#TeamPUSD
Sharing the Good News and Good Work of Students and Staff
December 2018 / January 2019 Edition
Superintendent's Message: A New Year, a New Way to Educate
As many of you reflect on goals for the new year, I find myself doing the same for the students of the Poway Unified School District. One of our primary responsibilities as educators is to prepare students for future careers. But when an estimated 85 percent of the jobs that will make up the future workforce have not yet been invented (Institute for the Future’s 2017 report), fulfilling our mission of college and career readiness becomes increasingly challenging.
With a continually shifting workplace, education must change how and what we are teaching our young people. Education should be nimble, adaptable and innovative. Education in 2019 should look completely different from 2009 and 1999. Yet how many classrooms across the country are still sticking to the traditional teaching and learning methods of the past to help prepare students for the future?
I saw an illustration the other day, and the message was simple yet striking. It showed an automobile from the 1960’s and one from today. It showed a manufacturing facility from the 1960’s and one from today. It showed a classroom from the 1960’s and one from today. Only the classroom remained unchanged.
Last November, Intel brought its mobile Tech Learning Lab to one of our schools, Design39Campus. The immersive, hands-on experience included virtual reality stations, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, coding and robotics and the Internet of Things. These are the same emerging technologies that the Institute for the Future says are going to completely transform the workplace by the year 2030. While it may sound like science fiction, our students were fully engaged and all-in. There really wasn’t much of a learning curve because today’s students already live in a digital world, with technology seamlessly integrated into their daily lives. In fact, many PUSD schools have established tech support teams comprised entirely of students! Roles have been flipped and our students are becoming the teachers. The natural next step is to ensure technology is seamlessly integrated into their classrooms as well.
We are not suggesting students be glued to iPads or computers all day. Our Technology and Innovation department is taking a very purposeful and systematic approach to integrating technology in our classrooms. How can technology support, enhance, and enrich the standards and curriculum being taught? PUSD has invested many hours into providing professional development and embedded coaching to empower teachers to transform student learning, and to prepare students with the skills necessary to be successful in today’s technological world. From digital citizenship lessons to hour of code activities, students from elementary to high school are benefiting.
In addition to technology skills, students must learn how to be creative, think critically, problem solve, communicate effectively, and collaborate on project-based learning. These type of “soft skills” were identified by a Google study as some of the most important skills to be a successful employee. Students must also be given a clear picture of the various career and college options that are available to them. We use student strength assessments and career exploration tools to help our young people identify their passions and how that translates into possible career goals. Based on their interests and talents, students can then take Career Technical Education courses at the secondary level, with pathways for in-demand careers ranging from construction to computer science, graphic design to agriculture, and digital media to biomedical science.
PUSD’s new Launch Lab at Pomerado Elementary School is the realization of our vision of a new kind of educational experience. The lab includes student-centered, hands-on learning experiences allowing them to explore careers in multimedia production, computer science/coding and robotics, engineering and building, and social media production that all tie into the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. The teachers are able to move seamlessly between their classrooms and the lab. In the Pomerado Launch Lab, student experiences are enlightening, enriching, and genuinely motivate them towards lifelong learning and future success. The best part: Pomerado’s Launch Lab is a replicable and scalable model for other schools throughout PUSD.
I am excited for what’s to come. For 2019 and beyond, PUSD resolves to do education differently to ensure that our students are not just ready and successful for college and career, but for life.
-Marian Kim Phelps, Ed.D., Superintendent
As originally published in the Pomerado News
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PUSD Districtwide Survey
This Friday, on February 1, 2019, PUSD will launch our annual survey to gather your input on our Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP, which will shape the District’s goals and guide our budgeting priorities for 2019-2020. We want to hear from you! Please watch this video message from Superintendent, Dr. Marian Kim Phelps on why getting your feedback is so important.
Thoughtexchange is essentially a virtual conversation, where you can share your thoughts, see the thoughts of others in your school community, and prioritize the thoughts most important to you. Look for an email next week to walk you through the participation process. For the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Thoughtexchange, go here for FAQs.
If you would still like to participate in person, we will be hosting four meetings District wide:
English:
- Tuesday, February 5th at 6pm (Twin Peaks Middle School Library)
- Wednesday, February 6th at 6pm (District Office Community Room)
- Thursday, February 7th at 6pm (Oak Valley Midd School Multi-Purpose Room)
Spanish:
- Thursday, February 7th at 6pm (Valley Elementary School Library)
Whether you participate online or in person, we will be asking everyone to answer the following question: “What are the most important things to focus on as we continue our work to support all students?” To help inform your answers, please take the time to review our current LCAP goals and the actions supporting them for the 2018-19 school year.
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What I Wish My Parents Knew About Vaping
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Student, School, and Staff Achievements
International Confucius Classroom of the Year
Inspirational Student of the Month
Bernardo Heights 8th grader Lilia Montiel received a surprise visit during her science class from her family members and representatives from the San Diego County Office of Education and NBC7. She was chosen as their Inspirational Student of the Month, for her work in raising money and donations for children who don’t have beds to sleep in. Her story aired on NBC7 and you can also read more about this amazing young lady in this article.
Congratulations Mustangs!
Meadowbrook Middle School English Learners have met the Poway Unified School District reclassification criteria. They have shown proficiency in their classes, on SBAC testing and the ELPAC Test (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California). A big THANK YOU to the Meadowbrook Education Foundation for sponsoring the event.
Local Students Earn Gold!
(from Terry Monhan, San Diego Union Tribune)
For the first time on the big stage in a fairly new sport of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics, Team Grace turned in its best performance of the season at the right time.
