Cougar Connection
February 25, 2024
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
A friendly reminder for 7th grade families that course selection contracts are due to your student's math teacher by February 28. Course choices must also be uploaded into Aeries by the same date.
Applications and teacher recommendations for ASB/Leadership, Journalism, Band, and Advanced Art are also due by February 28 (for current 6th and 7th graders).
Intradistrict transfer applications must be submitted by 4:00 PM on Monday, February 26. This is for families who want their student to attend a school that is different from their boundary/home school. For example, your home is in the Oak Crest boundary, but you want your student to join the Diegueño family. Don't miss this deadline!
All the information you may need can be found on the Diegueño Course Selection webpage (linked below).
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
NEW NEWS
Principal's Coffee on Friday, March 1
Save the date for this Friday's Bagels with Dr. Barnette at 9:00 AM in the Learning Commons. Let us know what you'd like to learn about or discuss in this brief survey.
The coffee will be preceded by a PTSA general meeting at 8:30 AM.
Only 40 yearbooks left!!
Yearbooks are still on sale for $60. Buy yours now!
If you can't remember if you already purchased this year's yearbook, click on the Jostens link below and enter your student's name and grade. The web store will indicate if you have already purchased a yearbook. Direct questions to Kari Smith kari.smith@sduhsd.net
Winter Sports Photos on Wednesday
The yearbook staff will be taking photos of Diegueño (Boys & Girls Club) winter sport athletes on Wednesday during CAT.
Boys Basketball
Field Hockey
Running Club
PTSA HAPPENINGS
Tickets Are on Sale NOW!!
Buy your tickets now for PTSA's Adults Night Out 90's Party on Friday, April 26th. Proceeds from this party will benefit ALL students at Diegueno by funding 8th Grade Promotion, elective class needs, and our Student Support Services projects.
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.
7th Grade Families Needed
We are in need of a team of 7th grade parents/guardians to help us set up for the 8th grade promotion celebration on the morning of May 31st, so that 8th grade families can focus on getting ready for their student's ceremony.
If you can be available, please email stacilaw@gmail.com. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
REMINDERS
FREE eBike Safety Assembly
Monday, February 26
8:30 - 9:30 AM (8:15 check-in)
Diegueño’s Cougar Hall
Do you still need to fulfill the safety class requirement for your bike permit? Here’s a very easy way to check that box!! The SD County Bike Coalition will be offering a FREE on-campus assembly for both students and their parents during Late Start on Monday, February 26. RSVP below.
This assembly will address eBike types, eBike classes and differences, throttle usage, speed limits, infrastructure types, signs and signals, carrying gear and passengers, helmets, and more.
The SD County Bike Coalition’s mantra is: “We believe bicycling is a healthy, affordable, and environmentally friendly form of transportation and recreation that should be safe and attractive to everyone who wants to ride, wherever their destination and whatever their purpose. Bicycling is good for our communities and for the people who ride, and so we work to increase the number of people who ride bikes as a regular part of their lives.”
Questions? Email Mallory Reeves at mallory.reeves@sduhsd.net
UPCOMING DATES
- Monday, Feb. 26 - eBike Safety Assembly - 8:15 AM check-in (RSVP)
- Monday, Feb. 26 - Late Start - Tardy bell rings at 9:45 AM
- Monday, Feb. 26 - Intradistrict transfer window closes at 4:00 PM
- Wednesday, Feb. 28 - Winter sports yearbook photos (during CAT)
- Thursday, Feb. 29 - School Site Council Meeting - 3:00 PM
- Friday, March 1 - PTSA Board Meeting - 8:30 AM
- Friday, March 1 - Principal's Coffee (AKA "Bagels with Dr. Barnette") - 9:00 AM
- Tuesday, March 5 - New Families Information Night
- 5:30 PM - Special Education Information Presentation
- 6:00 - 7:00 PM - Information Night Sessions (Administration, Counseling, Math & English)
- Wednesday, March 27 - Spring drama performance - A Lighter Shade of Noir - 6:00 PM
DISTRICT & COMMUNITY NEWS
Summer School Program
The district is pleased to be able to offer targeted summer school programs for grade 7-12 students each year. Summer school includes opportunities for remediation, acceleration, credit recovery, and enrichment. Offerings vary based on an annual assessment of student needs. Programs may be in-person on a campus or offered via independent study online.
Location La Costa Canyon High School
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Session 1
June 7 - 28 (no school on June 19)
Session 2
July 1 - 23 (no school on July 4 or July 5)
Middle School Summer School Programs Info English / Spanish
High School Summer School Programs Info English / Spanish
Because summer courses cover extensive instructional content in a relatively short time period, students may not miss more than 8 hours of instruction; 8 hours equates to two full days of summer school.
At-Home English and Math Practice
SDUHSD middle school students enrolled in essentials/integrated math and all English courses have access to two instructional technology programs that provide options for at-home support and practice in English and math skill development. Both programs use adaptive technology to individualize learning experiences based on unique student needs. To learn more about these programs, including how to access these learning opportunities from home, see the information provided below:
Freckle - English Practice
Freckle is an online learning platform that allows students to practice English Language Arts at their own level. Freckle continuously adapts to individual student skill levels so they receive the appropriate challenge, whether working at, above, or below grade level. Click here to learn more about how to support your student's use of Freckle at home.
IXL - Math Practice
IXL is an online learning platform that allows students to practice Math at their own level. Student progress and levels within IXL continuously adapt to individual skill levels so students receive the appropriate challenge, whether working at, above, or below grade level. Click here to learn more about how to support your student's use of IXL at home.
Student Mental Health Webinar Series
Parents and caregivers can learn about tools and strategies to support their children with mental health challenges through a free webinar series hosted by the San Diego County Office of Education and medical and mental health experts with the Transforming Mental Health Initiative at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. This series will provide information on the most common mental health challenges faced by youth today, including social media, anxiety, and finding a school-life balance.
All sessions run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by an optional, 15-minute question and answer session with the presenter. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: A PARENT'S GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING AND RESPONDING TO YOUTH DEPRESSION (March 13) In today’s landscape, youth struggle with feelings of sadness and loneliness. Join Joshua Feriante, DO, MBA, to explore this current state and how you can be a light in their lives. By participating, you will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression, acquire tools and skills to foster youth well-being at home, and discover the appropriate next steps to take if additional mental health assistance is needed.
SUPPORTING SCHOOL-LIFE BALANCE TO ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS (April 24) Day by day, adolescents strive to navigate school assignments, extracurricular activities, friendships, and occasionally, instances of bullying. This can result in them feeling overwhelmed. Join Katherine Nguyen Williams, PhD, as she provides practical guidance for parents and caregivers to assist young individuals in identifying and handling both academic and life-related stress. She will lead participants through strategies aimed at fostering a healthy balance between school and life, both in the present and for the future.
WHEN ANXIETY ATTACKS: HOW YOU CAN HELP (May 15) While anxiety and stress are common aspects of life, they can sometimes become overwhelming or debilitating. Discover tips and tools from Tammy Maginot, PhD, to effectively manage and reduce anxiety at home, both for yourself and the youth you care about.
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)