October 15, 2023
In EUSD, every student is an empathetic collaborator! Our classrooms at all grade levels are bursting with students actively listening and engaging to achieve a common goal – whether it’s gaining mastery of a math concept, understanding the properties of collision physics, or explaining the roots of the American Revolution.
In Room 9 at Miller Elementary, there was a pleasant buzz among Jessica Garcia’s 3rd-graders as they worked on math with their table mates, tackling a lesson on number sense and breaking down multiplication problems into parts. At one particular table, Sophia – a natural at leading with empathy and patience – patiently read a problem to her table neighbor to assist. And together with a third table mate, they discussed the necessary steps in solving their problems and grasping number sense. It was incredible!
At Mission Middle School, 8th-graders in Dennis Zanesco’s science class were not shy about discussing the steps they needed to take to collect evidence in a lesson about collision physics. With yardsticks, tennis balls, and baseballs, students ran tests to determine the influence of force and mass, as Zanesco supported the process with engaging question and answer exchanges.
Teaching students as empathetic collaborators is a significant component of our visionary Framework for the Future – a characteristic that is sure to support our vision of unlimited potential for every child!
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Art exhibit: Works of art from middle school students across EUSD are on display at the California Center for the Arts Museum. The artworks are showcased in a professional setting in the museum’s Emerging Artist Gallery. Student artists created pieces that reflect on themes — including friendship, connection, remembrance, and honoring loved ones — as seen in the museum’s current professional exhibits. Participating art teachers and their students are Tim Brownell, Bear Valley; Lucas Spenser, Del Dios; Chrissie Preston, Hidden Valley; Ann O’Neill, Mission; and Kirsten Josephson, Rincon. The exhibit continues through November 5. For museum hours and ticket information, visit the art center website.
Academic support: We are now at the midway point of the school year’s first trimester following the informative parent-teacher conferences, which include updates on your child’s progress that will help support their academic and social-emotional growth both at home and in the classroom. An essential component of this support is ensuring daily, on-time student attendance. Contact your school site if you are experiencing any challenges to daily school attendance for your child. For additional resources, please visit our Attendance webpage. In addition, the California State Library offers free tutoring and assistance with an assignment, thanks to its HelpNow program. This live, real-time homework assistance is available 24 hours a day by laptop, tablet, or phone from qualified tutors using state curriculum and standards. Students can receive tutoring in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. All HelpNow tutors have a bachelor’s degree, have passed a proficiency exam for the subject in which they are tutoring, have cleared reference and background checks, and are supervised regularly.
Family workshop: Save the date to join our Family and Community Engagement Team for an important informational workshop led by renowned drug abuse prevention ambassador Rocky Herron. “The Dangers of Teen Drinking, Vaping, and Drug Use” will be held the evening of Tuesday, October 24 at Mission Middle School. The Spanish-language presentation is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., with the presentation in English to follow at 7 p.m. Child care will be provided. Herron's powerful and engaging presentation is based on his three decades of experience as a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent.
Celebrating school nutrition: Last week was recognized as National School Lunch Week, which was established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has in and out of the classroom. In EUSD, the Nutrition Services team provides nearly 17,000 nutritious and delicious meals per school day. Thanks to these 150 staff members, under the direction of Director Anna Scimone, students in all grade levels have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, from-scratch entrees such as spaghetti and meatballs and crisp salads, and more. Education is also an important part of the team’s work. The team hosts farmers market assemblies from the nonprofit organization Food 4 Thought and has implemented a precise recycling process at meal time to reduce food and materials waste. I am proud of our extraordinary nutrition program!
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.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools