Friday, July 22, 2011

Milk Mustaches All Around for Horton Students



Mustaches at Horton
Milk mustaches at Horton.
Celebrities have posed with "milk mustaches" over the years and the latest stars in the photos are students from Horton Elementary School in Webster.

Ten lucky students from each class had their photos taken in the Milk Mustache Photo Booth following the recent Dairy Council of California presentation to students.

Part of National Dairy Month, the students learned about the nine key nutrients in milk and how to add an extra serving of milk or dairy into their daily diet. Principal Robin McCulloch welcomed Heather Troska of the Dairy Council to the school.
For more information, contact Principal McCulloch at rmcculloch@sandi.net.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Ericson Elementary Students Get Sponsored Bus to Junior Theater

Ericson says thanks
Ericson students say thanks for the bus.

Students and staff at Ericson Elementary School in Mira Mesa are thanking local financial planner Shon Brooks, who recently funded two buses so 144 students, teachers and aides could see A Year with Frog and Toad at the San Diego Junior Theater.


Brooks and his firm, Brooks Financial and Entertainment Consultants, have started the "Sponsor a Bus" program, which can help pay for transportation on field trips, something difficult for schools to do with today's budget constraints. They're also involved in a financial literacy program that helps students learn money management.

"Helping students experience and enjoy educational and inspiring field trips such as this is the whole idea behind the 'Sponsor A Bus' program," said Brooks.
Contact Brooks through his website, www.shonbrooks.tv.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

"Find Your Voice" Campaign Stops at Farb Middle School


The latest stop on the "Find Your Voice" campaign -- which brings local musicians, Lloyd Pest Control, KPRI radio, students, teachers and staff together to raise $175,000 for visual and performing arts program was at Farb Middle School in Tierrasanta.

A student ensemble from Farb joined local artist David Ryan Norgen and the Socialists in a program hosted by Cathryn Beeks, host of KPRI's "Homegrown Hour."

Last week's visit to Farb is the latest stop on the tour, which has performed at several other schools.

"We are so fortunate for Lloyd Pest Control's willingness and ability to start this program, and funds for the visual and performing arts have never been scarcer," said Karen Childress-Evans, director of the district's Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department.

"Arts budgets have been slashed," said Jamie Ogle, Lloyd Pest Control president. "This was just an idea to help make up for some of their funding cuts.  We're hoping that other companies see how much fun this can be -- and that they jump in to help schools in their areas, too."

In addition to the CD sales and digital downloads, Lloyd Pest Control is contributing $2,500 to each of the schools that host the Find Your Voice events. 
 
The public is invited to help by purchasing the Find Your Voice musical compilation featuring some of San Diego County's most popular local bands for just $5, available online at http://cdbaby.com/cd/findyourvoicevolume1. All proceeds will go to the VAPA Department.
 
For more information, contact Karen Childress-Evans at kchildress-evans@sandi.net .

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Scripps Ranch Air Force Cadets Take Fifth Place in International Competition

Air Force JROTC students
Scripps Ranch Air Force JROTC students celebrate their achievements.
Air Force JROTC cadets from Scripps Ranch High School recently returned home after taking fifth place in the JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl in Washington, D.C.

Cadets Bryan Salinas, Alwin Hui, Monica Ngo, and Cameo Tsui made it to the final round in the competition, which tests students on math, science and English. Local and regional games eliminated all but 16 teams from the 183 that began last fall.

The Academic Bowl is sponsored by the College Options Foundation and is designed to help the students: increase scores on their college tests, such as the SAT and ACT;  increase their interest in pursuing a college degree; and boost team and unit spirit.The team was in Washington, D.C. from June 24-28.
 
 For more information, contact LTC David Guzman, program manager JROTC/Military Sciences, at (858) 496-8203 or dguzman1@sandi.net.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Annual Girls Construction Camp Builds Prototype Storage Buildings

Magic campers
Magic campers Anne, left, Marissa and Noema work on a project.
Creating two prototype portable storage buildings that will be used by landscaping and grounds crews were the big projects for journeywomen (second-year) participants as the Mentoring a Girl in Construction (MAGIC) camp held its annual summer program at the Stanley E. Foster Construction Tech Academy at the Kearny Educational Complex.

The annual program, held last month, is sponsored by the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction and helps girls learn the trades. In addition to constructing the new storage buildings, apprentices (first-year students) were shown a new trade during each day of the camp; this included sheet metal, tile setting and electrical.

One of the camp's sponsors, Hawthorne Heavy Machinery, brought equipment to the program and on the camp's last day, apprentices were able to operate heavy machinery.

For more information, contact Laura Bellofatto, Kearny CTA Principal, at lbellofatto@sandi.net.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Welcome to New SDSU President in Visit to Rosa Parks

Dr. Hirshman at Rosa Parks
Dr. Hirshman at Rosa Parks
Dr. Hirshman at Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks Elementary School in City Heights was visited by Dr. Elliot Hirshman on July 5, his first day as the new president of San Diego State University.
Hirshman met with students, teachers, staff and parent volunteers at the school as he visited several classrooms, including Laura Hernandez's pre-school class. He praised the university's involvement with the community.
Rosa Parks, along with Hoover High and Clark Middle, are the schools in the City Heights Educational Collaborative, a partnership between San Diego State's College of Education, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego Education Association (SDEA) and Price Charities. The goal is to improve student achievement in the area, which has many economic challenges.
For more information, visit www.thechec.org.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Help Students and Schools, Give to the Emergency School Supply Fund

In February, the San Diego Unified Emergency School Supply Fund was approved by the Board of Education. This fund is being administered by the San Diego Foundation under their 501(c)(3) IRS classification and gives parents, employees, community members and businesses the opportunity to support our schools. As we look ahead to a new school year, please consider making a contribution to fund and help ensure that students have the basic supplies they will need for a successful school year.

The San Diego Unified Emergency School Supplies Fund accepts tax deductible donations of any amount, with a goal to raise $1 million by Oct. 31, 2011. This would provide an additional $8.50 per student for every school's supply budget, monies that can be used for paper, pencils, crayons, art supplies and other materials used for instruction. Awards to school sites will be based on student enrollment numbers calculated in October 2011.

Contributions can be made by check or online. To learn how you can make a donation today, go to www.sandi.net/emergencyschoolsupplies. For more information, contact Elizabeth Blower at (619) 725-7221 or cblower@sandi.net.

Friday, July 15, 2011

REMEMBER: Tdap Booster Required for 2011-12 School Year

California law requires that students entering 7th through 12th grades must be immunized with a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine booster called Tdap in the 2011-12 school year. San Diego Unified students have until October 6, 2011, to provide proof of immunization or a Personal Belief Exemption in order to stay in school.

Families are encouraged to schedule immunization appointments as soon as possible in order to meet the deadline. In many cases it takes more than a month to get an appointment. Boosters can be received from personal healthcare providers, at many local pharmacies or at a Community Health Center. For a list of community clinics, go to www.sdiz.org . In addition, eligible military dependents can attend a special Tdap Shot Event Adobe PDF on Saturday, July 16. Read more.

Kearny School of International Business Featured on Department of Education Website

A website that shows how schools are helping students reach college is now featuring the School of International Business at the Kearny High Educational Complex.

The Doing What Works website from the US Department of Education also profiles high schools in several other states. Kearny is the only school featured that is located west of the Mississippi River.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Crawford’s Dismantled Car a Hit at Fair

When you drive that great looking new car out of the showroom and you're enjoying the new car smell and performance, have you ever asked yourself, "Gee, I wonder how many parts this car has?"

More than 100 students in the Crawford IDEA High School Automotive Technology class can answer that question. On average, there are more than 30,000 parts in an automobile! They know this because they completely dissembled a vehicle for a display at the recently ended San Diego County Fair.

It took about three weeks for the classes to completely disassemble a donated 2000 Nissan Maxima. From the smallest nut and bolt, to the transmission, air bags and fuel pump, all parts were on display. The students found the experience to be very informative, and yes, even fun!

For more information, please contact Greg Quirin, CCTE program specialist, at gquirin@sandi.net .

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

IN THE NEWS: Morning Show Highlights Valencia Park

Mime, dance, drama and video highlighted during visit by San Diego 6 in the Morning. Watch video from San Diego 6 in the Morning»

New Area Superintendents Appointed, Assignments Realigned


For the 2011-12 school year, the Area Superintendents have been realigned and there are several new faces serving as the liaison between schools, parents and our central office at the Education Center. Because of budget restraints, the number of Area Superintendents has been reduced from eight to six.

Area Superintendents are key members of our district’s organization; among their duties are helping schools to work together within their clusters, developing and implementing improvements specific to each cluster and working with cluster committees. Each Area Superintendent’s staff includes a Parent Support Liaison. These staff members help parents and guardians every day with issues at their students’ schools.

The Area Superintendents for the 2011-12 school year are: Morse and Lincoln high school clusters, Area 1, Dr. Brenda Campbell; Henry, Serra and Scripps Ranch, Area 2, Dr. David Lorden; Crawford, La Jolla and Mira Mesa, Area 3, Shirley Wilson; Clairemont, Kearny and Madison, Area 4, Marian Kim-Phelps; Hoover, Mission Bay and University City, Area 5, Mitzi Merino; and Pt. Loma and San Diego High, Area 6, Gilbert Gutierrez.

For more information on the Area Superintendents, contact their offices through the Area Superintendent website.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

IN THE NEWS: Ben Doyle growing into role of golf contender

La Jolla High sophomore golfer competing in Junior World Championships, now under way at 10 courses around the county. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

Prop. S Update: Sustainable Technologies Project Starts at Scripps Ranch High

Construction is starting this month at Scripps Ranch High School on its new Sustainable Technologies Program Building. Funded by a California Proposition 1D Grant and Proposition S, the building will house an innovative College, Career & Technical Education (CCTE) program being developed at the school that focuses on renewable technologies.

The new 10,000-square-foot building will incorporate sustainable design and green building strategies, such as operable windows for natural ventilation and lighting. Additional building features will include a power and energy lab as well as a design and engineering lab, both with associated classrooms, storage and tool rooms. Project completion is anticipated for fall 2012.

For detailed project information and construction impacts, visit our school facilities projects page at http://fpcprojects.sandi.net , or read the construction letter sent to neighbors and parents. You can also contact Project Manager Christine Kam at (858) 637-6234 or e-mail ckam@sandi.net . For media inquiries, contact Cynthia Reed-Porter at creed-porter@sandi.net or call (619) 546-3378.

Monday, July 11, 2011

SCPA Students Shine in National Youth Arts Awards

Students and staff from SCPA, the San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts, will be accepting awards this Sunday as the National Youth Arts Awards hold its regional ceremony. A dozen awards will be given out to SCPA shows, performances and individual performers.

Superintendent Bill Kowba called the results “outstanding.”

“The collective district could not be prouder of SCPA's remarkable accomplishments,” he said. “You are a flagship magnet. This is a testimony to your leadership, the dedicated staff, talented students, and supportive parents. WELL DONE!”

The winners are: for Outstanding Dance Performance, Connections; Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Dylan Hoffinger (class of 2014), Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors; Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Erica Malachowski (class of 2013), Little Shop of Horrors; Dance, Individual, Cleo Persons (class of 2013), for Angelitos Negros; Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical, Asella Medina-Smith (class of 2011), for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical, Mary Reagan (class of 2011), as Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooge, The Musical; Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play, Brandon Plavcan (class of 2012), as MacDuff in Macbeth; Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Victoria Matthews (class of 2012), as Little Inez in Hairspray; Outstanding Ensemble, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Outstanding Music Direction, Hiram Garza (class of 2012), Macbeth; Outstanding Youth Orchestra, Macbeth; Outstanding Direction, Richard Trujillo, SCPA Artistic Director.

The ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at the Casa Del Prado Theater in Balboa Park, 1800 Del Prado (92101). For more information on the program, go to the National Youth Theater website. Contact Mitzi Lizárraga, principal, SCPA, at (619) 470-0555 for more information on SCPA, or visit the school website.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

FREE Southeast SD Youth Summer Programs -- Fab Lab + UCSD

This summer, free UCSD Extension is offering accredited pre-college courses for  youths through Fab Lab San Diego. There are still openings for classes beginning Monday, July 11. These classes are free. Click for more information.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Superintendent Announces Restoration of Funding to Maintain K-3 Class Sizes

Superintendent Bill Kowba announced today that he will immediately initiate the restoration of funding in the district’s 2011-12 budget necessary to restore the current student/teacher class size ratios for grades Kindergarten to 3rd grade for the next school year beginning in September. As a result of the level funding for K-12 education that was included in the state budget signed by the Governor last week, additional funds will be available to maintain K-3 class size ratios at current levels for one more year.

The Superintendent’s plan will restore K-3 class size ratios to 24:1 at all schools and maintain a 20:1 ratio at 29 high-poverty schools that currently have that lower ratio. According to Kowba, the district’s initial analysis of the additional revenues that will be available from the adopted state budget will be adequate to support K-3 class size restoration which will retain approximately 300 teachers at an approximate cost of $22 million after accounting for state deferrals.

“The good news from the state budget is that we will have some additional funding for this year to bring back our teachers for our early grades where small class sizes are so important to student academic success,” said Kowba. “But we must all realize that this funding may be temporary and we may even face mid-year cuts should state tax receipts fail to meet expectations. And the fact remains that our district still faces a huge deficit next year which means we may only be able to save these smaller class sizes and teaching jobs for this year only.”

Kowba indicated that the District Chief Financial Officer has completed a preliminary analysis of the state budget from which he concluded that the district can budget an additional $36 million of revenues for 2011-12, but not all of those funds will be paid to the district in the budget year because of state payment deferrals. The state will defer nearly 40 percent of revenue limit payments to school districts until the next budget year and 50 percent of class size reduction (CSR) funding which will mean that San Diego Unified will realize only approximately $27 million in additional cash over the budget adopted by the Board of Education on June 28.

“The district budget for 2011-12 is very tight and there are still many uncertainties with state funding,” said Kowba. “It is essential that we budget to maintain a positive cash flow throughout the next fiscal year and further restorations beyond this K-3 restoration could place the district in a negative cash position which we must avoid to pay our employees and bills on a monthly basis.”

Kowba indicated that district finance staff will continue to evaluate the impacts of the state budget and the district’s financial obligations and provide a more detailed update to the Board of Education on July 12 and July 19. The Board had directed the Superintendent to begin to implement restorations based on additional funding as soon as possible and to make K-3 class size restoration the top priority.

“While this restoration is a positive step our schools will still be dramatically impacted by more than $90 million in program reductions in the coming school year.” Kowba concluded.

IN THE NEWS: Educational camp bucks a statewide trend

The camp is funded by a Walmart grant for the next three summers at eight middle-school campuses in the San Diego Unified School District. Counselors call the program a camp — not school — and say it offers “disguised learning” by mixing academics with fun games, clubs and group activities. Among the offerings is a Kids to College club that culminates with a field trip to San Diego State. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

Thursday, July 7, 2011

SD High Business Videographers Honored

A video on "Service Above Self" created by students in the San Diego High School of Business AVID program recently placed as a finalist in the Rotary Interact Club, Rotary District 5340, the Rotary Clubs of San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Students Kayana Bell, Sheyla Briceno, Vanessa Briceno, Rebecca Feurt, Diane Gomez, Rosie Lopez, Ashley Manzano, Lorena Miranda, Carlos Moctezuma, Joy Owens, Bridgette Rembao, Edward Reyes, Miguel Robles, Isabel Sanchez, Michael Tamayo, and Erika Valderrama will each receive $50 scholarships for their work.

Student teams completed a 30 second public service announcement about what a difference they can make when they put others first in order to make the world a better place. Students collaborated in small groups to prepare the videos and worked for a month to complete them.

For more information, go to the contest website at http://www.interactvideocontest.org/ .

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

UC High Student Sculptures Fare Well at the Fair


Best of Class
Winners
Winners
Winners

Fabrication and Design students at University City High School were rewarded with a Best of Class, five first place, four second place and two third place prizes in sculpture at the San Diego County Fair.

Masks and metal sculpture dominated the winners. The students submitted 11 pieces to the student showcase at this year's fair.

Fabrication and Design is a college level a-g fine arts sculpture course that prepares students for college and career. Students are taught to communicate ideas and concepts through the use of a visual language that incorporates the principles and elements of design in their sculptural creations. Each work is a story- telling devise, giving form and insight into each artist's emotional, cerebral processes.

For more information, contact Monte Mansfield, teacher, at mmansfield@sandi.net.

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

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

IN THE NEWS: Schools to shift to green lunch trays

Cafeteria lunches have come a long way in San Diego schools, where salad bars and stir frys replaced mystery meat years ago. Now it’s time to update those white foam lunch trays that have been associated with health risks and adverse effects on the environment. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

District Hosts Inaugural Construction Expo July 13

Construction Expo 2011San Diego construction contractors are invited to attend San Diego Unified School District's first Construction Expo on July 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kearny High School Construction Tech Academy.  Hosted by the district's Facilities Planning and Construction Division, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with the district's construction and contracts teams to learn how to work on Proposition S bond projects, as well as non-bond projects.

Attendees can also meet with the district's top general contractors to learn more about their bid requirements.  Other San Diego County public agencies, as well as architects and engineering consultants, will also be on hand to discuss business opportunities.  In addition, local industry organizations, such as the Women's Construction Coalition and the American Subcontractors Association, will be present to discuss membership benefits for small and emerging businesses.

For more information and to register for this free event, go to http://tinyurl.com/SDUSDConExpo

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

Monday, July 4, 2011

Longfellow Students Celebrated at Statewide Video Competition

LongfellowBudding filmmakers at Longfellow Spanish Immersion School continue to receive awards for their work.

The latest awards come from the California Student Media Festival, where 12 students walked the red carpet, received "swag bags" and received three awards during the 45th annual event June 4 in Santa Ana.

Students were recognized for successfully working with their multimedia class teacher to integrate video and multimedia projects into their curriculum. Students had the opportunity to combine their bilingual talents and love for movie-making. The categories and winning students are as follows:
  • Grades K-6 ELD/Bilingual Education: "Ayuda las tortugas de mar," Sophia Dziewit, Aijah Jones, Camryn Ownes, Erika Silva.

  • Grades 7-12 ELD/Bilingual Education: Kalyn Hanson and Annemarie Prescott.

  • Grades 7-12 Foreign Language: "La Gallina Josefina," Rosie Makeever, Emalie Armenta, Sierra Maye, Thai Bell, Coral Treamer, Kayla Malave.
For more information, contact Cary Knight at cknight1@sandi.net or learn more about The California Student Media Festival at  www.mediafestival.org.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

SCPA, San Diego Rep Partner for Second Show

For the second year in a row, student actors and musicians from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts will be joining professionals for a show at the San Diego Repertory Theater in downtown San Diego.

The musical "Tommy" will be performed at the Lyceum Theatre from July 16 through Aug 14. Sam Woodhouse, Artistic Director of the San Diego Repertory Theatre and Mitzi Lizárraga, Principal of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) have once again combined educational and theater resources. 

Nine supremely talented SCPA student singers, dancers, and actors -- along with a 17-member orchestra of SCPA student musicians -- will join a stellar cast of professional actors and singers directed by Woodhouse. Written by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, with music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, Tommy, is the world's first rock opera.

This production features B. Slade, a two-time Grammy-Award nominated singer as Tommy.

"This inter-generational mega-hit is the perfect show to open the REP's 36th season and to launch our second co-production with SCPA," said Woodhouse.

"Last year's award-winning production of Hairspray with the San Diego REP was so successful, we enthusiastically jumped into Tommy, another production with the REP," said Lizárraga. "Sixty percent of Tommy performers are SCPA students.  Our students are experiencing real world expectations in a professional theatre environment.  I am sure Tommy's transformation will speak to audiences of all ages."

A special Tommy Fundraising Gala will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 23, in the Lyceum Theater at Horton Plaza; the performance follows at 8 p.m. The fundraiser includes a reception with appetizers, beverages, desserts, auctioned items, opportunity drawings and reserved seating to the 8 p.m. performance of  Tommy. Tickets for this fundraiser are $45 for students, $55 for general seating, $65 for Silver Donors, including premium seating and recognition in the program, and $75 for Gold Donors including premium seating, prominent signage at the event, and recognition in the program. All proceeds from this event will benefit the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.
 
To obtain tickets, please visit the REP's website at www.sdrep.org or call (619) 541-1000.

SCPA is a college preparatory arts-focused San Diego Unified School District, magnet public school for students in grades 6-12 who have a strong interest, passion and talent in the arts.

SCPA alumni are an extensive and impressive group who have attended UCLA, Juilliard, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Boston University, the New England Conservatory, and numerous other prestigious universities, colleges and conservatories throughout the United States.  SCPA counts five Tony Award-winners among its alumni along with countless others who are working professionally in the artistic arena.

