Need information on San Diego's schools? There's an app for that.

San Diego Unified app
running on an Android
phone.

San Diego Unified's new smart phone app, giving parents and the community quick access to locations of district schools, up-to-date news and other features, is now online.

Available for the Apple iPhone, as well as phones and pads running the Google Android system, the app was co-developed by the district and its web content management system contractor, Schoolwires Inc.

"This new mobile app will give on-the-go access to district news and information" said Bernie Rhinerson, Chief of Staff, "for all of our parents and the community at large who need timely information about our schools and who want to keep up with what is happening in our district.“

The app is available for download from the iTunes app store for Apple products, or from the Google Play app store for devices running the Google Android system. There is no charge for the app, however the end-user may have to pay for data usage depending on his or her phone plan.

"San Diego Unified School District now will be able to effectively deliver its rich district experience powered by Schoolwires to community stakeholders using mobile devices," said Jason Coudriet, vice president of Product Design and Innovation, Schoolwires, Inc. "We are excited and pleased with the success of the project. "

Current features include access to the district's News section, which provides daily stories on student achievement, new programs and innovative school programs, an address and telephone number listing of all district schools, staff directory and links to the district's Facebook and Twitter pages. Additional features will be added to the app in the coming months, including an iPad version and Spanish-language support.

“As one of the first large urban school districts in the country to offer a mobile information application," said Rhinerson, "San Diego Unified continues to be on the leading edge in using new technologies to stay connected with our stakeholders.”

For more information on the app, contact District Webmaster Geoff Smith at webmaster@sandi.net.

Barnard Elementary selected as a top Mandarin Chinese school

Principal Eddie Park

Barnard Mandarin Chinese Magnet School in Pt. Loma has received international recognition as one of four top Confucius Classrooms out of more than 500 worldwide.

The school was nominated by its local partner, the Confucius Institute at San Diego State University, which received a $1 million grant at the same time the honors were announce for Barnard.

"Our Barnard community is thrilled and proud to hear that the program was recognized as being one of the best in the world," said Principal Eddie Park, who traveled to China in December to receive the award. The school received the prestigious California Distinguished School honor in 2010.

Located in the Loma Portal neighborhood, Barnard has gone from struggling to international recognition since the Mandarin Chinese program started in 2007 under former principal Mary Watry. Park, who succeeded the retiring Watry a year later, told U-T San Diego in February 2012 what hard work on the part of staff, parents and students can do.

“This is a testimony of a successful public school,” he told the newspaper. “There is a lot of news about failing public schools these days. A lot of people are talking about how our education system is broken. We turned a failing public around. This is a school parents are now seeking out. It is a California Distinguished School. This shows you what you can do when you work hard, get the resources you need and have the support of the parents, the community, the staff and the children.”

The school has several native-speaking Mandarin Chinese teachers and the language is taught in all grades, while maintaining state and district standards. It also uses technology – the internet and smart boards purchased through funds from voter-approved bonds – to allow students to have real-time teleconferences with schools in China and Taiwan.

"The educational community is also part of our team at Barnard," said Park. "From our literacy specialist, Maria Nichols, and Mary Waldron of the district's Office of Language Acquisition, to Dr. Lily Cheng at SDSU and even the Utah Dual Language Consortium, all contribute to create amazing opportunities for our group of kids in kindergarten through fourth grade."

The success of the program is prompting a move to the larger campus of Bayview Terrace Elementary School in Pacific Beach for the 2013-14 school year.

"This program grew from just an idea on the part of a principal and an administrator to worldwide acclaim," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "It's a great example of our district's philosophy of nurturing innovation that, in this case, will help educate the next generation of world citizens."

Park accepted the award on behalf of the school at the Global Confucius Institute Conference, an annual meeting held in Beijing that is sponsored by the Office of Chinese Language International Council or Hanban, an institution affiliated with China’s Ministry of Education.

Since 2004, Confucius Institutes have been set up in more than 100 countries. Improved understanding of Chinese language and culture is the goal, along with developing friendly relations between China and other countries.

For more information on the school, contact Park at epark@sandi.net.

News coverage

• UT San Diego»
• KPBS

Mira Mesa senior honored by local Veterans of Foreign Wars

Nicole Hardson-Hurley accepts award
from District 1 Commander Dale Smith, left, and
District 1 President Ellie Mello.

Nicole Hardson-Hurley, a senior at Mira Mesa High School, has received the Outstanding Spokesperson for Democracy Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars California District 1, San Diego.

One of the VFW's international programs for high school students, it encourages young adults to reflect on the United States' democratic ideals. Nicole's win means that she'll move on to the state competition in Sacramento. Not only must students write the essay, they must read it to the audience.

"She's a democratic young leader at Mira Mesa High," said Principal Scott Giusti. Hardson-Hurley is vice president of the school's student government, an actress in the school's drama program and president of Impact San Diego.

"She's a well-rounded individual who will represent our city well at the state capitol," said Giusti. "We're proud to have such an outstanding and dedicated student leader."

Nicole was awarded the plaque during a ceremony that was opened by the school's Air Force JROTC color guard. Guest speaker was the the school's AFJROTC Wing Commander, C/Lt.Col. Arnelle Sambile.
The Voice of Democracy program has been supporting youth since being founded by the VFW in 1947. The national competition culminates in a $30,000 scholarship award.

For more information, contact Sara Leonard, Vice Principal, at sleonard@sandi.net.

Met student works water wizardry for Coastkeeper

IN THE NEWS: After learning that an automated water sampling device needed for stormwater testing would cost $7,000, a 16-year-old San Diego Coastkeeper volunteer figured he could do better. Read more from UT San Diego»

Kearny Construction Tech Races to Jimmy Johnson Grant

Students at Stanley E. Foster Construction Tech Academy at Kearny Educational Complex rejoiced at the news of receiving a grant for $47,476 from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation to upgrade, preserve and certify the last remaining precision-machine tool technology program in San Diego county.

 The funding will upgrade and replace equipment necessary to acquire industry recognized certification in the manufacturing and engineering pathways.

Data show that career opportunities are growing for machine-tool operators and machinists. Currently, there are more than 600,000 unfilled machinist-related jobs nationwide and little to no infrastructure in place offering professional-level training.

The equipment will outfit the facility with a modern  milling lathe and training simulators common to industry. With this new equipment, students will have an edge in obtaining employment and will learn to use the tools of tomorrow. Students will acquire professional training which meets the requirements to accredit the program under National Institute for Metalworking Skills.

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation, in partnership with Lowe’s Toolbox for Education, has been supporting schools through the Champions Grant program since 2009. Champions Grants are distributed to K-12 public schools in Chandra and Jimmie Johnson’s hometowns in California, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

For more information about Kearny Construction Tech Academy and/or the machine tooling program, please contact Principal Laura Bellofatto at lbellofatto@sandi.net or Greg Quirin, CCTE Program Specialist, at gquirin@sandi.net.

In interview, School Board President optimistic about future

IN THE NEWS: Dr. John Lee Evans discusses student achievement, continuing budget challenges. Read more from UT San Diego»

San Diego Unified gets high marks for school choice

IN THE NEWS: Brookings Institute ranks district in top 10 in parents' ability to choose the right school for their child. See study.

News coverage

• KPBS»
• UT San Diego»