TONIGHT: Inaugural Roosevelt International Film Festival Offers Middle Schoolers Unique Experience in Filmmaking, Storytelling, and Media Production

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

Inaugural Roosevelt International Film Festival Offers Middle Schoolers Unique Experience in Filmmaking, Storytelling, and Media Production

 

WHAT: Film Festival featuring San Diego Unified School District Students  

 

WHEN: Tonight, Wednesday, May 28, 2025
5:30 p.m. Red Carpet & Refreshments
6:30 p.m. Screening & Live Music
7:30 p.m. Award Ceremony

 

WHERE: Roosevelt International Middle School, 3366 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103

 

WHY: Roosevelt International Middle School celebrates its inaugural Roosevelt International Film Festival (RIFF) featuring original short films from 24 student filmmakers. Film genres include narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, and music video. While the films included in the festival come largely from English and Music classes, the grant that supports this initiative provides media arts resources and support across all grade levels and content areas, ensuring all students benefit from enhanced creative opportunities. The red carpet event includes jury-awarded prizes, live musical performances by the Roosevelt student rock band, and a professional awards ceremony showcasing student creativity and authentic career exploration in media arts.

Standout works include:  

• "Tijuana Sewage Crisis" by eighth-grader River Neddenriep (Link to Video)
•  "Ghosts In High Spirits" by sixth-grader Grayson Chin-Blakey, nominated for the prestigious iVie Award—a major San Diego County-wide K-12 student video competition involving 3,500 students annually(Link to Video)
• Event Flyer 

Roosevelt is a designated International Baccalaureate (IB) magnet school, where students create content through the IB lens of global citizenship and inquiry. The International Baccalaureate program emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and respect for diverse perspectives. The school's focus on media arts is supported by a grant. Roosevelt has built media arts opportunities in 7th and 8th grade English classes and Digital Music. Students gain hands-on experience in film production, event management, marketing, communications, and technical arts, preparing them for 21st-century careers while fostering global perspectives.

 

SPEAKERS AVAILABLE:

• River Neddenriep, student filmmaker ("Tijuana Sewage Crisis")
• Grayson Chin-Blakey, student filmmaker and iVie Award nominee ("Ghosts In High Spirits")
• Bernard Steinberger, Roosevelt International Middle School principal
• Barbara Smith, Digital Music Teacher, RIFF Coordinator
• Student festival organizers and jury members

 

VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES: Red carpet arrivals and photo opportunities, film screening highlights, awards ceremony coverage, behind-the-scenes festival preparation, student rock band performance with mockumentary premiere, and documentation of media arts integration across English and Digital Music classes.

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On-Site Contact: Barbara Smith, RIFF Coordinator & Digital Music Teacher, 312-550-5918

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

 

 

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.

 

6,009 SAN DIEGO UNIFIED STUDENTS WILL GRADUATE, MOVE ON TO COLLEGE & CAREERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Media Contacts: 

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

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

 

6,009 SD UNIFIED STUDENTS WILL GRADUATE, MOVE ON TO COLLEGE & CAREERS
SD Unified School District’s Projected Graduation Rate is 90.9% for the 2024-25 School Year

Board of Education in 2025 Approved Alternative Graduation Sequencing for Future Implementation to Tackle the 11.8% Not Graduating with Their Peers

 

SAN DIEGO (MAY 28, 2025) – The 2024-25 school year is coming to a close this month and 6,009 seniors in the San Diego Unified School District are projected to graduate with their peers. San Diego Unified School District’s projected graduation rate for the 2024-25 school year is preliminarily estimated at 90.9%, with final numbers available after summer school is complete. 

 

“We are excited for all our graduates,” said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent (Interim). “Each student at San Diego Unified walks their own unique path to graduation, and it’s not always a straight line, but neither is life. The lessons students learn from their studies and experiences while attending our schools prepare them for their future, whether they choose to attend college or head directly into a career that fuels their passions.

 

“As educators, student success both in the classroom and in life after graduation is the ultimate reward for doing this work and I could not be prouder of all those students who preserved and reached this milestone,” Dr. Bagula continued. “Congratulations San Diego Unified graduates!” 

