Cougar Connection
December 10, 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
December is a time of celebration at Diegueño! This is a time for showcasing the hard work our students and staff members have engaged in throughout the semester.
Last week our drama students, under the gifted direction of Jacquelyn Karney, performed short scenes at our Winter Drama Night. The kids did exceptionally well and it was wonderful to experience the newly upgraded sound system in Cougar Hall. Many thanks to Staci Valdez and Lily Yau for lending your time and talents to make the production even better!
Please join us this Wednesday evening for a real treat! The fabulous Cat Gold will be directing musicians from both Dieugeño and Oak Crest Middle Schools. The performance will begin at 6:30 PM in Cougar Hall. There is typically a large turnout so give yourself a bit of extra time to find parking and a seat. A suggested $5 donation per family is greatly appreciated. I hope to see you there!!
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
Drama Night
Kendra Scott Fundraiser
Shop Kendra Scott this holiday season and 20% of the proceeds will benefit Diegueño Middle School! You can either shop at the UTC store on Sunday, December 10 between 4:00 and 6:00 or shop online on December 10th or 11th and use this code: GIVEBACK-FQJOW. Email stacilaw@gmail.com with questions.
Parent Curriculum Advisory Committee Report
Hello Diegueño Families!
My name is Becky Beierschmitt (BUY-er-schmitt), and we have twin boys in 7th Grade at Diegueño. I am the Diegueño representative on the district's Parent Curriculum Advisory Committee or PCAC.
PCAC comprises "parent representatives from each school, the school board, and the Educational Services department." It aims to provide "a deeper understanding of curricular offerings, high-quality instruction, and professional development." Please find the October 11th meeting agenda here, which includes linked resources regarding our district curriculum and the different ways they instruct, teach & learn.
At the most recent meeting, on November 29th, SDUHSD team members took us through the Instructional Materials Adoption Process and how our district course pilot process works. They also discussed differentiated instruction for students' learning needs, including co-teaching, CTE (Career Technical Education), and UDL (Universal Design for Learning).
I look forward to reporting back to our community throughout the school year!
Opportunity to Help Diegueño Families
As the holidays approach, for some of our students, this may be an especially difficult time of year for many reasons. This may be the first holiday since the death of a parent or a parent may be absent from the home. Parents may be out of work and so this will be a very different holiday for many students. The Counseling Department is aware of some students and families who may be in need this year, and we would like to provide some sort of happiness for the holidays. We are hoping to collect a variety of gift cards for our families, so that they may be able to have a wonderful meal or provide a special gift for their kids. We are asking for gift cards to Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, and Grocery Stores. We are hoping to provide a gift basket with the cards for approximately 10 families. Any amount would be greatly appreciated by our families during these tough times. Please turn in any gift cards to the Counseling Office no later than December 21.
8th Grade Yearbook Recognition Ads
8th grade parents - It's time to order your recognition ad in this year's yearbook for your promoting 8th grade student. Recognition ads are only $40. Orders must be placed by Feb. 1st.
UPCOMING DATES
- Monday, Dec. 11 - Late Start (9:45 tardy bell)
- Wednesday, Dec. 13 - Winter Band Concert 6:30 PM in Cougar Hall (with OCMS Band)
- Friday, Dec. 15 - PTSA General Meeting 8:30 AM
- Thursday, Dec. 21 - 1st Semester Ends - Minimum Day (12:25 dismissal)
- Friday, Dec. 22 - Jan. 9 - Winter Break (No School)
- Wednesday, Jan. 10 - FIRST DAY OF SPRING SEMESTER (Single Period)
- Thursday, Jan. 11 - 1, 3, 5, periods
- Friday, Jan. 12 - 2, 4, 6 periods
- Friday, Jan. 12 - PTSA General Meeting 8:30 AM in Learning Commons
- Monday, Jan. 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no school)
DISTRICT & COMMUNITY NEWS
FFEE December Newsletter
Highlights include:
- Cultural calendar
- Local events
- How to have respectful conversations about uncomfortable topics
SDUHSD Part Time Job Opportunities
San Dieguito UHSD has part-time opportunities available for Special Education Instructional Assistants, Bilingual Instructional Assistants, and Nutrition Services Assistants. Please visit the link below for a list of all available positions.
STAY CONNECTED TO DIEGUEÑO
During the school year you will receive this Cougar Connection newsletter every week. This is an important way to stay updated about what’s happening on campus and to learn how to set your child up for success. Other ways to stay connected include:
Bookmark our school website
Subscribe to the Diegueño events calendar
Follow the official Diegueño Instagram account
Follow the official ASB Instagram account
Download the Parent Square app to get his newsletter sent directly to your phone (Apple App Store; Google Play)
Download the Membership Toolkit app to access the private school directory if you joined PTSA (Apple App Store; Google Play)