April 14, 2024
In EUSD, every student experiences Authentic Learning – learning that sparks collaboration and is meaningful, relevant, and grounded in real-world challenges. Authentic Learning also means that learning can happen anytime and anywhere, like during a trip to a local farm.
On a recent Friday, hundreds of students from Lincoln, North Broadway, Reidy Creek, and Rock Springs elementary schools attended “Farm Day” hosted by the Escondido High School agriculture program, which boasts a 5-acre working farm complete with livestock, greenhouses, gardens, and a farmers market.
Students from kindergarten through 3rd grade visited up to 12 stations around the farm to see the wide range of jobs and activities involved in agriculture. Not only did our students get to learn about farming and food sources, they also got a chance to interact with high school students who are clearly leaders in their community.
“Do you know what a veterinarian does,” an EHS student asked a group of visitors at the veterinary medicine station. Our students answered, “They help sick animals!” They listened and watched intently as the older students explained the tools used to care for farm animals, their eyes wide as they gazed at the size of a syringe used to administer medicine to a cow. At the dairy station, students learned about how milk is produced, complete with a sample. “That was the best tasting chocolate milk ever, and they said it's good for you too,” said one of North Broadway teacher Reves Childress’s 3rd-graders. In one steamy greenhouse, students could choose a basil, pepper, or flower plant to take home. In another massive greenhouse, students examined an aquaponics system and heard about the benefits of using clay pellets versus soil for planting.
Students went on to pet horses, feed pigs, and see that chickens lay different colored eggs – and talked about their experiences for hours afterward. Farm Day was an extraordinary example of an authentic learning experience for our young scholars!
“Our Kindergarten students had a blast interacting with animals, plants, and farm equipment,” said North Broadway Special Education teacher Micah Ella Rangel. “Their engagement in learning about animal care and plant growth was amazing! Overall, it was a fantastic learning adventure for everyone involved, and I'm excited to see how our students continue to grow from this experience."
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Work with EUSD: The next EUSD hiring fair is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the district office, 2310 Aldergrove Avenue. Human Resources team members will guide individuals through the application process, including any necessary job assessments for numerous essential full- and part-time positions across the district. Walk-ins are welcome. On-campus and district office positions include Special Education paraeducator, nutrition assistant, licensed vocational nurse, publications technician, custodian, various substitute opportunities, and more. Employees who work more than five hours a day are eligible for enrollment in EUSD benefits and retirement programs. Find all employment opportunities here.
Spring Break success: Thanks to the EUSD Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, some 750 students were immersed in numerous enrichment camp experiences during spring break. Camps included weeklong overnight experiences at 6th Grade Camp at Cuyamaca Outdoor School and SEACAMP San Diego, as well as activity-packed day camps with CCAE Theatricals’ ¡Camp Exprésate!, YMCA Expanded Learning Programs, Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego, and SD Legion professional rugby team. “They didn't complain about anything, which is a first for them,” one EUSD parent said of her children’s spring break camp experiences. Another parent shared that their child loved “the awesomeness” of spring break camp! Throughout the diverse camp offerings, students met reptiles and splashed on water slides. They explored the San Diego Zoo. They hiked in Cleveland National Forest and snorkeled along the San Diego coastline. They danced, sang, and acted at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and created works of art with pastels and watercolors. They played flag rugby, tennis, volleyball, and basketball. And perhaps most significantly, our students made new friends and meaningful memories.
State assessments: Attending school on time and on a daily basis is essential for ensuring a child’s future success, and is especially important as the annual CAASPP testing gets underway in EUSD schools. Students in grades 3 through 8 take the computer-based California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, which measures each student’s progress in English language arts and math. Students in grades 5 and 8 also will take a science assessment. Remind your students to bring their fully charged iPads to school. While a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast, and encouragement to do their best are always important for students, please take a moment to ensure these steps happen on testing days. Each school develops its own testing schedule, and the testing window will be open through May 17.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools