Henry High Students Receive Healthcare Scholarships

Congratulations to Patrick Henry High seniors Stephan Romero (right) and Sean Hui (left) who were awarded scholarships recently by the Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors. Stephan received $3,000; Sean received $1,500.




The only students from San Diego Unified to receive this honor, they are part of the Healthcare Pathway course of study at Patrick Henry, which works closely with the Grossmont Healthcare District.



The pathway is part of a collaborative effort with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the Regional Allied Health and Science Initiative. The focus is to increase student awareness of healthcare career opportunities and improve high school student preparation and skills for college science courses. The program includes work-site experiences such as job shadows, tours, summer institutes, paid internships and numerous guest speakers from health care professions.





For more information, contact Vice Principal Jim Good at jgood1@sandi.net .

Mira Mesa High Varsity Color Guard Finds Success in Ohio

Congratulations to the Mira Mesa High Varsity Color Guard for three great performances at the Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships in Dayton, Ohio held April 7-9.




The Mira Mesa team finished with a spectacular Semi-Finals performance and ended up 21st overall in the competition that included 104 international guards. Their outstanding achievement set a new bar for the program. For more information, contact instructor John Dally at jdallyjr@sandi.net or (858) 578-5143.

Hot Weather Operations Information

All schools in the San Diego Unified School District have “hot weather” plans in place for continued operations of schools during periods of extremely hot weather. We want to make sure our students are as comfortable as possible in school so that their learning can continue. As a result, our schools have a number of guidelines in place for planning instruction during hot weather.

Instructional Program Modifications

Elementary teachers may rearrange the daily schedule so that basic skills subjects are taught at the optimal time. Physical education activities are limited to less strenuous activities and/or are rescheduled to a more appropriate time. Recess activities are limited to quiet games that require a minimum of physical activity.

Alternative Locations for Instruction

Cooler areas of schools buildings and grounds are used when available. As an example, some teachers may have students gather in shaded lawn areas or move to rooms with better cross-ventilation. Students in nonair-conditioned portable facilities may be merged with other classes in air-conditioned buildings, such as media centers, cafeterias or auditoriums.

Extracurricular Activities

Athletic activities and practices may be canceled due to hot weather, or rescheduled for a more appropriate time. Before- and after-school programs may also be modified or activities rearranged.

Keeping Students Cool and Hydrated

Students are encouraged to bring containers of water to school during hot weather. Water fountains are also available in all schools and schools are encouraging students to take extra water fountain breaks throughout the day. Many teachers keep spray-bottles with water in classrooms so that they can ‘mist’ students at their request or as needed.

Students are asked to dress in lightweight clothing that is in keeping with their school dress codes. Please also make sure to apply sunscreen to your child before school, as school staff are not permitted to apply it. If your child has a medical condition that may be compromised by exposure to high temperatures, you may keep your child at home or arrange for an early release.

More Information

• Administrative Procedure #4302 — Operation of Schools During Hot Weather
  
• San Diego Unified's Air Conditioning Policy  
• Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke Fact Sheet

For additional information, please talk with your school's principal.

IN THE NEWS: Teachers of the Year Honored

San Diego Unified's Teachers of the Year for 2011 were honored, along with school site Teachers of the Year and Future Educators.

• More from KPBS.org
• Video from Fox5 San Diego
  

John Muir Students Conduct Successful Service Learning Project

John Muir students are committed to helping feed the hungry in San Diego, conducting a coin drive for the San Diego Food Bank as their chosen service learning project. Laura Palazzo’s 1st and 2nd grade students led every part of the project, including choosing the organization and fundraiser, making fliers, posters and counting coins. The $534 raised will fund more than 1,500 meals for the food bank. For more information, contact Caryn Maroni at cmaroni1@sandi.net.

Challenger Middle School Recognized with $1,000 Check

Challenger Middle School was recently named a Front Runner Award Winner in the 2011 Governor’s Challenge Competition. They were one of 30 schools across the state to receive a $1,000 check by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for leading the way in engaging students in physical activity.




The Governor’s Challenge Competition is a statewide fitness contest for K-12 schools. The competition promotes more physical activity and better health among California’s youth. For more information, visit the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports website.

IN THE NEWS: San Diego schools earn recognition at National Science Bowl in D.C.

Both teams of budding student scientists from San Diego’s La Jolla High and The Preuss School have been eliminated from the 21st annual U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»