Welcome to PUSD's New Superintendent
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Dr. Mel Robertson Dr. Mel Robertson, Associate Superintendent of Learning Support Services, is the 2017 Central Office Administrator of the Year for the Association of California School Administrators Region 18. Winners were selected based on their achievements and dedication to students and public education. The award will be presented at the annual “Honoring Our Own” dinner on April 28, 2017. | Kathleen PorterKathleen Porter, Executive Director of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, is the 2017 Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year for the Association of California School Administrators Region 18. Winners were selected based on their achievements and dedication to students and public education. The award will be presented at the annual “Honoring Our Own” dinner on April 28, 2017. | Tina McDowell Tina McDowell, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, is the 2017 Confidential Staff Member of the Year for the San Diego County School Board Association. She was selected for her exemplary performance while keeping the District vision and mission in mind and in focus at all times. The award will be presented at the annual “Honoring Our Own” dinner on April 28, 2017. |
Dr. Mel Robertson
Kathleen Porter
Kathleen Porter, Executive Director of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, is the 2017 Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year for the Association of California School Administrators Region 18. Winners were selected based on their achievements and dedication to students and public education. The award will be presented at the annual “Honoring Our Own” dinner on April 28, 2017.
Tina McDowell
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Seven SealsMorning Creek Principal Rhonda Taylor received the prestigious Seven Seals award from the group Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The award is presented to an individual or organization that promotes and supports the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve. Rhonda started Military Appreciation Day at her school as well as support groups and tutoring programs for military families. | Foreign Language DaySan Diego Councilman Mark Kersey issued a proclamation to Adobe Bluffs Elementary School proclaiming February 2nd, 2017, as "Foreign Language and Culture Day." The proclamation recognized the school as being a "shining example of excellent linguistic and cultural education in our schools" and commended students for already demonstrating knowledge of Mandarin language and Chinese culture. | Young Art ExhibitThe following Westview High students' pieces were selected for the San Diego Museum of Art's Young Art exhibition: Alyssa Chavez, Eva Druhle-Navarro, Taylor Santos, Kaitlyn Stovall, Michelle Tweedy, Nicole Smith, Breanna Tang, Lindsay Bernas, Sarah Henwood, Anh Huynh, Camryn Melendez, Eric Pak, Cindy Qiao, Anastasia Schas, Karina Spinnazzola, Catherine Zhao, Joy Zouwhich. Young Art 2017: Beyond the Ordinary, invites students to create their own unique interpretation of the classic still life. The exhibit runs from April 15, 2017 - May 28, 2017. |
Seven Seals
Morning Creek Principal Rhonda Taylor received the prestigious Seven Seals award from the group Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The award is presented to an individual or organization that promotes and supports the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve. Rhonda started Military Appreciation Day at her school as well as support groups and tutoring programs for military families.
Foreign Language Day
San Diego Councilman Mark Kersey issued a proclamation to Adobe Bluffs Elementary School proclaiming February 2nd, 2017, as "Foreign Language and Culture Day." The proclamation recognized the school as being a "shining example of excellent linguistic and cultural education in our schools" and commended students for already demonstrating knowledge of Mandarin language and Chinese culture.
Young Art Exhibit
The following Westview High students' pieces were selected for the San Diego Museum of Art's Young Art exhibition: Alyssa Chavez, Eva Druhle-Navarro, Taylor Santos, Kaitlyn Stovall, Michelle Tweedy, Nicole Smith, Breanna Tang, Lindsay Bernas, Sarah Henwood, Anh Huynh, Camryn Melendez, Eric Pak, Cindy Qiao, Anastasia Schas, Karina Spinnazzola, Catherine Zhao, Joy Zouwhich. Young Art 2017: Beyond the Ordinary, invites students to create their own unique interpretation of the classic still life. The exhibit runs from April 15, 2017 - May 28, 2017.
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CIF Champs: Boys Wrestling Poway High's Boys Wrestling Team are San Diego Section Champs for Division II. The team will also be sending 12 wrestlers to the State Championships on March 3-4 in Bakersfield. | F.A.C.E. F.A.C.E. (Fraternity of Academic and Civic Excellence) is a recognition program for the top 30 Senior GPA’s from the Poway Unified School District Class of 2017. These students have demonstrated a continued commitment to their grades, school and community. For a complete list of honorees and their photos go here. | CIF Champs: Girls Wrestling Westview High Girls Wrestling won the team title of San Diego Section Champs for Division I at the sixth annual official section championship tournament at Clairemont High School. |
CIF Champs: Boys Wrestling
F.A.C.E.
CIF Champs: Girls Wrestling
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CIF Champs: Girls Water PoloThe DNHS Girls' Water Polo team won the Division II CIF Title defeating West Hills HS 12-5! This was the first title in school history for the program. Read more about the big victory here. | Science Olympiad
Five PUSD middle schools placed in the top ten at the San Diego Regional Science Olympiad Competition. Events ranged from earth science to engineering: #2 Oak Valley Middle #3 Black Mountain Middle #3 Mesa Verde Middle #6 Meadowbrook Middle #9 Design 39 | Poway FFA Senior Kate Golden won the Southern Region FFA for her work in Viticulture and 2016 graduate Allyson Kusuda won for her Proficiency in Ag Sales. Both will now move to the State level. For the San Diego Section Public Speaking Finals, Maddie Graydon placed 1st and Jordyn Callahan placed 2nd in Creed Recitation. Kate Golden won 1st in the Extemporaneous competition. Kate, Maddie, and Jordyn will now move on to the region finals in Pomona next month. |
CIF Champs: Girls Water Polo
The DNHS Girls' Water Polo team won the Division II CIF Title defeating West Hills HS 12-5! This was the first title in school history for the program. Read more about the big victory here.
