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News
You Can Use
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Board Announces Transition Plans
During the open session of the January 27, 2005 Board Meeting, the district's Board of Education announced that it reached a mutual agreement to amend the contract with Superintendent Alan D. Bersin, that will see Bersin leave the district on June 30, 2005. Read January 27, 2005 News Release.
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February Post and Bid Timeline Change
The February Post and Bid opening date has changed to February 22, 2005. The February Post and Bid closing date has changed to March 3, 2005.
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Changes to the Federal Teacher Loan Program
Do you teach math, science or special education? Have you taught for five years in a Title I school? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you may be eligible for new loan forgiveness limits recently signed into law by President George W. Bush. The Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act (P.L. 108-409) authorizes up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness to eligible teachers of math, science and special education. This dramatic increase of $12,500 above the previous loan limits is meant to ease the shortage of teachers in key subject areas. For detailed information and to find out if you qualify, please call the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-433-7327 or visit www.ifap.ed.gov.
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Celebrate Black History Month
Please join the Board of Education in celebrating Black History Month this February, in honor of the contributions of our African-American population. African-American students comprise 16% of San Diego City Schools.
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Classified Employees of the Year Nominations
In May 2005, the Board of Education will present the 22nd Annual Classified Employee of the Year Awards to an outstanding man and woman and runners up. A nominee for the award must be a classified employee with at least three years of service in a monthly position, and must have demonstrated extraordinary service, involvement, and accomplishments through his/her employment with the district as well as involvement in the community. If you know of a classified employee who is deserving of this special award, please submit his or her name using the Nominating Petition. Please send or hand-deliver completed petitions in a sealed envelope to: Gloria Rangel, Eugene Brucker Education Center, Room 1241, no later than 5 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2005. Incomplete petitions and those received after the deadline will not be considered, and neither will petitions that contain nominating statements that exceed the allocated space on the form.
In conjunction with the presentation of selected Classified Employees of the Year, the Board of Education will adopt a Resolution recognizing May 15-21, 2005, as Classified School Employees' Week at a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 17, 2005. To honor the district's classified employees, the board has requested that a classified employee representative be selected from each school/work site to be recognized at this meeting. Additionally, each representative will receive a copy of the board-adopted resolution to take back to his/her site. Please use Administrative Circular # 70: Selection form for Classified Representative to submit the name of your site's classified representative. For more information, please contact Gloria Rangel at (619) 725-8172.
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Driving Directions Directory Available Online
Need driving directions to a school? An updated Site Locations & Driving Directions is available on the "For District Staff" page of the district website. The current online version replaces the prior April 2004 version. The directory can be printed from the website and is a useful reference if your job requires travel around the district. The directory will be updated periodically. If you have a correction or question about the directory, please send an email to jkawano@sandi.net.
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Support our High Schools with an Internship Program
Internship programs between our district high schools and community partners are not uncommon, but district departments and offices are a good place for interns to learn as well! Consider offering an internship through the district's Regional Occupational Program (ROP), which is required for many graduating seniors. Internships provide valuable work experience to students, assistance on key projects, opportunities for offices to connect with future employees, and valuable management experience to employees. For more information on the benefits and details of offering an internship, read about the student internships offered by the Communications Department.
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No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Compliance for Paraeducators
Paraeducators that have not complied with the NCLB certification process recently received "one year left to certify" reminder letters from Human Resources, with a copy to the principal / department head. Only those Paraeducators who received letters need to take action to comply. Other Paraeducators who did not receive letters have already complied or are exempt. In many cases, all that is required is to take the NCLB compliant Classroom Assistant Proficiency Exam (CAPE) test. If you received a letter, please keep in mind the January 6, 2006, deadline for becoming NCLB compliant. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources, in person at the Classification and Recruitment Unit, Ed Center, Annex 9 or call (619) 725-8195 and press "0."
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Use PeopleSoft's eRecruit for Certificated Applications
Certificated applications for Spring Intersession, Summer School, and Post and Bid must be submitted via the new PeopleSoft eRecruit Module. The open and end dates for submitting bid applications for each posting are listed on the corresponding circulars. Directions for applying online can be found on the district website; look under "Hot Topics". Please log into PeopleSoft prior to the posting dates to ensure there are no access problems prior to the application period.
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Spring Intersession Classified Positions Available
Spring Intersession is quickly approaching and Human Resources is looking for eligible classified candidates. If you are a classified employee (OTBS/PARA) and are interested in working from March 28 to April 8, 2005, please contact Grace Gutierrez at (619) 725-8114 or Gloria Rangel at (619) 725-8172. If you already submitted a bubble sheet/application last fall, please do not re-apply. This notice is only for those employees in the OTBS or PARA units who did not already apply or who are new employees.
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Chargers Champions Scholarship Application Now Available
The San Diego Chargers have announced that the annual Chargers Champions Scholarship and Grant Program is now accepting applications. The school grant portion of this program provides funds to San Diego County schools for physical fitness, education and nutrition programs. High schools can apply for grants up to $75,000; middle schools up to $40,000; and elementary schools up to $30,000. The scholarship portion annually awards high school juniors with $7,000 tuition scholarships and laptop computers. Since the beginning of this program six years ago, Chargers Champions has provided more than $1.6 million in scholarships and grants. Apply: School Grant (Due March 18) | Student Scholarship (Due March 4). For more information, please visit the Chargers website.
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Apply For Healthy and Ready to Learn Recognition
Schools and programs demonstrating leadership in Coordinated School Health may apply for Healthy and Ready to Learn recognition. Applicants have access to an extensive network of programmatic resources and technical support from Coordinated School Health (CSH), San Diego, a committee of public health professionals, educators, nutrition and physical activity specialists, healthcare providers and other youth serving agencies. Applications must be submitted before the deadline on Friday, March 4, 2005. Awardees will be recognized at the annual Healthy and Ready to Learn Reception in May. If you have any questions or need assistance in completing the application, please contact Brenda Burt in Physical Education, Health and Interscholastic Athletics at (619) 725-7124.
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Win Your Dream Classroom from KSWB!
KSWB is supporting local schools by giving teachers (Grades K-6) the chance to create the classroom of their dreams with a $1,000 prize. One lucky teacher will win each month. Enter online or email ssalgado@tribune.com for more information.
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GSDIEC Mini-grant Program for Teachers
The Greater San Diego Industry-Education Council (GSDIEC) is proud to offer teachers the opportunity to participate in a mini-grant program. The program is intended to encourage teachers to try new alternatives to make education meaningful to students, to recognize innovative spirit and promote a link between industry/business and education. Grants will be awarded for up to $600. Applications are due on Friday, March 25, 2005. For more information, please contact Trish Cushing at (858) 668-4005.
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Professional Development Opportunity: Study Spanish in Mexico This Summer
San Diego City College is pleased to announce it will once again be offering its four-week intensive Spanish language program in Cuernavaca, Mexico from July 2 to July 30, 2005. Participants can enroll in one of six levels of Spanish while living with Mexican host families where they will be served three meals daily. Excursions to Mexico City, Teotihuacan, and Taxco are also included. For more information, please contact Marion Froehlich at (619) 388-3652 or visit the San Diego City College website and click on the Mexico link."
Message from the Teacher Preparation & Student Support Division: Credit toward the 150 hours of professional development for credential renewal must be in conformance with guidelines delineated in the California Professional Growth Manual and with article 12 of the SDEA Collective Negotiations Contract.
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New from the New Americans Immigration Museum and Learning Center
A free user's guide is now available to support teachers who plan to use the Family Histories Essay Competition in their classrooms. Featuring FAQs from students and teachers as well as helpful tips and suggestions, the user's guide is available online (click on Family Histories Users Guide) or by emailing carolinemckoen@earthlink.net.
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Food Services Essay, Poetry Rap Contest for Students
Bright blue student flyers announcing the Food Services Essay, Poetry Rap Contest should now be available at all school sites. Last year over 1,200 students from every grade level entered this contest, which runs each year during the month of March, National Nutrition Month. To enter the contest, students answer the question, "What do bones need to grow and stay strong?" We are fortunate to be partnered with Sea World, who is not only sponsoring the event by printing flyers and offering prizes, but will also send valuable bookmarks and coupons to all students. Bookmarks will arrive next week. For more information, please contact Joanne Tucker, Food Services Marketing Coordinator, at (858) 627-7316.
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$12,000 in Scholarship Awards Available from California Coast Credit Union
If you know a high school senior who needs cash for college, California Coast Credit Union can help. Their 2005 Scholarship Program recognizes the academic excellence, school activities and community involvement of graduating high school seniors. This year's program offers five scholarships: one for $5,000, two for $2,500 and two for $1,000. The applicant must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and be a California Coast member, or the son or daughter of a member, by the application deadline of March 31, 2005. For complete details and an application, visit the California Coast Credit Union website and click on the scholarship link under "What's New." Applications are also available at all California Coast branches, or by calling 1-877-495-1600.
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Red Cross Offers Aquatics Scholarship Opportunities for Students
The American Red Cross Aquatics Division is kicking off its 2005 Aquatics Training Programs with exciting new opportunities for San Diego students (ages 15+) to take Lifeguard Training and Water Safety Instructor Training for free or at a reduced price. Graduates will be trained for jobs at pools, clubs and other facilities. Participants are urged to apply in advance as space is limited. Courses run from February through June. For more information, call 1-800-REDCROSS, email aquatics@sdarc.org, or visit www.sdarc.org/aquatics.
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High School Oratorical Contest for Students
Students (Grades 9-12) are invited to brush up on their public speaking skills with Pazzaz Inc. The High School Oratorical Contest, hosted by Pazzaz Inc. and currently in its tenth year, provides San Diego students with a forum to express their feelings and beliefs on important issues and enhances students' research, organization, writing, critical thinking, and oratorical delivery skills. Students are invited to attend Saturday workshops in preparation of the competition which will take place at the Achievement Awards Dinner, on May 22, 2005, at the Holiday Inn on the Bay. This year's topic is "Where if anywhere should Congress draw the line on freedom of expression?" For more information, visit the Pazzaz Inc. website or contact Pazzaz Inc. at (619) 264-6870.
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City of San Diego Water Conservation Poster Contest for Students
The City of San Diego is pleased to announce the 5th Annual Water Conservation Poster Contest. The contest is designed to encourage classroom discussions about the importance of conserving water and various ways to use recycled water in San Diego. To enter, students in Grades 1-6 must draw a poster that illustrates one important point based on this year's theme, "Water. Reduce Your Use!" Posters should display large lettering, only a few words, and must be drawn horizontally on 11" x 14" white paper. Last year's winners included Katelyn Adelman, First Place, Grade 1, Hearst Elementary; Maren Hale, First Place, Grade 2, Silver Gate Elementary; Amber Knight, Third Place, Grade 3, Holmes Elementary; Amy Ishiguro, Third Place, Grade 4, La Jolla Elementary; Charmaine Ong, Second Place, Grade 4, Sandburg Elementary; and Seo Yong Kim, Third Place, Grade 5, Curie Elementary. The deadline for poster submissions is Wednesday, March 30, 2005. Additional information about the contest, including the entry form and a free activity book are available on the City of San Diego website or by calling (619) 235-1984.
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SAMMY Awards for Seniors
America's Milk Processors and USA TODAY are please to present the 8th annual "Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year" (SAMMY 2005) Award Program. Each year, this scholarship program recognizes 25 outstanding scholar athletes in Grade 12 from across the nation. Nominations will be accepted through March 4, 2005. For more information, please visit www.whymilk.com.
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