Bell Middle School students chart their career paths to medicine

Possible future doctors from Bell Middle School recently found out why doctors at the UC San Diego School of Medicine made their career choices.

Lekayla Noel, Leticia Alatorre, Kaye Bonifacio, Jazlynne Napoles, Jasmine Canedo, Darrell Buchanan, Marriya Uy, and Sharmaine Rosales, all in grade 8, visited the La Jolla facility along with their science teacher, Andy Morrison.

The visits were arranged as part of the Hippocrates Circle Program, , which is conducted at all of the Kaiser Permanente medical centers, reaches out to high-risk, diverse youth. Kaiser physicians mentor middle school students, and take them on a brief journey through our medical facilities and a local medical school. The goal of the program is to empower middle school students to believe that they can become a physician.

At UC San Diego, students meet with physicians and listened to their personal stories about the steps they took to become doctors. It was the first of five activities in the Hippocrates Circle Program. Other activities include: a field trip to tour a Kaiser Permanente to see several physicians at work in various specialties and gain insight into the life of a physician; financial aide counseling; a tour of UC San Diego Medical School facilities.

For more information, contact Morrison at rmorrison@sandi.net.

Hoover High athletes get a taste of Navy SEAL training

They carried a 250-pound log, completed a three-mile run while carrying a 35-pound sand bag, and performed 300 sit-ups, 300 push-ups and 300 pull-ups. No, they’re not the Navy SEALs.

They are student athletes from six San Diego-area high schools participating in the annual Navy SEAL Invitational at the Naval Special Warfare Center on April 20.

According to Ret. Capt. Bob Rohrbach, operations officer for the Navy SEAL and SWCC Scout Team, the entire purpose of the Navy SEAL Invitational is to develop and promote teamwork. Read more from US Navy SEALs blog»

Juarez Elementary parent shares fingerpainting techniques

Juarez parent Dr. Pinkie Feinstein brought his "intuitive painting" process to school, helping kids work through issues with artistic expression.

New to San Diego, Dr. Feinstein, father of three Juarez students, demonstrated the process that, while fun and relaxing, helps relieve stress and helps kids focus.

"Putting pastels to paper and listening to upbeat music, participants create beautiful and colorful renderings," said Principal Marceline Marques. "Intuitive painting is widely utilized in schools in Israel, where the family is from."

The activity is helpful to all students, especially those with ADHD and emotional challenges. Participants are given paper and pastels and only instructed to "cover the entire paper with color."

"It fits in with both behavior support/emotional regulation and the school wide art program," she said.

A grade 5 teacher, Michael Wilson, invited Dr. Feinstein to run a workshop in his classroom.

"The students thoroughly enjoyed the art aspect while processing emotions and developing right brain function," said Marques.

Dr. Feinstein is a psychiatrist with his degree from the University of Tel Aviv. He has authored several books on topics such as child rearing, dealing with anxiety, ADHD, and his IP methods. For more information contact Principal Marceline Marques at mmarques@sandi.net, or (858) 496-8145.

Mayor Filner delivers pep-talk to Lincoln High theater students

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner surprised theater students at a recent rehearsal of "Let the Eagle Fly – the Life story of Cesar Chavez, a Musical," at Lincoln High School.

The mayor said he stopped by to offer moral support and congratulate them on the work they are doing.
This musical is part of Lincoln High’s new Theater Honors Program, which allows students to work with experienced equity actors from Teatro Mascara Magica. The students who have worked on this show have been rehearsing solidly since January including every day during spring break.

The Arts, Media and Entertainment production classes have been working on building the sets, designing the lights, sounds and creating the visuals for the show as well as creating marketing materials and finding sponsorship. These students are able to work on the catwalk of the theater because of a $1,500 grant received from the Kelly McGinnis Memorial Foundation.

For more information, please contact Maria Christodoulou, CCTE Teacher, at mchristodoulou@sandi.net.

Clairemont High business tech students help out at Feeding America

IN THE NEWS: Students from Clairemont High's Academy of Business Technology visited the Feeding America warehouse to learn more about non-profit organization management. Watch video from Fox 5 San Diego»

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Deputy Superintendent is ‘Woman of Distinction’

Dr. Nellie Meyer, San Diego Unified Deputy Superintendent for Academics, has been name one of the Women of Distinction by the San Diego Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, a women's professional education sorority.

Dr. Meyer was honored for her years of service at San Diego Unified School District, the academic accomplishments of the schools, departments and now the district academic program that has been under her leadership.

Board of Education Member Richard Barrera attended the ceremony on April 18 and said gains in test scores and graduation rates over the last several years are due to the hard work by Dr. Meyer and her staff.

"Dr. Meyer's leadership style and her knowledge of educational reforms have been a key in the revival of excellence in the San Diego Unified School District," he said.

A native San Diegan, Dr. Meyer started as a teacher's aide at Jackson Elementary School while a student at San Diego State University. After graduation she taught middle and high school before starting her administrative career. She was principal at Clairemont High School before moving on to the Education Center where she currently is the district's top academic officer after Superintendent Bill Kowba.

Founded in 1906, Phi Delta Kappa International is a global association for professional educators. The organization's mission is to support education, particularly public education, as the cornerstone of democracy. More information is online at www.pdkintl.org.

For more information on the Phi Delta Kappa chapter, contact Dr. Jeanne Steeg at js@jeanniesteeg.com.

Board proclaims May as Supt. Kowba Legacy Month

BOARD OF EDUCATION SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT RESOLUTION
Resolution Declaring May 2013 as Superintendent Kowba Legacy Month

WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District (San Diego Unified) honor Superintendent Bill Kowba and call upon schools and the community to pay tribute to him during the month of May 2013; and

WHEREAS, the Board recognizes Superintendent Kowba’s dedication to the students, parents, staff, and community, and expresses their appreciation for the educational growth achieved by our students and the stability that he has provided the District during his tenure; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Kowba began his career with San Diego Unified in 2006 serving in several senior level executive positions until his appointment to Superintendent on June 29, 2010; and

WHEREAS, under Superintendent Kowba’s leadership, San Diego Unified has been named a finalist for the 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education in recognition of the District's student achievement gains; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Kowba has consistently demonstrated that he is a man of integrity and a servant leader by listening to all people and taking all ideas into consideration before making decisions; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Kowba has been able to maintain fiscal solvency for San Diego Unified with balanced budgets during severe economic times; and

WHEREAS, Proposition Z, a $2.8 billion bond measure was passed by voters to help maintain safe and productive learning environments for all students during the state’s ongoing budget crisis; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Kowba has been honored by many organizations for his anti-bullying advocacy including the Harvey Milk Leadership Award of San Diego County; multiple awards from the Center for Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership (CESCal) for “Excellence in Creating Safer School Climates for LGBTQIA Youth” and for his participation in their annual conference; special recognition from the Safe Schools Task Force; awards from the Cambodian Buddhist Society of San Diego; the Association of African American Educators (AAAE); State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson; Equality California; Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS); and the San Diego Education Association (SDEA) Retired members.


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, that it recognizes Superintendent Kowba for his years of dedicated service to the students, parents, staff, and community and hereby designates May 2013 as Superintendent Kowba Legacy Month.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board calls on all teachers, staff, students, parents, and community members to focus on Superintendent Kowba’s accomplishments and acknowledge them during this month so that we can faithfully build on his legacy of stability and integrity for many years to come.

Adopted and approved by the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District at the regular meeting held on the 23rd day of April 2013.