Two Lincoln High Students Join Crew on UCSD Research Ship

Julie Alvarez on
the R/M Melville

Lincoln High seniors Jonathan Franco and Julie Alvarez are spending 23 days on the R/V Melville, joining researchers from UC San Diego in a voyage off the San Diego coast to take scientific observations and perform other duties.

 The pair are blogging to keep family and friends up-to-date on their trip. Alvarez wrote on her blog that the the Melville is a "really big boat" and that she's not scared to be aboard. They are assigned duty shifts like any other crew member but are the only high school students on board.

"I have the shift from 4am to noon," she wrote on her blog Nov. 15. "Then i got the rest of the day to do what i want 7 is breakfast, 11:30 is lunch, and 5 is dinner but if you do skip a meal they put the left overs in the fridge or just go in and get the snacks they have."

Jonathan Franco
on the R/M Melville

The ship is taking measurements that include the ocean's temperature, salinity, oxygen, pressure, density. In response to a question, Jonathan wrote on his blog that he wasn't concerned that they'd be in danger if a big storm hit.

"I am not fearful of a heavy storm putting my safety at risk," he wrote. "The ship is a dynamic positioning ship roughly 279 feet long i feel even with significant wave heights of 5+ meters we will all be safe and free from harm." Their teacher, Danny Blas, said the Marine Sciences course at the Lincoln Park neighborhood campus helps prepare students for a university education in the field.

"The course builds on the physical and life science concepts learned in previous science courses," he said, "and applies those concepts to the exploration of the living and nonliving environments of our bays and oceans."

 Geoff Cromwell, a research scientist and Ph.D. candidate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UCSD), serves as the class' resident scientist. For more information, check out Blas's website or dblas@sandi.net.

La Jolla High's ‘Piece of My Heart’ Reflects on Another Side of War

IN THE NEWS: The La Jolla High School Theater Department will put on three presentations of “A Piece of My Heart,” a chronicle of the lives of Vietnam USO officers, nurses and Red Cross volunteers. Read more from La Jolla Patch»

Angier Elementary Receives Target Library Makeover

Principal Gergurich talks to students about the new library.

In The News

News 8 KFMB-TV»

The Angier Elementary community, along with Target, The Heart of America Foundation, Mission Continues and more than 200 volunteers, unveiled the school's newly renovated library to Principal Andrew Gergurich, Supt. Bill Kowba and Assemblymember Toni Atkins, and Angier students, parents and staff.

This is the third year in a row that a San Diego Unified school has been selected to be part of the Target School Library Makeover program. Angier joins Miller Elementary (2010) and Kimbrough Elementary (2011) in receiving a renovated library that features 2,000 new books, eco-friendly design elements, new furniture, carpet and shelves, and technology upgrades such as a smart board, computers and iPads. Every Angier student received a set of seven books for their personal libraries.

“I am so grateful that for the third year in a row I’ve had the privilege and the honor to be at a Target Library Makeover unveiling,” Superintendent Bill Kowba said at the Nov. 9 ribbon cutting. “Target’s and Heart of America’s shared belief that every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential aligns perfectly with the goals of our district.”

As part of the library makeover, a Target Meals for Minds food pantry was launched, which will allow families to choose from a variety of staple foods and fresh produce to take home. The food pantry is made possible through a partnership with Feeding America San Diego.

“The new library and food pantry are amazing gifts for our school and our students,” said Principal Gergurich. “Thanks to Target and The Heart of America Foundation, our students have the resources they need to feel inspired and ready to learn when they walk through our school doors.”
For more information about the Target Library Makeover program, go to the Target website. For information about Angier Elementary, contact Principal Gergurich at agergurich@sandi.net.

Taste of La Jolla raises $19,000 for La Jolla High School

IN THE NEWS: The 2012 Taste of La Jolla, a benefit for the Foundation of La Jolla High School, raised more than $19,000 on Oct. 23. At the event, 25 La Jolla eateries prepared special samples made for the occasion. More than 400 participants, who purchased a ticket for $45 each, received a bracelet, permitting them one sample from each restaurant, and a walking map to each location. Read more from the La Jolla Light»

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School program that helps military children is ending

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Give Your Education Views in National Speak Up Survey

Parents and students along with teachers and staff have been invited to participate in a survey on educational issues. The 2012 National Speak Up Survey is a series of multiple choice questions plus an open-ended type question at the end where you can write in your response, which takes about 20 minutes to complete. Findings are summarized and shared with national and state policy makers. 

To take the survey, select your school and use the secret word surf. Go to survey.