October 1, 2007

Attendance Intervention Center Opens October 8
The district’s Attendance Intervention Center (AIC) will open Monday, October 8. The center will temporarily be located on the Gompers East Campus, 1110 Carolina Lane, 92102, (619) 527-5138. The mission of the center is to ensure school success for at-risk youth by improving school attendance and student engagement. During the first week, the center will be accepting truant students only. Beginning October 15, the center will also accept suspended students who meet certain criteria. The AIC administrative office will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students will be served four days per week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Wednesdays, center staff will conduct follow-up meetings with school sites, make home visits, and/or hold parent conferences. For detailed information about the center see Administrative Circular 34 Adobe PDF.
New IRS Rules Affect 403(b) Retirement Accounts
Effective September 25, 2007, transfers from one 403(b) investment provider to another 403(b) provider are not allowed unless they are an approved provider in the SDUSD 403(b) plan and have an approved information sharing arrangement with the district’s third party administrator. The district is actively working with our plan providers and third party administrator to implement the required information sharing arrangements. This process is expected to take place over the next several months. For information, contact Fiscal Control at (619) 725-7670.
Board President’s Scholarship Award
Monthly classified employees who are interested in becoming teachers are encouraged to apply for the Board President's Scholarship Award Adobe PDF. Two recipients will be selected to receive a $1,000 check. The application Adobe PDF deadline is Friday, October 12. For information, contact the Board Office at (619) 725-5550.
PeopleSoft Financial 8.9 Upgrade Goes Live October 15
The new PeopleSoft Financial Application is scheduled to ‘go live’ on Monday, October 15. In preparation, there are some important deadlines, events and instructions for employees who use the Financial Application. Visit http://www.sandi.net/peoplesoft/finance89/091807.asp for complete information. Have questions? Contact Jessica Youngs at jyoungs@sandi.net or (619) 260-5426.
School Foundation Meeting Focuses on Legal Issues
The first in a series of meetings for school-based education foundations is scheduled for Thursday, October 25, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., in the Education Center auditorium. Jonathan Grissom, staff attorney with Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, will present legal issues dealing with education foundations. No RSVP required. For information, contact the Community Relations Department at (619) 725-5592. Note: Please bring your School Foundation Toolkit binder with you.
IMC Has New Online Databases
The Instructional Media Center (IMC) has new online databases Adobe PDF available for teachers, students, staff and parents that can be used for research, curriculum enrichment or information on current events. In addition to Unitedstreaming and Grolier, new databases for 2007-08 include CultureGrams, eLibrary, Teen Health and Wellness, Proquest SIRS Researcher, Proquest eLibrary Curriculum Edition and Thomson Gale Student Resource Center. Ed Tech is currently offering trainings on these databases. For information, contact Martha Karanopoulos at mkaranopoulos@sandi.net or (858) 496-8439.
Professional Development
• 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.
• Service Learning 101
A Service Learning 101 Adobe PDF conference is being held Tuesday, October 30, from 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., at the Marina Village Conference Center. Bonnie Benard, renowned expert in the field of service learning, is the keynote speaker. Registration fee is $49. A limited number of scholarships are available to district personnel on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration deadline is Friday, October 26. For scholarship information, contact Nancy Hemmings at nhemmings@sandi.net or (619) 725-5597. For conference information, contact Christina Lopez at (619) 718-6661.
• More Service Learning Trainings
Volunteer San Diego (VSD) is offering the introductory course, Service Learning 101, on Thursday, October 11, and February 12, 2008, from 4 to 7 p.m. Two new courses are also scheduled. On-Site Service Learning Projects and Reflection will be held Thursday, November 15, and Student Motivation and Character Education will be held Tuesday, April 15, 2008, both from 4 to 6:30 p.m. To register for individual courses or a series, visit www.volunteersandiego.org. For assistance, contact Jen Hamilton at jhamilton@volunteersandiego.org or call (858) 636-4137. Registration fee waivers are available to district staff on a first-come, first-served basis. The trainings are also being offered as Discover Courses to earn district credit. For information about district credit or a registration fee waiver, call Nancy Hemmings at (619) 725-5597.
• EdTech Fall Professional Development Series
The Educational Technology Department is offering beginning and advanced Moodle trainings Adobe PDF as well as workshops on the new 2007-08 Online Content Databases Adobe PDF. Space is limited. To register for the workshops, go to http://www.edtech.sandi.net. For information, contact Susan Levine at slevine@sandi.net or (858) 573-5793.
• Master’s Program at Fielding Graduate University
Learn how to earn your Master’s Degree and Preliminary Administrative Services Credential by meeting one weekend a month. Attend a “Coffee Talk” or Learning Community Open House. For information, visit the www.fielding.edu or call Kristin at (800) 340-1099 x4071.
Classes for Parents
The Ballard Parent Center is co-sponsoring a series of free classes for parents:
  • Journey to Academic Success (English  Adobe PDF | Spanish Adobe PDF) classes will be held at the Tubman Chavez Multicultural Center on Thursdays, October 11, 18, and 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A light dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Childcare and a homework station will also be provided.
  • First quarter parent classes (English Adobe PDF | Spanish Adobe PDF) begin October 16, on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Classes offer information, tools, and techniques to help children be successful at home and in school. Free childcare is available and transportation may be provided.
For information about any of the free classes, call (619) 293-4431.
Funding Opportunities
For a complete listing of current grant and funding opportunities, visit the district’s Office of Resource Development website at http://www.sandi.net/depts/grants/index.htm.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Needs Volunteers
The leader in one-to-one youth mentoring programs offers two volunteer opportunities for anyone over 18 years old:
  • “Bigs” in Schools Program – Volunteer one hour a week after school at Logan, Valencia Park, Rosa Parks or Franklin elementary schools. Activities include working on school projects or playing on the playground.
  • Community Mentoring Program – Get together two to four times a month with your “Little” and share activities based on mutual interests, such as playing or watching sports, going to the movies, or going to the beach.
Male and Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. To apply, visit www.sdbigs.org or contact Mariela Nuza at MarielaN@sdbigs.org or (858) 536-4900 x213.
Campus Calendar Items Wanted
Upcoming school and district events that you want shared with the news media can now be listed in the “Campus Calendar”, a media release that goes out every Friday. The calendar notifies TV, radio and newspapers about upcoming events and good news in the district. The media can't cover everything but the Campus Calendar allows them to find good stories to cover when they have the time. Submit listings, which should include the basic information (time, date, place), a sentence on what's happening, and a contact name at your site to Jack Brandais at jbrandais@sandi.net.
Upcoming Events
• October is Disability Awareness Month
National Disability Awareness Month is nationwide observance and recognition of individuals with disabilities. In support of this observance, the district’s Special Education Programs Division has developed a webpage at http://sandi.net/events/disability_awareness/, which includes activities for sensitivity training, bibliographies and lesson plans. These can be downloaded to use in classrooms and enhance disability awareness.
• School Grand Re-Openings and Dedications
  • Laura Rodriguez Elementary will hold a community celebration on Tuesday, October 11. Dedication ceremony begins at 2 p.m., followed by the open house. For information, call (619) 699-4500.
  • Burbank Elementary will host a re-dedication ceremony and open house Adobe PDF on Saturday, October 20, beginning at 10:30 a.m. For information, call (619) 652-4500.
  • Marshall Middle School will host a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 24, beginning at 11:30 a.m. For information, call (858) 549-5400.
• Retirement Reception
A reception Adobe PDF celebrating Margie Lincoln’s 30+ years with the district will be held Thursday, November 1, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., at the Admiral Baker Clubhouse. For information, contact Alena Lintz at alintz@sandi.net or (619) 264-0103.
• Free Symposium on Violence in Teen Dating
Students, parents and community leaders are invited to attend a free symposium, “Does Love Hurt?,” Adobe PDF featuring former city attorney Casey Gwinn on Saturday, October 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Malcolm X Library. For information and to RSVP, contact Janaia Bruce at (619) 977-6141.
• Community Forum: Working with Low Income Californians
The County of San Diego Tobacco Control Coalition is sponsoring a free workshop Adobe PDF to help demystify the unspoken values of the poverty culture on Wednesday, October 10, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Space is limited. Registration is required and is on a first-come, first-served basis. For information, contact Kathleen Sullivan at ksullivan@alac.org or (619) 683-8657.
• Upcoming Walk
Save a Life San Diego to benefit Mental Health America of San Diego County, Survivors of Suicide Loss, and the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program will be held on Sunday, October 28. For information, visit www.savealifewalk.kintera.org.
New on the Web
• 2008 High School Graduation Requirements
In the News
The San Diego Union Tribune ran a two-part series on the No Child Left Behind Act. Balboa Elementary and Principal Sylvia Gonzales were featured in the first part.

KUSI-TV aired a feature on the district’s Financial Literacy Program pilot. Kearny High School was the setting for the segment, which included a visit from State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell.

For more news, visit the News section on the homepage at www.sandi.net
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