July 2, 2007

Schools, Offices Close Wednesday
All schools and central offices will be closed this Wednesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Classes and regular office hours will resume Thursday, July 5. Have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July.
2007-08 District Calendar Now Available
The 2007-08 monthly “wall” calendar is now available in the Calendars section on the For District Staff page. This year, the calendar is available in both PDF Adobe PDF and Excel Microsoft Excel formats.
Changes in Special Request Requisitions in PeopleSoft
As of July 1, ePro Requesters have expanded item categories to choose from on Special Request requisitions. Use of these predefined item categories will help make sure that accurate information flows from the requisition through purchasing and eventually is stored in the Asset Management module. More information and job aids related to this new process are posted on the PeopleSoft website.
Professional Development
• Balboa Park Museums Offer Summer Workshops
Take advantage of the unique partnership between the district’s Discover Program and Balboa Park. The San Diego Museum of Art and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Centers will each offer a summer workshop Adobe PDF at a reduced rate for SDUSD employees: For information, to register, or a complete list of upcoming classes, visit the Discover Program website at http://216.122.44.192/SandiNetDiscover/ or contact ecaluza@sandi.net or (858) 496-1887.
• Fellowships for New Middle, Secondary School Science Teachers
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) New Science Teacher Academy is an initiative designed to encourage and support new middle and secondary school science educators in their first few years of teaching. The program aims to strengthen quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge. The Academy will support up to 200 science teachers across the nation this year. The application deadline is September 30.
• High School Earth Science Teachers: Earn While You Learn
In celebration of the International Polar Year (IPY), the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory are seeking high school earth science teachers to participate in a two-day professional development workshop entitled, Engaging in Earth’s Energy -- E3. The workshop will be held Wednesday, August 22, and Thursday, August 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and will explore the influence of the Polar Regions on Earth’s climate, environments, and ecosystems. Upon completion of both days of the workshop, participating teachers will receive a $350 stipend. For information and to RSVP, contact Debbie DeRoma at dderoma@rhfleet.org or (619) 238-1233, ext. 714.
New Reports Displaying CST Data Now Available in Cognos
Cognos Reporting Warehouse is a web-based tool that provides employees with the ability to report student level data to all departments and schools within the district. Two California Standards Tests (CST) reports are now available in the Cognos. CST Strand Results by Course/Section for Teacher, Student Strands (SP33SD) displays percentages of students by performance level for each test. CST Strand Results by Course/Section for Teacher, Student Demographics (SP34SD) displays individual results for each student in a specific section including: current grade level, student ID, name, performance level on CST test, scale score, test subject, and student demographic information. Both reports display last year's test results and filter on the current year and prior school year schedules. This allows teachers to understand the past performance of both prior and current students. For more information on using the Cognos Reporting Warehouse, visit www.sandi.net/cognos.
Student Opportunities
• Summer Work Permits
Working minors who have not graduated from high school need a work permit Adobe PDF for any job, even during summer months. San Diego Unified issues work permits for minors residing within the district boundaries or enrolled in district schools. For information, visit Career Development Services (CDS) website or call (858) 627-7355.
Upcoming Events
• Birney Swap Meet/Rummage Sale
Birney Elementary will host its first annual Swap Meet on Saturday, July 7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buyers and sellers are welcome. Spaces for sellers are $10 each and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For information or a reservation form, contact the school at (619) 497-3500 or e-mail ptabirney@yahoo.com.
• Retirement Celebration
A retirement dinner for Sequoia Elementary Teacher Sharon Thibeault (formerly Sharon Halfpenny) will be held Wednesday, July 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., on the school’s kindergarten playground. For information and to RSVP, call (858) 496-8240.
• Summer Commencement Ceremony
SDUSD students who completed high school graduation requirements too late to participate in June graduation can participate in a formal commencement ceremony on Friday, August 3, at 2:30 p.m., in Golden Hall.
Are there any other topics on which you'd like an update? Send a "Newsline Idea" email to communications@sandi.net.