Perkins Elementary Makes Another Russian Visit

Not only do students at Perkins Elementary School in Barrio Logan learn Russian after school (taught by principal Fernando Hernandez), a group of students just made the school's second annual trip to their sister school in Novocherkassk. Read more.

Patrick Henry Hosts Navy JROTC Brain Brawl

The Navy JROTC Southwest Regional Academic Championship, otherwise known as the "Super Brain Brawl", brings together 26 high schools from various districts in California and Arizona for a prestigious academic competition, held right here in San Diego.

On April 30, Patrick Henry High School hosted the event with more than 200 student competitors matching academic pedigrees in a classic “Jeopardy” style format. Questions ranged from core academic subjects to current world events. Henry’s Naval Science Instructor, Master Sergeant Tom Bricke, served as master of ceremony.

The Southwest Regional Manager for Navy Junior JROTC programs, Commander Ken Liles, attributed the broad success of this notable academic competition to the teachers of Henry High.  “The competition has grown from just a handful of regional high schools to a nationally recognized event in great part due to the extraordinary efforts of Patrick Henry High School." Liles also went on to say that with the interest generated by this event, the Navy has approved a national-level championship competition for next year with Henry High selected as the host.

The Henry academic team had a solid performance behind the efforts of team captains Jordan Robertson, Samantha Parks, Michael Moberg and David Nguyen. In the end, Troy High School from Fullerton, CA was crowned this year’s champions, with Pacifica and Lakewood high schools earning 2nd and 3rd place honors respectively.

Crawford Student Shares Inspirations with 'Prime Motivation'

Andrew Watkins-Blackshear

An essay on the hopes and aspirations of a Crawford IDEA student is featured on a motivational program's website following the program's recent visits to Crawford and Morse high schools.

Student Andrew Watkins-Blackshear writes in his essay that he hopes to become an mechanical engineer working on an auto racing team, the experience he received as an intern with Mercedes Benz of San Diego, the teamwork involved in auto technology, and what he learned from Carl Kingsbury, his auto-technology teacher at Crawford.

Andrew's essay was part of the visits to Crawford and Morse auto technology programs by Prime Motivations, which gives students an overview of the many, varied career opportunities that await them.

Using live demonstrations, hands-on workshops and educational seminars by companies and organizations from various industries, this event informs undecided and disadvantaged audiences of their potential futures through direct experiences.

For more information, contact Greg Quirin, CCTE Program Specialist, at (858) 503-1736 or gquirin@sandi.net.

Global Virtual Classroom Honors Muir

Muir elementary students.

Students from Taiwan, Kenya, Iraq, and India worked with Muir K-12 Magnet on their award-winning websites in the Global Virtual Classroom competition.
With the website theme of "Education: Hope for the Future," Muir students in grades 3-6 worked by teleconference and email with similar-age students at the Aga Khan Academy in Kenya and Tainain Municipal Haidong Elementary School in Taiwan. Their efforts brought them Third Prize and $250. Essays discussed their studies, special events, technology and personal stories.

Muir secondary students.

"Recovery After Disasters" was the topic for Muir's AVID grades 7-8, Gifted School Ninevahe in Iraq, and India's St.Mark's Senior Sec. Public School Janak Puri. The website discussed various types of disasters and how to recover, including discussions of wildfires in San Diego and the earthquake in Haiti. The website received a Special Merit award.School webmaster Gabriel Castaneda helped the students with the websites. For more information, contact Anne Lambert at (858) 268-1954.

Hoover Students Achieve EverFi Certification – For Free

Almost 100 Hoover High Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) students received EverFi certification this week after completing a free six-hour performance-based course tailored to both state and national requirements. Topics include banking, savings, budgeting, taxes, insurance, loans and understanding a credit score.

The web-based program is designed to teach students the key concepts of financial literacy, using virtual worlds, rich media and animation to bring more than 600 financial concepts to life. There is no cost to students or the school, thanks to a partnerships established with regional supporters. For more information, please contact Lance Larson, CCTE Program Specialist, at (858) 503-1756 or llarson@sandi.net.

Dr. Senegar-Mitchell Named Finalist for California Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Serra High School science teacher Dr. Ericka Senegar-Mitchell for receiving the 2011 State of California Teacher of the Year finalist award at a gala ceremony, held in Sacramento on April 11. State Superintendent of Public Education Tom Torlakson (pictured here) presented Senegar-Mitchell with the award. Dr. David Lorden, Area 8 Superintendent and Serra High Principal Michael Jimenez also made the trip to the state capital to support Senegar-Mitchell, who was the district’s 2010 High School Teacher of the Year as well as a San Diego County Teacher of the Year.

As a general and advanced placement biology teacher at Serra, Dr. Senegar-Mitchell embraces curiosity in her classroom and believes that education is the key to overcoming poverty. Her mission as a teacher is to promote literacy through scientific discovery. Founder and director of the “Science in the City Outreach Program,” a partnership with commercial life science industry leaders, she has since founded “Ladies of Science in the City,” a group of 20 young women who have a passion for science. With the help of dedicated teachers, Senegar-Mitchell was able to escape the violence and the poverty of the inner city, and she hopes to do the same for her students. She has been teaching for 14 years.  The district congratulations Dr. Ericka Senegar-Mitchell on this latest accomplishment.

'Water Smart' Elementary Students Show Off in County Competition

Out of more than 450 entries from around San Diego County, students from Barnard, Sunset View, Hawthorne and Wegeforth elementary schools were among the dozen honored recently by 2011 Be Water Sm"ART" Essay Contest, sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority and San Diego County Office of Education.

The contest, for grades 2-5, asked students to draw a picture and write a story about saving water.

The winners from San Diego Unified schools (click to see their picture and story):

• Mia Salatka, grade 3, Barnard Elementary
• Melissa Deorsola, grade 4, Sunset View Elementary
• Jesse Goldstein, grade 4, Hawthorne Elementary
• Nina Morch, grade 4, Hawthorne Elementary
• Nailah McDuffie, Wegeforth Elementary

The theme for the 2011 contest -- the Water Authority's first -- was “What does being Water Smart mean to me?” Prizes were donated by Atlantis Laser Tag, Boomers! Family Entertainment Center and Geppetto’s Toy Store.
For more information, contact the San Diego County Water Authority.