Mock 'Shark Tank' tests business skills of Mission Bay High students

From GPS pet trackers, counting basketballs and Powdered toe pad for ballerinas, Mission Bay High School business students created some interesting products during their Business 100 classes this year.

But before completing the class, they had to sell their new inventions to a room full of sharks.

With a lesson based on the Shark Tank television show, the students had to "sell" their products to investors. On the ABC television show, aspiring entrepreneurs, franchise and features businesspersons pitch to a panel of potential investors. Like the show, students presented their products or services and hoped for mock financial assistance with their businesses in exchange for equity.

 

This year’s inventions include:

• Find my Pet: LED and GPS enabled dog collar to track pet day and night;
• Ispraya: basketball that keeps track of how many shots made/missed;
• OnCore: a training sleeve that goes on baseball bats and tracks where the ball hits the bat;
• Sole Savers: indoor shoe grip spray to help traction for all indoor athletes;
• Quick Button Fix: a temporary fix for losing a button on clothes;
• Full Tilt Coolers: sports cooler with an internal slant so tilting the cooler when near empty is no longer necessary;
• Culinary Stick: a universal wooden spatula stick with replaceable cooking heads;
• Abrupt Bearings: water and sand resistant skateboard bearings;
• Sports Tech: laser sensors for marking perimeters of sports playing fields;
• D&I Innovations (Product: PowderPuffs): Powdered toe pad for ballerinas;
• The Changeable Brim: universal hat with changeable brims;
• Travelr: phone application that enables users to find any form of public transportation and taxis

Students began the Shark Tank project by assuming the role of an entrepreneur tasked with devising a proprietary, practical invention that can be a product or service. They spent months developing a business plan for their invention while, along the way, learning important business concepts from the course outline such as starting and operating a small business, human resources, finances, accounting, and marketing. The class included instruction in economics, business ethics, leadership, management, the role of government in business, and developing a career plan.

At the project's completion, students created a prototype and pitched their invention to real business owners, just like on the show. In developing their inventions, students learned about the importance of legally protecting their company via a patent, and protecting their logo and tagline with a trademark. They learned the costs associated with leasing a space to conduct business operations. Additionally, they used Common Core staples of critical thinking and problem solving to determine their cost of goods sold, distribution methods, marketing tactics and total start-up funds that would be required to launch their businesses. Skills learned in English class were reinforced, in that each Shark Tank assignment was accepted only if there were no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors.

Business 100 is a Career Technical Education course in the Business and Finance Industry Sector supported by the Office of College, Career & Technical Education. For more information, contact David West, CCTE Teacher, at dwest@sandi.net.

Eight students in Class of 2014 divide $150,000 in Broad Prize scholarships

Eight students from seven schools in the Class of 2014 divided the $150,000 in scholarship money received by San Diego Unified as a result of its nomination for the 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education.

The students are: Dustin Nguyen of Crawford High School; Jake Brooks and Linh Ngo of Madison High; Nathanael Maracle from Pt. Loma High; Kevin Sibaja Allec, SciTech at San Diego High; Gerardo Perez, School of Business and LEADS at San Diego High; Tyler Wallake, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts; and Ari Krasner, University City High School.

The Broad Prize scholarship recipients attending four-year colleges or universities will receive up to a $20,000 award ($5,000 per year, paid out over four years). Students attending two-year colleges or vocational schools will receive up to a $5,000 award ($2,500 per year, paid out over two years). Awards are for undergraduate study only.

"Many excellent students applied and the program was extremely competitive this year. In a competitive scholarship program, not every student can receive an award," said Connie Baumgartner, Program Manager with Scholarship America Scholarship Management Services, which handled the selection process on behalf of the Broad Foundation.

The initial review and evaluation of applications was completed by Scholarship Management Services with careful consideration given to each student’s academic record and all other information including financial data provided on the application. An independent selection committee further reviewed application materials and selected recipients.

San Diego Unified was named by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation as one of the top for US school districts to demonstrate the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement, while at the same time reducing achievement gaps across ethnic groups and between low-income and non-low-income students.

The $1 million Broad Prize is the largest education award in the nation. It recognizes urban school districts that demonstrate the strongest student achievement and improvement while reducing achievement gaps among low-income students and students of color.

Houston Independent School District won the prize in 2013, receiving $550,000 in college scholarships for high school seniors who will graduate in 2014. San Diego Unified, along with Corona-Norco Unified School District in Riverside County, Calif., and Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina, will each receive $150,000 in college scholarships. There is no application process for the prize; the districts are selected by the Broad Prize committee and invited to participate.

When the announcement of the prize winner was made in September, 2013, Supt. Marten hailed the efforts of students and staff to create a climate of excellence in San Diego Unified.

"It was an honor to be recognized by The Broad Foundation," said Supt. Cindy Marten. "I am grateful to our team of employees who work every day in-and-out of the classrooms for our children. I'm excited for our students who will receive Broad scholarships."

Tomorrow's technologists show projects to San Diego community

Students from Crawford and University City high schools, as well as Marshall Middle School, were champions at the seventh annual College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) Showcase event at Liberty Station.

The event connects business partners with students and teachers to develop a strong foundation for the economic future for San Diego. More than 300 industry professionals volunteer each year as mentors, guest speakers, or advisers for student teams. The students exhibit products they produce and business problems they solve in collaboration with members of the local business community.

This year’s champion in the High School Team category was Crawford High School’s Urban Revolution project that educated students and community members about energy conservation and healthy living. The project provided opportunities for students to work with community members to learn about science, technology and math.

University City High School was named the champion in the High School Open category with a project partnering the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Innovations course grant proposal with Quench and Connect, a non-profit organization. The grant proposal seeks to provide funding for a secondary school in rural Uganda and implement funds for the school to maintain a marketable tilapia fish farm.

Marshall Middle School students examined multiple questions about zoos in the 21st century and which animals should have priority in the San Diego Zoo system in order to be chosen as the Middle School Champion. Student teams researched, designed and built a physical or digital zoo enclosure to best meet the needs of the zoo animal, employees and visitors.

Additional schools recognized for their projects included: Kearny Construction Tech Academy’s Energy Initiative 2020 with a focus on energy efficiency in an effort to cut emissions and reduce dependence on foreign fuel (High School Team category); Mira Mesa High School’s WAMPBAT, a machine that allows a person in a wheelchair to run the infield and outfield practice of a baseball team (High School Open category); and Innovation Middle School’s 3D printed wind turbine which highlights the technology and physics that are involved with the generation of electricity with wind turbines, as well as the creation of these turbines and uses that power an LED light.

For more information about the CCTE Showcase, please contact Ralph West, Interim Director CCTE, at rwest1@sandi.net.

UC High's ArtsTECH ends year with exhibition

ArtsTECH Academy students from University City High School celebrated the end of their school year with an art exhibit and performances at Barrio Logan's Woodbury School of Architecture.

Receiving the honor for the evening was student Natalie Eddy, who is the recipient of this year's Chris Gannon Memorial Scholarship. The grant is given in the memory of parent and program volunteer, the late Chris Gannon. It was funded by ArtsTECH teacher John Middleton.

Also honored were retiring teachers Lauriel Adsit and Belinda Brown. Adsit is a longtime art teacher and a co-founder of ArtsTECH. Brown is also an ArtsTECH co-founder, is program coordinator and a theater teacher. Middleton will also be leaving the academy this year, as he is taking an administrator position within the district.

Woodbury University is involved with ArtsTECH through its administrative director, Debra Abel, who is a member of the program's advisory board.

Find out more about ArtsTECH at University City High School by visiting its website.

Lafayette students, community create mural in memory of favorite student

IN THE NEWS: 60-foot artwork created by the Lafayette Elementary School students and community is a lasting legacy of their late classmate, Yusra Nasir. Watch story from Fox 5 San Diego»

SCPA: "A school that fulfills students' desires to pursue their artistic dreams while also preparing them for their academic future"

IN THE NEWS: The San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts was  created in 1979 to educate young people in the Arts.  It has grown into a school that fulfills students' desires to pursue their artistic dreams while also preparing them for their academic future.  Students recently paired up with professionals to stage a production of "Suds: The Rockin' 60s Musical Soap Opera" at downtown San Diego's Lyceum Theater. Watch video from Cox 4 San Diego's Salute to Education»

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.

Gage Elementary students' artwork flying high at Lindbergh Field

Student artwork from Gage Elementary School in San Carlos has been selected for display at the San Diego International Airport's Commuter Terminal.

ArtReach Teaching Artist Jack White created this lesson that allows students to create a contour map of the face. The result is both a science project and a self-portrait. Fourth and fifth graders at Gage learned about the development and utility of the contour map while also exploring self-portraiture. This is one of a series of ArtReach workshops in development that focus on the juncture of science and art.

The Portrait Maps created during the lesson used photographs of their faces to create 3-D self-portraits. Portraits created by 26 students are on display at the Commuter Terminal at the airport now through August. The exhibit is pre-security so anyone can enter and enjoy the art.

Gage Elementary students have worked with ArtReach Teaching Artists since 2010. ArtReach has helped students create original art in a variety of media from paint to pastels to collage and more.

Find out more about Gage Elementary by visiting its website.

It's Ballet Folklorico de Escuela Longfellow performing at Pacific Beach Middle School

It was a memorable Ballet Folklorico performance as elementary students from Longfellow K-8 in Clairemont performed for middle school students at Pacific Beach Middle School, part of Pacific Beach Middle School's Cinco de Mayo celebration.


With boys and girls aged 7-14 performing, these students are part of a tradition and program that has been running for more than a decade at Longfellow, a Spanish-language immersion magnet school.

"Thank you to Gloria Cota, parent and Ballet Folklorico volunteer for setting up the event," said Ernest Remillard, Pacific Beach Middle School Principal.

Escuela Longfellow Ballet Folklorico is a parent-volunteer enrichment program that brings the Mexican and Spanish cultures to the students, who are learning the language through Longfellow's Spanish-language immersion program. It's been a part of the school's fabric for more than 12 years, with Vivana Enrique from Muevete Dance Studio as the instructor.

"I have had the privilege to coordinate this program at our school with amazing parent volunteers for the last ten years," said Cota. "Parents Christine Pilger and Valerie Gordon, Cherisa Archuleta, Carla Valdovinos and Myra Woodberry are also volunteers. We are overseen by our on site Resource Teacher Josie Ramirez."

The diversity of the school is definitely portrayed in the dance group that ranges in ages from 6-13 (grades 1-8).

"We have dancers in our group that started in kindergarten and are now at middle school age," said Cota. "We started with a group of 19 students and have grown into 48 students and have added an extra day to accommodate the demand."

Public performances are scheduled after each eight-week practice section.

"Each session always portrays a different region with different costumes and cultural awareness of that region," she said. "We perform at our school functions, Dia de los Muertos for the fall session, Cesar Chavez assemblies, spring open house and the year-end Multicultural Festival. The core group that performs at outside the school functions is our advanced group that has been dancing together for the last 4-8 years together.

"Other performances include Mesa College Festival of Colors, UCSD and we have been invited to perform at next year's Latino Film Festival."

For more information on the program, contact Longfellow K-8 Principal Diana Sanchez at (619) 276-4206.

Patrick Henry High School might be the toughest golf course in town

IN THE NEWS: The Henry Cluster STEMM Foundation, an organization dedicated to enriching science, technology, engineering, math, and music and arts education in the eleven schools of the Patrick Henry Cluster, is excited to host the 2014 Henry Cluster Mini Golf Challenge. Teams of students from kindergarten through twelfth grade have been working hard all year to design and build mini golf holes, and they’ve been having a pretty good time doing it. Read more from Mission Times Courier»

Encanto Elementary transformed into cool EnviroSchool

Birds, snakes and even Dr. Zoolittle invaded Encanto Elementary and the students now know better how to care for their environment.

