IN THE NEWS: Holmes Elementary Walk to School Day on Morning News

Holmes Elementary School in Clairemont celebrated International Walk to School Day with a parade that featured on KUSI's Good Morning San Diego. Watch video»

Exciting test-drive fundraising event will generate much-needed money for Mission Bay High, helping students in the local community.

Mossy Automotive Group is bringing Ford Motor Company’s Drive One 4 UR School program to Mission Bay High School on Oct. 13 in an effort to raise up to $6,000 for the school.

For every person who takes the wheel and test-drives a new Ford vehicle at Mission Bay High on Thursday, Oct. 13, Mossy Ford and Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to Mission Bay High School. The funds will go toward supporting numerous programs and clubs at the school.

“We know funding for school programs is hard to come by, and we want to do our part to help make sure these programs remain available,” said Owen Mossy, General Manager at Mossy Ford. “We’re excited to raise money for Mission Bay High School.”

The event, which will be held from 3pm to 8pm, will feature the many vehicles from Ford’s line-up.

“Whether you are looking to test out our larger vehicles, like the Explorer or F-150, or are more interested in a smaller sedan, like the Focus, we will be able to put you behind the wheel of your favorite Ford vehicle,” said Owen Mossy. Dealership staff on site will be able to assist with all Ford vehicles and provide additional information about each vehicle available for test-drive.

Across the United States, there are vital arts, music and sports programs that are being cut annually due to growing budgetary constraints and lack of funding. Today’s youth are missing out on extremely valuable opportunities to expand their knowledge and diversify their interests, as well as the chance to have a little fun! Mossy Ford wants to keep these opportunities available for our local students at Mission Bay High School.

Since the start of Ford’s Drive One 4 UR School program in 2007, more than $7 million in donations have been generated for high schools nationwide.

To participate in this exciting event and get behind the wheel of your favorite Ford vehicle, please visit
Mission Bay High School from 2-7 p.m. on October 13th.

\Participants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license. There is a limit of one test-drive per household. All test-drive will last approximately 7-10 minutes.

SCPA Art Helps BizTown Take Off

Students Chelsea Chavira, Erika Ruan, Tess Young Janelle Velazquez and Tashia Williams from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts have recently finished, along with artist Isaias Crow, a 40-foot by 14-foot mural at the McGrath Family JA Biztown facility.

The students worked through the Spring semester and their Summer vacation on the project, which was designed especially for BizTown.

Sponsored by the San Diego International Airport Commission, the mural celebrates travel in San Diego and around the world. The multi-panel, multi-leveled mural was designed in partnership between the student artists, guided and directed by Isaias Crow. It was painted on 4'x8' wood panels, creating a multi-dimensional sculptural mural.

For more photos, visit the project blog. The McGrath Family JA BizTown in San Diego's Mission Gorge neighborhood is a 10,000 square foot mini-city in which kids discover how free enterprise really works.

For more information on the project, contact Cydney DeBenedetto, Visual Arts Teacher, SD School of Creative and Performing Arts, (619) 470-0555 x124.

IN THE NEWS: Reinventing Education, Revisited

Two years into San Diego’s plan to transform education with the help of technology, here’s a look at how the project is going—and what the district has learned. Read more from eSchool News»

Lee Elementary's Mark Alcorn is a 2012 San Diego County Teacher of the Year

Mark Alcorn Named a 2012 San Diego County Teacher of the Year. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

Teacher of the Year 2011
Elementary School

Mark Alcorn

Lee Elementary School

In college, Mark Alcorn planned to become a computer scientist. That all changed after he worked as a teacher’s aide in an elementary computer lab. There he gained experience working with K-5 students and found a way to apply his problem-solving skills in a school environment. At the University of California, San Diego, Alcorn’s courses included Pre-Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. He then switched paths and attended San Diego State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies and his Multiple Subject K-8 Clear Credential, then in 2000, earning a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in K-8 Mathematics Education.

Alcorn’s career has taken him from Kennedy, Zamorano and Jackson elementary schools to his current school site, Lee Elementary. After nearly 21 years of teaching experience, he has established a core belief in the value of building a positive relationship between a teacher and each student. Everyday, he creates an environment where his students feel respected and important. Walking into his classroom, one can immediately sense the respect that he and his students have for each other. He takes the time to work with students individually to help them solve difficult math problems. He modifies curricula and emphasizes a variety of problem-solving techniques which allow his students access to solving problems and learning to do for themselves.

“Access” is the key to his success with compelling students to take on work and become more responsible for their own education. Alcorn believes his greatest contribution in the classroom has been helping struggling students to turn around with the newly found self-confidence that they can and will achieve.

With his success in the classroom, Alcorn shares teaching techniques and advice with both new and experienced teachers. As Teacher of the Year, he plans to promote a strong collaborative effort among teaching professionals, fostering discussions about best practices so that we can raise the level of instruction for all students. He states, “As teachers, we form positive relationships with our students. We not only provide models for them to grow into, but also provide the link to motivate them to give their best.”

San Diego Unified congratulates Mark Alcorn and his family on his selection as 2011 Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Kearny Construction Tech Academy Students Demo Robot for Congressman

Students at Construction Tech Academy (CTA) at the Kearny High Educational Complex recently gave a live demonstration of their robot and discussed the engineering and manufacturing processes involved in building it with Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach.

Rep. Bilbray was at CTA as a speaker at the local meeting of the National Tooling and Machining Association. The machining program at CTA is part of the manufacturing and product development industry sector in California.

Each year, the students build a robot to compete in the FIRST Robotics competition including tooling many of their own, unique parts. The machine tooling course at CTA is applying for certification through the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) with the help of many local members of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA).

NTMA supports, promotes and represents the tooling, machining and precision manufacturing industry nationwide. NIMS certification is the only accredited precision manufacturing program for education institutions.

See their websites for more information about NIMS or NTMA. For more information about the machining program in SDUSD, please contact Greg Quirin, CCTE Program Specialist at (858) 503-1736 or gquirin@sandi.net.

Tdap Booster Deadline is Oct. 6

Parents/guardians of 7th-12th grade students have until Oct. 6 to provide their child’s school with the state law required Tdap booster documentation: proof of Tdap vaccine, proof of an upcoming doctor’s appointment for the vaccine, or a signed a Tdap Personal Belief Statement.

Failure to do so will result in the student being excluded from school and daycare beginning Friday, Oct. 7 until the requirement is met. Students will also be excluded from all school-related activities, including athletics, band and clubs.

For a list of free Tdap Vaccine clinics, check the district website at www.sandi.net/tdap or visit www.sdiz.org. Vaccines can also be obtained from your personal healthcare provider and at several local pharmacies.