Grant K-8, San Diego High students to be featured at Cabrillo Festival

San Diego Unified will be well represented at the 2015 Cabrillo Festival.

Grant K-8 fourth grader Alexis Carey won the annual art contest and San Diego High School of International Studies junior Emese Maklary was named “Miss Cabrillo” and “Spirit of Cabrillo Award” winner for the 2015 Cabrillo Festival.

Carey’s 8 ½” x 11” piece of artwork was selected as the best portrayal of Cabrillo’s historic voyage along the coast of the Californias in 1542 and for its overall depiction of the festival’s theme: Where Cultures Come Together and History Comes Alive.

Carey’s winning artwork is displayed on the festival brochure and website. She and her teacher, Allison Wilson, were both awarded $100 and are invited to sail on the San Salvador September 27 to view the historical re-enactment of the landing of Cabrillo, his soldiers and the priest on Ballast Point.

Maklary was named Miss Cabrillo Festival 2015 at a pageant in March sponsored by the Cabrillo Civic Club No. 16 San Diego and Portuguese American Social and Civic Club. She was also named the “Spirit of Cabrillo” award winner. Maklary will represent the Cabrillo Festival at events in Ensenada and San Diego during Cabrillo Festival.

The 52nd annual Cabrillo Festival will take place September 26-27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ballast Point, Naval Base Point Loma, located at the south end of Rosecrans Street. Admission is free. Please visit the festival website for more details.

District celebrates 2014-15 retirees

Employees, family members and honorees gathered Wednesday to celebrate the careers of the more than 250 employees that are retiring from San Diego Unified this year -- and have given years of service to our students and our district.

Both Superintendent Cindy Marten and Board Trustee Richard Barrera were there to thank the retirees and congratulate them on retirement.

Each retiree had the opportunity to introduce themselves, say where they worked and how many years they had been with the district. Some have served the district for just a few years, others more than 40.

The annual event was held on the lawn of the Education Center and featured refreshments from Food Services and music provided by the Monroe Clark Middle School band.

To view photos from the event, please visit: https://www.flickr.com/gp/91297266@N04/rc850T

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

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDeIV19VAAAJzDQ.jpg:large

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

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDeV854VAAAcu5L.jpg:large

9-12 Documentary
The Man Behind the Machine - Mira Mesa High - San Diego Unified
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDefgCyUgAAQj0j.jpg:large

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Remember to Visit Your Neighborhood School When Exploring Options

IN THE NEWS: "Neighborhood Schools are the New Charters"

This is the time of year when many parents of soon-to-“graduate” preschoolers are quietly freaking out. Until now, the idea of your babies going to elementary school had been like some distant, futuristic fantasy/nightmare. Now it looms large, imminent, and fraught with ramifications that seem likely to cascade throughout your precious progeny’s lives. It’s the real deal. The big leagues. Kindergarten.

Read Jefferson Elementary parent, Andy Hinds, complete article in the January 30 edition of San Diego Uptown News.

Moore to Come for Hoover Wrestler

IN THE NEWS: Kenneth Moore is eyeing rare success as he prepares for state championships.

A year after becoming Hoover High School’s first junior to advance to the state championships, Kenneth Moore, a17-year-old City Heights native, continues to ascend the state’s wrestling rankings, a rare San Diego Unified grappler making waves in this North County-dominated sport. His No. 6 standing in the 160-pound class not only made Moore the highest of just three city wrestlers recognized by The California Wrestler’s rankings, it has set him on a course to become just the fifth city grappler since 2004 to place at the state tournament.

Read more in UT San Diego.

Photo courtesy of UT San Diego

Hoover High Counselor Honored at White House

One San Diego counselor received a big honor at the White House Friday.

Tawnya Pringle, a counselor at Hoover High School, was one of five counselors invited to the White House. She was honored as one of the top five 2015 School Counselor of the Year finalists by First Lady Michelle Obama and actress Connie Britton.

The ceremony marked the first time school counselors were honored at a White House event dedicated to their work.

Pringle said the experience was humbling and was one of the “most amazing times of my life.”

Read more from NBC San Diego.

Jason Mraz attends Winter Program at Burbank Elementary

Students at Burbank Elementary had a special guest in the audience for its recent Winter Program – Grammy-award winner Jason Mraz.

Mraz was on-hand at the school’s dress rehearsal earlier in the day, and returned that evening to attend the formal program.

During the dress rehearsal, the singer-songwriter listened to the students sing various holiday songs, one of which included Mraz’ own rendition of “Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland.” He also shared advice with students on how to manage nerves during their upcoming performance that night.

Mraz has been working with Burbank Elementary School since May 2014 as part of the Turnaround Arts CA program, a signature affiliate program of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. The school is one of 10 in California to be paired with a national musician or artist mentor over a two-year period.

Turnaround Arts is a public-private partnership launched by the White House in 2012 designed to help failing schools develop and implement high quality arts education that will be used specifically to effectively address and turnaround the pervasive and persistent problems found in high-poverty, chronically underperforming schools. By using the arts as a strategic tool in failing schools’ turnaround efforts, students are engaged while they learn 21st century skills critical to their success.

For more information on Turnaround Arts, please go to http://turnaroundarts.pcah.gov

See more at: http://sdusd-newsfeed.blogspot.com/2014/05/burbank-elementary-becomes-part-of.html

or visit Burbank Elementary's website. 

CCTE students get hands-on training with help from local trade groups

Reading about cabling, electrical wiring and circuits is interesting, but not nearly as exciting as learning how they work from experts in the field.

Students from three district high schools had the opportunity to learn more about careers in industry sectors such as electrical, engineering, and construction and green building technologies at a hands-on training at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training center.

Organized by CCTE, more than 160 career technical education students from Hoover’s Sustainable Academy of Building and Engineering Academy and Lincoln and Morse High's engineering programs rotated through three labs, which consisted of Structured Cabling, Residential Electrical and a Bell and Signal Circuit.

Students worked in teams of two along with several expert electricians and mentors from the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) and the National Electrical Contractors Association to construct various live and functional circuits. The visit also included a tour of the training center and lunch.

The IBEW and Training Director Bert Richardson have been instrumental in working with the Hoover’s SABE academy over the last two years. The IBEW and EWMC continue to provide guest speakers, mentors, field trips, and various in-kind supports to students interested in the building and construction pathway.

For more information about the program, contact CCTE Program Manager Dean Darley at ddarley@sandi.net.

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 .

State of the District Address highlights successes, future goals

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Improving educational opportunities for all students, investing in professional development for teachers and laying the groundwork for Restorative Justice practices are just some of the district’s accomplishments highlighted by Board President Kevin Beiser at the annual State of the District Address Monday night at Lewis Middle School.

“We have so much to be proud of in advancing Vision 2020 and demonstrating innovation, equity and excellence in all we do,” Beiser began. “Every one of you in this room is invested in doing what’s best for our students, and you’re helping make sure students aren’t seen as a test score but as the whole child.” (Read President Beiser's Remarks)

More than 200 employees, parents and community members gathered at the event to hear from Superintendent Marten and Board President Beiser about the district’s accomplishments and what’s in store for the coming year.

Superintendent Marten highlighted several areas of focus, including strengthening the outcomes for Latino and African American students and Long-Term English Language learners, growing partnerships with local social services agencies and pursuing equity and adequacy in public education funding.

“We hope our definition of appropriate funding levels will be a model to be used throughout the state,” said Marten. “We do not believe the student-teacher ratio in K-3 should be 25.5 to 1. For an elementary school with 600 students – we believe adequate funding would reduce the ratio to 20 to 1. It should be 16 to 1 in high needs schools.

“As we advance this conversation with the legislature, we will be calling on all of our stakeholders to join this call to action and get California off the bottom of the list in adjusted per-pupil spending and do what’s best for all of California’s kids,” Marten said. (Read Supt. Marten's Remarks)

The event was preceded by a reception catered by the district’s Food Services Department. Entertainment during the reception was provided by Lewis Middle School’s String Orchestra while Patrick Henry High’s Bel Canto Ensemble performed the National Anthem and sang “No Man Is An Island” mid-way through the event. Watch the video

Media Coverage

School officials take stock of district
UT San Diego

State Of The District: Board President Puts San Diego Schools In Positive Light
KPBS San Diego 

SDUSD State of the District Address

NBC San Diego

SD Unified School District leaders address top issues
KUSI San Diego

Engagement, expectations key to helping students

Wilson Middle School teacher and San Diego Unified Teacher of the Year, Khamphet "Pet" Pease, was recently named a 2014 San Diego County Teacher of the Year. She shares her love of teaching and her students in a recent UT San Diego commentary. Read the article.

Hoover High counselor named Counselor of the Year finalist

Tawnya Pringle, a full-time counselor at Hoover High School, has been named one of the five finalists for 2015 Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association.
 
The award honors the professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates - and often lifesavers - for the nation's students. Pringle is the only finalist from the state of California.

The other finalists include Jennifer Degruise from Montegut, La; Jennifer Diaz, from Sugar Hill, Ga; Cory Notestine, from Alamosa, Colo; and Liz Parker from Laurel, Va.

Nominations for the School Counselor of the Year awards program were submitted by the state counselor associations.

The School Counselor of the Year awards panel was composed of representatives from the School Superintendents Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, No Kid Hungry and school counselors.

The panel selected the finalists based on several criteria, including: school counseling innovations, effective school counseling programs, leadership and advocacy skills and contributions to student achievement.

"School counselors make significant contributions to the overall well-being of students and their success," said Richard Wong, Ed.D, executive director, American School Counselor Association. "They have unique qualifications and skills that allow them to address students' academic achievement, personal/social and career development needs."

Pringle, Principal Joe Austin and a representative from the California School Counselors Association will be flown to Washington, D.C., in January 2015. They will join the other finalists for three days of celebratory events. The honorees will have meetings with their members of Congress, attend a congressional briefing, be honored at the White House and be formally recognized at a black-tie gala.

Edison ES library gets well-deserved makeover

Edison Elementary School Principal Derek Murchison was speechless when he saw his school’s library for the first time after its makeover.

The once drab and monochrome environment had been transformed into a colorful, vibrant space with 2,000 new books, furniture, carpet and shelves, and a complete technology upgrade, including new iPads, interactive white board and more.

“Thank you Target and The Heart of America Foundation for this wonderful gift for the wonderful students and staff at Edison Elementary,” said Murchison once he found his voice. “Your dedication to the love of reading for students, not only here, but across our country is priceless.”

Edison Elementary School is the fifth school in San Diego Unified to receive a library makeover over the past five years. Other recipients include Miller, Kimbrough, Angier, and Hancock elementary schools. The official unveiling and ribbon-cutting of the Edison library was held Sept. 26. Students, staff and parents were joined by Superintendent Cindy Marten to celebrate the opening of the library after a month of secret renovations.

“These library makeovers play an important role in the district’s Vision 2020: Creating Quality Schools in Every Neighborhood,” said Supt. Marten. “Quality schools have quality libraries. Quality schools serve as neighborhood centers.

“This amazing program breathes new life into elementary school libraries,” Marten added. “We could not be more appreciative of our partnership with Target and the Heart of America Foundation.”

Since 2007, Target team members have dedicated their time and talent to transform 175 public school libraries across the country through the Target School Library Makeover program. Target works in partnership with The Heart of America Foundation to create fun and inviting spaces for students to read. This is one of the many programs Target supports as part of our commitment to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015. By the end of this year, Target expects to celebrate a big milestone: 200 School Library Makeovers completed and more than 113,000 students impacted since the program began in 2007.