October 8, 2023
In EUSD, even our youngest learners are empathetic collaborators! A peek inside one of our Peer Buddy preschool classrooms offers extraordinary examples of students actively listening, engaging, and recognizing diverse perspectives to achieve a common goal.
This inclusive preschool program from our Special Education team brings together students with special needs and their typically developing peers in one classroom, learning and working together. The Peer Buddy program provides a developmentally appropriate community of belonging for these preschoolers. “A wealth of research and observation indicates pretty clearly that inclusive environments benefit all students who participate in them,” Program Specialist Natalie Muldoon said. “We are very proud of the work that our teams have committed to so far, and are even more excited to see our littlest learners thrive in this inclusive environment”
In Room 19 at L.R. Green Elementary, for example, the empathetic collaboration begins with the grown-ups – teachers Nicole Vasil and Teresa Ramos, paraeducator Aly Eade, and speech language pathologist Amanda Lines – who’ve established a nurturing and friendly environment for their preschoolers that emphasizes communication. They create personalized visual tools – folders, charts, and stories – that support classmates as they help and work with one another, whether they are painting, learning letters and numbers, or singing about their feelings. “Everyone is benefiting from inclusion, this is such a beautiful program,” Vasil said.
“Empathetic Collaborator” is one of the six whole-learner outcomes that comprise the EUSD Learner Profile in our visionary Framework for the Future.
We hope you enjoyed an informative parent-teacher conference at your child’s school. We look forward to seeing students back on campus tomorrow, Monday, October 9.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
School libraries: Library services for students will resume tomorrow, Monday, October 9. As you are likely aware, a book containing sexually explicit, age-inappropriate material was found in one of our school libraries. The book was removed immediately. School library services were suspended temporarily to allow our library media technicians to conduct an audit of our library collections to ensure that they do not include sexually explicit material that is meant for older audiences. The pause also provided time for our librarians to conduct routine collection maintenance known as a weeding of books, which is a standard practice for all libraries – city and county library systems, as well as schools – to make room for newer material and remove outdated material. We engaged the expertise of our school library technicians, along with the San Diego County Office of Education Librarian of Record, in this process. I understand that this situation caused a lot of concern and attention throughout our community. That was never my intent. However, moving forward, we are confident in our established procedures and policies and in our commitment to ensuring that students have access to relevant, up-to-date, age-appropriate books in their school libraries. Once I receive the findings of this audit, I will be sure to share them through this venue.
Work with EUSD: Our next hiring event includes an opportunity for credentialed educators seeking substitute teacher positions, as well as classified positions. Join us Tuesday, October 10, as Human Resources team members guide classified and credentialed job-seekers 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. For 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 or email Rogelia Martinez-Walker at rogmartinez-walker@eusd.org 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.
Enrichment camps: EUSD is excited to announce that we will be offering several camp experiences over spring break 2024 through our Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. These include five-day overnight camps and seven-day on-site programs. EUSD 6th-graders will be offered the opportunity to participate in the legendary 6th Grade Camp at Cuyamaca Outdoor School in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, about 60 miles east of Escondido. The program includes environmental education lessons that incorporate trail experiences and citizen scientist projects to create hands-on learning that is meaningful, memorable, and fun. The weeklong, overnight experience transforms how students feel about science and themselves as learners. EUSD 7th-graders and 8th-graders in the GATE program will be offered the chance to participate in SEACAMP San Diego, which provides a week of marine exploration and learning. Students will engage in highly physical, hands-on activities, including marine labs, snorkeling, kayaking, bodyboarding, exploring beaches and tide pools, and a boat tour. Students from Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade also may choose to participate in Expanded Learning on-site day camps, featuring a full nine-hour day of activities, including field trips, hands-on learning and exploring, and more! Be on the lookout for more information and full details coming soon.
Celebrating custodians: Last Monday, October 2, was recognized as National Custodian Appreciation Day, and we are incredibly grateful for our team of 100 custodians who work tirelessly to ensure that every EUSD space – from classrooms to kitchens and restrooms to cubicles – is clean, safe, and secure. Beyond the day-to-day cleaning and sanitizing, custodians are the point person for deliveries, event set-up, and minor repairs. They are often also the first and last staff members at school, responsible for opening and closing campus. There are many unplanned tasks that come up that we don't even realize are handled behind the scenes by our custodians. “They are unsung heroes who take pride in their jobs, and no job is too big for them,” Custodial Supervisor Mario Reyes said. Custodians also serve as caring adults on campus – they are loved and adored by the students. Just one example is Jesus Larios of Del Dios Academy, who has become such a mentor to students that they have bestowed him with the nickname “Grandpa.” “The kids are the engine that drives him to wake up every day and be at his campus extra early just to make sure school is ready for his students,” Reyes shared with me. “The respect that the kids have for him is extraordinary, all because of his personality, love for his job, and being around the kids.”
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.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools