Cougar Connection
October 8, 2023
Back to School Celebration/Dance
Message from Principal Celeste Barnette
The school year is in full stride now and there's so much happening!!
Upcoming events:
- Our first annual FAMILY FUN NIGHT on Monday night. The entire family is welcome and it's all free! See the article below for more details (flyer). I hope to see you there!
- This week we are celebrating RED RIBBON WEEK which is focused on educating our students about the dangers of vaping, alcohol, and drug use. We also focus on healthy alternatives. The week will kick off with an all-school assembly featuring ex-DEA agent (and current educator) Rocky Herron. I've seen Rocky's presentation many times and it is super impactful. Please reach out to me directly if you would prefer that your child not attend this assembly. See below for a full calendar of events and keep an eye on our Instagram feed for photos throughout the week.
Bullying prevention month:
We are committed to fostering an welcoming, inclusive, and kind school culture all year round, not just during bullying prevention month. When I was a Poway USD principal, I authored a bullying prevention and intervention handbook for school leaders and presented on the topic. Assistant Principal Staci Ortiz and I, along with our superb counseling team, work closely together to address all reported acts of bullying. When we receive a report of bullying, we take quick action to conduct a thorough investigation, hold students accountable, monitor for repeated events, and most importantly, educate the child who engaged in bullying behavior, the target, and bystanders (the most powerful member of this triad). In order to do this, we have to know what is happening. Students and families have shared that the are hesitant to report bullying behavior out of concern that nothing will or can be done and also fear of retribution. You have my commitment that we WILL take action and that we have many tools to prevent retribution. We also have strategies to maintain the confidentiality of reporters. Please let us know immediately if your student needs our support by emailing both Assistant Principal Ortiz (staci.ortiz@sduhsd.net) and your student's counselor (A - G last names sarah.wilhelms@sduhsd.net or last names H - Z laura.martin@sduhsd.net).
Research is clear that combatting bullying is a layered endeavor. In addition to quick and decisive follow-up after an act of bullying, we are also focused on preventing bullying through ongoing educational initiatives including anti-bias No Place for Hate lessons. More to come...
So Many Lunch Time Clubs!!
A really great way for your student to meet new friends who share the same interests is to join a club. We currently have over a dozen clubs and any student can start a new club anytime simply by finding a staff advisor and completing an application (through the ASB room). Download this flyer for all the details about our fall clubs.
Short shorts...oh my!
While we welcome student expression through dress and we respect student's free speech rights, we want to balance that with a bit of decorum. Shorts seem to be getting shorter and shorter and tops are getting lower and lower. I'm asking for your help to check out what your student is wearing before they leave the house. Note that it's not uncommon for tops to be unbuttoned after a student leaves the house or for the shorts waist band to be rolled several times making the hemline really, really, really high. Our dress code states that a students' buttocks must be covered and that the majority of their chest and stomach must be covered. We don't want to waste your time when we have to call you to campus to bring a change of clothes for repeat offenders. Hopefully the weather will cool off soon and sweatshirts and jeans will be back 😊
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
Family Fun Night!!
Monday, October 9th
5:00pm - 6:30PM
Purpose: Family Time/Mingle with Community
Bring your picnic blanket and beach chairs and join us for our first Family Night of 2023! No need to cook, Average Joe’s Burgers and El Puerto are going to be taking care of dinner Monday! The Icebox will be serving delicious shaved ice and there will be lawn games to play. Stop by art to make a watercolor, drawing, or friendship bracelet. See you all at Family Night!
Food Trucks
- Average Joe’s Burgers
- El Puerto
- The Icebox
Games
Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, Corn Hole
Art + Crafts
Watercolor, Drawing, and Friendship Bracelets in Room G3
PTSA Poker Night Fundraiser
Saturday, November 11th
6:00 PM
Califino 3238 Grey Hawk Court, Carlsbad
Please donate to our Inaugural Poker Tournament Fundraiser. All proceeds benefit Diegueno's Student Support Services!
ALL STUDENTS BENEFIT!
- Permanent outdoor games (ex. concrete ping pong table)
- MORE shade on campus
- Counseling Service's new Chill Lounge aka The Best Room Ever!
WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- Poker Players - big discount for couples!
- Non-Players - Billiards, Golf Sim, Cornhole & Shuffleboard
- Raffle Prizes ($200 minimum value please)
CAN'T ATTEND THE EVENT?
- Sponsor a Faculty Member!
SPONSORS!
- Pay to play while advertising your brand! Your friends or staff can play in your company t-shirts!
- Several sponsor levels available - ad rotation on large TV screen (in between "the football" of course)
This event is open to the public and we need your help spreading the word. Please pass it on!
Understanding our Students' Experiences
On Friday, Diegueño students will take a very brief survey to help us better understand how our kids are feeling about their connection to the school and their sense of safety. Specifically, students will indicate their level of agreement with the following statements:
- I feel like I am part of this school.
- I try hard to make sure that I am good at my schoolwork.
- There is a teacher or some other adult from my school that really cares about me.
- Overall I expect more good things to happen to me than bad things.
- How safe do you feel when you are at school?
The school climate survey is anonymous and confidential. No one will be able to connect an individual student with their answers. The survey is voluntary, meaning students do not have to participate, but the answers will be very helpful to us as we work to improve school climate. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact email Principal Celeste Barnette (celeste.barnette@sduhsd.net).
We Want to Hear from YOU!
SDUHSD Educational Partners Survey
Within SDUHSD, we are united in our purpose to provide high-quality education for every student to demonstrate academic growth and optimize student potential. In the spirit of continuous improvement, we invite you as an educational partner to complete the following survey. Your collective feedback will inform our process as we examine a revision to the district's mission, vision, and long-term strategic plan. To access the survey, scan the QR code or click on the link below:
SDUHSD Educational Partners Survey Link
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in support of student success.
This survey was designed and translated using Qualtrics and the embedded translation support tools.
PTSA Happenings
PTSA Reflections Art Program
Does your middle schooler enjoy art, music and, dance or have an interest in writing, producing films, or taking photos? Then encourage them to unleash their inner artist with PTA Reflections!
This year's theme is "I am Hopeful Because…".
All students are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:
● Dance Choreography
● Literature
● Photography
● Film Production
● Music Composition
● Visual Art
Click HERE for submission guidelines and entry forms (Spanish) or have your student stop by the office to pick one up. Submissions are due to the Reflections box in the Diegueño office by Friday, October 13, 2023. For more information please contact Stephanie Turl at stephanie.turl@gmail.com.
Volunteers needed
Do you want to volunteer for campus events? If you’re interested in volunteering and are not already on the volunteer email list, please contact PTSA President, Staci Valdez: stacilaw@gmail.com. There’s lots of fun activities coming up including the Fall Family Night, Red Ribbon Week, and Poker Night.
Upcoming Dates
- October 9 - 13 - Red Ribbon Week
- Monday, October 9 - Late Start - School starts at 9:45 a.m.
- Monday, October 9 - Family Fun Night - 5:00 - 6:30 P.M.
- Friday, October 13 - Reflections Arts Program entries are due
- Tuesday, October, 17 - English Learner Advisory Committee Meeting (6:00 PM in Learning Commons)
- Monday, October 23 - Late Start 9:45 start time
- Friday, October 27 - PTSA General meeting 8:30 in Learning Commons
- Friday, October 27 - Bagels w/Dr. Barnette 9:00 in Learning Commons
ELAC - English Learner Advisory Committee/Comité Asesor de Estudiantes de Inglés
Tuesday/Martes, October/Octubre 17
The next ELAC meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday, October 17, from 6-7pm in the Learning Commons at Diegueno. During this meeting we will discuss Multilingual program options, student placement, progress monitoring, and reclassification. Spanish translation and childcare will be provided.
Linked here is the Multilingual Program and Resources FAQ Sheet that I passed out to parents/guardians at Back to School Night. It has a lot of information about the ML program at Diegueno and the different support and resources offered.
Please reach out with any questions that you may have. Looking forward to seeing you on October 17!
La próxima reunión de ELAC del año se llevará a cabo el martes 17 de octubre de 6 a 7 p.m. en Learning Commons en Diegueno. Durante esta reunión discutiremos las opciones de programas multilingües, la ubicación de los estudiantes, el seguimiento del progreso y la reclasificación. Se proporcionará traducción al español y cuidado de niños.
Aquí se encuentra la hoja de preguntas frecuentes sobre programas y recursos multilingües que entregué a los padres/tutores en la Noche de Regreso a Clases. Tiene mucha información sobre el programa ML en Diegueno y los diferentes apoyos y recursos que se ofrecen.
Comuníquese con cualquier pregunta que pueda tener. ¡Esperamos verte el 17 de octubre!
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.
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.
Sorry! We Can't Accept Food Deliveries
Please understand the challenge it presents when parents drop off fast food or have food delivered to their students (from Grub Hub, Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.). This tends to cause issues between students and creates more work for our front office staff. Fast food dropped off by parents will be held until the end of the school day and meals from delivery services will be refused.
Our strong preference is that students bring a meal with them from home or choose from our menu of free breakfast and lunch offerings (October menus)
Thank you for your cooperation.
Attendance Reminders
Please report all absences by sending an email to dgattendance@sduhsd.net or calling 760-944-1892 ext. 6605.
If your student needs to leave campus during school hours for any kind of appointment (medical, dental, orthodontist) or simply going out of town, you need to request an off-campus pass at least 48-hours in advance through email or phone.
- To minimize classroom interruption, please remind your student to pick their off-campus pass before school on the day of their appointment.
- If your pick-up time is during break or lunchtime, please remind your student to meet you in the attendance office for you to sign them out.
- For the safety of our students a Parent or Guardian will always need to sign-out their student at the attendance window in the administration building. Students cannot walk or ride their bikes/e-bikes off campus during the school day without a guardian signing them out first.
- Anyone picking up a student is required to show a government-issued photo ID.
How to Order Your Yearbook
Don't wait. Place your yearbook order now! Click HERE to order online.
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 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 EdJoin Application Link
Be A Crossing Guard
Help protect Diegueño bike riders and pedestrians!
All City Management Services is actively recruiting crossing guards in the Encinitas/San Dieguito area. You'll only work 2 hours per day (one hour in the morning and one in the afternoon), but you'll be paid for FOUR hours (including bonus) at $18/hour, for up to $72 per day! If you'd like to join our Team in "Keeping Kids Safe," contact:
All City Management Services
Jim Liuzzi
714-234-1690
Community News
Stuffed Animal Toy Drive
La Costa Canyon High School students Michael and Elizabeth Christensen have organized a community-wide stuffed toy drive to benefit Toys for Tots, Ronald McDonald House Charities and children in crisis through local Encinitas and Carlsbad first responders.
The siblings have set up donation drives and collection sites at five different locations: La Costa Canyon, El Camino Creek Elementary, Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary, Diegueno Middle School and the Encinitas Sheriff’s Department’s North Coastal Station. Donations will be collected from Oct. 9 through Oct. 20.
Families for Equity in Education October Newsletter
Click here for October FFEE
Special Education information Sessions and Family Events
Did you know that SDUHSD hosts monthly parent collaboratives for families receiving special education services as well as informational sessions related to all things special education?
Please click here for more information on our informational sessions or to access the SDUHSD Special Education Family Resource Webpage.
Want to Visit Spain? Summer 2024
If you want to visit Spain in the Summer 2024, visit the webpage or go to the sign up link!
Stay 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
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)