September 10, 2023
In EUSD, every student is empowered to be a valued part of their school community! With that, regular and on-time attendance is an essential ingredient for the success of our empowered students.
We make each EUSD school a place where children look forward to being there, where they feel a sense of belonging and responsibility to their school. And when students miss school, they are missed by the caring adults on campus.
At an EUSD school – from Bernardo to Limitless to Rose – children feel inspired, they are encouraged to try new things, and they are driven to learn without limits. On campus, children are in a safe space with access to resources that support their personal social-emotional needs and academic achievement. Students are building healthy routines, enjoying nutrition meals, and creating meaningful relationships with their peers. Through dozens of in-school and after-school enrichment opportunities, students are exposed to vast experiences in athletics, the arts, STEM, leadership, and more.
Regular attendance – with the support of parents and guardians – helps ensure that our students are taking advantage of all the extraordinary opportunities provided in EUSD schools. Attendance is a key life skill that will continue to help students throughout their years in EUSD, and in high school, college, and beyond. Missing just two days a month can cause a child to fall behind in core subjects like reading and math, and subsequently result in additional stress and feeling disconnected from school. We offer numerous resources to support families, and encourage you to contact your school site if you are experiencing any challenges to daily school attendance for your child.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Work with EUSD: Save the date for our next hiring fair! On Monday, September 18, Human Resources team members will be on hand to guide individuals seeking classified positions and credentialed substitute teacher positions through the application process. The hiring event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the district office, 2310 Aldergrove Avenue. Walk-ins are welcome for numerous essential full- and part-time positions across the district. View this flyer for details on classified positions; employees who work more than five hours a day are eligible for enrollment in EUSD benefits and retirement programs. Substitute teacher candidates are urged to apply in advance through this link to be contacted with an appointment time; however, walks-in are welcome. This flyer provides details on the substitute teacher positions, including necessary steps in the application process.
Family engagement: EUSD recognizes that parents, guardians, and family members are an integral part of our journey to ensure academic and personal success for every student. The district’s Family Engagement Policy – developed in collaboration with the coordinator of Community Engagement, the Family Liaison Team, the District Advisory Committee, and English Language Advisory Committee – highlights the many ways in which parents and family members are active members of our school community. The updated policy is now available for review online in English and in Spanish.
i-Ready assessments: i-Ready diagnostic assessments are underway for all students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. i-Ready is an online learning program for reading and math that assists teachers in determining a student’s needs, personalizing student learning, and monitoring student progress throughout the school year. Once students complete the assessments, they receive their individualized learning path that includes learning activities to practice reading and math skills at their level that they can access on their iPad at school and at home. These individualized learning assessments are program-generated according to their progress on previous learning paths and diagnostic assessments. Students participate in i-Ready diagnostic assessments three times during the school year – August-September, December-January, and April-May. The latest results for your student will be shared at parent-teacher conferences in October. Please contact your child's teacher if you have questions about their score or learning path. For more information about i-Ready, please visit the i-Ready page on the EUSD website.
Student devices: EUSD utilizes technology in nearly every aspect of instruction, and access to information technology through district-issued iPads is integral to our vision to actualize the unlimited potential of every learner. The district’s Acceptable Use Policy: Student Technology, which can be reviewed on our website, outlines the expectations for students for the appropriate uses of technology. In addition, parents and guardians may wish to manage access to their child’s school-issued device through the JAMF Parent App available to you. While students are instructed on the responsible use of technology, the JAMF app allows guardians to implement additional restrictions on a student iPad as needed. Instructions for setting up JAMF Parent access are available by clicking on the JAMF Parent Guide on your student’s iPad or online through the EUSD Knowledge Base website.
Foundation fundraiser: Join the Escondido Education Foundation for an afternoon of fashion and fun at an upcoming fundraising event! “Fall Into Fashion” is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, October 7, at Trinity Episcopal Church in the Old Escondido neighborhood. Get all the details and purchase tickets online. Tickets are $50 or $85 for a pair; delicious food and drinks are included. The foundation is partnering with the Assistance League for this year’s fashion show. The all-volunteer Escondido Education Foundation spends countless hours supporting the innovative learning happening in our schools, particularly through the annual Dr. Mike Caston Innovation Awards. Fundraisers such as “Fall Into Fashion” help make these generous grant awards possible!
Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools