Crawford CHAMPs Student Receives TODOS Math Award

At last week’s 2011 Greater San Diego Math Conference, Crawford CHAMPs sophomore Israel Barbosa was recognized by TODOS: Mathematics For All for his outstanding achievements in mathematics.

In only his second year of high school, Israel has already completed Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB and is currently enrolled in AP Calculus BC, the highest level high school mathematics course.

This summer, Israel plans to further his advancement by studying multivariate calculus at a local college. For more information, contact CHAMPs Principal William Laine at (619) 583-2501.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol Meet With Crawford Students

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol Officers from the Department of Homeland Security recently presented at a school-wide assembly at Crawford High Educational Complex about the increased use of children as drug smugglers.

The officers explained the law and told students how the lives of these young people have been destroyed by involvement with drug dealers. Those caught face a minimum of two felonies (possession and smuggling) risking their entire future for as little as $50 or a nominal amount of drugs.

Some of the stories involved children as young as 8 years old. The students were also told about the work involved and what is required to enter the ICE or Border Patrol Officer professions.

For more information, please contact Steve Luttbeg, CCTE Teacher.

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Grant, Other Schools Place In Science Olympiad

In their first Science Olympiad, among 85 teams from 27 San Diego County schools, Grant K-8 School Geckos and Iguanas placed within the top 20 teams for Road Scholar, Solar System and Storm the Castle.

The Science Olympiad is a one-day competition with 23 events in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and engineering. Some events are written tests while others are building-activities for devices or objects which satisfy a specific set of criteria and/or perform prescribed tasks.

Grant School participants, their parents and their coaches are already looking forward to next year’s Science Olympiad. Coaches are needed for students to participate in all events. For more information on this rewarding experience, contact Denise Santoro, head coach, Grant Science Olympiad, at (619) 607-0592.

Meanwhile, results show the following schools placing in the top 10 in their divisions.

• Division B, grades 6-9, Feb. 5: Marshall Middle, 2 (tie).
• Division C, grades 9-12, Feb. 20: University City, 7; Scripps Ranch, 10.

Go to the San Diego Science Olympiad website for more information.

Taft Middle School Students Tour the USNS Mercy

Taft Middle School students recently toured the USNS MERCY (T-AH 19), stationed at the San Diego Naval Base.

The ship’s primary mission is to provide mobile hospital services for disaster relief or humanitarian civic assistance, as well as medical support in time of war. Retired Navy veteran and school counselor Don Samuels and science teacher Linda Miller both accompanied the students, who were allowed access to a medical ward, operating room and the medical flight deck.

The visit to the USNS MERCY was part of the school’s Life Skills and Science program. While onboard, students interacted with both medical staff and the ship’s crew. Not only were they exposed to a state of the art "floating hospital," they were also made aware of possible military careers in Naval medicine. For more information, contact Principal Mike George at (858) 496-8245.

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Special Education Hosts Seminars

A variety of events are scheduled over the next few months through the Special Education Department's Parent Services Division. Here are some of the highlights; for a current schedule, go to the department's web page. or contact Pat Moulton at (619) 725-5658.

• Michael Clark's Recentering Parenting session:  March 1, 6-8 p.m., at Cherokee Point Elementary School.  Childcare and translation available.
  
• Special Education Parenting Classes continue on Wednesday evenings (6-8 p.m.) at Jerabek, Miller, Ballard Parent Center and Cherokee Point. All parents are invited and childcare and translation are available.
  
• IEP Day (Involved Exceptional Parents' Day Conference) will take place on March 19, at the Handlery Hotel Mission Valley.  A limited number of scholarships to pay for conference registration are available for district parents. Contact Pat Moulton at (619) 725-7327.

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Broccoli Is Latest Local Vegetable On School Lunch Menu

Each month, San Diego Unified's Food Services Department highlights a Harvest of the Month, typically featuring local fruits and vegetables.

The Harvest of the Month for March is broccoli, specially planted for San Diego Unified on two local farms, part of the district's Farm to School Program.

Food Services and the San Diego Growers partnered last November to plant more than 4,000 broccoli plants at two local farms specifically for the Harvest of the Month program and other menu needs.

"We expected to harvest and serve broccoli last month but due to the cold weather growers will harvest more than 7,000 pounds of broccoli beginning at the end of February," said Vanessa Zajfen, the district's Farm to School coordinator.

When picked, the broccoli will be chopped and cooked in district kitchens for two lunch recipes, school salad bars and a broccoli and cheese baked potato. 

For more information on the Farm to School Program, contact Zajfen.

News coverage

• KPBS-FM»
• KUSI-TV»
• KGTV-TV and KUSI-TV»

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Alumni Firefighter Gives Back to Crawford CHAMPS

Russell Steppe graduated from Crawford High in the 1970s and recently returned to his alma mater with some friends... his Station 1 crew from the San Diego Fire Department.

Steppe, now a captain with San Diego Fire, brought his firefighters to Crawford Community Health and Medical Practices to simulate an emergency on campus. The veteran firefighters showed the students how they respond to the unexpected and discussed the perseverance and dedication needed to pursue a career in the emergency medical system.

For more information, contact Principal William Laine, at (619) 583-2501.

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