Celebrating a Century of Education

The Education Center in 1952, shortly after opening. Annex 1 is at the lower left; the original State Normal School still stands where today there are temporary offices and parking.

District employees know it as Annex One, but the 2-story building at the west end of the Education Center near El Cajon Boulevard is actually one of the most historic structures in San Diego and holds a century-old place in California’s education history. It was first used as the Teacher Training Building for the San Diego State Normal School. The school, which evolved into today’s San Diego State University, moved to Montezuma Mesa in 1931. For the next 20 years, Annex One was part of Mann Middle School (which relocated to 54th Street), then used as office space with the opening of the Education Center in 1952. The last several years, the building has been used only for storage as it no longer meets earthquake codes.

Celebrate the centennial of the Annex One building Sunday, Sept. 12, with the Taste of University Heights and UH Arts Open, from noon to 5 p.m., and a special ceremony at 4 p.m. Superintendent Bill Kowba and Board President Richard Barrera will be among the local dignitaries in attendance. Our district has been custodian of this building for many years but plans are in the works to restore it and move the University Heights branch library to the historic landmark. For more information, call the University Heights Community Association at (619) 297-3166 or visit www.uhsd.org.


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IN THE NEWS: Local teen helps seniors in St. Paul's program

Tessa Meads, 16, has volunteering down to a science. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

Kearny Digital Media and Design, Preuss School UCSD Get Federal "Blue Ribbon"

The School of Digital Media and Design at the Kearny Educational Complex in Linda Vista and the Preuss School UCSD Charter have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students. The program is part of a larger Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices.

"This is an outstanding recognition for two outstanding schools," said San Diego Unified Superintendent Bill Kowba. "I congratulate Kearny DMD Principal Cheryl Hibbeln, her staff and her students, as well as the staff and students at the Preuss School UCSD, for a job well done."

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of achievement. Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds.

At Kearny, Principal Cheryl Hibbeln said the honor was the result of much hard work.

"This award is a validation of the staff, students and administration's philosophy about student engagement and project-based learning," said Hibbeln. "Placing students at the center of learning and engagement is the key to student achievement."

The School of Digital Media and Design is one of four schools at the Kearny High Educational Complex in Linda Vista. The comprehensive high school was divided into four schools in 2004 as part of a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Its diverse student population draws from throughout the district as well as from the Linda Vista and Serra Mesa neighborhoods. The School of Digital Media and Design has an enrollment of 475 in grades 9-12.

"We are a completely interdisciplinary, project-based learning environment that collaborates with industry," said Hibbeln. "We work with local companies and government on civic projects and campaigns. Through these projects, students are motivated to tell their story to the world."

Academic subjects such as math, English and science are fully integrated throughout the projects.

"Our academic standards are made relevant through real-world projects," she said.

Community partners include the Surfrider Foundation, Time Warner Cable TV, Grossmont College, San Diego County Office of Education ITV, the City of San Diego and ConnectEd California.

Public Invited to Hear A-G Audit Findings

The Education Trust West will present its Educational Opportunity Audit (A-G) findings from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Instructional Media Center, located at 2441 Cardinal Lane, San Diego (92123). A-G Task Force members, other interested district staff, parents, students and the public are invited to attend.

This audit report will provide the district with necessary information to begin implementing the University of California A-G course sequence as part of high school graduation requirements. The full audit report will be available on the district website in mid-September.

For more information, please contact Marty Stultz at (619) 725-7103.

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Local Businesses Help Jumpstart the New School Year

On Sept. 1, teachers, students and parents made the trip to the Scripps Mesa Conference Center for a special district give-away. Disguise, Ltd., American Specialty Health, Callaway Golf, Carpenter’s Union Local 1506, Sony Corporation and Sky River Communications were just a few of the major contributors.

Halloween costumes, pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, three-ring binders, various desktop accessories, filing cabinets and furniture were among the items distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. One anonymous donor donated more than $5,000 in office supplies. In addition to the Sept. 1 event, Pfizer, Inc. has donated more than 58 pallets of science and lab supplies to our schools in the past few months. The estimated value of all of these combined donations totals approximately $500,000.

A special thank you to several members of the Scripps Ranch High School Boys Water Polo team who volunteered their time to help set up the donation site. For more information, please contact the Community Relations Dept. at (619) 725-5592.

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IN THE NEWS: 2010-11 School Year Begins

See coverage of the first day of school at one school, Hoover High.

• Watch coverage from Fox 5 San Diego»
• Watch coverage from KUSI-TV»

From the Superintendent: Welcome Back to School

Today, we welcome back more than 132,000 students to our schools. Thank you to all of our teachers, principals, school support staff and central office employees who have been working so hard to make sure that the start of school is a success.


As we start the new school year, I have been sharing the same message with all of our employees. That singular message is that the success of our students should always be at the forefront of our minds. Remember our mission statement as we begin anew, refreshed and refocused:

"All San Diego students will graduate with the skills, motivation, curiosity and resilience to succeed in their choice of college and career in order to lead and participate in the society of tomorrow."

We had great success at our schools last year. Everyone is excited about continuing that positive momentum throughout the 2010/11 school year for our students and families. Parents, thank you for the privilege of serving your children. Welcome back to school!

BILL KOWBA