News Release: San Diego Unified Announces Read Across America Activities & Celebrates Student Literacy Success in National Assessment

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     Media Contact: 

Marisa Berumen, mberumen@sandi.net, 619-847-6029

 

San Diego Unified Announces Read Across America Activities

& Celebrates Student Literacy Success in National Assessment

                                                         

SAN DIEGO (FEBRUARY 28, 2025) – San Diego Unified School District’s focus on literacy success is outperforming other big city Districts in reading, and today announced its plans to celebrate Read Across America Week at its schools March 2-6, 2025. 

 

“We strive to cultivate a love of reading in our students,” said Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., Superintendent (Interim), San Diego Unified School District. “By creating engaging learning environments, and providing access to diverse and high-quality books, we are able to foster a culture amongst our students where reading is celebrated! 

“The results we’re seeing in the classroom and through national assessments are proof that what we’re doing with literacy is making a difference, and activities like Read Across America Week reinforce the culture we’re creating at San Diego Unified.”    

San Diego Unified outperformed California and big cities in reading from 2019-2024 according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Fourth and eighth-grade reading scores remain some of the highest among large urban districts and continue to trend upward.

Across San Diego Unified schools from March 2-6, there will be dozens of exciting Read Across America activities, including guest readers from the community sharing their favorite books, themed reading and spirit days, and book swaps and read-a-thons (see a partial list of events below). Earlier this week, the Board of Education passed a resolution supporting Read Across America Week. 

 

Kiara Rivera, a fifth grader at Central Elementary School, believes reading is important to her growth. She said, “I am so excited that Central Elementary students get to participate in today’s Read-in event. I love reading because I get to discover new words and use them when I talk and write.”

 

During today’s press conference at Central Elementary School in City Heights, a Spring Read-In Event hosted in partnership with the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association and Lawyers Club of San Diego was the featured reading activity.  

“San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association is proud to participate in its 25^th biannual read-in. We are thankful to Central Elementary, Lawyers Club, and our volunteers who have dedicated thousands of hours for almost three decades to promote literacy, said Marco Garcia, President, San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association.

Lawyers Club of San Diego, President, Mikhak Ghorban said: "For more than 28 years, the Lawyers Club's Read-In program has grown from modest beginnings into a successful partnership with Central Elementary and San Diego La Raza Lawyers. This collaboration has not only opened doors for students to connect with lawyers and judges as role models, but it has also provided an invaluable opportunity for these legal professionals to experience the fulfillment and inspiration that comes from reading to young students. Together, we've helped expand the horizons of our future leaders, fostering a love of learning while breaking down barriers and broadening perspectives."

 

San Diego Unified’s Literacy Department supports schools in achieving their literacy goals by offering guidance, consultation, and side-by-side support for educators to ensure every school has the tools and strategies needed to empower students as critical thinkers, digitally informed citizens, and advocates for positive change in their communities.

 

Read Across America Activities at San Diego Unified Schools 

San Diego Unified’s Literacy Goal 

The performance of 3rd - 8th and 11th grade students on California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) ELA portion will increase 18 points from 6.9 points above standard in June 2024 to 24.9 points above standard by June 2030.

To learn more about San Diego Unified School District, visit www.SanDiegoUnified.org.

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Marisa Berumen

Information Services Specialist

mberumen@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619 847-6029

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: SD UNIFIED TO CELEBRATE LITERACY SUCCESSES AHEAD OF READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY 

 

SD UNIFIED TO CELEBRATE LITERACY SUCCESSES AHEAD OF READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK 

 

WHAT: Press Conference 

 

WHY: San Diego Unified School District is outperforming other school districts in reading, due in part to the District’s targeted goal of improving literacy rates amongst its students. The press conference will highlight the District’s literacy focus, and reinforce the Board of Education’s recent literacy resolution.

 

The District is hosting this press conference to Kick Off Read Across America Week in San Diego by highlighting the various events taking place throughout the District (March 2-6). On site at Central Elementary during the press conference will be a Spring Read-In Event hosted in partnership with the Lawyers Club of San Diego and  San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association. 

 

WHEN: Friday, February 28, 2025 @ 10:30-11:30 a.m. 

·        10:30-11:00 a.m. - B-roll of classroom Read-in and media interview      

              availability with the Spring Read-in event participants 

·        11:00-11:30 a.m. - Press Conference  

 

WHERE: Central Elementary School, 3778 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA 92105 (blacktop, in front of playground)

 

WHO:

Edna Mikulanis, Principal (Interim), Central Elementary School

Dr. Fabi Bagula, Superintendent (Interim), San Diego Unified School District 

Mikhak Ghorban, President, Lawyers Club of San Diego

Marco Garcia, President, San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association

Student Speaker, Central Elementary School

Richard Barrera, Trustee, San Diego Unified School District

Shana Hazan, Trustee, San Diego Unified School District  

 

VISUALS: Adults reading to students, table of books, speakers  

 

MEDIA PARKING: Wilson Middle School, parking lot (second floor), and nearby streets   

 

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Media Contact & RSVP: Marisa Berumen, mberumen@sandi.net or 619-847-6029 

 

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Marisa Berumen

Information Services Specialist

mberumen@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619 847-6029

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Post Notice and Agendas

PLEASE NOTE:

• Closed Session Meeting Agenda: Board of Education— Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 3:00 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education Center; Room 2249, 4100 Normal St., San Diego, CA 92103   

• Closed Session Agenda: https://www.sandiegounified.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=211650195
• Open and Closed Session Meeting Information: https://sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/meeting_information
• Closed Session Public Testimony: https://sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/public_testimony_request

• Regular Board Meeting Agenda: Board of Education – Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 5:00 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education Center; Auditorium, 4100 Normal St., San Diego, CA 92103  

• Diligent Community Agenda Link: https://sandiegounified.diligent.community/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=1798
• Open and Closed Session Meeting Information: https://sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/meeting_information
• Link to YouTube Livestream: https://sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education   
• Open Session Public Testimony: https://sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/public_testimony_request 

• Committee Meeting Agenda: Charter School Facility Committee (CSFC) — February 27, 2025; 11:30 a.m., Physical Plant and Operations Center, 4860 Ruffner St., Training rooms A and B, San Diego, CA, 92111

• Diligent Community Agenda Link:  https://sandiegounified.diligent.community/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=1848
• Committee Meeting Information:  https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/committees/CSFC/meeting_schedule

• Committee Meeting Agenda: Executive Board of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education — February 27, 2025; 6:30 p.m., Eugene Brucker Education Center 4100 Normal Street Emergency Operations Center Room, San Diego, California, 92103

• Diligent Community Agenda Link:  https://sandiegounified.diligent.community/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=1811
• Committee Meeting Information:  https://www.sandiegounified.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=27732478&pageId=28355520

• Notice of Public Hearing: Consideration of Three Contracts for Construction of Solar Power Generation Systems at Twelve Sites (Group D) with Staten Solar Corporation and Straight Line General Contractors, Inc.– Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

• Notice: https://www.sandiegounified.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=211606042

 

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

 

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Additionally, please refer to the below links for upcoming meetings, agendas, and minutes of the board advisory committees:

• Audit and Finance: https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/committees/audit_and_finance_committee 
• CTEAC: https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/committees/CTEAC/2024-25_meeting_schedule_and_information
• CAC: General Membership— https://www.sandiegounified.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=27732478&pageId=28355520 and Executive Board— https://www.sandiegounified.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=27732478&pageId=28355539
• DAC: General Membership— https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/committees/DAC/2024-25_general_meeting_schedule_and_information; and Executive Board— https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/committees/DAC/2024-25_executive_meeting_schedule_and_information
• DELAC: General Membership and Executive Board— https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/committees/DELAC/2024-25_meeting_schedule_and_information
• CSFC: https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/committees/CSFC/meeting_schedule
• ICOC: https://www.sandiegounified.org/departments/facilities_planning_and_construction/bond_programs/independent_citizens_oversight_committee/icoc_meeting

 Thank you.

 

Melissa Hudson Hamilton

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

Board of Education

mhamilton@sandi.net

"The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives." - Robert M. Hutchins

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

 

 

News Release: San Diego Unified Offering 'To Go Meals' for Students During Ramadan

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        Media Contact:

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

                                                                                      Leslie Luna, lluna1@sandi.net, 858-717-2499

                                                                                     

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED OFFERING ‘TO GO MEALS’ FOR STUDENTS DURING RAMADAN

The Program Is Designed to Promote Nutrition Security and Health Equity

 

SAN DIEGO (FEBRUARY 20, 2025) – The San Diego Unified School District will be offering ‘to go meals’ to students fasting during Ramadan. The district’s Food & Nutrition Services Department, known as Sandi Coast Cafe, has developed a specific menu for the campaign, promoting nutrition security and health equity for its students.

The program is made possible via a waiver by the California Department of Education, granting school districts the ability to serve noncongregate meals as part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. Participants in Ramadan generally fast between sunrise and sunset, leaving school meal serving times inaccessible for those students.

“This waiver from the state, combined with the hard work of our nutrition staff, and cooperation with school site leaders, will allow us to better serve all of our students and families,” says Alicia Pitrone Hauser, Director of Food & Nutrition Services for San Diego Unified. “For students fasting during Ramadan, this program allows us to send meals home with children to meet their nutrition needs once the daily fast has concluded.”

San Diego Unified is one of only five districts in the county offering a new meal option for students observing Ramadan.

"I have never heard of a food program like this. I’m happy that this will be offered to my children as they fast during Ramadan,” said Mohammad Jawad Shirzai, a parent at Mira Mesa High School. “The United States has a lot of positive things but one of the greatest things about this country is that they are accepting people from all backgrounds, ideologies, beliefs & religions."

The Ramadan To Go Meals campaign will begin on February 24 and run through March 28. Sandi Coast Cafe has developed a special menu of precooked and packaged meals that can be taken home and easily prepared. 

Families are asked to fill out a Ramadan meals request form, similar to those that are used for field trips and other offsite locations. Children or their parents and guardians will pick up meals at their school site at the end of each school day. Each day’s package will contain one breakfast and one lunch per student.

To learn more about the Ramadan To Go Meals from the Sandi Coast Cafe, click here.

 

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Thanks,

 

Mike

 

Mike Murad

Public Information Coordinator

San Diego Unified School District

mmurad@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619-925-4790

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

NEWS RELEASE: Paradise Hills Elementary School Students Join District Leaders and Mayor Gloria in a Groundbreaking Ceremony

 

 

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

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

 

Photos of the event can be found here.

Videos (broll & sound) of the event can be found here.

Drone video of the existing campus, a construction postcard, and renderings can be found here.

 

Paradise Hills Elementary School Students Join District Leaders and Mayor Gloria in a Groundbreaking Ceremony  

 

SAN DIEGO (February 20, 2025) – A new soccer field and major campus upgrades are underway for Paradise Hills Elementary School students. 

 

Joined by San Diego Unified Interim Deputy Superintendent Nicole DeWitt, City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Board of Education Trustee Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, parents, and community members, students celebrated the official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday for their Whole Site Modernization and Joint-Use Field project. 

 

The project will bring a new two-story classroom and student services facility, replace the decomposed granite field with a new grass playfield, renovate existing classrooms, enhance security, replace signage, and remove portable classrooms. New play and shade structures will be installed, along with a new solar energy system that will provide shade over outdoor play areas.

 

“We are passionate about student well-being and success and this is a reflection of that commitment,” said Interim Deputy Superintendent Dewitt. “Facilities upgrades like the ones that will happen here provide high-quality learning environments and supportive spaces that are crucial to our student achievement and success.” 

 

Located along Alleghany Street, the new classroom and student services facility will serve as the main campus entryway. It will include modern general-purpose classrooms, collaborative workspaces, a lobby, and student support offices. A student pick-up/drop-off area will be created in front of the new building, and perimeter fencing will be installed to direct visitors to the secure entry point through the renovated main office.

 

“We are so thankful for these new buildings and we are appreciative for these new opportunities,” said 5th Grade student Adrian Barsana. 

 

Barsana was part of a student breakdance team, which performed at the beginning of the ceremony. 

 

The new joint-use field will include a walking/running track, a drinking fountain, play courts, and play equipment. Fencing and gates will separate it from the main campus. As part of the Play All Day partnership with the City of San Diego, the field will be accessible to the community after school hours and during school breaks.

 

To ease traffic, the entrance to the existing parking lot will be moved to Westport Street and more visitor and staff parking spaces will be added. A new student drop-off and pick-up area will also be constructed.  

 

A Leader in Me school, Paradise Hills Elementary has served the community for 78 years. Its UTK-5th-grade students have immersive and inclusive programs, including English Learner, Second Step socio-emotional learning, music, and PrimeTime Extended Day opportunities. Paradise Hills also offers a safety patrol, a student council, and a running club.

 

Funding is made available through San Diego Unified School District's capital bond improvement program, approved by local voters to improve district schools. 

 

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

 

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Media Availability: San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts Earns Rare Opportunity on National Stage

 

 

 

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

 

San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts Earns Rare Opportunity on National Stage

WHAT: A dance rehearsal for media will be held by 21 San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDSCPA) dance students before departing for the National High School Dance Festival (NHSDF) in Pittsburgh, PA, starting next week. The NHSDF is the largest high school dance festival in the United States.

