#TeamPUSD
Sharing the Good News and Good Work of Students and Staff
May 2016 Edition
Gold Ribbon Schools
Adobe Bluffs
Los Peñasquitos
The staff, students, families, and community of Los Peñasquitos are honored to receive the California Gold Ribbon Award for No Excuses University. Through this unique initiative, they firmly believe in the success of each student and take on the responsibility to make this happen for their students academically, socially, and emotionally. A systemic culture ensures that everyone is moving toward their goals collaboratively. Another cornerstone is college readiness, where Los Peñasquitos Elementary students, have a hands-on experience with numerous colleges throughout their tenure at Los Pen. Truly a model for other schools, Los Peñasquitos is honored to be the flagship of a network of over 230 schools across the country, who have all incorporated the exceptional systems of their No Excuses University culture.
Willow Grove
For their Gold Ribbon Schools application, Willow Grove Elementary School chose to highlight their Model Practice, Professional Learning Community, which was used to support their implementation of the California State Standards. The staff engaged in professional learning throughout the 2014-2015 school year to increase their expertise in the California Math and English Language Development Standards as well as Love & Logic strategies to support their students in becoming responsible learners. Willow Grove attributes its success in increasing student achievement to systematic, focused professional learning, coherent instructional practices across each grade level, and creating a learning environment where every staff member takes collective responsibility for the success of all students.
Student Achievements
Cyber Champs
Presidential Scholar
Westview Senior Emmit Pert has been selected as a 2016 Presidential Scholar. This is one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students. He'll receive his medal at the National Recognition Program, held in June in Washington, D.C.
iVIE Awards
Grand Sweepstakes
Celebrate America
Park Village 5th grader Nathan Bahen was among the PUSD winners of The American Immigration Council "Celebrate America" Essay Contest. He won 3rd place writing on the topic of “Why I am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants.” Easha Ashraf and Kayla Lehrer, students from Valley Elementary won 1st and 2nd place! As the winner, Easha will be reading her poem at the next naturalization ceremony at the Civic Center.
Presenting to the President
Student Art at the Capitol
Westview High junior Lauren Zhang won the 2016 Congressional Art Competition through Representative Scott Peters. Lauren’s piece “Cooling Down” will hang in the United States Capitol for one year. Lauren will also receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to join Congressman Peters for the unveiling of the 2016 Student Art Exhibit.
National Merit Scholarship Winners
Nine PUSD students are among the winners announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to receive $2,500 one-time scholarships. The students were chosen from more than 15,000 finalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program, based on academic record, scores from two standardized tests, contributions and leadership in school and community activities, an essay, and a recommendation. Click here for the winners.
Problem Solving Awards
2016 Groff Exhibition
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido's Museum 2016 Groff Exhibition: A Juried Exhibition of the Finest High School Art in San Diego County showcased several works by PUSD student artists. Three were selected by judges to receive cash awards.
Best in Show
I Don’t Want This, Acrylic
by Poway High Senior, Molly James
(Heidi Hensey – Teacher)
1st Runner Up
Hidden Seascape, Acrylic
by Westview High Senior, Autumn Nicole
(Keith Opstad – Teacher)
Honorable Mention
Storm Helix, Photographic Print
by Rancho Bernardo Senior, Eric Kaufman
(Vanessa Olson – Teacher)
Staff & School Achievements
Aimee McCoy
Community Member of the Week
for her creative teaching.Mike Parrinello
Emily Parker
Jamie Walsh
Jamie was one of 25 educators chosen as Teacher Fellows in the 2015-2016 Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy. She has been participating in a year-long immersion in a host of science-, technology-, and engineering-related activities and professional learning opportunities.
Special Education Awards
Families are asked to nominate any PUSD staff who they feel has gone above and beyond to have a positive impact on the life of the child with special needs. From left to right: Shantel Raquel (Del Sur), Megan Brady (Rancho Bernardo), Heather Green (Pomerado), Andrew Middleton (Oak Valley), Katie Romero (Sundance), and Lisa Chohany (Mt. Carmel). (Steve Ely from Black Mtn. was not able to attend.)
Stone Ranch Grant
The 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation awarded $9,878 to Stone Ranch Elementary School to expand their STEM lab. The grant will impact over 800 students. Funds will go towards Chromebooks and Lego classroom kits focusing on wind power, force, and motion.
Sheila Hatfield
Sheila Hatfield, Student Services Specialist at Mt. Carmel High School, was awarded the Friday Night Live Advisor Award at the San Diego County Office of Education for her outstanding commitment to youth advocacy in developing strong, confident, and knowledgeable youth leaders.
Crystal Apple Awards
Westview High Social Science teacher Mike Hymes and English teacher Dan Lutgen were among the PUSD educators who received Crystal Apple Awards, an annual award recognizing excellence in education by honoring those making a significant impact in the lives of children.
Crystal Apple Awards
Design 39C Grant
Nancy Good
Lorraine Carter
Lorraine is a speech pathologist and special day class teacher at Westview High School She was recognized by the San Diego Council for Administrators of Special Education. Every year, the council recognizes 7 worthy special education teachers or special education providers who are leaders in their field. Lorraine was this year’s recipient representing Poway Unified.
Classified School Employee Week
These are the many faces of our #TeamPUSD Classified Employees. From transporting our students and feeding them, to keeping our libraries running and making sure enrollment goes smoothly, they are integral to public education.
School Bus Drivers Recognition Day
Tuesday, April 26th was School Bus Drivers Day by proclamation passed by the California Legislature. PUSD's Transportation Leadership Team hosted a breakfast to share their appreciation for the outstanding daily support our drivers provide for our students' safety and their transportation needs. Please take a moment to watch the video for a behind-the-scenes look at their hard work.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Fun Photo Gallery
Cinco de Mayo Run
Midland Anniversary
STEM Showcase
Google Exploration
Students at Highland Ranch never left campus, but they were taken on a virtual field trip into the stratosphere, to the Antarctic, and under the sea, thanks to Google's pilot program "Google Expeditions." Using their Cardboard 3D viewing device, students experience a truly immersive experience!
Women in Engineering
Innovation U Panel
Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser
The "Attacking Cystic Fibrosis" fundraiser game between Westview and Mt. Carmel raised money to help find a cure for CF. It was inspired by volleyball player Aaron Fox's own fight against the disease.
Foundation Golf Tournament
Tedx Conference
Pomerado Earth Day
What a great way to celebrate Earth Day! SDG&E, CalFire, and the City of Poway came to Pomerado Elementary to teach students about the importance of trees and planted 21 new trees around campus.
Mt. Carmel Fire Science
Jeff Kinney Chat
Students from Valley Elementary and Design39 Campus got to submit video questions in English and Spanish for a Webcast Chat with children's author and all-around rock star: Diary of a Wimpy Kid's, Jeff Kinney. The chat was broadcast in classrooms across the country!
School Nutrition Employee Week
Happy School Nutrition Employee Week! This is the hardworking team at Westview High, who do everything from food prep to delivery. We appreciate you! #TeamPUSD
Character & Ethics Film Festival
The PUSD Character and Ethics Film Festival was a huge success. From red carpet interviews to Board Member TJ Zane as the emcee, the winning student filmmakers were treated to a fun night of recognition and prizes. Congrats to all!
Cultural Fair
Our District is made up of families representing so many different cultures. Stone Ranch Elementary hosted an International Fair where visitors enjoyed food, activities and performances from Argentina, Mexico, Israel, Korea, China, India, and beyond!
- The next Board of Education meeting is Tuesday, May 31st, at 6pm
- The last day of school and graduations are Thursday, June 9th
- Learn more about PUSD and PFT's new Teacher Professional Learning and Effectiveness System in this EdWeek's article.
Niche.com recently ranked the best public elementary schools in California. Several PUSD elementary schools are in the Top 100.
Poway Unified School District
Email: cpaik@powayusd.com
Website: powayusd.com
Location: 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA, United States
Phone: 858-521-2707
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowayUSD/?fref=photo
Twitter: @powayusd