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Newsline
 March 24, 2008
Welcome Dr. Grier
Today, March 24, is the official start date for new Superintendent of Schools Dr. Terry Grier. Dr. Grier is spending his first day visiting Morse and Henry high schools, talking with teachers, students and administrators. He will also participate in a press conference about the budget crisis with State Superintendent Jack O’Connell at 3:15 p.m. at Lincoln High School. To learn more about Dr. Grier, visit the Superintendent website.
Post and Bid for Certificated Positions at New Schools, March 31 – April 9
The second posting for certificated positions at the two new schools opening fall 2008 will be available Monday, March 31, through Wednesday, April 9.
  • Sherman Elementary (K-5), 450 24th St., 92102, will be a traditional calendar school offering a Spanish language immersion program.

  • Innovation Middle School (7-8), 5095 Arvinels Ave., 92117, will be a traditional calendar school with a focus on integrating 21st century technology, science, math, and engineering into the curriculum.
For information, contact Sonja Elston at selston@sandi.net
Safety Reminder for School Event Planners
The use of astrojumps, inflatable slides, trampolines, dunk tanks, certain rides, and other activities are prohibited on district property, including school sites. Mini-trampolines or similar devices used for special education or adaptive physical education programs are permitted. Be sure to review Administrative Procedure No. 5153 Adobe PDF when planning events. For more information, contact Dean Warner at dwarner@sandi.net or (858) 627-7352.
Support Old Town Program Grant Application
The Old Town Cultural/Historical Program has applied for a $14,500 grant to build an outdoor Mexican ramada (kitchen), complete with a cooking horno (oven). This will allow our students to experience what life was like in the early 1800's Mexican culture. In addition, a mural depicting life on the rancho (ranch) would be painted on the wall behind the ramada. This area will be used as an outdoor classroom. To strengthen the application, comments of support are needed from colleagues and the community. To submit a comment, go to http://www.myhometownhelper.com. For information, e-mail oldtown@sandi.net.
Remarkable Leaders in Education Nominations
The University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) is seeking nominations for its Remarkable Leaders in Education Adobe PDF honors. The selection committee is seeking nominations of individuals who have had a significant impact on student learning from pre-kindergarten through college in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Nomination forms Adobe PDF are due Friday, April 4. For information or to submit an online nomination, go to www.sandiego.edu/soles/remarkableleaders.
Professional Development
  • CSET Prep Courses Scheduled
    Prep courses for the May 17 California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) will begin Thursday, April 24. Courses are available in Single Subject English Adobe PDF, Single Subject Science Adobe PDF (General Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Geoscience), Single Subject Mathematics Adobe PDF and Multiple Subjects Adobe PDF. Courses are free for district employees; $60 for non-district employees. The registration Adobe PDF deadline is Thursday, April 17. For information, contact Lucy Del Valle at ldelvalle@sandi.net or (619) 725-7142.

  • Earn National Board Certification, Master's Degree at the Same Time
    In partnership with National University, teachers can pursue National Board Certification in 2008-09 while completing a Master's Degree in Teaching, a Master's with an Administrative Credential, or simply National Board Certification. More than 40 teachers are currently participating in the combined National Board/ Master's Cohort. Classes meet one or two nights a week and are held at Golden Hill Elementary. Apply for the June cohort Adobe PDF no later than June 1. To apply or for more information, contact Julia Groff at jgroff@sandi.net or (858) 496-1859.

  • Project Citizen Workshop
    Looking for a new and exciting way to engage students in civic education and responsibility? Participate in the Project Citizen workshop Adobe PDF on Thursday, April 17, from 4-6 p.m., and Saturday, April 19, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the San Diego County Office of Education. $50 stipend for the first 20 teachers. To register or for more information, contact Janet Mulder at jmulder@sdcoe.net or (619) 588-5672.

  • Rotary-Sponsored Trip to East Africa
    Rotary District 5340 invites educational professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 to join the Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team Adobe PDF and visit East Africa for 4 weeks in January 2009. Applications Adobe PDF must be submitted to Rotary International District 5340, 2245 San Diego Ave, Suite 221, (92110) by Wednesday, April 23. For information, contact Chuck DuVivier at DuvivierSD@aol.com or Beverly Sumwalt at bsumwalt@pacbell.net.
Funding Opportunities
Excellence in Teaching Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for the Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Awards Program MS WORD which honors K-12 teachers who have changed the outcome of students’ lives and the communities in which they live. $5,000 for each recipient. Entries MS WORD are due Thursday, May 1. For information, visit www.turnaround.org.
Student Opportunities
  • College Prep Scholarships
    The QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship Program provides awards that equip outstanding low-income high school juniors with the knowledge necessary to compete for admission to top-ranked colleges. The applications deadline is Monday, March 31.

  • 2008 Food Services Essay, Poetry, Rap Contest
    This year’s contest Adobe PDF addresses the obesity epidemic with the topic: “Why is it important to maintain a healthy weight and what is the best way to do it?” K – 12 students are encouraged to submit their answer to these questions in the form of an essay, a poem or a rap. Schools have received flyers to distribute to each student. Entries are due to Food Services by Monday, March 31. Last year, more than 2,200 students entered. Each student who enters receives a small gift bag. The names of teachers who submit entries from their entire class are entered in a drawing to win a Silver Passport to SeaWorld. Schools with the most entries receive a SeaWorld library of books. For details, go to www.sandi.net/food.

  • Urban League Seeks Student Nominations
    The Urban League of San Diego County is seeking nominations for the annual Golden Pyramid Academic Scholars Adobe PDF program for students of African/African-American descent in grades 1- 12. The deadline to submit a nomination form Adobe PDF is Friday, May 9. For information, contact Valarie Littlejohn at (619) 266-6251.
Half-Price Opera Tickets for Faculty and Staff
San Diego Opera invites district faculty and staff to enjoy excellent seats in the Dress Circle, Mezzanine and Balcony, to the Wednesday, April 2 (7 p.m.), performance of Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci. Tickets are $50 (normally priced at $97 to $128) and must be ordered online at www.sdopera.com/CP, Special Code 5523. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Some restrictions apply. To learn more about the opera, visit www.sdopera.com.
Upcoming Events
  • Journey to Academic Success Parenting Class
    The Ballard Parent Center is offering a free, hands-on Make-It/Take-It Lab Adobe PDF class for parents on Thursday, March 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Tubman - Chavez Multicultural Family Center. Attendees will make their own literacy games to use at home to help increase their child’s reading and other literacy skills. For information, contact Elneda Shannon at eshannon@sandi.net or (619) 293-4431.

  • Border Voices Poetry Fair
    The 15th Annual Border Voices Poetry Fair will be held Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Montezuma Hall at San Diego State University. This free event features workshops, music, and poetry readings by top poets along with student poets, including the winners in the student poetry contest. Open to the public. For information, contact wordsoup@juno.com or (619) 293-2546, or visit www.bordervoices.com.

  • Kids Do Shakespeare
    The Third Annual Student Shakespeare Festival Adobe PDF will be held Saturday, April 26, in Balboa Park. Opening ceremonies and parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Organ Pavilion; performances along the Prado Walk from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For information, visit www.sandiegoshakespearesociety.org.
In the News
Check the district’s California School Budget Cut News page at www.sdusdnews.blogspot.com for the latest news items concerning school budget cuts.
Are there any other topics on which you'd like an update? Send a "Newsline Idea" email to communications@sandi.net.