment of 78,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine. About 10,000 of those doses were distributed directly to the County’s Public Health Centers. The remaining doses will be distributed to primary care providers (including pediatricians, obstetricians, and family providers), ambulatory and community clinics, and school districts throughout the county. These doses will serve the most vulnerable population groups which include pregnant females, individuals 6 months to 24 years of age, individuals who come in contact with infants under 6 months, individuals 24-64 years old with chronic health problems, and health care and emergency medical services workers.

San Diego Unified continues to work closely with County Public Health Services to organize vaccination clinics at some of our schools pending a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by the County of San Diego. A limited number of our schools will have clinics. Parents will be notified if and when their school site will host a clinic and should not contact the school or district offices for that information. Receiving the H1N1 vaccine is voluntary and parent permission will be required.

PLEASE NOTE: It’s important for parents to contact their private health care provider or a county community clinic as the preferred means to receive the H1N1 vaccine for their children or other eligible family members. Locations of County vaccination sites can be found at www.sdiz.org or by calling 2-1-1.

Visit the district H1N1 website to review the latest information.

Henry Navy JROTC Cadets Tour Nation’s Capitol

Washington, D.C. welcomed 73 cadets from the Patrick Henry Navy JROTC last week, in town for 24 hours on a whirlwind tour. In addition to visiting the monuments, Capitol and other American landmarks, they also met with Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-San Diego). On the way back, the Patriot Battalion hitched a ride on a Navy C-40 transport plane, four students were able to ride in the cockpit and observe takeoff and landing. For more information, contact Mark Vizcarra at (619) 286-7700.



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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Crawford IDEA's Green Lawnmower Eyed at Growing Green Careers Symposium


Crawford IDEA students Danny Ngo and Pride McGinnis presented the auto shop's propane-fueled riding lawnmower at the Growing Green Careers Symposium, a recent confab at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon. The mower, which was converted from gasoline to propane by students at IDEA, is the first collaboration between students and district staff to reduce our carbon footprint. In addition to the students, teachers Carl Kingsbury, Mena Abdo and Jon Karanopoulos presented on topics ranging from biofuels, propane technologies and the new Green Technology and Energy program at Scripps Ranch and Sci-Tech high schools. Contact Greg Quirin at (858) 503-1736 or gquirin@sandi.net.


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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Chalk One Up for De Portola, Paint the Way for MVAS


Students from De Portola Middle School and Crawford MVAS participated in the Oct. 11 Little Italy Street Painting Festival (photo at right). Eighth graders Chris Gonzalez and Jennifer Tachiquin, from Mrs. Pearson's art class at De Portola in Tierrasanta, recreated Da Vinci's "Lady With Ermine" in chalk on the sidewalk during the Oct. 11, 2009 Gesso Italiano in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood. The pair teamed up, with Jennifer working on the arm and body, while Chris worked on the face. Mrs. Pearson helped a bit as well. Jennifer and Chris were the only middle school students participating in the competition, which shows the amazing talent at De Portola. For more information, contact principal Elizabeth Gillingham at (858) 496-8080. Crawford MVAS students also participated; contact principal Diego Gutierrez at dgutierrez@sandi.net for details.


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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Montgomery Middle Gets Dutch Treat

Mayors from 15 cities in the Netherlands visited Montgomery Middle School on Oct. 14 to learn about the Safe Passage Program, which works to reduce the number of students threatened by gangs while going to- or from-school. Principal Jonathan Ton says it was a great honor to host the Dutch dignitaries, who not only learned about what goes on at Montgomery, but shared some of their best practices. The innovative program works with the City of San Diego Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention and concentrates on students in areas such as bus stops and city sidewalks. For more information, contact principal Ton at jton@sandi.net, or Lynn Sharpe-Underwood, San Diego Commission on Gangs director, at lsharpeunderwood@sandiego.gov.


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Monday, October 26, 2009

Congressional Page Position Available

Our local Congresswoman, Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego), is looking for nominees for the Congressional Page program. Pages help Members on the floor of the House of Representatives and distribute information around the Capitol complex. Only 72 students are chosen from around the country and must be high school juniors, at least 16 and have a GPA of at least 3.0. For more information, see Rep. Davis's web site. Our district's assistant general counsel, Patrick Frost, was a Congressional Page in 1987 and served the committee holding the Iran-Contra Hearings. Call Patrick at (619) 725-5630 or pfrost@sandi.net if you'd like to hear his experiences.



