Three district schools honored with 2015 Gold Ribbon Schools Award

Henry, Scripps Ranch and Serra high schools have been honored as 2015 California Gold Ribbon Schools. Health Sciences High and Middle College, Preuss and San Diego Vision Academy Middle charter schools also appeared on the 2015 list of Gold Ribbon schools released by the California Department of Education on May 5.

This is the first year that the California Gold Ribbon Schools Awards Program has been implemented. The program is temporarily taking the place of the California Distinguished Schools Program, which is on hiatus while the state transitions to new assessment and accountability systems.

The Gold Ribbon awards recognize California schools that have demonstrated exemplary achievements in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education – including the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, California English Language Development Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

“These schools are academically successful, vibrant and innovative centers of learning and teaching,” State Superintendent Tom Torlakson said. “They provide great examples of the things educators are doing right—embracing rigorous academic standards, providing excellence and creativity in teaching, and creating a positive school climate.”

Schools apply for the Gold Ribbon awards based on a model program that includes standards-based activities, projects, strategies and practices. The new award is recognizing middle and high schools this year and elementary schools in 2016.

In addition to receiving a Gold Ribbon Award, Serra High School and the three charter schools were distinguished as Title I Academic Achieving Schools. This recognition is given the schools on the list receiving federal Title I funds that assist in meeting the educational needs of students living at or below the poverty line.

"It is a great honor and privilege to become a Gold Ribbon School Award Recipient," said Serra High Principal Vincent Mays. "I am so proud of our dedicated faculty and staff members, they embodied the true spirit of professionalism. They have worked tirelessly with our student body to push them to greater academic heights. I know that our parents and community members also celebrate this special honor."

For more information and a complete list of recipients, please visit the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program on the California Department of Education’s Web site.

District celebrates volunteers, partners who contribute to local schools

School-site volunteers, Partners-in-Education, advisory and cluster committee volunteer chairs were honored at the 2014 Volunteer and Partner Recognition event held at Clairemont High School on June 4.

Sponsored by California Coast Credit Union, honorees enjoyed a reception with entertainment provided by the student band Loose Gravel, followed by a formal recognition ceremony.

View event photos

Honorees were recognized for the countless hours, efforts and in many cases, funds they contribute to their local San Diego Unified schools. Each individual and organization was given a certificate and all were applauded for their efforts during the ceremony.

Superintendent Cindy Marten, Board President Kevin Beiser and California Coast representatives Rene McKee and Perette Godwin shared hosting duties. During the ceremony, Trustees Richard Barrera and John Lee Evans also thanked volunteers for their time and efforts.

Central Elementary School’s Warren LaVallee received special recognition for his 53 years of volunteer service to the City Heights elementary school.

Although the afternoon belonged to the volunteers and partners, the event also featured several outstanding student performances. The band Loose Gravel, which is comprised of elementary and middle school students from four San Diego Unified schools, played a mix of rock tunes during the reception while guests snacked on wraps, vegetables and cookies provided by the district’s Food Services Catering Department. Clairemont High’s own Kyra Johnson kicked off the ceremony with the National Anthem.

Each year, thousands of individuals volunteer their time at school sites across the district and organizations partner with their local school to provide a variety of services or goods to students.

San Diego Unified salutes all of its volunteers and partners and thanks them for their continued support and contributions.

IN THE NEWS: Alcott Elementary gets magnificent mural

Artist Myriah McGlynn has been working with the San Diego Unified for seven years now.  Last year, with her grandfather(s) as her inspiration, she began adding educational murals which provide vivid color filled with encouragement for the children attending classes at Alcott Elementary.

She began with Sesame Street characters which progressed into the wonderful mural which adorns the auditorium portion of the school at the entrance on Hidalgo Avenue. An owl themed mural was requested by the principal of the school and a fundraiser was held to help with funding for the project.

Read more>> Clairemont Community News.

Building peace makers at John Muir

Members of a campus club at John Muir that focuses on domestic and global issues facing women today recently had the opportunity to meet some inspiring women from across the globe at the Women PeaceMakers Workshop at USD’s Institute for Peace and Justice.

Students listened to and engaged in conversation with women leaders and defenders of peace from countries such as Pakistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Sudan and India. They listened to stories and accomplishments of the speakers and participated by asking questions, writing letters of solidarity to earthquake victims in Pakistan, and meeting other students from San Diego and Baja California.

“The keynote speakers were beyond inspiring,” said junior Angelica Marsigan. “They made me feel as if I could accomplish anything and that I could contribute greatly as a female leader in our world.”

Members of the Girls Impacting and Realizing Liberation in Society club attended the event. Started last year by former John Muir student, Casey Leyes, G.I.R.L.S. is a campus club focusing on domestic and global issues that face girls and women today.

The club works to empower middle- and high school-aged students to be change makers in society while providing opportunities for involved students to connect with local and international advocates for the progress of girls and to champion women’s causes themselves.

Students learn about and participate in campaigns related to the sexualization of women in the media, women in politics, women in religion, human trafficking, education of girls, and the oppression/progress of women around the globe.

Eighth-grader Lily French says what she likes best about G.I.R.L.S. is “the fact that we are learning about things that are happening to girls around the world and helping them in our own way.”

Long-time John Muir partner, WorldLink, a program that connects students with global affairs, helped the G.I.R.L.S. club members attend the Women PeaceMakers Workshop.

For more information about the G.I.R.L.S. club, contact Barbara Magoffin at John Muir. For more information on the event speakers, please visit the event website.

Field Elementary staff, families show that hard work goes beyond the classroom

Field Elementary staff, families and the community take pride in their school. They recently came together on a Saturday to help make the campus shine even more - inside and out. A team of volunteers gathered at the neighborhood school campus to participate in the Madison Community of Schools “Curb Appeal” project, which focuses on helping to beautify schools in the Madison cluster. Principal Yesenia Robinson was on hand to welcome teachers, classified staff, parents, and even students, who cheerfully volunteered to clean up the school garden, rake leaves, wash windows and scrape gum from the sidewalks. 

It was a true community effort with Richard Nash, Madison High School principal, bringing cleaning supplies, tools and Madison students to help as well. Some of the high school students had attended Field Elementary and it was fun for them to visit their former school and connect with former teachers. The group worked tirelessly throughout the morning and left with a sense of pride for a job well done.

For more information, contact Principal Robinson at yrobinson@sandi.net.

Area 4 Superintendent Named 2013 Central Office Administrator of the Year

Congratulations to Area 4 Superintendent Dr. Marian Kim-Phelps for being named the 2013 Central Office Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 18. Dr. Phelps oversees the Clairemont, Kearny and Madison clusters. The mission of ACSA is to support California's educational leaders; to ensure all children have the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel; and to champion public education. Nearly 1,000 educational leaders belong to ACSA Region 18, which encompasses San Diego and Imperial Counties. Phelps will be recognized, along with other honorees, at ASCA's annual “Honoring Our Own” awards dinner being held in the spring. Read more.

Fletcher Elementary Raises $3,000 for American Cancer Society

Fletcher Elementary students spread
hope among cancer survivors.

Fletcher Elementary students, parents, staff members, as well as cancer survivors recently joined together to participate in Relay for Recess, a wellness-based school activity to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer.

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the event raised nearly $3,000, all of which will stay in the Kearny Mesa area to support research and basic needs for cancer survivors. Students generated their own creative ideas to promote cancer awareness, allowing them to demonstrate compassion and a sense of community service.

Students, staff and community cancer survivors participated in physical activities resembling a field day like event. Participants remembered loved ones lost and helped raise awareness about a disease that has affected many of the families at Fletcher and in the community. The American Cancer Society also presented ways for children to protect themselves against the disease, including tips on sun care, outdoor prevention and increasing awareness of healthy lifestyles.

For more information on this program or how to schedule an event for your school, visit RelayForLife.org or contact Fletcher Elementary Principal Gina Camacho McGrath gcamachomcgrath@sandi.net or 858-496-8100.

New House is Product at Kearny Construction Tech

A one-bedroom, 512-square foot apartment was completed this spring by students at Kearny High's Stanley E. Foster Construction Tech Academy.



Called the Casita de CTA, it took two years worth of students in the Advanced Construction class to design and build the apartment. They created the drawings for the building, then worked on all phases of construction, including framing, electrical, plumbing, exterior siding, drywall installation and taping, as well as installation of all doors, windows and interior cabinets.


"This project represents the collective effort of all the students," said Principal Laura Bellofatto. "The Casita stands as a symbol of their dedication, attention to detail and hard work."


Civil engineering, architecture and other courses helped the students gain the knowledge to design and build the apartment. Offered through the Regional Occupational Program (ROP), these courses prepare give students the technical skills and knowledge required for entry-level employment, or valuable hands-on skills for those students entering four-year university programs.

Carson Elementary Students Make a Splash

At Carson Elementary School every child learns every day. Having well-rounded and healthy students is important for classroom success as well as attendance rates. In addition to improving academic skills, Carson students also cultivate their physical education skills.

This year nearly 450 students participated in the Mission Valley YMCA’s Physical Education Outreach Program, providing them the opportunity to engage in free dance, soccer, and swim lessons during the school day. Carson is fortunate to have a long-standing partnership with the Mission Valley YMCA. In addition to the P.E. Outreach program, this unique opportunity provides our school with excellent childcare and after school programs such as Prime-Time and PRYDE. Students in first through fifth grade recently completed swim lessons focused on basic water safety and swim technique.

A special school assembly will wrap up the school year in aquatic style as every student receives a new swimsuit courtesy of a generous YMCA donor. For more information, visit www.sandi.net/carson or contact Principal Joe Frescatore at jfrescatore@sandi.net.

Kearny CTA, Crawford IDEA Students Compete in Canstruction Event

Kearny CTA students create their "Hunger is No Game" sculpture.

Sculptures created with food cans by students from Kearny High Construction Tech Academy (CTA) and Crawford’s School of Invention & Design Education Academy (IDEA) won awards for “Best Meal” and “Best Use of Labels” as part of the eighth annual Canstruction competition held recently at Horton Plaza.

CTA’s structure, “Hunger Is No Game,” was a 7-foot, 3-inch book representing the Hunger Games book/movie series and CTA’s advocacy in preventing hunger. CTA won the award for Best Meal and is in the running for a national award.

“Literacy is the biggest way to avoid poverty,” said Law Thao, president of the 18-member team.

IDEA’s sculpture “Ameri-Can” received the “Best Use of Labels” award. Built by only five students, the structure was made from canned tuna and tomato soup cans.

The event combines the elements of artistic expression, engineering, and charity by using food cans as the only construction material. No interior structural support is allowed. This year, the students competed against five other architecture and engineering firms in San Diego.

All sculptures remained standing for several days after the event, then the canned food is boxed up and donated to local food banks. For additional information about this year’s event, please see a recent story in the UT San Diego. For details about Canstruction in San Diego, visit http://www.canstructionsd.org/.

Madison High Auto Technology Students Compete Against Other High Schools

Adolfo Marin and Uziel Salgado, Madison High School automotive students, were among the top ten high school auto technology student teams competing in the Ford/AAA Student AutoSkills State Championship for the title of the state’s best auto repair team.

Teams were challenged to repair identically bugged Ford Fusions to win more than $12 million in scholarships and prizes. Of the 13,000 students who competed in regional competitions nationwide, 772 of them were women.

Not only does the AutoSkills competition give students a chance to win prizes, it also puts students in a pressure situation that they might encounter in a real auto shop after graduation.

"Many students still do not know what they would like to do after high school," said Omar Sevilla, Madison's automotive technology teacher. "Contests like this are an important motivation for them. To qualify, the students must pass written tests and show their competencies in the classroom."

The curriculum and standards are put in place by National Automotive Technical Education Foundation (NATEF) and are used in all Automotive Technology classes in the San Diego Unified School District. The classes are designed to prepare students for real-world work environments.

The Ford/AAA Student AutoSkills Challeng started in 1949 to encourage high school students to consider automotive careers. Judges grade on knowledge, mechanical abilities and a hands-on under the hood competition where students demonstrate best workmanship in the shortest time. The competition is sponsored by AAA and Ford Motor Company. It begins each year as junior and senior automotive students take a state qualifying exam online. Those scoring high on the qualifying exams move on to the hands-on state finals.

For more information, please contact Sevilla at mailto:%20osevilla@sandi.net.

Hunter Family Music Memory Music Bee, Orchestra Nova Honor Students

It was a 21st century version of the old "Name That Tune" TV show as teams from elementary schools recently competed to see who could identify snippets of songs played by a live orchestra.

The Fourth Annual Hunter Family Music Memory Music Bee, sponsored by Orchestra Nova, welcomed students from all over the county, with competition in grades 3-4 and 5-6. Held at Birch North Park Theatre, May 22, bronze, silver and gold ribbons were given to winners correctly identifying musical excerpts performed by a live orchestra. San Diego Unified School District winning teams included:

Bronze ribbon winners:

• Bayview Terrace Elementary 3-4 and 5-6 teams – Gretchen Robrock, teacher
• Golden Hill Elementary 3-4 team, Virginia Simpson, teacher
• Hickman Elementary 5-6 team, Kathy Stanton, teacher
• Jerabek Elementary 5-6 team, Margie Orem, teacher
• La Jolla Elementary 3-4 team, Julie Greathouse, teacher
• Ross Elementary 5-6 team, Malou Rogers, teacher

Silver ribbon winners:

• Crown Point Junior Music Academy 5-6 team, Debbie Burton, teacher
• Doyle Elementary 3-4 team, Mary Laiuppa, teacher
• Golden Hill Elementary 5-6 team, Virginia Simpson, teacher
• Hickman Elementary 3-4 team, Kathy Stanton, teacher
• Jerabek Elementary 3-4 team, Margie Orem, teacher
• E.B. Scripps Elementary 3-4 and 5-6 teams, Dr. Linda Lungren, teacher

Gold ribbon winners:

• Crown Point Junior Music Academy 3-4 team, Debbie Burton, teacher
• Torrey Pines elementary 3-4 team, Rebecca Tang, teacher
• Whitman Elementary 3-4 and 5-6 teams, Tom Waczek, teacher

For more information on the program, contact Karen Childress-Evans at 858-539-5349 or mailto:%20kchildressevans@sandi.net.

IN THE NEWS: Hi, You’ve Reached Tech Support, This Is Your 12-Year-Old

Try telling students to make their own podcasts when microphones won't work. Forget about tapping into the web for lessons if nobody can connect. And typing is a dead end if computer keys skedaddle.

All that could foul up classes at Innovation Middle School in North Clairemont, where every kid has a laptop. But Innovation is trying out a tactic that is, well, innovative. Instead of running to the school district for every broken key, Innovation is teaching kids how to fix their computers themselves. Read more from Voice of San Diego»

New Madison Auto Facility Dedicated

In The News

Board of Education Vice President John Evans joined students, staff, community members and parents to cut the ribbon on the James Madison High School Automotive Engineering and Technology facility, one of the 22 new or remodeled College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) facilities funded under the Proposition S and Proposition 1D bond programs.The 10,000 square foot facility has eight auto bays that serve as laboratories, classroom space for more than 70 students, energy efficient features and sustainable products, and was designed according to industry standard. Classes in the new facility will begin after the first of the year. The ribbon cutting was held on Dec. 8.
For more information on Prop S and 1D facilities, please contact Cynthia Reed-Porter, Communications Supervisor. For more information on the automotive program, please contact Greg Quirin, CCTE Program Specialist, at (858) 503-1736.

Madison Community, Families Come Together to Support Schools

Madison High School was the setting for the first-ever Madison Community of Schools Cluster Family Fun Day and Rummage Sale on Saturday, Nov. 13.

The free event brought together all the schools in the Madison High cluster: Field, Hawthorne, Holmes, Lafayette, Lindbergh/Schweitzer, Sequoia and Whitman elementary schools; iMiddle and CPMA middle schools; and Madison High School. The event helped raise money for scholarships, clubs, and other school needs.

Hundreds of bargain hunters, families, community members and employees took advantage of the great deals, enjoyed student entertainment and feasted on food donated by local vendors.

“The Madison cluster is exemplifying what community involvement can be in community-based school reform,” said Dr. John Lee Evans, Board of Education Vice-President, who represents the Madison cluster.  “It starts with communities having pride in their neighborhoods and their schools.  This activity was definitely community driven.”

Special thanks to the members of the Madison Community of Schools Cluster Council who organized the event, to the schools and PTA’s who participated and to Madison High for hosting.

For more information, contact Greg Williams, Madison High School.

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

Prop S Update: Board Approves Schedule, Adds Projects

Based on increased bond revenues, the Board of Education recently approved schedule changes for the Proposition S program that accelerated 39 construction projects, 37 design projects and all high school projects, which will begin construction by 2015.

In addition, the board approved seven new Prop. S/College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) facilities at six high schools.

A new CCTE Academy of Business and Technology facility was approved for Clairemont High, while Henry High will be home to a new CCTE production studio and a new performing arts center.

SCPA, along with Hoover, Mira Mesa and San Diego high schools, will have existing facilities remodeled into state-of-the-art CCTE training centers for programs such as screen printing, computerized graphic design, broadcast journalism and biomedical sciences.

The complete schedule of Prop. S projects or to see what projects are scheduled at your school is available online.

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

SD Met Students Lunch at La Maestra Community Health Center

SD Met internship coordinator Jill Badger with senior Dulce Salome and her mentor, Alejandrina Areizaga.

The La Maestra Community Health Center recently hosted 18 San Diego Met High students for a book signing and luncheon. All attending students are in science-based internships.

Zara Marselian, founder of La Maestra Community Health Centers introduced the audience to her book The Soul Speaks, based on her staff's immigrant experiences before employment at the clinic.
San Diego Met High students have completed health-science oriented internships at La Maestra, a community clinic serving the immigrant and refugee population in the inner city neighborhood of City Heights for more than five years.

2009 Met graduate Stefany Brizuela continues to work there as a paid employee while attending San Diego State University.
The Oct. 22 buffet luncheon had a global theme with Thai spring rolls, beef tamales, Lumpia, Spanakopita filled with spinach or cream cheese, turkey rolls ups and French pastries.

San Diego MET, is a middle college high (college preparatory) school located on Mesa Community College campus. Serving approximately 200 students, our goal is to graduate all with a high school diploma, courses that meet a-g requirements for admission to the UC and CSU system and up to 50 college-transferable credits.

Town Halls Wrap Up Tonight

The final San Diego Unified community forum to discuss goals for student achievement, the budget crisis and the Proposition J Parcel Tax measure is scheduled tonight at
Clairemont High School, 4150 Ute. Dr. (92117). Area 4, Clairemont and Madison High schools area, Marian Kim-Phelps, Area Superintendent, will host.
The town hall meetings give parents, guardians and community residents an opportunity to meet senior district staff and their local Area Superintendent.
Although there will be time for attendees to ask questions on any topic, district staff will be making brief presentations on: the Community-Based School Reform Model; the recently released state test scores; and the fifth year of severe budget cuts, with $141 million projected reduction in state funding for 2011-12.The meetings are free and open to the public.
For more information, call San Diego Unified's District Relations Office at (619) 725-5575.

IN THE NEWS: Innovation Middle School Highlighted on Morning News

Innovation Middle School in Clairemont was visited by Fox 5 Morning News, with segments on school technology, an egg drop, rocket launches and student projects. Watch video»

Clairemont High PTSA Hosts "Waiting for Superman" Dialogue

The public is invited to a community dialogue on the new movie, "Waiting for Superman," and issues involving San Diego's schools.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 11, in the library at Clairemont High School, 4150 Ute Dr. (92117). It is sponsored by the San Diego Council of PTAs and the Clairemont High School PTSA.

The film, which opens Oct. 8, looks at struggling schools through the eyes of five students. The meeting will discuss the film and how it relates to San Diego's schools. Emily Alpert, Voice of San Diego reporter, will moderate the discussion.

For more information, contact Michelle Huffaker or Maureen Atwell.