District celebrates volunteers, kicks off National Volunteer Appreciation Month

School-site volunteers, Partners-in-Education and advisory committee volunteer chairs were honored at the district’s 2013 Volunteer and Partner Recognition event held recently at Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School.

Honorees were recognized for the countless hours, efforts and in many cases, funds they contribute to their local San Diego Unified schools. Each individual and organization was given a certificate and all were applauded for their efforts during the ceremony. In addition, four individuals were named “Volunteer of the Year” and four organizations were named “Partner of the Year.”

Winners included 90-year-old DeDe Quint, a 25-year volunteer at Dewey Elementary School; American Legion Post 731, who has donated more than 300 bikes to Chesterton Elementary students; and the Assistance League of San Diego County, who has helped to improve the educational experience for all students at Mark Twain High School.

Volunteer of the Year Award Winners
Elementary: DeDe Quint, Dewey Elementary School
Middle: Mark Kunkee, Mann Middle School
High School: Donna Garcia Silva, School of Creative and Performing Arts
Atypical: Lois Modesitt, John Muir

Partner of the Year Award Winners
Elementary: American Legion Post 731, Nominated by Chesterton Elementary
Middle: John Crawford, The Kiwanis Club, nominated by Lewis Middle School
High School: The Assistance League of San Diego County, nominated by Mark Twain High School
Atypical: Access to Independence, nominated by TRACE

Although the afternoon belonged to the volunteers and partners, the event featured several outstanding student performances as well. Five members of Madison High School’s orchestra, led by Jesse Rogers, played string music during the reception. School of Creative and Performing Arts students Danika Waitley, Katherine Ward and Julanaar Gamboa kicked off the ceremony with the National Anthem, and Larissa Garcia surprised her mom, an honoree, with the song “For Good” from the musical “Wicked.”

Attended by more than 170 people, the celebration marked the return of the Volunteer & Partner Recognition Event after a two-year hiatus. The event was made possible by sponsor California Coast Credit Union, who also participated in hosting duties.

Featured speakers included Superintendent Bill Kowba, Deputy Superintendent of Academics Nellie Meyer, Board Trustees Kevin Beiser and Scott Barnett, ceremony host Chief of Staff Bernie Rhinerson, and California Coast’s Jacklynn Carey.

The event kicks off National Volunteer Appreciation Month in April. The theme of the year’s national celebration is Celebrate Service. All schools in the district are encouraged to honor all of their volunteers and partners with some type of celebration, either in April or sometime before the end of the school year.

More about our winners:

DeDe Quint is 90 years old and a product of San Diego Unified as a student, then teacher, and now retired volunteer. She has been volunteering at Dewey Elementary for 25 years, bringing the gift of music to second and fourth graders, playing the piano and leading the students in chorus. Without her dedicated support, Dewey would not have a choral program. She never misses a day and has been a member of the Dewy family and an incredible asset to our students for a very long time.

Mark Kunkee has been a volunteer at Mann Middle since 2009. He generously volunteers over 60 hours per month in the school’s library, attends monthly SSC meetings and helps where needed around campus. Anything you ask of Mr. Kunkee, from assisting students to pushing a 200-pound cart of books to a classroom, he does with a smile on his face. This year alone, he has volunteered over 300 hours. Mr. K is a valuable asset to the students and staff at Mann. They love “Mr. K.”

Donna Garcia Silva is the President of the Friends of SCPA. In this capacity, she has logged more than 1,000 hours creating opportunities that support SCPA students and teachers. She has helped raise visibility by creating a Friends’ Facebook page; and has organized a variety of fundraising activities, including a Teacher Giving Tree, a golf tournament, and a week-long dine out with local restaurants. She has also created the Friends Café, which provides refreshments to audience members who attend SCPA’s production, and often provides breakfast for staff on the first day of school. SCPA is always at the forefront of Donna’s generosity of time.

Lois Modesitt has been an active volunteer for seven years. Technology is her profession and her passion. She began updating and repairing donated computer equipment a few years ago with the goal of providing computers and printers to our families in need. Last week, she gave away her 212th computer. She has started two programs that help the school get supplies for the classroom, she tutors students in all levels of math, and she keeps the John Muir website updated. Her friendly demeanor and knowledge of our school and programs are much appreciated by parents new to the Muir family. She is an extremely valuable member of the Muir family.

The American Legion Post 731 initially approached Chesterton Elementary in 1996 and proposed a bike give-away. Since then, once a month, two students who display good citizenship and literacy skills receive a bike. During the 17 years of this unofficial partnership, the American Legion has donated more than 300 bikes to Chesterton students. Members of the Legion not only raise funding for the bikes, but also try to fit them specifically to the child who is receiving them. Their unfailing support and dedication to the school and the students have been valuable incentive tools. Even more importantly, it is indicative of the value the Legion places on education and the students’ learning processes.

John Crawford, Kiwanis Club of Allied Gardens. Crawford has volunteered approximately 46 hours at Lewis Middle so far this year. He meets every Thursday with the student club known as the Builders Club, in pursuit of finding ways to make our learning community a better place. Last year, John and his Builders club students raised more than $2,000 in support of finding the cure for Leukemia. This year, John and his Builder’s Club members are dedicating their efforts to overseeing the Lewis Middle School’s “No Place for Hate” Anti-bullying campaign.

Assistance League of San Diego County. For over 17 years, the Assistance League has improved the educational experience for our entire student body at Twain, from enhancing the daily school climate to promoting their futures through scholarships. Each year, Assistance League members provide over 450 hours of volunteer time, plus invaluable donations. Some highlights of their involvement include: Sponsoring post-high school scholarships with not just money, but also with help-sessions in completing applications, tutoring in interview skills, and dress-for-success clothing; and they have also enhanced the future of our teen parents and their children by supporting the Infant/Toddler Center, with caring volunteers and baby supplies, to literacy lessons.

Access to Independence. Access to Independence allows TRACE to hold meetings with our students at their facilities, and they have taken on teaching classes once a month for our students. These are classes that are of interest to students, such as advocacy, SSI benefits and instruction on healthy food choices. Another important aspect of TRACE is to get our students competitively employed in their community. We hold a monthly interview workshop, and Access to Independence often sends the most representatives to assist. We know that many of our special education students have become more independent and knowledgeable about their community due to our Partnership with Access to Independence, and we really appreciate everything they have done for our students.

Masons mark Public Schools Month with $161,000 donation

Randy Brill, left, and Jessica Mausner, California Masons; Trustee Richard Barrera; Taft Middle School Principal Mike George; Supt. Bill Kowba

The Masons of California have helped make public education a focal issue in California since their 1920 introduction of Public Schools Week, now celebrated statewide as Public Schools Month each April. As part of this special month, events are being held throughout California this spring, with statewide donations amounting to more than $750,000. The donation is part of the Masons' commitment to making a profound difference for public education throughout the state.

The local chapter of the Masons of California presented San Diego Unified a check for $161,000 at this year's celebration held at Cherokee Point Elementary School on March 27. The donation will support teachers and students in San Diego public schools and provide funding for the fraternal organization's statewide public education initiatives: Raising A Reader and Investment in Success Scholarship Program.

Through the Raising A Reader Literacy Partnership, California Masons are bringing the award-winning literacy and family engagement program to elementary school classrooms in the lowest- performing public schools throughout the state, building strong family relationships and creating a new legacy of literacy. The Masons' donation is supporting the Raising A Reader program at four district elementary schools: Central, Cherokee Point, Joyner and Rowan. Currently,

The fraternity's Investment in Success Scholarship Program, which launched in 2011, provides college scholarships for deserving high school seniors who demonstrate an active pursuit of education in spite of significant obstacles. Students who receive these scholarships demonstrate exemplary character, drive, and scholastic potential, despite challenges in their homes or communities.

“To have the support of the world’s first and largest fraternal organization is a powerful statement about the importance of community involvement in public education,” said Supt. Bill Kowba during the ceremony. “We are very grateful to the Masons for their continuing support of our students, teachers and schools.”

To learn more, contact the California Masonic Foundation at https://www.freemason.org .

Safe School Task Force Receives 2012 Spirit of Stonewall Service Award

San Diego Unified was recently named a recipient of a 2012 Stonewall Service Award for spearheading the Safe School Task Force. The award is designed to honor local individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact on San Diego's LGBT community.


Born in a conversation in summer 2010 and reinforced by a fall of youth suicides, the Safe Schools Advisory Board came together officially in November 2010 to ensure the San Diego Unified Board of Education adopted a safe schools/anti-bullying policy. The new policy includes a comprehensive set of protocols, procedures and initiatives designed to ensure that all students, including LGBT students, have access to a school environment free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, and where each student is free to achieve their educational potential.

The community-education partnership has been innovative, successful and vital to changing the culture and climate of the school district. It is made up of many individuals and organizations that spend their lives advocating for our youth: PFLAG San Diego, the Anti-Defamation League, CA Faith for Equality, The San Diego LGBT Community Center, GLSEN San Diego, the PTA, City of San Diego Human Relations Commission, San Diego Education Association, CA School Employees Association, Center for Excellence in School Counseling, the offices of Sen. Christine Kehoe and Assembly Member Toni Atkins, and the San Diego Unified School District.

San Diego Unified Trustee Kevin Beiser accepted the award on behalf of the district at special ceremony held June 26. Awardees will also be honored at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally, Friday, July 20 at 6 p.m., on Normal Street, between Harvey Milk Street and University Avenue.

State Business Group Honors 45 Schools in San Diego Unified

A leading California business group has recognized 45 San Diego Unified schools as being "bright spots of excellence," with positions on its annual Honor Roll.

California Business for Education Excellence, a group whose members include the Bank of America, Blue Shield of California, Macy's and Webcor Builders, designated 21 San Diego Unified schools as Star Schools, which are high poverty, high performing, achievement gap closing schools. Another 24 schools were named Scholar Schools, identified as high performing schools without significant levels of low-income students. Nine schools on the Honor Roll were named STEM Schools for their high performance in math and science.

"It's especially gratifying for the students, teachers and staff to be recognized for reducing the achievement gap and being high-performing schools," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "These are key areas that are the focus of the Board of Education and our staff and it's good to have an independent organization verify the success in these areas."

The following schools were on the Honor Roll.

• Star Schools -- high poverty, high performing, achievement gap closing schools: Angier, Birney, Crown Point, Cubberley, Edison, Ericson, Florence, Garfield, Green, Hardy, Jones, Kimbrough, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Sandburg, Sherman, Vista Grande, Wegeforth, Zamorano elementary schools; Language Academy and Mira Mesa High School.
  
  
• Scholar Schools -- high performing schools without significant levels of low-income students: Benchley/Weinberger, Bird Rock, Curie, Dailard, Dingeman, Doyle, Grant, Hearst, Holmes, Jerabek, Kumeyaay, La Jolla, Marvin, Miramar Ranch, Scripps, Sessions, Silver Gate, Sunset View, Tierrasanta, Torrey Pines elementary schools; Marshall and Standley middle schools; La Jolla and Scripps Ranch high schools.
  
  
• STEM Schools -- Honor Roll schools with highest performance for math and science: Angier, Birney, Ericson, Garfield, Green, Hardy, Pacific Beach, Sandburg, Vista Grande elementary schools.
  

"We must change the conversation in public education from being about failure to one that focuses on replicating the success of schools like those on the Honor Roll," said Greg Jones, CBEE Chairman. "These schools are not making excuses about their performance and are overcoming challenges and obstacles to improvement every day. Our goal is to highlight their results so they can be copied in other places."

The Honor Roll list grew from 1,315 schools in 2010 to the current 1,614 for 2011. The number of Honor Roll Star (high poverty, high achieving) schools increased from 478 in 2010 to 527 in 2011. For San Diego Unified, the 2011 list honored 45 schools, up from 28 in 2010, not including charter schools. In the program's first year, 2005, just six schools were on the list. A full list of the Honor Roll schools and the STEM Honor Roll can be found at: www.cbeefoundation.org/honor_roll.html.

"These schools are the bright spots of excellence in efforts to raise student academic achievement and close persistent achievement gaps," said Jim Lanich, California Business for Education Excellence president. "By highlighting them, recognizing their achievement and giving them a voice we hope other schools can learn from them and replicate their proven practices throughout the state."

The annual Honor Roll award is made possible with support from numerous businesses and organizations including State Farm, Macy¹s, Edison International, Wells Fargo, Southern California Auto Club, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the California Business Roundtable, and several private foundations. Chevron Corporation provided specific support in the creation of the STEM Honor Roll.

PB Middle Tree-Planting Honors 9-11 Memories

Pacific Beach Middle School students, staff and local heroes.

Members of San Diego Fire Department's Station Station 21 were greeted by students with flowers and fresh tomatoes from the school's garden as the campus had a ceremony planting a tree to honor sacrifices by first-responders and military personal, along with the memory of the 9-11-2001 tragedy.

The students recognized the firefighters for their daily service to the community and military personnel's service to the nation in planting the tree in the school's Waves of Green student garden. As part of learning about the tragedy of Sept. 11, the students created displays about the local firefighters and service men and women, as well as 9-11. These were also presented to the honored guests.

For more information, contact Julie Martel, principal, at jmartel@sandi.net.

Henry High Students Receive Healthcare Scholarships

Congratulations to Patrick Henry High seniors Stephan Romero (right) and Sean Hui (left) who were awarded scholarships recently by the Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors. Stephan received $3,000; Sean received $1,500.




The only students from San Diego Unified to receive this honor, they are part of the Healthcare Pathway course of study at Patrick Henry, which works closely with the Grossmont Healthcare District.



The pathway is part of a collaborative effort with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the Regional Allied Health and Science Initiative. The focus is to increase student awareness of healthcare career opportunities and improve high school student preparation and skills for college science courses. The program includes work-site experiences such as job shadows, tours, summer institutes, paid internships and numerous guest speakers from health care professions.





For more information, contact Vice Principal Jim Good at jgood1@sandi.net .

IN THE NEWS: Auditorium to be named after beloved teacher

It’s where his students sang and danced, read poetry and showcased their original books. Later this month, the auditorium at Longfellow Spanish Immersion School will be renamed for the late Narcisco S. Garcia, the beloved teacher who inspired students, teachers and parents throughout San Diego. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

Partners, Volunteers of the Year Honored

SeaWorld San Diego's Nautilus Pavilion was the scene last week for one of the great celebrations held each year by San Diego Unified, the 28th Annual Community Recognition Event. Each school brought its best partners and volunteers to be honored for their services and contributions to the children of San Diego.

Partners of the Year: The Rice Family Foundation (Encanto Elementary School); MALS-11 Devilfish MCAS Miramar (Sandburg Elementary School); SPAWAR Systems Center, Pacific (Pershing Middle School); Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (Kearny High School Construction Tech Academy); and Mossy Automotive Group (District Relations Office).

Volunteers of the Year: Guadalupe “Doña Lupe” Alvarez (Kimbrough Elementary School); Eliazar Sandoval (Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School); Bill Mayo (Ocean Beach Elementary School); Barbara Shortill (Challenger Middle School); and Marilyn Bradford (Mark Twain High School).

Special thanks to SeaWorld San Diego and California Coast Credit Union for once again sponsoring the event. Read more. For more information, please contact Ellen Tiffany, manager, Community Relations, at or (619) 725-5594.

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