Cougar Connection
December 17, 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Diegueño Families,
On Thursday night, I was extremely proud to present to our school board (video link below). My objective was to convey how important the middle school years are. Middle school is much more than just a two year period of time to endure between elementary school and high school. Our students are developing at such a rapid pace that it is only comparable to the years between birth and age two. The way we teach, the care we extend, and the attributes we foster make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students. It was an honor to showcase the important work that middle school educators do every day!
I'm delighted to share more celebrations with you this week. A highlight of the week was the Winter Music Concert which featured musicians from both Diegueño and Oak Crest Middle Schools. Both of our schools are blessed to have Cat Gold directing our programs. We are also deeply indebted to our Music Boosters and all of our music program families.
We were honored to have Superintendent Anne Staffieri on campus this week (photo above). She and I visited many classrooms together. An extra special treat was our visit to Maestra Shannon's Spanish class where Dr. Staffieri wowed our students with her fluent Spanish. Please come back soon!
As we head into the last week before Winter Break, I want to wish you a safe and restful holiday.
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
WINTER MUSIC CONCERT
NAVIGATING WINTER BREAK
Message to Families from SDUHSD
SDUHSD offices will be closed for Winter Break from Friday December 22 through Friday, January 5. Please note that the first day back for students will be on Wednesday, January 10.
With the upcoming winter recess and end of the term, we encourage you to relax, unwind, and settle into an enjoyable break.
Some of us may be balancing substantial to-do lists from shopping to entertaining and managing family expectations. While the holiday season brings celebrations for many, we know it may also bring stress and grief. It’s important to stay mindful, acknowledge our feelings, and model that we don’t have to do it all! Take time for self-care. Be mindful of your schedule. Plan ahead and say “no” to activities if you’re feeling overbooked.
SDUHSD wishes all of our families a restful and enjoyable winter break and look forward to welcoming you back at the start of spring semester.
Community Food Resources
While our district schools are closed, we want to remind you of the resources available in our community should you or a family member need help during the break.
Food resources:
Other community resources can be found by calling 2-1-1 or accessing the 211 San Diego website.
Counseling & Mental Health Resources
If you would like help finding counseling service, you can use Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential coordination service provided by SDUHSD. Support is available 24/7/365 in any language. Call 888-515-0595 or visit www.caresolace.com/sduhsdfamilies and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
Emergency Mental Health Services:
- Call 911 and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response or go to the closest emergency room for support
- Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 for help
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988
Winter Break Traffic Safety Tips
During the holidays, traffic patterns change, visitors arrive from out of town, and students may be excited to try out a new bike, e-bike or scooter. That’s why we are joining the City of Carlsbad in asking everyone to use extra care on our roadways.
Whether driving, biking or walking, we all have the power to make our streets safer:
- Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.
- Eliminate distractions to focus on the road at all times.
- When out at night, wear something bright or reflective. Use a flashlight or bike light so you can be easily seen.
- Watch a quick video with your students to ensure their helmets fit properly.
- Make sure that students know that e-bikes must follow the same rules as pedal-powered bikes, including Carlsbad-specific rules designed to improve safety.
E-bike battery safety: The lithium-ion batteries that power e-bikes, e-scooters, cell phones, computers, and more can spark fires and explode if used improperly. Follow these tips to prevent battery fires:
- Store e-bikes, e-scooters and batteries outside your living space, away from exit doors and anything that can get hot or catch fire.
- Only charge devices on hard surfaces, and don’t exceed the recommended charging time.
- Stop using the battery if you notice an odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking or odd noises.
- Purchase and use devices listed by a qualified testing laboratory (such as UL or Intertek).
- Avoid buying after-market batteries and charging devices that are not listed or made for the device.
View more lithium-ion battery safety tips here.
The Carlsbad Police Department will be out to help make sure everyone stays safe and follows the rules of the road throughout the season. For more information about traffic safety, please visit carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets.
UPCOMING DATES
- Thursday, Dec. 21 - 1st Semester Ends - Minimum Day (12:25 dismissal)
- Friday, Dec. 22 - Jan. 9 - Winter Break (No School)
- Wednesday, Jan. 10 - FIRST DAY OF SPRING SEMESTER (Single Period)
- Thursday, Jan. 11 - 1, 3, 5, periods
- Friday, Jan. 12 - 2, 4, 6 periods
- Friday, Jan. 12 - PTSA General Meeting 8:30 AM
- Monday, Jan. 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no school)
DISTRICT & COMMUNITY NEWS
FFEE December Newsletter
Highlights include:
- Cultural calendar
- Local events
- How to have respectful conversations about uncomfortable topics
SDUHSD Part Time Job Opportunities
San Dieguito UHSD has part-time opportunities available for Special Education Instructional Assistants, Bilingual Instructional Assistants, and Nutrition Services Assistants. Please visit the link below for a list of all available positions.
STAY CONNECTED TO DIEGUEÑO
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)