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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Superintendent’s Message: Budgeting Begins for 2010-11

Our school year has just begun and so has the planning for next year. The Board of Education had an excellent session on Tuesday, Oct. 20 to discuss the prospects of another very difficult budget year, 2010-11. The next Board Budget Workshop is scheduled for November 20.

The district has cut $180 million from our budget in the last two years but thanks to federal stimulus dollars, early retirements and streamlining our organization, for the most part, our classrooms were protected. For the 2010-11 budget year, the district is facing a budget deficit of approximately $80 to $100 million even before new cuts that are expected from the state. That means the Board of Education will once again be facing extremely difficult choices to balance next year’s budget.

The State of California is continuing to face the impacts of a deep economic recession and tax revenues coming in far below estimates for the current budget year. Current projections show that the state may be facing another $8-16 billion deficit, which will mean even more severe cuts for public education. We won’t know the state’s projected budget until January, but San Diego Unified could face an additional $100 million or more in cuts for the next budget year on top of our current projected deficit of nearly $100 million!

In the face of this bleak budget outlook, as Interim Superintendent, I share the strong commitment of the Board of Education to keep budget reductions as far from the classroom as possible. During the coming weeks, our staff will be conducting a complete review our operations and programs to identify a full range of budget reduction alternatives for the Board. The Board will also be considering a targeted freeze on hiring and expenses to help us save as many dollars as possible in the current budget year.
We encourage the public to stay informed about the education budget crisis and to share your concerns. We are launching a community outreach program to give our school communities and the public access to current budget information and provide opportunities for input. This program will include a series of Town Hall meetings during November and December. We also encourage the public to visit our new Budget Crisis website to get the latest information and to share ideas and comments on our Budget Blog.

During this difficult period for public education, I want to assure our parents, our staff and the public that we will remain focused on our primary goal, providing quality education for every student on every school day.

Friday, October 23, 2009

H1N1 Update, Oct. 23, 2009

San Diego Unified has updated its procedures regarding the H1N1 flu virus based on recommendations by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency:
  • Effective this week, school principals will advise parents and staff in the event of an H1N1 outbreak, as defined (PDF) by the California Department of Public Health.

  • Students and staff who are not ill should come to school each day, including schools where an outbreak has occurred. Schools are being given updated instructions to protect the health of our students and staff.

  • Students and staff with flu symptoms may return when fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication during those 24 hours.

  • Children with underlying health conditions (including asthma, immune system problems, neuromuscular disorders, diabetes, sickle cell anemia and pregnancy) who experience flu symptoms should contact their doctor, as they may be eligible for an anti-viral medication.
Early next week, parents will receive a letter from the district, reinforcing preventative measures to take both at home and at school, plus resources to educate students on staying well.

Visit the district H1N1 website to review the latest information.

Achievement Gap Task Force Reports Progress in Closing Gap

On Wednesday, October 14, Interim Supt. Kowba joined County Superintendent of Schools Randy Ward, Poway Unified Superintendent Don Phillips and other local educators, including Kearny High School of International Business Principal Ana Diaz-Booz and student Shayne Kelley, at the seventh annual news conference of the Superintendents’ Achievement Gap Task Force. Dr. Ward announced that the efforts to close the achievement gap between students of different ethnic and socio-economic groups are paying off, but warned that such improvements probably won’t continue if state support for public schools continues to shrink. Please contact Kowba at (619) 725-5506 or superintendent@sandi.net if you have questions.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

County Teacher of the Year Awards


San Diego Unified teachers shined at the annual Cox Presents a Salute to Teachers Awards last Saturday night. Kelly Kovacic (2nd from left) of The Preuss School UCSD joins four other outstanding educators as the newest County Teachers of the Year who will now compete at the state level. Kelly teaches social studies at Preuss, a charter school for grades 6-12 that provides a college preparatory education for motivated low-income students who will become the first in their families to graduate from college.

