THURSDAY: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED & CIF-SAN DIEGO HOST FIRST STUDENT ATHLETE MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT

EDITOR NOTE: If you would like to do in-person interviews with students and administrators, the ideal time during the program would be between 10:55 a.m. and 11:25 a.m. on Thursday. please contact  James Canning, 313-580-2845, Jcanning@sandi.net to arrange. 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        

 

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED & CIF-SAN DIEGO HOST FIRST STUDENT ATHLETE MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT 

More than 300 student leaders gather to advocate for student wellness and strengthen athletic environments

 

SAN DIEGO (February 18, 2026) – San Diego Unified School District, in partnership with CIF-San Diego Section and the San Diego City Conference Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), will host more than 300 student-athletes for a Student Athlete Mental Health Summit on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Balboa Park Club, 2150 Pan American Road West, San Diego, CA 92101. 

The summit is organized by San Diego Unified's Student Wellness Education and Resources (SWEAR) Committee in collaboration with SAAC and CIF. The event is designed to center student voices while addressing the growing importance of mental health awareness and support among high school student-athletes.

Led by student leaders and supported by the district and athletic partners, the summit will bring together representatives from across schools representing various school districts throughout San Diego County for a morning of learning, discussion, and connection. The summit will focus on equipping students with practical tools to support their mental well-being both on and off the field. 

"The event aligns with San Diego Unified's goal of improving student wellness," said Scott Giusti, Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Health for San Diego Unified. "Providing student athletes with tools to care for their mental health strengthens not only their performance, but their overall well-being and long-term success."

Highlights of the summit include: 

• A keynote speech from Alicia Guerrero, Aspiring Paralympian and San Diego State University (SDSU) Student Athlete
• A panel discussion featuring SDSU student athletes
• A data driven perspective presented by Katie Morrill, LCSW, Field Instructor, SDSU Athletic Department/Sport Social Work Program
• An interactive coping skills workshop focused on building practical coping skills

"This summit reflects our shared commitment to supporting the whole student-athlete," said Joe Heinz, Commissioner of the CIF San Diego Section. "By centering student voices and prioritizing mental wellness, we are empowering young leaders with the tools they need to thrive in athletics, academics, and life."

The summit underscores the collaborative efforts of San Diego Unified, the CIF San Diego Section, and the San Diego City Conference to foster safe, inclusive, and supportive athletic environments across San Diego County schools. 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

SD UNIFIED & SDEA REACH AGREEMENT, SCHOOL STRIKE PREVENTED, SCHOOL OPEN FEB. 26

EDITOR NOTE: I can arrange an interview for you between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. today 2/13 with SD Unified Board of Education President Richard Barrera. He is available either in person at the Education Center, 4100 Normal Street, or virtually, or by phone.  Please let me know if you would like to interview him, and I will help schedule. Thanks, James

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             Media Contact: James Canning
                                                                                                     313-580-2845 / Jcanning@sandi.net 

 

SD UNIFIED & SDEA REACH AGREEMENT, SCHOOL STRIKE PREVENTED, SCHOOL OPEN FEB. 26   

 

SAN DIEGO (FEBRUARY 13, 2026) – One-day strike on February 26 is off as San Diego Unified School District and San Diego Education Association (SDEA) reach a mutual agreement on how to proceed with a contract. On February 12, 2026 the two sides came to agreements on several bargained subjects including special education and wages. SDEA will take the agreement to its membership for a ratification vote.   

 

All San Diego Unified schools will be open Thursday, February 26 and the previously announced make-up date of March 9 will go back to being a non-instructional day with schools closed districtwide.  

 

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement and prevented a strike," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "These negotiations, while at times tense, yielded an outcome that will stabilize our educator workforce and ensure all students are supported in the classroom. We appreciate the patience and flexibility our families have shown throughout this process."

 

There are several important outcomes that support district educators, students and their families, including:

 

Student and Families Benefits 

• Dedicated intervention counselors to better support the social-emotional needs of ALL students
• Improved Fall staffing practices to reduce schedule changes and disruptions for students when the school year begins. 
• Stronger supports for students with Individual Education Programs (IEP), including additional time for education specialists to focus on case management, completion of assessments and collaboration with families 
• Various strategies for retaining education specialists and filling vacancies through increased compensation and reimbursing general education teachers who have chosen to pursue a special education credential.  
• Reaffirming our commitment to programs that provide safe and supportive spaces for our students, staff, and families.

 

Staff Benefits

• Wage increases when the District receives the currently withheld Proposition 98 funding. Pursuant to the Equity Clauses in the respective collective bargaining agreements, all employees would receive these raises retroactively.   
• Maintaining full health and welfare benefits for employee, spouse, and dependents
• Investments in Special Education  
• Minimizing classroom schedule changes at the beginning of the school year
• Reaffirming our commitment to programs that provide safe and supportive spaces for our students, staff, and families. 

 

To learn more about how San Diego Unified supports its educators, here is a link to review. 

 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

Four San Diego Unified Schools Named Finalists for 2026 America’s Best Schools Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           Media Contact:

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

Four San Diego Unified Schools Named Finalists for 2026 America's Best Schools Award

Award winners to be announced in May following on-site school visits

SAN DIEGO (February 12, 2026) —  Four San Diego Unified elementary schools have been named finalists for the 2026 America's Best Schools Award, placing them among 17 schools selected nationwide by the San Diego State University-based National Center for Urban School Transformation. Award winners will be announced in May 2026 following on-site visits to each campus.

The finalists are Dewey Elementary School in Point Loma, Garfield Elementary School in North Park, Nye Elementary School in Valencia Park, and Sequoia Elementary in Clairemont.

All four schools met NCUST's award criteria, which require that every racial, ethnic, and income group in the school exceed statewide proficiency averages, that attendance rates remain above 92 percent, that suspension rates stay low across all demographic groups, and that schools demonstrate strong outcomes for English learners and students with disabilities.

"The criteria for this national award, including academic proficiency for all student groups, positive school cultures, high attendance, and effective instruction, align with the goals and guardrails our Board of Education has set for this district," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "These four schools reflect the outcomes that follow when we focus on student wellness, literacy, math proficiency, and college and career readiness."

The finalist designation adds to each school's existing record of recognition. Garfield Elementary in North Park was named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, one of only 33 schools in California and two in San Diego County to receive the designation that year. Nye Elementary in Valencia Park joins Garfield as a finalist, with both schools meeting the award's standard for academic proficiency across every student group.

"Results like these do not happen without the collective effort of educators, students, and families who are committed to continuous improvement every single day," said Richard Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified Board of Education. "The work happening at Garfield Elementary and Nye Elementary deserves to be celebrated, and this national recognition is a reflection of what those school communities have built together."

Sequoia Elementary in Clairemont and Dewey Elementary in Point Loma both serve diverse student populations as Title I campuses. The America's Best Schools finalist selection recognizes both schools for meeting the same national standard of academic proficiency across all student groups, high attendance, and positive school culture required of every finalist.

"Sequoia Elementary and Dewey Elementary are not just meeting milestones but exceeding them for every student group they serve, and that is something their entire school communities should take tremendous pride in," said Sabrina Bazzo, vice president of the San Diego Unified Board of Education. "The national recognition is well deserved, but it is secondary to the progress these schools are making every day for the students and families who count on them.."

NCUST will conduct on-site visits to each finalist campus in the coming months to validate application evidence. Winners will be selected at the bronze, silver, and gold levels and announced in May.

 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

PITCH: SD Unified Alum in NBA All Star Game This Weekend

Good afternoon, we have a San Diego Unified Alum, Norman Powell, a proud graduate of Lincoln High School, a UCLA Bruin, and a second-round NBA draft pick (#46), is now an NBA All-Star. With the All -Star game this weekend, we thought you might take an interest in this story, not just because he is from here, but because he has continued to be supportive of San Diego. Check out the info below about Norman as shared by Lincoln High School leaders, and if you’d like to learn more about his contributions or do an interview with someone from the school, let me know and we can help arrange.  Thanks James

 

Norman Powell    

• Eleven years into his NBA career, he is still grinding, still earning, still proving that belief, discipline, and consistency outlast hype. An NBA Champion, and now officially recognized among the best players in the world. 
• Through his Understand the Grind Foundation, Norman continues to invest in people, not publicity. He hosts free youth basketball camps, provides Thanksgiving dinners to families in need, sponsors Christmas shopping sprees for children, and hosts a Christmas celebration at Lincoln High School for students in the special needs program.
• Most notably, Norman supports a mentoring program at Lincoln High School where retired and active military members mentor 35–40 students twice a month, offering structure, accountability, guidance, and real-life leadership to young men who need positive role models. This is what sustained excellence looks like
• Norman Powell represents Southeast San Diego, proudly, authentically, and unapologetically. Southeast San Diego is not a footnote. It is part of the City of San Diego, and his journey is proof of the greatness that continues to rise from it. Even after reaching the highest level of his profession.

 

 

 

James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

2026 SD Unified Graduating Class On Track for 4% Growth in College and Career Readiness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               Media Contact: James Canning

                                                                                      313-580-2845, Jcanning@sandi.net
  

2026 SD Unified Graduating Class On Track for 4% Growth in College and Career Readiness 

 

SAN DIEGO (FEBRUARY 10, 2026) – San Diego Unified School District students have surpassed pre-pandemic levels for college and careers preparedness in accordance with the California School Dashboard; and the upcoming 2025-26 graduating class is on track for 4% growth in college and career readiness when compared to last year's graduating class.

 

San Diego Unified graduated 90.3% of its senior students in 2024-25, and students were more prepared to pursue University of California A-G diploma's than Los Angeles, Fresno, Long Beach and San Francisco Unified School Districts. San Diego Unified's A-G Completion Rate was 26% better than all large urban schools in the state of California.    

 

"The data shows that more of our students are on track to graduate than last year. We are pleased that more of our students are ready to meet the requirements of all public California universities and more of our students are ready to pursue post-high school careers," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "The steady year-after-year progress of our students is a testament to the dedication of our education, and the hard work being put in by students and their families. We're proud that more of our students are trending in the right direction, but we have a lot more work to do."

   

Since the College and Career Indicator (CCI) was developed by the State of California in 2017, student preparedness for life after high school has improved from 53%.3 from San Diego Unified's Class of 2017 to 66.6% for the Class of 2025. 

 

Each San Diego Unified Schools is different, but district officials attribute the overall improvements to some key student performance outcome indicators, research-based levers which include strategic scheduling, strong student-adult relationships, and supportive 8th to 9th grade transition "bridging."  

 

"Our students are graduating at higher rates  and  are better prepared for college and careers than their peers in other urban districts across the state," said Richard Barrera, President of the Board of Education, San Diego Unified School District. "We are delivering targeted support to academically struggling students which is reflected in our higher graduation and college and career readiness rates. We are encouraged by these academic improvements."

 

To read the entire progress monitoring report delivered at the February 10 Board of Education meeting, click here.  

 

Pathways to College and Career Readiness @ San Diego Unified 

San Diego Unified students have three paths toward improving their college and career opportunities post graduation by taking "a-g" courses that help them become eligible for California State Universities, earning early college credit through the district's partnerships with higher education institutions, and career technical education (CTE).   

 

According to the California Department of Education, CTE significantly increases the high school graduation rate and also results in a higher percentage of students going to college and persisting through graduation. High-risk students are 8 to 10 times less likely to drop out in grades ten and eleven if they enroll in a CTE program instead of a general program. 

 

The College and Career Readiness Goals of San Diego Unified (Learn More)  

• 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.
• 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.
• Increase the 9th - 12th grade Spotlight student cohorts' On Track completion of a-g course requirements with a grade of C or higher as measured by California Department of Education (CDE) from 24.7% in Spring 2023 to 42.7% by Spring 2030.

 

To learn more about and enroll in San Diego Unified School DIstrict schools, click here.

 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

SD UNIFIED IN SACRAMENTO WEDNESDAY TO ADVOCATE FOR INVESTMENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION & REQUEST NOT WITHHOLDING MONEY FOR SCHOOLS

Editor Note: Media Availability: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 - 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. and Vice President Sabrina Bazzo will have limited availability for virtual or phone interviews about their advocacy. Please contact James Canning, 313-580-2845, jcanning@sandi.net to coordinate.        

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        

SD UNIFIED IN SACRAMENTO WEDNESDAY TO ADVOCATE FOR INVESTMENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION & REQUEST NOT WITHHOLDING MONEY FOR SCHOOLS
Tuesday Lincoln High School's Principal Highlighted Success of Community Schools in Sacramento 

SAN DIEGO (FEBRUARY 10, 2026) – San Diego Unified's Superintendent and Board of Education Vice President to meet with state leaders on Wednesday to advocate for investments aligned with San Diego Unified's vision for special education, including increased funding for students with disabilities and robust behavioral supports an early intervention in TK-3 classrooms. They will also urge lawmakers to fully fund Proposition 98, pushing back on the proposal to shortchange schools by $5.6B – funding that should be invested in students.

"The investments we are advocating for will contribute to the development of early intervention efforts and ensure that every child has the support they need to succeed," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. "By investing in professional development for educators and building a system of tiered supports, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive with the appropriate and necessary support, so that special education remains one of several thoughtfully applied supports.

"The need for greater investments in special education is not unique to San Diego Unified, school districts across the state are facing similar situations," said Vice President Sabrina Bazzo, Board of Education. "We need a state legislator to invest in real solutions that get at the heart of the challenges we are seeing in our schools. Without state leadership, districts will continue to face rising special education identification when earlier, targeted interventions could make all the difference."

Below is background information about the special education initiative that SDUSD is seeking state funding to support:   

Early Interventions Policy Proposal:
San Diego Unified's multi-pronged solution would leverage one-time budget capacity in Proposition 98 – the state of California's funding strategy for schools and community colleges – to invest in proactive, early interventions to ensure that every child receives the help they need before being considered for an IEP.

The District is proposing the sum of $250 million dollars be appropriated from Proposition 98 for a TK-3 Behavioral Support and Early Intervention Grant Program. This funding would come out of the roughly $13B in one-time Proposition 98 budget capacity estimated in the Governor's Budget Proposal - including $5.6B the Governor is proposing to withhold from schools . In this proposal, funds would be allocated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to local educational agencies based on prior year average daily attendance for Transitional Kindergarten through grade 3 in order to implement this program statewide. San Diego Unified estimates a minimum staffing costs for short-term side-by-side coaching positions at its district to be $2.5M, not including other necessary support; this statewide investment would provide the robust support needed to tackle this challenge. 

This funding and policy framework would focus on:

1. Professional Development and Coaching: Equipping all TK-3 educators—teachers, paraeducators, and education specialists with the tools and strategies they need to address the diverse needs of students. This would involve side-by-side coaching and a gradual-release model to build educator capacity over time.
2. Tiered Support Systems: Creating a system of escalating interventions that provides students with the right level of support at the right time, ensuring that IEP referrals are only made when initial interventions have proven insufficient.
3. Investing in Early Behavioral and Social-Emotional Supports: Ensuring that all students, particularly those in the early grades, have access to necessary social-emotional and behavioral supports that can help prevent academic struggles later on.

Community Schools: State lawmakers invited Lincoln High School Principal to speak on February 10 at a joint hearing of the Assembly Education Committee and Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance to highlight the strategies for success that have led to the transformational impact of the community schools' model at Lincoln High School.

To learn more about San Diego Unified's Special Education Services, click here, and to get involved in the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, click here.

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

Rocket Program Launching 320 Students Toward College and Career Readiness - Thursday & Friday

MEDIA ADVISORY 

Rocket Program Launching 320 Students Toward College and Career Readiness
Middle school Rocket Ambassadors guide elementary students through hands-on STEM experience as part of the College, Career, and Technical Education program

WHAT: Rocket Launch  

WHY DIFFERENT: 

For the first time, Taft Middle School is expanding its rocketry program to include elementary students in a first-of-its-kind Rocket Invitational. Over two days, 320 elementary students from six schools will build, design and launch rockets under the guidance of trained middle school Rocket Ambassadors. This year marks the first time the program has expanded to include elementary students, creating a new pathway that introduces younger learners to district STEM opportunities. This teach-and-lead model puts middle schoolers in the role of peer educators while giving elementary students a window into the hands-on learning opportunities available in their cluster. 

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, 9:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

?         Rocket building and design in cafeteria; demonstration launch on field

?         Teams of four students will construct their rockets and design custom artwork, including team logos and slogans, in the school cafeteria. The day concludes with a demonstration launch and safety training on the field.

  Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

?         Rocket launches on field and awards ceremony

?         Teams will launch their rockets on the field behind the school and collect data, tracking metrics such as flight time and accuracy. The event culminates with an awards ceremony recognizing achievements in categories including highest launch, best rocket design, closest to target and best team logo.

Event program: View run of show

WHERE: Taft Middle School: 9191 Gramercy Drive, San Diego, CA 92123 (Launches will take place on the field behind the school; media must check in at the front office upon arrival.)

VISUALS:

• Students building and designing rockets in the cafeteria
• middle school Rocket Ambassadors mentoring younger students 
• rocket launches on the athletic field
• team artwork and posters; awards ceremony

BACKGROUND: Taft Middle School's rocketry program has conducted launches for four years as part of its Gateway to Technology middle school CTE class. The Rocket Invitational exemplifies San Diego Unified's commitment to college and career readiness through its CCTE program. By engaging elementary students in project-based learning while positioning middle schoolers as peer educators, the event builds essential skills including teamwork, problem-solving, data analysis and scientific inquiry. The Rocket Ambassador model develops leadership and communication skills in older students while inspiring younger students to explore STEM career pathways. This is part of San Diego Unified's College, Career, and Technical Education program. Experiences like this allow students to connect their interests to district programs that can lead to college and career opportunities after graduation.
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Media Contact: James Canning, 313-580-2845, jcanning@sandi.net

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org