Cougar Connection
July 2023
From Principal Celeste Barnette
We are so excited to welcome our new and returning families back to Diegueño!!
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
Helpful hints for the first week of school: The first day of school will be TUESDAY, AUGUST 15. Students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:15 AM. For the first week or so, we anticipate that drop off and pick up traffic to be busy so plan ahead and practice patience please 😊. There are multiple locations for drop off and pick up including the drop off circle on Village Park Way and the back gate along Avenida La Posta. Due to the very large number of student bike riders, parents are not permitted to drop off and pick up students in the main parking lot. I encourage you to plan to drop off your student before 8:00 and, if you wait until 3:00 for pick up, most of the bikes and cars will be long gone. Our young bike riders are still learning the rules of the road so please be hyper aware of your surroundings when near the campus.
Easing your student’s (and your anxiety): On Tuesday, August 8 from 9:00 - 11:00 AM, we will be hosting COUGAR CAMP for all incoming 7th graders and new 8th graders. This is a great opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with our campus and to start making new friends. Parents/guardians are invited to a virtual family orientation (AKA “Parent Cougar Camp) on Tuesday, August 8 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM. Login information for the family orientation will be shared soon and the session will be recorded and distributed afterwards.
Students and their families are encouraged to join us for MOSEY MONDAY on Monday, August 14. You can drop by anytime between 1:00 & 3:00 PM to get comfortable with the campus layout and to find your classrooms. You’ll be able to access your class schedule, including teacher names and classroom numbers, beginning at 10:00 AM on that same day.
Another opportunity to be on campus and meet other families will be on Monday, August 7 between 9:00 & 10:00 AM for our first annual CAMPUS CLEAN-UP sponsored by our ASB/Leadership Program. Keep an eye on the Diegueño Instagram and ASB Instagram pages for updates.
Take a deep breath! We’re gonna take great care of your kiddo!
Reach out with any questions and I can’t wait to see you all very soon!
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
From PTSA President Staci Valdez
Hello New & Returning Diegueño Families! (En Español)
I'm excited for this upcoming year and I hope to meet many of you at our social events. As the outgoing PTA President at Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School, I had a lot of fun helping to connect our staff & families and I hope to continue the fun as a new DÑO parent and your PTSA President.
This year is all about joy, purpose, community & CONNECTION for the kids. Thank you for this opportunity.
This year we have a big fundraising goal as we are committed to bringing back all MINI-GRANTS FOR TEACHERS which will DIRECTLY IMPACT your child's academic experience THIS YEAR. We will also give every teacher a CLASSROOM SUPPLIES allotment.
We’ve got some FUN member incentives like a new DÑO Directory, so you know more about the families your kids are hanging out with, raffles for gifts cards, PE cardio passes, “front of the line” lunch passes, VIP seating & parking at 8th Grade Promotion, and even VIP bike parking!
I hope you'll join the PTSA and help us reach our Academic & Community Goals – joining requires ZERO TIME COMMITMENT and there’s a tax-deductible donation level for every budget. Now that you have a middle schooler in SDUHSD, there are NO EEF DONATIONS so you can re-route those funds to us (please!), along with your CORPORATE MATCH, if your employer participates. Ask me if you have questions about this. We can work directly with your employer to facilitate, if needed.
Look out for the Membership Drive launching soon and reach out anytime!
Staci Valdez
PTSA President
323-574-4775
Important Policies to Review
"Away for the Day" cell phone policy - Students can bring a cell phone to campus but they must be "away for the day" in their backpack from the starting bell to ending bell. Please review this policy to understand all the benefits of this district-wide middle school policy.
Bike permit regulations - Nothing is more important to us than your child's safety. We need your help keeping student bike riders (and the cars and pedestrians around them) safe. Please review this policy with your student bike rider. Most importantly, we need your help making sure all riders have properly secured bike helmets. Here are some tips for fitting a helmet for maximum safety.
Dress code policy - Before you do your back-to-school clothes shopping, familiarize yourself with our dress code policy. Even though crop tops are in style right now, they are not appropriate for the middle school setting. Thanks for your support with this!!
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, August 7 - Campus Clean-Up for interested students & family members (9:00 - 10:00 AM)
- Tuesday, August 8 - Cougar Camp for incoming 7th Graders & new 8th Graders (9:00 - 11:00 AM)
- Monday, August 14 - Student schedules available in Aeries (10:00 AM)
- Monday, August 14 - Mosey Monday (1:00 - 3:00 PM)
- Tuesday, August 15 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (8:15 AM - 2:45 PM)
- Wednesday, August 16 - Chromebook distribution (through Science classes)
- Monday, August 21 - School Picture Day
- Thursday, August 31 - Back to School Night (5:00 - 7:00 PM)
From Superintentent Anne Staffieri
On behalf of the San Dieguito Union High School District, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the start of the 2023-24 school year. I consider it a true honor to serve as District Superintendent. SDUHSD has a strong reputation of academic excellence and the wide array of opportunities offered beyond the classroom setting are exemplary. I fully support and value student programs and services currently in place and commit to engage in continuous improvement with staff as we enhance the educational experience for all of our nearly 13,000 students.
Thank you for entrusting San Dieguito Union High School District with the education of your student. We appreciate your support and look forward to a continued strong partnership.
It is an exciting time for our district, and I’m looking forward to the year ahead.
For assistance with any site specific questions prior to the first day of school on Tuesday, August 15, please reach out to your site administrator. We look forward to seeing each of you soon!
With warm regards,
Anne L. Staffieri Ed.D.
Superintendent