Launching into Project-based Learning

How can we design rigorous and relevant project-based experiences for students? This was the essential question teachers were asked at the Project-based Learning 101 workshop. To answer this question, teachers learned the PBL design process through creating a project they would implement in their classrooms. A big aha! for many teachers was the difference between project-oriented learning and project-based learning. Project-oriented learning is learning the content of the subject first and then completing a culminating project, while project-based learning is when students learn the content through the project experience. After two days of hands-on learning, teachers were ready to get back in their classrooms to launch their PBL projects with their students.

Clairemont, Mira Mesa and Patrick Henry High School ASB Presidents Serve as Honorary SDUSD Student Board Representatives

Skyler Fickett, the ASB President of Clairemont High School, Naedeen Aquino, the ASB President of Mira Mesa High School and Chris Stagner, the ASB President of Patrick Henry High School, recently served as San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) Student Board Representatives. The students joined the Board Members on the dais and provided reports about what has been happening at their schools both socially and academically.

President of SDUSD Council of ASB Presidents Swears-In Board Member

President of the SDUSD Council of ASB Presidents, Jerry Yang of Scripps Ranch High School, joined Judge Judith McConnell of the 4th District Court of Appeal at a recent Board of Education meeting to swear-in Board Member McQuary. Jerry assisted Board Member McQuary with taking the Oath of Office.

Nursing & Wellness Promotes Flu Awareness & Prevention

With the flu season usually peaking between December and March, the nurses of SDUSD have been busy raising awareness about flu risk and prevention to help keep their school communities healthy. From preschools to high schools, school nurses have been spreading the word about flu through flyers, posters, school-wide broadcast messages, and in-class lessons, promoting healthy habits and encouraging flu vaccination. At several school sites, school nurses collaborated with community providers such as San Diego County Health and Human Services, United Healthcare, Champions for Health, and RiteAid to offer free flu shots to staff, students, and families.

For thousands of people across San Diego County every season, the flu means a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue, and miserable days spent in bed. It also means many days of missed school and work. Complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections can also occur. Serious complications can result in hospitalization and sometimes death.

The most important step in protecting against flu is the annual flu vaccine. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. It is especially important for high-risk individuals, such as babies and young children, people with chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes, and people 65 years and older. Other ways to prevent the spread of flu is to practice frequent handwashing , cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent arm, avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes, and to stay home when sick.

Contact your school nurse for more information about where you and your family can get vaccinated and for more tips on staying healthy during the flu season.

SDUSD Inaugural Partner Convening Focuses on the Future of Work

Over 30 of San Diego Unified School District’s valued business, philanthropic, non-profit, and higher education partners gathered at Qualcomm Wednesday, December 5th, to reimagine learning experiences in our school system. The partners were invited to discuss the future of work and to explore ways we might expand career awareness, exploration, preparation, and training opportunities for all students.

Superintendent Cindy Marten kicked off the day by emphasizing San Diego Unified’s commitment to continue to work hand in hand with our community to ensure that we are preparing students for success in the technology driven world of tomorrow.

It was especially exciting to include 10 High School students in the conversation. Students shared insights revealing the value of their in school, and out of school, work based learning experiences. The students were active participants and engaged the audience with authentic descriptions of what the future of education could look like. Equity ambassadors from the following schools were represented: Serra, San Diego, the MET, Mt. Everest Academy, SCPA, Morse, University City, and Clairemont High Schools.

Industry professionals collaborated with educators to identify the 21st century skills needed for gainful employment in San Diego’s Priority Workforce Sectors.

The significant turn out at this inaugural partnership meeting is an example of our communities dedication to, and support of, our schools. Together we will continue to develop programs and learning experiences worthy of our students, together we will make a #BetterSD.

 

College Bound Symposium at School of Creative and Performing Arts

The counseling team at SCPA hosted a college bound symposium for their Seniors. The event opened with a keynote speaker and many breakout sessions: including UC/CSU, community college, military, private conservatories, financial aid, and more. Counselor Kara Teschner remarked "it was a jam-packed, all-inclusive event to ensure your Senior had a step-by-step roadmap to fulfill their postsecondary dreams." SCPA Seniors are now in a stronger position to make an educated decision about their future.

