The Board of Education is holding two Budget Workshops today, February 25, and Tuesday, February 26, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Education Center auditorium. The workshops are being televised on ITV, Channel 16, and are available as a webcast from all district school and work sites at http://www.sandi.net/board/webcast.html. All reports and presentations to the Board of Education are included as part of the Key Dates Timeline, including the Budget Workbook of central office reduction options being reviewed at today's workshop.
To date, more than 750 individuals have submitted more than 1,000 ideas for cost-savings and revenue generation for the district. A preliminary summary of suggestions and random sample of ideas are available in Tab G of the Budget Workbook. To learn more, visit the Budgeting 2008-09 and About the Budget websites.
Nominate Your Site Classified Employee of the Year
School sites and district offices are encouraged to nominate a deserving candidate for the 2008 Classified Employee of the Year awards. A nominee must be a classified employee with at least three years of service in a monthly position. The deadline to submit a nomination petition is Friday, March 7, by 5 p.m. Completed petitions should be sent or hand-delivered to Gloria Rangel, Education Center, Room 1241. For information, contact Gloria at grangel@sandi.net or (619) 725-8172.
February and Summer School Post and Bid
The deadline to apply online for February post and bid positions is Friday, February 29. For information, check the Quick Links section on the Employment website or see Admin. Circular 49. The posting for Summer School positions will be February 29 – March 28, which is later than usual to provide a more accurate estimate of the positions that will be needed.
US Bank ASB Accounts must be Closed by April 30
Remember to notify Fiscal Control when your final US Bank ASB account is no longer active and the final statement has been reconciled. All US Bank ASB accounts must be closed by Wednesday, April 30. Fiscal Control has the necessary paperwork to complete the US Bank account closure. Additionally, site Certificates of Deposit and other investment accounts held at banks other than Wells Fargo should be closed upon maturity. New investment accounts are to be opened at Wells Fargo. To establish a Wells Fargo investment account or with other questions, contact Susan Kirby at skirby@sandi.net or Lorena Arciga at larciga@sandi.net.
Free Class on What Every Parent Needs to Know about the Internet
The Ballard Parent Center will offer a free parent class titled The Internet and Your Children, What Every Parent Needs to Know. A representative from the San Diego District Attorney’s Office will teach parents about the language that is being used on the internet, criminal activity, abuse and child predators. The class will be held Thursday, February 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Tubman-Chavez Multicultural Youth and Family Center. For information, contact Elneda Shannon at eshannon@sandi.net or (619) 293-4431.
Free Red Cross CPR Training
The Red Cross will offer free, three-hour CPR training at the 17th annual CPR Saturday on March 15, beginning on the hour from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hundreds of instructors and volunteers will teach CPR in Golden Hall at the San Diego Concourse. All participants who successfully complete the course will receive certification at no cost. Children ages 5 to 11 can participate in Basic Aid Training and Whales Tales water safety training while their parents get trained. For information about attending or volunteering at this event, visit www.sdarc.org or call (858) 309-1275.
Professional Development
Germany Study Trip for High School Teachers
The California Department of Education and the Atlantik-Bruecke Foundation administer an annual study trip to Germany, a professional development opportunity for a select group of history-social science teachers to learn more about German history, economy, society, politics, and culture. The 2008 trip will take place June 15-June 27. All travel expenses are covered, excluding the cost of substitute personnel. The application deadline is Friday, March 21. For information, contact Michelle Zumot at mzumot@cde.ca.gov or (916) 323-6920.
New Masters Program in Math, Science and Technology Education
San Diego Unified, in partnership with the University of San Diego, is developing a new program that will give teachers the opportunity to earn a Masters in Education with a focus on Math, Science and Technology. To learn more, attend an Open House on Tuesday, March 4, from 4-6 p.m., at USD. For information or to RSVP, contact Sandy Buczynski at sandyb@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-7991.
SDSU Preliminary Administrative Credential Meeting
District employees interested in pursuing an administrative credential are invited to attend an informational meeting on Friday, February 29, from 4-5 p.m., at the San Diego County Office of Education, Room 402. RSVP at edl@mail.sdsu.edu by February 26 with your name, e-mail, phone number and school//work location. For further information on the program, contact Dr. George Cameron at gcameron@mail.sdsu.edu.
Funding Opportunities
$5,000 Cash Prizes for Outstanding Teachers
The Turnaround Management Association is now accepting applications for the 2008 Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes K-12 teachers who have changed the lives of students and communities in which they live. Applicants must be licensed and active elementary or secondary school teachers employed for at least five years. The entry form deadline is Thursday, May 1. For information, contact Michele Drayton at mdrayton@turnaround.org or (312) 242-6044.
Teachers Enter Energy Ideas and Everyone Wins The BP A+ for Energy® program is awarding $1 million in grants and scholarships to help preK-12 teachers implement innovative energy and conservation programs. San Diego Unified School District received seven BP awards in 2007. BP will offer a free workshop for San Diego Unified teachers if there is enough interest. If you would like to participate in a workshop, contact Mary Ramos at mramos1@sandi.net or (619) 725-7786. The application deadline is Friday, March 7. For information, visit www.Aplusforenergy.com.
Teacher Scholarship Opportunity
Ashford University, in collaboration with the San Diego County Office of Education, is offering four scholarship opportunities for its Masters of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology online program. The deadline to apply is Saturday, March 1. For information, visit www.ashford.edu.
Student Opportunities
Character Matters Essay Contest for Grades 4-12
The Character Development Center at USD is sponsoring an essay contest that provides a platform for discussions and reflections on experiences that call for honesty, respect, responsibility, courage, self-discipline, and many other virtues. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, April 18. For information, visit http://charactermatters.sandiego.edu, call (619) 260-2250, or e-mail charactermatters@sandiego.edu.
Social Networking Sites Forum for High School Students, Parents
The Center for Ethics in Science and Technology (Ethics Center) and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center are hosting a free public forum for high school students, teachers and parents on the subject of social networking sites. The event will be held Wednesday, February 27, 3-5:30 p.m., at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. Register by Monday, February 25, at http://ethicscenter.net. For information, contact info@ethicscenter.net or (858) 822-2647.
Biotech Internship Opportunities for High Schools Students
The Life Sciences Summer Institute High School Student Research Program provides upper level high school students with the opportunity to gain exposure to career options within the life sciences industries through hands-on laboratory experience, work readiness training, and mentoring by a research scientist. The application deadline is Monday, March 31. For information, contact biotech@workforce.org.
Upcoming Events
Black Storytellers, Noted Author Visit Fulton Elementary
Join the Black Storytellers of San Diego and noted author Joyce Carol Thomas at Fulton Elementary on Thursday, February 28, from 8:45-9:40 a.m. A reception will be held from 9:45-10:30 a.m., and will include a discussion with Ms. Thomas and teachers on “Bringing Academic Cultural Strategies into the Classroom”. All educators are welcomed. For information, contact Kasimu Harley at kharley@sandi.net.
Winter/Spring Honor Concerts and Music Festivals
Elementary Instrumental Honor Concert
Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m.
Brown Chapel, Point Loma Nazarene University
City/County Partnership Festival Choirs
Saturday, March 8, 7 p.m.
Brown Chapel, Point Loma Nazarene University
RSVPs requested. Contact the VAPA Department at (858) 539-5349.
Area 5 Parent Community Forums
Area 5 Superintendent Dr. Delfino Alemán will host Parent Community Forums on Wednesday, February 27, at Roosevelt Middle School; (English | Spanish) Tuesday, April 15, at Burbank Elementary; (English | Spanish) and Tuesday, May 20, at Bird Rock Elementary (English | Spanish). All forums will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Childcare, and interpreter services will be available. For information, contact Albert Servin at aservin@sandi.net or (619) 525-2053.
Ed Center Spring Craft Fair
Just in time for Mother’s Day. The annual Spring Craft Fair to benefit the Education Center Building Committee will be held Friday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Annex 9 Testing Room. Talented artisans from the Ed Center and Central Office sites will have their handicrafts for sale. If you are interested in being an exhibitor, or for more information, contact La Donna Chase at lchase@sandi.net.
School Board President Katherine Nakamura appeared live on the KUSI 6 p.m. news, on Thursday, February 21, to discuss the district meeting all AYP targets. Video on district web site (Requires QuickTime).
Other media coverage about the district’s AYP results were in the San Diego Union-Tribune | KPBS-FM | KGTV-10 | KFMB-TV | Voice of San Diego.
The Seeds of Leadership Youth Garden program at Morse High School was the topic of a San Diego Union-Tribunearticle on Saturday, February 23.
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, which recognizes K-12 teachers who have changed the lives of students and communities in which they live. Applicants must be licensed and active elementary or secondary school teachers employed for at least five years. The 