In the year 2015, Escondido Union School District joined a citywide initiative called “Escondido Shines,” which raised awareness of how we can all take part in different ways to make our city SHINE. Ten years later, to commemorate this powerful initiative, EUSD is once again showcasing different ways our students and staff contribute to making Escondido Shine. One way we do that is by showcasing our students’ talents by hosting a community-wide event called the smART Festival. In EUSD, every student is an artist. Therefore, we invite you and your family and friends to see thousands of examples of their art in action and save the date for the 13th annual smART Festival on Saturday, March 22, at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. This celebration of the arts in EUSD will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CCAE Museum and Center Theater. Student artwork from every EUSD school will be on exhibit, while student bands, dance troupes, and actors will perform on stage. We are looking forward to entertaining you at this year's smART Festival!
Here are this week’s updates and reminders:
Coming Soon! Applications for State Preschool for the 2025-26 school year will be available online beginning May 1st for children who will turn 3 by December 1st. Any families with children whose 3rd birthday is on or after December 2nd can apply on or after their 3rd birthday.
Teacher appreciation: The San Diego Helpful Honda Dealers will be honoring deserving teachers throughout San Diego County by surprising them with $5,000 worth of school supplies and materials to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week in May. The San Diego Helpful Honda Teacher Appreciation Awards is seeking your help to identify teachers whose efforts have greatly impacted their students, community, or school – educators who have gone above and beyond to give their students a memorable and unmatched educational experience. To nominate a deserving teacher, submit this form by Monday, March 31.
Celebrating school social workers: We are excited to share that once again, one of our own has been named a School Social Worker of the Year. Please join me in congratulating Rachel Barnes, a school social worker at Mission Middle School. The fifth annual School Social Work Awards, presented by the San Diego County Office of Education, were announced Friday afternoon, with Barnes and other school district-based social workers from around the region recognized as the best in their field.
Work with EUSD: Save the date for our next hiring fair! On Tuesday, March 18, Human Resources team members will be on hand to guide individuals seeking classified positions 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. View this flyer for details on classified positions (PDF); employees who work more than five hours a day are eligible for enrollment in EUSD benefits and retirement programs.
EUSD Flag Rugby League is back! Through our continued partnership with the San Diego Legion, we’re excited for another season of Flag Rugby at EUSD! Students have already kicked off practices twice a week after school, and the season is underway at Rincon Middle School. This program is a fantastic opportunity for students to build teamwork, stay active, and develop new skills—all while families come together to cheer them on in a fun and supportive environment. We hope to see you out there to cheer on your school! Here are links to the schedules: Flag Rugby Elementary Flyer (PDF) / Flag Rugby Middle School Flyer (PDF)
Fishing for a cause: EUSD is a proud member of the Kiwanis Club of Escondido – Hidden Valley, which supports a number of programs in our community with a focus on making a positive impact on the lives of children. We are pleased to invite our families to attend the club’s Trout Derby fundraiser on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and April 6, at Dixon Lake. All proceeds support programs in Escondido. The park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. The fishing derby entry fee is $20 for adults, and $14 for children and seniors. This family-friendly event also includes free Kiddie Ponds on the pier for children 8 and younger. View the Kiwanis Trout Derby flyer for complete details (PDF). In addition, numerous volunteer opportunities are available at the event; to get involved, contact the club by email.
Early Education Enrollment: New Student Enrollment opened on January 7, 2025, for Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Special Education Preschool. EUSD offers a full-day Transitional Kindergarten program to bridge the path between preschool and Kindergarten. For the 2025-2026 school year, children are eligible for TK if their date of birth is between September 2, 2020, and September 1, 2021. Students applying for Kindergarten must be age 5 on or before September 1, 2025. Students in EUSD TK and Kindergarten programs are eligible to participate in their school’s optional Expanded Learning program. The Expanded Learning program provides before- and after-school student care, from 6:30 a.m. to the morning bell and from the dismissal bell to 6:00 p.m. To find your neighborhood school of residence, use our online school locator tool. For questions regarding Special Education Preschool or about your student’s Special Education needs for next school year, contact the team at spedsupport@eusd.org.
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.
And Remember, Every Day Counts in EUSD!
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools