September 11, 2018
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Taking Flight with Design Thinking
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Transitional kindergarten and kindergarten teachers from San Diego Unified came back from summer break early this year to prepare for teaching the new SDUSD STEAM Innovations curriculum. STEAM focused curriculum integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
Iteration in Design was just one many workshops teachers experienced that week. The teachers were asked, “How might you design a flying machine using only a straw, paper, scissors, and tape that travels the furthest?” This wasn’t just playing with paper airplanes! The real challenge and learning was focused on the iterative process. Iteration is a cycle of designing a model, testing it, revising, testing it, and so on. Teachers left the workshop with their flying machines, ready to try the iterative process in their classrooms.
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21st Century Skills At Serra
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Teacher leaders from Math, English Language Arts, Science, and History Social-Science at Serra High School are working with district Literacy Coaches to show students critical 21st century skills - - - how to make a solid argument! Students are learning how claims, evidence and reasoning are critical in all of their classes. Teachers gave a pre-assessment to find out students’ understanding of these skills and then got together to examine the results. Now teachers are working with coaches to design instruction to keep pushing these argument skills forward. Students are already making connections about claims, evidence and reasoning in different subject areas. Serra math teacher Erin Sullivan says, “Looking at student work with other teachers was invaluable. We even got to use OUR argumentative skills to identify claims in MATH!.” Look out San Diego Unified - - Serra students are becoming skilled at showing that they are right!
https://sdusdoss.blogspot.com/2018/09/serra-high-students-learn-how-to-argue.html
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Elections! Elections! Elections!
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High School Voter Education Weeks: Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, has designated the last two weeks of September and April “High School Voter Education Weeks.” During this time, Secretary Padilla tours high schools around California to promote registration and preregistration for eligible students 16 years of age or older. His Resolution recommends a school site coordinator choose Student Voter Outreach Coordinators to lead and support the voter registration and preregistration process. This year, his visit will coincide with the visit from the authors of March at Morse High School on September 21, 2018. Additionally, all school sites are encouraged to participate in the California Student Mock Election on October 6, 2018. Finally, on election day, November 6, 2018, students are encouraged to be part of the High School Student Poll Worker Program. Students aged 16 years or older are able to volunteer to work the polls and earn a stipend for their school site ASB to apply the towards a school club of the participating student’s choosing. Please click on the flyer below for more information or contact Juliana Liebke at jliebke@sandi.net.
https://sdusdoss.blogspot.com/2018/09/elections-elections-elections.html
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The VAPA Foundation Opens 2018/2019 VAPA Enhancement Program
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The not-for-profit VAPA Foundation works to enhance the quality of and access to arts education in the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD). The VAPA Enhancement Program is one aspect of this work.
The VAPA Enhancement Program enables any TK–12 SDUSD teacher to apply for programs, field trips, professional development or materials related to the visual and performing arts that are not covered in a school budget.
In 2018, the inaugural VAPA Enhancement Program funded applications from 14 San Diego Unified teachers from throughout the district. Over $11,000 in funding connected teachers to professional development that will impact students for years to come, and connected students to artist residencies, field trips, or specialized arts equipment unavailable without this program. Over 1,000 youngsters benefitted from the program last year; hundreds more will continue to benefit from equipment or teacher training. Community members also reap the benefits of this program.
For example, District Middle School Teacher of the Year Sara Dickman, dance teacher at Creative Performing and Media Arts linked her students to an eight-week San Diego Dance Theatre artist residency that culminated in a student performance attended by hundreds of community members. Hoover High Art Teacher Jeremy Merrill requested a high-powered projector so students could work on murals on campus and in the community during the day.
The kilns and art glass materials for Sarah Hillard’s Millennial Tech Middle classroom resulted in an in-depth study of art glass – both the science and the art. Other teachers connected students to classical music performances, visits to museums, unique arts material, or professional development.
“This year we hope to influence and impact arts learning in even more SDUSD classrooms,” says VAPA Foundation President Larry Baza. “It is our goal to increase access and equity to transformative arts learning in the district.”
“We know that the arts are an essential part of unlocking the genius in all of our students, and I am grateful for our community’s support of the VAPA Foundation that helps art and music thrive in our schools,” remarks Cindy Marten, Superintendent of Schools.
The VAPA Enhancement Program application is now open and may be found at: www.vapafoundation.org/programs. Online applications must be completed by October 1.
The VAPA Enhancement program is supported, in part, by a partnership with UC San Diego and by donors from the community that recognize the value of arts education. For information, please contact Judy Berman Silbert, VAPA administrator at judy@vapafoundation.org.
https://www.sandiegounified.org/vapanews/vapa-foundation-opens-20182019-vapa-enhancement-program#.W5LwybiHXyg.facebook |
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Kearny DMD Seniors Mentor Freshmen
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On Tuesday, September 4th, Kearny Digital Media and Design (DMD) seniors shared their elevator pitch and digital portfolio with new freshmen. “It is a goal we’ve had for years within our defense structure and schoolwide outcomes and we are thrilled to begin fostering these relationships more intentionally,” says DMD vice principal, Rob Meza-Ehlert. Freshmen were prepared with a handout to take notes during the senior mentorship experience and reflected together afterwards about how this helps them understand the DMD model of project-based learning. Seniors had an opportunity to practice their elevator pitch which they will use when they meet and collaborate in their senior internships this fall. DMD plans to design several opportunities this fall for the seniors and freshmen to work together to build a deeper understanding of the “DMD way.”
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2018 One Book, One San Diego
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This year's San Diego Public Library's One Book, One San Diego selection is March: Book One by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell. The graphic novel is Lewis' first-hand account of his lifelong struggle for civil and human rights, meditating in the modern age on the distance traveled since the days of Jim Crow and segregation. The Library and KPBS will be hosting a sold-out official launch event and author talk on September 21 at the Civic Theater. View the One Book, One San Diego program calendar here.
As mentioned in last week's newsletter, the creators of March: Book One will also be visiting the students of Morse High School as part of this event. |
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The Bootstrap Program
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UCSD-TV highlighted the work San Diego Unified Teachers from Clairemont, Hoover, Kearny and Mission Bay did with the UCSD Computer Science and Engineering department to learn how coding can help students strengthen their math skills.
Watch the CSE episode “The Bootstrap Program”.
Episode description: Teachers are learning how coding can be an exciting and useful way to teach math. San Diego Unified School District teachers spent a week of their summer at a workshop called Bootstrap with professors from UC San Diego Computer Science and Engineering. Bootstrap is a way to teach core courses, from math to social studies, using computer programming. There is even a lesson plan that lets students create their own video game. Teachers say it could be a fun new way to help their students succeed.
https://sdusdoss.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-bootstrap-program.html
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Khan Academy Partnership in Full Swing
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Over the summer, more than 50 secondary math teachers got together to learn more about using Khan Academy in their classes to help support math instruction. Teachers learned how to create classes and build specialized intervention for individual students. Teachers are excited to have an opportunity to partner with Khan Academy, and students are ready for a support system that’s tailored just for them! Be on the lookout for kids making strides in learning.
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Big Day for 10th Graders Coming Soon!
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Wednesday, October 10 is a big day for sophomores in their college preparation journey. All high school sites will host the PSAT test, also known as the NMSQT, during school hours. The PSAT is a practice test for the “real” SAT, and SDUSD covers the costs for all 10th graders. The outcomes of this exam let students know their strengths and struggles in preparation for the SAT, a piece of their college entrance portfolio. The PSAT/NMSQT is a special opportunity for students to be connected with potential scholarships. All students are encouraged to use this time to prepare using free materials at https://www.collegeboard.org/ to ensure their best results.
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SDUSD Athletics in the News...
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San Diego Union Tribune:
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KUSI:
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| STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES |
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How do you get into an IVY LEAGUE school?
Students: You have an incredible opportunity on Tuesday, September 11, 6:30 pm at Lincoln High School to learn from a senior admissions officer at Columbia University. Come learn the ins-and-outs of Columbia University and see what it takes to be accepted. What you learn here will increase your knowledge about the requirements to enter an IVY LEAGUE school. You don’t want to miss this. |
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2018 Torch Awards for Ethics Essay Scholarship
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers cash scholarships to five high school junior and senior students who write outstanding essays on “The Importance of Ethics and Integrity in our Community.”
This scholarship opportunity is open to all high school juniors and seniors residing in San Diego, Orange, & Imperial Counties. The five recipients of the BBB essay scholarships will be invited to our Torch Awards luncheon. Recipients must be available to attend the luncheon.
Submit your 400 word essay on: "The Importance of Ethics and Integrity in our Community."
THE PRIZE: Five CASH scholarships: (1) $1,500 (2) $1,250 (3) $1,000 (4) $750 and (5) $500
Click Here For More Information
Deadline: October 26, 2018 |
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Horatio Alger Scholarship Program
The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. The National Scholarship is valued at $25,000. State scholarships are awarded to eligible students in all fifty states and the District of Columbia and are valued up to $10,000.
Click Here For More Information
Deadline: October 25, 2018 |
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Latino College Expo
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Wendy's High School Heisman Scholarship
CLASS OF 2019, DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO EARN A WENDY’S HIGH SCHOOL HEISMAN SCHOLARSHIP?
Eligibility begins with maintaining a GPA of 3.0 (B average) or better. Applicants also need to be proven leaders and role models within their school and community. And applicants must perform in at least one of the 47 school sponsored sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games or the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Click Here For More Information
Deadline: October 12, 2018 |
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For more information about the Office of School Innovation & Integrated Youth Services please visit our website. |