At the Pan Am Championships against teams from 13 countries, Nov. 23-24 in Santos, Brazil, Team Grace, made up of nine gymnasts, most of them from San Diego, captured the gold medal. The roster includes Helen Xu, a junior at Del Norte High, and Angela Ma from Westview High. Alternates who did not compete in Brazil include Fernanda Fabian of Poway High.
Abraxas Graduation
Abraxas Receives Rotary Donation
Grants Awarded to Pomerado Elementary!
Congratulations to Pomerado Elementary School on being awarded $10,000 from the OtterCares Foundation to be used for the schools Launch lab!
Congrats also go out to teacher Laura Snow as the recipient of a $500 Teacher Grant awarded by North Island Credit Union. Her project, Support for Blended Learning, was chosen from among hundreds of submissions. She received the grant award in front of hundreds of cheering students.
Constitutional Challenge
Skyler Wu Wins 1st Place!
We the People
PUSD Students Team Up!
Westview NJROTC
Safety Patrol Standout!
Top Ranked CyberPatriot Teams
NCWIT Award Winner!
Mt. Carmel Dance Troupe
RBHS Dance Champions
Stone Ranch Design Award
Wrestling Champs
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Excellence in Education Video Series
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Fun Photo Gallery
All PUSD Choir Performance
Physics Boat Races
No Place for Hate at Canyon View
It's a Boy!
Dodgeball at Westview
The Grinch!
Kindergartners as Teachers
No Place for Hate Video
Community Market
Westview Reaches Out
Harvest Time and New Years
UCSD Alumni
Cursive Insect Art
Poway Nursing Students
Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
Science Fair
Challenged Athletes Foundation
UCSD Visit
Toys for Tots
Comfy Cozy at canyon View
Team Spyder Open House
TPMS 7th Graders Love a Mystery!
All Wrapped Up
X-Ploration at Midland
X-Ploration Turtleback
X-Ploration at Garden Road
Women In Engineering Day
TED Ed Showcase
Pajamas and Cookies Day
Amazing Race
Westview Unity Game
The “Golden Leaders” student athletes at Westview High School and the Best Buddies Club held their annual Unity Basketball Game. Student athletes, together with students with special needs, met on the court and played some serious basketball in front of hundreds of supportive students and staff cheering them on! This school-wide sporting event is one of the most popular events on campus. Way to represent #TeamPUSD.
GeoBee
Little Red Riding Hood
More than Finals
McGonogle Canyon Watershed field study
International Game Day
Best Buddies Night
ABES Ability Awareness Day
What's Shakin'?
Rad Dad Sandbox!
Masquerade Ball
Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!
Clean Up Crew
Holiday Spirit
Westview Spirit!
Poway High School at the Zoo
Garden Road Pet Supplies Drive
Garden Road Elementary School’s student council sponsored a pet drive over the winter break to obtain donations of pet supplies to “Labs and More” – an animal rescue. Student council president Kyle Lokken, who came up with the idea, and other student council members and their families delivered all of the items. Special thanks to Garden Road student council sponsors – Mrs. Christine Gallinetti, Mrs. Allison Leedom, and Ms. Jaclyn Vella!
Stone Ranch Donates
MVMS Courthouse Visit
Willow Grove Book Fair
D39 Trashwhale
Come on everybody, let's do the conga!
ReWear Sale
Biotech Experiments
Voyager Program
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Hour of Code 2018
Hour of Code 2018 - Monterey Ridge
Hour of Code - Shoal Creek
Hour of Code - Sunset Hills
Hour of Code - Rolling Hills
Hour of Code - Tierra Bonita
Tierra Bonita Elementary School held a Family Coding Night attended by over 150 parents and students!
Hour of Code - Pomerado
Hour of Code - Midland
Hour of Code - Canyon View
Hour of Code - Park Village
Hour of Code - Valley
Hour of Code - Deer Canyon
Twin Peaks Hour of Code
Hour of Code - Creekside
Hour of Code - Highland Ranch
Hour of Code - Chaparral
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News & Announcements
Singin' in the Rain
Based on the film with the same name, Poway High School's production of Singin’ in the Rain has all the makings of a Tinseltown tabloid headline – the starlet, the leading man, and a love affair that could change lives and make or break careers! In the silent movies, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a hot item but, behind the scenes, things aren’t always as they appear on the big screen! Meanwhile, Lina’s squeaky voice might be the end of her career in “talking pictures” without the help of a talented young actress to do the talking and singing for her.
Showtimes at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts:
Friday, February 1, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
For tickets, go here.
My Fair Lady
Del Norte High School's theatre department presents the beloved musical My Fair Lady. Pompous professor Henry Higgins is so sure of his abilities that he takes it upon himself to transform a working-class girl into someone who can pass for a cultured member of high society. His subject turns out to be the lovely Eliza Doolittle, who agrees to speech lessons to improve her job prospects. Higgins and Eliza clash, then form an unlikely bond -- one that is threatened by an aristocratic suitor.
Friday, February 1st at 7pm
Saturday, February 2nd at 2pm
Saturday, February 2nd at 7pm
Friday, February 8th at 7pm
Friday, February 9th at 7pm
For tickets, go here.
Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation
Register Here for the Next Free Heart Screening
WHEN: Sunday, February 10
WHERE: Westview High School • 13500 Camino Del Sur • San Diego, 92129
WHO:
Screenings are for youth ages 12 to 25 only
Open to the public—you do not need to be a student at the host school
Parents of youth under 18 need not attend if youth brings a signed/completed Screening Packet
Eric Paredes was a healthy Steele Canyon High School sophomore athlete who died suddenly and unexpectedly from Sudden Cardiac Arrest/Death (SCA/D) in 2009. His parents, Hector and Rhina Paredes, established EP Save A Life Foundation to honor him through their commitment to screen other teens to prevent this tragedy from happening to other families.
The California Department of Education releases the 2018 California Dashboard
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PUSD Tipline
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