Hoover Community Connections Meet and Plan at Ocean Discovery Institute

The Hoover Community Connections planning group is a coalition of partners who provide a breadth of services to Hoover high school students. Last week, we were fortunate to collaborate at the Ocean Discovery Institute and heard from Hoover's Vice Principal Diane Conti and Head Counselor Andrea Munoz. Mrs. Munoz shared that there is overwhelming interest for additional college courses such as Chicano, Black and Ethnic studies. In addition, the group of partners all collaborated to ensure every Hoover student has the resources and opportunities for postsecondary success. Thank you to Ocean Discovery Institute for hosting this meeting and sharing about the tremendous opportunity for our students in City Heights. 

Ocean Discovery Institute uses ocean science to empower young people from underserved urban communities to transform their lives, their community, and our world as science and conservation leaders.

Counselors Learning Requirements for a Career in the Military

Students nearing high school graduation have a few options: attend college, get a job or join the United States military. Counselors are better prepared to guide students for a path in the military after attending a training by the San Diego Military Entrance Processing Station, also known as MEPS. They learned how to evaluate a student's post secondary preparedness using the ASVAB, and increased their knowledge of military eligibility requirements and enlistment opportunities. For many students a career in the military is a wonderful option upon graduation. To learn more of the benefits visit https://themilitarywallet.com/reasons-to-join-the-military/. 

Thank you to John Stine and Gil Compton for hosting this opportunity for counselors.

E.B. Scripps Singers Perform with Barry Manilow

Singers from the music program at Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School will be performing alongside Barry Manilow in his holiday concert at Viejas Arena on Thursday, December 13.

The 26 participating students are preparing for their performance with their music/choir teacher at E.B. Scripps, Tom Waczek. Before becoming involved, the singers had to audition and commit to rehearsing several times a week before school. Performing students are in grades 2-5.

Mr. Waczek calls this opportunity “a chance of a lifetime” for students, and says “parents and students alike are very excited about this special concert with Barry Manilow.” The students will be singing a medley of five Christmas songs with Mr. Manilow, and will rejoin him onstage for the encore.

Barry Manilow: A Very Barry Christmas is a live San Diego concert event filled with classic tunes that define the season, part of a very special multi-city engagement that opened on December 7 in Florida. For more than 50 years, Barry Manilow has been at the top of adult contemporary radio playlists, and 29 of his albums have been certified platinum. His last holiday album, Because It's Christmas, went platinum and stayed at the top of the Billboard special Christmas album chart for 1990.

The Council of ASB Presidents Continue Their Monthly Meetings

The San Diego Unified School District Council of ASB Presidents continue their monthly meetings at the December Council meeting. The Council of ASB Presidents is made up of high school ASB Presidents from both traditional and atypical high schools. The purpose of this Council is to provide ASB Presidents an opportunity to review students' responsibilities and performance. Furthermore, this Council provides a liaison between the SDUSD Board of Education and students, student representation at Board of Education meetings, and a continued focus on strengthening operations of ASB organizations at their schools.

Holy Hollister

Early this week High School Nation promoted an anti-bullying campaign at Lincoln High School. The well-known brand Hollister formed a partnership with High School Nation to help promote that campaign. This year, High School Nation visited 50 schools to promote students putting positive vibes in the air. The students of Lincoln High School supported the anti-bullying campaign by writing positive words and/or phrases such as, “you have the potential to do and be anything you want”, on paper and placing them on the Food for Thought board for all to see. In return, students received some fun handouts and a drawstring knapsack. There is power in promoting positivity!!! Go Hornets!!

VAPA - Influence - Dream - Be More - Purpose - Path

Student Equity Ambassadors Attend a Training at Hoover High School

Student Equity Ambassadors recently attended a student equity training put on by Dr. Makeba Jones from UC San Diego at Hoover High School. Dr. Jones taught facilitation, conversation and group discussion skills that included such things as how to develop ground rules and preparing questions that the students are excited to put into action at the next Coalition this week.