 

WHY: It’s been at least a decade since SDSCPA has had even a single work selected to be performed at the Gala Concert at the NHSDF. This year, they have two - despite competition from hundreds of other schools all across the country.  

 

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 21, 11:45 a.m.

 

WHERE: San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, 2425 Dusk Dr, San Diego, CA 92139. Meet at the school's office before heading to Dance Studio 5. 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO: The exposure dancers can get at the NHSDF can be life-changing, because recruiters from post-secondary institutions and dance conservatories will be in attendance, and many will be prepared to offer both admission and scholarships on the spot. View current list of recruiters and current list of available scholarships. Dancers will also have the opportunity to participate in auditions, concerts, and over 200 master classes and workshops. 

 

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: SDSCPA dance instructor Annette Barcelona (American Ballet Theater trained and certified), sophomore-senior SDSCPA boys and girls dancers.  

 

VISUALS: Rehearsal of programs being performed at NHSDF. 

 

MEDIA PARKING: San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, 2425 Dusk Dr, San Diego, CA 92139.

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

                            

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Thanks,

 

Mike

 

Mike Murad

Public Information Coordinator

San Diego Unified School District

mmurad@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619-925-4790

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: Paradise Hills Elementary School Students to Join District and City Leaders in Groundbreaking Ceremony for Future Joint-Use Soccer Field, Campuswide Improvements

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

 

Paradise Hills Elementary School Students to Join District and City Leaders in Groundbreaking Ceremony for Future Joint-Use Soccer Field, Campuswide Improvements

 

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 

 

WHAT:         

Paradise Hills Elementary School students will join San Diego Unified School District and City of San Diego leaders to celebrate the beginning of construction on the school’s Whole Site Modernization and Joint-Use Field project. 

 

WHEN:        

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 

8:30 - 9:15 a.m. 

 

WHERE:      

Paradise Hills Elementary School

5816 Alleghany St., 

San Diego, CA 92139

 

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

 

VISUALS:     

8:15 - 8:30 a.m. - Pre-event Student Running Club 

8:30 - 8:35 a.m. - Pledge of Allegiance, Student Break Dancers Perform 

8:35 - 8:45 a.m. - Speakers 

8:45 - 8:50 a.m. - Shovels to the Dirt, Photo Opps 

8:50 - 9:15 a.m. - Media 1-1s 

 

Drone video of the existing campus, a construction postcard, and renderings can be found here. 

 

SPEAKERS:  

Nicole DeWitt, Interim Deputy Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District 

Todd Gloria, Mayor, City of San Diego 

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

Steve Elizondo, Principal, Paradise Hills Elementary School 

Adrian Barsana, 5th Grade Student, Paradise Hills Elementary School 

 

BACKGROUND:

The Paradise Hills Elementary School Whole Site Modernization and Joint-Use Field project will bring a new two-story classroom and student services facility, replace the decomposed granite field with a new grass playfield, renovate existing classrooms, enhance security, replace signage, and remove portable classrooms. New play and shade structures will be installed, along with a new solar energy system that will provide shade over outdoor play areas.

 

Located along Alleghany Street, the new classroom and student services facility will serve as the main campus entryway. It will include modern general-purpose classrooms, collaborative workspaces, a lobby, and student support offices. A student pick-up/drop-off area will be created in front of the new building, and perimeter fencing will be installed to direct visitors to the secure entry point through the renovated main office.

 

The new joint-use field will include a walking/running track, a drinking fountain, play courts, and play equipment. Fencing and gates will separate it from the main campus. As part of the Play All Day partnership with the City of San Diego, the field will be accessible to the community after school hours and during school breaks.

 

To ease traffic, the entrance to the existing parking lot will be moved to Westport Street and more visitor and staff parking spaces will be added. A new student drop-off and pick-up area will also be constructed.  

 

Funding is made available through San Diego Unified School District's capital bond improvement program, approved by local voters to improve district schools.

 

A Leader in Me school, Paradise Hills Elementary has served the community for 78 years. Its UTK-5th-grade students have immersive and inclusive programs, including English Learner, Second Step socio-emotional learning, music, and PrimeTime Extended Day opportunities. Paradise Hills also offers a safety patrol, a student council, and a running club. 

 

PARKING:   

Media will be limited to street parking. Dignitaries and staff will park in the school parking lot. See the map with event logistics. 

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT: 

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