October 1, 2023
In EUSD, every student is an Empathetic Collaborator – an individual who actively listens, engages, and recognizes diverse perspectives to achieve a common goal.
“Empathetic Collaborator” is one of the six whole-learner outcomes that comprise the new EUSD Learner Profile in our visionary Framework for the Future. In our schools, an Empathetic Collaborator ensures equity of voice, ideas, and compromise; builds on the strengths, interests, and assets of others; and honors others’ experiences and points of view through respectful dialogue.
In Karla Winkler’s classroom at Juniper Elementary this week, 4th-graders were engaged in a friendly discussion about choosing a class goal. In guiding the discussion, Mrs. Winkler told her students: “We want something that is doable, that everyone is excited about, and that will make everyone feel included.” Mutual respect and support prevailed as classmates shared their ideas with great enthusiasm. Wearing headphones and focused on their iPad, it would appear that Kathryn Rosenkranz’s 2nd-graders were working on their assignment alone. But a closer look revealed that classmates were talking to each other about their work, exchanging feedback that generated excitement about their assignments.
When it comes to empathetic collaboration, teachers are leading by example. For instance, on Thursday, the 4th-grade team at Lincoln Elementary was gathered for its collaboration time while students were participating in the enrichment wheel activities. This collaboration time – designed to ensure that instruction meets the needs of every student – requires listening, sharing of ideas, compromise, and building on one another’s strengths. On this day, the 4th-grader teachers were sharing their experience with a recent reading fluency cycle with their students. They discussed their strategies and data, and were thrilled to report their students’ progress. In describing the reading fluency cycle, teachers explained that the activity for students also teaches students how to give effective feedback to their peers, an excellent example of our students as Empathetic Collaborators!
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Parent-Teacher conferences: Annual parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday and Friday, October 5 and October 6. These are non-student days. Scheduling information has been shared by your school sites.
GATE screening: As part of our ongoing commitment to actualizing the unlimited potential of every learner, EUSD provides a Gifted and Talented Education program. For GATE identification, all 2nd-graders will participate in universal screening in November. For students in Grades 3 through 8 who have not been screened for GATE, parents may request an assessment by submitting the Parent Background and Input Form to their school by Friday, October 13. The forms are available in the front office of every school. A school team will review requests and determine which students will be eligible for GATE screening. For more information, visit the EUSD GATE webpage, contact your school principal, or visit your school office.
Commission vacancy: EUSD is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Personnel Commission for a three-year term, beginning December 1, 2023. The Personnel Commission is a nonpartisan public body responsible for the administration of a merit system for the selection, retention, and promotion of non-teaching – classified employees – in EUSD. The three-member commission is composed of an individual appointed by the Board of Education, an individual nominated by classified employees, and an individual appointed by the other two personnel commissioners. The commission typically convenes once a month in a public meeting. For complete details and to submit an application, visit the Personnel Commission webpage. A letter of interest and application must be submitted by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 4, to Ashley Bird at abird@eusd.org or at the district office, 2310 Aldergrove Avenue.
Fall Into Fashion fundraiser: Save your seat for an afternoon of fashion and fun with the Escondido Education Foundation. Tickets are still available for the foundation’s “Fall Into Fashion” fundraiser, scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, October 7, at Trinity Episcopal Church in the Old Escondido neighborhood. Tickets are $50 per person, or $85 for a pair; food and drinks are included. Get all the details and purchase tickets online. The all-volunteer Escondido Education Foundation spends countless hours supporting the innovative learning happening in our classrooms with generous grants through the annual Dr. Mike Caston Innovation Awards, which are made possible through fundraisers like this.
Low-cost computers: The San Diego County Office of Education and Computers to SD Kids are hosting a Smart Tools for Schools event from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 7, at San Marcos Elementary School, 1 Tiger Way, San Marcos. This event provides an opportunity for families to purchase a refurbished desktop computer for $100 or a refurbished laptop for $150. Follow this link to submit an application and schedule an appointment. View this flyer for further details. Direct questions to 858-200-9788 or programs@c2sdk.org.
Salute to Teachers: The annual “Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers” honors the dedication of San Diego County’s 24,000 teachers. A reception-style celebration was held in August to honor the 2023-2024 nominees and announce the five San Diego County Teachers of the Year, including EUSD’s Wendy Threatt of Felicita Elementary. To capture highlights from the event and share interviews with the 2023-2024 County Teachers of the Year, Cox Communications has produced a 30-minute show that will premiere at 9 p.m. today, October 1, on the YurView Network (Channel 4 and 1004). The show will replay weekly at 9 p.m. Sundays through December. The 33rd annual “Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers” takes viewers inside the awards ceremony and explores the remarkable journeys of five exceptional teachers. Each spotlight showcases the honorees' dedication and passion for education, featuring moments from inside their classrooms and insights from their principals, students, and colleagues. For more about the 2023-2024 San Diego County Teachers of the Year, visit the San Diego County Office of Education website and the Cox Salute to Teachers website.
Caring community: We love our community supporters! Over the past two weeks, our district has received donations of new shoes, socks, backpacks, school supplies, hygiene kits, and books from generous organizations.
The Integrated Student Supports team at the district office was visited by the nonprofit Love Esco, which delivered 280 pairs of shoes and 680 pairs of socks, The Church at Rancho Bernardo, which donated hygiene bags, backpacks, and school supplies. The district’s family liaison team collected the donations at its monthly team meeting and will provide the resources to families through their school's Family Engagement Centers starting this week.
Over at Oak Hill Elementary on a recent Friday, the Otters enjoyed an exciting visit from the San Diego County Honda Dealers group, which brought more than 700 books to campus through its Helpful Book Fair. The school was nominated by a supporter through Honda’s Random Acts of Helpfulness program. Every single student in every grade level, from preschool through 5th grade, received a new book. The students were able to choose their book from a wide selection of picture books, chapter books, early readers, and graphic novels provided by the Helpful Honda team. We are grateful for these generous supporters!
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools