IN THE NEWS: High school gets real college atmosphere

The 151 students at San Diego Early/Middle College go to school on the downtown City College campus, where they take a full slate of regular high school courses and learn practical lessons on how to crash courses, manage their time and be prepared for college instructors’ expectations. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

IN THE NEWS: Every day is unpredictable, except for the high quality level

As a volunteer at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center while he was in college, David Evers worked with a group of high school scholarship winners from City Heights who needed to learn science concepts that they could present to the public. Teaching those kids that material gave him an idea. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

Hematologists Open Doors to Students Before Conference

San Diego International Studies students at the conference.

Students from La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Patrick Henry, San Diego High School of International Studies and Serra high schools had a chance recently to learn about the field of hematology as the American Society of Hematology held a symposium for high school students just before its national conference.

Students had the opportunity to do hands-on experiments and participate in competitions judged by scientists in the field, including diagnosis and management of sickle cell anemia, as well as other blood disorders.

“The annual ASH High School Student Symposium gives local students a unique look at hematology and shows them how exciting and rewarding a career in biomedical research can be,” said Gary J. Schiller, MD, Director of the Hematological Malignancies/Stem Cell Transplantation Unit at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and Chair of ASH’s Committee on Training Programs, which organized the event with assistance from the ASH Trainee Council. “By the end of the symposium, we hope students will develop a new interest in hematology as well as a deeper understanding of sickle cell anemia."

Speakers included Dr. David Shepard from the Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers, discussing “Why Medicine?”; “Sickle Cell Anemia Diagnosis and Clinical Manifestations” by Dr. Jenny Kim from Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego; and “Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease” by Dr. Mary Territo from UCLA School of Medicine. The conference was held Dec. 8, just before the ASH Annual Meeting in San Diego.

Our students participated in activities including “Restriction Enzyme Analysis of DNA” using Gel Electrophoresis, and successfully identified normal, carrier and affected individuals by their DNA. Students extracted and isolated salmon DNA in the “Go Ahead, Make My DNA” activity. In the “Be a Blood Detective” activity, students evaluated posters that contained blood smears and were able to look at actual blood smears in through the microscope. The “Life is a Crapshoot” activity allowed students to investigate the impact of disease and other environmental factors on life expectancy.

Students from each school prepared two poster presentations that were presented to doctors in the field of Sickle Cell Anemia. Dr. Jenny Kim, Dr. Ted Wun, Dr. Mary Territo, and Dr. Gary Schiller were the judges. Three schools were awarded monetary prizes for the science departments. First place was earned by San Diego High School of International Studies, second place by Serra High School and third place by Mira Mesa High School. Prizes of $750-$1,500 were awarded.

For more information, contact Tim Towler, San Diego High International Studies, (619) 525-7464 x4900.

“Students Speak Out”, New Crimestopper Program Offers Students Rewards to Stop Crime

Students Speak Out is a new form of crime stoppers program with a twist that will entice students and the community. Crime Stoppers is an existing program sponsored by schools to keep the school safe by sending in tips about illegal activity. Students Speak Out is simply the same concept but with a monetary reward. Read more from the Clairemont High School Arrow»

IN THE NEWS: Biodiesel To Fuel SD School Buses

More than 500 buses in the San Diego Unified School District will run on biodiesel fuel by the end of the 2014-15 school year.

Note: The stories imply that the district has an agreement for supply of biodiesel; there is no agreement at this time.

 

Read more

• KPBS-FM»
• Biodiesel Magazine»
  

Congratulations to Our New National Board Certified Teachers

Seven San Diego Unified teachers have earned or renewed the prestigious honor of National Board Certified Teachers: Monique Anderson, Morse High School; Crystal Howe, Clairemont High; Nichole Raiewski, Millennial Tech Middle School; Shanna Jennings, Silver Gate Elementary; Ashley Hensen, Keiller Leadership Academy; Julia Groff, Ocean Beach/Whitman Elementary (renewal); and Maria Guillermoprieto, San Diego High School of International Studies (renewal). The total number of National Board Certified Teachers in San Diego Unified is now 186.

Certification by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards is the "gold standard" for teaching excellence. National Board Certified Teachers must demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Completion of the certification process signifies that teachers have developed and demonstrated the skills required of an accomplished education professional. By completing the certification renewal process, these accomplished teachers show that they continue to meet the nation's highest teaching standards.

For more information on the national program, please visit www.nbpts.org/2011NBCTs. For information about programs available to San Diego Unified teachers, contact Julia Groff at jgroff@sandi.net.

Proclamation Goes to Crawford IDEA Auto Teacher

Council member Marti Emerald, back row left, honored teacher Carl Kingsbury, back row right. They are shown with some of the auto shop students at Crawford IDEA.

San Diego City Council Member Marti Emerald has presented Carl Kingsbury, the automotive technology teacher at Crawford IDEA High School, with a proclamation commending him for his "exemplary teaching and mentorship."

The proclamation was presented during a surprise visit by Emerald to Kingsbury's classroom.

"Carl Kingsbury is an excellent example of a passionate educator who encourages our youth in City Heights and the surrounding area by encouraging each student to reach their highest potential in addition to providing each student with opportunities for scholarship and higher education in the engineering field," she said. "It is pleasure to present him with a District 7 proclamation in appreciation of his leadership in the community and his dedication to our youth.

"When I visited his classroom, I was truly inspired by motivation and enthusiasm of the students, who will be our city and nation's future innovators."
Kingsbury said he was "humbled" by the honor.

"All I do here at Crawford IDEA's automotive department is try to make a meaningful change in the lives of a few young people who honor me everyday with their smiling (sometimes not) faces," said Kingsbury. "I want you to all know I consider it a great personal honor to be allowed to teach, and I cannot thank you enough for the opportunities all of you in one form or another have granted to my students and I."

Board of Education Member Sheila Jackson, who represents the Crawford neighborhood, said Kingsbury is a "great guy who has done many wonderful things with the auto shop over the years."
"Carl continues to inspire young minds and make education fun, interesting and meaningful," said Diego Garcia, Principal at Crawford IDEA and the MVAS schools.
For more information on the program, contact Garcia at 619-583-2504, ext. 2560.