September 2, 2024
Today, as we observe the Labor Day holiday – established in part to honor the contributions of American workers – it’s an excellent time to recognize not only the current contributions of our incredible EUSD employees, but also to celebrate the opportunities for our students. One of the highlights of my job is that I get to visit our schools to see our incredible teachers and staff supporting our students. Every day counts in EUSD!
This past week, I had the pleasure of visiting several of our schools. My first stop was at Bear Valley Middle School. It was great to see the teachers actively reinforcing their classroom routines, which are essential for a successful school year! After a successful “Week of Welcome,” the staff at BVMS also ensures that students get to know one another by sharing their interests. I also had an opportunity to visit Quantum Academy as they kicked off their second week with an introductory Project-Based Learning Unit around the Olympic theme. This unit was designed to introduce students to the design-thinking process, and they were put in multi-grade teams and challenged to design a chariot, shields, and swords using nothing but the materials provided in a box. I got to see the teams compete to see who would win gold. Way to go, Quantum Academy! On Thursday, I had the opportunity to visit with the Bernardo Mountaineers! They, too, were reinforcing routines, especially with our youngest students in TK and K. It was impressive to see our young mountaineers becoming empowered learners at such a young age! Way to make every day count!
We look forward to seeing students tomorrow, September 3, following the extended Labor Day weekend.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Back to school nights: Back to school nights are underway around the district. For event times and dates, be sure to check your school’s website or look for a reminder in Rooms on the EUSD mobile app.
Show Your School Spirit with Attendance: School spirit is created when students attend school and participate in engaging activities. Each of our schools has scheduled exciting activities to bring students and families together. Grade-level and classroom competitions, school assemblies, poster contests, and fun activities are some of the ways our school sites are encouraging daily student attendance and participation. This year, all of our school sites will be competing with each other, every month, for overall student engagement and attendance celebrations. Let’s work together to make attendance a top priority and watch our school spirit soar. Every Day Counts!
After-school enrichment and intervention offerings: Get ready for an exciting lineup of after-school fun! Our Expanded Learning Opportunities Program offers a fantastic variety of enrichment and intervention classes at all EUSD schools. These classes are led by our amazing EUSD teachers, staff, and local vendors, bringing the best experiences right to our students. Keep an eye out for the Student Interest Forms from your school, where families can sign up for the classes that catch their eye. The Fall Session kicks off on September 16 and runs through November 20—don’t miss out on the fun!
Esports: We are pleased to announce that all EUSD middle schools continue to offer an eSports program as part of our after-school enrichment classes. These teams practice twice a week, participate in five tournaments each season, and compete in a district-wide championship event where students vie for the title of top gamer in EUSD. This program goes beyond simply playing video games; it also provides students with valuable insights into potential careers within the gaming industry. To learn more about this exciting initiative, please watch this video of the esports program. Last weekend, Daniel Drew (Bear Valley Middle School’s eSports coach) and Jo-Ann Fox had the opportunity to present about the success of EUSD’s eSports league with educators from around the county at the San Diego County Office of Education Learning and Innovation Summit.
Elementary Band Recruitment: Escondido Union School District is pleased to offer 4th and 5th grade students the opportunity to learn to play a wind or percussion instrument. Research has shown that there are many benefits to learning to play an instrument, including the enhancement of memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, which contribute to academic success. This year, band will be offered once per week at the same time as elementary wheel classes and will not conflict with any of the core academic instruction. Students who opt to participate in band will go to band class instead of wheel classes. The band classes will last for the entire school year. Please complete this band form if you are interested in having your student participate in this wonderful opportunity.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus: All EUSD students have access to no-cost breakfast and lunch. Families can view our new online menus. Select your school and menu to see what is being served every day.
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 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 7, at the San Diego County Office of Education Parking Lot, 3401 Linda Vista Rd., San Diego, CA, 92111. 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. Direct questions to 858-200-9788 or programs@c2sdk.org.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools