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.

IN THE NEWS: Computer science program opens world to Hoover High students

Hoover High School student Josecruz Morales knows the importance of computer science. After learning computer coding, Morales said a whole new world opened up to him. Read KPBS article >>

Students display work at STEM event, meet Congresswoman Davis

Congresswoman Susan Davis, Sofia Coseip
and Jayda Warburton.

For anyone who still thinks that girls don’t like robotics and all things related to science, technology, engineering and math, a day at the “Engaging Girls in STEM” event may finally convince them otherwise.

More than 80 students, educators, and organization leaders joined Congresswoman Susan Davis to talk about careers in the STEM fields and how young women can get involved and develop their skills in these areas.

Among the attendees were Muirlands Middle School eighth-grader Sofia Coseip and Jayda Warburton, ninth-grader at Pt. Loma High School, who participated in the event as part of the Boys and Girls Club of Linda Vista robotics program. Their team, the Stuffed Dragons 6565, had the opportunity to showcase their robot to attendees, including Congresswoman Davis.

The Stuffed Dragons were joined by several other groups of young women engaging in STEM activities, including the Girl Scouts and the Society of Women Engineers, who also had the opportunity to display their work.

Local female business leaders led a panel discussion in which they reminded the young attendees to “surround themselves with mentors and advocates who recognize their talents” and to “find their passion and do what makes them happy.”

Congresswoman Susan Davis hosted the event in collaboration with STEAM Connect and YMCA Youth and Community Center in North Park.

For more details on the event and careers in the STEM fields, visit the event website.

Securing Our eCity, Cybersecurity Poster Contest 2012

The Securing Our eCity, Cybersecurity Poster Contest 2012 is a contest for 6th-12th grade students designed to help promote cybersecurity awareness and education throughout Southern California schools. We are offering students an opportunity to showcase their creative talents and submit posters that will be used in our local cybersecurity campaign throughout 2012-13.

• More information»

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.

International Festival Draws 2,000 to Doyle Elementary

Council Member Sherri
Lightner, left and Doyle
Principal Kimberly Moore
with proclamation.

The annual International Festival drew more than 2,000 members of the Doyle Elementary School family and community members to the campus on May 14.

The annual event celebrates the school's international heritage. With many sons and daughters of University of California students and Golden Triangle/Torrey Pines research facilities, Doyle has one of the most diverse student populations in the San Diego Unified School District.

Students had 18 cultural performances, with 20 heritage booths and more than 40 vendors. Sherri Lightner, San Diego City Council District 1 representative, proclaimed it as Doyle International Festival Day.

Proceeds of the event go to support the school. For more information, contact Principal Kimberly Moore at (858) 455-6230, or the school's website at www.sandi.net/doyle.

IN THE NEWS: Jazz on the Green has elixir for money-strapped school music program

On May 21, the Mission Bay High School will be the site of the inaugural Jazz on the Green concert, featuring sets from the MBHS Concert Jazz Band, MBHS Jazz Ensemble and MBHS Dixie Jazz Band, with a closing performance from the Rey Vinole Swing Band. Read more from Beach and Bay Press»

Tecolote Canyon Gets Helping Hand from Kearny Cadets

Tecolote Canyon, located on the southwestern side of Clairemont, benefited from a recent service project by Kearny Complex JROTC students, who helped remove trash and non-native plants from the nature preserve.

Part of the recent Mesa College Canyon Day, the students spent hours working and learning from Park Ranger Janice Lavallee, who taught the students how to spot invasive plants and remove them. The effort seeks to return Tecolote to its natural state by taking away plants imported by humans, as well as cleaning the park of trash.
The event has been an annual activity since 2007 in which many middle and high school students participate.

For more information, please visit the Canyon Day website.

Vista Grande Students Make History at National History Day

Erika Swartz, left, Sydney Warner,
Sarah Staten, Justin Cervi,
and Bernie Graves

Four students were named state champs and another received a special award for her project as Vista Grande Elementary made the trek to the recent National History Day California competition in San Jose.

This year's theme was "Debate and Diplomacy" and all the students picked projects on historic events that matched the theme. Here are the winners:

• Sarah Staten, finalist and Japanese American History Award, Internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
• Bernie Graves and Justin Cervi, Co-Champion, Elementary Division, Group 2D Display, "Integrating Baseball: Successes, Failures and Consequences."
• Erika Swartz and Sydney Werner Co-Champion, Elementary Division, Group 2D Display, and a special award, "Hetch Hetchy: Water Source vs. Environmental Damage."

All five are in fourth graders in Abby Chambard's and Micheline Wagner’s classes at Vista Grande. For more information, contact principal Cathy Calcagno at (858) 496-8290 or mcalcagno@sandi.net.

La Jolla High Takes County Academic League Championship

La Jolla High has been crowned the San Diego County Academic League champion, following a day in which the eventual champion Vikings played the top schools from each of the county's four regions.

"In the final match, La Jolla's team took on Torrey Pines, started out with an early lead and never looked back," said Mark Heinze, San Diego County Academic League Commissioner. "This victory is especially remarkable due to the fact that Torrey Pines has a student body of more than 2,700 and their Academic League teams have so many members to draw from," Heinze added. La Jolla's enrollment is 1,625.

The Viking Academic League team will now go on to the National Academic League finals in Atlanta, according to Heinze.

To watch video of the Academic League matches, go to the county Office of Education ITV website. For more information on La Jolla's Academic League team, contact Dana Shelburne, principal, at (858) 454-3081.

Pelican Finds a New Home at Bird Rock Elementary

A pelican will be soaring over Bird Rock Elementary for years to come thanks to the efforts of the school's student council members.

The pelican was introduced as the school’s new official mascot earlier this week. The student council has been hosting fundraisers throughout the year to help bring the pelican to Bird Rock.

Students will participate in a contest to name the pelican and create a school chant. The results will be announced at an assembly on March 30.

“We wanted something that could come to life and have a character of its own,” said Principal Sally Viavada. “The pelican was fitting with its attributes and qualities, and it has always been the unofficial mascot of Bird Rock.”

For more information, contact Principal Sally Viavada at ssteadman@sandi.net or (858) 488-0537.

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

Taft Middle School Students Tour the USNS Mercy

Taft Middle School students recently toured the USNS MERCY (T-AH 19), stationed at the San Diego Naval Base.

The ship’s primary mission is to provide mobile hospital services for disaster relief or humanitarian civic assistance, as well as medical support in time of war. Retired Navy veteran and school counselor Don Samuels and science teacher Linda Miller both accompanied the students, who were allowed access to a medical ward, operating room and the medical flight deck.

The visit to the USNS MERCY was part of the school’s Life Skills and Science program. While onboard, students interacted with both medical staff and the ship’s crew. Not only were they exposed to a state of the art "floating hospital," they were also made aware of possible military careers in Naval medicine. For more information, contact Principal Mike George at (858) 496-8245.

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

IN THE NEWS: CPMA Jazz, Drums, Dance and Multimedia Featured on Morning News

Take a look around as the Creative, Performing and Media Arts Middle School is featured on the Morning News. Watch video from Fox 5 San Diego»

IN THE NEWS: The Greening of Environmental Ed

Teachers focus on complexity, evidence, and letting students draw their own conclusions

In the marine science classes he teaches at La Jolla High School in southern California, David James spends a lot of time talking to his students about plankton—phytoplankton, zooplankton, all kinds of plankton—because plankton is essential to the survival of humankind. Read more from the Harvard Education Letter»

IN THE NEWS: La Jolla High Takes a Stand Against Bullying

As national attention continues to focus on the epidemic of teen bullying, La Jolla High School is taking a proactive approach. The local high school is participating in No Name-Calling Week, a nationwide event sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Read more from Patch.com»

IN THE NEWS: Kearny CTA Hosts Morning News

Stanley E. Foster Construction Tech Academy at the Kearny High Complex takes morning show viewers on a tour of the career-tech programs. Watch video»

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A Hollywood Smash Success by Kearny High Club

With the red carpet rolled out and paparazzi flashing pictures, Kearny High's Friday "Night in Hollywood" school dance was a big hit -- thanks to the organization of a Kearny High student club.

The big event was organized by the Party People, a 21st Century ASSETS After- School club on Kearny's campus. ASSETS is a grant-funded program that supports after-school clubs and activities at 20 district high schools.

Kearny students learned how to handle the many details in running a large event. They worked with principals, campus security and other staff to plan, promote and put on the event that was attended by more than 120 students.

For more information, contact club supervisor Virginia Davis at (858) 627-7357 or vdavis@sandi.net.

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

Passing the Stethoscope to UC High Student Interns

Students at University City High are in the hospital this semester, doing important work in clinical internships at both Scripps Clinics and the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Plus, two more UC High students interested in careers in veterinary medicine are interning at Governor Animal Clinic.

They are part of the Healthcare Essentials program at UC High that connects students with working professionals, to give them the opportunity for career exploration in more than 10 different hospital departments, including Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Laboratory, Radiology, Pediatrics, Integrative Medicine, Weight Management and Ambulatory Surgery and Spinal Injuries.

For more information, please contact Ellie Vandiver, CCTE Teacher, at evandiver@sandi.net.

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

Montgomery Principal Honored for "Safe Passage"

Jonathan Ton, principal of Montgomery Middle School in Linda Vista, has been recognized by the City of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission for his work with the Safe Passage program through Montgomery’s Family Success Center.

The Safe Passage Program helps Montgomery receives support from local law enforcement agencies, city council in their efforts to provide safe passage for students as they travel to and from school. The Family Success Center has become a popular gathering place in the community.

Ton was nominated by Commissioner Joyce Abrams. The recognition ceremony and reception took place Dec. 8 at the Balboa Park Club in Balboa Park. Through his diligent work with Safe Passage and as an advocate for youth, Ton has demonstrated his commitment and dedication which reflect the mission of the Commission.

For more information regarding the Safe Passage Program, contact Aimee Urbina, resource teacher, at awelshans@sandi.net.

Kearny Science-Connections-Technology Students on White House Mission

Before the “desert” completely takes over the city, the students at Science-Connections-Technology Kearny High Educational Complex are fighting back.

The students at SCT are armed only with computers and a mission to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity. And yet they have made some impressive progress by using a sophisticated computer mapping program called GIS (Geographical Information Systems) in Corri-Anne Burgess’ ROP class.

Burgess’ students learned quickly what a powerful tool computers can be. They applied the GIS mapping program to show the high rate of fast-food outlets in the pockets of San Diego with high poverty rates – what demographers call food deserts. They then overlaid that map with mapping that showed low rate of car ownership in those same areas. The result is they created an easy-to-track clash of bad circumstance – low mobility trapping low-income residents into a lifestyle of unhealthy food. San Diego’s urban areas are full of food deserts, and SCT students have tracked them.

They were inspired to use their new-found knowledge by First Lady Michelle Obama, who has made combating the epidemic of childhood obesity one of the top priorities of the White House. Mrs. Obama has launched the Let’s Move Campaign to eradicate childhood obesity, a subject she spoke about on her recent visit to San Diego. The SCT students plan is to take their food desert mapping discoveries to policy makers, legislators and health care officials to help spur them to action about bringing some relief to the food deserts in our city.


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