Cougar Connection
August 20, 2023
From Principal Celeste Barnette
Dear Diegueño Families,
Terrific week one - The first week of a new school year is focused on making connections and getting familiar with the campus and available support systems. By all accounts, our kids are excelling in all of these areas! Thank you for entrusting us with your precious children.
Please join PTSA - If you haven't already done so, please join our PTSA. We depend on funds raised through the annual PTSA membership drive to supplement classroom supplies, to bring in guest speakers, to make 8th grade promotion extra special, and much more. There are several articles in this newsletter that explain how our wonderful PTSA is working hard to make sure ALL students benefit in their classrooms. Thank you for your support!! JOIN HERE
Storm watch - Regarding the incoming storm, our district leadership is in close communication with National Weather Service San Diego and is coordinating with the San Diego County Office of Education. At this time, they anticipate operating district schools and programs as usual. They will continue to monitor the weather and will communicate updates, as appropriate. Please be safe!
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
Meet Assistant Principal Staci Ortiz-Davis
We're so thrilled to welcome Ms. Ortiz-Davis to our Diegueño team! This is her 19th year with the San Dieguito School District. She started her tenure as an English teacher and transitioned to Department Chair. During her tenure with the district, Ms. Ortiz-Davis worked as the English Language Specialist and facilitated the roll out of the new English Language Development Standards. She provided professional development and support to all teachers, providing instructional strategies and best practices for academic language development in the classroom. Ms. Ortiz-Davis has worked with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, assisting schools throughout California and Mexico on their accreditation process. And while at Torrey Pines High School, she assisted in the development and implementation of the district's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan. A graduate of Cal Poly, Pomona, Ms. Ortiz-Davis has a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Journalism and a Master's in Cross Cultural Education. Again, we're very excited for the year ahead.
Monday, August 21 is Picture Day!
Pictures will be taken during your student's PE class. 6th-period ISPE students will report to Mr. McCullough's classroom at the beginning of 6th period and they will be able to leave as soon as their pictures are complete. For those in 7th period ISPE, your student will go to Cougar Hall at the beginning of lunch. FAQs
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, 2023.
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.
Counselors' Corner
It has been a fabulous start to the new school year. We were thrilled to meet so many new students. Thank you for sharing your most precious gifts with us. The kids are wonderful!
Middle school could be a tough transition for some kids. We understand that the kids are going through lots of changes, so please know we are here to help support you and your students. We always recommend and emphasize communication with your teen. We know that this could also be a struggle at times, so we have included some fun questions that will prompt a response and help to generate some great dinner conversations.
- What was your favorite part of lunch today? What was on the menu?
- Tell me something that made you laugh today.
- What was your favorite class today?
- What was your most challenging assignment today?
- If I called your teacher, what would they say about you?
- If you could choose, who would you sit by in class?
- Did you do a fun or interesting activity in class today?
- How did you help someone today or did someone help you?
- When were you happiest today?
Remember to cherish this wonderful time with your tween/teen. Middle school goes by so fast. Remember to smile and laugh a lot!
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)
Should 8th Grade Families Join The PTSA?
Short Answer: YES!
Your Membership funds FOR BOTH GRADES are used THIS YEAR.
8th Grade students directly benefit from PTSA Membership Funds in their studies via TEACHER MINI-GRANTS and CLASSROOM SUPPLY ALLOTMENTS. PTSA provides Academic Classroom Support for supplemental curriculum, digital subscriptions, study materials, PE Equipment & more!
The PTSA produces & sponsors 8th Grade Promotion, as well as Knott’s Berry Farms 8th Grade Field Trip Scholarships.
The Assemblies 8th Graders attend are funded by the PTSA.
PTSA supports our student leadership organization, ASB, so they can put on social events and campus activities that connect our community.
8th Grade Parents: We need you more than ever! Please join PTSA – Zero Time Commitment & YOUR kids benefit.
Two ways to join:
PTSA Membership Drive is On Now!
Joining the PTSA is ZERO Time Commitment yet makes a WORLD of difference for your child AND there is NO EEF request in middle school so those elementary school funds can be re-routed here to support your child's evolving educational and social-emotional needs.
We're excited to announce that when you join Diegueno's PTSA this year, you'll be included in our new PRIVATE FAMILY DIRECTORY. We heard your requests to know more about your child's new middle school friends, including their parents' names and where they live. This is a PRIVATE directory so your information is only shared with PTSA members.
Your membership includes the FREE Membership Toolkit app so you can have all the information right on your phone.
Our PTSA is committed to bringing back Academic Classroom Support in the form of teacher mini-grants, as well as a classroom supplies allotment for EVERY teacher. This includes supplemental curriculum, digital subscriptions, PE equipment, and more.
When our teachers have what they need, our students thrive!
We also host activities for students and teachers to strengthen our DÑO community!
There is a membership level for every budget and you can even make monthly payments this year! All forms of payment are accepted.
Check out the flyer (above) detailing the awesome perks we have for your kids when you join today.
If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to reach out to our new PTSA President, Staci Valdez: stacilaw@gmail.com or 323-574-4775.
THANK YOU DIEGUENO FAMILIES! We can't wait to get to know you!
Two ways to join:
Staci Valdez
PTSA President
323-574-4775
School Site Council Elections
We need one more parent or community member on DÑO’s School Site Council. SSC monitors and evaluates our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA). There are approximately 4 one-hour afterschool meetings. We need you to commit to two years, per our bi-laws. You may self nominate. Nominations will close on Monday, August 28. Elections will be held at Back to School Night on August 31.
How to Order Your Yearbook
Don't wait. Place your yearbook order now! Click HERE to order online.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, August 21 - School Picture Day
- August 28 - 31 - Welcome Week
- Tuesday, August 29 - Spirit Day - Wear blue & gold
- Wednesday, August 30 - Spirit Day - Wear denim
- Thursday, August 31 - In-Person Back to School Night (5:00 - 7:00 PM) Adults only please
- Friday, September 1 - Spirit Day - Wear pajamas
- Monday, September 4 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
- Wednesday, September 13 - SDUHSD Multilingual Learner Night & Listening Circle (6:00 @ San Dieguito Academy)
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
Fall Sports Tryouts
Fall sports tryouts info is available now on the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito Website. Fall sports include: flag football (boys & girls), cross country (no cut), volleyball (boys & girls), and golf.
DÑO Surf Club
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.
LCC Colorguard
La Costa Canyon High School is the only school with a marching band and colorguard program in our district and they are inviting our 8th graders to participate. If you are interested in joining the fall competitive season (Aug - Nov), please fill out THIS FORM. We rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 - 7 PM. COME BY MONDAY AUGUST 21st from 4 - 7 PM to meet our colorguard instructor and try out! WEBSITE
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