Media Advisory: 300 Rockets to be Launched by Taft Middle School Students at Fiesta Island

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

300 ROCKETS TO BE LAUNCHED BY TAFT MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Hands-On STEAM Project at Fiesta Island Fuels Interest in Science

WHAT: Taft Middle School students are reaching new heights at the Second Annual Rocket Launch. Students in grades 6–8 have designed, built, and branded their own model rockets, each featuring a custom logo. The rockets are expected to soar up to 1000 feet in the air in a visual display of student creativity and Science Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) learning. (Editor Note: Link to videos/images of students working on rockets, past launches)

WHY:  This engaging project combines science, engineering, art, and teamwork, giving students a real world application of classroom concepts, with an emphasis on aerospace engineering and the cutting edge field of rocketry.  The event showcases San Diego Unified’s commitment to hands-on, high-interest learning experiences that inspire the next generation of STEAM  innovators. 

WHEN: Friday, May 9, 2025, 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

LAUNCH SCHEDULE: 

• 10:45 a.m. Media are encouraged to arrive for setup and student interviews. Please check-in at the Taft tent by the entry gate.
• 11:15am: Synchronized countdown and rocket launch. 

WHERE:  Fiesta Island, Fiesta Island Aerial

WHO (interviews available):

• Taft Middle School 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
• Hortencia E. Garcia-Rubio, Principal, Taft Middle School (bilingual)
• Ms. Cara White, 8th Grade Science teacher
• John Pacente, Vocational Steamworks Director & Industry Partners
• Taft teachers and staff
• Families of Taft Middle School students 

VISUALS:

• 300 colorful, student-designed rockets blasting off
• Interviews with bilingual Taft Middle School students 
• Custom logo created by student featured on each rocket

 

BACKGROUND: Over the course of two weeks, Taft Middle School students worked in small teams to design, build, and prepare model rockets. The hands-on project gives students the opportunity to explore concepts in science, engineering, and design thinking. Following the launch at Fiesta Island, each team will document their process and create a short video to reflect on their experience and share what they learned. 

Taft Middle School is proud to offer a Spanish Dual Language Immersion (SLIM) program, where students engage in a one-period, balanced literacy course taught entirely in Spanish. The course is designed to develop independent, critical readers, writers, listeners, and speakers, while fostering a deeper appreciation of the histories and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. As part of the SLIM program, students study science concepts in Spanish while also expanding their knowledge of Spanish grammar and its practical applications.

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Media Contacts and RSVP to: James Canning, 313-580-2845, jcanning@sandi.net, or Mike Murad, 619-925-4790, mmurad@sandi.net. 

 

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Thanks,

 

Mike

 

Mike Murad

Public Information Coordinator

San Diego Unified School District

mmurad@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619-925-4790

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

130+ SAN DIEGO UNIFIED TEACHERS TO BE HONORED MAY 6TH

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Media Contact: James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845                                     

(Pictures and Bios of Teacher of the Year Awards Linked)

 

130+ TEACHERS FROM SAN DIEGO UNIFIED TO BE HONORED DURING MAY 6TH CEREMONY

Elementary, Middle & High School Teachers of the Year to be Honored During Teacher Appreciation Week 

 San Diego Unified has 96% year-over-year retention rate of its educators

 

SAN DIEGO (MAY 5, 2025) – San Diego Unified School District employs nearly 6,900 educators across 176 schools, and during National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), more than 130 of its educators will be honored for their outstanding commitment to students, including six “Teacher of the Year” winners and runners-up.

 

“Education is a labor of love and I am thankful we have teachers that are so dedicated to the children of San Diego,” said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent (Interim). “It’s not an easy profession, but it's one of the most rewarding careers that exists. Year-after-year our district  does everything possible to do right by all of our educators, and I am excited to celebrate them during Teacher Appreciation Week.”     

 

On May 6 the Day of the Teacher Celebration will be held starting at 4:30 p.m. on the front lawn of the Eugene Brucker Education Center to honor the winners, runners-up, and site teachers, they are:   

• Three District Teachers of the Year Winners – Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Meera Ramanathan, Visual Arts teacher from Zamorano Elementary School; Middle School Teacher of the Year: Kevin White, a Gateway to Technology teacher from De Portola Middle School; and High School Teacher of the Year: Cindy Page, an AVID and Psychology teacher from Crawford High School.
• Three Runners-Up for District Teachers of the Year – Runner-up for Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Adrielle Ayers of Sherman Elementary; Runner-Up for Middle School Teacher of the Year: Rebecca Zauderer of Wilson Middle; and Runner-up for High School Teacher of the Year: Jennifer Oakes of San Diego High.  
• Individual School Site Teachers of the Year: 130 Teachers linked here. 

 

Teachers Stay at San Diego Unified School District  

Going back to at least 2006,  San Diego Unified boasts a 96% year-over-year retention rate of its educators. In a recent survey of 1,300 San Diego Education Association members who work at San Diego Unified, 79% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that “I plan to be working in my organization one year from now.”   

 

San Diego Unified is a Leader in Educator Salaries, Benefits, and Environment   

 

San Diego Unified has a very generous financial and benefits package for its educators. For example:

• Provided wage increases to help keep up with the cost of living and local inflation.
• Cover the full cost of medical, dental and vision benefit premiums for the educator, spouse/registered domestic partner and all eligible dependent children. No other district in San Diego County offers that level of benefit coverage.
• Committed to the development of affordable housing for 10% of its workforce over the next decade.  

 

San Diego Unified is also continuously seeking opportunities to support its educators, and improve the school environment which has included:

• Lowering caseload ratios for School Psychologists and Speech-Language Pathologists.
• Doubling the amount of elementary teacher preparation time from 90 minutes bi-weekly to 180 minutes bi-weekly.
• Lowering individual class size for kindergarten through 3rd grade – limiting class sizes to just 29 students per class, when they used to be up to 35 students per class.

To learn more about how San Diego Unified School District supports its educators, click here.

 

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James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.

 

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED FRIDAY TO CELEBRATE NEW STUDENT WELLNESS CENTER OPENING

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Media Contact: 

James Canning, 313-580-2845, jcanning@sandi.net 

Mike Murad, 619-925-4790, mmurad@sandi.net

 

EDITOR NOTE: The grand opening celebration will be held at Mission Bay High School at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025.  The address is 2475 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109. 

 

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED TO CELEBRATE NEW STUDENT WELLNESS CENTER OPENING FRIDAY
3,300+ Students Have Used 12 District Wellness Centers for One-On-One Sessions

93,000+ Student Interactions with the 12 District Wellness Centers, including youth-led health education   

 

SAN DIEGO (MAY 1, 2025) – San Diego Unified School District has expanded its number of student Wellness Centers from three to 12 and on Friday, May 2 at 12:30 p.m. Interim Superintendent Dr. Fabi Bagula, students and Board of Education members will celebrate the opening of Mission Bay High School's Wellness Center.  Services offered at Wellness Centers include Self-Regulation Support, Tailored Care Navigation, along with Peer Engagement and Programming. 

"These wellness centers were developed to support the students inside and outside the classroom," said Dr. Bagula. "If a student is not doing well mentally their ability to learn, retain information and achieve positive academic outcomes suffers. The usage levels at the 12 wellness centers demonstrates the investment we are making in student wellness is needed. This work is part of a commitment to support the whole student."    

 

The Mission Bay Wellness Center is filled with natural lights and designed to feel approachable, soothing, and student-centered. Modern recliners and plush bean bags offer students a place to pause and reset. A large TV quietly plays mindfulness videos, breathing exercises, and calming visuals—promoting wellness through sound and sight. From thoughtfully arranged seating areas to quiet, low-traffic zones ideal for reflection, every detail is intentionally curated to support calm, comfort, and connection. Other features include:

• Puzzle and activity tables to support mindfulness and peer connection
• Private meeting room for student clubs and caregiver gatherings
• Outdoor seating for fresh-air wellness moments
• Soft textures and cozy touches to create a welcoming, non-clinical atmosphere

"The Wellness Center is a reset zone," said Kate Edra, Program Development Specialist for Nursing & Wellness, San Diego Unified School District. "Whether a student needs 15 minutes to breathe, a trusted adult to talk to, or a group activity to feel connected, this space meets them with empathy and intention." 

Across all 12 Wellness Centers—including the nine that launched just this winter—students are engaging with services in meaningful, measurable ways:

• 3,300+ one-on-one sessions: Wellness Center Coordinators support students through tailored care navigation, helping them identify individual needs and connect with the right resources—whether that's academic assistance, mental health support, or community-based services.
  
  
• 93,000+ student interactions: These include drop-ins, youth-led health education, special projects, and participation in signature wellness initiatives like our On-the-Go Pantries, which offer healthy snacks to fuel students' minds and bodies.

Detail List of Services Offered at All 12 High School Wellness Centers:

• Self-Regulation Support: Students can drop in to practice self-regulation techniques, which include mindfulness exercises, stress management strategies, and other coping mechanisms aimed at helping them manage their emotions and behaviors effectively.​
  
  
• Tailored Care Navigation: The Wellness Center Coordinators assist students in identifying their individual needs and connecting them with appropriate resources both within the district and through our community partners. This personalized approach ensures that each student receives the support they require, whether it's academic assistance, mental health services, or other forms of aid.​
  
  
• Peer Engagement and Programming: The centers provide a safe space for students to interact with their peers, participate in school-wide wellness campaigns, and engage in youth-driven programs. These activities promote a sense of community, encourage healthy relationships, and empower students to take an active role in their well-being.​

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James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.

 

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SD UNIFIED STUDENTS TO CELEBRATE ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESI AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH WITH PERFORMANCES, SPOKEN WORD, FLAG RAISING

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

SD UNIFIED STUDENTS TO CELEBRATE ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESI AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH WITH PERFORMANCES, SPOKEN WORD, FLAG RAISING

 

WHAT: Student-led Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month Flag Raising and Celebration

 

WHY: Students from across the district, including representatives from the newly created APIDA Student Board, will join together to celebrate the vast ethnic and cultural diversity of the APIDA community and show the power the community holds when they come together in solidarity.

 

WHEN: Thursday, May 1, 2025, 10 a.m.

 

WHERE: Eugene Brucker Education Center flagpole, 4100 Normal Street, San Diego, 92103

 

VISUALS: 

• Student speakers representing Chamorro, Chinese American, Filipino American, Indian American, and Japanese American heritage
• Performances featuring students from the Karen, Chinese American, and Pacific Islander communities
• Student-designed flag being raised

 

SCHOOLS REPRESENTED: Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary School, Erikson Elementary School, Gage Elementary School, Hoover High School, Marshall Middle School, Morse High School, San Diego High School, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts

 

BACKGROUND: This event marks the second time San Diego Unified has hoisted the student-designed APIDA flag at district headquarters. Following the flag raising ceremony, high school students will attend the district’s first-ever APIDA Conference at Mesa College, where students will participate in workshops on higher education, fashion, and cultural dance; and engage in a listening session with the San Diego County Office of Education to help inform the County Educational Blueprint.

 

MEDIA PARKING: Parking lot in front of flagpole, 4100 Normal Street, San Diego, 92103 

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*Editor note: Early media interview availability with a district representative beginning at 9:30 a.m.

 

Media contact: James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845

 

 

James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.

 

SD UNIFIED BOARD OF EDUCATION STRENGTHENED SCHOOL NAMING & MASCOT POLICY TUESDAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Media Contact: 

James Canning, 313-580-2845, jcanning@sandi.net

 

SD UNIFIED BOARD OF EDUCATION STRENGTHENED SCHOOL NAMING & MASCOT POLICY TUESDAY
Clairemont High School to change mascot from Chieftains, be first to use new district & state policies

 

SAN DIEGO (APRIL 29, 2025) – In a unanimous vote, the San Diego Unified Board of Education on Tuesday night voted to revise its Administrative Regulation and Board Policy 7310 to provide clearer direction on changes to school names and mascots. This change comes after the 2024 passage of Assembly Bill 3074 (AB3074), which prohibits “using any derogatory Native American term” and after several dust-ups over the years involving district school name changes.  

 

“Progress is acknowledging the flaws in the system and taking steps to improve upon the decisions of the past,” said Sabrina Bazzo, Trustee, San Diego Unified School District Board of Education. “This new policy will ensure clearer direction and guidance is provided to change the names of our schools and mascot while also reinforcing our commitment as a District to equity and belonging.”   

 

Under the new Administrative Regulation and Board Policy 7310, prior to initiating a new school name or mascot, a school site and/or its members of the school community should consider the following: 

• If a school name or mascot reflects historical harm or exclusion, the school’s name or mascot should be reevaluated by the school site and/or members of the school community.
• The criteria for a school name or mascot change should include guiding principles rooted in equity, belonging, and community empowerment.
• A school name or school mascot change should reflect cultural, historical, or community significance that can inspire generations for centuries to come that shall include the following criteria as guiding principles: 
  • Individuals and entities that have made outstanding contributions, including financial contributions, to the school community. 
  • Individuals who have made contributions of statewide, national, or worldwide significance. 
  • The geographic area in which the school or building is located.
• Any proposed school name or mascot change must also include an evaluation of costs for signage, uniforms, and other associated charges.

 

Other components include establish a 10-person naming committee; a minimum of two public input sessions must be held by the school, with input being submitted to the naming committee; and the Board of Education will vote on final name, after the name is voted on the community will be notified

 

Clairemont High School Mascot Change 

Clairemont High School will be the first school in the district to implement a mascot name change under this new state and district policy. 

 

“We understand that for some in our school community, this change will be difficult,” said Karly Johnstone, Principal, Clairemont High School. “Our commitment is to a process that honors our school's history and includes input from all members of our school community while moving forward with respect and unity.” 

Clairemont High School is conducting the mascot change in partnership with local tribal leaders (see their letter) and the broader school community. 

The process for the Clairemont High School mascot change is as follows:  

1. In August, Clairemont High School will be forming a representative committee to guide the mascot transition and will launch a dedicated webpage with complete information regarding this process.
2. From September through December 2025, Clairemont High School will host listening sessions and surveys to gather community input. 
3. A decision on the new mascot will be made by January 2026, with implementation beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

 

To learn more about Clairemont High School, click here, and to learn more about the San Diego Unified School District, click here.

 

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James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.