The Board of Education has created a new process to provide recognition and support for deserving community programs and events. In response to written requests from organizations that are determined to have a positive impact on our schools and students, the Board will now provide a letter of support/recognition signed by all Board members. Formal Board Resolutions placed on board meeting agendas will no longer be provided. To request a letter of support, for information or with questions, contact Althea Bagsby at abagsby@sandi.net or (619) 725-5575.
False “Security Alert” E-mails from Wells Fargo
Some employees have reported receiving “security alert” e-mails from Wells Fargo regarding their district purchase card and/or district banking accounts. These are not legitimate e-mails. If Wells Fargo needs information or suspects fraud, they will contact the appropriate authorized representatives in the Finance Division. If you receive any e-mails of this nature, delete without opening the e-mail. If you have questions, contact Susan Freedman in Fiscal Control at (619) 725-7672.
In June, the Communications Department conducted a survey on employee communications. Thanks to the nearly 3,000 employees who took the survey, valuable feedback was gathered and will be used to improve the way we keep employees informed. In response to a majority of requests for fewer publications, the Superintendent’s Friday Notes and Newsline will be the only publications e-mailed to employees from Communications. Operations Update will be posted weekly in the Employee News section on the For District Staff page. Staff Bulletin will no be longer published. Communications will continue to develop new and innovative will continue to develop new and innovative ways to communicate, like the new EdCast podcasts available on www.sandi.net. For information or with questions, contact Linda Zintz at lzintz@sandi.net or (619) 725-5568.
Benefits Open Enrollment Info Meetings, Free Flu Vaccines
The annual Benefits Open Enrollment period is taking place until Friday, November 21. During this period, eligible employees may enroll for medical/dental coverage, change plans, and/or add eligible dependents. All Open Enrollment changes become effective January 1, 2009. This is the last week for employees to attend an Open Enrollment information meeting and receive a free flu shot. View the meeting schedule online . For information, visit the Benefits Office website or call (619) 725-8130, option 6.
Partnership Liaison and Volunteer Coordinator Designation Forms Deadline
The deadline to submit the Partnership Liaison and Volunteer Coordinator Designation Form posted in Administrative Circular #20 has been extended to Friday, November 7. For schools that do not submit this designation form, the principal will be listed as the site's partnership liaison and/or volunteer coordinator. For information, contact Ellen Tiffany at etiffany@sandi.net or (619) 725-5594.
Info Meetings on Changes to School Choice Application Process
Significant changes to the school choice application process will be implemented for the 2009-10 school year. Enrollment Options will be holding several informational meetings to explain the changes and answer questions. All principals (and/or designee) should attend one of the following informational meetings:
Wednesday, October 29, 7– 7:30 a.m., Ed Center Auditorium, and 4-4:30 p.m., Kearny High School Auditorium
Thursday, October 30, 7 - 7:30 a.m., Ed Center Auditorium, and 4-4:30 p.m., Kearny High School Auditorium
For information, contact Sandy Robles, Enrollment Options at (619) 725-7153 or msrobles@sandi.net.
Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Applications due Wednesday
Free and Reduced-Price Lunch applications must be received by Food Services (Revere Center) on or before Wednesday, October 29, to be considered for the official student counts that are used to determine the 2009-10 Title I funding per site. Applications will continue to be accepted by Food Services after October 31 to determine a student’s eligibility for the free and reduced lunch program but will NOT be considered for this important survey. For information or with questions, contact Pam Kowalski at pkowalski@sandi.net or (858) 627-7332.
Human Resources to Launch Call Center
On Monday, November 3, Human Resources will launch a new HR Call Center designed to help incoming callers with Human Resources information and provide appropriate HR contact information. The call center will be staffed from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and can be reached by calling (619) 725-8000, Option 7, or directly at (619) 725-8089. On Friday, October 31, maintenance will be conducted on the Human Resources phone menu, which may result in it being unavailable at times throughout the day. The HR staff can be reached directly by using the HR staff directory online or by contacting the district operator at (619) 725-8000--Press 0. For information, contact Toren Allen at tallen@sandi.net.
District Trainings
Launch an Elementary School Website at No Cost
The Communications and Information Technology departments have a joint project that provides elementary schools with the tools and knowledge to create and manage their own websites at no cost. After attending two 3-hour training sessions, schools can develop and launch a website without special equipment or technical expertise. The next training will be held Tuesday, November 4 (Part 1), and Wednesday, November 12 (Part 2), from noon to 3 p.m., with open labs from 3-5 p.m. For information or to register, contact Geoff Smith, at gsmith2@sandi.net or (619) 725-7464.
School Site Council Trainings The Program Monitoring Department is continuing its School Site Council (SSC) trainings on October 20, 28, 30, and November 5, 13 and 17. The training provides information about implementing Title I mandates, SSC responsibilities and bylaws, the revised Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) template, understanding budgets, and categorical budget guidelines. Register for any one of the online trainings.
Expenditure of Major Categorical Funds The Program Monitoring Department is offering Expenditure of Major Categorical Funds training for principals, vice principals and financial support staff on Wednesday, October 29, from 2-3 p.m., at the IMC, Center for Ed Tech, Building 1. This training will focus on guidelines for expending categorical funds outlined in the Site Operations Circular 1017 Expenditure of Major Categorical Funds. Register for one of the trainings by calling the Program Monitoring Department at (858) 496-4048.
Purchase Card Training The next mandatory training for employees to take prior to becoming a district purchase cardholder, approver or reconciler will be held Thursday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the Ed Center auditorium. Principals, site administrators, financial clerks and secretaries who have not attended training are also encouraged to attend. For information or to RSVP, contact Julie Nguyen at jnguyen1@sandi.net or (619) 725-7669.
Professional Development
Intensive GATE Certification Program The district has made arrangements with UCSD Extended Studies to form a cohort of teachers to complete a certification program during this school year. An Open House explaining the program will be held Tuesday, November 18, from 4:30-6 p.m., in Mission Valley. For information, contact Ylianna Romo at yromo@ucsd.edu or (858) 539-9160.
Earn National Board Certification, Master's Degree at the Same Time In partnership with National University; district teachers can pursue National Board Certification in 2009-10 while completing a Master's Degree in Teaching, a Master's with an Administrative Credential, or simply National Board Certification. Classes meet one night per week at a district school and online in a hybrid program. Apply for the February cohort no later than February 2, 2009. Plan to attend an informational meeting (flyer) to learn more. For information, contact Julia Groff at jgroff@sandi.net.
Discover Program Course Offerings
Don’t miss out on the great professional development opportunities from the Discover Program . Registration is still open for the following course offerings:
GATE - Seminar Reading: “Creativity Day by Day” (1 cr.)
GATE - Differentiating Instruction with Dimensions of Depth and Complexity Icons (.5 cr.)
CPR-Basic Life Support and First Aid (.5 cr.)
Register early to avoid class cancellations. Classes are held based on registrations received. To view course descriptions and register online, go to the DISCOVER website at http://www.sandi.net/discover. For information, contact Esther Caluza at ecaluza@sandi.net or (858) 496.1887.
Funding Opportunities
Financial Incentives for School Sites The Mandated Cost Unit oversees the Mandate Reimbursement Incentive Program, offering school sites a financial incentive to provide the documentation necessary for the district to receive reimbursements. Schools receive 50 percent of the district's paid reimbursement claim that is attributable to submitted time logs. The Emergency Procedures and Comprehensive School Safety Plan reimbursable program is one current opportunity for schools. Reviewing and updating earthquake emergency procedures, training and drill time are potential activities that may be recorded. There are also several reimbursable programs including Habitual Truants, High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), Stull Act (Evaluation of Certificated Employees), and others that may apply to your school site. For information, contact Brian Bailey at bbailey1@sandi.net or visit www.sandi.net/depts/mandated_cost.
High School Arts Teachers Fellowship Program
The Sudan Foundation invites arts teachers from public arts high schools to apply for funding for artistic development through its Arts Teachers Fellowship Program. Arts teachers working in specialized public arts high schools and arts-focused magnet and charter high schools can apply for grants of up to $5,500 in support of artistic growth, with a complementary grant of $1,500 provided to each Fellow's school for post-fellowship activities. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent to Apply is Friday, November 14.
Student Opportunities
Auto Club’s Teen Driver Safety Fair The Auto Club is committed to increasing awareness of teen driving safety and will be hosting a free Safety Fair for teens and their parents on Saturday, November 8, from noon to 3 p.m., at the Auto Club office, 2440 Hotel Circle North, (82108). For information, call (714) 885.2312.
“Being Bilingual” Essay Contest The National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) invites elementary, middle and high school students who are learning in two languages to participate in its 28th Annual Nationwide Writing Contest. Cash prizes include $1,000 for grades 3-5; $1,000 for grades 6-8; and $2,000 for grades 9-11. The deadline for submission is Friday, November 7. For information, call (202) 898-1829.
Voice of Democracy Contest
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary is once again sponsoring the audio-essay scholarship contest for high school students in grades 9-12. The deadline for submission is Saturday, November 1. For information and entry form, go to www.vfw.org
San Diego County Student Academic Competitions The San Diego County Office of Education encourages schools to take advantage of the many opportunities in the county for elementary through high school students to participate in academic competitions. To see a list of competitions, visit www.sdcoe.net/events. For information, contact Nicole Shina at nshina@sdcoe.net or (858) 292-3850.
Buick Invitational Tickets on Sale to Support Our Sports
Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 Buick Invitational PGA Golf Tournament as a fundraiser for our district physical education, athletic and extra curriculum programs. Tickets are $15/each and can be used for a one-day entry into the tournament any day during the weeklong event, February 3-8, 2009. Tickets can be purchased from participating high schools or from the PE/Health Athletics Department at the Education Center, Room 1008A. For information, call (619) 725-7126.
Upcoming Events
Blood and Bone Marrow Drive Perkins Elementary is sponsoring a blood and bone marrow drive for one its teachers. The drive will be held on Tuesday, October 28, from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Perkins Elementary. All donors will receive a t-shirt and be entered in a drawing for a $500 shopping spree. Sign-up online at www.givelife.org, code: PerkinsElem. For information, contact Magda Salazar-Kuncz at msalazar-kuncz@sandi.net.
Community Resource Fair
The Counseling and Guidance Department is sponsoring the 4th Annual Community Resource Fair on Tuesday, December 2, from 8-10:30 a.m., at Marina Village. Representatives from community agencies will share information about resources available to schools. For information, call the Counseling & Guidance Department at (858) 503-3180.
Community Halloween Carnival
Whitman Elementary will be holding its annual Halloween Carnival ( English | Spanish ) on Saturday, November 1, from noon to 4 p.m. For information, contact the Whitman PTA at whitmanpta2008@yahoo.com .
Curie Elementary Holiday Craft Fair
Marie Curie Elementary PTA will be holding its 30th Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 1, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. For information, call (858) 643-9720 or visit www.CuriePTA.org.
Lindbergh Schweitzer Holiday Craft Fair
The Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary PTA will be holding its 25th Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 22, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. For information, contact Natalie Jenkins at natalie-jenkins@att.net or (858) 583-6204.
Ed Center Winter Craft Fair Just in time for holiday shopping. The annual Winter Craft Fair to benefit the Education Center Building Committee will be held Friday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Annex 9 Testing Room. For more information, contact La Donna Chase at lchase@sandi.net or Elaine Lindberg at elindberg@sandi.net.
Custom new home. 3BR/2½ BA, 2-car garage. Central San Diego. Upgraded appliances, fenced, view. $2,000 month. Possible Lease-to-own. Call (619) 729-1205.
3 BR/2 BA House in El Cajon. Pool, gazebo, waterfall and pond. Slate Deck. Brick BBQ. $2,000. Call (619) 729-1205.
4/2 upgraded house, Granite Hills, cul de sac, 2-car, appliances, A/C, fireplace, $2,200/mo. Call (858) 278-8053.
2BR/1BA in OB/Pt Loma (Pacific Isle). Spectacular fireworks view. Gated. Pool/Spa.Tennis. Water included. No dogs. $1,495/mo. Call (619) 991-4933.
2 BR, 2 BA, full kitchen Timeshare in Las Vegas. Thanksgiving or Christmas week (7 days/nights) Sleeps 6+. Contact Lynn at (619) 582-8605.
Garage Sale:
Sunday, Nov. 2, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 3687 Boren St. (92115) Women's clothing, crafting supplies, Princess House, Longerberger baskets, LP Records, furn., etc.
Classified ads are accepted from district employees only and cannot be used to advertise commercial activities. Submit ads by e-mail to communications@sandi.net. Limit to 15 words (not including phone number). Include work location and phone number (for ID purposes only).
Do you have an announcement for Newsline?Newsline is published every Monday; the deadline to submit items is noon on the preceding Friday. E-mail items to communications@sandi.net and mark “Newsline” in the subject line.
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