#TeamPUSD
Sharing the Good News and Good Work of Students and Staff
March 2017 Edition
Sincerely,
Christine Paik, Director of Communications
Mark Lantsberger
Mark Lantsberger, a 20-year teaching veteran, is a computer science teacher at Del Norte High School. Mark developed his curriculum from scratch, giving students insight and a deeper understanding of both "C" and "JAVA" programming languages, preparing them for careers as computer and software engineers.
Susan Michelena
Susan Michelena has been teaching for 25 years in PUSD. Susan is a social studies teacher at Rancho Bernardo High School. Susan says one of her greatest accomplishments is teaching the values of American democracy and the principles of the Constitution that shape future public servants and leaders.
Keith Opstad
Keith Opstad, art teacher at Westview High School, has been teaching for 22 years in the Poway Unified School District. Keith is a strong advocate for the visual arts both in the District and San Diego County. His students consistently produce artwork of the highest caliber, winning top awards and scholarships.
Linda Farmer
Linda’s colleagues describe her as very helpful, knowledgeable, and committed. She is always willing to assist her coworkers. When the PeopleSoft software was implemented in the District, Linda was at the forefront of training her colleagues.
Bridgette Padilla
Bridgette Padilla is an Administrative Assistant at Sunset Hills Elementary School.
Bridgette encourages everyone to adopt the No Excuses philosophy and truly believes in Universal Achievement for all students. She does whatever it takes to ensure that all staff has access to tools to make a difference in a child’s life.
Update from Acting Superintendent
Dear Team,
I wanted to offer my sincerest congratulations to the 2017 PUSD Teachers of the Year and Classified Employees of the Year. Each of you has a unique and powerful contribution you are making in our District. Mark Lantsberger is preparing students for 21st century in-demand careers. Susan Michelena is empowering future public servants and leaders. Keith Opstad is transforming students into visual artists. Bridgette Padilla is the glue that holds her school together. Linda Farmer is at the forefront of training her colleagues. You are all shining examples of the passion and dedication that make #TeamPUSD what it is today.
I’d also like to send our warmest welcome to our Superintendent, Dr. Marian Kim-Phelps, who will be joining our team on Monday, April 3rd. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to her and let her know why we are so proud of the work that we do together. She is excited to be joining our outstanding District and we are excited to have her join our team.
You have been receiving updates on our budget. There is ongoing work that needs to be addressed moving forward into the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. Budget reductions will need to be made, affecting our overall LCAP Plan. I appreciate the input that each of you put in at our schools site LCAP forums or through the District online survey. This feedback frames our work and budget moving forward. While these are challenging times, I know that we will make it through together as we focus on the success of our students.
Our next steps include presenting our LCAP plan and budget at our May 30th Board meeting. The plan will be available for public input until our June 26th meeting. Some changes you will find are the California School Dashboard data that was just released from the State which measures student, school, and District success. As more data becomes available, we will report it throughout the year.
Take care and enjoy your spring break,
Mel
Student, School, and Staff Achievements
Congratulations to the "Everyday Heroes" award winners. The award honors classified employees who demonstrate excellence in work performance, school and community involvement, and leadership and commitment to our District and students. You can read a full description of each of the winners here (page 21).
Gale Ching
Gale Ching, Instructional Assistant II Special Education, Abraxas High School
Sarah Cockrell
Gabriel Jauregui
Gabriel Jauregui, Instructional Assistant I, Special Education, Black Mountain Middle School
Courtney Davis Martin
Courtney Davis Martin, Professional Learning Coordinator, PSEA
Alycia Mata
Gene Morris
Gene Morris, Campus Security Specialist, Poway High School
Wade Morris
Wade Morris, Lead Extended Services Assistant, Sunset Hills Elementary School
Karen Richcreek
Karen Richcreek, Instructional Assistant II Special Education, Mesa Verde Middle School
Carol LeClair
Carol LeClair, Instructional Assistant Physical Education, Deer Canyon Elementary School
Kyle McFarland
Kyle McFarland, Bus Transportation Aide, Transportation Department
Kevin Ashwell
Kevin Ashwell, Campus Security Specialist, Westview High School
Congratulations to the winners of the TeamPUSD Awards, which recognize an admirable team of employees, who together accomplish an exceptional task or project benefiting the District, an individual, work site, or community. You can read a full description of each of the winners here (page 24).
Oak Valley Middle School
Jeff Walker, Custodial Supervisor; Ramon Mahilum, Custodian; Noel Lopez, Custodian; Paul Sweeney, Lead Custodian; Irma Ortiz, Custodian; Laura Sweeney, Substitute Custodian
Testing Department
Linda Meloney, Testing Supervisor; Pauline Moroz, Data and Assessment Technician; Noli Motos, Data and Assessment Technician; Michele Crabtree, Data and Assessment Technician; Linda Campos, Data and Assessment Technician; Zoe Ng, Senior Information System Support Analyst
Parent Liaisons
Marly Ramos, Parent Liaison, MDES/TPMS; Rafael Lopez, Parent Liaison, PHS; Laura Upson,
Parent Liaison, Family Learning Center; Rosario Hansen, Parent Liaison, PMES; Margarita
Velasquez, Parent Liaison, MBMS; Laura Gonzalez-Garcia, Parent Liaison, VES
Athletic Trainers
Robbie Bowers, Athletic Trainer RBHS; Christina Scherr, Athletic Trainer WHS
Meadow-brook Middle School
Janice Teixeira, Joe Ismay, Joe Gizzo - Teachers
Cyber Cup Challenge
The following Poway Unified schools competed and placed in the top three at the annual “SoCal Cyber Cup Challenge” on March 25th. In the competition, the students work as a team to defend and secure computers against hackers. The SoCal competition is open to all San Diego County middle and high schools and sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) as one of its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outreach initiatives. The top finishers were awarded prize money and will advance to state and/or national cyber challenge competitions. Watch this video interview with two students from the winning team!
High School Division
1st: Del Norte High School
2nd: Westview High School
Middle School Division
1st: Oak Valley Middle School
2nd: Black Mountain Middle School
3rd: Design39Campus
Odyssey of the Mind
On Saturday, March 11th, 20 teams from the following PUSD schools participated in the Coastal Region Odyssey of the Mind Tournament: Adobe Bluffs Elementary, Black Mountain Middle, Design39Campus, Shoal Creek Elementary, Stone Ranch Elementary, and Westview High School. Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem solving competition where students come up with all of the solutions and do all of the work! The following schools had teams that qualified to advance to the State Tournament on March 25th in the San Francisco Bay Area: Adobe Bluffs Elementary, Black Mountain Middle, Shoal Creek Elementary, Westview High.
First Tech Challenge
Stacey Campo
Kathleen Porter
Kathleen Porter, Executive Director of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, is the 2017 State Winner for Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year for the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). Kathleen will be honored and presented with her award at the ACSA Leadership Summit in San Jose on Thursday, November 2nd, 2017.
Robbie Bowers
Excellence in Education: Studio 701
Fun Photo Gallery
Pi Day
Innovation Day
Spelling Bee
Aquaponics
Fun Run
WVHS Roller Hockey
Mandarin at ABES
8th Grade Night
Pearl Harbor Veteran
Best Buddies Ball
Race for Autism
CUE Conference
Parachute Challenge
Learning with Kahoot
ASES Robotics
Visit to Capitol
Members of Poway High Robotics traveled to the State Capitol to testify for a proposed robotics tax credit, Assembly Bill 624.
10th Annual Golf Classic
Announcing the PUSD Foundation Friday, May 5, 2017 at Maderas Golf Club
Join other education, business, and community leaders at this special event that will include lunch on the golf course, $100,000 Shootout, Helicopter Ball Drop, a post-golf reception, and an auction and awards dinner. Since this falls on Cinco De May, we will have a Mexican celebration with a dinner included for the players and sponsors.
Don’t play golf, but still want to help? You can:
Participate in the ball drop fundraiser (you do not need to be present to win)
- Join us for a Cinco de Mayo dinner celebration only
What I Wish My Parents Knew
Have you ever wondered what today's teenagers are really thinking? Join other parents in discovering what our students really wished their parents knew about the following areas:
- Handling academic pressure
- Communicating with your teen
- Managing social media
- Drugs/alcohol
- Depression/suicide
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, from 6:30-8:45pm at Rancho Bernardo High School
Tuesday, April 18, 2017, from 6:30-8:45pm at Del Norte High School
Register online at www.whatiwishmyparentsknew.com
Youth Enrichment Programs for Summer 2017
Registration is now open for PUSD's Youth Enrichment Programs for the summer. From art and foreign language to computer science and theater, there's something for everyone. Click for the catalogue of classes. All classes will be held at Mt. Carmel High School, unless otherwise noted.
Poway Unified in the News
- PUSD Scores High in New California Dashboard
- PUSD Board Passes Safe Haven Resolution
- National Teacher of the Year Finalists Make their Voices Heard
- Poway Unified Selects Teachers of the Year
- Innovation, Empowerment, and Change in San Diego Schools
- Discovering Science at Sundance Elementary
- Monterey Ridge Fun Run Raises Thousands of Dollars
- Tierra Bonita balances tech use in classroom
- Active Readers, Active Mom Shelley Porter Supports Kids
- Westview hosts career forum for sports industry
- Poway, RB Wrestlers claim state titles
- Nighthawks' Garcia, Brockington's inspiring paths to the mat
- Athlete of the Week: Pelio returns from injury with 90mph fastball
- Lacrosse Preview: Local teams among best in San Diego
- Lacrosse Preview: Titan eye third straight Open title
- Softball Preview: Local rosters loaded with talent
- Baseball Preview: Broncos, Titans lead area full of talent
- Prep Boys Tennis Preview: Nighthawks have young talent
- Athlete of the Week: Titans' Nick Beeson
- Prep Boys Golf: Broncos have experience
- April 23 Gala to Benefit Rancho Bernardo Musicians
- The Sound of Music Comes to Rancho Bernardo High School
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