Newsline - January 8, 2008 :: San Diego Unified School District

Newsline

January 8, 2008

Superintendent Search Update
The Board of Education continues its work in identifying and recruiting a new superintendent. The board has completed a series of interviews with prospective candidates, and has conducted additional interviews with semi-finalists. No permanent superintendent has been identified. Once a permanent superintendent is identified, staff will be notified. Bill Kowba, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, will serve as Interim Superintendent until the permanent superintendent is appointed. For updates, visit the Superintendent Search Process webpage.

Intersession Dates
Intersession is being held January 7-18. All year-round schools reopen on Tuesday, January 22.

Classified Recruitments, Applications Now Online
Classified job openings are now posted electronically and applicants can apply online. Computers are available in the Education Center lobby for those who need access. HR staff is available in the lobby and by telephone to provide assistance.

BoardDocs Training Scheduled
All staff who draft, submit, route, or approve Board of Education agenda items should attend one of the following trainings on the web-based automated agenda transmittal system, BoardDocs: Wednesday, January 16, 2-4 p.m., Ed Center Auditorium Thursday, January 17, 9-11 a.m., Ed Center Auditorium After the trainings, Board agenda items will be submitted via the BoardDocs electronic automated system. RSVP not required. For information, contact Cheryl Ward at cward@sandi.net or (619) 725-5522 or Cathy Nunez at cnunez@sandi.net or (619)725-5634.

Nominate Your School Site Teacher of the Year
Recognize and honor excellence. Nominations are now being accepted for school site Teachers of the Year . The deadline to submit a nomination form is Thursday, January 31. All nominated teachers will be recognized at a special Day of the Teacher celebration on May 6, 2008. Qualified nominees will have the opportunity to apply to the district-level competition. For information, contact Linda Zintz at lzintz@sandi.net or (619) 725-5568.

Review New Instructional Materials
Teachers, parents and community members are invited to examine instructional materials currently being reviewed for adoption. Materials will be available on Saturday, January 12, from 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesday, January 15, from 3-6 p.m.; Thursday, January 24, from 3-6 p.m. (new); and Saturday, January 26, from 9 a.m. to noon (new) at the Instructional Media Center. For a list of specific courses being adopted or more information, visit the Instructional Materials Department website or call (858) 496-8466.

Professional Development
Prep courses for the March 15th California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) will begin Thursday, February 21. Courses are available in Single Subject English , Single Subject Science (general Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geoscience (new)), Single Subject Mathematics , and Multiple Subjects . Courses are free for district employees; $60 for others. The registration form is due Thursday, February 14, by 5 p.m. For information and to register, contact Lucy Del Valle at ldelvalle@sandi.net or (619) 725-7142. The San Diego Group Psychotherapy Society is sponsoring Caring for a Traumatized School Community on Saturday, January 19, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at The Prado in Balboa Park. The presenter is Connie Concannon, LCSW. Scholarships are available to school personnel. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is Tuesday, January 15. For information, contact Elizabeth Hammer at lizhammer@cox.net or (619) 306-5727. San Diego's Third Annual International Economic Summit (IES) Teacher Training will be held January 15-16 at San Diego State University. Registration forms will be accepted through Friday, January 11. For information and to register, go to http://www.frbsf.org/ies or contact Darcy Horak at Darcy.Horak@sf.frb.org or (213) 683-2524.

Buick Invitational Helps Raise Money for Athletics
The Physical Education, Health and Athletics Department is raising funds by selling tickets to the 2008 Buick Invitational PGA Golf Tournament . Tickets are $15/each and can be used for a one-day entry into the tournament any day during the weeklong event, January 21-27. Tickets can be purchased in Room 1008A at the Education Center. For information, call (619) 725-7126.

Share Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Activities
The Communications Department would like to know what school sites are doing to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Contact Jack Brandais at jbrandais@sandi.net or (619) 725-5570 with the type of activity, date, time, and name and contact information of the coordinator.

Funding Opportunities
Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards recognizes outstanding educators, and administrators, policymakers and other community leaders at the forefront of innovation in education. The program is administered by the cable industry and its national education foundation, Cable in the Classroom. Winners receive $3,000 and a trip for two to Washington, DC. The application deadline is Wednesday, January 16. For information, go to www.leadersinlearningawards.org. The Got2B Safe! Awards Program recognizes those teachers with the greatest commitment to teaching child safety. Five grand prize winners receive professional classroom makeovers worth $10,000 and more than 100 other winners receive gift certificates for school supplies worth up to $500. Enter now through Tuesday, January 15. For information, visit www.got2bsafe.com. 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.

Student Opportunities
The Community Scholarship Program, sponsored by the San Diego Foundation, uses one application for more than 60 scholarships. The application deadline is Monday, January 28. To see a complete list of scholarships, apply online, or download an application, go to www.sdfoundation.org. For information, e-mail scholarships@sdfoundation.org or call (619) 814-1343. The National Peace Essay Contest awards up to $10,000 to honor U.S. students in grades nine through twelve who write essays on developing a fair, peaceful, and effective use of natural resources after a conflict over natural resources. The essay deadline is Friday, February 1. For information, go to http://www.usip.org/ed/npec/. Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) Scholarships are available to U.S. citizens of Italian descent (at least one Italian or Italian American grandparent) enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a four-year, accredited academic institution for the Fall 2008 term. Previous SIF scholarship winners are not eligible. The application deadline is Thursday, February 28. For information, go to www.osia.org.

Celebrate the Year of the Rat
The Panda Express Chinese New Year School Program is a free, fun, interactive and educational curriculum that celebrates Chinese New Year, which takes place Thursday, February 7. The lesson is designed for students in grades 2-4, but may be used at all elementary grade levels. To sign up, return the registration form by Monday, January 21, or contact Melissa Moss at 626-799-9898 ext. 8535.

Upcoming Events
The Amazing Human Race High school and university students will team up to complete a series of challenges in health and medicine on Wednesday, January 9, from 5 to 6 p.m., at BODIES the Exhibition in University Towne Centre. The event is a kick-off for the 2007-08 Society for Science Student Leaders program at BioBridge and is open to the public. For information, contact Shelley Glenn at sglenn@ucsd.edu. Business & Education Direct Connect Showcase The district’s College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) program is holding the second annual showcase on Wednesday, January 16, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. For information, contact Shawn Loescher at sloescher@sandi.net or visit www.sdccte.org. Save the Date Marshall Middle School Principal Rick Novak is retiring. A reception in his honor will be held Friday, February 1, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the San Diego Hall of Champions. For information, contact sbailie@sandi.net or (858) 549-5400, ext. 3014 or 3011.

Are there any other topics on which you'd like an update? Send a "Newsline Idea" email to communications@sandi.net.