Now in its 36th year, the 2009 Salute to Teachers event honored more than 26,000 teaching professionals throughout San Diego County. Bill Freeman of Porter North Elementary, one of San Diego Unified’s Teachers of the Year, was also honored on stage as one of the ten finalists for the county award. Congratulations to Kelly, Bill and all our teachers for their commitment to our students. For more information, visit www.sdcoe.net.


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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Our Most Valued Cargo

Imagine the responsibility of pulling up to the curb and having hundreds of students anxiously awaiting the ride home on the big yellow bus. Each day transportation drivers meet and transport nearly 19,000 student riders.

As the rider-ship continues to expand, so do the responsibilities aligned to safety in Title 5 California Code of Regulations, which states “students are under the authority of and directly responsible to the driver.”

Our drivers take this responsibility very seriously and appreciate the support of school staff and parents who remind students about the importance of enjoying the ride to and back home from school each day. Students are instructed to be calm and respectful riders so their driver can focus on the roads and freeways for the safety of all.

For information, please contact Lee Eddy, manager of transportation operations, at (858) 496-8781 or leddy@sandi.net.

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Governor Signs Compact Helping Military Dependents

Gov. Schwarzenegger's signature on a recent bill means frequently-moving military dependents will have an easier time when they go to a new school. California's participation in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children means that children with dads and/or moms in the Navy and Marine Corps (as well as Army and Air Force), who are frequently transferred, will have "barriers to educational success" removed. In addition, states are now "ensuring that military dependents are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of educational records... or variations in the entrance age or requirements."

About 10 percent of San Diego Unified's students are military dependents, including almost half in the Tierrasanta area, home to Serra High, De Portola and Farb middle schools, and Hancock, Kumeyaay, Miller, Tierrasanta and Vista Grande elementary schools and child development centers. There are many other schools in the district with large military populations. For more information please contact Pam Hosmer at phosmer@sandi.net.

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Monday, October 19, 2009

Pop Rock Group ‘Honor Society’ Partners with USA Pears


During lunch on Thursday, Oct. 22, Taft Middle School students enjoyed a rare live concert by one of the country’s hottest new acts, Honor Society. The pop band is partnering with USA Pears to promote a healthy lifestyle, rich with fruits and vegetables.

Each student received a fresh pear as part of the concert.

Lead singer Michael Bruno said “we couldn’t be more excited about this cool program with USA Pears. With us constantly on the road, we have to pay special attention to our diets so we are at our best at each and every performance.”

For more information, please contact Gary Petill, director, food services, at (858) 627-7301 or gpetill@sandi.net.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Special Budget Meeting of Board of Education Tuesday

The Board of Education holds a special meeting, a budget update, at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the California Coast Credit Union, 9201 Spectrum Center Blvd., Suite 300 (92123). Interim Superintendent Bill Kowba and district staff will brief the Board on the latest state budget news, as well as map out the road to a final approval of the 2010-11 school year budget by June 30, 2010. The meeting is open to the public. Public notice and agenda (PDF).

Saturday, October 17, 2009

IN THE NEWS: Lincoln's Test Scores Highlighted

Lincoln High's test scores were highlighted in a report on KNSD-TV. Watch video.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Henry High Student is Studying Polar Bears in the Arctic

Patrick Henry High junior and San Diego Zoo Ambassador, Daniel Straub, is having the experience of a lifetime studying polar bears in Churchill, Canada. He is one of only a handful of teens from around the world taking part in this fantastic opportunity and has created a blog to record his experiences.

Daniel has been volunteering at the San Diego Zoo from a very young age, and was chosen as the zoo’s polar bear ambassador through an application process. For more information, please contact Principal Pat Crowder at (619) 286-7700. Read Daniel’s blog.

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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Free & Reduced-Price Meal Applications Impact School Funding

The Food Services Department has processed more than 38,280 free- and reduced-price meal applications in the first four weeks of school. The total percentage of students on the free- and reduced-price meal program at a school directly affects the school’s Title I funding, E-Rate rebates and grant funding. Although the majority of applications are submitted at the beginning of a school year, it’s important to remember that meal applications can be processed throughout the school year. For more information, please contact Pam Kowalski, food service business coordinator, at (858) 627-7332.

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

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Washington Elementary Nominated for Architectural Award

Washington Elementary School has been nominated for an Orchard Award from the San Diego Arch­itectural Foundation. The school’s nomination read, “Washington Elementary, the only elementary school in downtown San Diego, is a hidden gem of Little Italy that was lost in hues of beige under­tones.

In an out-of-sight part of this lively neighborhood, the elementary school was screaming for color! With a few strokes of color, (18 colors to be exact) a whole new light and life has been given to Washington Elementary as a learning community asset.” The winners will be announced on Thursday, November 12.

For more information on the nomination, and to vote, please visit the webpage. For information on the school, please contact Principal Janie Wardlow at (619) 525-7475.

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New Programs Provide Academic Support

The Crawford High Invention & Design Educational Academy (IDEA) has established two new programs designed to provide academic support for students. Through a partnership with Bayview Charities, the school has established Realizing Individual Skills & Knowledge (R.I.S.K.), an African-American mentoring program designed to increase academic performance, self-esteem and emotional development in students. The Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program is designed to provide academic support through hands-on projects and college awareness activities. IDEA will begin working with MESA on projects focused on Engineering. Both programs aim to increase opportunity and achievement for students. For more information, please contact Melissa Woods at (619) 583-2500, ext. 4802 or mwoods@sandi.net.



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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Blue Angels Visit Campuses

Students at Mira Mesa and Crawford high schools welcomed the United States Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team and their commander on October 2. The pilots inspired students during a school-wide assembly, sharing information about their career paths, and focusing on the importance of education and doing your best. The pilots also showed a video highlighting the history and inter-workings of the Blue Angels. The flight team was in San Diego for the MCAS Miramar Air Show. For more information, please contact Jennifer Kvalvik, Mira Mesa employer outreach specialist, at (858) 566-2262, ext. 2161 or Melissa Woods, Crawford employer outreach specialist, at (619) 583-2500, ext 4802.


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H1N1 Update, Oct. 13, 2009

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the San Diego County Public Health Department are recommending that all parents have their children immunized with the seasonal flu vaccine and the pandemic 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.

Parents of children with certain ongoing health condition should take extra precautions. Click here to read more (Adobe PDF) . For additional information, visit the district H1N1 website at www.sandi.net/H1N1.

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Monday, October 12, 2009

Lincoln JROTC Supports Autism Fundraiser

Fifteen Lincoln High School JROTC cadets learned some valuable lessons when they recently volunteered at the Walk for Autism Speaks. The cadets presented the colors for the opening ceremony, assisted with the set-up and clean-up of informational displays, put away all equipment and assisted in transporting displays to vehicles. They also provided a cheering section for the walkers who were raising funds for autism research and programs. The day’s activities added up to service learning and community service for the cadets, along with the invaluable opportunity to learn and understand autism. For more information, please contact the Office of College, Career & Technical Education at (858) 503-1738.

IN THE NEWS: Food Overhaul Gets High Grades

SAN DIEGO — When student representatives on the San Diego school board recently raved about new meals sold on their campuses, laughter erupted on the dais.

Then-Superintendent Terry Grier commented that never in his career had he heard high school students offer such enthusiastic and unsolicited praise of the school lunch menu. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Story of Success: TRACE-VITAS Hospice Partnership

Communities experience long-term benefits when volunteers with disabilities are regularly included. Partnerships between volunteer programs and disability organizations can create stable recruitment pipelines that form the basis of this transformation. But how do two partners go from meeting to marriage? The district Transition Resources for Adult Community Education (TRACE) program prepares high school students with disabilities for independence. For more than three years, TRACE students have volunteered weekly at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care. An interview between members of the hospice, and TRACE staff and students was recently featured on the Tarjan Center at UCLA Service Inclusion Project website. Read the interview Adobe PDF. For more information, please contact TRACE Principal Bob Morris at (619) 574-1073, ext. 2102, or bmorris@sandi.net.

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Sunday, October 11, 2009

IN THE NEWS: School Trustee Unhappy With SDSU Admissions Change

San Diego school board member John Lee Evans is mounting a campaign aimed at pressuring SDSU to reverse a decision discontinuing its practice of giving an admissions priority to students from high schools south of state Route 56. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Special Education Community Meeting

Staff and parents are invited to attend a Community Meeting hosted by the Special Education Division, featuring Tom Hehir, Ed.D. The meeting wil be held on Thursday, October 15, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., in the auditorium at Mt. Everest Academy, 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd. (92117). The meeting will give an update on the implementation of Hehir's recommendations for the improvement of special education supports and services as well as provide the opportunity to ask questions. For more information, please contact Debbie Clemons at (619) 725-5653 or dclemons@sandi.net.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Chargers Huddle at Mann Middle School


As part of the annual NFL Hometown Huddle, members of the San Diego Chargers took over Mann Middle School’s play fields on October 6, holding a mini-camp for the school’s students and other students from around the county. The day ended with a $2,500 donation presented to the school from the team and the United Way. Chargers players on hand included No. 28, safety/cornerback Steve Gregory; No. 92, defensive end Vaughn Martin; and No. 20, cornerback Antoine Cason.

Part of the Star/Pal program supported by law enforcement agencies around San Diego County, mini-camp activities take students through some of the physical training that pro football players go through before the season begins, including running and workouts. Kids have an opportunity to learn football skills and more importantly, spend time with positive role models. Police officers from the district and the county and local fire fighters serve as volunteer coaches. At Mann Middle School, Chargers players stressed the importance of becoming a positive influence in the community while offering tips on the game.

For more information, contact School Police Sgt. Alfonso Contreras at (619) 725-7004 or acontreras@sandi.net.


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Friday, October 9, 2009

IN THE NEWS: Running with Confidence

For three years, followers of local cross country and track have noticed Clairemont High's Eamonn McCarey. He'd post fast times, one week looking like the miler he was named after, Ireland's Eamonn Coghlan, the next week going so slow and finishing so far back he had people scratching their heads. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Crawford MVAS Students Make a Difference in Community

The Colina Park Neighborhoods First Initiative has formed a partnership with Crawford High MVAS students to create the "Stories of Colina Park," a project designed to increase cultural understanding and neighborhood pride.

It is a two-year service learning project between San Diego Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the Boulevard Business Association and the Multimedia and Visual Arts School (MVAS) at Crawford.

During the 2008-09 school year, and continuing this school year, 80 MVAS students have identified and interviewed diverse community leaders, written human interest stories based on these interviews, interpreted the stories through art, created public art installations displayed along El Cajon Boulevard and documented the project through a website and printed materials.

To check out their work, go to http://www.storiesofcolinapark.org. For more information, please contact Principal Diego Gutierrez at (619) 583-2500.


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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Board President Discusses District Issues

Board of Education President Shelia Jackson discusses a wide variety of issues during a television interview on Oct. 7, 2009.



Watch video

District "Checkbook" Goes Public

San Diego Unified joins school districts across the country that have established online check registers which allow the public to see how district money is being spent. Monthly records of San Diego Unified’s payments to vendors are now posted online. The first report for August 2009 is now online on the Office of the Controller website.

The reports show amounts paid to vendors for various supplies and services. Those wishing more information should contact the Office of the Controller and reference the Voucher ID number, listed by the transaction. For more information, please contact Ken Leighton, controller, at kleighton@sandi.net or (619) 725-7667.


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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Mira Mesa Cluster Advisory Board Meets Oct. 12

District A Board of Education member Dr. John Lee Evans will will meet with interested community members at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, Media Center, Mira Mesa High School 10510 Reagan Road (92126).

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Year of the School Volunteer

Friday, October 9, marks the official kick-off of the Year of the School Volunteer, a district-wide initiative aimed at increasing volunteer opportunities for the San Diego community, particularly where the need is greatest. A special emphasis is being placed on the importance of reading. Schools, programs and teachers who need and want volunteers are encouraged to email Ellen Tiffany at etiffany@sandi.net. Individuals or groups interested in finding a volunteer assignment can simply fill out a Volunteer Interest Form and fax to (619) 725-5599.

Research supports that individual adult attention is a key contributor to student achievement and overall success in life. The district salutes the thousands of volunteers who already give their time and support to our students. We look forward to welcoming more volunteers who share our commitment to making a difference in the lives of San Diego children. For more information, please contact the Volunteer program at (619) 725-5592.



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Lincoln High Area District E Parent and Community Forum

Join Shelia Jackson, District E Board Member and Board President, in a discussion of school issues. 6 p.m., Monday, October 12, at Porter South Elementary School, Auditorium, 4800 T Street (92113).

Monday, October 5, 2009

First Five Gives Reprieve to Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program

Thanks to last-minute funding from the First 5 Commission of San Diego County, the San Diego Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program is fully funded for the current school year.

The program had been in jeopardy when the state eliminated its funding as part of this year¹s budget cutbacks, but First 5 stepped up with funding to carry the program through the current school year. The program provides case management, counseling and parent child attunement and interaction therapy services to pregnant and parenting youth residing throughout San Diego County.

During the 2008-09 school year, 92 percent of eligible participating students graduated. Congratulations to the students and congratulations to SANDAPP staff for your hard work and dedication to San Diego's pregnant and parenting teens and thanks to our local First 5 commissioners and staff for allowing this important work to continue. For more information, please contact Cindy Grossman at cgrossman@sandi.net.

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H1N1 Update: District Activates Special Info Phone Line

San Diego Unified parents and employees can now call (619) 260-5409 with general questions about the H1N1 flu virus.

The new H1N1 Information Phone Line is set-up to take messages, which will be answered by a school nurse within 24 hours. With more urgent health-related questions, call the Nursing and Wellness Program Office at (858) 627-7580. For non health-related district H1N1 issues, please email H1N1@sandi.net.

The district continues to maintain an H1N1 webpage with the latest information. For H1N1 issues not specific to San Diego Unified, call 211 or visit www.flu.gov.


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Sunday, October 4, 2009

High School Science Student Achieves Another First


Patrick Henry High School senior Anna Simpson is the first high school student ever to have an article published on the LiveScience website.

Anna describes first-hand her experiences doing research in a UCSD chemistry lab and presenting her award-winning mobile autonomous chemical-detecting robot at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair as well as the California State Science Fair last spring.

For more information, contact Pat Crowder, principal, at (619) 286-7700 ext. 2208.


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Saturday, October 3, 2009

IN THE NEWS: Crawford IDEA in "School Spotlight"

With a limited field-trip budget, auto shop teacher Carl Kingsbury decided to bring an automobile exhibit to the kids at Crawford. Earlier this week, the Model T Ford Club of San Diego and the Mossy Automotive Group brought 10 cars to the campus to show students the history and technology of personal transportation. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Watch video from KNSD-TV.

UC High and Scripps Health Form Partnership

Thanks to University City (UC) High School instructor Ellie Vandiver, a new partnership has been formed that will benefit students interested in pursuing health careers. Scripps Health has agreed to accept UC High students for clinical internships at Scripps Memorial Hospital, surrounding Scripps Clinic medical offices, and possibly Scripps Green.

Currently, UC High has more than 60 students enrolled in the Health Essentials Course, a class comprised mostly of seniors who are anxious to have "hands-on" experiences in a hospital setting. This is UC High's first year participating in the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences program, which is designed to introduce students to health sciences and allied health careers.

Project Lead the Way has been working closely with the Regional Occupational Program to expose students to the many career opportunities in health sciences. For more information, please contact Ellie Vandiver at evandiver@sandi.net or (858) 457-3040 ext. 150.

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Friday, October 2, 2009

Annual Facilities Inspections in Progress

The annual Williams Legislation and School Accountability Report Card (SARC) facility surveys are taking place across the district.

The surveys inspect eight major areas, including plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation systems, and overall site cleanliness and safety. Williams inspections are conducted by an independent, third-party; SARC inspections are conducted by Physical Plant Operations (PPO) staff.

Physical Plant Operations will use the Williams and SARC facility inspection results to determine where change needs to occur. Comparisons from previous year\'s Williams/SARC facilities inspection results will be analyzed to help focus our business practices and improve customer service.

For more information, please contact Tracy Higgins, support services supervisor, at (858) 627-7151 or thiggins@sandi.net.