San Diego city schools' budget woes, a commentary by Superintendent Grier, was published in today’s San Diego Union-Tribune. In the editorial, Supt. Grier shares his opinions on the current budget crisis. The commentary is posted in the “News” section on www.sandi.net.
2008 District Teachers of the Year
Theodosia Ballard, Porter Elementary School; John Rick, Marshall Middle School; and Lili Reeves, Madison High School have been named the 2008 San Diego Unified School District Teachers of the Year. Runners-up include SCPA Drama teacher Bill Doyle, EB Scripps Elementary music prep teacher Linda Lungren, and McKinley Elementary speech-language pathologist Pamela Steckbeck. These outstanding educators, along with school site Teachers of the Year and the 2007 class of National Board Certified Teachers, will be saluted at the Day of the Teacher Celebration on Tuesday, May 6, at De Portola Middle School.
Connect-ED Teacher Pilot Project
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.
EdTechProfile Surveys due May 30
Reminder to all site-based certificated staff, the State required EdTechProfile survey is due Friday, May 30. Please complete the survey online at http://edtechprofile.org. Contact your site coordinator or e-mail Cheryl Steinemann at csteinemann@sandi.net, if you have any questions.
District Trainings
May Purchase Card Training
The final Purchase Card Training for this school year will 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.
Professional Development
CSET Prep Courses Scheduled
Prep courses for the July 19 California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) Prep will begin Tuesday, May 27. Courses are available in Single Subject English , Single Subject Science (General Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Geoscience), Single Subject Mathematics and Multiple Subjects . Courses are free for district employees; $60 for non-district employees. Registration deadline is Tuesday, May 20. For information, contact Lucy Del Valle at ldelvalle@sandi.net or (619) 725-7142.
Funding Opportunities
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.
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. To schedule a free grant writing workshop at your site, contact Elizabeth Blower at cblower@sandi.net or (619) 725-7221.
Student Opportunities
SD County Fair Looking for Student Projects Student Showcase, sponsored by the San Diego County Fair, is a display of junior high, middle school, and high school student projects throughout the county. All entries must have been made in a San Diego County school under the supervision of a classroom instructor. Students in grades 7-12 who want to enter individual projects in the Fair can do so through Kids' Best. For information, contact the Entry Office at (858) 792-4207 or e-mail entry@sdfair.com.
Personal Financial Literacy Classes for High School Seniors
Retired US Bankruptcy Court Judge John J. Hargrove is available to present CARE (Credit Abuse Resistance Education) to high school seniors. CARE's purpose is to teach young adults about the importance of using consumer credit wisely and avoiding credit card debt as well as the consequences and financial problems that result if they don't. If you are interested in hosting a CARE presentation, e-mail Bobbi Cawdrey at Bobbi_Cawdrey@casb.uscourts.gov.
High School Poster Contest
The San Diego branch of the English-Speaking Union is hosting a poster contest to promote the 2009 Shakespeare Competition for high school students. The entry deadline is Monday, June 30. For information, contact Rhoda Auer at rhodahar@sbcglobal.net or (858) 874-5260.
K-12 T-shirt Design Contest
Volunteer San Diego is seeking unique and meaningful artwork from children, grades K – 12 and adults 18+ years old, for their 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.
Flag Day Celebrations
Flag Day is Saturday, June 14. If your class or school is having a Flag Day celebration and you would like to invite coverage from the news media, contact Jack Brandais (jbrandais@sandi.net) in the Communications Department. Colorful and patriotic, Flag Day celebrations are generally a favorite with the media. Send items directly to Jack, including the time, date and place of the celebration; teachers, be sure to check with your principal first. Please make sure students in photos have signed Photo/Video/Media Release forms on file. Items will be publicized through the Campus Calendar, the district's weekly event listing for the news media. For information, contact Jack Brandais at jbrandais@sandi.net or (619) 725-5570.
Heroes Wanted
The American Red Cross is now accepting nominations from individuals, companies, organizations and media for 2008 Real Heroes. Through July 1, nominations can be submitted online for any heroic act that occurred between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008. For information or a nomination form, call (858) 309-1273 or visit www.sdarc.org.
Career Fair for Students and Adults
The San Diego Workforce Partnership is hosting a free South County Career Expo on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Turning the Hearts Center, 345 5th Ave., Chula Vista, 91910. For information, contact angelaw@workforce.org or (619) 228-2976.
Free Art Museum Overstock for Educators
San Diego educators, librarians, and school staff are invited to the San Diego Museum of Art to collect free museum catalogs, posters, and other resources for school or classroom. The free event, hosted by the museum’s Education Department, will be held Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Museum memberships and other prizes will be raffled off. 10% discount in the Museum Store with school I.D. For information, contact Julie Lawrence at jlawrence@sdmart.org or (619) 696-1996.
Academic Success Parent Classes
The Ballard Parent Center is offering the final free evening parent classes for this school year on Thursdays, May 8 and May 22, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., at the Tubman-Chavez Multicultural Center. Can We Talk is designed to help parents improve communication with their children around issues such as self-esteem, peer pressure and sexuality. For information, contact Elneda Shannon at eshannon@sandi.net or (619) 293-4431.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date
The 2008-09 Principal for the Day event is scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2008, and will again be sponsored by Merrill Lynch. More information to follow.
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.
PPO Blood Drive A Mobile Blood Drive will be held Tuesday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the parking lot at Physical Plant Operations, 4860 Ruffner St, 92111. Schedule an appointment online at www.sandiegobloodbank.org (Sponsor code MOPC). For information, contact Sandy La Manna at (858) 627-7122 or slamanna@sandi.net.
Fundraiser for Point Loma High Music Department Rhapsody on the Point will be held Thursday, May 15, at Crill Performance Hall at Point Loma Nazarene University. The reception begins at 6 p.m.; concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Concert pianist and PLHS alumni Bryan Verhoye will perform, and nonagenarian piano teacher Alice Crill will be honored at the gala event. For information, call Maureen Holman at (619)223-3547 or visit www.plhsmusic.com.
Rally for Education
The San Diego United Council of PTAs is sponsoring a Rally for Education on Wednesday, May 21, at 7 p.m., in the Qualcomm Stadium Parking Lot. For information, leave a message at (619) 297-7821, or call Ruth Johnson at (619) 276-2209.
PDK Kappans Award Night
The San Diego Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) Kappans Award Night will be held Thursday, May 22, from 5 – 8 p.m., at the Handlery Hotel & Resort in Mission Valley. Among those receiving awards are Dr. Rich Cansdale (Educator of the Year), Ruth Johnson, San Diego Unified Council PTA (Volunteer of the Year) and Zamorano teacher Don Nitzel (Service to PDK). The cost is $25; registration deadline is Thursday, May 15. For information or to register, contact Jeannie Steeg at jeannie@aassdcs.org or (619) 295-2118.
Spring Concerts
The Hearst Elementary School Spring Concert will be held Wednesday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m., at Lewis Middle School. For information, call (619) 583-5704.
The Mira Mesa High School Madrigals, Concert Choir and String Orchestra annual Spring Concert will be Friday, June 6, at 7 p.m., in the high school’s auditorium. Tickets are $8 and are available at the door. For information, call Mr. Wuertz at (858) 566-2262 x4405.
California Budget Information section in the News on www.sandi.net .
Do you have an announcement for Newsline? Newsline is published every Monday; the deadline to submit items is noon on the preceding Friday. E-mail items to communications@sandi.net and mark “Newsline” in the subject line.
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on file. Items will be publicized through the Campus Calendar, the district's weekly event listing for the news media. For information, contact Jack Brandais at jbrandais@sandi.net or (619) 725-5570. 