Superintendent’s Update: Vision 2020 as innovation, in the community, schools as community centers

In her Board of Education report on Tuesday, Superintendent Cindy Marten discussed three key elements of the Vision 2020: Innovations in schools, which she saw at the Millennial Tech Middle School; San Diego Unified as part of the community during the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast; and students quizzing the next San Diego mayor in a debate at Hoover High School. Watch video presentation.

Setting high expectations for all students key to closing achievement gap

District administrators believe that setting high expectations for all students is an important step in closing the achievement gap, one of Vision 2020's key indicators of a quality school. In an update to the Board of Education, Supt. Marten outlined specific ways this district goal is being implemented – and becoming a reality for our students. Watch video presentation.

Board of Education honors community members for contributions to San Diego kids

Proclamations from the Board of Education at the Jan. 28 meeting.

• The Naruwan Taiko Drumming Group was recognized by President Kevin Beiser and Trustee Scott Barnett. The Naruwan Taiko drumming group has become a part of the Barnard Asian Pacific Language Academy family through their regular performances on the campus.
  
• The 50th anniversary of Pershing Middle School was honored by President Kevin Beiser. Located in the San Carlos neighborhood, Pershing is a high achieving school, with outstanding teachers and staff as well as dedicated parents and families who have gone to the school for generations. Pershing is a STEMM school, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Music.
  
• The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum was honored by Trustee Scott Barnett. The mission of the museum is “to collect, preserve and share the Chinese American experience and Chinese history, culture and art to educate the diverse community and its visitors.” Museum education and outreach programs offer 12 distinct presentations that are available to local schools and community organizations.
  
• The San Diego-Yantai Friendship Society was honored by Trustee Scott Barnett. The mission of the society is “to foster sister city relationships and understanding through mutually beneficial exchanges between individuals, community groups, organizations, and institutions in San Diego with counterparts in Yantai, China.”
  
• Frank Jao, CEO of Bridegreek Group, Inc., was recognized by Trustee Scott Barnett. Mr. Jao’s continued advocacy for strong education and support of Barnard Asian Pacific Language Academy is appreciated by the San Diego Unified School District.
  
• The Panda Express Panda Cares Program was recognized by Trustee Scott Barnett. They support organizations and schools such as the Barnard Asian Pacific Language Academy that educate children in the areas of at-risk prevention, academics, educational extracurricular activities, and restaurant-trade programs.

Working Together for Quality Neighborhood Schools

The Board of Education and Superintendent Cindy Marten invite all stakeholders to a series of neighborhood meetings to Dream Big together for the future of our schools.  We are committed to having clear, long-term priorities based on our Vision 2020.  We believe that when our priorities are inspired and informed by our parents, students, and teachers, we will have important information for long-range planning with students at the center.  These forums will yield a clear and collective sense of our District-wide long-term priorities.

The "Vision 2020 Forums: What Kinds of Schools Do We Want" series offer parents, staff, students, and community members an opportunity to give input to the superintendent and the board members on priorities for our students and schools.

Meeting schedule

• Friday, Feb. 7, 5-7 p.m., Sub-District D, Memorial Preparatory for Scholars and Athletes, 2850 Logan Ave. (92113)
• Tuesday, Feb. 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sub-District B, Patrick Henry High School, 6702 Wandermere Dr. (92120)
• Monday, Feb. 24, 7-9 p.m., Sub-District C, Mission Bay High School, 2475 Grand Ave. (92109).
•  Monday, Mar. 3, 7-9 p.m., Sub-District A, Mira Mesa High School, 10510 Reagan Rd. (92126).
• Event in Sub-District E is yet to be scheduled.

For more information, follow the district's daily news feed and website front page calendar and the Vision 2020 Forums website, as well as the district Twitter and Facebook pages.

Please RSVP.



For further information or questions, email vision2020forums@sandi.net.

It's official: 2014-15 school year starts Sept. 2

The 2014-15 school year for all schools in the San Diego Unified School District begins Tuesday, Sept. 2, following the recommendation of Superintendent Cindy Marten and approval by the Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday evening.

Other highlights of the 180-day schedule:

• Winter break begins for both traditional and year-round schools on December 22, 2014;
• Spring break begins for both traditional and year-round schools on March 30, 2015;
• The last instructional day on the traditional calendar is Monday, June 15, 2015;
• The last instructional day on the year-round calendar is Tuesday, July 21, 2015.

Representatives of parent groups as well as employee bargaining units participate in the district Calendar Committee, along with district staff from Labor Relations, Payroll, Testing, Pupil Accounting, Transportation, Special Education, Summer Schools, Human Resource Services, and Communications.

Supt. Marten has asked that a plan be created that would transition all district schools to a common calendar in the 2015-16 school year or beyond. With this direction, a schedule of meetings with stakeholders will be established in the next several months. Meeting notices will be posted on the district's web page, calendar, school website district news sections and social media.

Download copies of the 2014-15 calendar

• Traditional schedule 
• Year-round schedule 
  

Mid-City Youth Throw Some Hardballs at the Mayoral Candidates

IN THE NEWS: Mayoral debate at Hoover High 'had a decidedly different feel than most political debates, thanks to youth panelists like Roosevelt Middle School sixth grader Hiyab Seadedin.' Read more from Voice of San Diego»

Going meatless on Mondays

IN THE NEWS: Meatless Monday has also reached the plates of San Diegan youngsters. In September, San Diego Unified School District adopted Meatless Monday in its elementary schools. Gary Petill, director of the district’s food services, said it was an opportunity to educate children about a plant-based diet. Read more from UT San Diego»