Staff Bulletin: Scenes From Schools, March 30, 2005

March 30, 2005

Sections:

Feature Articles

News You Can Use

Hall of Fame

Scenes from Schools

Student Salutes

Save the Date

In Memoriam

Classifieds

Previous Issues

Staff Bulletin is published for employees of San Diego City Schools monthly except during school holidays. Send news items and classified ads to:
Staff Bulletin
Education Center, Room 2145
phone: (619)725-5578; fax: (619)725-5576
e-mail: communications@sandi.net

Scenes from Schools
•	Students Relive Colonial Williamsburg Fifth graders at Dingeman Elementary in Scripps Ranch treated the community to a Colonial Williamsburg Living Museum recently. Dressed in colonial attire, the colonists explained to visitors about their government, various trades, fashions and lifestyles. Students spent many weeks researching the start of our new nation and wrote a research report on a specific colony and trade. They also recreated artifacts used by the colonists and built sets for the museum. Hard-working tradesmen included "coopers" who made barrels, candle-makers, saddle-makers, wig-makers, blacksmiths, silversmiths, a magazine where artillery was stored and cabinet-makers. The latest fashions were displayed at the Milliner's Shop, and a weary visitor could stop at the tavern to relax and have a drink. For colonists who weren't feeling well, a trip to the apothecary might be in order, where herbs and other medicines were available to comfort the ill. A visit to the Governor's Palace featured a ball for elite society members. Education was also prominent in Colonial Williamsburg as students, teachers and professors told of a typical day at the Dame School and the College of William and Mary. A court trial was also held, and representatives at the House of Burgesses explained how laws were made so that order could be maintained in the colony.
•	Artistic Gate Dedicated at Birney Elementary The new gate at Birney Elementary isn't just any old gate. It is a piece of art that captures the history of the University Heights neighborhood. The gate, titled, "Trolley Comes to Town," was designed by local metal artists Alber de Matteis and Linda Joanou. The steel gate features an old-time trolley, which has been a symbol of University Heights ever since the trolley ran on what is now Park Boulevard. The gate is positioned at the corner of Meade and Park, which is known as the entrance to the University Heights neighborhood. On February 17, students, parents and neighbors gathered at Birney Elementary to dedicate the gate. Councilmember Toni Atkins, Board President Luis Acle and several other community leaders spoke of the importance of public art in the community. The project was commissioned by the University Heights Community Development Corporation and funded in part by the City's Commission for Arts and Culture.
•	Birney Family Fridays At Alice Birney Elementary, the first Friday of every month is Family Friday. The school welcomes families and community members during the last hour of the day, 2:30-3:35 p.m., and invites them to stop in classrooms and visit with students. Many parents relish this monthly opportunity to take off work a little early and come to the school. The school's Parent Academic Liaison, Nevada Chisholm, hosts the afternoon, with a mini-lesson for literacy or math for any interested parents. This is a wonderful time for teachers and parents to establish those crucial links between the classroom and the home, in a very natural environment- the classroom. Family spirit is further nurtured by encouraging parents to gather a group of kids around them. In this picture, Mr. Carlos Kin is reading with Destiny and Sierra in Mr. Medlock's first grade classroom.
•	Schools Celebrate Ribbon-cutting Ceremonies Grand opening celebrations took place at three schools in January and February, and students are now enjoying their new Proposition MM libraries at Cadman, Lee and Holmes elementary schools. If you are interested in planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony at your school, check out the Proposition MM website for a helpful checklist. Adams Elementary and Wegeforth Elementary used the occasion of Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2 to dedicate new library buildings. Students wore Dr. Seuss hats, sang songs and read essays about the importance of libraries and reading. A few days later on March 4, Marshall Elementary dedicated its new library and classroom building. Because of rain, the ceremony was moved inside the library where a small group of student readers presented their essays to Board Member Shelia Jackson and others. The students also made posters and cards to thank their Partner in Education, the U.S. Navy's HSL 47. The new buildings were funded by Proposition MM, the voter-approved bond measure passed in 1998 that is paying for facilities modernization and construction throughout the school district.
•	New Counseling and Guidance Resource Library A reception was held February 4, 2005, to dedicate the new Counseling and Guidance Resource Library at the Wiggin Center, 4350 Mt. Everest in Clairemont, 92117. The books and kits were purchased with funds donated by the Downtown Kiwanis Club of San Diego, with whom Counseling and Guidance has had a partnership for over 25 years. Pictured here from left to right are Shaun McArdle (Kiwanis), Norma Trost (Kiwanis), Earlene Dunbar (Program Manager, Counseling and Guidance) and Chris Pare (Kiwanis).
•	Flight Simulator at Madison High After several months of planning and construction, a new JROTC Flight Simulator is up and running at Madison High School. Constructed of actual surplus aircraft components, commercial kit parts and scratch-built pieces, the simulator is a fairly similar reproduction of an Air Force F-16C fighter-bomber. Driven by computer software developed by former Air Force instructor pilots, the trainer is capable of accurately simulating most of the flight regime of a real F-16C. A team of cadets, led by JRTC alumni Khoi Pham, are currently programming the myriad of controls to increase the realism of the simulation. What use does a F-16C Flight Simulator serve in an Army JROTC unit? Aside from exercising the numerous computer and technical skills necessary to program and fly the simulator, it is hoped that the simulator will spark an interest in cadets for possible aviation careers.

The mission of San Diego City Schools is to improve student achievement by supporting teaching and learning in the classroom.