MEDIA ADVISORY -- Students Test Next Year's Menu Items; Today's Cafeteria Food Defies Stereotype

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District, March 31,
2009

Students Test Next Year's Menu Items
Today's Cafeteria Food Defies Stereotype

What: Student Taste-Testing of Next Year's Cafeteria Items

When: 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1
Where: Outdoor lawn area, San Diego Unified School District Eugene
Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street (92103)

Background: San Diego Unified's Food Services Department will be
taste-testing next year's possible menu items with 160 Student Congress
members. The high school students will be surveyed about their reaction
to the food, giving some thumbs up, others the heave-ho.

Possible menu items include Pesto Chicken Sandwich, Teriyaki Chicken
Bowl with Asian Vegetables, and Tuna Wrap with Cucumber and Wasabi
Dressing.

Photos: High school students taste-testing new menu items.

Speakers: Students from all San Diego Unified high schools, generally
members of the student government (ASB); food services officials.

Contact: Sally Spero, Food Services, (858) 627-7306

# # #

Jack Brandais
Media Relations
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (desk)
(619) 607-0477 (cell)

You are a subscriber to the news release mailing list for the San Diego Unified School District. To unsubscribe, send a message to "media@lists-sandi-net" with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.

MEDIA ADVISORY -- Kearny Hosts John Lennon Educational Tour Bus

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District, March 27,
2009

Kearny Hosts John Lennon Educational Tour Bus; Digital Media and Design
Students Explore Music Technology

What: Visit of John Lennon Educational Tour Bus to School of Digital
Media and Design at Kearny High School

When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, March 30

Where: School of Digital Media and Design, Kearny High Educational
Complex, 7651 Wellington St. (92111)

Background: The touring music and video technology showcase visits
the Kearny complex for a day, giving students the chance to tour and
perform on state-of-the-art equipment.

In addition to being introduced to all of the elements in a
state-of-the-art facility, students learn how to write, produce, and
record original songs; participate in performing them; and create music
videos using traditional musical instruments as well as current
technological advances. Visitors create entire music video projects in
less than a day and leave with DVDs of their work.

Sponsors of the bus are Maxell Corporation, Apple Computer, Inc., NAMM,
iGuitar, Roland, Sibelius, Elixir Strings, Edirol, Audio-Technica, Disc
Makers, Sonidbids, Digidesign, Ableton, Propellerhead, Yamaha, Neutrik,
Aphex Systems, Glyph Technologies, JVC Professional,
Musiciansfriend.com, Stanton, IK Multimedia, McDSP, SKB, Native
Instruments, themusicedge.com, and Gretsch Drums. For more on the bus go
to www.lennonbus.org

Photos: Students creating songs and video.

Contact: Cheryl Hibbeln, Principal, School of Digital Media and Design,
Kearny Educational Complex, (858) 496-8370.

# # #

Jack Brandais
Media Relations
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (desk)
(619) 607-0477 (cell)

You are a subscriber to the news release mailing list for the San Diego Unified School District. To unsubscribe, send a message to "media@lists-sandi-net" with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.

NEWS RELEASE -- Campus Calendar from the San Diego Unified School District

Campus Calendar -- Upcoming Events in the San Diego Unified School
District, March 27, 2009

Your coverage is invited of any of the following upcoming events on the
campuses of the San Diego Unified School District.

(*) New or revised this week.

March

All month -- Student Artwork Fair, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker
Education Center, 4100 Normal Street. The best student artwork from
among the more than 130,000 students in the district decorates the walls
of the system's main office. Open to the public.

27-28: "Play on!" San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts
(SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). Anything
that can go wrong does in this hilarious story of a community theatre
group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of the playwright's
constant revisions. Tickets are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students,
seniors and military. Performances: March 26-27 at 7 p.m. March 28 at 2
p.m. Box Office: (619) 475-8556 or www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the
public.

27-29 -- "By Jupiter," 7 p.m. March 27-28 and 2 p.m. March 29, La Jolla
High School, 750 Nautilus St. (92037). The school's Madrigal Choir is
staging the Rogers and Hart musical, the first time it has been
performed in San Diego. Directed by William Kerr and choreographed by
Alexis Dillard. Tickets: $10 adults; $5 students. Contact: (858)
454-3081 or www.ljhsmadrigals.weebly.com/. Open to the public.

28 -- Prom Fair, Serra High School, 5156 Santo Rd. (92124). Students
from Serra are helping organize and plan this fair, a show where more
than 30 vendors will sell everything that's needed for the prom.
Includes two fashion shows. Students are acting as the event managers
and learning how to put on trade shows. Show information:
http://sdpromexpo.com/index.html; student information, Joe Schmidt,
(858) 496-8342. Open to the public.

28 -- Tree Planting, Burbank Elementary School, 2146 Julian Ave.
(92113). In honor of the life and work of Cesar Chavez, the school is
participating in the effort to plant 125 trees. Also participating are
SDUSD Trustee Richard Barrera, City Council President Ben Hueso, Urban
Corps of San Diego, Cesar Chavez Service Clubs, San Diego Unity League
and the San Diego Community College District. Contact: (619) 233-1331.
Open to the public.

28 -- "Spring into Health," 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Lincoln High School,
4777 Imperial Avenue (92113). Open house and information fair at the
school's health center for students and Lincoln families. Topics include
parenting, asthma, healthy lifestyles and violence prevention. Contact:
Kathy Ryan, school nurse, (619) 266-6502. Open to the public.

28 -- Longfellow Elementary Benefit, 6 p.m., Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos
Ave. (92110). Spring fundraiser for the neighborhood school, $10.
Contact: (619) 276-4206. Open to the public.

28 -- Solo and Ensemble Festival, all day, Oak Park Elementary School,
2606 54th St. (92105). Elementary, middle and high school students will
be performing at this free festival. Contact: Karen Childress-Evans,
Director, Visual and Performing Arts Program, (858) 539-5349. Open to
the public.

* 30 -- John Lennon Educational Bus, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., School of Digital
Media and Design, Kearny High School, 7651 Wellington St. (92111). The
touring music and video technology showcase visits the Kearny complex
for a day, giving students the chance to tour and perform on
state-of-the-art equipment. Contact: Cheryl Hibblin, Principal, School
of Digital Media and Design, Kearny Educational Complex, (858) 496-8370.
Not open to the public.

30 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Fremont Center, 2375
Congress St. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858) 496-8764. Open to
the public.

* 31 -- Taste of Mira Mesa IV with proceeds to Mira Mesa High
Foundation, 6:30-8:30 p.m., courtyard, GenProbe Inc., 10210 Genetic
Center Dr. (92121). Eat your way through the community, with food from
the Mira Mesa High Culinary Arts class and local restaurants including
Pat and Oscars, Red Lobster, Callahan's, and Ashoka Great. Cost: $30 in
advance, $40 day of events. Proceeds go to the Mira Mesa High School
Foundation. Information: www.miramesahighschoolfoundation.org. Open to
the public.

* 31 -- Board of Education Special Meeting, 8 a.m., Price Charities,
4305 University Avenue, Suite 640 (92105). Agenda and future schedules
available at www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

April

1 -- "Rhythms of the World, A Passport to Dance," 7 p.m., Valencia Park
Elementary School, 5880 Skyline Dr. (92114). The annual dance show from
the Dance and Drama Magnet School. Tickets: $3 adults, $1 children.
Information:
http://new.sandi.net/schools/valenciapark/Pages/default.aspx. Open to
the public.

