Cougar Connection
September 17, 2023
From Principal Celeste Barnette
Dear Diegueño Families,
I hope you'll join me this Friday for "Bagels with Dr. Barnette." Let me know if you have any particular topics you'd like us to address by completing this brief survey. We'll gather from 9:00 - 9:45 AM in our Learning Commons.
The PTSA General Meeting will immediately precede the principal's coffee at 8:30 AM in the Learning Commons.
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
**Please follow us on Instagram**
What you should know about the dangerous “One Chip Challenge”
The Paqui “One Chip Challenge” is back in your children’s social media feeds. A Paqui tortilla chip is covered with a high concentration of the chemical used in pepper spray! The One Chip Challenge entails eating one of these fiery chips and then waiting as long as possible before eating or drinking something that would help counter the burning sensation.
Medical experts warn that the One Chip Challenge could have “fatal consequences, including heart dysrhythmia or irreversible heart injury that can occur when exposed to high capsaicin doses.”
This challenge is so dangerous that the chip maker is removing their product from many convenience stores. Unfortunately, students know that the chips can be ordered online. The package label includes these warnings:
The One Chip Challenge is intended for adults only
The chip should not be eaten by anyone with an underlying medical condition, a sensitivity to spicy foods, or an allergy to peppers, night shades, or capsaicin.
After touching the chip, wash your hands with soap and do not touch your eyes or other sensitive areas.
Seek medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, fainting, or extended nausea.
Here is an article from the Food Safety News about an investigation into a teen’s death related to the One Chip Challenge.
Please speak with your child about the dangers of this trend and make sure they know to get immediate help if a friend has a bad reaction.
PTSA Updates
Flippin' Pizza Fundraiser on 9/27
Wednesday, September 27th is Flippin' Pizza Day for Diegueno. Come get some pizza from the Encinitas location (215 S. El Camino Real) anytime between 11am and 8 pm and 25% of the sales will be donated to our school. You can eat in, pick up or order for delivery, just make sure you mention that you are part of the Diegueno fundraiser or show the flyer. Let's have some pizza and support our school!
Gift cards needed
Do you have a friend who owns a local business that might offer a generously sized gift card to include in our Membership Incentives Raffles? Would you like to donate one? Or maybe you have one sitting in a drawer that you'll never use? We are looking for local, family-friendly gift cards to raffle off as a thank you to families who joined PTSA. Please contact Stephanie Munoz at smunoz27@gmail.com.
PTSA Reflections Art Program
Does your middle schooler enjoy art, music and, dance or have an interest in writing, producing films, or taking photos? Then encourage them to unleash their inner artist with PTA Reflections!
This year's theme is "I am Hopeful Because…".
All students are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:
● Dance Choreography
● Literature
● Photography
● Film Production
● Music Composition
● Visual Art
Click HERE for submission guidelines and entry forms (Spanish) or have your student stop by the office to pick one up. Submissions are due to the Reflections box in the Diegueño office by Friday, October 13, 2023. For more information please contact Stephanie Turl at stephanie.turl@gmail.com.
Counselors' Corner
We have officially made it through the first half of the first quarter! Big congrats to all our amazing Diegueno students, parents, staff and teachers!
As part of this milestone, the middle school sends out a notification to any student who has a D or F in one or more of their classes. This notification is sent as a warning to students and parents. It signals that there are changes needed to improve your student's grades for the 2nd half of the quarter. If your student receives a Deficiency Notice in Aeries next week, here are some steps you should take:
- Look through Aeries and Google classroom to find missing assignments that can be made up to improve the grade.
- Students, and then parents, should contact the teacher directly to discuss how to improve their grade.
- Attend after school Homework Help Monday-Thursday from 2:45-3:45. See below.
- Talk to your counselor about getting help from one of our AMAZING Pride Peer Tutors during CAT time.
Please reach out if you ever have any questions or concerns. We are here to support you.
Sarah Wilhelms (Last names A - G) & Laura Martin (Last names H - Z)
Dual Language Immersion Parent Meeting
Join us for Diegueño's Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Fall Meeting on Thursday, October, 5 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in our Learning Commons.
Be A Crossing Guard
Help protect Diegueño bike riders and pedestrians!