    

687 graduating seniors earned the State Seal of Biliteracy, an official recognition awarded by all U.S. states to high school students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language. It is a 14% increase over last year’s 601 recipients. Nineteen students this year received a double seal, making them trilingual. A cohort of 305 students are still waiting for pending approval of their State Seal Biliteracy requirements, which will be finalized in July. San Diego Unified awards the seal for 13 different languages and it appears on the student’s diploma or transcript to highlight their language skills to colleges and employers. The goal is to encourage multilingualism, value cultural diversity, and prepare students for a global society. 

 

76 graduating seniors earned the State Seal of Civic Engagement, an award for students excelling in civics, making a difference in their communities, and knowing how democracy works. It is a 553% increase over last year’s 12 recipients. 

 

San Diego Unified high schools are filled with student stories of success including: 

• Derious McCovy, Mission Bay High School (Story Link) 
• CJ Ippolito, Scripps Ranch High School (Story Link)
• Kemyron McCoy, Lincoln High School (Story Link)
• Christian Sanabria, Kearny High School (Story Link) 
• Angela Aquino, Mission Bay High School (Story Link) 

 

To see who the 2024-25 San Diego Unified Valedictorians and Salutatorians are, click this link.  

 

One of San Diego Unified’s goals is to increase graduating student cohorts’ level of college and career preparedness, as measured by the College/Career indicator on the California School Dashboard, from 59.9% of high school graduates placed in the “Prepared” level in August 2023 to 71.9% by August 2030. 

 

2024 California School Dashboard Graduation Rate

The 2024 California Schools Dashboard released last November revealed some upward trends for San Diego Unified to continue building upon when compared to the previous year, including that College and Career Indicators positively increased 3%. This means more students are prepared for college or a career. Also, of five large urban districts, in terms of overall status, San Diego Unified was highest in Graduation Rate and College/Career readiness. 

 

Measure	San Diego Unified	Los Angeles Unified	Fresno Unified	Long Beach Unified	San Francisco Unified
Graduation Rate	(88.3%)	(86.7%)	(86.2%)	(83.3%)	(83%)
College/Career	(62.9%)	(45.4%)	(43.1%)	(48.8%)	(57.8%)

 

Alternative Sequence to High School Graduation Approved in 2025 

In January, the San Diego Unified Board of Education approved a policy for the school district to   continue to uphold current A-G aligned graduation requirements per Board Policy 6146.1, while simultaneously offering alternative graduation sequences that are flexible yet rigorous pathways to graduation that re-engage the 11.8 percent of students who typically do not graduate with their peers and contribute to the 3.2 percent district drop-out rate. By providing targeted, individualized support to meet the needs of the 11.8 percent, the district is expanding opportunities for students to pursue community college dual enrollment coursework and Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway completion to ensure post-secondary success for each and every graduate.

 

“This shift reflects the best of who we are as a district: A district committed to excellence without exception, equity without compromise, and the unwavering pursuit of success for 100% of the students, 100% of the time,” Dr. Bagula said earlier this year. “While we will continue to uphold the A-G aligned graduation requirements that set a high bar for all students, we must also recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach does not meet the needs of every learner.”

 

San Diego Unified is committed to guarding against any unintended tracking or overidentification. This is why the District’s plan includes a phased approach and strong oversight. The phases are: 

 

• In Phase One (May -August 2025), the Office of Graduation will audit data, align transcript reviews with CCI readiness, and facilitate meetings with students, families, and staff to plan graduation pathways.

 

• In Phase Two (September-December 2025), San Diego Unified will pilot the process, monitor student progress, and begin building school-site referral systems.

 

• In Phase Three (February-May 2026), responsibility will transition to school sites, with continued district-level oversight, postsecondary counseling, and disaggregated reporting to ensure equity across all student groups. This is when full implementation occurs.

 

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.

 

Hancock Elementary and Hoover Elementary to Reopen Friday, May 23

Good afternoon,

 

School will reopen at Hancock and Miller Elementary.  The two messages pasted below are what was sent to families at those schools.  Thank you.  James  

 

Email Subject: Hancock Elementary To Reopen Friday, May 23rd 

Dear Hancock Elementary Families,

We want to provide you with an update on the latest information regarding the plane crash that occurred early this morning near Hancock Elementary.

Hancock Elementary will reopen Friday, May 23rd with a regular school schedule. We are grateful to welcome students back and are taking every precaution to ensure a safe and supportive environment.

To help with arrival and dismissal, we kindly ask families to use an alternative route to access the school campus:

• Drive westbound on Gurnard Street from Santo Road
• Turn left (southbound) onto Taussig Street
• Continue to the school

To exit, please reverse this route. San Diego Unified School Police will be onsite to assist with traffic flow.

We also invite families to join us for a parent meeting tomorrow morning at 7:45 a.m. in the school auditorium. This will be an opportunity to hear more about the situation, the support in place, and to ask questions.

District counselors will be onsite to support students, staff, and families. These services will continue as long as needed to help our community heal and move forward.

As Miller Elementary concludes its role as a temporary evacuation center, all donations and support efforts will shift to Hancock Elementary Friday.  Please note that Miller will no longer be accepting donations, and no donations should be dropped off at Hancock.   

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders for their unwavering dedication to the safety of the public and our schools. We also want to thank the collective efforts of the Miller Elementary and Hancock Elementary staff for spending the day supporting our families at Miller. Their swift actions have been critical in supporting our community today

We appreciate your understanding, flexibility, and compassion as we work together through this difficult time. Thank you for being such an important part of the Hancock community.

With gratitude,

Fabiola Bagula, Ph.D.

Superintendent (Interim)
San Diego Unified School District

 

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Email Subject: Miller Elementary To Reopen Friday May 23rd 

Dear Miller Elementary Families,

Miller Elementary will reopen Friday, May 23rd with a regular school schedule. 

Thursday was a difficult day for many families, but I am proud of the way our school community joined with emergency responders, to support the students and families affected by the crash.  

Our efforts to support you will continue Friday when District counselors will be on campus to support students, staff and parents. The counselors will continue to provide support as needed. Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to maintain our daily routine while supporting each other as we deal with this tragic event.

As Miller Elementary concludes its role as a temporary evacuation center, all donations and support efforts will shift to Hancock Elementary starting Friday. Please note that Miller will no longer be accepting donations, and no donations should be dropped off at Hancock.  

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders for their unwavering dedication to the safety of the public and our schools. We also want to thank the collective efforts of the Miller Elementary and Hancock Elementary staff for spending the day supporting our families at Miller. Their swift actions have been critical in supporting our community today

Thank you for your patience, compassion, and continued support. Please know that we are doing everything possible to maintain a sense of normalcy while caring for one another as a school community.

With gratitude,

Fabiola Bagula, Ph.D.
Superintendent (Interim)
San Diego Unified School District

 

 

 

 

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.

 

NEWS RELEASE: Boone Elementary School Celebrates Opening of Joint-Use Field, Marking the 95th Field in the Play All Day Partnership

Event broll & photos, project fact sheets, and drone video of the field and campus can be found here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                        Media Contacts:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Jamie Ries, 619-855-9283, jries@sandi.net  

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Samer Naji, 619-548-3388, snaji@sandi.net

 

 

 

Boone Elementary School Celebrates Opening of Joint-Use Field, Marking the 95th Field in the Play All Day Partnership

   

 

SAN DIEGO (May 21, 2025) - A new joint-use field at Boone Elementary School in Bay Terraces is officially open for student and public use, marking the 95th field in the Play All Day partnership between the San Diego Unified School District and the City of San Diego. 

 

The Transitional Kindergarten-through-5th-Grade school celebrated Wednesday with a traditional Philippine folk dance called "Tinikling," a nod to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, and kickball. 

 

"We are thrilled to celebrate the 95th field in our Play All Day partnership, and even more thrilled that we're bringing green spaces to underserved communities, like the Bay Terraces community," said Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Board of Education Trustee for San Diego Unified. 

 

Designed and constructed with the Boone Elementary School Whole Site Modernization project, the joint-use field features a grass playfield, an asphalt walking/running track, trees, benches, a

drinking fountain, gates, and security fencing to separate the school from the public-use area.

 

As part of the Play All Day partnership, the joint-use field will be accessible to the community as a local park after school hours and during school breaks.

 

"This field has already supported our goals around increasing social emotional wellness and school and community connectedness," said Cheryl Pham, Principal of Boone Elementary School. "We hope students and families can enjoy the field after school as well."  

 

The Whole Site Modernization project at Boone Elementary School included the construction of a new student services facility addition, interior and exterior renovations, and the removal of nine portable classroom buildings.

 

Three existing classroom facilities underwent renovations to provide two kindergarten classrooms, modern technology, new furniture, and updated security. Existing student services offices were renovated to create a safe and secure main campus entryway, a staff lounge, and student support spaces.

 

Additional upgrades were made to the student serving areas in the multipurpose building and

Restrooms. Exterior improvements include a renovated play area, refreshed landscaping, newly installed solar photovoltaic panels, and this new joint-use field.

 

ABOUT BOONE ELEMENTARY 

Serving the community for 60 years and counting, Boone offers a Dual Language Immersion program that enables students to become bilingual, biliterate, and culturally aware. It offers programs in Visual and Performing Arts through a media arts program and music instruction for 4^th and 5th-grade students.

 

To read other recent bond program stories, please visit: https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/newscenter/school_bond_program. 

 

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Boone Elementary Students to Celebrate Opening of New Joint-Use Field, Marking the 95th Field in the Play All Day Partnership

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Boone Elementary Students to Celebrate Opening of New Joint-Use Field, Marking the 95th Field in the Play All Day Partnership

 

 

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

 

WHAT:           

Boone Elementary School students will celebrate the opening of their new joint-use field with kickball and a traditional Philippine folk dance known as "Tinikling," a nod to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The field marks the 95th field in the Play All Day partnership between the San Diego Unified School District and the City of San Diego. 

 

WHEN:           

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 

9:00 - 9:45 a.m. 

 

WHERE:        

Boone Elementary School 

7330 Brookhaven Rd.

San Diego, CA 92114

 

*See the event location map with the media staging area below. 

 

VISUALS:      

9:00 – 9:10 a.m. - Tinikling Dance Performance at the new amphitheater 

9:15 – 9:25 a.m. – Podium Speaking Portion on new field (short walk from the amphitheater) 

9:25 – 9:30 a.m. - Ribbon Cutting, Photo Opps. 

9:30 – 9:45 a.m.- Students playing kickball, Media 1-1s 

 

Project fact sheets and drone video of the field and campus can be found here. 

 

SPEAKERS:   

Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Board of Education Trustee, San Diego Unified 

Cheryl Pham, Principal, Boone Elementary School 

Nobuko Doran, Long-time Staff Member, Boone Elementary School

Zoey Jingco, 5th-Grade Student and ASB President

 

BACKGROUND:

Located in the Bay Terraces neighborhood of San Diego, Boone Elementary School has been serving the community for more than 60 years. 

Currently accommodating students from Transitional Kindergarten through 5th Grade, Boone offers a Dual Language Immersion program that enables students to become bilingual, biliterate, and culturally aware. It offers programs in Visual and Performing Arts through a media arts program and music instruction for 4^th and 5th-grade students. 

Designed and constructed with the Boone Elementary School Whole Site Modernization project, the joint-use field features a grass playfield, an asphalt walking/running track, trees, benches, a drinking fountain, gates, and security fencing to separate the school from the public-use area.

As part of the Play All Day partnership with the City of San Diego, the joint-use park will be accessible to the community as a local park after school hours and during school breaks.

PARKING:    

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Jamie Ries, Information Services Specialist, San Diego Unified, (619) 855-9283, jries@sandi.net. 

Samer Naji, Facilities Communications Supervisor, San Diego Unified, (619) 548-3388, snaji@sandi.net.

 

 

SATURDAY: SD UNIFIED STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO $1,500 IN UNCLAIMED COLLEGE FUNDS

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         Media Contact:

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

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

                                                                                     

SD UNIFIED STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO $1,500 IN UNCLAIMED COLLEGE FUNDS
San Diego Unified’s 3rd CalKIDS Money Festival This Year Aims to Connect Thousands More Students with Millions in Available College Funding

 

SAN DIEGO (May 16, 2025) — As summer approaches and college acceptance letters arrive in mailboxes across San Diego, San Diego Unified School District will host its third CalKIDS Money Festival of the school year on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crawford High School. This event continues the district's ongoing initiative to help families and students access unclaimed college funds, building on the momentum of two successful Money Festivals held earlier this academic year. So far, over 300 students have received access to more than $150,000 in accounts opened through this program.

 

The third Money Festival in this series aims to help even more families access thousands of dollars in college funds. Organizers anticipate over 100 families will attend this event, where students can claim state-provided college savings funds already earmarked specifically for them. 

 

"Our responsibility to our students doesn't end at graduation," said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent (Interim). "This initiative ensures that even after students leave our district, we continue supporting their journey toward higher education. Helping them access these funds is a tangible expression of our belief in their potential and our commitment to their future success."

 

"With college decisions being finalized and summer approaching, this is the perfect time for San Diego families to claim money that's already been set aside for their educational future," added Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Trustee, San Diego Unified School District Board of Education. "Most of our students don't realize they qualify for these funds, which require no essays, recommendation letters or minimum GPA requirements."

 

The CalKIDS program, California's automatic scholarship initiative and the nation's largest child development account program, provides eligible California public school students with scholarships worth up to $1,500 to ease financial barriers to higher education. Students in second through 12th grades who meet specific criteria can access significant benefits, including $1,500 for foster youth and homeless students.

 

The event location at Crawford High School is particularly significant as it houses the district's newcomer center designed to support refugee students, ensuring these vulnerable populations can also access available educational funding.

 

The Money Festival will also feature on-site assistance from district staff in providing Statewide Student Identifier Numbers (SSID); CalKIDS program representatives to answer questions; appearances by the San Diego Unified superintendent and board trustee; local representatives and community partner organizations; translation services; comprehensive family resources; car show, live music performances and family activities; and free refreshments while supplies last.

 

To claim the money, students need only their SSID from their school and can then claim their account on the CalKIDS website. The entire process takes just minutes.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
• Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Location: Crawford High School, 4191 Colts Way, San Diego, CA 92115

 

BROLL: Fall CalKIDS Harvest Money Festival: 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.

 

SD UNIFIED STUDENT TRUSTEES CALL TIK TOK’S CHROMEBOOK CHALLENGE WRONG, URGE FELLOW CLASSMATES NOT TO PARTICIPATE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        Media Contact:

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

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

                                                                                     

SD UNIFIED STUDENT TRUSTEES CALL TIKTOK'S CHROMEBOOK CHALLENGE WRONG, URGE FELLOW CLASSMATES NOT TO PARTICIPATE 

 

SAN DIEGO (MAY 15, 2025) – San Diego Unified School District is not immune to the Chromebook Challenge craze that is impacting school districts across the nation. Student Board of Education Trustees Joseph Cruz and Quinton Baldis are encouraging their classmates not to buy-in to the Chromebook craze because it's unsafe, irresponsible and wastes precious district resources.

 

As of Wednesday, it's known that at least 16 students from three different schools destroyed their San Diego Unified-issued Chromebook participating in the challenge. The estimated cost to replace a single Chromebook is $445, and the combined cost for the 16 destroyed is $7,120 to replace. Discipline for the students was handled by each school according to district policies, found here.  

 

"Truthfully, it's just dumb. These computers are lent to us so we can better learn," said Trustee Cruz, a Senior at Morse High School. "It's wasteful, dangerous, and everyone loses. I'm highly advising my classmates to not join in on this careless trend. We're better than this."

 

In some instances, across the country, students have stuck paperclips, pens, and other sharp objects in the ports of the Chromebooks, which causes a spark, and in some cases causes them to catch on fire.

 

"Online challenges are usually meant to be fun or support a good cause, but the Chromebook Challenge is unsafe and could hurt people if they cause a fire like we have seen has happened elsewhere,"  said Trustee Baldis, a Senior at Scripps Ranch High School. "I know some of our students already took part, but I am encouraging my classmates not to fall for it.  It's a bad idea." 

 

All 2nd, 6th and 9th grader students are assigned a Chromebook to keep with them throughout their school journey until they reach the next grade level where a new one is issued. Grades Transitional Kindergarten through 1st have Chromebooks in the classroom.

 

San Diego Unified will leverage its weekly newsletter to families and social media to encourage students not to take part in the Chromebook Challenge. Here is a link that San Diego Unified provides to families for technology support. 

 

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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.