Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Weather postponement - Black History Month flag raising

 

Dear Media Partners, 

Thank you for your interest in attending San Diego Unified’s celebration and flag raising for Black History Month on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Due to weather concerns, the event has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date to be determined.

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MEDIA ADVISORY - EVENT POSTPONED

Students to Celebrate Start of Black History Month With Recognition, Flag Raising and Conference 

January 30, 2024

WHAT: Honoring the start of February as Black History Month, students from across San Diego Unified will lead a celebration at the district’s central office to include a land acknowledgement, poems, songs, speeches, and the raising of the Black History Month flag. District leaders, families, educators, and members of the Board of Education will attend the ceremony, which represents San Diego Unified’s commitment to uplifting the voices of Black students and teaching important cultural history so all students feel seen and heard.

WHEN: Thursday, February 1, 10-11 a.m. 

WHERE: Students will raise the Black History Month flag at the Eugene Brucker Education Center flagpole, 4100 Normal St., San Diego, 92103. Following the flag-raising ceremony, student speeches and performances will take place in the board auditorium.

VISUALS: Student-led flag raising, speeches, and performances.  

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Students, district representatives

BACKGROUND – At its Jan. 23 public meeting, the Board of Education adopted a resolution honoring Black History Month, underscoring the tremendous contributions made by Black Americans to the development of our collective culture, communities, and country. The Black History Month flag is a symbol of inclusion, especially for our Black students, staff, families, and communities.

Following the flag-raising ceremony, students from San Diego Unified Black Student Unions will participate in the annual High School Black Student Union Conference in Balboa Park.   

The district’s Black History Month Resource Guide includes information for educators, students, and families to honor and observe Black History Month. 

RSVP: This opportunity is available for professional journalists. Please RSVP in advance at communications@sandi.net.

MEDIA CONTACT: Communications Director Maureen Magee, (619) 381-7930.  

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Tuesday, January 30, 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY: Students to Celebrate Start of Black History Month With Recognition, Flag Raising and Conference

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

Students to Celebrate Start of Black History Month With Recognition, Flag Raising and Conference 

January 30, 2024

WHAT: Honoring the start of February as Black History Month, students from across San Diego Unified will lead a celebration at the district’s central office to include a land acknowledgement, poems, songs, speeches, and the raising of the Black History Month flag. District leaders, families, educators, and members of the Board of Education will attend the ceremony, which represents San Diego Unified’s commitment to uplifting the voices of Black students and teaching important cultural history so all students feel seen and heard.

WHEN: Thursday, February 1, 10-11 a.m.

WHERE: Students will raise the Black History Month flag at the Eugene Brucker Education Center flagpole, 4100 Normal St., San Diego, 92103. Following the flag-raising ceremony, student speeches and performances will take place in the board auditorium.

VISUALS: Student-led flag raising, speeches, and performances.  

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Students, district representatives

BACKGROUND – At its Jan. 23 public meeting, the Board of Education adopted a resolution honoring Black History Month, underscoring the tremendous contributions made by Black Americans to the development of our collective culture, communities, and country. The Black History Month flag is a symbol of inclusion, especially for our Black students, staff, families, and communities.

Following the flag-raising ceremony, students from San Diego Unified Black Student Unions will participate in the annual High School Black Student Union Conference in Balboa Park.   

The district’s Black History Month Resource Guide includes information for educators, students, and families to honor and observe Black History Month. 

 

RSVP: This opportunity is available for professional journalists. Please RSVP in advance at communications@sandi.net.

MEDIA CONTACT: Communications Director Maureen Magee, (619) 381-7930.  

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Friday, January 26, 2024

Post Committee Agenda

PLEASE NOTE:

 

 

Please forward to staff and as appropriate, print agenda and post in a prominent, publicly accessible location at your site.


 

Additionally, please refer to the below links for upcoming meetings, agendas, and minutes of the board advisory committees:

 

 

 Thank you.

 

Melissa Hamilton (formerly Hudson)

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

Board of Education

mhamilton@sandi.net

"The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives." - Robert M. Hutchins

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

 

 

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

NEWS RELEASE: $2 Million Grant Awarded to San Diego Unified to Enhance Math Strategies at Military-Connected Schools

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

$2 Million Grant Awarded to San Diego Unified to Enhance Math Strategies at Military-Connected Schools

Funds Provided for Tutoring, Hands-On Learning Experiences at Five Elementary, One Middle School

January 24, 2024

San Diego – The U.S. Dept. of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has awarded San Diego Unified a $2 million grant to accelerate rollout and implementation of math strategies at five elementary schools and one middle school with a minimum of 10% military-connected students.

The goal of the Operation LEAAP (Learning Experiences Advancing Academic Progress) grant is to collaborate with San Diego Enhanced Mathematics in modernizing mathematics in grades 3-8. The approach is to expand and enhance problem-based classroom instruction and student-centered instructional strategies that incorporate hands-on experiences.

Among other things, the grant will create community partnerships, and provide tutoring for students as well as professional development opportunities for teachers at Crown Point Junior Academy, Fletcher Elementary, Hancock Elementary, Miller Elementary, Perry Elementary and Taft Middle School.

“San Diego Enhanced Mathematics is excited to support the Operation LEAAP grant by collaborating with selected school sites to modernize math instruction,” said Julie Garcia, San Diego Unified Senior Director STEM. “Through implementing a broad and challenging curriculum that includes engaging instructional strategies, we hope to promote hands-on learning experiences that help students find success and joy in their mathematics classrooms.”

San Diego Unified’s mathematics department and district leadership continuously seek innovative ways to build teacher capacity to elevate students’ mastery within mathematics. It is expected that 82 elementary school teachers and five middle school teachers from the identified campuses will benefit from grant-funded professional development, aligned with district goals, during the grant period.

Operation LEAAP will infuse research-based strategies that elevate student engagement in mathematics in high-needs schools with a population that includes at least 10% military-connected students to promote mastery of the subject matter, leading to matriculation into honors and advanced placement courses in high school and postsecondary readiness.

DoDEA’s Education Partnership and Resources Division strives to ensure all military-connected K-12 students have access to quality educational opportunities through engagement in partnerships with school districts and professional organizations. The division provides school personnel and stakeholders with evidence-based resources and supports to increase understanding and awareness related to the unique challenges faced by military-connected students and families. Learn more about the DoDEA grant at dodeagrants.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Public Information Coordinator Mike Murad, mmurad@sandi.net  

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Tuesday, January 16, 2024

NEWS RELEASE: UTK Pre-Enrollment Window for 2024-25 School Year Opening Soon for 4-year-old students

UTK classroom b-roll available here
Interviews available in English and Spanish

 

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE 

UTK Pre-Enrollment Window for 2024-25 School Year Opening Soon for 4-year-old students

Hundreds of Additional UTK Seats to be Added

 

January 16, 2024

San Diego – San Diego Unified’s Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK) pre-enrollment window for the 2024-25 school year opens Jan. 22 through Feb. 2, 2024.

Children who turn 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2024, are eligible for UTK, and parents may pre-enroll them at their school of residence.

UTK is now considered the first year of school and is being offered to all age-eligible students in San Diego Unified.

Students in UTK receive a full day of school that helps build a critical foundation for kindergarten, both academically and emotionally. Students engage in creative play time, the arts, and the fundamentals of reading, writing, and early math skills. 

For the upcoming school year, about 300 additional seats are being added throughout San Diego Unified, bumping the total number of available spots to approximately 5,200.

“The increase in UTK seats being offered for the upcoming school year represents the district’s commitment to our littlest learners,” Early Childhood Education Director Santos Gonzalez said. “Students who complete UTK before enrolling in kindergarten have better outcomes academically, emotionally, and socially.”

UTK classes are scheduled in alignment with the elementary school bell schedule and calendar. Each UTK class has two teachers, and all students are offered a free and nutritious breakfast and lunch at school.

“High quality early learning is essential for long-term student success,” Board of Education President Shana Hazan said. “Not only does Universal Transitional Kindergarten help every child reach their potential, our free full-day program in every neighborhood provides a wonderful childcare option for working parents without making a dent in their wallets. From purposeful play and nutritious meals to establishing strong pre-literacy and numeracy skills, it’s great to see so many families tapping into the benefits of UTK.”

Beginning Jan. 22, families may contact their neighborhood school directly to complete the UTK enrollment packet. If the school of residence becomes full, families will be offered enrollment at the next closest site with space available. Click here to use the UTK School Finder.

After Feb. 2, UTK enrollment will continue through the end of the current school year and through the summer.

“For many parents, a UTK classroom may be their child’s first structured learning environment, and it’s a true partnership between families, teachers, and the district,” Superintendent Lamont Jackson said. “We value the collaboration from all involved to ensure a positive experience and successful start to an academic journey that allows all students to thrive and develop a sense of belonging.”

·         UTK classroom b-roll available here

·         Interviews available in English and Spanish

Contact: Communications Director Maureen Magee, mmagee@sandi.net

 

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Wednesday, January 10, 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY: Students Across San Diego Unified March in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Students Across San Diego Unified March in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

SAN DIEGO – Knox Middle School will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 47th Annual MLK March. The event will feature student performances and a presentation of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech before students from across the district march around the school. 

·         What: Knox Middle School’s 47th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March will bring students and district leaders from across San Diego Unified together in a celebration of Dr. King’s life and vision. Students will march around the school in a show of strength and unity. 

·         When: Friday, Jan. 12

o    Pre-March Presentations and Performances 9-10:30 a.m. 

o    March 10:30-11:15 a.m. 

·         Where: Knox Middle School, 1098 S. 49th, San Diego, CA 92113

·         Visuals: Student presentations and performances, “I Have a Dream Speech,” Morse and Lincoln High School JROTC and JROTC Drum Corps, remarks by district representatives, student-led march  

Background – Students from several San Diego Unified schools will join together for the march and a celebration of Dr. King’s legacy. The day is the culmination of activities, including lessons about Dr. King, and the preparation of signs and banners decorated with quotes and illustrations of Dr. King’s speeches. Student performances during the pre-march program will include dance, music, and poetry.

Students from the following schools will participate in the event: Central, Chavez, Baker, Balboa, Nye, Porter, and Valencia Park elementary schools; Lewis Middle School; Lincoln and Morse high schools. 

RSVP: This opportunity is available for professional journalists. Please confirm attendance at communications@sandi.net 

Media Contact: Communications Director Maureen Magee, 619-381-7930

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Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Media Advisory: January ED Talks to Focus on Student Board Trustee Compensation

 

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

San Diego Unified + San Diego Press Club Present ED Talks

 

Respect and Compensation for Student Board of Education Trustees: Why San Diego Unified and Assemblymember Ward Advocated for a New Law 

 

January 2, 2024

 

SAN DIEGO – San Diego journalists are invited to participate in the latest installment of ED Talks, which will focus on AB 275, a new state law that goes into effect this year allowing California school districts to compensate students who are elected to a Board of Education. Learn how San Diego Unified will implement this new law that it sponsored with Assemblymember Christopher Ward (D-San Diego). Join a conversation with Assemblymember Ward; San Diego Unified officials, and Board of Education trustees, including students who advocated for the law.

 

WHEN: Friday, Jan 5, 2024

10-11 a.m. 

 

WHERE: Lincoln High School Library, Room 112– 4777 Imperial Ave. San Diego, CA 92113  Parking Map

 

WHO:  Matthew Quitoriano, Board of Education Trustee and San Diego High School student

             Blessyn Lavender Williams, Board of Education Member and Lincoln High School Student

             Richard Barrera, Board of Education Trustee

             Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Board of Education Trustee

             Assemblymember Christopher Ward 

             District Officials   

 

VISUALS: One-on-one interview opportunities with district officials and student leaders, Assemblymember Ward, and school officials

 

BACKGROUND: ED Talks is an occasional series of forums that feature educators, community partners, and journalists who care about public education. ED Talks is hosted by the San Diego Unified School District Communications Department in collaboration with the San Diego Press Club. Professional journalists will have an opportunity to ask questions and participate in a conversation. The goal is to foster robust discussions about public education. 

 

This event is for professional journalists. Please confirm attendance in advance: communications@sandi.net

 

MEDIA CONTACT:  San Diego Unified Communications, Marisa Berumen: 619-847-6029

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Monday, January 1, 2024

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