August 6, 2023
The entire EUSD team is filled with excitement as we prepare to welcome students on Tuesday, August 15, for the start of the 2023-2024 school year! We hope that your summer break has been a time for rest, rejuvenation, and fun.
Educators and support staff from every corner of the district are working together to put the final touches on plans for an extraordinary new year, one that promises to be filled with innovative programming for our students. EUSD has embraced elements of a learner-centered model for several years, and now we are prepared to strengthen that model – thanks to the EUSD Framework for the Future – to ensure that we are the district of choice for the children of Escondido. Professionals from all corners of the district have worked collaboratively to lay the foundation for this framework, which sets up EUSD students to actualize their unlimited potential.
We are especially excited about the launch of our Elementary Enrichment Wheel, which promises to be rewarding for both our students and our teachers. The wheel will allow students to explore a variety of enrichment experiences that may include art, theatre, music, engineering, dance, robotics, health and wellness, and photography. For classroom teachers, the wheel provides valuable collaboration time that will help ensure that the engaging instruction occurring throughout our district is differentiated to meet the needs of every student.
We are honored to have your children as part of our school community, and we are thrilled to begin another year of learning and growth on August 15. You may check your school’s bell schedule here. Our school offices are now open to the public, with our friendly staff available to answer any questions.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Student Registration: If you have not yet registered your returning student, now is the time to complete the required registration of all students returning to EUSD for the 2023-2024 school year. You can complete your child's registration by clicking the following link: Returning Student Registration. The Returning Student Registration takes just minutes to complete online. Timely submission of registration for the 2023-2024 school year will help ensure proper placement of your child, prevent delays in receiving your child's class schedule, assist staff to determine your child’s eligibility for assistance program benefits, and confirm that necessary emergency contact information is up to date. If you have a child who is new to EUSD, please visit our New Student Enrollment webpage for information and click the Enroll Here button to complete the process. In addition, EUSD State Preschool is now accepting online applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Please visit the Preschool website for information on eligibility and an application.
Campus security: EUSD’s approach to securing our campuses has evolved over the years, adapting to the changing times. The district has made numerous upgrades based on guidance and best practices from the FBI, state and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Secret Service, and, perhaps most importantly, from our own community. Some of these changes in our approach to school security will be noticeable, while others are behind the scenes. For a complete update on security, please visit our new EUSD Security Initiatives webpage.
Stay connected: Last year marked the launch of a new and expanded online presence for our district, designed with families in mind. The updated district and school websites, EUSD app, and social media accounts have a modern look and feel, and regular updates for all of the vital information you rely on. The revamped EUSD mobile app is your one-stop-shop for all school news and events. Getting connected with the app is essential to stay informed about your child's classroom activities, campus events, and districtwide news. In addition, the classroom communication tool Rooms is available inside the EUSD app. In Rooms, parents and guardians can message teachers, and students can ask their teacher school-related questions in a monitored, safe place. Rooms is now the standard classroom messaging app across the district, replacing other apps that have been in use, such as Remind and Class Dojo. The free “EUSD Escondido CA” app is available for download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. For families new to EUSD, you will receive an invitation by email to join Rooms. Those emails are expected to go out early this week. To get started, simply create an account using the invitation link in the email. If you are a returning family and already have a Rooms account there is no action necessary on your part. For further details and instructions on staying connected, please visit our new Stay Connected in EUSD webpage.
School supplies: The district provides all school supplies that are needed for every student to succeed in school. This includes a district-issued iPad for all students in all grade levels. You may receive a “wish list” for your child’s classroom; however, these are simply requests and not mandatory for you to provide. At home, it’s recommended that children have access to a quiet place to do homework. Should you need any supplies for home – such as pencils, a notebook, or crayons – please let your child’s teacher know or contact your school’s family liaison or school social worker.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools