Janurary 8, 2019 |
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Marston Middle School’s “Clairemonster” Robotics Team brings home another trophy! |
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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!
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VAPA Book Club Focuses on Passion |
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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.
https://sdusdoss.blogspot.com/2020/01/vapa-book-club-focuses-on-passion.html
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University City CCTE High Biomedical Students celebrate at White Coat Ceremony to kick off Internships |
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University City High’s CCTE 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 donned 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!
https://sdusdoss.blogspot.com/2020/01/uc-high-biomedical-students-celebrate.html
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Adopt-A-Family 2019 |
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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 many. 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.
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What Makes You Happy?
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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!
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Twenty-One SDUSD Teachers Receive VAPA Foundation Funding |
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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.
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Ocean Link Lab
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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.
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STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES |
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Winter Fun Cafe
San Diego Unified Food and Nutrition Services is once again serving lunches and snacks for students for no cost at city recreation centers during the winter intersession – the extended time year-round schools are closed after traditional schools resume classes in early January.
This year, lunches will be served at four sites Monday through Friday, January 6-24, 2020*. Lunches and snacks are available at no cost for any child and teen 18 years or younger. No paper work, identification or income verifications required, just show up to one of the below listed serving locations.
Winter Fun Cafe Locations
- Copley Price YMCA, 4300 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92105
- Jan. 6-24, 2020 M-F
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Snack: 3-4 p.m.
- City Heights Park & Recreation, 4380 Landis Street, San Diego, CA 92105
- Jan. 6-24, 2020 M-F
- Lunch: Noon-1 p.m.
- Snack: 3-4 p.m.
- Colina Del Sol Park & Recreation, 5319 Orange Avenue, San Diego, CA 92115
- Jan. 6-24, 2020 M-F
- Lunch: Noon-1 p.m.
- Snack: 3-4 p.m.
- North Park Park & Recreation, 4044 Idaho Street, San Diego, CA 92104
- Jan. 6-24, 2020 M-F
- Lunch: 1-2 p.m
*All sites will be closed Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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BigSun Scholarship
The BigSun Organization is proud to be able to continue to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits. All student athletes are eligible for this award, regardless of which sport they are participating in.
Deadline - June 19, 2020
Amount of Award - $500.00
The successful applicant will be a high school senior or be attending a post secondary institute and currently involved in some sport at that institution or in the community. Please visit this website http://www.bigsunathletics.com to apply.
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San Diego Foundation Common Scholarship Application
The San Diego Foundation Common Scholarship Application gives San Diego students access to more than 100 scholarships that comprise the Community Scholarship Program by filling out just one application.
Deadline is February 5, 2020
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Dolphin Scholarship Foundation
The Dolphin Scholarship Foundation offers grants, available on a competitive basis, to high school or college children/stepchildren of members or former members of the Submarine Force who have qualified in submarines and have served in the Submarine Force for at least eight years; or children/stepchildren of Navy members who have served in submarine support activities for a minimum of ten years. For more information and to apply visit https://dolphinscholarship.org/ |
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Black College Expo & Scholarship Opportunity
Families are encouraged to attend the Black College Expo on Wednesday, January 29th from 12pm-6pm for on-the-spot college admission opportunities. Students should plan on bringing copies of their current high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores. Please view flyers for more information.
In preparation for the Expo, win dollars for college by answering the question, "Why is college education important to me?" This scholarship opportunity is currently open for 11th and 12th grade students, and the deadline is 1/21/2020.Visit https://www.thecollegeexpo.org/students/scholarships and click on Black College Expo San Diego to apply. |
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Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's R2L NextGen Program
Are you a high school student who wants to learn about how government works?
Apply now to CHCI’s R2L NextGen program and take advantage of an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.
R2L® NextGen is a week-long leadership and civic engagement program for current high school sophomores and juniors. CHCI will bring a group of Latino high school students to D.C. to learn about how the Federal Government works, meet key leaders, visit historic sites and develop a deeper understanding of how they can affect positive change in their communities and their nation.
The program is completely FREE of charge to all selected student participants.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Feburary 15, 2020 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
San Diego County students will participate in the program during the week of June 14-19 OR July 19-24.
In order to be eligible to apply, students must:
- Reside in San Diego County
- Be a current 10th or 11th grade student
- Demonstrate interest in learning more about civic engagement
While CHCI does require applicants to share their grades and a copy of their transcript, there is no minimum GPA requirement to apply.
All individuals are welcome to apply. However, preference is given to individuals with financial need.
Interested in applying? Visit apply.chci.org and complete the application named R2L NextGen – San Diego, California
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The University of Texas at Austin- Scholarship Opportunity
The San Diego Chapter of Texas Exes Alumni Association is happy to announce that they will be awarding scholarships again this year to multiple entering freshmen from the San Diego area who will be attending The University of Texas at Austin starting next fall.
The application for Entering Freshmen Texas Exes Scholarships, which includes the Chapter's scholarship, is February 15, 2020.
Visit this website for more information and to apply.
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USD SOLES Innovation Lab
USD SOLES Innovation Lab offer free and open to the public STEAM workshops. Experience VR, coding, and design thinking on a college campus!
Upcoming workshops include "Designing for a Better World Pactful App Introduction" on 1/30/20 from 12:00PM-2:00PM, and the "Creative Collaboration Stations: A Mindfulness Experience" on 2/20/20 from 4:00PM-5:50PM.
Sign up here. https://www.sandiego.edu/soles/jacobs-institute/professional-learning/workshops.php
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Month of January |
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Litera-SEA San Diego Library Winter Reading Challenge
https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/kidsandteens/winterreading
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Monday
1/20/20 |
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No School
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observed |
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Friday
1/24/20 |
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Semester 1 Ends Traditional |
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Monday
1/27/20 |
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Year-round Schools Resume |
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Friday
2/14/20 |
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Semester 1 Ends Year-Round |
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Friday
2/14/20 |
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Deadline to register for March 14, 2020 SAT |
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Friday
2/14/20 |
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Lincoln Day Holiday
No School |
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Monday
2/17/20 |
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Washington Day Holiday
No School |
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