MEDIA ADVISORY
August 22, 2019
Celebrate the First Day of School with San Diego Unified
WHAT: More than 100,000 students in the San Diego Unified School District will head back to school on Aug. 26. Join Superintendent Cindy Marten, school board members, school administrators, teachers, parents and students as we kick off the 2019-2020 school year. Please see the schedule below for details on speakers available on a variety of 2019-2020 back-to-school topics.
WHEN: Monday, August 26, 2019
WHERE: The School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) high school. Interviews and live shots of students arriving for the first day of school on the new Healthy Start Times schedule will be available.
5 a.m. – 10 a.m. – The SCPA high school, 2425 Dusk Dr., San Diego, CA 92139
COVERAGE MUST BE CONFIRMED PRIOR TO SCHOOL ARRIVAL
DETAILS: SCPA is among three district campuses to launch an early implementation of San Diego Unified's Healthy Start Times initiative this school year.
"Our students already rank among the highest in the nation when it comes to academic growth, so we are very excited to be launching the Healthy Start Times initiative this year at three schools, and at all high schools in the 2020-21 school year. As educators, we believe in science, and the science on sleep is clear," said Superintendent Cindy Marten. "Students do better when they get more sleep, and starting later will allow our students to arrive rested and ready to succeed."
The district's implementation of Healthy Start Times is part of its commitment to the overall health and wellness of students. Starting school later in the morning has been shown to be the single best way to address adolescent sleep deprivation and its associated health and public-safety risks. Earlier this year, the Board of Education approved a resolution to implement Healthy Start Times for all high school students in the 2020-21 academic year. Beginning that year, high school start times will vary anywhere from 8:35 a.m. to 9:05 a.m.
"Healthy Start Times will allow our students to take their academic achievement to the next level," Marten said. "So that means each year, more of our students will be graduating prepared for college and career, and that helps everyone. Better student outcomes make our city stronger, and it's one of the ways to live up to our goal of a Better San Diego."
Parents can find more information about the Healthy Start Times Initiative on the district's website: https://www.sandiegounified.org/healthy-start-times
MEDIA MORNING SCHEDULES: (times and speakers are approximate and subject to change)
SCPA HIGH SCHOOL
TIME FRAME: 5 a.m. – 10 a.m.
| 5:30 a.m. - 6:30 a.m. | LOCATION: SCPA front of school SPEAKERS: San Diego Unified School Board President, Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne (2019-2020 initiatives) San Diego Unified School District Physician, Dr. Howard Taras (Healthy Start Times) San Diego Unified Communications, Isabella McNeil |
| 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. | LOCATION: Student Quad SPEAKERS: SCPA High School Principal, Tim Farson (SCPA projects for 2019-2020 school year) San Diego Unified School District Superintendent, Cindy Marten (2019-2020 initiatives) San Diego Unified School Board President, Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne (2019-2020 initiatives) VISUALS: SCPA High School ASB Students prepping for arrivals SCPA Dance performance |
| 7:30 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. | LOCATION: Student Quad SPEAKERS: San Diego Unified School District Superintendent, Cindy Marten (2019-2020 initiatives) San Diego Unified Board Member, Dr. John Lee Evans (Healthy Start Times) SCPA ASB Student representative VISUALS: Student arrivals, SCPA Band (welcome performance for student arrivals) |
| 8:30 a.m. | 1st PERIOD BELL RINGS – SCHOOL DAY BEGINS |
| 8:35 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | LOCATION: Student Quad SPEAKERS: Chef Juan, San Diego Unified Food Services Gary Petil, District Food & Nutrition Services Director (New Plant-based Menu Options available at all schools during lunch) VISUALS: Lunch Menu samples, live cooking demo |
| 8:35 a.m. - 10 a.m. | LOCATION: Cinematic Arts Lab SPEAKERS: SCPA Media Arts Teacher (to talk about unique programs at SCPA) SCPA Media Arts Students VISUALS: Students in the classroom |
PARKING: Live Truck parking will be available in the main parking lot.
CAMPUS MAP: ATTACHED TO EMAIL
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Media Inquiries: Isabella McNeil, San Diego Unified School District, 619-341-2343 Imcneil@Sandi.net