Next week provides the opportunity to recognize and honor the work of many district employees:

• May 4-10:
  Teacher Appreciation Week


• May 5-9:
  Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week


• May 6:
  National Day of the Teacher


• May 7:
  National School Nurses Day

Please take a minute to say thank you to these individuals for the lasting contributions they make to our lives and the lives of our children.

Information regarding layoff or reduction in hours, contract language, bumping, reemployment, benefits (medical/dental insurance), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and unemployment insurance will be provided at several upcoming meetings for classified employees. Managers and supervisors are to provide release time for affected employees and are also invited to attend. Additional resources are available on the Budget Information for Employees website. Information meetings for noticed certificated employees will be scheduled, in collaboration with SDEA, at a later date.

The Connect-ED web-based communications system is expanding its services to include a new classroom-level tool called Connect-ED Teacher. Starting Fall 2008, teachers will be able to send brief, pre-recorded messages to parents/guardians with classroom-specific reminders and information. The district is participating in the pilot project for this new service. If your school is interested in participating in the pilot, complete and submit the application form by Friday, May 9. Schools will be selected based on a variety of factors. For more information, contact jbreister@sandi.net.

The Payroll Department wants your feedback on its new website. Check out the site and take a few minutes to take the survey in the Let Us Know What You Think section. The site can be accessed from the Office and Departments tab on www.sandi.net.

Debbie Hazelton, principal of TIP Academy in Encinitas, is the featured speaker at the next lecture on Wednesday, May 14, in the Ed Center auditorium. Bringing Out the Best in Your Students    for educators is the topic of the lecture from 4-6 p.m. What to Look for in a GATE Class    for parents and community members will be presented from 7-8:30 p.m. For information, contact the GATE office at (858) 573-5998.

• 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.
  


• May Purchase Card Training
  The final Purchase Card Training for this school yearwill be held Wednesday, May 7, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Ed Center auditorium. Employees must attend this training session in order to become a district purchase cardholder or approver. Please Note: Wednesday, May 7, is the last day to pick up purchase cards. For information or to RSVP, contact Julie Nguyen at jnguyen1@sandi.net or (619) 725-7669.



• 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.

• Informational Meeting
  San Diego State University offers a Masters of Arts in Education program designed to assist educators in learning how to address the needs of our linguistically and diverse schools through the ongoing development of school curriculum and programs. An informational meeting    about the program will be held Wednesday, May 7, from 4-5 p.m., at Memorial Academy. For information, call (619) 594-5155, e-mail gonzaleg07@yahoo.comm or visit the website.
  
  
• May Discover Program Course Offerings
  Don’t miss out on great professional development opportunities. Register now for May Discover courses  . Classes are held based on the number of registrations. To view course descriptions and to register online, go to the DISCOVER website at www.sandi.net/discover.  For information, contact Esther Caluza at ecaluza@sandi.net or (858) 496-1887.

• Educate to Escape is a joint project between Ford Motor Company and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" that gives K-12 schools the chance to win a green school makeover worth up to $250,000. The makeover will include various green improvements according to school need, but may include renovations such as energy-efficient appliances, solar paneling and athletic fields made of organic/ sustainable materials. The entry deadline is Sunday, May 18. More information and entry forms are available at www.educatetoescape.com.
  
  
• 2008 Governor’s Challenge Competition is a contest among all K-12 schools in California to help students get active, healthy and fit. To participate, a school must have students complete the Governor's Challenge by May 31, 2008 - the Governor's Challenge is to be active 30-60 minutes a day at least three days a week for a month.  Grand prize winners will receive three Brand New Fitness Activity Centers (retail value $100,000 each). For information, visit www.calgovcouncil.org.

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.

• The American Red Cross offers free, twenty-minute Disaster Preparedness    presentations for children. Students will learn what to do in case of fires, earthquakes or floods. For information, contact Ricardo Moran at ricardo.moran@sdarc.org or (858) 309-1272.



• Volunteer San Diego is seeking unique and meaningful artwork from children, grades K – 12 and adults 18+ years old, for its Hands On San Diego 2008 T-shirt Design contest  . Entrants should create drawings that portray the fun and rewarding experience of volunteering. Drawings will be judged by categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 18+ years old. The deadline to enter is Friday, May 30. For information, contact Marisol at (858) 636-4131 or e-mail volunteer2@volunteersandiego.org.



• The San Diego African American Alumni Association is offering three different scholarships for African American students: General Scholarship  : $1000 to student(s) accepted to a four-year college/university; Peggy Minafee Scholarship  : $500 to student(s) majoring in the performing arts; and Paulette McFarland Scholarship  : $1000 to student(s) accepted to a historically black college/university. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, June 2. For information, visit www.sd4a.com or e-mail JoAnn Fountain at jnnfountain@yahoo.com.

• 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.
  
  
• Perry Elementary Rummage Sale and Car Wash
  The school fundraiser    will be held on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will include a rummage sale, car wash and food booths. For information, contact Brenda at bclark1@sandi.net or (619) 479-4040 ext. 119.



• Mira Mesa Madrigals Fundraiser - CANCELLED
  



• 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.