Staff, parents and community members are invited to attend the 2009 State of the District address, presented by Board President Shelia Jackson, on Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m., in the Lincoln High School Center for the Arts. A dessert reception, hosted by SDG&E, will be held immediately following the program. For more information and to RSVP, please go to the webpage.

The dates for Special Education Spring Intersession have been changed due to a conflict with the return to work date for teachers. The new dates for the Special Education Spring Intersession are Monday, April 20 - Thursday, April 30 (9-day program).  If you have questions, contact Rhonda Archard at rarchard@sandi.net or (619) 725-7147; or Lisa Sheldon at lsheldo1@sandi.net or (619) 725-7139.

To be considered for Summer School employment (tentatively June 22-July 17 for elementary/middle schools, and June 22-July 31 for high school), certificated staff at traditional sites must submit an electronic application by this Friday, March 27. Please call Rhonda Archard at (619) 725-7147 or Lisa Sheldon at (619) 725-7139 with questions.

Starting April 1, Human Resources will be accepting classified employee transfer applications online.  During the month of April, classified employees who currently have a transfer request on file will be required to complete a new online application. After May 1, Human Resources will no longer use the hard copy transfers currently on file. Access the application for transfer online. For more information, call (619) 725-8195. 

SDEA bargaining unit members who did not sign-up in spring of 2008 for the voluntary 12-Pay Option can elect 12-Pay for the 2009/10 contract year by submitting the required forms to Payroll by Wednesday, April 30. For information and the forms, go to the Voluntary 12-Pay website or call Payroll at (619) 725-7725.

The Board of Education recently extended its agreement with Office Depot for office and classroom supplies through December 31, 2009. District staff can continue to get discounts on these items at any Office Depot retail store by using a personal credit card previously registered with Office Depot. Credit cards can be registered online. If the Office Depot store carries the exact item that is included in the district agreement, employees will get the SDUSD discounted price at the register (after the registered credit card is swiped) or the store price, whichever is lower. Please note: The majority of the items in the agreement are basic office and classroom type merchandise. For information, contact John Groll at jgroll@sandi.net or (858) 522-5821.

The Nursing & Wellness Program invites staff and parents to attend a presentation by Dr. Meg Lawrence on Wednesday, April 1, from 3 - 4:45 p.m., in the Monroe Clark Middle School auditorium. Dr. Lawrence, a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, will be the guest speaker for this session of the PARD (Project for Attention Related Disorders) series, and will present Medication Update: Treatment for ADHD, Anxiety and Depression in Children and Teenagers. Dr. Lawrence will review the medication treatment options and answer questions regarding this subject. Spanish translation will be available. For more information, contact Eileen Griffiths at egriffiths@sandi.net .

• Pt. Loma Nazarene School of Education Information Night
  On Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m., the Point Loma Nazarene University School of Education is holding an information night on its teaching, service and administrative credentials; certificates; and Masters of Arts in Education programs. The event will be held at Point Loma Nazarene’s Mission Valley Regional Center. RSVP on the web or call (619) 563-2810.

• Earn Math Authorization to MS Credential
  Chapman University is offering a Mathematics Methods course for Multiple Subject teachers that may add a math authorization to their existing credential. The nine-session course begins Thursday, April 2. Please note: Passing the Math CSET is a requirement for adding the math authorization to a credential.  For additional information, contact Andie Harvey at (619) 908-6041 or harvey@chapman.edu.

• SD City College Offers Spanish Immersion Program
  San Diego City College is offering a one-week Spanish immersion program in Ensenada, Mexico from April 5-11, along with its intensive summer program in Cuernavaca, Mexico. There is both a two-week and four-week program during the summer. Each option includes 25 hours of language instruction per week while living with a Mexican host family where three daily meals will be served.  Excursions are included. For more information, contact Marion Froehlich at (619) 388-3652 or mfroehli@sdccd.edu, or visit the website.

• Spring into Fitness Challenge
  Newton Running is offering an exclusive contest for SDUSD elementary schools. Spring into Fitness is a writing challenge, in which students write about the importance of fitness.  Three schools will be chosen to receive a financial award (1st Place - $3,000; 2nd - $2,000; 3rd-$1,000) to apply toward their physical education program. Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, May 8. For information, call toll free: 877-860-7695.

• Weather Channel Contest for K-8
  The Weather Channel is holding a Care and Share contest for Kindergarten through 8th grade students in celebration of Earth Day. Entries must be received by midnight, April 20. For information and to sign-up, go to the website..

• REI Outreach Program for Grades 2-4
  REI, the outdoor gear and apparel retailer, has a strong outreach program including PEAK - Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids. Through this hands-on, interactive program, kids have fun while learning about responsible outdoor recreation. The presentation is available in English and Spanish and is appropriate for elementary school age students, primarily grades 2-4.  For information and to schedule a presentation, contact Myrian Solis Coronel at (619) 591-4924 ext. 206 or msolisc@rei.com
  
  
• Discover Mingei
  The Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park is hosting a Museum Treasure Hunt
  ( English | Spanish ) from noon - 4 p.m., every last Sunday of the month. For more information, visit the website or call (619) 239-0003 ext. 106.

• Rotary Interact Club Video Contest
  Rotary Clubs of San Diego invite submissions to their first-ever "Interact Club - Service Above Self" video contest for all San Diego area high school students. Winning students receive cash awards up to $500. The deadline for contest submissions is Wednesday, April 8. For more information, go to the website.

• San Diego Opera for High School Students
  High school students have the opportunity to attend a mainstage opera production at the San Diego Opera for only $10 per seat. Each student may order a maximum of 2 tickets; both attendees must be current high school students with valid student IDs. For information and to purchase tickets online, go to the website.
  
  
• Don Diego Scholarships for HS Seniors
  Don Diego Fund scholarships of $5,000 each are available to college-bound graduating high school seniors who have participated in the San Diego County Fair and/or other events associated with the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Applications are due no later than Friday, April 1. For information and to download an application, go to www.sdfair.com. Questions can be directed to Chana Mannen at cmannen@sdfair.com or (858) 792-4210.

• Superintendent’s Friday Notes
• New Administrative Circulars and Bulletins
• Chavez Elementary Website
• Field Elementary Website

KPBS-FM
March 23, 2009
These Days: Dropouts Take Toll on San Diego Economy
Dr. Grier is the guest.

• Honor Theatre Production
  Top theatre students from nine district high schools will perform “Metamorphoses” at Madison High School. Performances are March 26 and 27, at 7 p.m., and March 28 at 2 p.m.  A gala reception, arts festival and proclamation presentation by Councilmember Donna Frye will precede the March 28 performance. Tickets are “pay what you can” on March 26; $10 for adults and $5 for students on March 27 and 28. For information, contact Marjorie Treger at mtreger1@sandi.net or (858) 539-5356.

• Taste of Mira Mesa IV
  The Mira Mesa High School Foundation is hosting its annual fundraising event on Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at Gen-Probe courtyard. The cost this year is $30 per person; $40 per person at the door. For information and to purchase tickets, go to www.miramesahighschoolfoundation.org.

• Emeralds and Pearls Silent Auction Benefit
  A silent auction to benefit Lincoln High School and the Monique Palmer Scholarship Fund will be held Thursday, April 30, from 6-9 p.m. at the Jacobs Center. For information and to make a reservation, go to www.emeraldsandpearls.com.

• Comedy Double Bill at SCPA
  March 26-28, The San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) will perform the comedy Play On!  Performances are on March 26 and 27 at 7 p.m.; March 28 at 2 p.m.

April 2-4, SCPA performs The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. Performances are April 2-3 at 7 p.m.; April 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8-10 for adults; $7-9 for students, seniors and military. Call the box office at (619) 475-8556 or go to www.scpa.sandi.net.

• Annual Ed Center Spring Craft Fair
  Just in time for Mother's Day shopping, the annual Spring Craft Fair to benefit the Education Center Building Committee will be held Friday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Annex 9 Testing Room.  Talented San Diego Unified artisans from the Ed Center and central office sites will have their art and handicrafts for sale.  If you are interested in being an exhibitor, or for more information, contact La Donna Chase at lchasecegb@sbcglobal.net or Elaine Lindberg at elindberg@sandi.net.
  
  
• 5th Annual Taste of the Triangle 
  The University City Foundation for Public Schools (EdUCate!) will host its 15th Annual Taste of the Triangle fundraising event on Friday, April 3, from 6 -11 p.m., at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. Top area restaurants will provide gourmet "tastes." Live and silent auctions will be hosted by professional auctioneer Bill Menish, followed by entertainment and dancing. Tickets are $75 in advance; $85 at the door. For more information and to purchase a ticket, go to the website.

For Sale:

• 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse: Manual transmission, Silver, nice & clean. Runs great. 101,000 miles. $3,300. Call Grace at (619) 316-7578.
  
  
• 2002 Honda Accord, EX-L 4 door sedan, 6 cyl, 83,000 miles. Original owner. $8,395. Call Pam at (858) 486-9060.

For Rent:

• Room in the College area (close to SDSU). Available now. $400/ month, $600/ deposit. Call (619) 265-1769 if interested.

Travel

• San Diego High School staff are planning a 21-day river and land tour of China. $3,095 inc. airfare. If interested, e-mail stannenbaum@sandi.net.

• Staff members at Roosevelt Middle School are organizing a 9-day Thanksgiving '09 cruise from Venice to the Greek Islands and Croatia for $1,495 + taxes (air + cruise). For information, contact Sandra at sandraboe@sbcglobal.net.

• Staff members at Gage Elementary are organizing a 15-day trip to Ireland, starting July 27, 2009. For information or to join the group, contact Milanne at milannetolson@hotmail.com.

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.