Holmes Elementary third graders win national science competition

The Toshiba/NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) ExploraVision National Contest challenges K-12 students from across the United States and Canada to work in groups to simulate a real research and development team. Student teams choose a technology of today and envision what it could be like 20 years from now.

This year, two teams of students from third-grade teacher Diana Celle's class at Holmes Elementary in Clairemont took second place and honorable mention in the competition. Read more on the school's website.

 

Wangenheim Middle student excels on and off field

IN THE NEWS: A 13-year-old Mira Mesa girl who is playing little league baseball with the boys is proving she's in a league of her own. Mira Mesa's All-Star has a secret weapon, and her name is Cara MacNaughton, who just completed eighth grade at Wangenheim Middle. Cara started playing T-ball with the boys when she was five-years-old and never looked back. From Rancho Penasquitos to Coronado, Cara is the only girl playing intermediate boy baseball.

Watch and read more at CBS 8

District appoints new principals for 2015-16 school year

Superintendent Cindy Marten recently announced the appointments of several new principals for the 2015-16 school year. Included below is a list of appointments and a short biography.

• Boone Elementary School: Erica Renfree
• Curie Elementary School: Cara Ramsey
• Dingeman Elementary School: Tamara Lewis
• Edison Elementary School: Eileen Moreno
• Florence Elementary: Alexis Conerty
• Grant K-8: Kathy Lorden
• Lafayette Elementary School: Anne McCarty
• Linda Vista Elementary School: Michael Beraud
• Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School: Victoria Peterson
• McKinley Elementary School: Deb Ganderton
• Marston Middle School: John Gollias
• Montgomery Middle School: Stephanie Brown
• Roosevelt Middle School: Christina Casillas
• Standley Middle School: William Pearson
• Mt. Everest Academy (Interim): Courtney Browne
• San Diego High School (Interim): Dr. Carmen Garcia

Boone Elementary School, Erica Renfree
Renfree is currently a vice principal serving both Dana and Correia middle Schools. She has worked at the two sites since 2013. She has also taught at Patrick Henry and Lincoln high schools. She began working for San Diego Unified in 2006. She received her bachelor’s and master’s from the University of San Diego and her administrative credential from San Diego State University.

Curie Elementary School, Cara Ramsey

Ramsey is currently a Common Core cluster support teacher for the Leadership and Learning Department. She previously worked at Porter Elementary as a teacher. She received her bachelor's, master's and administrative credential from the University of San Diego.

Dingeman Elementary School, Tamara Lewis
Lewis is currently the vice principal at Chollas/Meade Elementary School. She served as a teacher at Baker Elementary School prior to her appointment at Chollas/Meade. Lewis has worked for San Diego Unified since 1990. She received her bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from San Diego State University, master’s degree from National University and administrative credential from San Diego State University.

Edison Elementary School, Eileen Moreno
Moreno is currently the Director of Curriculum and Assessment in the Santee School District. Moreno is a former San Diego Unified principal who served at Fay Elementary School from 2007 to 2013. Moreno began her career as a teacher at Emerson/Bandini in 1997. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, teaching credential through the district's BECA program and master’s degree and doctorate in education from San Diego State University.

Florence Elementary, Alexis Conerty
Conerty is currently a Common Core cluster support teacher for the Leadership and Learning Department, and previously held the positions of ELST and elementary school teacher. She has worked for San Diego Unified since 1998. She obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of California, San Diego and her master's and administrative credential from San Diego State University.

Grant K-8, Kathy Lorden
Lorden is currently vice principal at Pershing Middle School. She has also served as a vice principal at University City and Serra high schools, and has worked for San Diego Unified since 2008. She received her bachelor’s degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and teaching credential, master’s degree and administrative credential from Point Loma Nazarene University.

Lafayette Elementary School, Anne McCarty
McCarty is currently vice principal at La Jolla High School and has been there since 2013. She is an adjunct professor at San Diego State University in Special Education. She also served as vice principal at Clairemont High School and has worked for San Diego Unified since 2003. McCarty received her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, teaching credential from California State University San Bernardino, and her master’s and administrative credential from San Diego State University.

Linda Vista Elementary School, Michael Beraud
Beraud is currently interim principal at Dingeman Elementary School. He served as vice principal at Dingeman from 2009 until he was appointed interim principal. Beraud has work for San Diego Unified since 1986. He received his bachelor’s degree, teaching credential, master’s degree and administrative credential from National University.

Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School, Victoria Peterson
Peterson is currently interim principal at Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School. She served as vice principal at Audubon Elementary prior to her interim appointment at Lindbergh Schweitzer. She has taught at the elementary level as a classroom teacher and resource specialist. She has worked for San Diego Unified since 1997. She received her bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University, master’s degree from National University and her administrative credential from San Diego State University.

McKinley Elementary School, Deb Ganderton
Ganderton is currently an elementary school principal in the Escondido Union School District. She obtained her bachelor's degree from Florida International University, her master's from the University of Laverne and her administrative credential from National University.

Marston Middle School, John Gollias

Gollias is currently an assistant principal in the San Marcos Unified School District. He obtained his bachelor's at Arizona State University and his master's and administrative credential at San Diego State University

Montgomery Middle School, Stephanie Brown
Brown is currently vice principal at Dana Middle School. She has worked at Lincoln and Point Loma high schools as a mathematics teacher and special education teacher. Brown has worked for San Diego Unified since 1996. She received her bachelor’s degree and teaching credentials from California State University, San Marcos and her administrative credential from the University of San Diego.

Roosevelt Middle School, Christina Casillas
Casillas is currently principal at San Diego High School MVPA. She has also served as vice principal at University City High School and Home Hospital. She has a background in special education. Casillas began her career with San Diego Unified in 1999. She received her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, administrative credential and doctorate in education from San Diego State University.

Standley Middle School, William Pearson
Pearson is currently the interim principal at Standley Middle School. He has been at Standley since 2004, serving as vice principal, resource teacher, and teacher until becoming interim principal. He has worked for San Diego Unified since 1999. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California, San Diego, his teaching credential from San Diego State University and his administrative credential from the University of San Diego.

Mt. Everest Academy (Interim), Courtney Browne

Brown is currently vice principal at Innovation Middle School. She has worked for San Diego Unified since 2003. She earned her bachelor's degree at Hollins University, her master's degree at University of California, San Diego and her administrative credential  at San Diego State University.

San Diego High School (Interim), Dr. Carmen Garcia

Garcia is currently principal at San Diego High School of International Studies. She has been with San Diego Unified since 2005, and has previously held the position of principal at Roosevelt Middle School. She obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of San Diego, her master's from National University and her doctorate from the University of Southern California. 

Crawford High students lead Restorative Practices workshop

IN THE NEWS: Students from the Crawford High School Academy of Law led an in-depth Restorative Justice workshop on Wednesday, educating nearly 100 teachers, staff and administrators, as well as student leaders, on how to implement restorative practices at their respective high schools. Six San Diego Unified high schools, including Hoover, Madison, Morse, Lincoln and San Diego, are piloting the restorative program. The workshop taught educators and students about using facilitation and peer mediation practices to resolve disciplinary issues as well as develop a stronger sense of community at their individual schools.Watch more at CW 6.

Video and broadcast journalism students earn accolades

Students in the district’s Career Technical Education (CTE) video and broadcast journalism programs are being recognized for their skills in video production, recently earning high honors from both the Waste No Water Film Contest, hosted by the City of San Diego, and the San Diego County Office of Education’s Innovative Video in Education or iVIE Awards.

Point Loma High’s Cinematic Arts program won first and third place in the Waste No Water Film Contest, which challenges high school and college students to create 30-second public service announcements that emphasize the importance of responsible water use.

Trevor Sykes and Austin Correia won for their film "Water Cops." It will play this summer before each movie shown at the AMC Mission Valley, AMC Bonita and Edwards Mira Mesa cinemas.

Tyler Pasela placed third for his film "Cat Possible."

The videos are available for viewing on the San Diegans Waste No Water Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegansWasteNoWater

At the iVIE Awards, students from Serra, Hoover and Mira Mesa high schools won in their respective categories. A total of 10 video productions were nominated from San Diego Unified CTE programs. All iVIE nominated videos are shown on ITV Cable 16 in a series called "The Best of iVIE" and are also available on Time Warner's On Demand channel.

9-12 STEM
Black Holes - Junipero Serra High - San Diego Unified

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9-12 News
The NEST. News, Entertainment, Student Television. 2-19-15 - Hoover High - San Diego Unified

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9-12 Documentary
The Man Behind the Machine - Mira Mesa High - San Diego Unified
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The Innovative Video in Education awards is a K-12 student video competition and festival held by the San Diego County Office of Education. iVIE was conceived to encourage and reward teachers who utilize video as a project-based learning tool in their classroom, and students who use film and visual literacy to demonstrate their understanding of classroom concepts. All videos submitted to iVIE integrate the California Common Core State Standards or Content Standards.

Each year, hundreds of video are submitted and involve the work of more than 3,000 students. Submitted videos are judged by media professionals and educators.

New multi-purpose track and field opens at Whittier K-12

IN THE NEWS: A multi-purpose tack and field was dedicated Tuesday at Whittier K-through-12 school. However, it isn't your ordinary track. It's customized for special needs students. The promise of leaving "no student behind" isn't just lip service for the San Diego Unified School District, and thanks to tax payer money, school officials turned a dirt lot into a true field of dreams. On Tuesday, district leaders, teachers and parents joined students to celebrate the completion of a new multipurpose, synthetic field. Watch more at CBS 8.

Lindbergh Schweitzer students visit plane that will fly around the world

When pilot Robert DeLaurentis called Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary Principal Victoria Peterson a few weeks ago to introduce himself and talk about his plans to fly solo around the world, she was thrilled at the prospect of her students being included in his historic endeavor.

The natural connection of Charles Lindbergh’s famous flight and the school’s namesake is what brought the pilot and the principal together. Eager to share the project with students and answer questions, DeLaurentis arranged a trip to Landmark Air, Hanger 3, located near Lindbergh Field, to show the students the actual plane that he will be flying around the world for the next 90 days.

Eager fourth-grade students from Mrs. Catarius’ and Mrs. Bennett’s classes got to try on his survival suit as well as enter the cramped quarters of the plane and see the equipment he will use to help him navigate around the globe. When the students asked if he was afraid, Delaurentis told the students that he has only been a pilot for five years, and fear is what prepares us to face challenges.

On the plane’s outer shell is a sticker of the school’s mascot, which happens to be a tiger sitting on top of the world. As part of the around-the-world flight, he will also retrace the flight path that Charles Lindbergh flew back on May 21, 1927 when he became the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

The students sent him off with a rousing cheer of his flight-themed phrase, “I can fly through life!” Delaurentis left San Diego on May 17, and his solo flight will officially end when he lands in San Diego sometime in late August.

The now fourth graders will then be fifth graders, and will be ready to have the pilot return to their school with his stories from his trip around the world.

Inside the Local Control Funding Formula

California is in its second year of using the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to fund K-12 education.

This change was considered by many to be revolutionary in that it streamlined the state’s funding formula to allow school districts to exercise greater discretion in deciding how funding should be used to serve local needs and better support the neediest students.

With LCFF, the allocation has changed from the state’s former flat, per-student allocation to one that has equity at its core. Now, California school districts that have higher concentrations of students with greater needs, such as low-income students, English learners, and foster youth (referred to as “focus” students in San Diego Unified), receive proportionately more funding to support those students. And, although there are some important guidelines with this funding model, the state does not dictate how the funds must be spent; that decision is left up to local districts. Under LCFF, the number of categorical funds – those with ‘strings’ attached for their use – was cut from 30 to 14, allowing districts far greater flexibility in determining how to support their respective student populations most effectively.

Under LCFF, districts receive two types of allocations per student. One is called “base funding” and is received for all students. The second type of funding, “supplemental and concentration funding,” is allocated based on the concentration of focus students (low income, English learners and foster youth) at each school.

As required by LCFF, extensive community engagement is conducted to ensure transparency in the process and to help all stakeholders more fully understand the new model. In addition to presentations conducted throughout the year, the Board of Education conducted a special workshop focused on LCFF on May 6, 2015. Superintendent Cindy Marten, Chief Financial Officer Jenny Salkeld, and other district leaders presented information to explain how the district receives and spends LCFF dollars.

Superintendent Marten emphasized that the LCFF supports a district focus on equity that began several years ago.

“Our Vision 2020, developed in 2009 with its 12 indicators for quality schools in all neighborhoods, reflects a moral imperative that one’s zip code should not dictate a student’s access to or success in a rigorous college- and career-ready education,” she said.

The superintendent also stressed that LCFF funding supports strategies and actions that are prioritized by data analysis and community feedback. Given that over 63 percent of district students are considered focus students, many supports are provided districtwide; however, they are designed to principally benefit focus students.

Some strategies —ones that emerged as top priorities from community feedback— not only benefit focus students but all students. These include lowering class sizes and increased counselor support. In addition to these districtwide strategies that provide additional resources at each school campus, schools also receive funds to implement site-specific strategies.

During discussion, board trustees emphasized the need for clear communication to continue reaching out to all stakeholders in the San Diego Unified community. Vice President John Lee Evans suggested including “equity” in the name for the new funding model, thereby coining a new acronym, LCEFF. Trustees noted that there are positive trends for some of our metrics (e.g., improving graduation rate and decreasing dropout rate); however, continual data analysis is needed to understand where some student groups need additional support.

Superintendent Marten indicated that this year’s data analysis has identified three student groups (English learners, students with disabilities, and African American students) for which specific, focused supports need to be implemented. Trustee Richard Barrera stressed that our core belief in equity will only be realized with a corresponding investment in equity.

More information about LCFF is available on the district website at www.sandi.net/lcff. All of the LCFF workshop materials are available at the Board Docs meeting site at http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/sandi/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9MHQLS5EA307. The video of the meeting is available at http://www.sandi.net/cms/lib/CA01001235/Centricity/domain/431/reports/2015/0506/video.html.

Devoted educators honored at Day of the Teacher celebration

Brenda Mueller, Ronald Lancia, Michelle Yepiz, Shirley Miranda, Mary Lou Baranowski, Supt. Marten and Simone Kincaid

San Diego Unified School District's 2015 Teachers of the Year, Michelle Yepiz from Zamorano Fine Arts Academy, Brenda Mueller from De Portola Middle School and Ronald Lancia from Mission Bay High School, were honored at the Day of the Teacher celebration on May 5.

“Teaching will always be a part of my heart, and as a former teacher, I know the commitment to your craft and the love of your students is what led you here today – and I thank you for that,” Superintendent Cindy Marten said. “Today’s recognition allows us an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate and recognize all of our teachers and dedication to their students, families, schools and each other.”

During the celebration, more than 140 Teachers of the Year from individual school sites along with district Teacher of the Year runners-up were honored.

In a message to all teachers, Board President Marne Foster expressed her appreciation for the district's educators.

Media Coverage

Fox 5 KUSI KUSI Morning News UT San Diego Times of San Diego SD News.com

“I want to thank you for the work you do – day in, day out – to touch the minds, hearts and lives of our students and their families.” Foster said. “You have dedicated yourselves to making our students successful, caring, literate, contributing members of our community. With you, we are creating improved and broader measures of student achievement and ensuring that all students will graduate with the skills and motivation needed to succeed academically and socially.”

Yepiz, Mueller and Lancia, along with the three runners-up, will go on to compete in the county-wide competition for the San Diego county Teacher of the Year, part of the process leading to the national Teacher of the Year. This year’s runners-up are Mary Lou Baranowski from Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School, Simone Kincaid from Creative Performing and Media Arts Middle School and Shirley Miranda from Morse High School. The county Teacher of the Year ceremony will be held this fall and is organized by the San Diego County Office of Education.

The Day of the Teacher celebration is a traditional event on the Board of Education calendar in which all Board members and senior district staff are scheduled to attend. A pre-event reception was catered by culinary students from Scripps Ranch, Morse and Madison high schools, and music was provided by the Madison High School String Orchestra. New to this year’s event was a dance performance by students from Creative, Performing and Media Arts Middle School.

Sponsors of the event were San Diego Gas and Electric Co., AXA Advisors, California Coast Credit Union, California Schools VEBA, eLiveLife.com, Mission Federal Credit Union, NTA Life, the San Diego Education Association, the San Diego Education Fund, The Standard, the San Diego Padres and College, Career and Technical Education.

District seniors receive scholarships from retired teachers

Even after retirement, teachers are still helping students.

Members of the California Retired Teacher Association (CalRTA), Division 4, will be awarding 10 San Diego Unified high school seniors $1,500 scholarships at their senior awards assemblies.

High school seniors were judged on their academic achievement, school leadership, extra-curricular activities, community and volunteer service, work and home activities, and financial need.

The 2015 scholarship recipients in the district are:

• Feliz Avitia, Gompers High
• Vania Bailon-Casarrubias, Point Loma High
• Aurora Espinoza, Patrick Henry High
• Iman Farahani, La Jolla High
• Kien Nguyen, Hoover High
• Quynh Duy Nguyen, Crawford High
  
• Sankaran Ramanarayanan, Mira Mesa High
• Samantha Rizzuto, High Tech High
• Sarabi Rodriguez, Preuss High
• Aracely Zeferino, Kearny High School of International Business

The scholarship recipients have an average grade point of 4.64 and have been accepted at the following universities: Columbia University, Mills College, Loyola Marymount University, San Diego State University, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, San Diego, University of San Francisco, Washington University, Whittier College and Yale University.

The students’ diverse areas of study include: behavioral neuroscience, biochemistry, business management and administration, computer communication, English literature – pre-med, journalism, linguistics, psychology, special education, speech language pathology and structural and aerospace engineering.

The Scholarship Foundation of CalRTA, Division 4 has awarded over $450,000 in scholarships to more than 300 seniors attending four-year universities since its establishment 30 years ago.

San Diego Unified students stand out at Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair

Students from 13 San Diego Unified schools took home awards, including the Senior Sweepstakes award, after competing in the 61st annual Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair held at the end of March.

More than 650 students in grades 7 through 12 attending school in San Diego or Imperial counties entered projects in this year’s fair. Topics of entries ranged from animal science, biochemistry and computer science, to mathematics, medicine and health science, microbiology, and electrical and mechanical engineering.

Projects were judged and winners were selected in either the senior division, which covers grades 9-12, or the junior division, which covers grades 7-8.

This year, La Jolla High School junior Chloe Kuo was named the Senior Sweepstakes – ACFEA winner for her project on ways to improve movement on manual wheelchairs. Kuo created a prototype wheelchair that featured a hands-free, voice activated locking and unlocking mechanism for the axels that allow the user to use one hand to propel both wheels at once, then unlock the axels using a voice command to operate them separately.

Kuo, a tennis player, was inspired to create the wheelchair after playing a round of wheelchair tennis. She was recognized for her win by the San Diego County Board of Education at its April 8 Board Meeting, where she described her inspiration and showed how here wheelchair prototype works. http://stream.sdcoe.net/wc/boardmeeting040815/ (starts at 32:35)

Other sweepstakes winners and runners-up include:

• Sebastian Mellen from Mt. Everest Academy - Junior Division Physical Science Sweepstakes winner and RED Award recipient (Project title: MathSuite: An Innovative Android App that makes Dreaded Calculations... FUN!)
• Ananya Rao, Marshall Middle School - Junior Division Life Science Sweepstakes winner (Project title: Comparing the effects of natural and chemical oil dispersants on brine shrimp)
• Janie Kim, Scripps Ranch High School - Senior Division Life Science Sweepstakes Runner-up (Project title: Developing a Contact Lens Solution with Increased Antimicrobial Activity).
  
• Laurel Norris from Marshall Middle School - Junior Division Life Science Sweepstakes Runner-up (Project title: Swimming in Sweetness The effects of artificial sweeteners on Daphnia)

Twenty-five students, and three potential alternates, from San Diego Unified have been qualified to enter the 64th annual California State Science Fair (CSSF) to be held in Los Angeles on May 18-19, where they will compete against an expected 1,000 students in grades 6-12 from 400 schools throughout the state for awards totaling $50,000.

Additionally, 17 students from the district have been nominated to participate in the Broadcom MASTERS national competition, a Society for Science & the Public affiliated science and engineering fair that represents the top 10 percent of students in grades 6-8 in the United States.

Marshall Middle School was a stand-out this year with 20 first place winners, 16 CSSF Qualified entries, two CSSF Wait List entries, 15 Broadcom Nominated entries, one Junior Division Life Sciences Winner, one Junior Division Life Sciences Sweepstakes Runner-Up, and 14 second through fourth place winners.

Other notable schools were Wangenheim Middle School with 22 first through third place winners, Morse High School with 25 second through fourth place winners and De Portola Middle School with 15 second through fourth place winners.

Two San Diego Unified teachers were also recognized at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. Shirley Miranda, AP computer science and robotics teacher at Morse High School, was named the Senior Division Science Fair Teacher of the Year and Dan Grendziak, 8th grade physical science teacher at Wangenheim Middle School, was named the Junior Division Science Fair Teacher of the Year. Science fair students nominate their teachers for this award and the Student Advisory Board of the Science and Engineering Fair selects the winners.

For a complete list of winners, please visit the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair website.

JROTC cadets attend Patriotic Education Seminar on East Coast

Eight JROTC cadets from district and county schools recently attended the Patriotic Education Seminar, a week-long event that included visits to two primary cities with significant historical impacts – New York City and Washington, D.C.

Primarily centered on student-to-student teaching techniques, this experience challenges each cadet to research and present on assigned historical sites, monuments and leaders throughout the trip. In group settings, the cadets discuss foundations of national government, policy and leadership, citizenship responsibilities and key American historical events. Most significantly, students are assessed for their own personal leadership qualities, participation and subject knowledge.

“Learning history from a book in the classroom is one thing, but being able to personally experience it through this trip brings so much more meaning and understanding,” said Cadet Yovana Contreras, a Serra High School junior.

This year's attendees included: Marco McCartney, Scripps Ranch HS; Katherine Solchaga, Kearny HS; Sophia Nguyen, Patrick Henry HS; Yovana Contreras, Serra HS; Parker Grubenski, University City HS; Juan Sanchez, Hoover HS; Aylin Curtis, Morse HS and Ahmad Xallen, Coronado HS.

In New York City, the cadets visited the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Sept. 11 memorial and the United Nations Headquarters. Washington, D.C. was highlighted by visits to the U.S Capitol, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Archives, all war memorials and several Smithsonian Museums.

This educational trip was sponsored by the San Diego Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, a patriotic Veterans Service Organization founded to promote good citizenship, patriotic education, and military and public service.

For more information on the JROTC program, contact Program Manager LTC. David Guzman at dguzman@sandi.net.

National recognition for two Mira Mesa JROTC students

Two JROTC Senior cadets from Mira Mesa High School recently received national recognition for their academic and leadership achievements.

Emily Le	Chloe Crisostomo

Emily Le received the National Center for Women in Information Technology (NCWIT) Award, and Chloe Crisostomo was selected by the Girls World Expo National Committee as a San Diego Girl of Merit.

The NCWIT honors young women at the high-school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. Le was selected for her computing and IT aptitude, leadership ability, academic history and plans for post-secondary education. This multi-tiered competition includes recognition at the national level, sponsored by Bank of America, and at the local level, sponsored by Microsoft. The competition serves 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Girls World Expo National Committee selects 10 girls among hundreds of applicants who have proven themselves as exceptional members of their community through their actions, activities, leadership and positive influence on others. Crisostomo’s selection embodies the organization’s goal to, “Spark a movement in every corner of the country, giving girls the inspiration and determination to become the best they can be.”

Le and Crisostomo also serve on the JROTC Brigade staff which leads more than 2,600 cadets throughout 13 high school programs in the district.

More information about these prestigious awards can be found at http://www.aspirations.org/ and http://girlsworldexpo.com/.

"Bite of Reality" for Clairemont High Students

IN THE NEWS: Imagine you’re 17 or 18 years old and one day you wake up to find you have a career, kids, a spouse and bills. How are you going to handle it all? That is the question more than 40 Clairemont High School Academy of Business students faced when they recently took part in “Bite of Reality”, an interactive financial education simulation designed to teach high school teens how to manage money. Read more at the Clairemont Community News.

Radio station helps keep the peace at John Muir

Rest assured that the halls and grounds at John Muir are safe and stylish with the Peace Patrol on duty. Peace Patrol students are sporting new uniforms - hats, lanyards and matching shirts - thanks to a generous donation by Magic 92.5’s Jagger and Kristi.

A testament to the old adage, “It never hurts to ask,” the Peace Patrol received their new swag after one student’s mother, Asia Martinez, wrote in to Jagger and Kristi during their Christmas Wishes season asking if they would help the Patrol reach its goal of $700 to purchase hats and lanyards.

The radio station went a step further, inviting Martinez and Peace Patrol advisor Barbara Waller on the show and surprising them with a $1,350 donation to purchase not only hats and lanyards, but shirts as well.

Waller has since returned to the show to talk about the Peace Patrol program and give an update on the uniforms.

Jagger and Kristi visited John Muir on Thursday, March 5 as guest readers for the school's celebration of Read Across America, an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading.

Founded in the fall of 2011, each recess the Peace Patrol assists students with social issues and promotes good character skills by handing out stickers, pencils, bracelets and bookmarks. Peace Patrol students also participate in several service projects each year.

Last year the students raised enough funds to purchase and decorate a Buddy Bench for the John Muir playground.

Each spring, Peace Patrol members recruit students who will be entering 4th, 5th or 6th grade to apply to be in Peace Patrol. To complete the process, students must fill out an application form and submit a teacher recommendation.

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.

Clairemont High Students Certified in Automotive Service

Eight Clairemont High School students recently earned Automotive Service Excellence certification, confirming their technical knowledge in the auto service field.

It's not "vocational education" anymore (UT San Diego)

Under the instruction of Larry Engelbrecht, Clairemont High’s students have been taking classes and gaining skills in the school’s state-of-the-art auto shop facility constructed in 2012. This program is part of the Transportation pathway in the College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) program.

The ASE certification can help students find employment with local automotive industries in San Diego. The students and their certification are:

1. Megan Bordieri – Brakes and Steering/Suspension
2. Jack Caires – Manual Drivetrain/Axels and Engine Repair
3. Zachary Kuntz – Electrical
4. Brandon Leana Pliego – Steering/Suspension and Maintenance/Light Repair
5. Jesse Runalls – Brakes and Electrical
6. True Southfox – Electrical, Maintenance/Light Repair and Engine Repair
7. Kyle Toczek – Electrical, Maintenance/Light Repair and Engine Performance
8. Keith Vylavanh – Electrical

Several of the students who earned ASE certification have already served or are currently participating in an internship opportunity with Mossy Toyota and Mossy Ford. At Mossy, students are exposed to various aspects of the industry, such as repair service, parts department, service writing, vehicle sales and customer service.

Clairemont High is the first campus to offer the ASE exam in San Diego Unified. CCTE’s goal is to offer the ASE exam at all of their automotive programs, which include Morse, Madison, Crawford, Mira Mesa and La Jolla high schools.

Clairemont High’s $2.6 million automotive facility was funded by Proposition S and a California Proposition 1D matching-fund grant.

For more information about the CCTE program, contact Program Manager Greg Quirin at gguirin@sandi.net.

Scripps Ranch High teen chefs reign supreme in Iron Chef competition

The culinary arts teams from Hoover, Madison, Morse, San Diego, and Scripps Ranch high schools battled it out at “Kitchen Stadium” during the 11th Annual Teen Iron Chef Competition, with Scripps Ranch High edging out the competition for the second consecutive year.

The Scripps Ranch team with teacher Kimberly Coelho.

The students were challenged with the task of preparing a three-course meal featuring the secret ingredient, sun-dried tomatoes, which was announced just minutes before the start of competition. The ingredient had to be incorporated into at least one of the three courses.

The Scripps Ranch team of Alexis Howard, Marlene Freerksen and Lana Monteclar plated dishes that included Hiramasa Kingfish Tartare, pan-seared scallops and Meyer lemon cake with raspberry butter.

With support from their teachers, the students had one hour to prep their food and 10 minutes to plate the food for five judges. The five judges included Chef Bernard Guillas of the Marine Room; Ken Irvine of Irvine Hospitality; Chef Ricardo Heredia; U-T San Diego’s Chris Racan; and San Diego Unified’s own Cheryl Hibbeln.

The local chapter of the California Restaurant Association (CRA) and SDG&E partnered with San Diego Unified to host the event.

Also announced at the event was an award of $20,000 from SDG&E to the CRA to assist the culinary programs of San Diego Unified high schools. In addition, a scholarship for San Diego students was announced by the CRA’s San Diego Chapter in honor of Rick Ghio, the late co-owner/President/CEO of Anthony’s Fish Grotto. The scholarship is intended for students interested in a obtaining a four-year degree from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management program at San Diego State University.

Morse High students prepare their dishes.

The following students participated in the competition and prepared the following dishes:

Team Madison High School: Laura Garcia, Tam Nguyen, Lucy Trac, Angel Perez DeLeon
Teacher: Emilia Zelaya
Menu:
Course 1: Seared Ahi Tuna With heirloom Salad and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Course 2: Shrimp Scampi with housemade Pasta
Course 3: Orange and crystalized ginger granite with Candied Citron

Team Morse High School: Jeremiah Panhwanh, Mauricio Silva, Reyes Hopster, Ricardo Chavez
Teacher: Sara Smith Piatt
Menu:
Course 1: Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce --Wild Caught Shrimp with Roasted Pearl Onions, Baby Golden Beets and Scallion
Course 2: Surf and Turf - Peppercorn Roasted Filet Mignon with Pan Smoked Mushrooms, Lobster Spaetzel, Rainbow Carrots and Brussels Sprout Leaves
Course 3: Gone Bananas - A trio of Banana Empanadas , Caramelized Banana Scallops, Banana Scallops and Fresh Caramel Drizzle

