Life Along the San Diego River

Montgomery Middle STEAM Magnet sixth graders showcased their learning at their first Exhibition of Student Learning built around the theme, “Life Along the San Diego River: Keeping San Diego’s History Alive.” Students exhibited scale blueprints and models of structures that could be built around the river using the design thinking process. The project highlighted the students' understanding of natural cycle simulations born out of their scientific research and provided them with opportunities to discuss their learning with families, fellow students, and community members. 

Montgomery continues its emphasis of designing a better world through community-centered, project-based learning!

Building Math Habits of Mind

First graders at Carson STEAM Magnet use mathematical representations to explain their mathematical reasoning. Students justify why their math ideas make sense through physical models. Mrs. Brill has challenged the class to find multiple pathways of solving this problem. As students explain their solution, she makes a public record of different methods that come forward, which creates opportunities for students to notice connections between methods. After the lesson, Lovely, who is explaining her thinking in the photo, said “The best part of math is saying what I think. Then, other people help me figure out my ideas.” 

Rachel Levy writes in the American Scientist, "To solve modeling problems, mathematicians make assumptions, choose a mathematical approach, get a solution, assess the solution for usefulness and accuracy, and then rework and adjust the model as needed until it provides an accurate and predictive enough understanding of the situation. Communicating the model and its implications in a clear, compelling way can be as critical to a model’s success as the solution itself."

Peek A Boo!

Mrs. Hayde Zavala, middle school literacy resource teacher, led the 8th grade ELA teachers from Knox in a two-day lesson study. During this time, teachers had the opportunity to visit Health Science High and Middle College (HSHMC) to gain a new perspective. While there, the 8th grade team focused on the components of an academic mindset. Knox visiting teachers observed how HSHMC teachers created a safe and collaborative environment by being warm demanders. The 8th grade ELA teachers participated in a debrief session after the site visit. This uncovered opportunities for growth and shifts in culture for teachers and staff to implement. Excitedly, Knox teachers shared one aspect of the visit they would like to implement at Knox. Ms. Sanders expressed that she would love to “renegotiate some of the student expectations that include students voice.” A big shout out goes to Knox and HSHMC for engaging in this level of collaboration!

PBL Student Experiences

Real world experiences are essential to Project-Based Learning (PBL). This fall SDUSD middle and high school interdisciplinary teams from PBL Institute had the opportunity to apply for PBL experiences mini-grants which funded career related experiences such as a project launch, investigation, presentation of learning, or culminating event. Because of these grants 2,300 students have or will participate in the following experiences:

• San Diego River Foundation - Montgomery Middle STEAM Magnet, 6th Kumeyaay Life That Affects San Diego ‘Keep San Diego’s History Alive’ 
• USS Midway Museum - Pacific Beach MS Blue STEAM, 8th Magic on the Midway 
• San Diego Public Library / MoPA / Telemundo - Roosevelt MS, SLIM Heroes Entre Nosotros
• Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College - Kearny HS DMD, 9th Seeds of Sustainability 
• San Diego Maritime Museum - Mission Bay HS Blue STEAM, 9th The 'Buc' Stops Here! Maritime accountability in an eco-friendly world 
• UCSD Gardens, Birch Aquarium, and SDG&E Energy Innovation Center - SD HS BXB, 9th Startups for Sustainability 
• SDG&E Energy Innovation Center - Marston MS, 8th Advocators for a Pollutions Free Industrialization 
• Natural History Museum - DMD Kearny HS, 11th STEM Stories: The Power of the Influencer
• Specialty Produce - Mira Mesa HS Comida Rica y Saludable-Healthy and Delicious Food

Anne Fennell Wins National Music Technology Award

Anne Fennell, K-12 Music Program Manager for the San Diego Unified School District’s VAPA Department, has recently been recognized as the 2020 Mike Kovins Teacher of the Year by Technology in Music Education (TI:ME). TI:ME is a national organization with a mission of assisting music educators in applying technology to improve teaching and learning in music. 

Anne has taught for 32 years as a teacher of K-12 students in music composition, steel drum ensemble, and Orff Schulwerk, and the past 11 years teaching composition using technology, teaching teachers how to integrate technology, and advocating administrators to validate technology use in the music classroom. In her current position, she continues to advocate for technology use in music education as it serves students learning music concepts and expressing creativity. 

Mike Kovins, President of Korg USA, whom the award is honored and named for, was an integral part of founding and creating TI:ME as a place where music educators could find resources for integrating technology into their classrooms, as well as networking with other music educators who love to utilize technology. TI:ME says, “Mike’s lifetime commitment to music and music education is epitomized by Anne’s past and present work which is why we honor her with the TI:ME 2020 Mike Kovins Teacher of the Year.” 

This article was originally published at https://www.sandiegounified.org/vapanews/anne-fennell-wins-national-music-technology-award

Ten SDUSD Choirs on Televised Holiday Special

Each December, KUSI (Channel 51) records and airs performances of student choirs as a special called “Songs of the Holiday Season.” This two-hour extravaganza of choral singing is broadcast twice: usually the evening of Christmas Eve and the morning of Christmas Day. Choirs from ten SDUSD schools were featured on this year’s special. 

Now in its 27th year, “Songs of the Holiday Season” is the outcome of a whole week of bringing local student choirs into the television studio, recording them singing, and compiling the performances. Schools apply in the early fall for a limited number of recording spots. Some schools are additionally given the exciting opportunity to perform live on “Good Morning, San Diego” before recording their numbers. 

Patrick Henry High School (director Rachel Samuelsz) and Serra High School (director Michael Fiedler) had live on-air performances during “Good Morning San Diego” on Thursday, December 5 and Monday, December 9, respectively. Their performances were re-aired during the “Songs of the Holiday Season” special. 

Other participating SDUSD schools include: De Portola Middle School (director Maureen Flynn), Wangenheim Middle School (director Cassandra Brown), La Jolla Elementary School (director Julie Greathouse-Suazo), San Diego High School (director Kayla Rodgers), Dingeman Elementary School (director Garner Saguil), CPMA Middle School (director Sara Freese), Farb Middle School (director Barbara Toombs), and Hawthorne Elementary. 

A change to previous years, this winter’s broadcast aired on the evening of Sunday, December 22 and midday on Wednesday, December 25. If you missed it, the performances are available for a limited time on the KUSI website at https://www.kusi.com/the-27th-annual-songs-of-the-holiday-season/. 

Originally posted at https://www.sandiegounified.org/vapanews/ten-sdusd-choirs-televised-holiday-special

An Hour of Code Sparks Imagination for Students

The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science to show that everyone can learn the basics and to broaden participation in the field of computing. Computer science helps develop problem-solving skills, logic and creativity which is a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path. 

Kindergarten students at Curie Elementary took part in a hands-on activity to learn about algorithms and circuits. Students applied their creativity to engineer their own light up inventions using dough, clay and LEDs. Snowmen, robots, cats and monsters were among some of the projects brought to life. 

The ability to code is a superpower that can be developed and connected to every industry. At Bell Middle School, eighth graders used the Hour of Code to be like Iron Man and engineer their own superpower. Students created a circuit then coded it to play specific sounds when their superpower exercised in different ways. This activity was sponsored through a University of San Diego Jacobs Institute STEM grant. 

 

The Hour of Code is a grassroots movement which takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week (December 9-15). It is held annually in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) was the first to recognize that machines could do more than pure calculation, published the first algorithm to be carried out by a machine and is regarded as one of the first computer programmers.

Ocean Link Lab

Middle School students in San Diego Unified are offered the opportunity to participate in the Ocean Link Lab Excursion at SeaWorld.

The Ocean Link Lab provides students a behind the scenes look at SeaWorld Cares rescue infrastructure and a glimpse into how human actions are impacting environments.

The experience aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and is an excellent three-dimensional supplement for classes that are looking at ecosystems, cause and effect, and structure and function.

In addition to the science, students become aware of careers at SeaWorld, the collaborative effort needed to run the park and are provided with an opportunity to think about how their strengths, interests and values align to the future world of work.

The culminating activity is an ocean minded art project that reflects the students experience from the day!

The following schools will be participating in Ocean Link Lab during the 2019-2020 school year: Correia, Farb, Golden Hill, Grant, Knox, Logan, Mann, Marston, Pacific Beach, Perkins, Roosevelt, Standley, Taft, and Wangenheim.

Marston Middle School’s “Clairemonster” Robotics Team brings home another trophy!

A team of three amazing Mariners competed against 53 other teams at the So Cal FLL Robotics Championship Tournament at Legoland on Saturday, December 7. Following a competitive tournament, Marston brought home a second place trophy for their innovative research project…a disability friendly grocery store.

It was their amazing teamwork and gracious professionalism that got them to the championship, but it was their dedication to making a difference in peoples' lives who have disabilities that won them the research trophy. Their coach and robotics/engineering teacher at Marston, Lori Holland, leads 30 students each year through all aspects of FIRST LEGO League Robotics. The entire school is extremely proud of all of the robotics team members who worked so hard over a period of 10 weeks. 

All of the team members competed in a friendly community robotics tournament at SeaWorld at the end of October along with Innovation Middle School students. High school students from Clairemont and Mission Bay High schools acted as judges. They even had the “press” there thanks to a couple of video production students and a new recruit acting as Master of Ceremonies and scorekeeper. 

Students not only competed in solving real world problems, teamwork, robot design, and robot games, but they were also treated to some behind the scenes action with the killer whales and a visit from a friendly animal ambassador, a sloth. 

Marston’s Clairemonster Robotics team is forever grateful for this new partnership with SeaWorld, participating students and teachers from the community, and the time and dedication from industry professionals, coaches, and mentors, Finally, thank you to the Marston PTSA for sponsoring the events! 