Snake says hi to Encanto students

"EnviroSchool" is a fun and educational workshop that features "scientists" performing a variety of fun and innovative activities for the students and student participation is part of the lesson. The program, which took a full morning, starts Students were greeted by Dr. Zoolittle -- the San Diego Zoo's zany and good-natured "animal researcher" character. During his introductory assembly, Dr. Zoolittle used magic and animals to teach students about wildlife conservation and recycling through audience interaction and lots of friendly humor.

Encanto students then had the opportunity to participate in three structured learning activities.

• The Splash Van: A mobile science lab featuring five different stations where kids use computers, microscopes, chemistry experiments and living creatures to learn about water quality and insect life. The lab teaches students the connection between human activities and the health of the environment. 
• The Green Machine: An interactive exploration program that teaches agricultural awareness at three stations: a soils research station with live earthworms, the water cycle station with dramatic role play scenarios and costumes, and an integrated pest management station with interactive role play and insect puppets. 
• Waste Reduction and Recycling Presentation, and the Recycling Relay: A hands-on presentation with displays of items made with recycled materials that teaches students the importance of waste prevention, reducing, reusing, composting, and recycling followed by a high-energy recycling race where the environment is the winner. 

The Green Machine, Splash Van and relay are operated by the San Diego County Office of Education. Find out more by contacting Debbie Baker, Principal Encanto Academic Academy, at619-344-6700.

Mira Mesa High scholars have a soft spot for kids at Ronald McDonald House

Some of Mira Mesa High's top scholars had a soft spot for kids... working to collect enough money to buy more than 100 brand new pillows for the kids at the Ronald McDonald House.

The students are members of the Mira Mesa High California Scholarship Federation (CSF) club, with donations and help coming from fellow students, staff, and the Mira Mesa community.

“Every child should have a pillow to sleep on at night," said CSF President, Kristine Lee. "The second we heard the Ronald McDonald House Charities had 102 children without pillows, we got right to work,”

Mira Mesa High students worked directly with the volunteer coordinator at the San Diego Ronald McDonald House Charities to identify their greatest area of need. Lee and her team then went back to Mira Mesa High and ran a very successful marketing campaign and drive to collect pillows.

The MMHS Pillow Drive came to a successful conclusion when Charles E. Day, CEO of the San Diego Ronald McDonald House Charities, met students from the CSF club at the Mira Mesa Big Lots to pick up 102 pillows that the CSF club had raised money to purchase for children in need.

For more information on the program, contact Stacey Seiders, Mira Mesa High ASB advisor, at (858) 566-2262 ext. 4412.

PTA salutes dedication of volunteers working with children at San Diego schools

What's the value of PTA volunteer hours?

According to the San Diego Unified Council of PTAs, it is $7,638,632.10. That's more than half the amount that San Diego Unified receives in a typical year from the California Lottery.

The San Diego Unified Council of PTA’s held its annual Founders Day Celebration at San Diego State University  on May 19. The recognizes the founders of the PTA, including Alice Birney and Phoebe Hearst, and provided the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions that parents, teachers, principals, and community volunteers make at our schools.

Derby Pattengill, President of the San Diego Unified Council of PTAs, presented Board President Kevin Beiser (pictured above) with a symbolic check for $7,638,632.10. The check represents the monetary equivalent of  the volunteer hours contributed by PTA volunteers during the 2013-14 school year. Board President Beiser said, “the value of time and effort invested by our PTA volunteers is beyond measure.”

"The San Diego Unified Council of PTA’s is proud to work alongside the district to support students,”  said Pattengill. "Last year, the symbolic check was for $4.2 million, and this year, it is at $7.6 million. This represents a large increase in the amount of time, energy and enthusiasm that PTA volunteers bring to schools."

This year marked the council's 25th year.

Clairemont High business students shine in national competition

Two student teams from the Academy of Business at Clairemont High School finished in the top five of the Junior Achievement Social Innovation Relay national finals sponsored by Hewlett Packard.

The teams presented their social innovation idea and business to a panel of HP judges including several vice presidents across the USA via HP's online meeting.

Seniors, Stephanie Kwik, Cole McDaniel, Jesus Chagala Toral, and Matthews Abebe, presented their social business idea to help third world countries get clean water. Similar to Tom's Shoes, they would brand water bottles for sale with proceeds going to an education program starting in Ethiopia to train villagers how to create sustainable water filters using local natural resources. AOB's other team, led by Miranda Adams, presented a plan to help rescue dogs and foster children.

Student teams were mentored by CCTE teacher, Alan Walter, in his Business Management and Ownership course.

HP streamed the video feed live to HP viewing parties in Venezuela, Costa Rica and headquarters through the USA where their employees voted for the fan favorite. The winner of the USA competition wins tablets and cash and will advance to the global competition against 19 other countries. Visit HP's website for more details.

Morse, Scripps Ranch culinary students help chefs with 'secret baskets'

Culinary Arts and Management students from Morse and Scripps Ranch high schools assisted chefs in the fourth annual Secret Basket Cook Off and Mixer sponsored by the San Diego County Chapter of the California Restaurant Association.

Each student was paired with a chef to prepare an entrée with a secret ingredient. Chefs were to bring all their cooking utensils and pots/pans to the event where they were given chicken as the protein and fresh cherries as the secret ingredient.

The winning team was Chef Percy Oani from the Shores Restaurant, assisted by Morse student, Adrianne Ronquillo. Other participating students included Mathew lam and Cameron Lopez from Scripps Ranch and Ciara Jones from Morse.

The students were able to spend time with the judges after the event as well as all the participating chefs in the competition. The event is a fundraiser to benefit the students and schools that compete in the ProStart competition every spring.

For more details on the Culinary Arts and Management program, please Angela Croce, CCTE Program Specialist, at acroce@sandi.net. For more details on the San Diego County Chapter of the California Restaurant Association, please visit http://www.calrest.org/member-services/community-networking/san-diego-county/.

American Heritage Powwow Draws Diverse Crowd in Downtown San Diego

IN THE NEWS: Surrounded by tall commercial buildings and a busy downtown scene, more than 1,000 people attended the American Indian Heritage Pow Wow, a two-day event in San Diego’s Balboa Park on May 10-11. The intertribal exhibition pow wow, a type becoming rare these days because of the popularity of larger competition pow wows, was organized by the American Indian Heritage Committee, the San Diego Unified School District’s Title VII Indian Education Program and San Diego American Indian Health Center. Read more from Indian Country Today Media Network» 

Monroe Clark, Kearny, Mira Mesa, Pershing volunteers top Donornation competition

Grand Prize winner Hermelinda Figueroa from Monroe Clark Middle School walked away with a $5,000 check from DonorNation for her school as the online fundrasing platform held its School Volunteer of the Year competition.

Hermelinda Figueroa

Jerry Butkiewicz

Other winners from San Diego Unified were Jerry Butkiewicz from Kearny Construction Tech Academy; Barbara Shortill of Mira Mesa High; and Kathy Monroe from Pershing Middle School.

Additional prizes included a year's worth of groceries from Sprouts Farmers Market, season passes for La Jolla Playhouse, and a family membership to The New Children's Museum.

Grand Prize Winner Figueroa has been volunteering to help improve the future for students in City Heights for 18 years – while raising her three grandchildren. She is a strong student advocate who encourages inter-generational participation in community and cultural programs, such as “Latinos and Latinas in Action” and IRC's “New Roots,” City Heights Community Farm. She is passionate about encouraging students to go to college, to become self-sufficient and successful. She remains dedicated to increasing parent involvement and engagement with teachers, staff and community members to maximize opportunities for all students to achieve the highest level of success.

Second runner-up Jerry Butkiewicz has been a tirelessly energetic volunteer who embraced his own former struggles in school to connect with students facing adversity. Since 2001, he has volunteered as a mentor and role model for these underserved students. Butkiewicz works countless hours spearheading career programs, organizing field trips, and finding businesses to support real-life experiences to provide students at Kearny High Contraction Tech Academy with a strong foundation for future success.