For more information about SCPA, please visit www.scpa.sandi.net

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Walmart Foundation Donates $1 Million to Summer Learning, Lunch Programs

Grant celebration lunch.
Celebrating the Walmart Foundation grant at a Summer Fun Café barbecue are, from left, Trustee Shelia Jackson of the San Diego Unified School District, Randy Barth of THINK Together, City Council Member Tony Young and WalMart Regional Manager Steve Markey.

Grants from the Walmart Foundation will be helping students learn and lunch this summer.

The foundation awarded $750,000 to the THINK Together program for the daylong Summer Adventures Program at eight middle schools. San Diego Unified has contributed an additional $265,000 for the program, which runs June 27 to July 22.

In addition, the foundation awarded $233,450 to the Summer Fun Café program, which is the district's version of the USDA's Seamless Summer Lunch Program.

"This is a fantastic contribution that will directly help the children of San Diego," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "We appreciate the Walmart Foundation's support of these excellent programs."

The Summer Adventures Program provides an average of 140 students at eight schools the opportunity to catch up on grade-level skills, as well as learning teamwork and exercise through physical challenges. STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs will also be explored.

"This is an excellent program for our students," said Mike George, Taft Middle School principal. "They're enjoying the learning and having a great summer."
In addition to Taft, other schools with the program are Bell, Lewis, Mann, Marston, Pacific Beach, Roosevelt and Wangenheim. Walmart Foundation's Smart Summers Program grant is designed to provide a comprehensive, high-quality full day summer school program that includes academic assistance, enrichment and physical fitness activities. The program is free to families.

The Summer Fun Café grant has allowed the district's Food Services Department to purchase equipment for the program, now in its eighth year. It has also funded a second barbecue at each location that is open to family members.

Free lunch -- and in some locations, breakfast and snacks -- is served at the Summer Fun Café to thousands of San Diego Unified students and other kids age 18 and under. More than 1,600 meals are served every weekday during the summer at schools and City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department Recreation Centers.

Additional milk coolers, barbecues and other equipment are being purchased with the grant funds.

"This grant is helping us make sure we're doing everything possible to help stop child hunger in our community," said Gary Petill, Food Services director. "Kids will continue to get a healthy lunch and, with our partners the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department, some good exercise as well."

For more information on the grants, contact: for Summer Adventures Program, Christianne Trout-McPhee, manager, Exteded Learning Program, (858) 496-1947; or for Summer Fun Café, Gary Petill, Food Services director, (858) 627-7301.

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

Friday, July 1, 2011

Gov. Appoints Pt. Loma Senior to State School Board

Caitlin and Jill Biden
Caitlin Snell with Jill Biden, wife of Vice-President Joe Biden.
In the News
Caitlin Snell, an incoming senior at Point Loma High, has been appointed to the State Board of Education by Gov. Jerry Brown. She will serve as the only student member on the state panel.

She serves as the vice chair for the San Diego Youth Commission and serves as president of her school’s chapter of the national Student2Student Mentoring Program.

Snell is a member of the California Scholarship Federation, the Urban League of San Diego County’s Golden Pyramid Scholars, and Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership.

This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation.

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

Lincoln High Wellness Series Looks at Music, Stress and Healthy Communities

How music helps the mind, stress management and healthy communities are the topics for the three remaining sessions of the Lincoln High School Health Council’s Community Wellness Series.

The council, which helps to empower students to become advocates for health and wellness in the school and community, along with U.C. San Diego, has put together seminars that bring experts to the Lincoln campus for discussions of interest to students, parents and community members.

The next session, “Music and the Mind,” is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 28. Dr. Makeba Jones, Dr. Aniruddh D. Patel from the Neurosciences Institute, and Sundiata Kata of the San Diego Youth Symphony will discuss the benefits of music on mental health and cognitive development. The San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory’s Opus Orchestra, Oak Park Music Academy African Drummers, and the International Youth Symphony will perform.

Two more seminars are scheduled for this fall. At 6 p.m., Sept. 1, the topic “Managing Stress for Academic Success” is scheduled, with Reality Changers’ Chris Yanov moderating. And, at 6 p.m. Oct. 20, Dr. James P. Cormer, Yale University child psychologist, will discuss how parents, educators and the community can come together to help improve students’ emotional and academic lives.

The seminars are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact: Kathy Ryan at (619) 266-6502 or kfinniganryan@sandi.net; or Martha Corrales at (619) 266-6517 or mcorrales1@sandi.net.