UC High Biomedical Students celebrate at White Coat Ceremony to kick off Internships

University City High’s Biomedical program held its White Coat Ceremony on December 10th at New Life Church in La Jolla. This year, 62 UC students will be heading out to their internships starting in February and going to locations such as UCSD Medical Center, VA and Scripps Hospitals, Bellatrix Pharmaceuticals, Ethos Veterinary Health, and the La Jolla Institute of Immunology.

Janelle Aleksic who teaches the Biomedical Innovations course and coordinates all the internship placements along with Medical Interventions instructor, Jessica Bosch dawned Lab Coats to students who have been in the program for the last four years. This event is viewed as a “rite of passage” and the students have worked hard to get to the point of being prepared for this Work-Based Learning opportunity that will be remembered for a lifetime. Congratulations to all 62 Biomedical students!

Adopt-A-Family 2019

This holiday season the Children and Youth in Transition Department coordinated SDUSD’s annual Adopt-A-Family program. The holiday season can be a hard time for all of us, especially in times of financial down turn. The Adopt-A-Family program was developed help make the season a bit brighter for those in need. The program pools donations from SDUSD staff members to provide gifts to our district families who need it most. This year, approximately 115 students from 40 families, in schools across the district, received gifts through the program. 

VAPA Book Club Focuses on Passion

The SDUSD Visual and Performing Arts Department launched a program this fall called "One Book, One VAPA." Part book club, part arts-focused PLC, the opt-in program brings together artistically minded staff for three after-school group conversations during the 2019-2020 school year. All VAPA teachers and VAPA Liaisons were invited to participate. 

Those who signed up read the same book, The Element, by Sir Ken Robinson, copies of which were provided. Sir Ken Robinson is a leader in working to unlock the creative energy of people and organizations around the world. He is also the most watched speaker in TED history. His TED Talk, "Do Schools Kill Creativity", has been seen by over 380 million people worldwide. The Element is all about finding your passions, embracing them, and defining your own path to happiness. 

Led by Rebecca Bellingham, an artist, educator and author, the “One Book, One VAPA” book club has explored the idea of passion, helping students find their own passion, and made connections to our own work as educators and arts champions. One fascinating question that came up in a recent discussion was "If you could live any fantasy life, what would it be?" This lively conversation led to the idea of the "fantasy life" representing what might be missing in our current lives and how to begin to incorporate those things into our lives starting right now! 

You are welcome to join the conversation, even if you have not read the book! The last meeting will be held on Monday, February 3rd, 4:30 - 6:00pm at the San Diego Performing Arts Center, 4579 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego, CA 92120. 

Published originally at https://www.sandiegounified.org/vapanews/vapa-book-club-focuses-passion

What Makes You Happy?

This question is the inspiration for the newest mural going up at Carson Elementary STEAM Magnet in Linda Vista. Students responded to the prompt by creating images that bring joy to their lives, which were then used as the subject of the mural. The art piece is part of an ongoing partnership the school has with the ArtReach organization. ArtReach’s mission is to bring art to the lives of children by having students work with local artists on school campuses throughout the county. 

In creating the mural, younger students were given different pre-cut out shapes inspired by their drawings while older students used scissors and collaged objects they love- rockets, robots, flowers, fruit, birds, sailboats, etc. 

The ArtReach artists then took all of their individual collaged paper images and arranged them to get the final mural design! Students then worked with the ArtReach team to paint the mural. 

When the mural is complete, parents and community will be invited to attend a grand unveiling; a celebration of the joy of art! 

To learn more about Carson Elementary, please visit: www.sandiegounified.org/carson 

To learn more about ArtReach’s mural project visit: https://www.artreachsandiego.org/programs/murals/

Twenty-One SDUSD Teachers Receive VAPA Foundation Funding

Twenty-one San Diego Unified teachers will receive awards to underwrite visual and performing arts (VAPA) related activities and purchases funded by the VAPA Foundation’s 2019-2020 VAPA Enhancement Program. The VAPA Enhancement Program (VEP) enables any San Diego Unified teacher to apply for funds to enhance the quality of, and access to arts education in the classroom or school. The VAPA Foundation funds arts enhancements not covered by a school’s budget. 

 The VAPA Enhancement Program (VEP) funds field trips, artist residencies, and arts equipment from ukuleles to a laser cutter for media sculpture from elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district. Each successful applicant linked the request to ongoing curriculum goals. President of the VAPA Foundation Board of Directors Larry Baza, states that over 2,100 district students “will directly benefit from the VEP projects with additional impact expected to school communities through culminating student performances, art exhibitions and participation in state and national festivals. Plus, the reach extends onward to future years with the purchase of new equipment.” This year, the VAPA Foundation funded a total of more than $34,000 in support of arts education through VEP. 

A full list of VEP recipients can be found at https://www.sandiegounified.org/vapanews/twenty-one-sdusd-teachers-receive-vapa-foundation-funding.