PowerSchool Parent Portal now accessible

The online PowerSchool Portal for parents and students is now active. The portal, which is linked to the district’s new student information system PowerSchool, is a powerful online tool for obtaining information about your child. You will be able to review your child’s class schedule, grades, progress reports, homework assignment scores and attendance from any computer that has internet accessibility, which means you can monitor your child’s progress at any time.

The portal application is a secure link that encrypts the data to and from the end user, so a username and password are necessary to allow access for only authorized users to the appropriate student record. Parents/guardians will have their own individual parent/guardian account, including username and password.

Please contact your child's school to learn when the portal will be available and to obtain a username and password.

To learn more about the PowerSchool Parent Portal, please view the following:

• For details on setting up your account, please click on these instructions. English  | Spanish | Tagalog
• For instructions on how to use the Parent Portal, please watch the following video (only accessible outside the district's network)

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Toyota donation revvs up transportation career programs

Transportation-industry students at Clairemont, Crawford, La Jolla, Madison and Mira Mesa high schools were greeted this school year with a sampling of new drive-train drop-ins (motor, transmission and drive-train components) donated by Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.

This donation will provide for practical instruction and support the broad and challenging curriculum standards for the programs by allowing students to work with a variety of engine types.

Mossy Automotive Group, which includes Toyota dealerships, works closely with San Diego Unified programs and helped facilitate the donation.

"We at Mossy Toyota and all of our Mossy dealerships in San Diego have a very strong commitment to our public education, especially San Diego Unified," said Dale Snow of Mossy Automotive Group. "We realize we have an enormous responsibility to our community and our students. We have committed to use all of our available resources to help improve the learning environment and provide the latest in educational materials and personnel support. Whether its internships, equipment donations, employee resources' we at Mossy stand by our schools and the bright future of our community." 

On hand for the dedication Nov. 6 were Rick Shinkle, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.; Richard Lester, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.; Snow of Mossy Automotive Group; and Larry Englebrecht, Carl Kingsbury, and Omar Sevilla, San Diego Unified automotive technology teachers.

Students in the transportation program have the opportunity to receive college credit for the majority of courses in the program from Miramar College. Having a variety of engine types available to students to study makes the course more reflective of the overall industry. Toyota plans to support student learning by providing master technicians as classroom speakers and mentors to enhance student achievement.
At the Clairemont High ceremony, students from four different schools teamed up with Toyota master technicians to provide demonstrations to the public with the new motors. Among the engines donated were hybrid types which attracted the most attention at the event.

Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., donated 34 new drive-train drop-ins (motor, transmission, and drive-train components) to six San Diego Unified School District transportation programs. Donated drive-train types included Camry (hybrid and non-hybrid), Lexus ES330, Lexus ES350 RAV4, Yaris, Lexus IS250, Lexus IS300, Lexus IS350 and 4Runner models.

San Diego Unified School District provides Career Technical Education to more than 28,000 students each day through the Office of College, Career and Technical Education. The transportation industry sector is designed to provide a foundation in transportation services for all industrial technology education students in California. There are eight focus areas that fall under the transportation sector, each with different career opportunities: on-road; off-road; stationary; rail; water/sea; air; space; and small engines and specialty equipment.

For more information on this College Career and Technical Education Program, contact the CCTE office at (858) 503-1758.

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Central Elementary School and Wilson Middle School Site Master Plan meetings coming up

A new site master plan for Central Elementary School and Wilson Middle School is being developed and the public is invited to provide input.

The purpose of the Site Master Plan is to outline a logical, phased facility development plan that will provide new modern facilities for both the middle school and elementary school programs to meet the long-term goals of the schools while best utilizing currently available funds. A long-term vision relating to the educational goals and community needs of each school will be used to develop a conceptual site layout that considers both short- and long-term needs.

The process for developing the school’s site master plan will consist of approximately five sessions, with representation from all school stakeholders. At the first meeting, there will be a presentation explaining the purpose for the schools’ site master plan and the process for development. After the initial meeting, there will be approximately four work sessions to develop the site master plan. The first two meetings are:

• Thursday, Nov. 21, 6:00 p.m., Central Elementary School Multipurpose Room, 4063 Polk Ave. (92105)
• Thursday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., Wilson Middle School Auditorium, 3838 Orange Ave. (92105)

The rest of the meeting dates will be confirmed during the first session. Locations will alternate between Central and Wilson.

Participants are requested to make a commitment to attend all work sessions for consistency in plan development. It is also requested that participants be committed to the development of a global long-term vision for the schools. The process will focus on a general site plan concept, not details of specific projects. There will be an opportunity to provide input on specific capital facilities bond projects via a separate design task force process.

For additional information please contact Francisco Campuzano, project manager, at fcampuzano@sandi.net and (858) 637-3510.

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Hancock Elementary School gets renovated library from Target and The Heart of America Foundation

Target Corp. and The Heart of America Foundation have completed renovations of the library at Hancock Elementary School in Murphy Canyon, with 2,000 new books, new fixtures and decorations and technology, including iPads.

This year, Hancock Elementary School is one of 25 elementary schools across the country to receive a library makeover as part of the Target School Library Makeover program. Through programs like this one, Target is on track to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015.

The program also provided seven books for each student to take home following the unveiling celebration.

Superintendent Cindy Marten welcomed Rep. Scott Peters, California Sen. Marty Block, California Assembly Member Shirley Weber and Dr. Randy Ward, Superintendent of the San Diego County Office of Education. Principal Yolanda Lewis joined her former Hancock Vice Principal Quyen Corral (now at Central Elementary School ) and others to cut the ribbon and open the library.

In addition to the library makeover, the Target Meals for Minds food pantry will provide more than 22 pounds of fresh produce and staple foods to students and families.

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Cadman Elementary students learn to stay safe in emergencies

County's Office of Emergency Services helps students get ready in case the unexpected happens. Watch video»

Video courtesy County of San Diego

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Elementary salad bars taking a dip

Dipper Bars are the newest thing being tested in San Diego Unified cafeterias.
Recent fall festivals at Ellen Browning Scripps, Hickman and Sessions elementary schools were able to sample some of the local, farm fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables from their new Dipper Bars.

The Dipper Bar concept takes salad bars a step further by offering fruits and vegetables cut in a way that can be dipped in a variety of healthy sauces and dips like hummus, salsa, and the new Green Bellies honey mustard dressing.

Dipper bars make salad bar food into finger foods, making them easier to eat at lunch. The Dipper Bar program is being piloted at selected schools.

“Cathy Carrot” was dietetic intern Kathleen Galendez who was accompanied by Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School site leader Matilda Ma. The displays and events were organized by Mary Tyranski, FoodCorps Service Member.

For more information on Food Services programs contact Gary Petill, Food Services Director, at gpetill@sandi.net.

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Superintendent, Board President chart course for future, honor graduates

San Diego Unified has all the parts to create America's best school system, Superintendent Cindy Marten said at the 2013 State of the District ceremony Tuesday evening.

Hall of Fame inductee
Joe Schloss, left, with
Board of Education
Member Richard Barrera.

"I see a future where we keep our promise to children," she told an audience of nearly 400. "I can tell you that we have, right here in our backyard, exactly what it takes to build the best school system in the nation."

Opening the program, Dr. John Lee Evans, President of the Board of Education, said that the focus of the meeting was on Vision 2020, the Board of Education's roadmap for the future, but that we also needed to look to the past.

"All five of us are products of public education in schools across the country," Evans said of the district's Board of Education members. "We owe a debt of gratitude to our parents’ generation. They believed in public education. We believe that every student in San Diego Unified today should be provided the same opportunities to succeed that the five of us had."

Supt. Marten and President Evans also introduced the first members of the San Diego Unified School District Hall of Fame. San Diego City Council Member Todd Gloria (interim mayor in 2013-14) was introduced as the first member of the Hall of Fame, which will recognize graduates of San Diego Unified School District schools.. Go to Hall of Fame web page. Download Hall of Fame photo (4.2 mb)

• Watch video of ceremony»

One of the highlights of the program was the performance and participation of students. Students participants included:

• Chamber Bravura, Marshall Middle and Scripps Ranch High schools
• Kearny High School Army JROTC, led by Col. Tim Swann
• Kearny High School ASB students
• Hoover High School Band; Christopher Mena, director
• Cheerleaders from Serra, Lincoln and Kearny high schools

News Coverage

• NBC San Diego»
• KUSI/City News Service»
• Fox 5 San Diego»

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Community members, staff encouraged to support the PTA

You do not have to be a parent or teacher to join the PTA. Anyone can join a school PTA and support the organization's mission to positively impact the lives of all children and families. Superintendent Cindy Marten recently showed her support by joining the PTA at Cherokee Point Elementary School. She is encouraging San Diego Unified employees and community supporters to follow her lead.

The superintendent was the guest speaker at the San Diego Unified Council of PTAs general meeting on Sept. 23, where she talked about the district’s Vision 2020 of creating quality schools in every neighborhood. The district has deemed that one of the 12 indicators of a quality school is parent/community engagement around student achievement. The PTA is one avenue to support that quality.

 If you are interested in joining a PTA or starting a PTA, please contact the San Diego Unified Council of PTAs at 619-297-7821 or sducpta@yahoo.com.

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Find out about California's new way of funding schools at upcoming meetings

Leadership from the San Diego Unified School District will be visiting Cluster Committee and other parent meetings over the next several months to discuss California's new school budget plan, called the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).

LCFF shifts the focus from funding dozens of state-mandated programs to funding based on local district control and student needs,” said Superintendent Cindy Marten, “with extra dollars allotted to low-income children, foster youth and English learners.”

According to the state Department of Education, each district creates a three-year plan not only for funding but for accountability; under the old budget system, district plans covered only funding. The California Department of Education is expected to issue guidelines in January for creation of the Local Control Accountability Plan, which ties student achievement to program funding.

“The funding formula and the local accountability plan in many ways bring the rest of the state into compliance with our district's Vision 2020,” said Dr. John Lee Evans, Board of Education President. “As we have outlined in the Vision 2020, we're making staff more accountable to ensure annual improvement in the education of our students.”

According to Vision 2020:

• Staff will develop both quantitative and qualitative measures to measure the broad range of achievement.
• Such measures will incorporate an individual growth model.
• Such measures will facilitate the improvement of instruction.
• Such measures will be readily available and understandable by students, parents and community members.
• Student achievement will also include measures of personal development and citizenship development.

The community meetings will give San Diego Unified residents the opportunity to hear about the new funding formula, its impact on the district budget and the expectations for the budget development process. If you want to learn more about the Local Control Funding Formula, visit the website at www.sandi.net/lcff or email lcff@sandi.net.

Find Out More

• Schedule of upcoming meetings on the new funding formula and the Local Control Accountability Plan»
• California Department of Education information on Local Control Funding Formula»
• Find out about your local cluster»

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Shaky day tests preparedness for earthquakes and emergencies

The 2013 Great American Shakeout is scheduled at 10:17 a.m. today as students throughout the district practice duck-and-cover drills, as well as school evacuation procedures.

Many schools also took the opportunity to use the drill as a teaching topic, helping students learn about how to handle emergencies, what causes earthquakes and other related subjects.

All district schools and sites have emergency response plans in place and are prepared should an earthquake or other disaster strike during school hours. Schools routinely practice emergency drills, including earthquake and fire.

For information on how to plan for and survive a 'quake, go to the district's Earthquake Preparedness page.

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Superintendent's classroom visits highlights new ways to support teaching

IN THE NEWS: Principals and superintendents in the San Diego Unified School District will be spending less time in their offices and more time in the classroom. NBC 7's education reporter Rory Devine explains the logic behind this new approach. Watch video from NBC San Diego»

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Japan Foundation grant adds $20,000 of joy to Barnard dedication

It was a joyous occasion last Friday as dignitaries from around the globe joined Board of Education members Kevin Beiser and Richard Barrera, Superintendent Cindy Marten and Principal Eddie Park to formally dedicate the new location for the Barnard Asian-Pacific Language Academy.

Now located at the former Bayview Terrace Elementary School campus, Barnard has kindergarten through grade six and is expanding its language offerings, thanks in part to a $20,000 grant from the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles. The school will now offer dual-immersion programs in Chinese, which it has offered since 2007-08, Korean, which began last school year, and Japanese.

"This grant is provided through the Japan Foundation’s Salary Assistance Grant Program for Japanese Language Courses," the Foundation said in a news release, "which is one of our several grant programs designed to support US educational institutions to initiate, expand, or maintain their Japanese language program."

Principal Eddie Park welcomed the visitors, as well as Barnard students and families to the dedication.

"We recognize that raising children in the modern world is a team effort and our students benefit from a strong educational team that includes school, community and you," he said.

The school is now located at 2445 Fogg Street (92109). For more information, contact Park at (858) 800-5700.

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Honey Mustard Dressing, Teriyaki Flavored Organic Tofu are now on cafeteria menu

It's new and local on San Diego's school lunch menus.

Honey mustard dressing and organic tofu are now being enjoyed by students not only for their great flavor but for their local and sustainable sourcing.

"Both of these products are created locally from natural ingredients," said Gary Petill, Director of the Food and Nutrition Services Department. "This adds to our Farm to School program that sources local produce and continues our efforts to serve healthful food to our students."

The first new product is Honey Mustard Dressing from Green Bellies, a San Diego company whose goal is to provide school children with great tasting, nutritious foods made from all natural ingredients. Prior to adding honey mustard dressing to our menu, students selected from Ranch or Italian dressing with Ranch being the overwhelming favorite. As students discover this delicious new dressing their perception of "salad" will certainly change. A national leader, San Diego Unified has had salad bars in its schools for more than a decade.

The second product is Teriyaki Flavored Organic Tofu from San Diego Soy Dairy. This is served on the Tofu Caesar Salad as a vegetarian alternative to Chicken Caesar Salad in middle and high schools. San Diego Soy Dairy is a "dairy-less dairy" that manufactures vegan, certified kosher tofu made from non-genetically modified soybeans. It has provided soy products to stores and restaurants throughout San Diego County since 1980.

"These new menu items will help our kids learn that the right choices for their nutrition can also taste great," said Petill. "in addition, by sourcing local, we help to keep jobs in San Diego and reduce the amount of long-distance trucks on the highway. It's good for our kids, good for our community and good for the planet."

Since 2010, more than a million pounds of local, regional and organic food has been served to San Diego Unified students. This has included apples from Julian, certified organic blackberries and other healthy fruits and vegetables grown in San Diego and California, brought fresh to Kids' Choice Cafés in elementary schools and SanDi Coast Cafés at middle and high schools.

 "Tofu and salad dressing don't weigh much, but it will add to our overall total," said Petill.

For more information on Food Services or San Diego Unified's efforts to use locally sourced food whenever possible, contact Gary Petill, Director, Food and Nutrition Services at gpetill@sandi.net.

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Students still get $150,000 in scholarships as SD Unified falls short in Broad Prize bid

It wasn't first place, but San Diego Unified's Class of 2014 will still split $150,000 in scholarship money thanks to the The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

Eli Broad, left, Edyth Broad, Ed. Sec. Arne
Duncan, Board Pres. John Lee Evans, Supt.
Cindy Marten, retired Supt. Bill Kowba

On Wednesday morning, the Foundation announced that the Houston Independent School District was awarded this year's Broad Prize and $550,000 in scholarship money for its students. Besides San Diego Unified, other districts nominated were Corona-Norco, located in Riverside County, and Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina.

"We're thrilled that San Diego Unified has been recognized as one of the four best school districts in the United States," said Kevin Beiser, Board of Education Vice President and Subdistrict B representative. "This is a big win for the teachers that work constantly with our students to improve their learning, and a recognition of the hard work done by support staff in making a great environment for our students."
Superintendent Cindy Marten and retired Superintendent Bill Kowba -- on whose watch the nomination was announced -- attended the award ceremony in Washington, D.C.

"It was an honor to be recognized by The Broad Foundation," said Superintendent Cindy Marten. "I am grateful to our team of employees who work every day in-and-out of the classrooms for our children.
"This honor reaffirms that our community-based reform efforts and singular focus on student achievement are making a difference."

Districts do not apply for this prize. Staff from the Broad Foundation looks at test scores and other data from the 75 largest school districts and picks four finalists. A team of independent educational experts then analyze the districts and one winner is selected. Only the four top districts receive scholarship money.

In its announcement of the award, the Broad Foundation noted San Diego Unified's progress in key areas.

San Diego Unified has more than 110,000 students-65 percent of whom are low-income. Among the reasons San Diego schools stood out among the nation's largest urban school districts:

• San Diego students outperform students in other California districts with similar poverty rates. In 2012, proficiency rates for San Diego Unified students surpassed expectations compared to other California districts given the poverty level of families in the district. Proficiency rates for San Diego students were above expected across all subjects (reading, math and science) and all school levels (elementary, middle and high school).

• San Diego Unified narrowed achievement gaps. In recent years, San Diego narrowed the achievement gaps between its Hispanic students and white students across California at every school level and in every subject. The district also narrowed the gap between its Hispanic and white students in elementary, middle and high school reading and science, and in elementary and high school math. San Diego also achieved a smaller achievement gap between its low-income students and California's non-low-income students in elementary, middle and high school science and in elementary and high school reading and math.
• San Diego Unified's low-income, Hispanic and African-American high school students showed more improvement in science than other California students. In recent years, San Diego Unified was in the top 30 percent of districts across the state for increasing the percentage of low-income, Hispanic and African-American high school students performing at the highest achievement levels on the state science assessment. Low-income students in San Diego, for instance, increased their performance by 8 percentage points in high school science between 2010 and 2012, while California overall saw scores increase by only 3 percentage points over the same period.

The selection jury evaluated quantitative data on the finalists that consisted of publicly available student performance data compiled and analyzed by RTI International, one of the world's leading research institutes. In addition, the jury evaluated the four finalist districts' policies and practices, compiled following site visits conducted by a team of education practitioners led by RMC Research Corporation, an education consulting company. The site visits included classroom observations and interviews with administrators, teachers, principals, parents, community leaders, school board members and union representatives.

Kowba, who retired June 30, said he was "grateful to our San Diego Unified employees for their dedication to our students."

"We are honored, humbled and grateful to the Broad Foundation for this recognition," said Kowba, who retired June 30. "We appreciate their feedback about our past efforts. It will help provide the district with a road map for future efforts."

The $1 million Broad Prize is the largest education award in the nation. It recognizes urban school districts that demonstrate the strongest student achievement and improvement while reducing achievement gaps among low-income students and students of color.

The $150,000 in scholarships will go a long way to help the Class of 2014 succeed, said Marten.

"I'm excited for our students who will receive Broad scholarships," she said. "I can't wait to get back to San Diego."
The 75 largest urban school districts in America are automatically eligible for the award each year.
Houston Independent School District will receive $550,000 in college scholarships for high school seniors who will graduate in 2014. San Diego Unified, along with Corona-Norco Unified School District in Riverside County, Calif., and Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina, will each receive $150,000 in college scholarships.

The Broad Prize is awarded by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. Founded by entrepreneur Eli Broad and his wife Edythe, both graduates of Detroit Public Schools, The Broad Foundation is a philanthropic organization that seeks to ensure that every student in an urban public school has the opportunity to succeed.

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Chargers Champions grants go to four San Diego Unified schools

Clairemont High, Muir K-12, Wangenheim Middle and Nye Elementary schools have received grants from the Chargers Champions School Grant Program.

Chargers Champions makes a strong commitment to San Diego County schools by providing grants for much-needed physical fitness, nutrition and athletic programs. Selected high schools are eligible to receive grants of up to $75,000; middle schools up to $40,000; and elementary schools up to $30,000.

“Schools throughout California need our support,” Chargers President Dean Spanos said. “The main goal of our program is to provide students in San Diego with the necessary means to living a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness.”

Clairemont High School received $75,000 for a new weight room and sand volleyball court. John Muir K-12 School received $45,000 for fencing equipment and an archery center. Wangenheim Middle School was granted $40,000 for an indoor fitness center. Nye Elementary School received $30,000 for its Peaceful Playground Program.

"We have great schools and hardworking administrators that look for every opportunity to improve academics, facilities and activities for students," said Bruce Ward, San Diego Unified's Director of Athletics.

Chargers Champions consistently provides more support for schools than any other private company in the county. In 13 years, 95 schools have received funding for projects ranging from outdoor fitness trails, weight rooms, running tracks or fitness equipment.

Funds allocated to Chargers Champions are administered through the Chargers Community Foundation, the San Diego Chargers’ charitable foundation. The Foundation was established in 1995 by Dean and Alex Spanos to “help” San Diego build on its strengths by supporting individuals, activities and organizations that work to make the city a better place to live.

Over the years, many schools have received grants through the Chargers Champions program. In 2012, Mission Bay High, and Ross Elementary received grants.

For more information, see the Chargers Champions website.

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Common Core Standards will help student achievement rises continue — Supt. Marten

IN THE NEWS: Making the rounds of the local news shows, Supt. Cindy Marten (joined in some interviews by SCPA Class President Michaela Valk) talked about new national standards – the Common Core State Standards – that are being phased in at San Diego Unified schools; tests will change in Spring.

Watch video»

• KUSI-TV»
• KPBS-TV»
• NBC San Diego»
• San Diego 6»

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Mission Bay High, Seaside Market, district staff join to improve ‘curb appeal’ at bayside campus

Students returning this fall to Mission Bay High School and community members visiting the Saturday Seaside Farmers Market are noticing new landscaping at the bayside campus.

San Diego Unified landscape supervisor
Tom Beck works on old vegetation.

Over the summer, new drought-tolerant grass and trees were planted at the school, replacing older vegetation that was in some cases overgrown, in other cases dead.

Pam Dietz, director of the Mission Bay High School Alumni Association, and Tom Beck, landscape supervisor with San Diego Unified, collaborated to come up with freshened landscape that would help both the school and the Farmers Market, which raises money for the school.

"Starting from day one we have had nothing but fabulous support of the Seaside Farmer’s Market from San Diego Unified, Mission Bay High administration, teachers and students as well as our local PB community," said Dietz. "I think everyone knows this venue has the potential to be an unprecedented financial resource for MBHS. Working with Tom Beck on this re-landscaping project, however, really highlighted for us the positive impact the Seaside Farmer’s Market has on the environment. We are equally proud of that!”

The new landscaping not only improves the look of the area, but helps security.

"This re-landscaping project, which was done by School District employees, not only made the entrance to the student parking lot more attractive for students and guests, but also improves the use of the land," said Dietz. "There is now visibility for security purposes, and a cleaner, more functional landscape. Seaside Farmer’s Market patrons will be able to enjoy the shade and grass every Saturday."

The Farmer's Market is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at the school, located at 2475 Grand Ave. (92109). For more information on Mission Bay High, check out its website.

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Broad Prize annoucement is next week; San Diego Unified video is online

The big announcement about the winner of the coveted Broad Prize for Urban Education is scheduled for 8 a.m. (PDT) Wednesday, Sept. 25 in Washington, D.C. but San Diegans can watch it from the Board of Education Auditorium at the Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal St. (92103). The public is invited to attend.

The award, considered the top recognition for a large urban school district, carries with it as much as $550,000 in college scholarships for its students.

Finalists for the prize, along with San Diego Unified, are the Corona-Norco Unified School District in Riverside County, Calif., Cumberland County Schools, N.C., and the Houston Independent School District. Corona-Norco and Houston were finalists last year. This is the first time in the award's 12-year history that San Diego and Cumberland County have been finalists.

"We're all so excited that this honor has come to San Diego Unified, no matter whether we finish in the top spot or not," said Linda Zintz, Communications Director, who will join Board of Education members, Superintendent Cindy Marten, former Superintendent Bill Kowba and several other members of the district leadership in Washington, D.C., for the announcement. "People always say, 'it's an honor just to be nominated,' but in this case, that's the truth."

Districts do not apply for the award. This year's four finalists were selected by a review board of 17 prominent education researchers, policy leaders, practitioners and executives from leading universities, education associations, civil rights advocacy organizations, think-tanks and foundations. The review board evaluated publicly available academic achievement data that were compiled and analyzed by MPR Associates, Inc., a leading national education research consulting firm.

In addition, each district had a three-day site visit by a team of independent evaluators, who visited in May. While here, they produced a video that will be shown at the ceremony, which will be held in the Library of Congress. Watch video»

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GAME CHANGER: State legislature approves major updates to student assessments

Dear San Diego Unified community:

Many of you have heard that there is new state legislation, AB 484, which proposes the suspension of the state standardized tests. The bill will likely be signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown and go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014. As educators, this is a singular opportunity to focus our district on teaching and learning FIRST, while supporting accountability aligned to the new Common Core State Standards and our work in classrooms with students.


This seminal legislation eliminates most Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) assessments and supports the transformation of public education. It will allow educators across the state to focus our attention, efforts and resources on student learning as we prepare for the monumental transition to the new standards. We welcome the shifts that are needed to prepare our students to be critical thinkers and active members of society, moving us into an era of deeper learning. The suspension does not reflect a departure from accountability, but rather the opportunity to implement Common Core with fidelity to the educational vision.

As a former classroom teacher and principal, I understand the value of using data as a tool to inform instruction. We will continue to use modified district assessments and hold ourselves accountable in every classroom across the district. The state system of public school accountability can now be more closely aligned with both the public expectations for our schools and the workforce needs of the state’s economy. The revised 2013-14 state testing program would continue to include:

1. California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) for grades 2-11;
2. Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Field tests, which are aligned to the Common Core State Standards, in English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11;
3. California Standards Test (CST) and California Modified Assessment (CMA) Science assessments in grades 5, 8 and 10 (Life Science);
4. ELA and Math assessments supporting the students’ voluntary participation of Early Assessment Program (EAP) in grade 11;
5. The California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE), California English Language Development Test (CELDT) and Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) will be administered.

At San Diego Unified, we embrace our responsibility to provide the best public education experience to our students. We also welcome the accountability to ensure our students graduate our schools prepared to be actively literate, contributing, participating members in our communities.

Best,
Cindy Marten
Superintendent

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Parents, be sure that dropoff and pickup are done safely

Here's a reminder to parents and guardians who drive their children to school to be sure to observe traffic patters and rules in and around your child's school.

Traffic can be an issue during the busy morning and afternoon hours, creating a mix of carloads of children, kids walking to school, kids riding bicycles to schools, school buses and other general neighborhood traffic.

"Most of our schools have specific traffic rules and routes for dropoff and pickup," said Chief Ruben Littlejohn of the San Diego Unified School District School Police Department. "These rules are designed to keep not only our students safe, but the drivers and vehicles moving in an orderly fashion."

For example, some schools have specific drop off and pickup areas. Parents are reminded to use these areas only, even if it seems an alternative might be just as safe or quicker. "Cutting" the line or dropping off children in the middle of the street are dangerous practices.

Drivers also need to observe not only student Safety Patrol traffic guards where on duty, but school staff directing traffic. The rules and situation at each school are unique to that campus.

"In many cases, traffic engineers have created the flow that is safest," said Littlejohn. "We ask that parents and guardians dropping off students be patient and follow the procedures."

Many schools are participating in the International Walk and Bike to School Day on Oct. 9. Your school's principal is a good place to start to find out more information about traffic plans and safe walking routes.

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