October 9, 2007

Superintendent Search Process
Input from employees, parents, students and community members is an integral part of the selection process for a new superintendent. A special Board of Education meeting Adobe PDF will be held Saturday, October 20, with public testimony scheduled to begin at 12:35 p.m. in the Education Center auditorium. Written feedback is also welcomed and can be e-mailed to board@sandi.net. For information, visit www.sandi.net/issue/supt_search/ or call the Board of Education Office at (619) 725-5550.
Open Enrollment Fairs Offer Info, Free Flu Shots
Open Enrollment is the time when eligible employees can make changes to their benefit plans. In conjunction with Open Enrollment, which takes place November 1– 30, several informational fairs will be held. Representatives from the district’s medical, dental, vision and life insurance carriers will be available to answer questions. In addition, free flu shots for employees will be available. Here are the dates, times and locations:
  • Tuesday, October 30, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Marshall Middle School
  • Wednesday, October 31, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Morse High School
  • Thursday, November 1, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hoover High School
  • Friday, November 2, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mission Bay High School
  • Friday, November 9, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Education Center auditorium
Save the Dates for Cookies with Carl
All employees are invited to attend Cookies with Carl on Monday, October 29, at Laura Rodriguez Elementary, and Tuesday, December 4, at Thurgood Marshall Middle School, from 4 to 6 p.m. Take advantage of these opportunities to come by and speak with Superintendent Cohn and hear what other employees have to say.
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.
Winter Session Job Applications Accepted through October 17
The winter intersession program is January 7 – January 18, 2008. Certificated staff from year-round sites interested in winter session employment must submit an electronic application by Wednesday, October 17. Online applications and instructions Adobe PDF are posted on the Employment website under "Quick Links". Online applications submitted on or before the deadline will be used to determine staffing eligibility for intersession. For information, call (619) 725-8007.
2008/09 Enrollment Options Applications
Enrollment Options is now accepting Enrollment Options priority applications for the 2008/09 school year through January 31, 2008. The application is available online at http://sandi.net/enrollmentoptions/oeoapplication.html. For information, contact Sandra Robles at srobles@sandi.net or (619) 725-7153.
Change to Mileage Expense Reports
It is no longer necessary to record odometer readings in the online expense report form for “Mileage in San Diego County.” For information, refer to Site Operations Circular No. 1018 Adobe PDF.
CalPERS Launches Online Education Center
CalPERS is using internet technology to provide CalPERS members and employers with a centralized, multifunctional system to access education programs online. For information, go to the "For Members" section at www.calpers.ca.gov.
District Trainings
• School Site Council Training: Building a Cohesive Team
This two-hour training will review the role and responsibilities of the principal and the School Site Council (SSC) in implementing the Single Plan for Student Achievement; provide an overview of parliamentary procedures and bylaws to ensure effective meeting management; and explain updated categorical budget guidelines. Register online at http://studata.sandi.net/saa/app/trainingreg/. For information, contact planning@sandi.net or (858) 496-4048.
Professional Development
• Become a National Board Certified Teacher
The Teacher Preparation and Student Support Division has scheduled several information meetings Adobe PDF to explain the process to becoming a National Board Certified Teacher as well as the district’s partnership with National University Master’s Program Adobe PDF . For information or to register for a meeting, contact Esther Caluza at ecaluza@sandi.net or (858) 496-1887.
• Free Workshops
The International House of Blues Foundation (IHOBF) will offer a free workshop, Cultural Journeys: Exploring Rhythms and Traditions from Diverse Cultures Adobe PDF , led by award-winning facilitator Anne Fennell on Saturday, October 27. Space is limited to 35 participants and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration deadline is Monday, October 22. For information or to register, contact ihobfsandiego@hob.com or (619) 525-1982.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is offering a free workshop about the Effects of Climatic Change in Polar Regions on Saturday, October 20, presented in conjunction with Polar Palooza occurring in Balboa Park October 18–21. For information or to sign up, contact Dave Massey at dmassey@sdnhm.org.
SD Museum of Man Exhibit Highlights the Copper Age
The San Diego Museum of Man is presenting the exhibition Journey to the Copper Age: Archaeology in the Holy Land through February 4, 2008. In conjunction with the exhibit, distinguished scholar Osnat Misch-Brandl Adobe PDF will offer tours and lectures for school groups October 28 – November 1, and November 5 – 11 by appointment. For information and to make a reservation, contact the Education Department at (619) 239-2001, ext. 21.
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.
Upcoming Events
• School Grand Re-Openings and Dedications
  • 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.
• Celebrity Sonnet Presentations Benefit Students
Superintendent Carl Cohn will be among the celebrities from radio, theater, arts and education who will present selections from Shakespeare’s most popular sonnets at the Old Globe Theatre on Monday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. This special event will benefit the San Diego Shakespeare Society Student Festival on April 26, 2008. A special admission charge of $5 is available to teachers and students who order tickets in advance. General admission is $15. For information, visit www.sandiegoshakespearesociety.org or call (619) 602-8806.
• 2007 “License to Teach” Technology Fair
The San Diego Computer-Using Educators annual Technology Fair Adobe PDF will be held Saturday, November 3, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Westview High School, 13500 Camino del Sur, San Diego, 92129. Early registration must be postmarked by Saturday, October 20. For information or to register, visit www.sdcue.org.
In the News
The rate of declining enrollment in the district was featured in an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune. After six years of seeing enrollment dwindle by the thousands, new statistics indicate that this year's decline is the smallest this decade: A drop of about 200 in kindergarten through 12th grade, whereas losses averaged a few thousand in the past.
Are there any other topics on which you'd like an update? Send a "Newsline Idea" email to communications@sandi.net.