April 30, 2007

In the News
Empowering Those at the Bottom Beats Punishing Them From the Top Adobe PDF, a commentary by Superintendent Cohn, was published in the April 24, 2007 edition of Education Week. In the editorial, Supt. Cohn shares his opinions on No Child Left Behind. The commentary is posted in the “News” section on www.sandi.net.
Immigration Reform and Student Responses

Tomorrow, May 1, marks the one year anniversary of the first “Day Without an Immigrant” boycott, an event that triggered national debates. These debates continue, and in response, some organizations are asking students and their families to stay home or walk out of school on May 1. SDUSD encourages students to stay in school and engage in meaningful, respectful debate at school as a way to exercise their right to free speech. Go to the website for resources related to this issue.

Info Meetings for Employees Afffected by the Reduction in Force
Classified employees affected by the upcoming June 30 reduction in force can attend an information meeting Adobe PDF on Monday, April 30, from 2 to 4 p.m., or Wednesday, May 2, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., in the Education Center Auditorium. Release time will be provided for any affected employee who wants to attend the meeting. Employees received a hand-delivered notice on April 27, or by certified mail April 27 or 28. For information, call Human Resources (619) 725-8101.
Last Call for Classified Site Representatives
There is still time to submit your site’s Classified Employee Representative. Nomination forms Adobe PDF are due to Gloria Rangel, Room 1241, Education Center, no later than Friday, May 4. The Board of Education will honor the district’s classified employees at the board meeting on Tuesday, May 22, at 4 p.m. For information, contact Gloria Rangel at grangel@sandi.net.
Textbook Ordering Workshop
The 2007-08 Textbook Ordering Workshops for staff responsible for ordering instructional materials are being held at the Kearny High Complex Library:
  • Secondary schools on Friday, May 18, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Elementary schools on Monday, May 21, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Important information relating to newly adopted instructional materials and ordering will be presented. For information, contact Denise Hankins at dhankins@sandi.net or (858) 627-7564.
Give Your Feedback
• Curriculum and Instruction
The Curriculum and Instruction Division wants to learn which services are working, what is most needed and how best to provide it. Please take a moment to complete the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=258643541105 and submit your answers by Friday, May 18.
• Online Resources
All teachers and students had access to United Streaming, Grolier Online, SIRS and EBSCO Survey this year. The Educational Technology Department needs your help to determine which of these online resources will be continued next fall. A two-minute survey has been created to help gauge the popularity and instructional use of these sites. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/yptate. For more information, contact Dennis Cowick at dcowick@sandi.net.
April Super Service Recognition Awards Enroute to Sites
The Super Service Recognition Awards for April are on the way to sites. These awards recognize district employees for going “above and beyond” in the area of excellent customer service. Sites should acknowledge their outstanding employees in a special way, such as at a staff meeting or assembly. To see a complete list of employees who have been recognized, go to the Family Friendly Schools website at http://www.sandi.net/depts/pcse/family_friendly.html. For information, contact Edward Caballero at ecaballero@sandi.net or (619) 725-8193.
Project Live: San Diego Now Accepting Applications
Do you like the idea of teaching students content through video production? Do you like to try new things to help students achieve? Are you at a Program Improvement school? If yes, check out Project Live: San Diego. For information, contact Mary Lange at mlange@sandi.net or (858) 573-5795.
Miss California Available to Visit Secondary Schools
Diabetes awareness is Miss California’s platform. SDUSD secondary schools have the unique opportunity to have Miss California Jacquelynne Fontaine visit May 29-31 and discuss the importance of proper nutrition and fitness. The assemblies are sponsored by the California School Nutrition Association and have been well received in other districts. For information or to schedule an assembly, contact Joanne Tucker at jtucker@sandi.net or (858) 627-7316.
Funding Alerts
• Consumer Aerosol Products Council (CAPCO) Science Class Challenge
The CAPCO Science Class Challenge is a classroom contest for grades 4-9 that encourages students and teachers to learn about the Earth's protective upper ozone layer, CFCs, and the environment. The challenge provides the opportunity to win $250 to $5,000 for your school and a pizza party for your class. The application deadline is Monday, May 14.
• Unity In Action Awards
The San Diego Regional Hate Crimes Coalition is now accepting applications Adobe PDF for the Unity in Action Award. The winning school will receive a monetary award. The application deadline is Tuesday, May 15. For information, contact Barbara Rivas at (858) 292-5389.
Site Power Teachers Needed
Do you know a ‘techie’ teacher who would be interested in participating as a Zangle Power Teacher Adobe PDF? The Information Technology Department is looking for site Power Teachers to help with using ZangleConnection. The deadline to submit a name is Friday, May 11. For information, contact Angela Bolick at abolick@sandi.net.
Student Opportunities
• Summer Youth Conservation Corps Program
Cabrillo National Monument is recruiting for its Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Summer employment program Adobe PDF. The program is open to ages 15-18, and will begin on Wednesday, June 20, and end on Wednesday, August 15. Salary is $7.50 per hour. The application deadline is Friday, June 1. For information, contact Marty Lane at (619) 523-4568.
Upcoming Events
• Cinco De Mayo / Day of the Child Celebration
Spreckels Bilingual Magnet School is celebrating its annual Cinco De Mayo / Day of the Child carnival on Wednesday, May 2, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Food, entertainment and games will be available. For information, call the school at (858) 453-5377.
• Educator Appreciation Week
Barnes and Noble will be offering discounts ranging from 10 – 25 % to educators during the week of April 28 - May 6.
• Retirement Celebrations:
Bob Raines, director of assessment services, is retiring after 37 years with the district. Save the date for his retirement celebration on Friday, June 15, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Mission Valley Resort. For information, contact Agnes Zufelt at azufelt@sandi.net.
• Free Tickets to Symphony Dress Rehearsal
The La Jolla Symphony and Chorus invites music students and their parents to a dress rehearsal Adobe PDF on Friday, May 4, at 7 p.m., at the Mandeville Center at UCSD. For information or tickets, call (858) 534-4637, by May 1.
• Education Center Craft Faire
Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Education Center Craft Faire will be held this Friday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Annex 9 Testing Room. Shoppers from throughout the district are welcome to stop by. For information, contact La Donna Chase at lchase@sandi.net or Elaine Lindberg at elindberg@sandi.net.
• Cookies with Carl
All employees are invited to the final Cookies with Carl for the 2006-07 school year being held Monday, May 21, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Pacific Beach Middle School. Take advantage of this opportunity to come by and speak with Superintendent Cohn and hear what other employees have to say.
• American Indian Culture Days
The American Indian Culture Center and Museum and SDUSD’s Indian Education Program invite the public to attend the 19th Annual San Diego American Indian Culture Days (AICD), on Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Balboa Park at Park Blvd. and Presidents Way. Call (858) 627-7362 for more information.
New on the Web
The 2007-08 Employee Calendars are on the For District Staff page.

The new attendance boundaries for 2007-08 are now available on the School Finder web site. To check addresses for students, click on “next year” at the bottom of the page. The 2007-08 boundary maps and street listings will be replacing the 2006-07 maps and listings in the next few weeks. Make sure to save or print copies of the 2006-07 boundaries if your site needs them.

Testing Tools, including Student Incentive Best Practices, and CAHSEE Letter to Parents in English and Spanish.
Are there any other topics on which you'd like an update? Send a "Newsline Idea" email to communications@sandi.net.