Team San Diego High School: Emily Rodriquez, Michel Mariscal, Adrian Salazar, Christian Vo
Teacher: Brian Murphy
Menu:
Course 1: Crisp Ravioli, Tomato, herb and cheese ravioli creamy smoked artichoke sauce
Course 2: Chilean Sea Bass, miso sea bass with squash blossom, green tea pasta, vegetables four ways,
citrus vinegar broth
Course 3: Financier and White Chocolate Mousse, chocolate coco nib cookie crumble, bruleed citrus slices, blood orange caramel

Team Hoover High School: Maiya Clinton, Rubie Perez, Arlene Guzman, Marina Valle
Teacher: Pamela Dahlin
Menu:
Course 1: Italian Wedding Soup
Course 2: Shrimp Pasta
Course 3: Raspberry Tart

Now in its 10th year, the Teen Iron Chef competition was started by College, Career & Technical Education teacher, Zhee Zhee Aguirre, and modeled after the Food Network’s Iron Chef America Series.

Students have the opportunity to develop their ideas, go shopping, portion their protein and measure any dry or liquid ingredients the day before the event. They are not allowed to do any actual cooking, pre-making dough, or premixing ingredients ahead of time. On the day of the competition, they are presented with a secret ingredient that changes every year and must be incorporated into at least one of their three courses. They are allowed to have their recipes or prep-list at the station during the competition.

For more information about the event or culinary programs at San Diego Unified high schools, contact Lance Larson at llarson@sandi.net or 858-503-1744.

Mira Mesa High senior recognized for cybersecurity efforts

Senior Chloe Crisostomo is working hard to make sure that Mira Mesa High and her community are safe from cyberattacks.

Crisostomo with Business Journal Editor in Chief, Nels Jensen.

Crisostomo was recently recognized with individuals and companies from throughout San Diego by the San Diego Business Journal for her efforts to increase cybersecurity and reduce the likelihood of attacks. She was selected as an honoree in the “Millennial” category and was one of only five to be recognized as an award winner.

Crisostomo is a member of Mira Mesa High’s Cyber Patriot State and Western Regional award-winning team as well as a member of school’s Mayor's Cyber Cup that recently placed third in competition. She also interned last summer with a cybersecurity firm.

Not only does Crisostomo try to teach other millennials the importance of securing their digital activities and profiles, she also leads by example in other areas. She serves as Wing Commander for Mira Mesa’s Air Force JROTC and is a top scholar, maintaining a 4.35 GPA.

All honorees were recognized by the Business Journal at their annual awards banquet in December, and featured in the journal’s Cybersecurity Awards Supplement.

For more information about cybersecurity activities at Mira Mesa High, please contact ASB Advisor Stacy Seiders at 858-566-2262.

2015-16 academic calendars finalized, transition plan approved

The San Diego Unified Board of Education voted at the Dec. 9 Board meeting on the final academic calendars for the 2015-16 school year and approved the plan that will transition all schools to a common traditional calendar.

The Board approved the 2015-16 academic calendars with a start date of Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, for all schools. The last day for students who attend traditional calendar schools is June 20, 2016; schools on year-round schedule will end on July 21, 2016. Both academic calendars have 180 instructional days and are posted on the district website.

The start date for the 2016-17 school year is yet to be decided. At the recommendation of the district Calendar Committee, the district will explore the possibility of starting future school years in August, which would better align with other school districts in the county and have benefits for high school students. The district will be reaching out to various stakeholders in the next several months to get input on the possible change.

In addition, the Board approved the plan to transition the district’s 54 schools currently on year-round calendar to a common traditional calendar over the next four years beginning with the 2015-16 school year. Year-round schools that will transition to traditional calendars in 2015-16 include: Dewey, Ericson, Hancock, Hardy, Jerabek, Johnson, Mason, Miller, Porter, Sequoia, Tierrasanta, Valencia Park and Walker elementary schools along with Farb and Knox middle schools.

Transitioning all schools to a single calendar offers a variety of positive benefits and supports for families. Currently, some families have siblings in both traditional and year-round schools, which can pose challenges for childcare, vacations and other activities because students are not on break at the same time. A single calendar also serves families who rely on older siblings to look after younger children.

The move to a single calendar will be especially beneficial to military families since they often get reassignment orders in June while their children are in school through late July. In addition, the transition supports stabilizing enrollment as attendance data shows that absences can increase at year-round schools during the summer months and some schools, particularly those who serve military families, can lose enrollment.

More information about the Calendar Transition Plan is available at www.sandi.net/calendartransition .