This Thursday, April 23, is national “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work” day, an event established more than 15 years ago to strengthen the connection between education and work and relationships between parents and their children. SDUSD employees are welcomed to participate in this valuable educational experience by bringing their child(ren), ages 5-18 years, to work on Thursday. Employees must notify their supervisors if they are bringing their child to work and return a signed copy of the Waiver and Release of Liability form prior to Thursday. For more information or with questions, contact the Office of the Chief of Staff at ekramer@sandi.net or (619) 725-7388.

Employees, parents, students and community members are invited to learn more about the state budget crisis and its impact on public K-12 education at a Town Hall (Flyer: English  | Spanish  ) meeting on Thursday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m., at Kearny High School. Attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas and opinions with the Board of Education and state representatives who are invited to attend and participate. For more information, e-mail communications@sandi.net.

Three new online tutorials for eProcurement are now available.  They are: a) How to Order a Special Request Item, b) How to Enter Budget Numbers Once for Multiple Items, and c) How to Create Your Own Template. These tutorials are narrated video clips you can run on your own computer and are designed specifically for SDUSD employees.  To learn how to locate and use PeopleSoft online tutorials, please visit the webpage and click on “View the Text-Based Job Aid”.

Human Resources will be offering a How to Apply workshop throughout the year.  The focus will be a step-by-step explanation of the online application process for non-teaching positions. The workshop is open to current district employees and new applicants interested in applying for non-teaching positions.  For more information or to sign up, call (619) 725-8195.

Representatives from schools that have selected a Site Teacher of the Year are invited to attend this year’s Day of the Teacher Celebration, Tuesday, May 5, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Sherman Elementary School. Recent Future Educator Scholars, National Board Certified Teachers and the 2009-10 District Teachers of the Year will also be honored. RSVPs are due to Jennie Breister in the Communications Department by April 29 at jbreister@sandi.net or (619) 725-5598.

School sites are asked to ensure the pink copies of all ASB Consultant forms are clear and legible before sending them to the Accounts Payable Department. The consultant's name, address, telephone information, Tax ID number and check information (including the amount and date paid) must be legible in order to process the district’s annual 1099 returns accurately and produce reliable information to the consultants for their tax returns.  Site secretaries and financial clerks will be contacted if forms are not legible. For information, contact Kitty Jackson at (619) 725-7751 or cjackson1@sandi.net.

At the April 15 DAC meeting, the Parent Outreach and Engagement Department gave a presentation on test taking, including information on the STAR test and test-taking tips. A CD of the Powerpoint presentation, handouts and a test-taking survival kit was distributed to every Title 1 school represented at the DAC meeting. The CD and information packet will be sent to all Title 1 schools who did not attend the meeting. For more information, contact Bea Fernandez at bfernandez@sandi.net, or Elneda Shannon at eshannon@sandi.net or (619) 293-4431. 

Teachers interested in serving as full-time consulting teachers are reminded that the position is posted and will close on May 8. See the PAR Consulting Teaching flyer for minimum qualifications and informational meeting schedule.

Don’t forget to order your discounted Padres tickets and support our Visual and Performing Arts programs. View the flyer  to see the schedule of games, ticket prices and instructions on how to purchase tickets. For information, contact Aly Evans at (619) 725-5582 or aevans2@sandi.net.

California Coast Credit Union is sponsoring a 3-day hotel stay drawing for the volunteer at each school site who has logged the most volunteer hours during 2008-09. Tuesday, May 5, is the deadline to submit an entry form by fax to (619) 725-5599 or by school mail to Ellen Tiffany, Community Relations Department, Ed Center, Room 2121. The winner’s name will be drawn at the End-of-Year Community Recognition Event on May 7. For more information, contact etiffany@sandi.net or (619) 725-5594.

In celebration of the National Day of the Teacher and Teacher Appreciation Day on May 5, all San Diego Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza restaurants will offer a free tapas menu item with purchase to San Diego teachers. Teachers must present their current teacher ID at lunch or dinner to enjoy one of 18 tapas. See flyer for locations and more information.

• San Diego County Arts Education Summit 2009
  “Testing, budgets, assessment, pink slips, and curriculum:  What is successful education, and where do the arts fit?” is the topic for the 2009 summit event being held Wednesday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the San Diego County Office of Education, Linda Vista Campus, 6401 Linda Vista Road (92111).  Registration is $30; $35 after April 24.  Online registration only. For registration information, call (858) 292-3789, or for information about the day’s agenda and program, visit the website or call (760) 750-4431.

• Earn a Master’s Degree in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts
  Lesley University is currently accepting applications for a second Arts in Education Cohort program, which prepares educators to teach the California state standards while using the arts as teaching and learning strategies to meet the needs of students. An informational meeting will be held on Thursday, April 30, at 4:30 p.m., at Taft Middle School. For information, contact Michael McCarthy, Ph.D. at (866) 531-3167 or mmccart1@lesley.edu.

• 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 the website or contact Elsa at etapi@mail.sdsu.edu.

• 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.

• Character Matters Conference
  The University of San Diego will hold the Character Matters Conference June 30-July 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Teachers, principals, counselors and administrators are invited to attend. Cost is $200 per attendee; $150 for schools that send four or more teachers; $60 for students with ID. Both graduate credit and professional development units are available for those who attend both days of the conference and participate in four on-line sessions. Teachers should seek prior district approval for salary advancement units. For more information, see the conference outline , or e-mail character@sandiego.eduor call (619) 260-2250.  Register early online for the chance to win free Character Matters materials.

• 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. 

• Grants Available for School-based Running Programs
  In its effort to fight childhood obesity and introduce students to the benefits of running, ING Insurance Corporation is providing 50 grants valued at $2,000 each to middle and high schools interested in establishing a school-based running program or expanding an existing one. The ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program has partnered with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) to target 5th-8th grade students. Schools must implement a minimum of an eight-week running program with a culminating event by Dec. 31, 2009. Applications are being accepted through June 1, 2009. For more information, visit the program website. 

• Target Stores Offer Grant Opportunities for the Arts
  Target offers grant funding for arts programs that bring the arts to schools or make it affordable for students and families to participate in cultural experiences. Target will accept grant applications online by May 31 for programs taking place between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010. Schools will receive notification by September 30, 2009. Most grants average between $1,000 and $3,000. For more information, visit Target Store Grants.

• 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.

• Summer Enrichment Opportunities
  The GATE Department is proud to support engaging and enriching summer opportunities for all students. Activities range from camps sponsored by local San Diego colleges, to service learning opportunities. For more information, go to www.sandi.net/GATE2/ and click the Quick Links box under either “Summer Opportunities for GATE Students” or “Additional Educational Opportunities”.  For further information, call Robin Nelson in the GATE Office at (858) 573-5992.

• 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.

• 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 the webpage. Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., May 1. 

• 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, visit the website. Applications must be received by May 15.

Ballard Parent Center in Old Town will host a new quarter of free parenting classes ( Flyer : English | Spanish ) from May 12 - June 17, on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Classes include “Reading to Learn!”, “MegaSkills” and “Can We Talk?” and are offered in both English and Spanish. Transportation and childcare are available.

Additional classes:

• Star Testing – What Parents Need to Know at San Diego High School
• Math Night with the Make-It/Take-It Lab at Tubman/Chavez Multicultural Center
• Star Testing – What Parents Need to Know at Cherokee Point Elementary
• Burmese Parent Workshops at Mann Middle School ( Flyer : English | Burmese )

For a complete list of classes offered or to register parents, call (619) 293-4431.

• New Administrative Circulars and Bulletins
• Follow SDUSD on Twitter

• Channel 10 News
  April 17, 2009
  Feds To Release Nearly $4 Billion for California Education
  
  
• NBC News San Diego
  April 16, 2009
  Latino Student Drop Out Rate “Alarming”

• John Muir Bead for Life Event
  This Wednesday, April 22, John Muir K-12 Magnet School for Global Citizenship will sponsor a Bead for Life (www.beadforlife.org) Party from 6-9 p.m. in the school auditorium. Learn more about how Ugandan women are lifting their families out of poverty with their handmade, high-quality beaded jewelry. For event information, contact Caryn Maroni at John Muir School at (858) 268-1954 x145 or cmaroni1@sandi.net.
  
  
• Tamir Hendelman Jazz Trio Benefit Concert
  Sunday, April 26, the acclaimed Insraeli-born jazz pianist will perform a concert at 4 p.m. with a reception following at 5:30 p.m., at St. James by the Sea in La Jolla. Tickets are $32 advance purchase; $37 at the door; $50 for the reception catered by award-winning Urban Solace restaurant.  Proceeds will fund San Diego Unified students to attend Classics for Kids concerts next year.  See flyer for more information.

• Servapalooza – Service Festival and Parade of Wishes
  On Sunday, April 26, 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, 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.

For Sale:

• Chihuahua puppies: 10 weeks old, one male and one female. Great pets. Call (619) 490-9400 to see puppies.

For Rent:

• 1 BR at Point Loma Tennis Club: pool, Jacuzzi, tennis, sauna, laundry. Non-smoking; no pets. $975. Call  (619) 225-8342.

• 3BR/2BA house: 3704 Cowley Way in South Clairemont. Quiet area, nice yard, deck, hardwood floors, large master bedroom.  $1,700/mo. Call Kyle at (858) 243-0351.

• Room in 3BR/2BA house: AC/Heat, washer/dryer. Quiet neighborhood near I-8 and SDSU. $650/month. Call (858) 829-9609.

• Room in 3BR house: Includes room converted to an office with Internet, own bath and refrigerator, full kitchen access, patio, pool, barbecue, jogging paths, park area and more. Female, non-smoker. $600/month. Call (619) 820-4295.

Wanted:

• Roommate to share 2BR/2BA condo in North Park: New appliances, W/D, AC. No smoking. No dogs. $650/mo. Call (619) 981-0836.

• Electronic Lift Recliner Chair. Please call Sandra at (619) 315-5094.

• 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 from June 23- July 14, 2009. $3,095 inc. airfare. If interested, e-mail Sheila at 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.