IN THE NEWS: Alcott Elementary gets magnificent mural

Artist Myriah McGlynn has been working with the San Diego Unified for seven years now.  Last year, with her grandfather(s) as her inspiration, she began adding educational murals which provide vivid color filled with encouragement for the children attending classes at Alcott Elementary.

She began with Sesame Street characters which progressed into the wonderful mural which adorns the auditorium portion of the school at the entrance on Hidalgo Avenue. An owl themed mural was requested by the principal of the school and a fundraiser was held to help with funding for the project.

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Building peace makers at John Muir

Members of a campus club at John Muir that focuses on domestic and global issues facing women today recently had the opportunity to meet some inspiring women from across the globe at the Women PeaceMakers Workshop at USD’s Institute for Peace and Justice.

Students listened to and engaged in conversation with women leaders and defenders of peace from countries such as Pakistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Sudan and India. They listened to stories and accomplishments of the speakers and participated by asking questions, writing letters of solidarity to earthquake victims in Pakistan, and meeting other students from San Diego and Baja California.

“The keynote speakers were beyond inspiring,” said junior Angelica Marsigan. “They made me feel as if I could accomplish anything and that I could contribute greatly as a female leader in our world.”

Members of the Girls Impacting and Realizing Liberation in Society club attended the event. Started last year by former John Muir student, Casey Leyes, G.I.R.L.S. is a campus club focusing on domestic and global issues that face girls and women today.

The club works to empower middle- and high school-aged students to be change makers in society while providing opportunities for involved students to connect with local and international advocates for the progress of girls and to champion women’s causes themselves.

Students learn about and participate in campaigns related to the sexualization of women in the media, women in politics, women in religion, human trafficking, education of girls, and the oppression/progress of women around the globe.

Eighth-grader Lily French says what she likes best about G.I.R.L.S. is “the fact that we are learning about things that are happening to girls around the world and helping them in our own way.”

Long-time John Muir partner, WorldLink, a program that connects students with global affairs, helped the G.I.R.L.S. club members attend the Women PeaceMakers Workshop.

For more information about the G.I.R.L.S. club, contact Barbara Magoffin at John Muir. For more information on the event speakers, please visit the event website.

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Field Elementary staff, families show that hard work goes beyond the classroom

Field Elementary staff, families and the community take pride in their school. They recently came together on a Saturday to help make the campus shine even more - inside and out. A team of volunteers gathered at the neighborhood school campus to participate in the Madison Community of Schools “Curb Appeal” project, which focuses on helping to beautify schools in the Madison cluster. Principal Yesenia Robinson was on hand to welcome teachers, classified staff, parents, and even students, who cheerfully volunteered to clean up the school garden, rake leaves, wash windows and scrape gum from the sidewalks. 

It was a true community effort with Richard Nash, Madison High School principal, bringing cleaning supplies, tools and Madison students to help as well. Some of the high school students had attended Field Elementary and it was fun for them to visit their former school and connect with former teachers. The group worked tirelessly throughout the morning and left with a sense of pride for a job well done.

For more information, contact Principal Robinson at yrobinson@sandi.net.

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Area 4 Superintendent Named 2013 Central Office Administrator of the Year

Congratulations to Area 4 Superintendent Dr. Marian Kim-Phelps for being named the 2013 Central Office Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 18. Dr. Phelps oversees the Clairemont, Kearny and Madison clusters. The mission of ACSA is to support California's educational leaders; to ensure all children have the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel; and to champion public education. Nearly 1,000 educational leaders belong to ACSA Region 18, which encompasses San Diego and Imperial Counties. Phelps will be recognized, along with other honorees, at ASCA's annual “Honoring Our Own” awards dinner being held in the spring. Read more.

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