IN THE NEWS: Firefighter Network Features Lincoln High Public Safety Program

More than 200 students are enrolled in the Student Firefighter Program at Lincoln High School in San Diego, California. Many students have said that the program has made an extremely positive impact on their lives. Watch and read from FDNN-TV»

Parents Encouraged to Enroll New Students Early

Schools are currently enrolling new students for the upcoming 2010-11 school year, which starts Tuesday, Sept. 7. Parents and guardians of new students are encouraged to complete the enrollment process by Thursday, Sept. 2, to avoid delay.
Due to budget constraints, Friday, Sept. 3 is a designated 'furlough' day for office staff. School offices will be open that day but with limited services and hours for parents. New enrollments will not be processed on Sept. 3, so parents of new students should plan to enroll their child earlier in the week.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Parents should call ahead to check specific office hours prior to going to a school to enroll their child. A list of schools and phone numbers is available online at www.sandi.net/schools .
Remember: The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 7. We look forward to welcoming all students back from summer vacation.

IN THE NEWS: Soaring Eagles Dancers Featured

The Soaring Eagles, a program of San Diego Unified's Indian Education Program, were recently dancing in the park. Read more.

2010-11 Budget Book and District Profile Now Online

An electronic version of the district’s comprehensive 2010-11 Budget Book and District Profile is now available online.

IN THE NEWS: San Diego Unified Puts Reform Power Into Hands Of Schools

See coverage of Community-Based School Reform Model.

• KPBS-FM»
• San Diego Union-Tribune»
• Voice of San Diego»
• City News Service via Fox 5 San Diego»
• KUSI-TV»
• KGTV»

Read Supt. Kowba's remarks to school principals.

Free, Reduced Lunch Policy Announced

Policies and income levels set by the US Department of Agriculture have been announced.

Read more

• English»
• Spanish»

IN THE NEWS: Shall I Compare Thee to Summer School?

Educators fear that summer can be a setback for English learners who stop using English at home when school lets out. So San Diego Unified keeps summer school open to all high school English learners who want it, even if they ace their classes.

• Read more from Voice of San Diego
• Watch video from KNSD-TV

IN THE NEWS: SD Unified Working To Make School Lunches Healthier

What is the San Diego Unified School District doing to make school lunches healthier? KPBS-FM spoke to the district's food services director, and dietitian about their plans to improve nutrition, and reduce childhood obesity by eliminating processed foods and buying more local produce. Listen to audio from KPBS-FM»

SD Unified Test Scores Gain for Fourth Straight Year

Achievement Gap Narrows in Some Areas; Work Still Needed

San Diego Unified’s results on 2010 state tests show across the board gains for the fourth straight year, with more students than ever ranking “advanced” in their subject knowledge.

The results of the annual California Standards Test released today show the district has five straight years of overall gains in English language arts and science scores, while math continues a four-year climb.

This good news is tempered by recognition that scores still show an “achievement gap” among ethnic groups. Data relating to the achievement gap — test scores among ethnic groups — is still being analyzed, but early results show the gap is narrowing in some areas, albeit slowly.

 “We need to salute our students first, who have been working very hard to learn the skills they’ll need for the future,” said Superintendent Bill Kowba. “Our teachers and staff also deserve recognition for a job well done.”

Growth continued in the three subject areas. In English Language Arts, overall scores show 29 percent of the students proficient and 27 percent are advanced — up from 23 percent in 2009 — while 26 percent had a basic skill level, down 1 percent from 2009. Below basic and far below basic levels also declined. Students with an advanced level of mathematics grew 2 percent to 23 percent and those considered proficient remained at 25 percent; basic went up one point to 23, while below basic and far below basic declined to 20 and 8 respectively.

Science scores rose as well, up 8 points to 30 percent advanced, while proficient remained at 27 percent; students with a basic level dropped two points to 24 percent, while below basic dropped 2 points to 11 percent and far below basic was down 2 points to 9 percent.

“These gains in student achievement have come during a period when our district has sustained unprecedented budget cuts,” said Kowba. “But even in the face of draconian budget cuts, schools throughout the district have been making gains in student achievement with a community-based reform process that encourages teacher collaboration, data-driven teaching strategies, a broad curriculum and strong behavioral standards and support for students.”

More Information

• State Department of Education STAR 2010»

News Coverage

• SD Unified Student Test Scores Improve Despite Budget Cuts, KPBS-FM»
• Test scores show continued gains in county schools, San Diego Union-Tribune»

IN THE NEWS: Comic Books Put The "Pow!" Into Literacy

To Deborah Ford, getting a child to read a book is the end game. And whether that book is a novel--or a graphic novel--there's still a narrative, words on a page, and literacy involved. Read more from the School Library Journal»

IN THE NEWS: Patrick Henry Student Part of School of Rock Tour

The official curriculum at the School of Rock includes lessons in technique, musical theory and live performance. It does not include a seminar on How to Have the Best Night of Your Entire Life, but when 17-year-old Emily James-Kanis of Patrick Henry High School joined the School of Rock All Stars tour, that’s exactly what she got. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

Class of '10 Comes to End with Summer Commencement

Ceremony Includes Students from Throughout District

High school seniors who hadn’t fulfilled graduation requirements in time for June ceremonies with their high school class will take the graduation walk at 2:30 p.m. Friday, August 6, at Lincoln High School in San Diego Unified's annual Summer Commencement Ceremony.

“Many of these students -- and their families -- thought they would never have a chance to wear the cap and gown, have their name announced and take part in this tradition," said Superintendent Bill Kowba, who will be the speaker at the ceremony. "This shows the great dedication and perseverance on the part of these young men and women."

Students from all of the district’s 18 high school campuses will participate. Each student’s name, as in the traditional ceremony, is read aloud, and students wear the caps and gowns in their school's traditional colors. The ceremony will be in Lincoln's auditorium, 4777 Imperial Ave. (92113).

Seniors who participated are those who may not have passed the California High School Exit Exam in time for June graduation, or needed summer school to pick up credits needed to graduate.

This is the fifth year that the district has held the special summer ceremony. Before this late-summer ceremony was established, students would eventually receive a diploma but wouldn’t be able to participate in a graduation ceremony.

High school graduation requirements include 44 semester credits, a 2.0 or higher grade point average, science and math course requirements, completing a senior portfolio and passing the exit exam.

IN THE NEWS: K-2 Teaching Artist Project Helps Student Achievement

Describing her school’s experience with the K-2 Teaching Artist Project (TAP) in San Diego, Baker Elementary Principal Linette Da Rosa noted that, in contrast with the common situation in which some children in a classroom succeed while others do not, the arts lift everyone. She has reason to know. The first year Baker participated in TAP, the school made its targeted Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Read more from University of California Irvine Center for Learning Through the Arts and Technology»

IN THE NEWS: Board Approves Study of Adding Cheer to PE Credit Classes

A committee will study whether students involved in cheerleading and other eligible activities should receive PE credit, according to San Diego school officials. Watch video from Fox5 San Diego»

 

IN THE NEWS: Bridge for students marks big gains

AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a homegrown program that has spread to 45 states and 16 countries and territories. On July 29, hundreds of others gathered for a ceremony at the Town and Country Resort in Mission Valley to mark the program’s 30th year. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.>>

IN THE NEWS: A Dozen SD Unified Students are in Globe's 'Summer Intensive'

The Old Globe’s third annual Summer Shakespeare Intensive for teens includes a dozen students from San Diego Unified schools. The four week program began on July 19 and is a unique opportunity for local High School actors and actresses to refine their skills as performers in a professional setting. Read more from the Old Globe Theatre.

IN THE NEWS: Lincoln Team Defends Hurley 'Walk the Walk' Title

Lincoln High's team is headed to the Hurley Walk the Walk Championship this Friday. Your vote could decide the winner of $25,000.

• Watch video from NBC 7/39»
• Read story from Lincoln High website»
  

IN THE NEWS: New College-Career-Tech Programs Expand with Prop. S Facilities

Some Prop. S projects close to completion as offerings for career-technical-education expand. Watch video from NBC 7/39»

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