Farb Middle School wins the AVID $10,000 Teacher Excellence Award!

Congratulations to Farb Middle School being one of five recipients of the 2019 AVID Teacher Advocacy Award. Recipients of the AVID Teacher Advocacy Award will each receive $10,000, which will strengthen teachers’ work with students and foster college and career readiness initiatives at their schools by enabling them to coordinate college field trips, purchase classroom equipment and materials, promote professional development, and secure engaging classroom speakers. “These educators go above and beyond to support their students and schools,” said AVID CEO Sandy Husk. “I am happy that we can honor them thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. These teachers are doing the work that will make college dreams a reality for countless California children.”

Copland House Sponsors Music Premiere at UCHS

Not many high school students get to premiere a new musical work, and even fewer get to work with the composer to prepare the for the premiere. University City High School band students had a chance to do just that this spring, when they premiered “Dancing Ink,” a new work from local composer Yihsien Chen.

With support from the VAPA Foundation, University City High School partnered with Copland House, a not-for-profit foundation in New York. The Copland House began as the historic residence of famous American composer Aaron Copland, and now houses composers-in-residence. The organization provides public musical performances, visual exhibitions, master classes, lectures, and on-site tours; its education arm supplies in-school performances and workshops, coaching for student musical ensembles, as well as its renowned “What’s the Score” program. 

In “What’s the Score”, Copland House commissions a composer to collaborate with middle school or high school students to create a new piece of music together. Over the course of the year, students read through drafts of the composition and provide feedback to the composer, culminating in a public performance by the student ensemble of the new co-designed work. “What’s the Score” is a 2015 winner of the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award, which recognizes partnerships between professional music organizations and public school music programs. 

The composer for the University City High School project, Yihsien Chen, is a doctoral student in composition at UC San Diego. Mr. Chen has a connection to and interest in visual art, often creating his music to be an aural representation of the elements, materials, and themes in a work of art. His vibrant multi-movement instrumental composition developed for University City High School, “Dancing Ink”, was initially inspired by several paintings he admires. During the premiere performance at a concert on May 1 at UCHS, the paintings were projected on a screen as the students played the music. The professionalism of the young performers combined with the visual art connection was inspiring for many in attendance.

Brandon Corenman, director of music at University City High School, said that the process was interesting for the students and that they learned a lot from the process and the collaboration. The premiere was attended by SDUSD Superintendent Cindy Marten and VAPA Director Russ Sperling, as well as the Education Director for Copland House, Paul Meches, and the composer, Yihsien Chen.

Copland House's “What's the Score?” program partnership with University City High School was made possible by generous support from the VAPA Foundation and the Friends of Copland House.

Bell Hosts “Arts in Paradise” Cluster Event

On Saturday, June 1, Bell Middle School hosted “Arts in Paradise”, an event showcasing student talent and opportunities available in the Morse cluster. Students, parents, and community members from the neighborhood flocked to the event.

Rooms were filled with student art from Bell Middle and Morse High School ready for open-house-style touring. Another room was devoted to hands-on arts and crafts experiences for the attendees. The theater’s stage was alive with student performances, including dances by Morse High School students and a rousing music performance by the Bell Middle School Band, under the direction of Honseng Tu. Also featured at this event were local craftspeople and organizations in a fair-like setting, including the local police department with a prize wheel for kids and a DJ to keep the mood festive.

This event was designed to unite residents and showcase arts opportunities at the schools, and was sponsored by The VAPA Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to, “enhance the quality of and access to arts education in the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD).”

https://www.sandiegounified.org/vapanews/%E2%80%9Carts-paradise%E2%80%9D-cluster-event-held-bell-middle-school

VAPA Showcase Accompanies Opening of Seaport Village SDUSD Student Visual Art Gallery

San Diego Unified School District, in partnership with Seaport Village, sponsored the first annual “Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Student Showcase” on May 11th. This free and family-friendly event featured student performances in dance, theatre, and music, as well as visual art and media art displays. Students in all disciplines and at all grade levels from around the district were highlighted. 

The Showcase coincided with the debut of Seaport Village’s new visual art gallery for SDUSD student work. The brick-and-mortar gallery is located in a 640-square-foot building in Seaport Village’s Lighthouse District, the easternmost sector closest to the San Diego Convention Center. As an extension of Seaport’s commitment to supporting local arts and culture through meaningful collaborations, the SDUSD Art Gallery at Seaport will spotlight a rotating selection of artwork in various mediums. The artwork for the opening was curated from more than 80 classes of over 12,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade. The gallery will be open weekly throughout the year. 

The VAPA Showcase was featured on several local news programs (for example, the picture in the art gallery is from KUSI), and the partnership gallery’s guestbook shows visitors from as far away as Hawaii and the mid-west. What started as a rainy Saturday transformed into a beautiful sunny afternoon, further illuminated by our students and their art forms. Look for this event again next spring!

Ensuring Healthy Athletes in SDUSD

On June 1, 2019, the San Diego Unified Department of Nursing and Wellness collaborated with community partners, UCSD Sports and Medicine Division, Point Loma Nazarene School of Nursing, and La Maestra Community Health Clinics. Community providers performed 358 no-cost pre-participation physical evaluations on high school students. The physical evaluations ensured students were healthy before participating in CIF sports. San Diego High School hosted the event. The comprehensive physical evaluations consisted of a thorough health history, well child exam, blood pressure reading, heart rate, and vision acuity exam with referral. Thank you for all those that volunteered.

Clairemont High School Celebrates Annual Young Athletes Event

Clairemont High School is well known for their efforts to work with children born with developmental disabilities. Friday morning, the Chieftains’ reputation proved to be true. Click here: https://www.kusi.com/clairemont-high-school-celebrates-annual-young-athletes-event/

2019 African American Achievement Summit Success!!!

The 2019 African American Achievement Summit brought together over 500 San Diego Unified students to celebrate their identity and experiences, maximize agency, and access information about post-secondary opportunities through the African American Lens. Our keynote speaker, Jordan Harrison, Harvard graduate and Chief Inspiration Officer at Reality Changers, as well as Superintendent, Cindy Marten kicked off the day, sharing the amazing successes achieved by our African American students. Students attended workshops throughout the day, ranging from "From the SouthEast to Africa... Self Made!" to "You Are The Author Of YOUR Story," to "A Seat at the Table: Protecting Your Black, Queer Identity in Academia." A huge thanks to SD Mesa College for hosting this amazing event as well as all of our partners in this work.

2019 CCTE Showcase

Project teams from all across San Diego Unified attended the CCTE Showcase on May 22 to exhibit the inspiring work produced throughout the year as part of an interdisciplinary team or in one of their CTE classes.

In total, there were 35 student project teams sharing their learning with the public and the CCTE Showcase Judges. Throughout the evening, as teams presented, attendees were able to sample foods prepared by CCTE’s culinary programs.

While all of the teams could be classified as winners because of all of the amazing work they put into their projects, some were recognized with awards.

The People’s Choice Award went to Hoover’s SABE, Plastic Pollution Solutions. Hoover SABE students tackled the plastic pollution problem and spearheaded a campaign to reduce the use of plastic in the City Heights community.

The Open CTE Award went to Point Loma HS, An En“lighten”ing Experience - Creating an Illuminated “Pointer Pride” Sign. The Point Loma High School Engineering Design and Development class worked with the school administration to create a solar-powered LED lit display that will be installed by the stadium scoreboard.

The Interdisciplinary High School Team Award went to Kearny DMD, Sea and Me. Kearny DMD students worked with Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Birch Aquarium to develop infographics and persuasive videos to post on social media in order to bring attention to the danger coral reefs face.

The Middle School Award went to Marston Middle School, Ocean Savers not Ocean Darth Vaders. Students worked with San Diego Coastkeeper to teach other young people to join the rebellion against single use items and climate change.

The Newcomer Award went to Montgomery Middle STEAM Magnet, "We are Linda Vista" Lamp Post Banner Project. Montgomery Middle STEAM Magnet students worked in teams to create a visual representation of Linda Vista for light post banners. The banners can now be seen along Linda Vista Road and Ulric Street.

East Village HS Sophomore Exhibition

East Village HS had their first ever Sophomore Exhibition on May 30. Sophomores were sharing their “This I Believe” video and sharing their readiness for taking college courses. Students answered the essential question: How will my college experience be influenced by my belief system.

Pricilla, who wants to become a marine biologist, has three rules for success: 1- show up; 2-do my very best work; 3-ask for help.

Nasira’s “This I Believe” video shared her pride and protection her family. She believes life will give you a series of tests. You can choose to make a choice that will make or break it.

Queen connected life and basketball, realizing that everyone deals with loss and you can accept defeat and learn from it. You won't always get what you want but you need to be resilient because basketball and life are not easy! Persevere and work hard!

It is clear these students are ready for their next challenge!

La Jolla High Coach Running 110 Miles for Cancer Research

For the 10th year in a row, a coach and teacher at La Jolla High School is running 100 miles around the school's track to raise money for cancer research -- and this year, he's tacking on an extra 10 miles to celebrate a decade of running.

Click here: https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/06/05/la-jolla-high-coach-running-110-miles-for-cancer-research/

8 SDUSD Seniors Receive the Chelsea's Light Foundation Sunflower Scholarship

Eight San Diego Unified seniors were the recipients of this year's Chelsea's Light Sunflower Scholarship: 

1) Azareel Conizales from La Jolla High School is planning to attend SDSU and received $5000 

2) Aiden Kennedy from University City High School is planning to attend UCSB and received $2000 3) Cielo Segura from San Diego High School is planning to attend UCLA and received $2000 

4) Jerry Yang from Scripps Ranch High School is planning to attend Carnegie Mellon and received $2000 

5) Brandon Sutton from University City High School is planning to attend UCLA and received $2000 6) Giorgia Nicolaou from La Jolla High School is planning to attend UCLA and received $2000 

7) Asiya Mohamed from Crawford High School is planning to attend UCSD and received $2000 

8) Heather Amancio from Patrick Henry High School is planning to attend Allegheny and received $2000

The Sunflower Scholarship Fund’s purpose is simple: to find resilient and bright students who tower over others in uniqueness and splendor, who stand out from a crowd, just as a sunflower does. The Fund helps support students in two ways: Academic and “Joie de Vivre” extracurricular scholarships. The Academic scholarships will provide financial support for college enrollment, and the Joie de Vivre or “joy of life” scholarships are designed to enable children with financial need to experience the joy of extracurricular activities that they otherwise couldn’t afford.

Hage Elementary students treated to a special visit to the beach on June 3rd

For the past 15 years the 5th graders at Hage visit the beach to surf, boogie board, paddle board and kayak. The students at Hage, starting in the 3rd grade, receive 10 free swimming lessons each year and that is why the 5th graders are treated to a beach field trip. KUSI and CBS covered the morning activities and interview students who are in the program now and those who have moved on to middle and high school. The afternoon held a special treat because San Diego and Hage Elementary were chosen to be part of the Make a Splash Tour by USA Swimming and Phillips 66. Gold metal Olympic swimmers, Rowdy Gains 1984, Josh Davis 1996, Jordan Wilimovsky 2016, and Ryan Murphy 2016 spent the afternoon with the students. They showed off their gold medals, let the kids wear them, and talked about the importance of learning to swim. Then each athlete put on a wet suit and hit the water. They helped students surf, paddle board, kayak and boogie board. The athletes were very gracious and great working with the children.

Music and Art Students Tour UC San Diego

 The SDUSD Visual and Performing Arts Department has coordinated with UC San Diego to provide special campus tours and presentations for district students of the arts. Four half-day tours for music and visual art students took place this spring, with additional events planned for theatre and dance this fall. 

Each day began with arrival at 10am on the UCSD campus. Students received a welcome from current students in the Arts and Humanities, then a presentation by arts faculty members, such as Professor Susan Narucki (Performance: Voice - Soprano), Assistant Professor Wilfredo Terrazas (Performance: Flute), and Associate Teaching Professor Tom Erbe (Computer Music). During their visit, students watched performances, participated in workshops, and received a campus tour, including visits to the Geisel Library and highlights of the Stuart sculpture collection. Each visit was limited to 50 students.

Participating schools May 22: Vocal Music – students from the choral programs at Hoover and San Diego High May 23: Jazz & Improvisation – students from the jazz program at Mission Bay High May 29: Music & Technology – students from the instrumental music program at San Diego High May 30: Visual Art – students from the visual art programs at Mission Bay and Crawford High

These trips were made possible by UCSD sponsorship of the VAPA Foundation, and provided free of charge to students and teachers.

 

https://www.sandiegounified.org/vapanews/music-and-art-students-tour-uc-san-diego

Spreckles Elementary Host College & Career Pep Rally

Students from Spreckles Elementary got quiet a treat, as San Diego Miramar College & San Diego Mesa College came to their campus to host their annual College & Career Pep Rally. Students from TK-5 learned about the amazing programs & opportunities that both schools have to offer students & their families. School Counselor Robyn Erikson coordinated the event and plans on expanding the college & career program to host more colleges on campus throughout the upcoming school year. For more information, follow us on social media: @CounselingSDUSD @SprecklesSD, @sdmesacollege, @SDMiramar, & @IYSSDUSD

Kumeyaay Elementary host their annual Character Matters play

Kumeyaay Elementary hosted their annual Character Matters play that showcased social-emotional learning & well-being. Students heard stories through the lens of their favorite fairytale characters on how to be a good friend, how to share with others & how to take responsibility for their actions. For more information please follow: @Counseling SDUSD, Kumeyaay Elementary on Facebook & Office of School Innovation & Integrated Youth Services @OSIIYSSDUSD