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Newsline
 April 7, 2008
CCTE Programs Awarded $10.5 Million
Seven Career, College and Technical Education (CCTE) programs have been awarded $10,587,801 for new and modernized facilities at six district high schools: Morse High School, Construction Tech Academy at the Kearny High Educational Complex, Garfield High School, Madison High School, School of Media, Visual and Performing Arts at the San Diego High Educational Complex, and Mission Bay Magnet for Global Studies and Technology. To learn more, read the news release.
All Staff E-mail Lists for District-Related Business Only
The use of the District All-Staff e-mail lists is for district-related communications only and not for private, non-district related business. There have been several recent incidents where inappropriate e-mails have been sent to all staff. Employees should not generate these types of e-mails, which are considered unwanted SPAM by many users. Administrative Procedure 7039 Adobe PDF outlines the rules governing employees use of district data communications networks and the Internet. The Communications Department is available to assist with disseminating information to all employees through the appropriate means. Contact communications@sandi.net or call (619) 725-5578 for assistance.
Recognize Exemplary Contributions to Special Education
The Community Advisory Committee for Special Education is seeking nominations for the 2008 Above and Beyond Awards Adobe PDF. Nominees should exemplify a commitment to improve the educational opportunities for students with special needs. Nomination forms Adobe PDF must be received by Wednesday, April 30. For information, call Susan Miranda at (858) 496-1872, or e-mail CACAboveBeyond@aol.com.
Last Chance to Post and Bid for New School Certificated Positions
The second posting for certificated positions at the two new schools opening fall 2008 closes this 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.
Peer Assistance and Review Consulting Teacher Positions
Are you interested in being part of a team of teachers helping teachers? Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Consulting Teacher positions will be posted soon. Come learn about the requirements and certification process at a meeting being held Wednesday, April 9, from 4:30-5:30 p.m., at SDEA, Room 208, 10393 San Diego Mission Road #100, 92108.
School-Based Education Foundations Meeting
“Fundraising 101” is the topic of the next school-based education foundations meeting on Thursday, April 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., in the Ed Center Auditorium. Kristy Gregg, San Diego National Bank Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations, is the featured speaker. For information and to RSVP, contact the Community Relations Department at (619) 725-5592. Please Note: Bring your School Foundation Toolkit with you to the meeting.
Student Art Exhibit Reception
The reception for the 2008 Student Art Exhibit, currently on display in the hallways of the Education Center, will be held Wednesday, April 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to view the best artwork from students throughout the district.
Professional Development
  • Discover Program Course Offerings
    Registration is still open for the following April courses:
    • CPR - Basic Life Support and First Aid (.5 cr.) – April 10-11
    • Garden Design/ Project Based-Part 1 and 2 (.5 cr.) – April 17, 19, 22
    • Cross Curriculum Vocabulary Strategies (.5 cr.) – April 19
    • Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom™ (1 cr.) – April 26 - May 3
    Register early to avoid class cancellations. To view course descriptions Adobe PDF and to register online, go to the DISCOVER website at http://www.sandi.net/discover. For information, contact Esther Caluza at ecaluza@sandi.net or (858) 496-1887.

  • 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.

  • Service Learning Training
    Volunteer San Diego is offering a Student Motivation and Character Education Adobe PDF service learning training on Tuesday, April 15, from 4-6:30 p.m., at USD School of Leadership and Education Sciences. The training will provide the tools to create successful on-site service projects that focus specifically on character education. Registration fee is $30. District employees may receive a fee waiver by contacting Nancy Hemmings at nhemmings@sandi.net or (619) 725-5597. For training information, contact Jennifer Hamilton at jhamilton@volunteersandiego.org or (858)-636-4137.

  • Earn Ed Tech Masters Degree at Home
    Interested in earning a Masters in Educational Technology online? Consider San Diego State University's Cohort Online Masters in Educational Technology (COMET). The application deadline for Fall 2008 is Thursday, May 1. For information, visit http://edtec.sdsu.edu/comet.htm or contact Elsa Tapia at etapi@mail.sdsu.edu or (619) 594-6718.

  • Summer Genomics Conference for High School Teachers
    Applications Adobe PDF are being accepted to participate in the inaugural Conference of New Teachers in Genomics workshop taking place July 14-16. Six high school teachers will be selected to attend this three-day workshop. The program is collaboration between The Scripps Research Institute and the Miramar College Biotechnology Center. Conference stipend: $300.00. Visit http://education.sdsc.edu/teachertech to download an application. For information, contact Marisela Chevez at mchevez@scripps.edu or (858) 784-2171.
Funding Opportunities
  • Teachers Light the Way Awards
    Do you know a teacher who has made a difference in the life of a student, a school, or a community? Nominate for a Teachers Light the Way Award by submitting an entry form and writing a short essay describing how the teacher is a bright light in education. Awards include a $5,000 Teacher Award, $5,000 School Award and $250 Nominator Award. The entry deadline is Thursday, April 17.

  • 2008 San Diego Teachers’ Fund Grants
    The San Diego Foundation is accepting applications for the 2008 San Diego Teachers’ Fund Adobe PDF programs: K-6 Program and Arts in the Classroom Program (grades 9-12). The application deadline is Monday, April 28. For information, visit www.sdfoundation.org or contact Andrea Boone at (619) 814-1343 or teachersfund@sdfoundation.org.

  • RGK Foundation
    RGK Foundation awards grants in the broad areas of Education, Community, and Medicine/Health. Education funding includes programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading), teacher development, literacy, and higher education. The average grant is $25,000. There is no deadline for submitting an electronic Letter of Inquiry. For information or to apply, go to http://www.rgkfoundation.org/guidelines.php.
For a complete listing of current grant and funding opportunities, visit the district Office of Resource Development website at http://www.sandi.net/depts/grants/.
Student Opportunities
  • Junior Seau Foundation Scholars of Excellence Program
    The Scholars of Excellence program recognizes young men and women who are dedicated to both personal and academic excellence. Scholarships ranging from $2,500 - $10,000 will be granted to 26 students who have the desire, but not the means, to achieve their dreams through higher education. Applications Adobe PDF must be postmarked by Monday, April 21. For information, visit www.juniorseau.org or contact Angie Bowder at angie@juniorseau.org or (858) 244-SEAU, ext.104.

  • Educational Support for Seventh Graders
    The Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program selects high-achieving youth with financial need and provides them with individualized educational opportunities and support throughout high school that will help them develop their talents and abilities. Students must apply in the spring of seventh grade. Application deadline is Monday, May 5. For information and an application, go to www.jackkentcookefoundation.org.
San Diego Parent University Third Quarter Parent Classes
The final series of free classes (English Adobe PDF | Spanish Adobe PDF) for parents for this school year will be offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., at the Ballard Parent Center. Classes run Tuesday, April 22 through Wednesday, June 11, and are designed to equip parents with information and skills that will help their children succeed academically, and develop and enhance positive behavior. For information, contact Bea Fernandez at bfernandez@sandi.net or Elneda Shannon at eshannon@sandi.net, or call (619) 293-4431.
Journey to Academic Success Parenting Classes
The Ballard Parent Center is offering free classes for parents on Thursdays, April 10 and April 24, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Tubman - Chavez Multicultural Center. The topic is Can We Talk Adobe PDF and is designed to help parents improve communication with their children around issues like self-esteem, sex and peer pressure. For information, contact Elneda Shannon at eshannon@sandi.net or (619) 293-4431.
Upcoming Events
  • Free Workshop on Acting, Teaching, Learning
    The Center for Social Justice at Lincoln High is co-sponsoring a free workshop, Taking the Stage: African American Theatre Adobe PDF with Monique Gaffney and Grandison Phelps IV, on Wednesday, April 9, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Mother Rosalie Hill Hall Auditorium at USD. The event is open to the public. For information, go to www.sandiego.edu/cee/artsineducation or call (619) 260-7740.

  • Borders Educator Savings Week Ends Tuesday
    Educator Savings Week runs through Tuesday April 8, at Borders bookstores. Current and retired educators, school administrators and staff, and other community educators receive 25% off list price of books, CDs, DVDs, gifts and more. Personal and classroom purchases are both eligible. Bring in proof of educator status. For information, go to http://www.bordersmedia.com/educators/.

  • You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
    Opening night for Serra High School’s first Drama Department musical production in a decade is Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m. Additional performances are April 11, 17, and 18. For information, contact Robert Boughner at rboughner@sandi.net or (858) 496-8342.

  • Madison Community of Schools Concert
    The instrumental ensembles from Madison High, Ray Kroc Middle, and Creative, Performing, and Media Arts (CPMA) Middle schools are performing Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.), in the Madison High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets: Adults - $5; Students - $3; Children 12 and under are free.

  • Choral Festival
    The California Music Educators Choral Festival will be held on Wednesday, April 16, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Scripps Ranch High School. The event is free and open to the public.

  • Hot Topics in Special Education
    The California Association of Resource Specialists and Special Educators (C.A.R.S.+) April event Adobe PDF will be held Wednesday, April 30, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the Mission Valley Library. Roxie Jackson, executive director of Special Education, will address the Thomas Hehir Report, Specialized Academic Instruction, and Special Education reorganization in the 2008-09 school year. For information, contact Karen Karagozian to kkaragozian@sandi.net or (858)496-1827.

  • Upcoming Sessions Elementary Musicals
    Third and fourth grade students at Kate Sessions Elementary will present "Goin' Green for Planet Earth... An Earth-Friendly Musical Revue for Our One and Only Home” on Thursday, April 24. Fifth graders will present “Rock! A History of Rock and Roll” on Thursday, May 29. Both productions start at 6:30 pm.

New on the Web
In the News
More than 830 students competed in the 54th annual Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, including hundreds of students from San Diego Unified. The San Diego Union-Tribune spotlighted the event, along with a complete list of winners, in an article in the April 5 edition.
Are there any other topics on which you'd like an update? Send a "Newsline Idea" email to communications@sandi.net.