• Family Friendly School Certification Preparation Meeting
  All schools are invited to send a representative to a meeting to learn about the Family Friendly Evidence-Based Certification    process on Tuesday, April 29, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. or 4-5 p.m., at the Ballard Parent Center. Family Friendly team members will be on hand to explain the requirements for certification as well as an alternative process for schools with family-friendly practices already in place. For information and to RSVP, contact Eddie Caballero at ecaballero@sandi.net or (619) 725-5519.
  
  
• Textbook Ordering Workshops
  The Instructional Materials Department is conducting Textbook Ordering Workshops for personnel responsible for the general ordering of textbooks. All workshops will be held at the IMC from 1-3 p.m. Sessions include Grades K-8 on Monday, May 12; Grades 9-12 on Thursday, May 15; and Atypical and Make-Up Session on Friday, May 16. For information, contact Robin Clabaugh at rclabaugh@sandi.net or (858) 496-8466.

• Open House for Tomorrow’s Educational Leaders
  The ELDA program at the University of San Diego is hosting a Leaders Exploring Administrative Possibilities (LEAP) Open House    on Tuesday, April 22, from 4:30-6 p.m., on campus. For information, visit the LEAP website, or contact Luisa Vargas at lvargas@san.rr.com or (858) 442-7295.



• Free Music Integration Workshop
  Guitars in the Classroom will offer a free workshop    for teachers on Saturday, May 17, from 1-5 p.m., at The Abbey, 2825 5th Avenue (92101). Teachers will learn the basics of playing simple guitar, singing with students, teaching songs, and facilitating classroom songwriting while meeting state educational standards. Acoustic guitars will be available to borrow, free of charge. For information, visit www.guitarsintheclassroom.org or call (858) 755-2239.

• Innovation in Education Grants
  Cox Communications Innovation in Education    grants provide up to $5,000 to middle (grade 6-8) schools for educational initiatives that encourage and promote children’s innovation and imagination. Schools must be located in the communities served by Cox Communications. The application deadline is Friday, May 30. For information, visit www.cox.com/sandiego/community.

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/index.htm.

• Centurion Celebration at Florence Elementary
  A special celebration in honor of Florence Elementary’s 100th anniversary will be held this Saturday, April 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration is part of the school’s annual Florence Festa (Italian for festival). For information, call the school at (619) 293-4440.
  
  
• Free New Books for Kids
  Children's Book Party 2008, presented by Reading Literacy Learning, Inc., will be held Saturday, April 26, from 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Each child will receive a free new book and refreshments. For information, visit www.childrensbookparty.org.
  
  
• Get Involved with the Big Read
  Educator, journalist, and author Valerie Boyd is the guest lecturer at the Keynote Event    of the Big Read initiative being held Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m., at USD. The event is free, but registration is required. For information or to RSVP, go to www.sandiego.edu/cee/ or call (619) 260-7402.
  
  
• Spring Into Wellness Employee Health Fair
  The Education Center Building Committee is sponsoring a Health and Wellness Fair    from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Wednesday, April 30. Special raffle prizes include a bicycle, iPod and $350 spa package. For information, contact Jennifer McIntyre at jmcintyre@sandi.net.
  
  
• Hot Topics in Special Education
  The California Association of Resource Specialists and Special Educators (C.A.R.S.+) April event    will be held Wednesday, April 30, from 3:30-5 p.m., at the Mission Valley Library. Roxie Jackson, executive director of Special Education, is the speaker. For information, contact Karen Karagozian to kkaragozian@sandi.net or (858)496-1827.
  
  
• 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. For information, contact La Donna Chase at lchase@sandi.net.
  
  
• Birney Academy Swap Meet/Rummage Sale
  Birney Academy will host its second annual Swap Meet    on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Buyers and sellers are welcome. For information or a reservation form, contact the PTA at ptabirney@yahoo.com or pick up a form at the Birney school office.
  
  
• Spreckels School Celebration
  Spreckels Bilingual Magnet School is having its annual Cinco de Mayo/Day of the Child carnival on Wednesday, May 7, from 5-7:30 p.m. Festivities include student entertainment, games and delicious Mexican food. For information, call the school at (858) 453-5377.
  
  
• Fundraiser to Support Jane’s Room
  The Jane Johnson Foundation is holding “A Swinging Good Time” benefit on Sunday, May 4, from 4-8 p.m., at Riverwalk Golf Course. Proceeds will go to support Jane’s Room, a project that funds the development of multi-sensory environments for medically and physically challenged student. For information, contact Jennifer Hunt at jhunt@sandi.net or (619) 840-2699.
  
  
• Free Family Arts Connection Event
  The final Family Arts and Literacy Connection program of the year will be held Thursday, May 15, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. The free event will feature the duo Music With a Twist of Mime. Each family in attendance receives a free book. For information, contact Sherrie Brown at sherrie@yasandiego.org or (619) 282-7599 ext. 114.

• The solar movement on San Diego-area campuses, including San Diego Unified, has stalled because schools are finding that going green isn't saving green according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune. KGTV,  XETV, and KUSI also aired stories.
  
  
• Patrick Henry High School teacher Kathy Schulze was recognized recently with a “Building the Future Award” for her beyond-the-classroom efforts geared toward inspiring students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. She was featured in the Educator Spotlight column in the Union-Tribune on April 17.
  
  
• Students at Torrey Pines Elementary huddled around a class-room table to watch a doctor dissect a cow's eyeball, just one of many experiments that took place in honor of Science Discovery Day.  KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis featured the story on April 16.
  
  
• The 2008 Library Essay Contest winners were highlighted in a Mission Times Courier article.