Cougar Connection
March 17, 2024
THE BUTTERFLY REMEMBRANCE PROJECT
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Diegueño Families,
We are beyond blessed to have such a generous PTSA this year. The tremendous support you have given has enabled us to dramatically expand services, both inside of the classroom and on the campus-at-large. We are still raising money to take this year's 8th grade promotion (graduation) celebration to a whole new level. Donations will also support our Counseling and Student Support Services and Visual and Performing Arts elective programs.
The best way you can support us is to buy your tickets for the 90s Dance Party on Friday, April 26. Tickets are only $50 and your ticket price will include tacos, drinks, and a hella good LIVE 90s band. If you aren't able to attend the event, you can still support our school by making a donation or sponsoring a teacher to attend! Please help us spread the word to families that don't always check this newsletter.
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
RED CARPET DANCE - WEDNESDAY
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Dr. Kelly Casassa (Art & ASB/Leadership)
Diegueño Middle School
Teacher of the Year
2023-2024
Simply put, Diegueño Middle School is a much better place because of the hard work and creativity of Dr. Kelly Casassa! Kelly has been inspiring young artists in her classroom for years. She is a caring and gifted educator and would be worthy of this honor for those contributions alone, HOWEVER…Dr. Casassa’s impact as our ASB Director is what makes her the overwhelming favorite for Teacher of the Year accolades.
Since Dr. Casassa stepped into the role of ASB Director, our students and staff members are noticeably more connected to one another and to the school-at-large. She and her leadership students foster happiness, school spirit, pride, and lots of fun through clubs, class competitions, recognition events, dances, and meaningful community service opportunities. Dr. Casassa has come up with wonderful new ideas and ALWAYS follows through. In future years, students from Diegueno will recall the positive, feel good experiences they had because she played a major role in shaping those experiences.
The real magic occurs when Dr. Casassa’s roles as leadership teacher and art educator combine and the inspiring results have included a transformed, blooming campus garden and our schoolwide Butterfly Project. When one walks onto our campus, they will feel a sense of hope and pride and this is due to Dr. Casassa’s influence.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Missy Nuñez
Diegueño Middle School
Employee of the Year
2023-2024
Missy Nuñez IS Diegueño!! Time and time again, her colleagues describe her as the soul of our campus. This is her home and she is the keeper of the keys and the heartbeat that keeps it alive. Missy works tirelessly for our school and has been serving our district with the same dedication and positive energy for 25 years. Missy is an extraordinarily hard worker, typically the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. She is also kind, patient, helpful, and has never faced a problem she can’t solve. It is impossible to put into words all that Missy contributes to our school, and more importantly, all that she contributes to the individual human beings whose lives are better because of her! We love you and appreciate you tremendously. You are utterly irreplaceable!!
GOLD RATING FOR BAND PROGRAM
PTSA HAPPENINGS
VP of Communications Opening
We have an opening for next year on our PTSA Executive Board. The role is VP of Communications.
We are looking for someone who can:
- Attend monthly meetings. It's okay if you have to miss a couple.
- Update the PTSA website, as needed. This is easy, light work and the president will support you.
- Post to Instagram to promote our events.
- Proofread communications.
Please pass this around to your social circles and see if anyone is interested, that would help us out! Direct questions to PTSA President Staci Valdez (stacilaw@gmail.com)
March Spirit Wear Flash Sale
PI DAY SHENANIGANS
COUNSELING NEWS
Supporting the Mental Health of the Teens in Your Life
Join Making Caring Common for a 2-part online series to learn practical tips on understanding, navigating, and supporting the mental health of teenagers in day-to-day life. These events are open to all parents and caregivers and community adults that support teens such as tutors, faith leaders, employers, extended family members, coaches, etc.
Part 1 - Helping Teens Manage Anxiety and Depression
Part 2 - Social Connection, Sleep Habits, and Social Media Habits
NEW NEWS
English Learner Advisory Committee Meeting Recap
On March 14, our ELAC families gathered to learn more about Diegueño's site plans to support our multilingual learners, feedback communicated with our School Site Council, upcoming events, and a sneak preview into planning for next school year. Thank you to our English Learner Lead Teacher Alexis Hillenbrand for your leadership.
REMINDERS
Diegueño Night at the Opera
50 Diegueño students will be able to see Pucinni’s opera, Madama Butterfly, for free on Wednesday, April 24 at the San Diego Civic Theater.
Student Night at the Opera provides students access to the final dress rehearsal of a main stage production with live music provided by the San Diego Symphony. This is a special event that brings history, language arts, theater arts, music, and visual arts learning to life. It will be an exciting cultural enrichment activity that your student will not forget!
For more information, see Ms. Collins in room F3 or download the flyer below.
UPCOMING DATES
- March 18 - 22 March Madness Spirit Week
- Tuesday, March 19 - 3rd Quarter Grading Period Ends
- Wednesday, March 20 - Red Carpet Spring Dance 5:00 - 6:30 PM
- Thursday, March 21 - Canine Unwind Therapy Dogs
- Wednesday, March 27 - Spring drama performance - A Lighter Shade of Noir - 6:00 PM
- Friday, March 29 - PTSA General Meeting 8:30 - 9:00 AM
- Friday, March 29 - Principal's Coffee 9:00 - 9:45 AM
- April 1 - 5 Spring Break NO SCHOOL
DISTRICT & COMMUNITY NEWS
Town Hall - Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis
Senator Catherine Blakespear invites you to learn more about the Fentanyl Crisis that is occurring in our communities a Town Hall she is hosting on Thursday, March 20, 6:00-7:30 PM at MiraCosta College, San Elijo Campus at 3333 Manchester Ave. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Our best defense against this life-threatening drug is knowledge and prevention.
District Attorney Summer Stephan will be sharing information about efforts she and her colleagues at the county and in law enforcement are making to decrease the supply of this drug, hold dealers accountable and to educate young people about it. Our local Fire Chief, Josh Gordon will address the issue as first responders in our communities who come face-to-face with the consequences of this drug.
FFEE March Newsletter & Listening Sessions
The Familes for Equity in Education March newsletter is filled with local events, book recommendations, Equity Walk and Talk info, and a focus on Developmental Disability Awareness Month.
FFEE will also continue to coordinate listening sessions to hear directly from the LGBTQIA+ community about how our local PTAs can better meet the needs of our LGBTQIA+ caregivers and students.
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)