September 4, 2007

Hot Weather Plan
As schools re-open today, inquiries may be received regarding the operations of schools during hot weather. Procedure #4032, available online at http://www.sandi.net/policy/pdf/pp4032.pdf Adobe PDF, provides guidelines for developing a “hot weather” plan. Procedure #5003, http://www.sandi.net/procedures/pdf/pp5003.pdf Adobe PDF, outlines the circumstances under which schools may close early. Hot weather is not currently one of those circumstances. Information in English and Spanish has been posted on the front of the website in the “News” section and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Receive a Share of $15 Million Nell Soto Grant
Schools are invited to attend a work session Adobe PDF on how to apply for a Nell Soto/Parent Teacher Involvement Grant on Wednesday, September 12, from 2 to 3 p.m., or 3:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Ballard Parent Center. Currently, 19 district schools Adobe PDF have received awards ranging from $15,000 to $35,000. The grant application deadline is Monday, October 15. Work session seating is limited. RSVP to Bea Fernandez at bfernandez@sandi.net. For information, contact Frank Pruett at fpruett@sandi.net or (619) 725-7783.
Security Guard Services for District Special Events
Sites needing security guard services for football games, baseball games, etc. must first contact Campus Police Officer Jesus Montana. School Police has the first right of refusal. If School Police personnel are unavailable, Officer Montana will provide a referral to one of the district contracted security guard companies. For information or to contact Officer Montana, e-mail jmontana@sandi.net or call (619) 278-6789, or School Police at (619) 291-7678.”
Substitute, Visiting Teacher Resource Website Gets a Makeover
A new, one-stop Substitute and Visiting Teacher website is now available on www.sandi.net. To access the site, simply go to the Employment page and click on Substitutes in the top navigation bar. Features include On-line Training, Reference Guides and Quick Tips on using the Substitute Assignment Management System (SAMS)/SmartFind Express system. For information, contact the Sub Help Desk at subhelp@sandi.net or (619) 725-8090.
Clerk Typist I at School Sites
Employees in Clerk Typist I positions who have served two consecutive school years at a school site may be eligible for reclassification to School Clerical Assistant provided the requirements of the School Clerical Assistant Reclassification Request Form MS Word and District Procedure 7540 Adobe PDF, D.3 are met. For information, contact Classification and Recruitment at (619) 725-8195.
Refresher Course on Office Depot Online Ordering
All Office Depot “Approvers” or “Requesters” are invited to attend an upcoming refresher course about online ordering. Sessions will be held on Friday, September 14 and 21, from 2 to 3 p.m., in the Education Center auditorium. For information, contact John Groll at jgroll@sandi.net or (858) 522-5821.
Lend a Hand
Wilson Middle School will receive a $35,000 makeover as part of Volunteer San Diego’s annual Hands On San Diego event. Wilson was one of seven school projects nationwide chosen to be a part of Hands On Schools 2007, a new program that aims to reestablish schools as the focal points of communities. Wilson’s transformation will take place September 22 and 23. Hundreds of volunteers are needed, especially on Sunday, to complete tasks such as painting the buildings, planting new landscape and beautifying the fence and field areas. For information and to volunteer, visit www.volunteersandiego.org.
Professional Development
• VAPA Lesson Training
The Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department has released upcoming professional development opportunities for elementary (K-5) and grade 7 teachers:
Elementary (K-5) Adobe PDF professional development opportunities in the Arts Disciplines (dance, music, theatre or visual art) are scheduled to begin Thursday, September 27, with grade 1 teachers. Teachers can choose to attend a session from 7:45 to 10:45 a.m., or 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Subsequent trainings are scheduled for the other grade levels. Pre-registration is required.

Seventh grade classrooms are invited to participate in the San Diego Opera’s presentation of Rumpelstiltskin, The Opera Adobe PDF in October. Schools interested in taking advantage of this free program will participate in a four-step instructional plan. Reservations are limited. Register by Friday, September 28.
For information and to register for either program, contact Margaret Lathan at mlathan@sandi.net or (858) 539-5349.
• CSET Prep Courses for November Exam The district's Teacher Preparation and Student Support Division will offer California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) Prep Courses for the upcoming November 3 exam. Classes begin Thursday, October 11. Courses are available for Single Subject English Adobe PDF, Single Subject Science Adobe PDF, Single Subject Mathematics Adobe PDF, and Multiple Subjects Adobe PDF. Courses are free for district employees; $60 for others. The registration form Adobe PDF is due Thursday, October 4, by 4 p.m. For information and to register, contact Lucy Del Valle at ldelvalle@sandi.net or (619) 725-7142.
• Childhood Obesity Summit
“Working Together to Shape a Healthy Future” Adobe PDF is the topic of the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Summit being held Thursday, September 20. For information, visit www.ourcommunityourkids.org or contact Cheryl Moder at (619) 523-2001 or cheryl@modercommunications.com.
Funding Opportunities
• 2008 Best Buy Teach Awards
Applications are now available for the 2008 Best Buy Teach Awards, which reward innovative use of technology in K-12 classrooms. This year, more than 1,500 schools will receive Teach Awards of $2,000 to $10,000. Last year, San Diego Unified received the $250,000 National Best Buy Teach Award. The deadline to submit an application is September 30.
• Teaching Tolerance Grant Program
Teaching Tolerance offers grants of $500 to $2,500 to preK-12 classroom teachers for projects designed to reduce prejudice among youth, improve intergroup relations in schools and/or support educator professional development in these areas. The here is no deadline for applications Adobe PDF. For information, visit www.tolerance.org.
Upcoming Events
• Dead Sea Scrolls
Tickets for school groups are still available for the Dead Sea Scrolls Adobe PDF exhibit at the San Diego Natural History Museum until December 31, 2007. A Teacher’s Guide Adobe PDF and a special opportunity to meet the exhibition’s curator are available for grades 6 -12. Museum Access Funds for qualified Title I schools may also be available. For information and to make a reservation, call (619) 255-0210, e-mail groupregistration@sdnhm.org or visit www.sdnhm.org.
• Walk to Prevent Suicide
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is sponsoring the Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Saturday, September 15, beginning at 10 a.m., at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Funds raised will be used to prevent suicide, the fifth leading cause of death among all 5 – 14 year olds. For information, to register or to volunteer, contact Stephanie Cadirci at scadirci@hotmail.com or visit www.outofthedarkness.org.
• Outdoor Outreach's Joshua Tree Experience
Outdoor Outreach is sponsoring a fundraising weekend of camping, rock-climbing, hiking, yoga, and volunteering at Joshua Tree National Park on September 22 - 23. Registration closes September 15. Outdoor Outreach is a non-profit organization committed to providing an opportunity for at-risk and underprivileged youth to gain confidence and self-esteem through participation in outdoor activities. For information or to register, go to www.outdooroutreach.org.
• 5K Asthma Walk
Join the American Lung Association’s Asthma Walk on Sunday, September 30, to help the more than 85,000 students in San Diego County who have asthma. The Walk will be held at The Promenade at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. The Walk starts at 9 a.m. Register online or call 1-800-LUNG-USA.
In the News
The opening of our five new campuses has caught the attention of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The August 27 edition featured an article on the opening of the district’s five new campuses. Lincoln High School’s football program was featured in an August 29 article and the “Rebirth of Lincoln High” was front page news on September 2.

A perspective entitled “Rising to the Top,” by Superintendent Carl Cohn, was published in the September 2007 edition of San Diego Magazine.
Are there any other topics on which you'd like an update? Send a "Newsline Idea" email to communications@sandi.net.