San Diego Unified celebrates Read Across America

Elementary students throughout the district recently celebrated Dr. Seuss and the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day. During the week of March 2-6, schools honored the beloved children’s author with carnivals, parades, costumes and guest readers.

Students at Field ES.

Read Across America is a year-round program that focuses on motivating children to read through events, partnerships and reading resources. The program culminates each year with a call for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss.

See how schools throughout the district honored Dr. Seuss and celebrated literacy.

Cabrillo ES: Cabrillo Elementary invited various local professionals to promote literacy and show a love for reading on March 3. Before guests read to students, they held a sing-a-long to Dr. Seuss songs to get everyone in the spirit. After spending time in classrooms reading Dr. Seuss and other favorite books, the guests shared with students the importance of reading in their careers.

Fay ES: Fay Elementary kicked off the week with a spirit assembly on Monday and welcomed guest readers throughout the week. Readers included Board Trustee Richard Barrera, news reporters John Howard and Laura Cavanaugh, and Jagger and Kristi from Magic 92.5.

Field ES: Field Elementary followed suit, holding activities throughout the week to celebrate Dr. Seuss and literacy. The school incorporated Spirit Week activities such as Crazy Sock Day, Crazy Hair Day, Pajama Day, Grade Level Color Day and Mismatched Day.

Literacy events at Field included a school-wide Reading Rally; a Rolling Teacher Reader Day, where teachers matched with another class and brought them to their rooms for a read aloud; a Dr. Seuss themed Door/Window Decorating Contest; and a Family Literacy Night.

Students at Franklin ES.

Franklin ES: Students at Franklin Elementary discovered, or rediscovered, the magic and fun of Dr. Seuss' books during their celebration of Read Across America.

"One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, is my favorite Dr. Seuss book because it has funny, colorful pictures that make me laugh,” said Jackie, a kindergartener at Franklin. “It also has funny rhyming words.”

Each class had at least two guest readers visit and read Dr. Seuss books. Afterward, Cat in the Hat led a parade of students dressed in their finest Dr. Seuss attire around the school.

Lindbergh Schweitzer ES: Fun with furry-friends was to be had at Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary on March 3 as the school welcomed 12 Paws'tive Teams Therapy dogs and their owners, dressed in their finest Dr. Seuss attire, to read to classrooms – one class even got to experience a live animal encounter thanks to the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Other classes heard from local guest authors, the San Diego Zoo’s traveling education department and Circus Vargas performers who not only read, but acted out the emotions of the characters.  

Sessions ES: Donning Dr. Seuss hats and carrying Dr. Seuss books, nearly 25 military men and women from Point Loma Naval base visited each classroom at Kate Sessions Elementary School and read a book to each class. KUSI visited the school and interviewed Captain Warner, the principal, and Carol Beville, the military liaison, regarding the event. Students loved the visiting military personnel as many of their mothers and fathers are deployed.  

Walker ES: To kick-off Read Across America at Walker Elementary school, Authors, Illustrators and Journalists (AIJ) Academy students created a newsletter for the entire school. Students also celebrated student above and beyond reading goals with a VIP luncheon with children’s book authors Mathew Ward and Henry Herz. The school also held a Barnes and Noble Book Fair and Family Fun Night with the Mira Mesa community.

Fulton K-8 unveils new Mission and Vision Mural

The new Mission and Vision Mural at Fulton Pre-K-8 embodies everything that the school stands for. It is a visual representation of the schools mission, vision and values.

The mural includes a bridge to the 21st century and a globe made of puzzle pieces to signify the new economy and the importance of collaboration and communication to ensure global success. The space shuttle on the mural represents the limitless possibilities if you dream big. Additionally, the images of students represent the diversity that exists at Fulton.

While the throwing of the tassels in the air is the ultimate goal – graduation from college and competing in the 21st century global economy in a career of the scholars’ choice – the final product was always about setting high expectations for students and conveying that message to the larger community.

The Mission and Vision Mural was a collaborative effort involving the students, staff, community and muralist Matthew Cavanagh. This is one of many murals on the Fulton campus.

Fulton Pre-K-8 School is committed to ensuring that each student is prepared to graduate from college with the requisite aptitude to compete in the 21st century with the skills that higher education requires and the workforce demands.

To learn more about muralist Matthew Cavanagh please visit http://www.mafasd.com/ or matt@mafasd.com or 619-306-2876.

Oak Park students talk social justice with Ghandi relative

Students in grades 3-5 at Oak Park Music Conservatory recently had the opportunity to conduct a Skype interview with Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mohandas Gandhi (known to his many followers as Mahatma).

Students have been exploring the roots of the American Civil Rights Movement in their classes taught by teachers Mick Rabin and Mary Beth Milliken. Social justice is an important component of their studies in cultural competence so the students have been reading about the life of civil rights legend, Congressman John Lewis, as well as the very inspiration for civil disobedience, Mohandas Gandhi. Mick Rabin reached out to Arun Gandhi who lived with his grandfather--the man who lead 300 million Indians to independence--toward the end of his life.

Arun Gandhi spoke with the students about his grandfather's nonviolence, finding positive ways to channel anger, and about carrying on the Gandhi torch of responding to the needs of the world's poorest and most oppressed. Now retired, the 80 year-old Arun Gandhi, recalled what it was like to live with his grandfather who modeled a life of simplicity and service to the needy.

The Oak Park students had a chance to ask Mr. Gandhi some questions about his own life and about the peaceful legacy of his grandfather. They composed and shared some poems in honor of Arun Gandhi's famous grandfather and heard some words of encouragement about leading by example and advocating on behalf of the people in society who have the least.

"Thanks to Mr. Gandhi, this will be a day that our third and fourth graders at Oak Park Music Conservatory will never forget," Rabin said.

For more information on the Skype session, email mrabin@sandi.net.

News Coverage:

Third-graders talk social justice with Gandhi's grandson - UT San Diego

Bringing STEAM to the mainstream

IN THE NEWS: The San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering kicks off on Saturday, bringing six days of experiments, activities and interactions with local science educators and professionals. Rodger Ashworth, 47, a resource teacher and administrator at Washington Elementary STEAM Magnet is one of the event’s participants. The University City resident challenged his kindergarten through fifth grade students to design and build arcade games, which will be on display at the festival’s Petco Park Expo Day on March 21. Ashworth, a native San Diegan who went to Santa Fe Christian High School and Point Loma Nazarene University, explains why art is an important part of science. Read more from UT San Diego.

Photo courtesy of UT San Diego

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Using Social Media for Cyber-bullying, Threats

Over the past week, school districts throughout San Diego County, including San Diego Unified, have been addressing a troublesome social media phone app that many students are downloading and using called Burnbook. This app allows “anonymous” posts associated with high schools and universities throughout the county. Unfortunately, the purpose of this app is to post negative information, to post critiques of fellow students and mean things about people.

While students may think their posts are completely anonymous, with Wi-Fi use and cell towers, posts can be traced back to the phone and/or computer that posted the comments. It is important for students to know that all posts on any platform of social media never disappear and are never fully anonymous. This includes personal information, photos and any form of threat.

 

When students post threatening or any other types of inappropriate messages (pornographic content, harassment, bullying, etc.) they can and will be charged by the school and/or local law enforcement. There have been several arrests of juveniles this past week as a result of threatening posts on Burnbook.

 

Threats are not jokes. They are considered a felony, a crime that may be punishable by imprisonment. In addition to criminal punishment, students who make threats will be referred for expulsion from school. The sharing of pornography involving minors and harassment are also punishable under the law.

 

We are encouraging all students to delete the app and continue to focus their energies on increasing their positive anti-bullying activities. Our anti-bullying policy expressly prohibits bullying, harassment, or intimidation of any kind. We encourage students to report bullying via our anonymous Students Speaking Out line at 888-580-8477 in keeping with our safe schools program.

 

Parents are encouraged to review with their child our district’s Student Internet Acceptable Use policy, which outlines the access provided to students within our schools, along with students’ responsibilities for acceptable and prohibited uses. We hope parents will take this opportunity to discuss online social media with their students. We also recommend that parents periodically review the content on their student’s phone, including apps and photos.

 

The San Diego Unified School District partners with the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to help students and families monitor and manage social media.  For resources to assist you in talking to your child about safe online behavior, please visit http://www.smartcyberchoices.org/ or http://studentsspeakingout.org/students.html to learn more.

Posted March 13, 2015

Correia Middle student brings school together to bury time capsule

Correia Middle School recently celebrated their 30th anniversary by burying a time capsule in front of their library, and a ceremony honoring the historic occasion. The event was made possible by the efforts of one student.

Steven Correia and Jacob Wade

As part of his participation in ASB, Jacob Wade was working with the yearbook class and organizing storage rooms. He happened to find a yearbook from Correia Middle School’s class of 1985.

This was the school’s first yearbook after transitioning from Collier Junior High to Correia Middle. Jake recognized how rare it was that his school was named after somebody who was still alive, Steven V. Correia, an influential glassblowing artist.

Combined with his interest in history, this spark gave Jake a hunger for more knowledge of his school’s past.

“One of my big projects was to organize the yearbooks from 1979 to present day,” Jake said. “I had gone through a lot of old back rooms and found a lot of things that students used in the 80s, a lot of different floppy discs, card stocks from the foundation and letters that had actually been written from Mr. Correia to the people who designed our logos in Hawaii.”

In May 2014, Jake was finishing 7th grade when he had the idea to bury a time capsule in honor of Correia Middle’s 30th anniversary. Rejoining ASB in 8th grade gave him the opportunity to make his idea a reality. With help from Correia Middle Principal Jonathan McDade, librarian Julie McKay and other ASB members, Jake spearheaded the event.

“The challenge was getting the physical set-up and getting from a concept to actually making it happen,” Jake said.

On January 16, ASB representatives, PTA members, staff and students gathered on campus in celebration of their school’s heritage. Steven Correia and Principal McDade gave speeches. Then Jake gave a speech about the history of the school. After that, Jake and Principal McDade lowered the time capsule into a hole in front of the library.

Inside the time capsule is present day memorabilia such as letters to the future, newspapers, pictures of President Obama and information on current trends. There are also four yearbooks from four decades: 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014.

Jake knew from the beginning that this ceremony would be a big project, but with help, he was confident that he could pull it off.

“Even though I’m just a student, and I’m not anything special at the school, I can contact the newspaper, I can contact the news and I can make a big thing happen,” Jake said. “If I just get into the school, get involved, there’s nothing stopping me from making something happen.”

Jacob Wade is something special. He is an ambitious young student who took the initiative to honor his school’s legacy. He also plans to continue being a part of ASB as he goes into high school.

“I like getting involved in the school, I like feeling more a part of the school than just a student who goes to the school,” Jake said.

As for digging up Correia Middle’s time capsule in 2045, he will definitely be there.

News Coverage:

Correia Middle School buries time capsule - SD News.com

PrimeTime Program applications now available

Applications for the before- and after-school care program, PrimeTime, for next school year are being accepted through May 1.

The PrimeTime Extended Day Program provides elementary and middle school students with a fun and engaging learning environment during the hours most parents/guardians are working.
Parents/guardians can feel comfortable knowing their children are not only receiving professional academic support, but are also interacting with peers in a physically and emotionally safe environment.

New applications are required for the 2015-16 school year, which begins in September, even if a child is currently in the program. Applications were sent home starting March 2 and are available online to print.

PrimeTime is designed by experts in child development, education and youth leadership. PrimeTime creates a physically and emotionally safe environment conducive to learning while improving reading, writing, verbal, math, science, social and communication skills. At most schools, programs are funded to serve approximately 85-100 students per school day at the elementary level and 100-300 students per school day at the middle school level. PrimeTime adds a strong youth development focus, including life skills, positive communication, conflict resolution, goal setting and decision making.

At many program sites, demand exceeds capacity; therefore, enrollment is based on need and compliance to the attendance policy. Families will be contacted when they have been selected for an available opening. Children who apply, but are not enrolled, will be placed on a wait list.

PrimeTime operates every regular school day. Parents/guardians may choose to have their child(ren) attend the before school and/or after school program.

PrimeTime is available before school hours at most, but not all schools, and start times vary among schools. Before school programs operate for a minimum of 90 minutes. Students are expected to attend every day for the full range of program hours.

After school, PrimeTime remains open until at least 6 p.m. each day for a minimum of 15 hours per week. Students are expected to attend every day for the full range of program hours.

To be considered for enrollment, you must complete a PrimeTime Extended Day Program Application, available at each school offering a program or online. Applications will be reviewed and prioritized based on a rating system.

Please visit the PrimeTime website for more information.