#TeamPUSD Newsletter
November/December 2020 Edition
Superintendent's Message
Dear PUSD Staff and Families,
As 2020 comes to a close, I am not only relieved to be able to move on to 2021 with optimism and excitement, but I also look back in awe at all the amazing work we have accomplished together! We survived a worldwide pandemic and were leaders in education through it all! To say that this year has been difficult is an understatement in so many ways, but you found the silver lining when it looked like there was none; you found flowers where there were weeds; you gave hope when some could only see despair; and you made the impossible possible when no one imagined it could be done…because we are Team PUSD! The power of our collective efficacy is truly boundless.
When we were ordered to close schools in March, I watched our amazing employees spring into action, offering to take on jobs and help out wherever they were needed. I watched teachers change the way they taught students and implement new practices that elevated their teaching and transformed the way our students learn. Families pivoted to virtual learning, remaining flexible, patient, and understanding. We mobilized and overcame obstacles and our own doubts as we reopened campuses this Fall — staff and families all working together in unison.
There were many moments throughout this year when I found joy, gratitude, and inspiration by watching kindness being shared, innovative practices being implemented, and countless staff and parents going above and beyond to serve the best interests of our children and the PUSD community. Our students learn from observing the example we as adults set for them. They learned that while change can be difficult, adapting to change builds lifelong skills and character. I observed students conducting dissections on their kitchen counters over Zoom; hundreds of students across our campuses coming together to perform a composition, dance routine, or sing songs in virtual concerts; and students being inspired to give back to their struggling neighbors with food and toiletry drives and PPE donations.
In PUSD, we see this work as much more than just a job. It is a calling to make a difference for each child, especially when “school” may be the only safe place for them to be. I look forward to 2021 being a year of hope and optimism — hope and optimism that we can return from this difficult year, stronger than ever before.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday season. I hope you find some well-deserved rest and fun! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support.
With sincere admiration and respect,
Marian Kim Phelps, Ed.D.
Superintendent
____________________________________________________________________
District News
Trustees Patel & Sytsma Elected to PUSD Board
In a recent article from Pomerado News, Trustees Patel and Sytsma detailed how they plan to bring about change in the District during their terms - including improving relationships with the community and inclusive education.
UPDATE: Racial Equity and Inclusion
Feeder patterns will be meeting again in early 2021 to discuss systems improvement and updates; upcoming meetings can be found here.
Have you visited our new Racial Equity and Inclusion website? There, you will find:
- The Official PUSD Racial Equity and Inclusion Plan
- Resources (books, podcasts, SDCOE Equity Department, etc.)
- Racial Equity and Inclusion Programs in PUSD
- Events
- Professional Learning
- Systems Improvement
Free & Reduced Price Meal Applications
Families may visit the PUSD Food & Nutrition Department website (here) to fill out an application by December 31, 2020.
Black Mountain Ranch Southern Site - FAQs
Giving Tuesday
This year, we'd like to thank Amazon Logistics and The San Diego Futures Foundation for donating $8,000 worth of WiFi routers and data, clothing, and food for our Youth in Transition. Click here to see how you can donate.
Poway Adult School Winter Registration Open
Achievements and Recognitions: Students, Staff, Schools & District
PUSD Receives "Golden Bell Award" from CA School Boards Association
Read more about the programs and systems improvements that have had a positive impact on school culture and safety: bit.ly/pusd-gba
PUSD's National Blue Ribbon Schools
The full video announcement can be viewed below.
Adobe Bluffs Elementary
Monterey Ridge Elementary
Park Village Elementary
Employee Recognition Drive-Thru Event
Allison Leedom Surprised with "Tribute to Teachers" Award
KyXy Radio 96.5 FM
"Tribute to Teachers" Award. Ms. Leedom was chosen because of a beautiful letter written by a former student's grandma, which thanked her for extraordinary dedication to her students in the early stages of emergency closures.APSM Presents Awards to #TeamPUSD
The Association of Poway School Managers (APSM) is made up of Administrators, Managers, Supervisors, Counselors, Psychologists, and Certificated Specialists supporting teaching, learning and operations.
Westview Senior Commits to Duke University
DNHS Yearbook Award
Edmund Sumpena Receives Congressional Challenge Award
Edmund Sumpena is using computer science and app technology to make a life-saving difference for people with dementia through his app, "WanderGuardian." Edmund previously was awarded the "Microsoft Imagine Cup." He also received the Congressional Challenge Award from Congressman Scott Peters. Congratulations, Edumnd!
Westview Senior Awarded American Veteran's Scholarship
Poway High Team Spyder Awards
It was a big season for Poway High School's Robotics Team Spyder #1622, as they received four major awards from SWENext and National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT):
- Pictured above: PHS "SWENext Club Best Practices" Award (Out of 250 clubs nationally)
Congratulations to our students on this fantastic accomplishment.
Sara Wilson
Madalyn Nguyen and Abigail Nguyen
Madalyn Nguyen
____________________________________________________________________
Fun Photos and Videos
Black Mountain Middle School AVID Induction
Ignite the Light
Your Future is Bright
AVID Spirit
Winter Wonderland at Creekside Elementary
Holiday Spirit
Monterey Ridge ES
Rolling Hills ES
Sunset Hills ES
Tierra Bonita ES
Del Norte HS
Canyon View ES
PUSD Combined Choirs Virtual Performance
New Murals at Pomerado ES
RBHS Winter Concert 2020
The Great American Smokeout 2020
The Great American Smokeout is a day that challenges people to pledge to quit smoking or vaping and to learn more about prevention. To learn more about facts and statistics, our Student Support Specialists Loretta Shugrue (BHMS) & Caia Wright (MVMS) collaborated with SDCOE Club Live to host a virtual trivia game show for students.
Thank you, Loretta and Caia, for educating our students on this important topic in a fun way!
Face Masks and School Spirit
Adobe Bluffs Elementary
Oak Valley Middle School
Rancho Bernardo High School
Student Reporting Labs: VAPA During Virtual Learning
Watch this piece by KPBS Student Reporting Labs below.
New Mural for RBHS Student Services
@PUSDInnovate
You can follow our team on Twitter and Instagram, and use the hashtag #PUSDInnovate.
#HourofCode
Teacher Spotlight
bytesizedlearning
District-wide Food Drives
The Littlest Donor
Thanksgiving Care Packages
Hand-Made Holiday Cheer
Face Masks
Essentials
Studio701 "Excellence in Education" Video Series
Del Norte Genetic Counseling
Flight and Space Kits
Fire Science
Women in Engineering Day
3D Animation
____________________________________________________________________
Celebrations and Resolutions
Happy Holidays!
Computer Science Education Week and #HourofCode
Simply visit www.hourofcode.com/us/learn for dozens of grade-level appropriate tutorials that promote a Growth Mindset in computer science education.
PUSD App
Pomerado Virtual Library
Willow Grove Elementary
Gratitude
For the teacher who consistently show up for our students.
For the Staff who support our families.
For the Administrators who guide our schools.
You are loved!
Veteran's Day
World Kindness Day (Nov. 13)
Picture courtesy of Canyon View Elementary.
National School Psychology Week (Nov. 9-13)
High Schools Bring Awareness to Mental Health
Del Norte HS
Rancho Bernardo HS
Westview HS
Dia de Los Muertos (Nov. 1-2)
Poway Unified School District
Email: cpaik@powayusd.com
Website: www.powayusd.com
Location: 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA, United States
Phone: (858) 521-2700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowayUSD
Twitter: @PowayUSD