Check out the new look of www.sandi.net. Take some time to explore the new site, especially the green "Staff" tab where you will find access to email, PeopleSoft and Zangle in the Shortcuts section. The new website is a content management system that will enable departments, and eventually school sites, to update their own websites after minimal training and at no cost. Transitioning to the new website is a major project and there may be some glitches along the way. Your patience during this transition period is greatly appreciated. As we continue to migrate content, the "old" website is still available. If information can't be found on the new site, simply go to http://old.sandi.net. For more information, contact communications@sandi.net.

Patriot Day is held in memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. It reflects the compassion of people who stepped forward to help those they'd never met and the generosity of millions of Americans who enriched our country with acts of service and kindness on that day. In commemoration, flags should be flown at half-staff this Friday, September 11, 2009.

This is a reminder that school sites should be sending out letters to all parents/guardians regarding H1N1 flu preparation. The letters, in all six required languages, are posted on the H1N1 Flu Virus website, which can be found in Site Shortcuts section on www.sandi.net. For more information, contact Linda Zintz at lzintz@sandi.net or (619) 725-5568.

All district employees are responsible for keeping personal contact information current through the PeopleSoft Self Service portal on the district website. Please ensure that your personal information, home and mailing address, telephone numbers and emergency contact(s) are correct. Employees also have the ability to review payroll and benefits information and eligible dependents.

To access Self Service information:

• Click on the Staff tab on the new district website
• Click on PeopleSoft Login on the Site Shortcuts menu
• Log in to PeopleSoft using your employee ID and current password
• In the section SDCS Applications:  Click Human Resources 8.9
• Under the Menu: Click Self Service

If any benefits or dependents information is incorrect, contact Benefit Operations at (619) 725-8130. For corrections to payroll and compensation information, contact your payroll specialist.

The district Information Technology Department is constantly working to implement more sophisticated technology to fight incoming spam from reaching district users. Although it is impossible to guarantee a 100% spam-free environment, the majority of spam is successfully filtered out. Employees can help by taking the following steps:

• Never give personal information in an e-mail. I.T. will never ask for an employee's user name or password. Most legitimate companies will never ask you for personal information. If a company you trust, such as your credit card company or bank, is asking for personal information, check into it further.
• Restrict your district e-mail address to district-related business.
• Delete junk e-mail messages. Or, take advantage of the junk e-mail filter in Microsoft Outlook, found in the “Options” area of OWA to block senders of spam.
• Don’t reply to spam. This includes not responding to such messages that offer an option to “remove me from your list.”
• Do NOT forward chain e-mail messages. You may be furthering a hoax or aiding in the delivery of a virus. Verify e-mail hoaxes by using urban legend-checking sites, such as http://www.snopes.com .

If you have questions about the content or legitimacy of an e-mail, contact the I.T. Help Desk at (619) 725-7500.

The district is required to post and display Fraud Hotline posters from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of the Inspector General. View the poster . In accordance with the district’s Compliance Program, the following actions must be taken by all district sites, departments and divisions:

1. Prominently display the poster in common work areas, including but not limited to teachers’ lounges, administrative offices and financial offices.
2. Request that any subcontractor working on an NSF award or sub-award post the NSF/OIG fraud hotline poster in its common areas.

For more information, contact the Mandated Cost Unit at (619) 725-7566.

The main office for the Counseling and Guidance Department has moved to the Ed Center, Annex 12. Some members of the team will remain at Wiggin Center as will the Resource Library.  The office number is (619) 725-7330.

Counselors are also reminded to attend the annual All Counselor Meeting on September 24, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Mission Valley Resort. See flier for details.

Food Services again looks forward to serving schools and departments with special event catering needs. Please see attached for 2009-10 updates.

San Diego Unified is partnering with the California League of Middle and High Schools (CLMS/CLHS) to offer a K-12 Technology Conference in San Diego, December 4-6, 2009.  The theme of this year’s conference is Social, Global & Green – Transforming Learning through Social Media, Global Connections and Sustainable Practices.  CLMS/CLHS has invited district staff and teachers of all grade levels to present conference sessions highlighting educational-technology related innovations occurring in classrooms across the district.  Conference presenters will receive complimentary admission to the 3-day conference.  If you would like to present a session, please visit the CLS Call for Presenters webpage. The deadline for Presenter Applications is September 30.  For additional information, visit the website, or contact Marty Stultz at (619) 725-7103 or mstultz@sandi.net.

Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Free Tutoring Booklets were mailed to all eligible students in July.  (Only schools in year 2 or more for 2009-10 are eligible to receive SES).  Five Meet the Providers Fairs for Parents ( English | Spanish ) have been scheduled during the month of September to assist parents in making informed decisions.  The deadline to submit the enrollment application is Wednesday, September 30, at 5 p.m.  For more information and to view the 2009-10 Free Tutoring Enrollment Booklet in multiple languages, visit the SES website or call (619) 262-0316.

District Purchase Card training will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, on September 16, October 14, and November 18, in the Ed Center auditorium. Training is required for all new card holders, approvers or reconcilers who have not yet attended this class. RSVP to Julie Nguyen in the Fiscal Control Office at (619) 725-7669 or jnguyen1@sandi.net.

• CSET Prep Courses
  Teacher Preparation and Induction will offer California Subject Examinations for Teacher (CSET) Prep Courses to prepare teachers for the November 7 exam. Classes begin Thursday, October 8.  Courses are available in Single Subject English, Mathematics, Science and Multiple Subjects. Courses are free for district employees; $60.00 for Charter schools and all others. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 1.  See registration form and schedules for all subjects (Multi-page PDF) . For more information, contact Lucy Delvalle at ldelvalle@sandi.net or (858) 539-5330.

• DataDirector Training
  The Professional Development for Instructional Support Department is offering DataDirector training, where attendees will design and build exams utilizing DataDirector and then use the resulting data to inform instruction. This training is divided into three sessions and should be taken in sequence. Teachers can register online at http://sandi.net/ero.  Seating is limited and attendees will be expected to share the information with the other staff members at their site.  Participants will be paid Workshop Rate of $20.38/hr. If a school is interested in having a site-based training for the entire staff, resource teachers are available. Contact Leslie Caporale at (619) 725-7301 or lcaporale@sandi.net to discuss a site-based training.

• College Board Award Nominations
  Every year, the College Board Western Regional Office presents outstanding educators with awards for their service and dedication.  Nominations are currently open for:
  
  
  • The Joe Allen Exemplar Award—Recognizes an individual whose contributions enhance the aims and professional activities of the College Board, especially in the Western Region.
    
    
  • The Distinguished Service Awards—Recognize three individuals who have demonstrated meritorious service in the areas of teaching, financial aid, and counseling and admissions.
  
  Award recipients will be honored at the 2010 Western Regional Forum, to be held February 27-28, 2010, in San Diego.  See College Board Western Region Nominations. Nomination forms must received by October 1, 2009.

• 2009-10 NFAR Grant Application Deadlines Approaching
  The National Foundation for Autism Research provides grant funding to organizations for the purpose of creating or expanding programs that increase the current level of treatment services to children with autism. Letters of Intent are due September 15 and award decisions are expected by early November. San Diego Autism Teachers Grants are also offered, providing funding to educators for the specialized needs of students with autism. Grants are up to $500 per classroom and are to be used for educational programs, specialized materials and equipment. Applications are due September 15 and award decisions are expected by end of October. To apply for these grants, please refer to the instructions online at www.nfar.org.  

Attention: Grant Seekers
The Grants and Development Office is prepared to assist you in finding and applying for grant funding. Please visit the Grants and Development web page www.sandi.net/depts/grants for helpful tips, forms and step-by-step directions about applying for grants.

Be sure to check Current Grant Opportunities to see a list of live grants, updated monthly.  Contact Aly Evans with questions at aevans2@sandi.net or (619) 725-5582.

• NABE Foundation College Scholarship – Americans for the Arts Recipient
  The National Association for Business Economics (NABE) Foundation is offering a $5,000 student scholarship. See qualifications and application information . Deadline to apply is Monday, September 14.

• Sportsfishing Opportunity for Students
  The San Diego Sportsfishing Counsel invites schools to participate in their Sportsfishing Partners in Education program, providing schools up to five individual half-day fishing trips. An introduction meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 16, at 4 p.m. See flier for more information.

• Free SDSU Aztec Tickets for Students
  The SDSU athletic department’s Tickets for Kids program has free tickets available for Aztec football games. Tickets are intended for students along with adult chaperones. View the SDSU Aztec Football Schedule 2009 for the home game schedule. Program excludes the September 12 home opener. Free tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis, and supplies are generous but not unlimited. For more information and obtain tickets, contact Jim Esterbrooks at the San Diego County Office of Education at jimester@sdcoe.net or (858) 292-3719.

• Young Rembrandts
  The Young Rembrandts art program supplements and enhances existing visual art programs at school sites. Young Rembrandts is a rich visual art curriculum that is standards-based, easy to implement, affordable and engaging. The classes can be used as an after-school enrichment program or as an enhancement to the VAPA-created lessons and are available during the school day as instructional support for a teacher-artist collaborative experience.  For more information, please visit www.youngrembrandts.com or contact Dennis Kelsch at (951) 642-4103, or Karen Childress-Evans, VAPA at (858) 539-5349 or kchildressevans@sandi.net.

• Kids’ Quote Contest
  Product line Earthbound Farm Organic is holding a Kids' Quote Label Contest for students age 17 and under. Prizes include a $500 savings bond and $500 donation towards one of several environmental organizations.

CARS+ Special Educator Event
CARS+, the organization for special educators, will hold its Welcome Back event on Thursday, September 24, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. at the Mission Valley Library. Guest speaker will be Susan Martinez, executive director for the Special Education Programs Division. See flier for more information.

View upcoming events throughout the district on the Campus Calendar.

Latest additions:

• Decorative Paper Company
  
• Boston Market Teacher and School Staff Appreciation Month

San Diego Unified School District Employee Discounts webpage

Free

• CSET Study Aids: Clffs - CSET: Multiple Subjects (ISBN: 0764539833), and REA – CSET: Multiple Subjects (ISBN 073860058X). Call (619) 602-6859 to arrange pick up.

For Sale

• 2004 Toyota Corolla CE:  Silver/gray, 72,400 miles, 4-door, 5-speed, very clean, 4 cylinder gas saver with AM/FM CD player. Looks new, runs excellent. $7,650. Call (619) 955-8490.

• Armoire: New, one owner, Century.com, golden khaki, valued at $3,000, must sell at $550/obo. Call Andrew at (858) 488-5287.

• Antique Headboard: Solid Wood, excellent condition, fits king bed, 46.5” high with 57” high posts, located in Escondido. $225. Call (760) 802-6870.

• Rubber stamp sets: Hundreds of individual stamps and paper punches. $1-3 each. Contact   jnorton@sandi.net

• Blue Nose Pit Bull puppies: Excellent lineage, photos available. Two female at $350 each and one male at $300.  E-mail dklein69@cox.net or call (619) 379-3333.

For Rent

• 1 BR condo in Point Loma: parking, pool, laundry, tennis and gym. Available September 15.  $975.00/month. Call (619) 225-8342.

• 3 BR/2 BA house in Pacific Beach/Crown Point: Close to bay, garage, parking, washer/dryer. $2600. Call (619) 702-5000.

• Single room: Quiet culdesac residence in central Bay Park location. Room has queen bed, dresser, desk and more. $550/month. Contact bmccarty@sandi.net.
  
  

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).

Japan in Summer 2010
A 10-day trip is being planned in July/August 2010 to the “Land of the Rising Sun.” The trip price of $4,000 includes round trip air fare, hotels, all breakfasts and dinners, personal tour guide, 3-4 star hotels, taxes, surcharges, entrance fees and more. For more information, e-mail Julia Groff at jgroff@sandi.net.

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.