Designers' Reminders
December 10, 2023
Weekly Messaging from Design39Campus
Here What's Happening in the Month of December
Evening of December 7--December 15: Hanukkah
December 15: Coffee with the Design Facilitators
December 22: Minimum Day
December 25--January 5th: District Recess
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26--January 1: Kwanzaa
December 31: New Year's Eve
Facilitators' Findings
We wanted to take a moment to emphasize the critical role that regular attendance plays in your student's academic journey and overall success. Your student's consistent attendance at Design39Campus each day is invaluable for several reasons.
Daily school attendance ensures that your student remains engaged with the curriculum, participates in discussions, and receives essential academic instruction. Regular attendance significantly contributes to improved academic performance and understanding of key concepts. Missing school days can create gaps in learning, making it challenging for students to catch up. Each lesson builds upon the previous one, and regular attendance ensures a continuous flow of learning.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and absences due to illness or emergencies are unavoidable. However, we encourage you to prioritize your student's attendance whenever possible. Your active support in ensuring your student attends school regularly will significantly contribute to their growth and success.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your student's education.
Author Visit: Michele Borba, Best-Selling Author of Thrivers
As a site, we are elated for the opportunity to bring renowned author and educational psychologist, Michele Borba, to speak to our community on the evening of January 10th in the Showcase. In her most recent book, Thrivers, she examines the seven character traits that set thrivers apart from strivers: confidence, empathy, self-control, integrity, curiosity, perseverance, and optimism. In UnSelfie, she tackles the empathy crisis facing kids today, offering feedforward on how to raise children in a world that increasingly values and rewards self-indulgent and narcissistic behavior, making it more difficult to raise kind, empathetic kids.
Michele Borba, EdD, is an internationally renowned educational psychologist and an expert in parenting, bullying, and character development. One of the foremost authorities on childhood development in the country, she is a regular NBC contributor who appears regularly on Today and has been featured as an expert on Dateline, The View, Dr. Phil, NBC Nightly News, Fox & Friends, Dr. Oz, and The Early Show, among many others. She lives in Palm Springs, California, with her husband, and she is the mother of three grown sons.
This will be must-see event. More information on book club opportunities to follow. Thank you to the D399 Collaborative for their support with this event.
Save the Date: Friday, December 15th in the D39C Gallery
Coming Soon...
Welcome Center Staff
We have had some movement in the Welcome Center and some changes in roles and responsibilities. Below is a brief bio of our Welcome Center team and how they serve the Design39Campus community.
Sherri Habel
My name is Sherri Habel. I have been at D39C for 10 wonderful years. I started out as a Student Services Assistant then became a Student Services Specialist and now, I am a School Administrative Specialist. I do all things Attendance and OCIS. I am very approachable, if you need something and I can't help you, I will find someone who can. In my free time I love to hang out with my husband and Facetime with my kids/grandkids. My hobbies include crocheting and quilting.
Cindy Hawkinson
Padminee Marathe
Hi everyone! My name is Padminee Marathe and I started at D39C in September as an Office Assistant. My role involves assisting visitors, answering the phones, helping with attendance and processing the volunteer paperwork. I love my new role because of the people interaction and data management. I live in Del Sur with my family. My daughter (DNHS grad) works in San Diego. My son (DNHS grad too) is a Junior at UC Davis. Outside of work, I am an Indian music vocalist, teacher and performer in the San Diego Community.
Mary Carpenter
Greetings from Mary! I have worked within PUSD since 2014. I assist with finance/budget, the sub coordination, discipline, the website, and providing support to the Design Facilitator Team. I enjoy problem solving and research. I love hiking and spending time with my family. My background is in operations and compliance in the brokerage industry. I was recently selected to serve as the new Administrative Assistant to the Design Facilitators and look forward to serving D39C in this new role.
Heidy Utz
Hello! I'm Miss Heidy. I am so excited to be back in the Health Office, to help staff, parents, and students with any health needs. Born and raised in San Diego, which means anything above 70 is too hot and below 70 is too cold. I'm a vintage soul. I'm crazy about the 1950's, Disney and Star Wars. I work to support my 2-dachshund fur-babies (Lynnard & Skynnard). I am at your disposal! I know my job would be impossible without your knowledge and support. Thank you, times a million.
Wendy Johnston
I am excited to support D39c staff and students as an interim part of the Welcome Center office team. I have a passion for connecting with others and a joy of learning. A few of my favorite things include spending quality time with my family and friends, staying active, especially outdoors, trying new cuisines and exploring places near and far.
Couraging with Design
Equitable Spaces
chag Hanukkah sameach
Happy Hanukkah to our D39C Community. Hanukkah began at nightfall on Thursday, Dec. 7, and ends at nightfall on Friday, Dec. 15.
What Is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and special foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple (as you’ll read below). Also spelled Hanukkah (or variations of that spelling).
When Is Chanukah?
Chanukah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days. On the civil calendar, it generally coincides with the month of December. Chanukah 2023 runs from Dec. 7-Dec. 15.
What Chanukah Celebrates
In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs instead of mitzvah observance and belief in G‑d. Against all odds, a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G‑d. When they sought to light the Temple's Menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity. To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah.
How Chanukah Is Observed
At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash (“attendant”), which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night, we light just one flame. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are kindled. On Friday afternoon, care must be taken to light the menorah before Shabbat candles are lit, and the following evening they are to be kindled only after Shabbat has ended. Special blessings are recited, often to a traditional melody, before the menorah is lit, and traditional songs are sung afterward. A menorah is lit in every household (or even by each individual within the household) and placed in a doorway or window. The menorah is also lit in synagogues and other public places. In recent years, thousands of jumbo menorahs have cropped up in front of city halls and legislative buildings, and in malls and parks all over the world.
More details about the celebration of Hanukkah can be found HERE.
Profile in Equity and Love: Toni Morrison
"I’m a believer in the power of knowledge and the ferocity of beauty, so from my point of view, your life is already artful—waiting, just waiting for you to make it art.” ― Toni Morrison
AVID Tip of the Week
Our AVID tip of the week is to take advantage of the AVID Tutorial.
Tutoring programs deliver the strongest educational impact when they accelerate learning and help students develop the academic skills needed to be future-ready. When the principles of AVID tutoring are implemented successfully, students develop skills, many of which are detailed below, that go beyond the basic goal of content retention. A structured process with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for students and trained tutors ensures that educators can implement effective tutoring. Incorporating these principals into individual, small-group, or collaborative tutoring sessions will support students’ current and future academic success while building their skills and agency.
Deepened Content Knowledge: Students deepen their content knowledge in the academic area with which they struggle.
Relational Capacity: Students learn the importance of relationships and building a network of support.
Critical Thinking Skills: Students repeatedly practice metacognition in the before, during, and after phases of strategic tutoring.
Fluency in Academic Language: Students practice speaking the academic language of the content area(s) in which they need support and tutoring.
Inquiry: Students engage in academic conversations grounded in higher-order questioning.
Process Identification: Students identify a sequence of steps to duplicate solutions to similar problems.
Summary: Students write or speak about their academic learning to make connections between new learning and previous learning, their experiences, themselves, and/or their world.
Reflection: Students reflect, verbally or in writing, to identify strengths and areas for continuous improvement within the process.
Agency: Students own their learning as they internalize a process for advocating for themselves.
Counseling Connections
Our Outstanding Team
Matt Bibby (last names A-I): mbibby@powayusd.com
Jennifer Asmann (last names J-R): jasmann@powayusd.com
Andrea Guevara (last names S-Z): aguevara@powayusd.com
Lofty Ideas
As part of our ongoing conversations about how to be safe, respectful, and responsible digital citizens, I would like to share this video from Common Sense Media and these Family Tech Planners as resources for families to engage with one another around technology.
Kids and Tech: How Much Is Too Much?
Lost and Found Donation
Missing something? A tape deck, some Creedence tapes, a briefcase filled with some business papers, a rug that really tied the room together? Water Bottle? A lunch box? A jacket? Two jackets? Our lost and found carts are already filling up! The carts can be found outside the main gate before school and after school. Come, find yourself. Our next donation date will be Friday, December 22.
Service39
D39C Be Blogging
The Design39Campus student blog is a vibrant hub where designers share their experiences, ideas, and unique perspectives on Design39Campus. It offers a firsthand glimpse into student life, showcasing creativity and the power of student-led initiatives within the educational sphere. Reading this blog provides a direct connection to the student community, fostering empathy, understanding, and a glimpse into D39C.
Redundant Repetitious Reiterating Repeated Recurrent Routine Reminders
Yes, You Have Seen This Before
Fire Season and Emergencies: With fire season upon us we want to assure parents and guardians that we have appropriate response systems in place when emergencies arise. Our first priority will always be the safety of our students and staff on campus.
When Design39Campus becomes aware of any incidents in the geographic area of the school site, we will focus first on the safety of our campus while working with law enforcement, emergency responders, and the District for guidance and support for communication. Communication with parents is part of the response plan, but will be secondary to immediate safety. As soon as we can, we will message families with details of school-wide incidents such as lockdowns or evacuations. Please ensure your contact information is up to date in ParentVue in the “My Account” section.
Finally, we have been asked by first responders to remind our families NOT to come to campus in times of emergency – there have been several instances when officers, firefighters, and their ability to respond to the emergency have been hindered by parents rushing to the scene. We will send out messages about dismissal or reunification procedures for families when first responders indicate it is safe to do so.
Cuyamaca Outdoor School (6th Grade Camp): February 5th through the 9th, 2024. Detailed Camp Packets will be coming home soon. Please take a look home soon! For information on camp, please check out this movie, or this slideshow, or you can go to their website. It is the best week of middle school!
It is never too early to begin preparing for one of the most momentous events of middle school, 6th Grade Camp. D39C 6th grade students will be attending Camp Cuyamaca February 5th through the 9th, 2024. This is not a dusty tent camping experience in the wilderness. Camp Cuyamaca is a fully accredited outdoor school run by the San Diego Country Office of Education based in our local mountains. Students will engage in science and problem solving activities and also enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and so much more!!!
The cost of the five-day program will be $455***; which includes transportation, food, lodging and medical insurance. It is an incredible experience and we are so excited to offer this opportunity to all students in PUSD.
You have two payment options:
- Cash
- Check (made payable to PUSD; please write your child's name in the memo line)
***Scholarships are available. Please see you LED for additional information***
Attendance and OCIS Contracts: With the holiday season rapidly approaching, we often have families who choose to take time off from school to travel. While we strongly encourage families not to miss school days, I also want to make you aware of our policy if you choose to take time off.
If you have a student who will not be in class for 5-14 days, please notify the office so we can have the parents fill out an OCIS contract for their child. The forms will have to be completed and signed by parents 5-10 days in advance of the absence. Click here for a link to the OCIS Contract.
Parents are required to give 5 days notice for absences up to 5 days, 10 days notice for absences more than 5 days.
Prepping work for students who are absent is an incredible amount of work for our teaching staff and we ask that you give your child’s teacher as much advance notice as possible beyond the above guidelines.
We do not write contracts beyond 14 days. If you plan to be away for 15 or more days please contact the Welcome Center for the necessary procedures.
Would you like to become a part of the Design39Campus Team? Do you like to be outside and work with children? If so, we are looking for a few quality Motion Managers to help support our designers during body breaks and lunch during the middle of the day. Possible times are 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. or 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. If interested, please apply through Poway Unified School District at the this link.
Attendance: To report your child's absence or early checkout, please email the attendance office at d39cattendance@powayusd.com before 10:00 am on the day of the absence. Please include your child's name, homeroom/grade, dates of absence, and reason for absence. We kindly ask that you avoid checking out your student during the lunch period from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Please refer to the attendance section of our Design39Campus website for protocols regarding reporting student absences and requesting early release for your student.'
California Education Code 48205 states that a student may be excused legally from school when the absence is due to:
- Personal illness or injury
- Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health office
- Medical, dental, or chiropractic services
- Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family
- Justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an appearance in court, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at religious retreats, attendance at an employment conference, when the pupil's absence has been requested in writing by the parent and approved by the principal or designated representative
- For the purpose of serving as a member of a precinct board for an election
- Exclusion for failure to present evidence of immunization
- Exclusion from school because student is either the carrier of a contagious disease or not immunized for a contagious disease
Communication with your Designer: If there is a need to communicate with your child during the school day, please send a message to your child’s LED or the Welcome Center. Please refrain from communicating with them directly through text messages or phone calls as it disrupts their learning.
Personal Items: For equity reasons, we are asking that students keep their personal playground equipment at home or in their backpack. Our wonderful Collaborative supplies us with enough funding to ensure that there is enough equipment during recess and lunch.
The D39C Collaborative
The D39C Collaborative is a 100% volunteer-run foundation designed to be responsive to the needs of students, parents, and learning experience designers of Design39Campus. Their mission is to expand and enhance the educational experience of every student attending Design39Campus.
What's Up With Poway Unified?
PUSD Substitutes Needed: With flu, cold, and COVID season upon us, we are once again in need of qualified substitutes to support PUSD and our campus in the event of an LED absence.
If you or someone you know are interested in applying to become a substitute teacher with Poway Unified School District, please click here.
EmpowerED Digital Magazine: We are excited to debut the first-ever edition of our new EmpowerED Digital Magazine, to highlight all the ways you are empowering world-class learners every single day! We want to share with each other and the rest of our community what makes Poway Unified students, staff, and families so special in this visually pleasing, multi-media platform moving forward.
Click here or anywhere on the below image to be taken to a flipbook to enjoy the magazine. You'll see slideshows, links, and videos embedded in the pages. We hope you love it as much as we do! Feel free to share it with your family, friends, alum, retirees - anyone who might enjoy it too.
Parent Education Courses: PUSD is excited offer several Parent Education courses each month. Families are able to enroll and pay online at via Poway Adult School on their website linked HERE. You can search for the course you are interested in and enroll directly from the site.
November 2023 Parent Education Courses:
- Help Your Teen Manage Stress and Anxiety – 6th -12th Grade NEW
- Early Childhood Development: Language is a Cognitive Super Power TK-3rd Grade NEW
- Help Your Children Manage Stress and Anxiety – TK-5th Grade
Please note, scholarships are available to parents who may be in need. Parent can contact the Caring Connections Center for more information.
Thank you for supporting our PUSD Parent Education and for all you do for our students and families! May you have an amazing 2023-2024 school year!
Food and Nutrition Updates and Reminders: School breakfast and school lunch are FREE for all enrolled students, every school day. Meals must still be entered into the cafeteria computer by individual student account.
Even though meals are free, families are still highly encouraged to complete the application for free and reduced-price meal eligibility. School site funding depends in part on the number of students eligible for free/reduced-price meals. Families that qualify for free/reduced-price meals may qualify for other benefits, as well. The meal application is available online at MySchoolApps.com.
Printer-friendly PDF menus are available on the PUSD Food and Nutrition webpage. At the top of the page, click or hover over School Menus + and then Printable PDF Menus.
Interactive, web-based menus containing nutrient and allergen details are available at MySchoolMenus.com, as well as via links from the F&N webpage.