All interested staff members are invited to attend “Accelerating Success for English Learners in Middle and High School,” the latest Superintendent’s Speaker Series Ed-Talk program, being held this Friday, April 17, from 1-2 p.m., in the Ed Center auditorium. Supt. Grier and invited panelists will discuss how our middle and high schools can ensure learning in language and content so our English learners can succeed and graduate ready for college and career. Featured guests include Dr. Aida Walqui from WestEd, Dr. Kenji Hakuta from Stanford University and Dr. Magaly Lavadenz from Loyola Marymount University. For more information, contact the Office of the Chief of Staff at (619) 725-7388. Overflow parking for the Ed Center is available across the street at the Fellowship Church of San Diego. See map for directions.

On April 1, HR began accepting classified employee transfer applications on-line. During the month of April, classified employees who currently have a transfer request on file will be required to complete a new transfer application on-line. If you have not used the on-line application process before, you will be required to register before you can complete your transfer application. After May 1, HR will no longer use the hard copy transfers currently on file. To access the on line application for transfer, please go to https://sdcsjob1.sandi.net/SDUSDJOBS1/JobDetails.aspx?Postings=12150 For more information, please call (619) 725-8195.

The Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Program is looking for teachers to serve as full-time consulting teachers. See the PAR Consulting Teaching flyer  for minimum qualifications and informational meeting schedule. The position is currently posted and will close on May 8.

High schools are reminded to submit the names of valedictorians and students ranking in the top one percent of their graduating class for the "Salute to Excellence" recognition event being held Wednesday, May 20, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., at SeaWorld. The deadline to submit student names is this Friday, April 17. For instructions and a nomination form, see Admin. Circular # 76 . Contact Ellen Tiffany at (619) 725-5594 or e-mail etiffany@sandi.net with questions.

The Community Relations Department, Volunteer San Diego, eXcel Youth Zone and Kids for Peace are co-hosting Servapalooza in honor of Global Youth Service Day on Sunday, April 26, from noon - 4 p.m. Students, teachers, families and administrators can network and participate in hands-on service projects hosted by more than 50 community organizations. Youth performances, opportunity drawings, a silent auction and food vendors will also be featured. For information, visit the website, e-mail savy@volunteersandiego.org or call (858) 636-4123.

April 17 is the deadline for school sites to select a classified employee representative . Site representatives will be recognized at the Classified Employees of the Year ceremony being held Tuesday, May 19, at University City High School. Send completed forms to Gloria Rangel, Room 1241, Eugene Brucker Education Center. For information, contact Gloria at (619) 725-8172 or grangel@sandi.net .

• CSET Prep Courses Start April 23
  Prep courses for the May 16 California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) will begin Thursday, April 23. Courses are available in Single Subject English , Single Subject Science  (General Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Geoscience), Single Subject Mathematics  and Multiple Subjects . Courses are free for district employees; $60 for non-district employees. The registration  deadline is Thursday, April 16. For information, contact Lucy Del Valle at ldelvalle@sandi.net or (619) 725-7142.
  
  
• 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 June cohort no later than June 1. Plan to attend an informational meeting  to learn more. For information, contact Julia Groff at jgroff@sandi.net .
  
  
• Cohort Online Master’s in Educational Technology Program
  Interested in an online Master's degree where what you learn is put into practice immediately? Consider San Diego State’s Educational Technology's Cohort Online Master's in Educational Technology (COMET)  program. The application deadline is Friday, May 1. Classes begin this fall. For more information, visit http://edtec.sdsu.edu/comet.htm or contact Elsa at etapi@mail.sdsu.edu .
  
  
• Special Needs Conference
  Marine Corps Installations West and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton are co-hosting the 3rd Annual Special Needs Conference on Wednesday, April 22, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The morning program will consist of presentations and a question and answer panel discussion. The afternoon program is divided into three areas: 1) Medical Services, 2) Educational Services, and 3) Community Services. The conference fee is $25 per person. The fee is waived for special needs family members and public school representatives. For more information or to register, visit their website or e-mail Kenneth.Arlinghaus@med.navy.mil .
  
  
• Courageous Creativity Conference for Arts Educators
  Registration  is underway for the 3rd Annual Leadership Conference sponsored by The California Arts Project (TCAP) being held June 24-26 in Anaheim. Visual and performing arts educators, administrators and counselors are encouraged to attend. Deadline to register is May 15. For more information, visit the TCAP website.
  
  
• Arts Educator Courses Begin This Summer
  The Southern Counties Arts Project a regional site for The California Arts Project, is coordinating a series of professional opportunities for arts educators. Courses on the K-8 California music standards and engaging in the artistry of standards-based instructional design begin in July. See course information  or for an application and scholarship information, contact Helena Hanna at hhanna@projects.sdsu.edu or (619) 594-6647.
  
  
• Save the Date: College Board Institute on Vertical Teams in May
  On May 19, the first annual SDUSD Institute on Vertical Teaming will be held at UCSD. Sponsored by Curriculum and Instruction and coordinated by the GATE Department, the Institute will feature national presenters from the College Board who will discuss enrollment gaps, AP classes for traditionally underserved students in the district and integrating pre-AP strategies in the middle and early high school years. High school and middle school administrators and teachers are urged to attend. Substitute teachers will be provided. For more information, contact Rhonda Zawadzki at rzawadzki@sandi.net.
  
  

• Current Grant Opportunities
  The Office of Resource Development provides ongoing information about grant opportunities along with assistance developing grant proposals. For information or a complete listing of current grant opportunities, visit the website or contact Aly Evans at aevans2@sandi.net or (619) 725-5582.

• Volunteer Jurors Wanted for USD Law School Mock Trials
  High school students (individual, group or full class) are invited to act as volunteer jurors at the USD Law School’s Advanced Trial Advocacy Mock Trials  being held April 14 - 23, from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Students need only attend one session for a certificate of participation for community service hours or extra credit. Food and drinks provided. For information, contact Leilani Sharrett at leilanis@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-4208.
  
  
• USO San Diego “Midway Magic” Scholarship Opportunity
  The USO San Diego and USS Midway Museum are offering a $3,000 scholarship to a deserving high school senior. Applicants must be the child of an active duty service member stationed in San Diego County, have been accepted by a college or university, have maintained a 3.0 high school GPA, and write a short essay on “What America Means to Me and My Family.” To apply or for more information, visit www.usosandiego.org . Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., May 1.
  
  
• Volunteers Needed for Rock ‘n Roll Marathon
  Volunteers are needed for the 12th annual Rock ‘n Roll Marathon, from May 28-31, to help benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Student volunteers can fulfill community service hours, receive a race crew t-shirt, goodie bag and a chance to win a number of prizes. Family members and district employees are also invited to volunteer. See flyer  for available shift times, duties and locations. To sign up, go to www.rnrmarathon.com/volunteer.html or for additional information, email volunteersd@eliteracing.com or call (858) 518-9966.
  
  
• Southern California Asthma Medical Program SCAMP camp 2009
  Students with asthma, ages 8-14, can enjoy camp (Flyer: English  | Spanish ) activities and learn how to live more active, healthy lives at this week-long camp, held June 21-26, at YMCA Camp Marston in Julian. Medical care and transportation are provided. Fees vary based on family size and income. Scholarships are available. For application or information, http://www.californialung.org/about/events/scamp-camp-2009 . Applications must be received by May 15.
  
  
• Free SAT/ACT Test Prep Software for Military Families
  Members of military families or veterans interested in receiving free SAT/ACT test preparation software can visit www.eknowledge.com/military for information. More than $20 million in software programs has already been donated to eligible service members and their families. For information, contact Lori Caputo at loricaputo@eKnowledge.com or (770) 992-0900.
  
  

• New Administrative Circulars and Bulletins
• Two new EdTalk videos
• Follow SDUSD on Twitter

San Diego Union-Tribune
April 11, 2009
Tackling an Irish import
(Featuring Cabrillo Elementary)

San Diego Union-Tribune
April 12, 2009
Revised food-stamp plan in the works

San Diego Union-Tribune
April 12, 2009
Dropouts cost cities millions

• Board Recycling Event
  Pacific Beach Middle School 8th grader Rusty Mendoza is organizing a Board Recycling Event for his 8th grade International Baccalaureate service requirement. Rusty hopes to collect enough damaged and old skate, snow and surf boards to make a cement bench for the school’s garden. Drop off your boards at PB Middle School on Saturday, April 18, from 9-11 a.m. For more information, e-mail jsims@sandi.net .

• 9th Annual Summer Brass Workshop at SDSU
  Week-long Workshop runs June 22-27 at SDSU.  Registration for students is $125; $175 for teachers/adults. For more information go to http://westwindbrass.org/educ. 

Free:

• Female kitten. Spayed/housebroken. Includes litter box, food/water dishes, wet and dry food. Call Paula at (619) 920-6701.

For Sale:

• Noritake China: Roseberry pattern. Service for 12 w/ 6 serving pieces. $200. Leave a message at (619) 988-9018.

For Rent:

• 2BR/2BA Condo in Fashion Valley. Many upgrades plus w/d, AC, tandem garage. $1,695/mo. Call (858) 602-9880

Wanted:

• Female roommate: Share 2 BR apartment in City Heights. No pets, no smoking. Leave a message at (619) 988-9018.
  
  
• Adult tricycle. Please call Gale at (619) 675-1765.

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 milannes.mail@gmail.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.