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)
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