1 -- Parent Presentation, "La Mujer, the Obstacles Affecting Women in
Our Community," 5-7 p.m., Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Avenue
(92113). Part of the school's parent outreach program, the seminar will
discuss issues including health and sex education, healthy relationships
and the role of women today. Contact: Connie Velazquez-Moore, Parent
Coordinator, (619) 266-6561. Open to the public.

* 1 -- Medication Update: Treatment for ADHD, Anxiety and Depression in
Children and Teenagers with Dr. Meg Lawrence, 3 p.m., Monroe Clark
Middle School, 4388 Thorn St. (92105). Part of the Nursing and Wellness
Guest Speaker Program, Dr. Lawrence, a board certified child and
adolescent psychiatrist will review the medication treatment options and
answer questions regarding this subject. Spanish translation available.
Contact: Eileen Griffiths, egriffiths@sandi.net. Open to the public.

* 1 -- Point Loma-Area Parent Meeting for Students with Individualized
Education Programs (IEP), 6 p.m., Library, Dana Middle School, 1775
Chatsworth Blvd. (92106). Staff from Pt. Loma High School and its
"feeder" elementary and middle schools will share their Individualized
Education Programs with parents at this meet and greet session. Parents
can find out what types of programs are at each school and talk with
teacher, principals and other parents. Contact: Joe Fulcher, (619)
725-7700. Open to the public.

2-4: "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940," San Diego School of Creative
and Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk
Drive (92139). See what happens when you cross an Agatha Christie
murder-mystery, a Neil Simon comedy and a Broadway musical flop! Tickets
are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students, seniors and military.
Performances April 2-3 at 7 p.m. April 4 at 2 p.m. Box Office: (619)
475-8556 or www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

2 -- Parent Visit Day, Point Loma High School, 2335 Chatsworth Blvd.
(92106). Parents of new and potential Pt. Loma High students can visit
classrooms of their choice. Check in at the office. Contact: (619)
223-3121. Open to the public.

4 -- San Diego Science Festival Expo Day, Balboa Park. Culmination of
the month-long Science Festival event, students and teachers from San
Diego Unified will be participating. Information:
http://sdsciencefestival.org/. Open to the public.

6-10 -- Spring Vacation. Schools closed; administrative offices open.

3-6 -- Architectural Ceramic Artist Peter King, San Diego School of
Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). 25
participants, led by King, will build large gateway installation on SCPA
campus. $150 per person fee. Register with Dee McMillen at 619/223-4120
or email dmcmillen1@cox.net. Open to the public.

13 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Mount Everest
Academy, 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858)
496-8764. Open to the public.

14 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education
Center, 4100 Normal Street. Agenda and future schedules available at
www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

14 -- San Diego National College Fair, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., San Diego
Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Dr. (92101). Representatives from
universities and colleges from around the nation will meet with
prospective students. Contact: 703/836-2222 ext 127. Open to the public.

15 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs,
6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School,
2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult
with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I
compensatory education program participants. Information: Program
Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

16 -- San Diego Unified Surplus Property Auction, 9 a.m. preview,
auction 10:30 a.m., San Diego Unified School District Supply Center
Yard, 2351 Cardinal Lane (92123). Miscellaneous obsolete, no parts
available, and beyond economical repair furniture and equipment will be
for sale. $200 cash deposit required to bid. Contact: Rose Gustafson,
Manager of Materiel Control, (858) 522-5850 or rgustafson@sandi.net;
auction conducted by Anstead's Auctioneers and Associates, (619)
233-3148. Open to the public.

21-24 -- Closing the Achievement Gap, Third Annual Title I Parent (ESEA)
Training Conference, Parent/Community Coordinator Training, Bahia Hotel,
998 West Mission Bay Drive (92109). Sponsored by the California Advisory
on Education Events and the San Diego County Title I Parents
Association, conference topics include parent training and involvement.
Contact: Diane Haney, (619) 822-4382 or www.caceeconference.com. Open to
the public.

* 25 -- Rose Creek Cleanup, 9 a.m. to noon. The students and community
of Doyle Elementary School in University City will be participating in a
cleanup project in Rose Creek, a nearby stream. Doyle has adopted the
stream. Part of I Love a Clean San Diego's annual "Bay to Creek
Cleanup." Contact (I Love a Clean San Diego): (619) 291-0103 x3014. Open
to the public.

27 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Fremont Center, 2375
Congress St. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858) 496-8764. Open to
the public.

28 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education
Center, 4100 Normal Street. Agenda and future schedules available at
www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

May

1 -- Education Center Annual Spring Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eugene
Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal St., Annex 9, Testing Room
(92103). Talented district artisans will have their art and handicrafts
for sale. Contact: Elaine Lindberg, (619) 725-7104. Shopping is open to
the public.

5 -- Teacher of the Year Celebration, 4:30 p.m., Sherman Elementary
School, 301 22nd St. (92102). Ceremonies honor San Diego Unified's
outstanding individual teachers for the 2008-09 school year. Teachers of
the Year will be named for the elementary, middle and high schools.
Student musicians will perform and members of the culinary arts program
will provide hors d'oeuvres. Open to the public.

6-8 -- Drama Showcase, 7 p.m., Ole Kittleson Little Theatre, San Diego
School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139).
Drama students showcase their individual strong points as performers in
an eclectic array of musical numbers, monologues, and dramatic scenes in
a show for the whole family. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for students,
seniors and military. Box office: (619) 475- 8556 or go to
www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

7 -- District English Learner Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., Harold J.
Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave.
(92110). Committee includes representatives from each school's English
Learner Advisory Committee, a school-based committee required if there
are more than 21 English Learners at that school. Information: Office of
Language Acquisition, (619) 725-7264. Open to the public.

7 -- End-of-Year Community Recognition Event, 4-6 p.m., SeaWorld. Annual
event recognizing district partners in education and volunteers.
Contact: Janet Delaney, community relations director, (619) 725-5593.
Not open to the public.

12 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education
Center, 4100 Normal Street. Agenda and future schedules available at
www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

13 -- Junior Recorder Festival, 9:30 a.m. instruction; 11:15 a.m.
concert, De Portola Middle School, 11010 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (92124).
The day begins with period recorder and dance instruction, followed by a
concert with students from throughout the district. Contact: Karen
Childress-Evans, Director, Visual and Performing Arts Program, (858)
539-5349. Open to the public.

13 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs,
6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School,
2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult
with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I
compensatory education program participants. Information: Program
Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

15 -- Whitman School 50th Anniversary Celebration, 5 p.m., Whitman
Elementary School, 4050 Appleton St. (92117). PTA-sponsored event to
mark a half-century of education excellence. They're looking for old
photos and other material. Contact: whitmanpta2008@yahoo.com. Open to
the public.

16 -- Bay Park Western Carnival Extravaganza, 3-7 p.m., Bay Park
Elementary School, 2433 Denver St. (92110). 2433 Denver St. (92110).
PTA-sponsored school fundraiser offers fun for all. Contact: Bay Park
PTA via the school, (619) 276-1471. Open to the public.

19 -- Classified Employee of the Year Celebration, time and location to
be announced. Honoring San Diego Unified's outstanding individual
non-teaching workers for the 2008-09 school year. Open to the public.

19-21 -- Spring Music Concert, 7 p.m., San Diego School of Creative and
Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive
(92139). Featured are all levels of choral and instrumental talent, from
"up-and-comers" to award-winning ensembles. Tickets are $8-$10 adults,
$7-$9 for students, senior and military. Box office: (619) 475- 8556 or
go to www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

* 20 -- Excellence Recognition, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Sea World Nautilus
Pavilion, 500 Sea World Drive (92109). Annual event that salutes the
academic top one percent in San Diego Unified. Principals from each high
school present their students to Board of Education members and the
Superintendent. Information: Janet Delaney, Community Relations, (619)
725-5593. Reporters covering the event should contact Jack Brandais at
(619) 725-5570 to arrange for access to Sea World. Not open to the
public.

21 -- 50th Anniversary Celebration, Cubberley Elementary School, 4:30
p.m., Cubberley Elementary School, 3201 Marathon Dr. (92123). Alumni,
friends and current families will celebrate a half-century at the Serra
Mesa school. Contact: Maria Edwards, jedward1@san.rr.com, or (619)
517-9358. Open to the public.

25 -- Memorial Day, all schools and offices closed.

27 -- GATE Distinguished Lecture Series with Eric Jensen, 7 p.m.,
Auditorium, Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street (92103).
Jensen, author of "Parenting the Gifted Brain," is the guest speaker at
this lecture series, sponsored by the Gifted and Talented Education
Department. The series gives the community a chance to hear and meet
experts in the field of gifted education. Contact: GATE Department,
(858) 573-5998. Open to the public.

June

4-6 -- Spring Dance Concert, 7 p.m., San Diego School of Creative and
Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive
(92139). Showcasing SCPA's Dance Ensembles as well as intermediate and
new dancers, and pre-majors in a variety of different styles including
ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and musical theatre. Tickets are $8-$10
adults, $7-$9 for students, senior and military. Box office: (619) 475-
8556 or go to www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

4 -- District English Learner Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., Harold J.
Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave.
(92110). Committee includes representatives from each school's English
Learner Advisory Committee, a school-based committee required if there
are more than 21 English Learners at that school. Information: Office of
Language Acquisition, (619) 725-7264. Open to the public.

10 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs,
6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School,
2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult
with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I
compensatory education program participants. Information: Program
Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

15 -- Traditional Calendar Last Day of School.

July

3 -- Independence Day Observed, all schools and administrative offices
closed.

21 -- Year-Round Calendar Last Day of School.

October

30-31 -- Crawford High Class of 1959 50th Reunion, Town and Country
Hotel, Mission Valley. Contacts: Sandra Craig Allen, (951) 301-7098;
Alice James McCapes, (951) 306-7706.

Ongoing

Thursday: de Portola Middle School Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m., 11010
Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (92124). Information: (858) 272-7054. Open to the
public.

Saturday: Scripps Ranch Farmers Market and Art Festival, 9 a.m. to 1
p.m., Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School, 11778 Cypress Canyon Rd.
(92131). (92131). Contact: Bev Cassity, (858) 586-7933,
srfarmersmarket@aol.com, or visit www.srfm.org. Open to the public.

Sunday: La Jolla Elementary Open Air Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., La Jolla
Elementary School, 1111 Marine St., La Jolla (92037). Proceeds benefit
La Jolla Elementary School. Market hotline, (858) 454-1699. Web site:
www.lajollamarket.com. Open to the public.

Notes to editors and reporters

-- To receive news releases by e-mail from San Diego Unified, go to
http://sandi.net/comm/media/signup/.

-- FAXes: Do you still want faxes of this to your newsroom? Want faxes
but aren't receiving them? Send an e-mail to jbrandais@sandi.net and let
us know.

-- Friday Notes Online: Each Friday afternoon, Superintendent Terry
Grier updates district staff and community on a variety of issues. The
newsletter is posted online at www.sandi.net/fridaynotes/archive.html.
To sign up for the Friday Notes e-mail list, go to
www.sandi.net/fridaynotes/signup/default.aspx.

-- To separate public events from school functions we'd like you to
cover, items open to the public are now labeled as such. "Not open to
the public" means that you're welcome to cover it, but it's not
something to list in an events calendar.

# # #

Jack Brandais
Media Relations
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (desk)
(619) 607-0477 (cell)

You are a subscriber to the news release mailing list for the San Diego Unified School District. To unsubscribe, send a message to "media@lists-sandi-net" with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.

Special Meeting Notices/Agenda

NOTICE ATTACHED.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Attached Notices and Agenda:

 

·          Notice of Cancellation of Meeting—Thursday, March 26, 2009

·          Notice and Call of Special Meeting/Agenda—Tuesday, March 31, 2009

 

Supporting documentation for agenda items (Closed Session excluded) can be found at the following link: http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/sandi/board.nsf

 

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

 

Thank you.

 

 

Josefina Viorato -

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

San Diego Unified School District

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

 

Special Meeting Notices/Agenda

PLEASE NOTE:  Attached Notices and Agenda:

 

·          Notice of Cancellation of Meeting—Thursday, March 26, 2009

·          Notice and Call of Special Meeting/Agenda—Tuesday, March 31, 2009

 

Supporting documentation for agenda items (Closed Session excluded) can be found at the following link: http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/sandi/board.nsf

 

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

 

Thank you.

 

 

Josefina Viorato -

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

San Diego Unified School District

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

 

MEDIA ADVISORY -- San Diego Unified Board President Gives "State of the District"

Media Advisory from the San Diego Unified School District, March 25, 2009

San Diego Unified Board President Gives "State of the District"

WHAT: "State of the District" address by Shelia Jackson, President, Board of Education, San Diego Unified School District.

WHEN: 6 p.m., Thursday, March 26

WHERE: Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Avenue, San Diego (92113)

DETAILS: The challenges that faced the San Diego Unified School District in the past year and issues facing its future will be topic of the upcoming State of the District Address being delivered by Shelia Jackson, Board of Education President.

Jackson's speech is an official Board of Education meeting, which will be held in the school's 750-seat auditorium, part of the school's Center for the Arts. California's Superintendent of Schools, Jack O'Connell, is scheduled to be in attendance.

Jackson is expected to discuss the academic, legislative and financial challenges facing the district over the next year, as well as reviewing the previous 12 months. The Board of Education recently reduced the current school year budget by $43 million, with another $100 million in cuts targeted for 2009-10.

Over the last year, San Diego Unified celebrated being one of the largest districts in the U.S. to have passed all federal academic testing guidelines under the No Child Left Behind act. In addition, San Diego Unified's citizens approved Proposition S, a billion-dollar bond that will help to revitalize and renovate schools for the next decade.

# # #

Jack Brandais
Media Relations
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (desk)
(619) 607-0477 (cell)
You are a subscriber to the news release mailing list for the San Diego Unified School District. To unsubscribe, send a message to "media@lists-sandi-net" with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.

March 24, 2009 Board Agenda

PLEASE NOTE:  Attached Agenda:

 

·          Regular Board Meeting Agenda—Tuesday, March 24, 2009

 

Supporting documentation for agenda items (Closed Session excluded) can be found at the following link: http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/sandi/board.nsf

 

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

 

Thank you.

 

 

Josefina Viorato -

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

San Diego Unified School District

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

 

NEWS RELEASE -- Campus Calendar from the San Diego Unified School District

Campus Calendar -- Upcoming Events in the San Diego Unified School
District, March 20, 2009

Your coverage is invited of any of the following upcoming events on the
campuses of the San Diego Unified School District.

(*) New or revised this week.

March

All month -- Student Artwork Fair, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker
Education Center, 4100 Normal Street. The best student artwork from
among the more than 130,000 students in the district decorates the walls
of the system's main office. Open to the public.

21, "Ain't Misbehavin'," Ole Kittleson Little Theatre, San Diego School
of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). The
1978 Tony Award for best musical features the music of the great
American jazz giant, Fats Waller. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for
students, seniors and military. Performances at 7 p.m. March 21 at 2
p.m. Box office: (619) 475-8556 or at www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the
public.

* 23 -- Encanto School Benefit Golf Tournament, Coronado Golf Course,
2000 Visalia Row, Coronado (92118). Play a day of golf with celebrity
athletes (scheduled to attend), including current and former NFL players
Earl Campbell, Quintin Jammer, Doug Flutie, Marcus Allen, as well as
Charles Barkley from the NBA. Contact: Adolfo Garza, Parent Academic
Liaison, Encanto Elementary, (619) 264-3191 x 3051. Open to the public.

23 -- Exercise Class for Parents, 6 p.m., Lincoln High School, 4777
Imperial Avenue (92113). This weekly dance and fitness class uses
Lincoln's state of the art dance studio. Contact: Connie
Velazquez-Moore, Parent Coordinator, (619) 266-6561. Open to the public.

23 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Mount Everest
Academy, 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858)
496-8764. Open to the public.

23 - San Diego Unified Council of PTAs General Meeting and Election,
6:30 p.m. Harold J. Ballard Parent Center Auditorium at 2375 Congress
Ave. (92110). All PTA members in San Diego Unified are invited. Panel
discussion on math and science instruction in the District with Kim
Hall, Director of Middle School Instructional Support, and John Spiegel,
Director of High School Instructional Support. Refreshments served.
Information: (619) 297-7821.

23-April 3 -- Discovery Week, San Diego Science Festival, various
locations. Sponsored by the UCSD BioBridge program and others, events
will be at schools and locations all around the county. Information:
website, www.sdsciencefestival.com.

24 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education
Center, 4100 Normal Street. Public Hearing on Special Education Local
Plan Area to be heard no earlier than 5:30 p.m. Agenda and future
schedules available at www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the
public.

24 -- Distribution of Computers to Selected Families, 5 p.m., School of
Science, Connections, & Technology at the Kearny Educational Complex,
7651 Wellington St. (92111). In cooperation with the San Diego Futures
Foundation and San Diego Broadband Initiative, Kearny families will be
receiving computers. Contact: Lisa McDonnell, Kearny High, (858)
496-8370. Not open to the public.

* 25 -- Annual Spring Showcase and Staff vs. Seniors Basketball Game
5:30 p.m., Serra High School, 5156 Santo Rd. (92124). The community is
invited to Serra High to see everything we have to offer. Teachers will
be split up into departments in the media center where they will
showcase their department's curriculum and student work. We'll also be
having several student performances throughout the night. Starting at
7pm is our Staff vs. Seniors basketball game in the gym... an
opportunity for the Seniors to beat old people at basketball. Contact:
(858) 496-8342. Open to the public.

* 24 Disc Golf Tournament and BBQ Dinner benefiting McKinley Elementary
School Foundation. Disc golf, 2 p.m.; dinner, 4 p.m., Morley Field Disc
Golf Course, Pershing Drive and Redwood Street, Balboa Park. Have a fun
day on the course, eat some great barbecue and raise money for the North
Park area school. Information: http://mckinleygolf.wordpress.com/. Open
to the public.

25 -- Open House, Curriculum Fair, Fifth Grade Pre-Orientation, 6 p.m.,
Lewis Middle School, 5170 Greenbrier Ave. (92120). Check out the fine
Allied Gardens campus, parents of 5th graders can learn about their
child's year, and all parents can tour the campus. Contact: Brad
Callahan, principal, (619) 583-3233. Open to the public.

26-28: "Play on!,", San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts
(SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). Anything
that can go wrong does in this hilarious story of a community theatre
group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of the playwright's
constant revisions. Tickets are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students,
seniors and military. Performances: March 26-27 at 7 p.m. March 28 at 2
p.m. Box Office: (619) 475-8556 or www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the
public.

26 -- District English Learner Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., Harold J.
Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave.
(92110). Committee includes representatives from each school's English
Learner Advisory Committee, a school-based committee required if there
are more than 21 English Learners at that school. Information: Office of
Language Acquisition, (619) 725-7264. Open to the public.

27-29 -- "By Jupiter," 7 p.m. March 27-28 and 2 p.m. March 29, La Jolla
High School, 750 Nautilus St. (92037). The school's Madrigal Choir is
staging the Rogers and Hart musical, the first time it has been
performed in San Diego. Directed by William Kerr and choreographed by
Alexis Dillard. Tickets: $10 adults; $5 students. Contact: (858)
454-3081 or www.ljhsmadrigals.weebly.com/. Open to the public.

27 -- Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Mario Molina, 12:30 p.m., Lincoln High
School, 4777 Imperial Avenue (92113). Dr. Molina, co-winner of the 1995
Nobel Prize in chemistry, will speak with students. Part of the San
Diego Science Festival and Ed Talk, the Superintendent's Speakers
Series. Contact: Joan McRobbie, (619) 725-7212. Not open to the public.

28 -- Prom Fair, Serra High School, 5156 Santo Rd. (92124). Students
from Serra are helping organize and plan this fair, a show where more
than 30 vendors will sell everything that's needed for the prom.
Includes two fashion shows. Students are acting as the event managers
and learning how to put on trade shows. Show information:
http://sdpromexpo.com/index.html; student information, Joe Schmidt,
(858) 496-8342. Open to the public.

28 -- "Spring into Health," 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Lincoln High School,
4777 Imperial Avenue (92113). Open house and information fair at the
school's health center for students and Lincoln families. Topics include
parenting, asthma, healthy lifestyles and violence prevention. Contact:
Kathy Ryan, school nurse, (619) 266-6502. Open to the public.

28 -- Longfellow Elementary Benefit, 6 p.m., Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos
Ave. (92110). Spring fundraiser for the neighborhood school, $10.
Contact: (619) 276-4206. Open to the public.

28 -- Solo and Ensemble Festival, all day, Oak Park Elementary School,
2606 54th St. (92105). Elementary, middle and high school students will
be performing at this free festival. Contact: Karen Childress-Evans,
Director, Visual and Performing Arts Program, (858) 539-5349. Open to
the public.

30 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Fremont Center, 2375
Congress St. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858) 496-8764. Open to
the public.

April

1 -- "Rhythms of the World, A Passport to Dance," 7 p.m., Valencia Park
Elementary School, 5880 Skyline Dr. (92114). The annual dance show from
the Dance and Drama Magnet School. Tickets: $3 adults, $1 children.
Information:
http://new.sandi.net/schools/valenciapark/Pages/default.aspx. Open to
the public.

* 1 -- Parent Presentation, "La Mujer, the Obstacles Affecting Women in
Our Community," 5-7 p.m., Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Avenue
(92113). Part of the school's parent outreach program, the seminar will
discuss issues including Health and sex education, healthy relationships
and the role of women today. Contact: Connie Velazquez-Moore, Parent
Coordinator, (619) 266-6561. Open to the public.

2-4: "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940," San Diego School of Creative
and Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk
Drive (92139). See what happens when you cross an Agatha Christie
murder-mystery, a Neil Simon comedy and a Broadway musical flop! Tickets
are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students, seniors and military.
Performances April 2-3 at 7 p.m. April 4 at 2 p.m. Box Office: (619)
475-8556 or www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

2 -- Parent Visit Day, Point Loma High School, 2335 Chatsworth Blvd.
(92106). Parents of new and potential Pt. Loma High students can visit
classrooms of their choice. Check in at the office. Contact: (619)
223-3121. Open to the public.

* 4 -- San Diego Science Festival Expo Day, Balboa Park. Culmination of
the month-long Science Festival event, students and teachers from San
Diego Unified will be participating. Information:
http://sdsciencefestival.org/. Open to the public.

6-10 -- Spring Vacation. Schools closed; administrative offices open.

3-6 -- Architectural Ceramic Artist Peter King, San Diego School of
Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). 25
participants, led by King, will build large gateway installation on SCPA
campus. $150 per person fee. Register with Ms. Dee McMillen at
619/223-4120 or email dmcmillen1@cox.net. Open to the public.

13 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Mount Everest
Academy, 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858)
496-8764. Open to the public.

14 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education
Center, 4100 Normal Street. Agenda and future schedules available at
www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

14 -- San Diego National College Fair, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., San Diego
Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Dr. (92101). Representatives from
universities and colleges from around the nation will meet with
prospective students. Contact: 703/836-2222 ext 127. Open to the public.

15 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs,
6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School,
2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult
with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I
compensatory education program participants. Information: Program
Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

16 -- San Diego Unified Surplus Property Auction, 9 a.m. preview,
auction 10:30 a.m., San Diego Unified School District Supply Center
Yard, 2351 Cardinal Lane (92123). Miscellaneous obsolete, no parts
available, and beyond economical repair furniture and equipment will be
for sale. $200 cash deposit required to bid. Contact: Rose Gustafson,
Manager of Materiel Control, (858) 522-5850 or rgustafson@sandi.net;
auction conducted by Anstead's Auctioneers and Associates, (619)
233-3148. Open to the public.

21-24 -- "Closing the Achievement Gap": Third Annual Title I Parent
(ESEA) Training Conference, Parent/Community Coordinator Training, Bahia
Hotel, 998 West Mission Bay Drive (92109). Sponsored by the California
Advisory on Education Events and the San Diego County Title I Parents
Association, conference topics include parent training and involvement.
Contact: Diane Haney, (619) 822-4382 or www.caceeconference.com. Open to
the public.

13 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Fremont Center, 2375
Congress St. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858) 496-8764. Open to
the public.

28 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education
Center, 4100 Normal Street. Agenda and future schedules available at
www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

May

1 -- Education Center Annual Spring Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eugene
Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal St., Annex 9, Testing Room
(92103). Talented district artisans will have their art and handicrafts
for sale. Contact: Elaine Lindberg, (619) 725-7104. Shopping is open to
the public.

5 -- Teacher of the Year Celebration, time and location to be announced.
Honoring San Diego Unified's outstanding individual teachers for the
2008-09 school year. Open to the public.

6-8 -- Drama Showcase, 7 p.m., Ole Kittleson Little Theatre, San Diego
School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139).
Drama students showcase their individual strong points as performers in
an eclectic array of musical numbers, monologues, and dramatic scenes in
a show for the whole family. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for students,
seniors and military. Box office: (619) 475- 8556 or go to
www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

7 -- District English Learner Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., Harold J.
Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave.
(92110). Committee includes representatives from each school's English
Learner Advisory Committee, a school-based committee required if there
are more than 21 English Learners at that school. Information: Office of
Language Acquisition, (619) 725-7264. Open to the public.

* 7 -- End-of-Year Community Recognition Event, 4-6 p.m., SeaWorld.
Annual event recognizing district partners in education and volunteers.
Contact: Janet Delaney, community relations director, (619) 725-5593.
Not open to the public.

12 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education
Center, 4100 Normal Street. Agenda and future schedules available at
www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

13 -- Junior Recorder Festival, 9:30 a.m. instruction; 11:15 a.m.
concert, De Portola Middle School, 11010 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (92124).
The day begins with period recorder and dance instruction, followed by a
concert with students from throughout the district. Contact: Karen
Childress-Evans, Director, Visual and Performing Arts Program, (858)
539-5349. Open to the public.

13 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs,
6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School,
2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult
with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I
compensatory education program participants. Information: Program
Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

*15 -- Whitman School 50th Anniversary Celebration, 5 p.m., Whitman
Elementary School, 4050 Appleton St. (92117). PTA-sponsored event to
mark a half-century of education excellence. They're looking for old
photos and other material. Contact: whitmanpta2008@yahoo.com. Open to
the public.

16 -- Bay Park Western Carnival Extravaganza, 3-7 p.m., Bay Park
Elementary School, 2433 Denver St. (92110). 2433 Denver St. (92110).
PTA-sponsored school fundraiser offers fun for all. Contact: Bay Park
PTA via the school, (619) 276-1471. Open to the public.

19 -- Classified Employee of the Year Celebration, time and location to
be announced. Honoring San Diego Unified's outstanding individual
non-teaching workers for the 2008-09 school year. Open to the public.

19-21 -- Spring Music Concert, 7 p.m., San Diego School of Creative and
Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive
(92139). Featured are all levels of choral and instrumental talent, from
"up-and-comers" to award-winning ensembles. Tickets are $8-$10 adults,
$7-$9 for students, senior and military. Box office: (619) 475- 8556 or
go to www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

21 -- 50th Anniversary Celebration, Cubberley Elementary School, 4:30
p.m., Cubberley Elementary School, 3201 Marathon Dr. (92123). Alumni,
friends and current families will celebrate a half-century at the Serra
Mesa school. Contact: Maria Edwards, jedward1@san.rr.com, or (619)
517-9358. Open to the public.

25 -- Memorial Day, all schools and offices closed.

27 -- GATE Distinguished Lecture Series with Eric Jensen, 7 p.m.,
Auditorium, Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street (92103).
Jensen, author of "Parenting the Gifted Brain," is the guest speaker at
this lecture series, sponsored by the Gifted and Talented Education
Department. The series gives the community a chance to hear and meet
experts in the field of gifted education. Contact: GATE Department,
(858) 573-5998. Open to the public.

June

4-6 -- Spring Dance Concert, 7 p.m., San Diego School of Creative and
Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive
(92139). Showcasing SCPA's Dance Ensembles as well as intermediate and
new dancers, and pre-majors in a variety of different styles including
ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and musical theatre. Tickets are $8-$10
adults, $7-$9 for students, senior and military. Box office: (619) 475-
8556 or go to www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

4 -- District English Learner Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., Harold J.
Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave.
(92110). Committee includes representatives from each school's English
Learner Advisory Committee, a school-based committee required if there
are more than 21 English Learners at that school. Information: Office of
Language Acquisition, (619) 725-7264. Open to the public.

10 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs,
6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School,
2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult
with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I
compensatory education program participants. Information: Program
Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

15 -- Traditional Calendar Last Day of School.

July

3 -- Independence Day Observed, all schools and administrative offices
closed.

21 -- Year-Round Calendar Last Day of School.

October

30-31 -- Crawford High Class of 1959 50th Reunion, Town and Country
Hotel, Mission Valley. Contacts: Sandra Craig Allen, (951) 301-7098;
Alice James McCapes, (951) 306-7706.

Ongoing

Thursday: de Portola Middle School Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m., 11010
Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (92124). Information: (858) 272-7054. Open to the
public.

Saturday: Scripps Ranch Farmers Market and Art Festival, 9 a.m. to 1
p.m., Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School, 11778 Cypress Canyon Rd.
(92131). (92131). Contact: Bev Cassity, (858) 586-7933,
srfarmersmarket@aol.com, or visit www.srfm.org. Open to the public.

Sunday: La Jolla Elementary Open Air Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., La Jolla
Elementary School, 1111 Marine St., La Jolla (92037). Proceeds benefit
La Jolla Elementary School. Market hotline, (858) 454-1699. Web site:
www.lajollamarket.com. Open to the public.

Notes to editors and reporters

-- To receive news releases by e-mail from San Diego Unified, go to
http://sandi.net/comm/media/signup/.

-- FAXes: Do you still want faxes of this to your newsroom? Want faxes
but aren't receiving them? Send an e-mail to jbrandais@sandi.net and let
us know.

-- Friday Notes Online: Each Friday afternoon, Superintendent Terry
Grier updates district staff and community on a variety of issues. The
newsletter is posted online at www.sandi.net/fridaynotes/archive.html.
To sign up for the Friday Notes e-mail list, go to
www.sandi.net/fridaynotes/signup/default.aspx.

-- To separate public events from school functions we'd like you to
cover, items open to the public are now labeled as such. "Not open to
the public" means that you're welcome to cover it, but it's not
something to list in an events calendar.

# # #

Jack Brandais
Media Relations
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (desk)
(619) 607-0477 (cell)

You are a subscriber to the news release mailing list for the San Diego Unified School District. To unsubscribe, send a message to "media@lists-sandi-net" with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.

Clip Report for March 20

Voice of San Diego

March 20, 2009

Schooled

A Proposal to Screen School Volunteers

KUSI-TV

March 17, 2009

More Evidence Against Watering Artificial Turf

KUSI's Michael Turko is inves-tigating an attempt to waste water at public expense. Turko says the San Diego School District is mak-ing plans to water ten artificial turf fields at local high schools.

Americantowns.com website

March 20, 2009

San Diego Mesa College To Host Third African American/Latino Male Leadership Summit

190 high school students/24 role models/professionals join together to discuss What does it mean to be an African American or Latino male leader?

Comment

Voice of San Diego

March 19, 2009

Why San Diego Needs Transportation for Dedicated Magnet Schools

By Bey-Ling Sha

The SD Unified School District Board of Education last week voted to eliminate transportation for all magnet programs in the district, yet another short--sighted effort by the board to deal with the budget crisis handed down by the state.

NEWS RELEASE -- Board President Gives 'State of the District'

NEWS RELEASE from the San Diego Unified School District, March 19, 2009

Board President Gives 'State of the District'

Shelia Jackson Delivers Address Thursday, March 26

SAN DIEGO - The challenges that faced the San Diego Unified School
District in the past year and issues facing its future will be topic of
the upcoming State of the District Address being delivered by Shelia
Jackson, Board of Education President.

The public is invited to the address, which will be held at 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 26, at Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Avenue
(92113). Jackson's speech is an official Board of Education meeting,
which will be held in the school's 750-seat auditorium, part of the
school's Center for the Arts.

Jackson is expected to discuss the academic, legislative and financial
challenges facing the district over the next year, as well as reviewing
the previous 12 months. The Board of Education recently reduced the
current school year budget by $43 million, with another $100 million in
cuts targeted for 2009-10.

Over the last year, San Diego Unified celebrated being one of the
largest districts in the U.S. to have passed all federal academic
testing guidelines under the No Child Left Behind act. In addition, San
Diego Unified's citizens approved Proposition S, a billion-dollar bond
that will help to revitalize and renovate schools for the next decade.

# # #

Jack Brandais
Media Relations
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (desk)
(619) 607-0477 (cell)

You are a subscriber to the news release mailing list for the San Diego Unified School District. To unsubscribe, send a message to "media@lists-sandi-net" with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.

In The News: Giving aid and comfort | Tiny camera is another way Rady Children's Hospital tries to put patients at ease

SAN DIEGO — A visit to the hospital can be stressful for any-one, but the strange surroundings and displeasures that often ac-company medical care can be downright scary for children. Read More>

In The News: Goal of curfew sweeps: Keeping teenagers safe

Goal of curfew sweeps: Keeping teenagers safe  | Some youths eligible for diversion program

SAN DIEGO — As Sgt. Jeffrey Pace pulls up to a slim woman walking past a party spot on 47th Street, he realizes something isn't right. It's close to midnight. She's too young to be out. Read More>

In The News: 9 LJHS juniors win award

Nine La Jolla High School juniors have won the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Read More>

In the News: Support seen for athletics, arts in online school survey | District sought opinions on where to reduce spending

SAN DIEGO — And the survey says?

An online poll designed to gauge public opinion on where to make cuts to the San Diego Unified School District budget showed overwhelming support for saving music, art and athletic programs. Read More from the San Diego Union-Tribune>

Robots From Six Schools Take On Best of West

The San Diego Sports Arena was filled with pride as six San Diego Unified School District high schools displayed their mechanical genius at the FIRST Robotics Competition 2009, spending three days, drilling, hammering, and welding their robotic creations so that they were in top shape for each qualifying round, then competing against students from around the southwest.

Students from the following schools participated: Sci Tech High at San Diego High; the School of Science, Connections and Technology at Kearny High School; High Tech High; The Preuss School UCSD; La Jolla High; and Madison High. The competition was held March 5-7, 2009.

Each high school built their robot according to dimensions and regulations set by the FIRST Robotics organization. Once given these guidelines, each team had six weeks to complete the task however they wished.

Students from La Jolla High School prepare their robot.

This year, each team needed to build a robot equipped with a trailer. The game required each robot to try and fill its opponent’s trailer with as many rubber balls, or “Super Cells”, as possible. To add to the excitement, team members could be standing on the sideline throwing “Super Cells” into the trailers for a short amount of time.

Students from the Madison High School team.

Though it is considered a “competition,” the Sports Arena was bursting with an overwhelming sense of sportsmanship and teamwork, especially from all San Diego Unified schools.

“The best part of this event is that it teaches the students it is good to be competitive the right way,” said Jon Karanopoulos, the coach for Sci Tech High at the San Diego High Educational Complex.

Students from the six schools agreed that competitiveness is eliminated due to the fact that during one match you may have an alliance with a school you competed against just one match before. Each team is placed on team A or B for every round, and with that change, each team is constantly competing against or working side by side with different teams.

In keeping with the overall theme of teamwork, many of the district’s schools helped their opposing teams in creating their robot. This was La Jolla High’s first year in the competition yet they were not lacking in guidance. Kearny not only mentored La Jolla, they also shared their workshop when La Jolla found they were lacking needed tools.

The students spent their spare time walking around the busy Arena floor, seeing how other competitors done in rounds past and sharing materials when needed. Each team knew that at any point during the competition, they could turn to one of their fellow San Diego Unified schools for a helping hand -- or even a motor -- if need be.

The competition is held annually in San Diego, an exciting trip for students who came this year from as far away as Texas. Still, some San Diego Unified teams will get their own trips, with competitions scheduled in locations such as Las Vegas and Hawaii. These teams form a small community as they see each other at many of these competitions and witness how each team as improved from the last.

With many more years to develop their programs, the high schools from the San Diego Unified School District will only grow stronger and continue to take the robotics world by storm.

Special Mtg Notices/Agenda

PLEASE NOTE:  Attached Notices and Agenda:

 

·          Notice and Call of Special Closed Session Meeting—Thursday, March 19, 2009

·          Notice and Call of Special Meeting—Thursday, March 26, 2009

 

Also included is the attached committee meeting notice:

 

·          Notice and Call of Audit and Finance Committee Meeting/Agenda—Wednesday, March 25

 

Thanks.

 

 

Josefina Viorato

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

San Diego Unified School District

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

 

NEWS RELEASE -- Campus Calendar from the San Diego Unified School District

Campus Calendar -- Upcoming Events in the San Diego Unified School District, March 13, 2009

Your coverage is invited of any of the following upcoming events on the campuses of the San Diego Unified School District.

(*) New or revised this week.

March

All month -- Student Artwork Fair, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street. The best student artwork from among the more than 130,000 students in the district decorates the walls of the system's main office. Open to the public.

13-14, 19-21, "Ain't Misbehavin'," Ole Kittleson Little Theatre, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). The 1978 Tony Award for best musical features the music of the great American jazz giant, Fats Waller. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for students, seniors and military. Performances at 7 p.m. March 21 at 2 p.m. Box office: (619) 475-8556 or at www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

16 -- Exercise Class for Parents, 6 p.m., Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Avenue (92113). This weekly dance and fitness class uses Lincoln's state of the art dance studio. Contact: Connie Velazquez-Moore, Parent Coordinator, (619) 266-6561. Open to the public.

* 18 -- Cesar Chavez Day March, 10 a.m., 1404 So. 40th St. (92113). More than 1,000 students, parents and community members from throughout the community are expected to participate in this annual event, honoring the memory of Cesar Chavez. Ceremony starts the event at 9 a.m. at the school. Contact: Julia Carrillo, principal, (619) 527-4098. Open to the public.

18 -- GATE Distinguished Lecture Series with Dr. Donna Ford, 7 p.m., Auditorium, Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street (92103). Dr. Ford, author of "Becoming Part of the Solution," is the guest speaker at this lecture series, sponsored by the Gifted and Talented Education Department. The series gives the community a chance to hear and meet experts in the field of gifted education. Contact: GATE Department, (858) 573-5998. Open to the public.

18 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs, 6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I compensatory education program participants. Information: Program Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

19 -- "What To Do When Your Child Is Sick" Parent Class, 6 p.m., Montgomery Middle School, 2470 Ulric St. (92111). Come learn about when to call the doctor, how to check the child's temperature, what to do about bleeding and vomiting, and safety in the home. Presented by School Nurse Vanessa Forsythe, RN MSN, and parent Maleni Cress. Translators available in Spanish, English and Vietnamese; childcare available. To register, call (858) 496-3880. Open to the public.

* 20 -- "Economic Effects of High School Dropouts" with Dr. Russell Rumberger, 1 p.m., auditorium, Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street (92103). Superintendent Terry Grier welcomes special guest Mayor Jerry Sanders to this event where Russell Rumberger of UC Santa Barbara, director of the California Dropout Research Project, will release his findings on the economic impact of dropouts in San Diego. These findings are part of Dr. Rumberger's landmark statewide study, done in conjunction with the California Mayors' Roundtable. Contact: Joan McRobbie, (619) 725-7212. Not open to the public.

23 -- Exercise Class for Parents, 6 p.m., Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Avenue (92113). This weekly dance and fitness class uses Lincoln's state of the art dance studio. Contact: Connie Velazquez-Moore, Parent Coordinator, (619) 266-6561. Open to the public.

23 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Mount Everest Academy, 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858) 496-8764. Open to the public.

23 - San Diego Unified Council of PTAs General Meeting and Election, 6:30 p.m. Harold J. Ballard Parent Center Auditorium at 2375 Congress Ave. (92110). All PTA members in San Diego Unified are invited. Panel discussion on math and science instruction in the District with Kim Hall, Director of Middle School Instructional Support, and John Spiegel, Director of High School Instructional Support. Refreshments served. Information: (619) 297-7821.

23-April 3 -- Discovery Week, San Diego Science Festival, various locations. Sponsored by the UCSD BioBridge program and others, events will be at schools and locations all around the county. Information: website, www.sdsciencefestival.com.

24 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street. Public Hearing on Special Education Local Plan Area to be heard no earlier than 5:30 p.m. Agenda and future schedules available at www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

24 -- Distribution of Computers to Selected Families, 5 p.m., School of Science, Connections, & Technology at the Kearny Educational Complex, 7651 Wellington St. (92111). In cooperation with the San Diego Futures Foundation and San Diego Broadband Initiative, Kearny families will be receiving computers. Contact: Lisa McDonnell, Kearny High, (858) 496-8370. Not open to the public.

25 -- Open House, Curriculum Fair, Fifth Grade Pre-Orientation, 6 p.m., Lewis Middle School, 5170 Greenbrier Ave. (92120). Check out the fine Allied Gardens campus, parents of 5th graders can learn about their child's year, and all parents can tour the campus. Contact: Brad Callahan, principal, (619) 583-3233. Open to the public.

26-28: "Play on!,", San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). Anything that can go wrong does in this hilarious story of a community theatre group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of the playwright's constant revisions. Tickets are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students, seniors and military. Performances: March 26-27 at 7 p.m. March 28 at 2 p.m. Box Office: (619) 475-8556 or www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

26 -- District English Learner Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Committee includes representatives from each school's English Learner Advisory Committee, a school-based committee required if there are more than 21 English Learners at that school. Information: Office of Language Acquisition, (619) 725-7264. Open to the public.

27-29 -- "By Jupiter," 7 p.m. March 27-28 and 2 p.m. March 29, La Jolla High School, 750 Nautilus St. (92037). The school's Madrigal Choir is staging the Rogers and Hart musical, the first time it has been performed in San Diego. Directed by William Kerr and choreographed by Alexis Dillard. Tickets: $10 adults; $5 students. Contact: (858) 454-3081 or www.ljhsmadrigals.weebly.com/. Open to the public.

27 -- Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Mario Molina, 12:30 p.m., Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Avenue (92113). Dr. Molina, co-winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry, will speak with students. Part of the San Diego Science Festival and Ed Talk, the Superintendent's Speakers Series. Contact: Joan McRobbie, (619) 725-7212. Not open to the public.

* 28 -- "Spring into Health," 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Avenue (92113). Open house and information fair at the school's health center for students and Lincoln families. Topics include parenting, asthma, healthy lifestyles and violence prevention. Contact: Kathy Ryan, school nurse, (619) 266-6502. Open to the public.

28 -- Longfellow Elementary Benefit, 6 p.m., Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. (92110). Spring fundraiser for the neighborhood school, $10. Contact: (619) 276-4206. Open to the public.

28 -- Solo and Ensemble Festival, all day, Oak Park Elementary School, 2606 54th St. (92105). Elementary, middle and high school students will be performing at this free festival. Contact: Karen Childress-Evans, Director, Visual and Performing Arts Program, (858) 539-5349. Open to the public.

30 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Fremont Center, 2375 Congress St. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858) 496-8764. Open to the public.

April

1 -- "Rhythms of the World, A Passport to Dance," 7 p.m., Valencia Park Elementary School, 5880 Skyline Dr. (92114). The annual dance show from the Dance and Drama Magnet School. Tickets: $3 adults, $1 children. Information: http://new.sandi.net/schools/valenciapark/Pages/default.aspx. Open to the public.

2-4: "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940," San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). See what happens when you cross an Agatha Christie murder-mystery, a Neil Simon comedy and a Broadway musical flop! Tickets are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students, seniors and military. Performances April 2-3 at 7 p.m. April 4 at 2 p.m. Box Office: (619) 475-8556 or www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

2 -- Parent Visit Day, Point Loma High School, 2335 Chatsworth Blvd. (92106). Parents of new and potential Pt. Loma High students can visit classrooms of their choice. Check in at the office. Contact: (619) 223-3121. Open to the public.

6-10 -- Spring Vacation. Schools closed; administrative offices open.

* 3-6 -- Architectural Ceramic Artist Peter King, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). 25 participants, led by King, will build large gateway installation on SCPA campus. $150 per person fee. Register with Ms. Dee McMillen at 619/223-4120 or email dmcmillen1@cox.net. Open to the public.

13 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Mount Everest Academy, 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858) 496-8764. Open to the public.

14 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street. Agenda and future schedules available at www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

* 14 -- San Diego National College Fair, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Dr. (92101). Representatives from universities and colleges from around the nation will meet with prospective students. Contact: 703/836-2222 ext 127. Open to the public.

15 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs, 6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I compensatory education program participants. Information: Program Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

* 16 -- San Diego Unified Surplus Property Auction, 9 a.m. preview, auction 10:30 a.m., San Diego Unified School District Supply Center Yard, 2351 Cardinal Lane (92123). Miscellaneous obsolete, no parts available, and beyond economical repair furniture and equipment will be for sale. $200 cash deposit required to bid. Contact: Rose Gustafson, Manager of Materiel Control, (858) 522-5850 or rgustafson@sandi.net; auction conducted by Anstead's Auctioneers and Associates, (619) 233-3148. Open to the public.

21-24 -- "Closing the Achievement Gap": Third Annual Title I Parent (ESEA) Training Conference, Parent/Community Coordinator Training, Bahia Hotel, 998 West Mission Bay Drive (92109). Sponsored by the California Advisory on Education Events and the San Diego County Title I Parents Association, conference topics include parent training and involvement. Contact: Diane Haney, (619) 822-4382 or www.caceeconference.com. Open to the public.

13 -- Open House, iHigh Virtual Academy, 1-3 p.m., Fremont Center, 2375 Congress St. Contact: Eileen Warrington Franco, (858) 496-8764. Open to the public.

28 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street. Agenda and future schedules available at www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

May

1 -- Education Center Annual Spring Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal St., Annex 9, Testing Room (92103). Talented district artisans will have their art and handicrafts for sale. Contact: Elaine Lindberg, (619) 725-7104. Shopping is open to the public.

5 -- Teacher of the Year Celebration, time and location to be announced. Honoring San Diego Unified's outstanding individual teachers for the 2008-09 school year. Open to the public.

6-8 -- Drama Showcase, 7 p.m., Ole Kittleson Little Theatre, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). Drama students showcase their individual strong points as performers in an eclectic array of musical numbers, monologues, and dramatic scenes in a show for the whole family. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for students, seniors and military. Box office: (619) 475- 8556 or go to www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

7 -- District English Learner Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Committee includes representatives from each school's English Learner Advisory Committee, a school-based committee required if there are more than 21 English Learners at that school. Information: Office of Language Acquisition, (619) 725-7264. Open to the public.

8 -- End-of-Year Community Recognition Event, 5-6 p.m., SeaWorld. Annual event recognizing district partners in education and volunteers. Contact: Janet Delaney, community relations director, (619) 725-5593. Not open to the public.

12 -- Board of Education meeting, 5 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street. Agenda and future schedules available at www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm. Open to the public.

13 -- Junior Recorder Festival, 9:30 a.m. instruction; 11:15 a.m. concert, De Portola Middle School, 11010 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (92124). The day begins with period recorder and dance instruction, followed by a concert with students from throughout the district. Contact: Karen Childress-Evans, Director, Visual and Performing Arts Program, (858) 539-5349. Open to the public.

13 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs, 6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I compensatory education program participants. Information: Program Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

*15 -- Whitman School 50th Anniversary Celebration, 5 p.m., Whitman Elementary School, 4050 Appleton St. (92117). PTA-sponsored event to mark a half-century of education excellence. They're looking for old photos and other material. Contact: whitmanpta2008@yahoo.com. Open to the public.

16 -- Bay Park Western Carnival Extravaganza, 3-7 p.m., Bay Park Elementary School, 2433 Denver St. (92110). 2433 Denver St. (92110). PTA-sponsored school fundraiser offers fun for all. Contact: Bay Park PTA via the school, (619) 276-1471. Open to the public.

19 -- Classified Employee of the Year Celebration, time and location to be announced. Honoring San Diego Unified's outstanding individual non-teaching workers for the 2008-09 school year. Open to the public.

19-21 -- Spring Music Concert, 7 p.m., San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). Featured are all levels of choral and instrumental talent, from "up-and-comers" to award-winning ensembles. Tickets are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students, senior and military. Box office: (619) 475- 8556 or go to www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

21 -- 50th Anniversary Celebration, Cubberley Elementary School, 4:30 p.m., Cubberley Elementary School, 3201 Marathon Dr. (92123). Alumni, friends and current families will celebrate a half-century at the Serra Mesa school. Contact: Maria Edwards, jedward1@san.rr.com, or (619) 517-9358. Open to the public.

25 -- Memorial Day, all schools and offices closed.

27 -- GATE Distinguished Lecture Series with Eric Jensen, 7 p.m., Auditorium, Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal Street (92103). Jensen, author of "Parenting the Gifted Brain," is the guest speaker at this lecture series, sponsored by the Gifted and Talented Education Department. The series gives the community a chance to hear and meet experts in the field of gifted education. Contact: GATE Department, (858) 573-5998. Open to the public.

June

4-6 -- Spring Dance Concert, 7 p.m., San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). Showcasing SCPA's Dance Ensembles as well as intermediate and new dancers, and pre-majors in a variety of different styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and musical theatre. Tickets are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students, senior and military. Box office: (619) 475- 8556 or go to www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

4 -- District English Learner Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Committee includes representatives from each school's English Learner Advisory Committee, a school-based committee required if there are more than 21 English Learners at that school. Information: Office of Language Acquisition, (619) 725-7264. Open to the public.

10 -- District Advisory Council for Compensatory Education Programs, 6:30 p.m., Harold J. Ballard Parent Center at Fremont Elementary School, 2375 Congress Ave. (92110). Parents, staff and community leaders consult with the Board of Education and district staff on behalf of Title I compensatory education program participants. Information: Program Monitoring Department, (858) 496-4048. Open to the public.

15 -- Traditional Calendar Last Day of School.

July

3 -- Independence Day Observed, all schools and administrative offices closed.

21 -- Year-Round Calendar Last Day of School.

October

30-31 -- Crawford High Class of 1959 50th Reunion, Town and Country Hotel, Mission Valley. Contacts: Sandra Craig Allen, (951) 301-7098; Alice James McCapes, (951) 306-7706.

Ongoing

Thursday: de Portola Middle School Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m., 11010 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (92124). Information: (858) 272-7054. Open to the public.

Saturday: Scripps Ranch Farmers Market and Art Festival, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School, 11778 Cypress Canyon Rd. (92131). (92131). Contact: Bev Cassity, (858) 586-7933, srfarmersmarket@aol.com, or visit www.srfm.org. Open to the public.

Sunday: La Jolla Elementary Open Air Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., La Jolla Elementary School, 1111 Marine St., La Jolla (92037). Proceeds benefit La Jolla Elementary School. Market hotline, (858) 454-1699. Web site: www.lajollamarket.com. Open to the public.
Notes to editors and reporters

-- To receive news releases by e-mail from San Diego Unified, go to http://sandi.net/comm/media/signup/.■ FAXes: Do you still want faxes of this to your newsroom? Want faxes but aren't receiving them? Send an e-mail to jbrandais@sandi.net and let us know.

-- Friday Notes Online: Each Friday afternoon, Superintendent Terry Grier updates district staff and community on a variety of issues. The newsletter is posted online at www.sandi.net/fridaynotes/archive.html. To sign up for the Friday Notes e-mail list, go to www.sandi.net/fridaynotes/signup/default.aspx.

-- To separate public events from school functions we'd like you to cover, items open to the public are now labeled as such. "Not open to the public" means that you're welcome to cover it, but it's not something to list in an events calendar.

# # #

Jack Brandais
Media Relations
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (desk)
(619) 607-0477 (cell)
You are a subscriber to the news release mailing list for the San Diego Unified School District. To unsubscribe, send a message to "media@lists-sandi-net" with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.