Kumeyaay Elementary gets grant from Jimmie Johnson Foundation, Lowe's Toolbox for Education

NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson's foundation has awarded Kumeyaay Elementary School in Tierrasanta a $45,799 to create an outdoor science classroom that will include a native plant habitat and a weather station.

The 2013 Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Champions Grants were awarded to schools in Chandra and Jimmie Johnson’s respective hometowns of Muskogee, Okla., El Cajon, Calif., and where they currently reside in Charlotte, N.C., and totaled $470,000.

The funded projects for 2013 range from resurfacing and rubberizing a track to outdoor learning centers. Several schools also received technology grants to purchase new computers.

"It builds a better tomorrow,” said Daniel Wheeler, a sixth-grade student from KIPP Charlotte, a 2012 grant recipient. “It means a lot because Mr. Johnson chose [to help] this school and not only has it taken an effect on our grades, but it has taken an effect on our hearts, too."

“When you hear from students like Daniel you realize how much the kids we support really appreciate the opportunity to learn,” said Johnson, who is currently atop the standings in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

“The fact that the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education program can come together to impact the learning experience for these kids is very gratifying.”
More than $3.1 million has been contributed over the past four years through the Champions Grant program.

“Lowe’s is honored to continue to partner with Jimmie and Chandra Johnson to support the needs of local students and schools across the country,” said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe’s director of community relations. “These grants will help enhance critical educational opportunities and build a stronger foundation for thousands of children.”

To see a detailed list of the 2013 Champions Grant projects, please visit www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.

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Chargers give Mission Bay High weight room a lift

Mission Bay High School and the San Diego Chargers jointly cut the ceremonial ribbon Tuesday and opened the school’s new $75,000 weight room, the 16th Chargers Champions weight room in San Diego County. The weight room was built with a grant awarded in 2012 by Chargers Champions, a program of the San Diego Chargers.

Since the inception of the Chargers Champions program in 2000, the Spanos family has donated more than $4.5 million to San Diego’s schools and students. The program provides greater financial support for San Diego-area schools than any other private company in San Diego County. Including the 2013 round of grants, Chargers Champions has provided funds to 100 local schools.

“It’s no secret that juvenile obesity is a major problem in our nation right now,” A.G. Spanos, Chargers executive vice president and chief executive officer said. “We want kids to receive access to the best nutrition and fitness programs available, but schools can’t do it alone. They need support from the business community and we’re proud to be able to do our part through the Chargers Champions program.”

Chargers Champions makes a strong commitment to improving physical fitness in San Diego County schools by providing grants for new facilities and equipment.

“The Chargers made it possible to transform our weight room into a place that benefits all of our students and has become a source of pride for our school community,” Jorge Palacios, Athletic Director at Mission Bay High School said. “What was once an outdated, unused area has been turned into one of the centerpieces of our school and a resource our students use to develop a passion for lifelong fitness. I'd like to thank the Chargers and the Spanos family for their support of Mission Bay High School.”

This year, six San Diego-area schools received grants to improve physical fitness, athletic or nutrition programs. Project unveilings are expected to begin in 2014.

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.

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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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At Holmes Elementary, pink principal is reward for jogging to $16,500

Just what was Holmes Elementary School Principal Jonathan Saipe doing recently when he rode around the school on a pink bicycle wearing a pink tutu?

He was honoring his challenge to the students and Holmes community to raise $10,000 in the Spring Donation Drive held in conjunction with the Holmes HERO (Homes Educational Run Off) Jog-a-Thon. This was a joint effort by the school's PTA, students, staff and community and raised a total of $16,500 for the Clairemont K-6 school.

Saipe showed his school spirit by being “pinkified” when the community raised over $10,000. When the total reached $15,000, he rewarded the students by giving them the opportunity to eat lunch with friends in other classes and grade levels one day a week.

"Our HERO Run is a great tradition which brings our school community together for a fun day of exercise, music, and snow cones.” said Saipe. "I will do it every year if it provides extra motivation and laughs for the students.”

In addition to the pink frills, the school's headmaster also tinted his hair pink and wore a pink outfit for the day.

"The kids and staff screamed with excitement when I rode my pink cruiser out to our Monday morning assembly on the playground,” he said. "We’ve all been working very hard lately, with testing and implementing the Common Core Standards. It was great seeing the kids smiles as I visited classrooms throughout the day."

The money raised will help fund the school’s visual and performing arts program, which includes a choral music teacher and Arts Attack supplies; ongoing technology needs; field trips; instructional supplies; and the Mileage Club.

What's next for the Clairemont neighborhood school? The annual Spring Fling will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Festivities include a silent auction, cake decorating contest, arts and crafts, student performances and activities for the entire family. For more information, visit www.sandi.net/holmes or contact Principal Jonathan Saipe at jsaipe@sandi.net.

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Tower Garden helps kids grow veggies at Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary

A Tower Garden – a hydroponic system for growing vegetables – is now on in the campus garden at Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School.

Through grants from the San Diego Master Gardeners and the La Jolla Village Gardening Club, the Tower Garden was purchased for the school's teaching garden and will be helping kids learn where their meals come from, as well as the process of growing fruits and vegetables.

"When I ask my kids, 'where do fruits and vegetables come from?' the response is "the store!" said teacher Patti Read, the 2012 Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Read's goal is to put the school-grown produce on the menu in cafeteria.

The Tower Garden is a patented vertical aeroponic growing system developed by Tim Blank. The 5-foot tall Tower Garden will grow up to 20 plants at a time using a system of recycling nutrients and water. The plants will grow in less time than it would take in soil, so the children will see more produce for less work. Also, the design of the system will accommodate students using wheelchairs and walkers, as well as ambulatory children.

For additional information contact Media Production Assistant Julie Harris at jharris2@sandi.net or 858-496-8400.

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Dana Middle science program gets $3,250

Global software developer Bentley Systems has again made a donation to the science program at Dana Middle School in Point Loma.

The $3,250 grant will be used to purchase equipment and materials for the school's labs.

"We would like to thank the employees at Bentley Systems Corporation for continuing to provide our science department with funds to purchase equipment and materials for our classroom labs," said Principal Diane Ryan. "The ongoing support from more than a dozen Bentley employees, who donated money that was matched by the company, is outstanding."

Last year employees at Bentley Systems Incorporated raised $3,000 through a matching grant program with their company for the purpose of supporting the science program at Dana Middle School. The Dana Middle Science department used these funds to take a field trip to the Cabrillo tide pools, acquire video cameras, electronic balances, and polyprophylene measuring wear, purchase chemistry supplies for use in classroom demonstrations.

Bentley is the global leader dedicated to providing architects, engineers, geospatial professionals, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure. Bentley's mission is to empower its users to leverage information modeling through integrated projects for high-performing intelligent infrastructure. For more information about Bentley Systems Incorporated, please visit them online at www.bentley.com.

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Grant from NASCAR Champ and Lowes does extreme classroom makeover at SD High SciTech

Work funded through a grant from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation that remodeled the Green Technology and Engineering program classroom at San Diego High's SciTech school is now complete. The 2012 grant funding was for additional tools and equipment including electrical trainer boards, a 3-D printer, computer tables, flooring, whiteboards and an assortment of tools for students to complete various hands-on projects.

Recently, students and Lowe’s representatives, a partner in the grant, gathered on campus to install the final elements to transform their old classroom which was originally used as an auto shop class to an engineering classroom that focuses on green technologies.

The new equipment and facility upgrades have allowed students to participate in extra-curricular programs as well as daily in class. Students are constructing the solar boat that will race in the Solar Cup event in May, 2013, and have been able to participate in ACE mentoring and FIRST robotics competitions. The ergonomics, safety and comfort for every student in the classroom have improved and the 3-D printer that provides students with the opportunity to engineer and design three dimensional objects has taken the program possibilities higher than ever imagined.

The Introduction to Green Technologies and Energy course is currently only offered at SciTech. The course is a foundation class which meets the University of California UC a-g requirement for physics lab credit. Before the grant funding, the instructor had to improvise ways to teach electronics, alternative fuels, and other components of engineering.

The engineering curriculum follows the Project Lead the Way model which is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education curricular programs used in schools.

For more information about SciTech’s Green Technology and Engineering program, please contact Katie Carl, CCTE Teacher, at kcarl@sandi.net. For more information on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, please contact www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.

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Energy Challenge raises $26,500 for middle schools

Albert Einstein Charter, Pacific Beach Middle, and the Creative, Performing and Media Arts middle schools were the big winners in the San Diego Energy Challenge. The contest from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Simple Energy gave SDG&E customers in the San Diego Unified School District boundaries the chance to compete on behalf of their chosen middle school to win cash grants. Participating customers earned points for their school of choice by saving energy on Reduce Your Use days and getting members of their community to sign up and support their team.

The grand prize winner was Albert Einstein Middle School, which was successful in enrolling the equivalent of 69 percent of its student population to compete on its team by saving energy, and received a $15,000 grant. Pacific Beach Middle School won first prize and received $5,000, and second prize went to Creative Performing Media Arts, receiving $3,000.

“We are grateful to SDG&E and Simple Energy for supporting our middle schools with such a unique and innovative program,” said San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Bill Kowba. “The San Diego Energy Challenge school competition provided not only the opportunity for schools to earn much-needed funding, it also provided students with the opportunity to promote the importance of saving energy. Congratulations to the winning schools.”

Other schools participating and receiving $500 were DePortola, Dana, Mann, Farb and Lewis middle schools. The utility donated $26,500 to San Diego's middle schools.

"We’re proud that by saving energy in a fun and interactive competition, participating customers were able to reduce their energy use on Reduce Your Use days," said Caroline Winn, SDG&E’s vice president of customer services and chief customer privacy officer. “Because of the smart meters now in place, we’re continuing to find creative new ways for our customers to engage with their energy usage data and save money.”

The San Diego Energy Challenge uses Simple Energy’s “Social, Fun, and Simple”™ online game platform to encourage customers to save energy through friendly competition with their friends and neighbors. This innovative program earned backing from the Department of Energy (DOE), and SDG&E was awarded DOE funding to run the program.

“The San Diego Energy Challenge shows that by framing energy savings as a competition we can motivate people to save a lot of energy,” said Yoav Lurie, CEO of Simple Energy. “Layering on rewards and the opportunity to help a local school makes it even more effective. We’re inspired by how much energy San Diegans are saving.”

In addition to SDG&E giving away approximately $26,500 in prizes to San Diego area middle schools, participating customers that live within the SDUSD boundary were able to win individual prizes such as a tablet computer or gift cards through a drawing for being one of the day’s top savers.

Now moving into its next phase, the San Diego Energy Challenge will continue to engage customers with their energy data and incentivize energy savings with individual prizes through February 2013.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 840,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help our customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

Simple Energy uses social game mechanics to change how people save energy and how utilities engage their customers. Simple Energy’s customer engagement platform and applications combine leading behavioral science research and social game mechanics that encourage energy efficiency. Participants in Simple Energy programs compare their real energy usage with their friends and neighbors, making energy efficiency social, fun, and simple.

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11 high schools part of statewide ‘Linked Learning’ initiative

Eleven San Diego Unified high schools, plus the new charter school at the new San Diego Central Library, are part of a statewide pilot of “Linked Learning” according to Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Participating schools are: SciTech, Multimedia, Visual and Performing Arts and School of Business at San Diego High; Hoover High; Clairemont High; Crawford High; Kearny High schools of Digital Media and Design, Construction Tech Academy and Science, Connections and Technology; Patrick Henry High; Mira Mesa High; and the new downtown San Diego library charter school.

Health sciences program at Crawford High.

"Linked Learning prepares students for college and career – not just one or the other – and transforms high school education by igniting students' passions." said Shawn Loescher,  Director of San Diego Unified's College Career and Technical Education program. "It works by integrating rigorous academics with career-based learning in school and in real-world professional workplaces. Students also are provided academic support and counseling."

Linked Learning finds connections between basic high school subjects and a student's interest in a career or college program. It has been in use by several San Diego Unified high schools; Kearny High School of Digital Media and Design and the Construction Tech Academy are certified Linked Learning campuses.

“These 20 pilot projects combine two of California’s greatest strengths: our diversity and our capacity for innovation,” Torlakson said. “They aim to serve hundreds of thousands of students from districts all over the state, and I am confident they will help students use their time in school to learn real-world skills and graduate prepared to contribute to the future of our state.”

Schools in other San Diego County districts are involved through the Linked Learning San Diego Consortium, a partnership of five school districts within San Diego County: San Diego Unified, Carlsbad Unified School District, Escondido Union High School District, Oceanside Unified School District, and Grossmont Union High School District. Long Beach Unified School District is serving as a mentor to the consortium, with support from ConnectEd California (a statewide group that advances career-technical education) and the University of San Diego.

The consortium will work to develop and share innovative Linked Learning strategies among its members, take advantage of economies of scale through regional collaboration, build transition strategies with feeder middle schools, strengthen collaboration with local institutes of higher learning, and serve as a model for replication of best practices.

Each of the high schools offers unique programs that appeal to students, helping to raise academic achievement and graduation rates.

• SciTech at San Diego High offers: Engineering and Design, Health Science and Medical Technology.
• Multimedia, Visual and Performing Arts at San Diego High: Arts, Media and Entertainment.
• School of Business and Leadership at San Diego High: Public Service, Finance and Business.
• Hoover High: Information Technology; Building Trades and Construction; Engineering and Design; Health Science and Medical Technlolgy.
• Clairemont High: Business And Finance; Arts, Media and Entertainment.
• Crawford HIgh: Public Services; Health Science and Medical Technology
• Digital Media and Design at Kearny High: Arts, Media, and Entertainment
• Science Connections and Technology at Kearny High
• Construction Technology Academy at Kearny

For more information on the programs, contact Shawn Loescher, Director, Office of College Career and Technical Education at sloescher@sandi.net.

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Barnard Elementary selected as a top Mandarin Chinese school

Principal Eddie Park

Barnard Mandarin Chinese Magnet School in Pt. Loma has received international recognition as one of four top Confucius Classrooms out of more than 500 worldwide.

The school was nominated by its local partner, the Confucius Institute at San Diego State University, which received a $1 million grant at the same time the honors were announce for Barnard.

"Our Barnard community is thrilled and proud to hear that the program was recognized as being one of the best in the world," said Principal Eddie Park, who traveled to China in December to receive the award. The school received the prestigious California Distinguished School honor in 2010.

Located in the Loma Portal neighborhood, Barnard has gone from struggling to international recognition since the Mandarin Chinese program started in 2007 under former principal Mary Watry. Park, who succeeded the retiring Watry a year later, told U-T San Diego in February 2012 what hard work on the part of staff, parents and students can do.

“This is a testimony of a successful public school,” he told the newspaper. “There is a lot of news about failing public schools these days. A lot of people are talking about how our education system is broken. We turned a failing public around. This is a school parents are now seeking out. It is a California Distinguished School. This shows you what you can do when you work hard, get the resources you need and have the support of the parents, the community, the staff and the children.”

The school has several native-speaking Mandarin Chinese teachers and the language is taught in all grades, while maintaining state and district standards. It also uses technology – the internet and smart boards purchased through funds from voter-approved bonds – to allow students to have real-time teleconferences with schools in China and Taiwan.

"The educational community is also part of our team at Barnard," said Park. "From our literacy specialist, Maria Nichols, and Mary Waldron of the district's Office of Language Acquisition, to Dr. Lily Cheng at SDSU and even the Utah Dual Language Consortium, all contribute to create amazing opportunities for our group of kids in kindergarten through fourth grade."

The success of the program is prompting a move to the larger campus of Bayview Terrace Elementary School in Pacific Beach for the 2013-14 school year.

"This program grew from just an idea on the part of a principal and an administrator to worldwide acclaim," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "It's a great example of our district's philosophy of nurturing innovation that, in this case, will help educate the next generation of world citizens."

Park accepted the award on behalf of the school at the Global Confucius Institute Conference, an annual meeting held in Beijing that is sponsored by the Office of Chinese Language International Council or Hanban, an institution affiliated with China’s Ministry of Education.

Since 2004, Confucius Institutes have been set up in more than 100 countries. Improved understanding of Chinese language and culture is the goal, along with developing friendly relations between China and other countries.

For more information on the school, contact Park at epark@sandi.net.

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Kearny Construction Tech Races to Jimmy Johnson Grant

Students at Stanley E. Foster Construction Tech Academy at Kearny Educational Complex rejoiced at the news of receiving a grant for $47,476 from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation to upgrade, preserve and certify the last remaining precision-machine tool technology program in San Diego county.

 The funding will upgrade and replace equipment necessary to acquire industry recognized certification in the manufacturing and engineering pathways.

Data show that career opportunities are growing for machine-tool operators and machinists. Currently, there are more than 600,000 unfilled machinist-related jobs nationwide and little to no infrastructure in place offering professional-level training.

The equipment will outfit the facility with a modern  milling lathe and training simulators common to industry. With this new equipment, students will have an edge in obtaining employment and will learn to use the tools of tomorrow. Students will acquire professional training which meets the requirements to accredit the program under National Institute for Metalworking Skills.

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation, in partnership with Lowe’s Toolbox for Education, has been supporting schools through the Champions Grant program since 2009. Champions Grants are distributed to K-12 public schools in Chandra and Jimmie Johnson’s hometowns in California, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

For more information about Kearny Construction Tech Academy and/or the machine tooling program, please contact Principal Laura Bellofatto at lbellofatto@sandi.net or Greg Quirin, CCTE Program Specialist, at gquirin@sandi.net.

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Clairemont High Students Inpsired by Ex-NFL Player

Former NFL linebacker Chris Washington inspired sophomores at Clairemont High’s Academy of Business and Technology during the one of 15 motivational lectures scheduled this school year.

Washington, who played with Tampa Bay and Arizona, shared his challenges growing up and the obstacles he overcame to compete in the NFL. He inspired the students with his motivational speaking.

“Never give up," he told the students. "Never let anyone else tell you what you cannot do. Make a decision to pursue your passion and then go out and get it.”

The fifteen-topic lecture series motivates tenth graders to fulfill their potential. It's based on the late UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, where each topic touches on another “brick” or success skill. Talks focus on topics such as cooperation, enthusiasm, self-control, initiative, team-spirit, poise, and more.

The Academy of Business and Technology is a “school within a school” at Clairemont High that focuses on business, computer, and communication skills. The three-year program provides college-prep core classes and business career-technical electives in grades 10-12. It provides students with a supportive, rigorous community where they can take ownership of their education and future; students acquire the technological, financial, and communicative skills necessary to succeed in a college and career environment. The academy is funded by a California Partnership Academy grant from the Department of Education.

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

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Mission Bay High, Ross Elementary Receive Grants from Chargers

Mission Bay High School will receive $75,000 for weight room improvements and Ross Elementary $4,000 for its physical education programs from the San Diego Chargers "Chargers Champions" program.

“This is our signature program,” said Chargers Executive Vice President - Chief Executive Officer A.G. Spanos. “And that’s for two reasons. San Diego is our home, and San Diego schools need our help. The true heroes are the teachers and administrators who put forward the effort for the students every day on a daily basis. We’re just happy and very appreciative to be in a position to support them.”

The National Football League team and its owners, the Spanos family, have been donating to schools for nearly 20 years.

At Mission Bay High, the weight-room improvements will benefit about 900 students in physical education classes, where they'll have the opportunity to perform cardio, weight and conditioning training. Students involved in Mission Bay's athletics teams will also be able to improve conditioning and lower their potential for injury with the new equipment.

“Receiving this award is a testament to the hard work and cooperation between the school and our parent organization, Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools,” Mission Bay Principal Fred Hilgers told the Beach and Bay Press. “Without the diligence of Betsy Knight, this 8-year dream of revitalizing the school’s weight room would never have happened.”

Knight is a longtime supporter of Pacific Beach schools and the outgoing Ways and Means Director of the Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools.

Ross Elementary in Clairemont also received a grant, along with schools in several other parts of San Diego County.

The Spanos family and the Chargers Community Foundation have been donating funds to educational institutions throughout San Diego County for nearly two decades. The Chargers Champions program, begun in 2000, has provided more than $4 million to assist schools, teachers and students. Each year the Chargers Champions School Grant Program allows public and private schools within San Diego County to apply for badly-needed funding for physical fitness, nutrition or athletic programs on their campuses. Since the beginning of the School Grant Program, 86 schools have received funding for projects as various as outdoor fitness trails, weight rooms, running tracks or even Sparks equipment.

For more information visit the Chargers website.

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Cabrillo, Dewey Elementary Schools Split Half-Million Dollar Grant

The Department of Defense has awarded a $503,000 grant to the San Diego Unified School District to fund language programs in Mandarin Chinese at Dewey Elementary School and German at Cabrillo Elementary. The schools will combine classroom instruction in the languages with cultural enrichment activities.

The program is designed to expand, strengthen and coordinate strategic foreign language programs for military dependent students. San Diego Unified serves students whose parents are stationed at Naval Station San Diego, Naval Base Point Loma and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The Department of Defense Education Activity Educational Partnership facilitated the grant review and selection process.

“This grant is going help give our kids a leg up in the global economy,” said Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego), who serves on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. “With the innovative advancements in communication and technology, the world is getting smaller. If America’s future generations are going compete with countries that are rapidly catching up to the United States, they will need the skills and tools to do so.”

San Diego Unified's Operation World Language Project will provide military dependent students attending Cabrillo and Dewey an opportunity to learn German or Mandarin through a foreign language elementary school program that combines classroom instruction with cultural enrichment activities.

"We recognize that significant language gains are made at an early age and are proud to work with the San Diego Unified School District on this endeavor and to enhance K-12 language education,” said David Edwards, Program Manager, Defense Language and National Security Education Office.

There are more than a million school age children from military families, with the majority attending public schools throughout our nation. DoDEA is committed to supporting educational outcomes for all children of military families.

"The Defense Language and National Security Education Office and the DoD Education Activity are pleased to partner with the San Diego Unified School District in realizing the Strategic Foreign Languages Expansion Program, which is focused on improving strategic foreign language education in military-connected schools," said Dr. Michael Nugent, Director, Defense Language and National Security Education Office.

To be eligible, Local Education Agencies must have a military student population of at least five percent at the district level. Participating schools must have a military student population of at least 30 percent. The S-FLEP projects may be implemented at any grade level.

"We recognize that significant language gains are made at an early age and are proud to work with the San Diego Unified School District on this endeavor and to enhance K-12 language education,” said David Edwards, Program Manager, Defense Language and National Security Education Office.

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