All City Management Services is actively recruiting crossing guards in the Encinitas/San Dieguito area. You'll only work 2 hours per day (one hour in the morning and one in the afternoon), but you'll be paid for FOUR hours (including bonus) at $18/hour, for up to $72 per day! If you'd like to join our Team in "Keeping Kids Safe," contact:
All City Management Services
Jim Liuzzi
714-234-1690
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, September 22 - Make-up Picture Day - passes will be sent to students who missed the original picture day
- Friday, September 22 - PTSA General Meeting (8:30 AM in Learning Commons)
- Friday, September 22 - Bagel's with Dr. Barnette Principal's Coffee (9:00 AM in Learning Commons)
- Monday, September 25 - Late start (9:45 tardy bell)
- Monday, September 25 - Bike tag distribution before and after school
- Tuesday, September 26 - English Learner Advisory Committee Meeting (6:00 PM in Learning Commons)
- Wednesday, September 27 - Fall Club Fair during lunch
- Wednesday, September 27 - Flippin' Pizza PTSA fundraiser (11:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
- Thursday, September 28 - School Site Council (3:00 PM in Learning Commons)
- Friday, September 29 - Lost and found items will be donated
- Monday, October 2 - Bike tag enforcement begins
- Wednesday, October 4 - National Walk & Roll to School Day
- Thursday, October 5 - DLI Fall Meeting - 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Learning Commons
- October 9 - 13 - Red Ribbon Week
- Friday, October 13 - Reflections Arts Program entries are due
How to Get a Bike Tag
Submit bike permit application (including parent/guardian signature) to the assistant principal’s office. Students must submit a new application every year.
We will affix a bike tag to your bike (beginning on Sept. 25).
Provide proof of having attended a bike safety training. Some options include:
Enforcement will begin on October 2. Click HERE for additional information.
Questions? mallory.reeves@sduhsd.net
Chrome Book Insurance
Families who purchase device insurance will be able to return their device to the District and receive a replacement device at NO CHARGE. The cost for this optional Chromebook insurance will be as follows:
Families will pay $44/year, per student. The current insurance being offered will provide coverage from August 8, 2023, to August 7, 2024. Insurance for the previous school year does not carry over to the current school year.
Click here for more details about the optional Chromebook insurance.
The deadline to sign up for the optional Chromebook insurance for the 2023-24 school year is October 31.
Please note that the insurance does not cover accessories (charger/Stylus).
Download the flyer (link to the flyer: English/Spanish) and/or visit SchoolDeviceCoverage.com for more information on signing up.
Families that choose to not purchase insurance may need to replace a device that is broken, in the same manner that a damaged textbook requires replacement. Repair costs are for damages beyond normal wear and tear and are based solely on the cost of parts.
Attendance Reminders
Please report all absences by sending an email to dgattendance@sduhsd.net or calling 760-944-1892 ext. 6605.
If your student needs to leave campus during school hours for any kind of appointment (medical, dental, orthodontist) or simply going out of town, you need to request an off-campus pass at least 48-hours in advance through email or phone.
- To minimize classroom interruption, please remind your student to pick their off-campus pass before school on the day of their appointment.
- If your pick-up time is during break or lunchtime, please remind your student to meet you in the attendance office for you to sign them out.
- For the safety of our students a Parent or Guardian will always need to sign-out their student at the attendance window in the administration building. Students cannot walk or ride their bikes/e-bikes off campus during the school day without a guardian signing them out first.
- Anyone picking up a student is required to show a government-issued photo ID.
How to Order Your Yearbook
Don't wait. Place your yearbook order now! Click HERE to order online.
SDUSHD Job Openings
Help us spread the word. We’re hiring an additional campus supervisor who will work M - F from 11:00 - 3:00. Starting pay is $19.37. EdJoin Application Link
Do you know a current college student who wants to earn some extra cash? Our College Readiness Tutor position is a great first part time job ($17.97/hr). EdJoin Application Link
Community News
DÑO Surf Club
Join the DÑO Surf club! Registration is now OPEN! Open spots available. Causally free surf with the club or take your surfing to the next level and compete in the Scholastic Surf Series and earn your rank! For additional information checkout our website.
Special Education information Sessions and Family Events
Did you know that SDUHSD hosts monthly parent collaboratives for families receiving special education services as well as informational sessions related to all things special education?
Please click here for more information on our informational sessions or to access the SDUHSD Special Education Family Resource Webpage.
Summer 2024 Trip to Spain (not school sponsored)
Staying Connected
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)