Other winners were: People's Choice (Category 3), Barbara Shortill of Mira Mesa High School; and Honorable Mention, Cathy Monroe of Pershing Middle School.
For more information about DonorNation's 2013-14 School Volunteer of the Year Awards, visit http://www.donornation.org/award

DonorNation is the "Marketplace with a Heart" where every purchase or donation of goods and services benefits schools and nonprofits. The San Diego-based company helps unlock the power of the community by providing its users with the tools to provide a sustainable source of funding for schools and nonprofit organizations while supporting community-minded businesses. Visit www.donornation.org for more information.

Wilson Middle students represent Chavistas at Mesa College ceremony

Wilson Middle School sixth graders honored their heritage during recent visit to attend a ceremony honoring Gracia Molina de Pick, founder of the school's Chicano Studies Department, and the Mesa College professor in the 1960s who inspired Linda and Carols LeGerrette to found the Cesar Chavez Service Clubs.

Four Wilson sixth graders — Ruby Martinez, Rosario Perez, Mehalet Shibre and Chantal Estrada — attended a ceremony at Mesa College to unveil and dedicate the Gracia Molina de Pick Glass Gallery. Molina de Pick founded the Chicano Studies Department at Mesa College in 1970.

 

The Wilson Middle School Chavistas represented all of the Chavistas in San Diego County in honoring Gracia Molina de Pick. They presented flowers and sang “Happy Birthday” to her, and thanked Professor Molina de Pick for inspiring their club founders and themselves to serve others and improve their community of City Heights..

Local artist helps Lindbergh Schweitzer students create mural

Working with parent volunteer Emily Dolton, owner of Art, Murals, Design and Wall Treatments, the students in rooms 46 and 47 at Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School knew there would be art involved.

One of the most popular children's books this year, The Day The Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt, inspired Dolton to create the project. In the book, the crayons writel letters to Duncan, the crayons' owner, expressing their anger. Dolton had the students read the letters aloud then handed out Popsicle sticks with a color on one side and a place (sky, land, sea) on the other.

The students then drew something they would find in their place and colored it with that main color crayon. Emily then cut out and glued the objects to a painted background she created. The result is a beautiful colorful landscape filled with rainbows, airplanes, fish, volcanoes, cars, snakes, mermaids, boats, hot air balloons, helicopters, clouds, jellyfish and more.

The mural now has a permanent spot in the East Campus hallway.

Reaching students through stories and art is a passion for Dolton, a mother of two, who serves the school in many artistic ways. Not only does she disguise herself on Read Across America Days as The Cat in the Hat, or The Grinch, she has painted murals on the playground, murals in staff lounges and most recently, the breezeway poles at the entrance to the school.

Donate your used musical instrument to help a needy San Diego Unified student

It’s that time of year again for the annual Jazz 88.3 Music Matters Instrument Drive. During the month of May, supporters of music in San Diego are asking the community to donate their used musical instruments to Jazz 88.3 to be given to the nonprofit Community Council for Music in the Schools.

This valuable arts organization partners with San Diego Unified’s Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department to provide musical instruments to students enrolled in district music programs who request support.
San Diego Unified has again been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in America — 2014 by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). It is because of our strong music partnerships that we are able to grow and strengthen our music programs and to provide instrumental music to 100 percent of our elementary schools and almost every secondary school. Your donations are tax deductible.

As more and more students from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods are participating in district music classes, your support for our music programs is more critical now than ever before. With your help, this could be the most successful Music Matters Instrument Drive yet!

Drop off donated instruments at any Coles Fine Flooring location, or at the Jazz 88.3 business office at KSDS-FM, San Diego City College, 1313 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101. All instruments will be refurbished and distributed among San Diego Unified School District and other county music programs. So if you have an instrument that you no longer need or use, feel free to dust it off and drop it off and help keep San Diego's youth musically-inspired!

For more information please contact Station Manager Mark DeBoskey, 619-388-3037, markd@jazz88.org.