This year, all states except Arizona and Hawaii, will begin observing Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 11, three weeks earlier than previous
years. This time change will affect district computers and cell phones, and has already affected some Outlook Calendar users. The Information Technology (IT) Department
will apply the required updates to all desktops and laptops prior to the start of Daylight Saving Time. Employees with district-supplied cell phones (Motorola i930)
will be responsible for updating the phone. For information about Daylight Saving Time (DST) changes, check the For District Staff page under
Hot Topics or contact Scott
Kovacik at skovacik@sandi.net or (619) 725 7512.
Voluntary 12-Pay Option Open Enrollment for SDEA Members
SDEA bargaining unit members working at traditional sites can elect to receive paychecks over
a 12-month period instead of the 10-month pay cycle. This option is only available to SDEA members who will be in active employment status on July 1, 2007. Temporary
contracts scheduled to end prior to July 31, 2007, are excluded. If you elected the 12-pay option in spring 2006, you do not need to reapply and will receive 12 checks
in 2007-08. The deadline to enroll in or cancel this program is Monday, April 30. For information or to download forms, click
here.
Reception Celebrates Opening of Ed Center Student
Art Exhibition
The halls of the Education Center have been filled with color as the Student Art Exhibition
starts its month-long run. More than 1,100 pieces are now on display. Plan to attend the open house reception on Wednesday, March 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., or stop by the Ed
Center through April 10. For information, contact Marty Stegeman at mstegeman@sandi.net or (858) 539- 5353.
Lenovo Laptop Battery Recall
Lenovo has voluntarily recalled 9-cell lithium-ion batteries used with ThinkPad notebook computers shipped
between November 2005 and February 2007. ThinkPad R60, R60e, T60, T60p, Z60m, Z61e, Z61m, or Z61p Series
purchased during this time period are affected. Only 9-cell batteries with part number FRU P/N 92P1131 are
being recalled. Click here
for more information and to determine if your battery bar code number is involved in the recall. If so and
you transport your ThinkPad, turn off the PC, remove the battery and power your ThinkPad via an AC adapter.
For more information, contact Scott Kovacik at skovacik@sandi.net
or (619) 725 7512.
Free Classes on Children’s Behavior for Title 1 Parents
The Ballard Parent Center and San Diego Parent University are hosting a series of free evening
classes for parents of students in Title 1 schools. The series is titled "Redirecting Children's Behavior"
and is geared for all ages. Classes will be held Tuesdays, March 6, 13, and 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Ballard Parent Center. Space and childcare is limited.
For information, call Elneda Shannon or Marco Beltran at (619) 293-4431.
Earn Free Supplies with Office Depot’s 5% Back to School Credit Program
Every time you buy qualifying school supplies at an Office Depot retail store and provide your school’s 5% Back to School ID number, your school will
receive a credit of 5% of the qualifying purchases to use for free supplies. The Office Depot cashier can provide you with your schools 5% Back to School Program ID
number at the point of purchase. If you are placing an order online at www.officedepot.com or by phone at 1-800-GO-DEPOT, you
can also designate a school. For information, contact Steve Estes, Office Depot Account Manager, at steve.estes@officedepot.com
or (858) 552-7765. Please Note: This offer does not apply when placing an order at bsd.officedepot.com or by E-Pro via PeopleSoft.
Professional Development
•
SDSU Graduate Reading Program
Elementary and secondary teachers seeking to gain expertise in the study of reading and language arts, including content area reading, will find that San Diego State
University (SDSU) Graduate Reading program
offers excellent opportunities both in research and in practical application. The application deadline is June 1. For information, visit the
website.
•
New Offerings from UCSD Extension
The Education Department at UCSD Extension offers professional development across the curriculum at a discounted rate.
Custom designed trainings, courses, and certificate programs in GATE, Visual & Performing Arts Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics and Sciences are available at school
sites and online. For information, contact Ylianna Romo at yromo@ucsd.edu or (858) 539-9160.
Funding Alerts
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Cox Communications Innovation in Education
The Cox Kids Foundation awards grants of up to $5,000 to middle and junior high schools located in communities
served by Cox Communications. The purpose of the program is to encourage and promote children’s innovation and imagination. The application deadline is Friday, April 13.
For information, contact (619) 266-5286 or visit the Cox website.
•
2007 Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Awards
Turnaround Management Association (TMA) is now accepting entries for the
2007 Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Awards Program.
The award honors primary and secondary teachers who have changed the outcome of students' lives and the communities in which they live. Maximum award is $5,000. The
application deadline date is Tuesday, May 1.
Student Opportunities
•
Students Invited to Meet Kyoto Laureate Prize Winners
High schools are invited to send students to the Sixth Annual Kyoto Laureate Symposium,
being held March 14 –16, on the campuses of San Diego State University; University of California,
San Diego; and University of San Diego. Students can attend any of the public presentations
free of charge. Transportation will be provided to groups of 20+ students. The event, hosted by the Inamori Foundation of San Diego,
will include presentations by the 2006 Kyoto Prize Laureates. To reserve space for
students and to arrange for transportation, contact Stephanie Kellems at skellems@alarus.biz or (619) 235-4542.
•
2007 KLS Design Competition
In conjunction with the Kyoto Laureate Symposium (KLS) and in honor of Kyoto Prize Laureate Issey Miyake, the University of San Diego (USD)
is sponsoring a Design Competition
open to all high school design students. Students may enter a class, team or individual project. The deadline to submit a portfolio has
been extended to Tuesday, March 13. The award ceremony and display of designs will take place at noon, Friday, March 16, at USD. For
information, contact news@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-4681.
•
Food Services Essay, Poetry, Rap Contest
SDUSD students are invited to answer the question “Why does eating a healthy breakfast and lunch help you do well in school?” in the Food
Services annual essay, poetry and rap contest. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each grade category (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12). Teachers can win, too.
The names of teachers who enter their class’ work will be entered in a drawing to win a Silver Passport to SeaWorld. The school with the most student entries will
win an entire set of SeaWorld publications for their library. Deadline for entries is Saturday, March 31. For information, contact Joanne Tucker at
jtucker@sandi.net.
•
Journalism Programs for High School Students
The San Diego Society of Professional Journalists (SDSPJ) is sponsoring two programs for high school students:
An
essay contest with a $300 cash award for the first place winner and $100 cash awards for the two second place winners. Entries
must be postmarked by Sunday, April 1.
Asian Pacific Scholarships
Kaiser Permanente Asian Pacific American Network will award scholarships to six high school
seniors graduating in spring 2007 who are of Asian descent and planning to attend an accredited college, university, trade or technical
school. The application deadline is Sunday, April 15. For information, contact Pauline Tsai, MD, at
pauline.b.tsai@kp.org.
•
Essay Contest to Promote Study of the Holocaust
The Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation Holocaust Remembrance Project is a
national essay contest for high school students designed to encourage and promote the study of the holocaust. Maximum award is $10,000.
The entry deadline is Monday, April 30.
Upcoming
Events
•
Instrumental Honor Concert
The Elementary/Middle School Instrumental Honor Concert will be held Tuesday, March 6, at 7 p.m., in Brown Chapel at Point Loma Nazarene
University. Students from 42 district schools will perform. For information, contact the VAPA Department at (858) 539-5349.
•
Maintenance Operations Blood Drive
A blood drive will be held Monday,
March 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the parking lot of Maintenance Operations,
4860 Ruffner St. Contact Sandy Lamanna at slamanna@sandi.net to make an appointment. All donors
will receive a voucher for a free Genie Car Wash.
•
AASD Annual Spring Conference Thinking on Your Feet: Improving Student Achievement through Brain-based Research will be presented by Jean Blaydes
Madigan at the Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools (AASD) annual
spring conference.
The conference will be held Thursday, March 22, from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., at the Mission Valley Resort. Cost is $50 per person.
The registration deadline is Monday, March 12. For information, contact Linda at
linda@aasdcs.org or (619) 295-2118.
•
Point Loma High School Open House
The Point Loma High School Foundation and Alumni Association is presenting a
Visual and Performing Arts Open House
from 1 to 4 p.m., on Saturday, April 14. This event is a collaborative effort between PLHS staff, students, Foundation and
the PTSA.
•
Race for Literacy
The Annual Union-Tribune Race for Literacy Kids Magic Mile will take place on Saturday, May 5, in Balboa Park. Last year, more than 50
schools from SDUSD participated in the run as teams representing their schools. Each child, 12 and under, receives a race T-shirt, a
“gold medal” and a new book. Cash awards are presented to the largest teams. Superintendent Cohn will be an Official Starter for the
Magic Mile race this year. Middle and high schools can enter teams in the next day’s Race for Literacy 8K. For information or to get
a team package for either race, go to www.utraceforliteracy.com or call (760) 692-2900.
•
Las Vegas Trip
The Education Center Building Committee is sponsoring a three-day, two-night trip to Las Vegas from June 3-5. The trip is open to
all district employees, their families and friends. Price is $105 per person double or $143 per person single. Price includes
transportation in a luxury motor coach and two nights at the Four Queens Hotel. Only 50 seats are available. Must submit a
reservation form
no later than Friday, April 20. For information, contact LaDonna Chase at
lchase@sandi.net or (619) 725-5653.
Are
there any other topics on which you'd like an update? Send a "Newsline
Idea" email to communications@sandi.net.
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