Science Olympiad
Five PUSD middle schools placed in the top ten at the San Diego Regional Science Olympiad Competition. Events ranged from earth science to engineering:
#2 Oak Valley Middle
#3 Black Mountain Middle
#3 Mesa Verde Middle
#6 Meadowbrook Middle
#9 Design 39
Poway FFA
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Eagle Scout Rancho Bernardo senior Benjamin Burdette helped the Helen Woodward Animal Center during his journey to become an Eagle Scout, the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouts. He designed, planned, fundraised and supervised construction of a barn playhouse structure for the animal center in Rancho Santa Fe. He says becoming an Eagle Scout is “a life accomplishment.” Read more about Benjamin's project here. | Battle of the Fans Mt. Carmel's Red Sea won KUSI's "Battle of the Fans" contest. Their enthusiastic display of school spirit garnered the most social media votes. ASB leaders were then invited to the KUSI studio to talk about their school and why it's great to be a Sundevil. | Teacher of the Year On February 13th Del Norte's Megan Gross was honored at the California Department of Education as State Teacher of the Year. Next week, Megan will interview in Washington D.C. for the opportunity to be recognized as National Teacher of the Year. She is currently one of four finalists. |
Eagle Scout
Battle of the Fans
Teacher of the Year
Northrop Grumman Internship
The following 35 high school seniors were selected as interns in Northrop Grumman’s High School Involvement Internship Program. The 8-week program gives aspiring engineers the chance to experience hands-on, on-the-job experiences in STEM careers and provides internship credit.
Del Norte High School
Roman Cresto, Aimee Han, Seth Kim, Bailey Stone
Mt. Carmel High School
Lili Chen, Brandon Cheu, Owen Cruise, Giselle Dougan, Joshua Jacobson, Kelsey McDonough, Chase Seiter, Brett Vollrath, Bryan Yang
Poway High School
Vibha Deshiikan, Joshua Gillespie, David May
Rancho Bernardo High School
Shayne Hunt, Ryan Pisuena, Saeed Zoss
Westview High School
Natalie Aguinaldo, Joe Dangelewicz, Lisa Hsu, David Mao, Prateek Narayanan, Brandon Nguyen, Jordan Ramos, Vivian Reyes, Itzel Salgado, Diana Tereshenko, Amanda Spidell, Catherine Sun, Breanna Tang, Irene Wang, Brandon Wong, Kevin Zhang
ALISON THOMPSON, Library Media Technician & RUSS THOMPSON, Special Education Instructional Assistant II
How long have you been married?
We're celebrating our 30th anniversary in May 2017.
How long have you been with the District?
Alison 8.5 years, Russ 3.5 years.
What brought the two of you to work for Poway Unified?
Alison - After returning to San Diego for our final Navy move I decided to seek employment in the District where I had volunteered for years during our previous time here. I had volunteered in the library at SRES where my friend, Christa McIntosh, was the LMT. Upon our return to the area she encouraged me to apply for an opening at another elementary school. My education background and my previous experience in working in libraries and as a preschool teacher, along with the passion I found I had in supporting literacy in a school library, helped me decide to apply for the position of Library Media Technician at Pomerado Elementary. The students and staff at Pomerado have become my second family and I can't imagine a more fulfilling position. I'm truly blessed to have found my dream job here.
Russ - As I was retiring from the US Navy, I still had a strong desire to serve. I've always been a passionate proponent of public education. As I was looking at my post-Navy opportunities, my darling bride encouraged me to consider employment with PUSD. She knew better than I how strongly I would feel about working with the students of our District. I was lucky enough to be offered a job working with Megan Gross, the current California Teacher of the Year as a part of her team working with students who are on the Autism spectrum. I find the work exceptionally meaningful and feel fortunate to work with such a great team, both in my class and in our school.
What are the benefits of working for the same organization?
The greatest benefit is having the same schedule. After over 26 years of Navy life, spending almost 10 of those years apart due to deployments and exercises, we are thrilled to finally have the same working schedules. We also find great joy in discussing our jobs with each other knowing we're both working toward a common goal of improving the lives of our students.
Do you have children who attended or are attending PUSD?
Yes we have four PUSD graduates: Andy a 2005 MCHS Grad - Currently works for Uber Technologies in SF. Sean a 2007 MCHS Grad - Currently works for UNICEF in Oslo, Norway. Katie a 2010 MCHS Grad - Currently works for LAUSD as a classroom teacher. Patrick a 2014 DNHS Grad - currently a Junior at Berkeley studying in Berlin this semester.
Other than work what do you enjoy doing together as a couple?
We enjoy doing everything together; especially cooking, traveling, and spending time with our children, their partners, and our newest pride and joy..and grandson, Emil. 
Greg Strachan, Teacher & Jennifer Strachan, Teacher
How long have you been married?
10 years
How long have you been with the District?
Greg 24 years and Jen 20 years. We both started working for PUSD through ESS a few years prior to becoming teachers.
Do you have children who attended or are attending PUSD?
Yes we do. We have two boys: Brady just turned 9 and Cooper just turned 7. They both attend Turtleback Elementary.
What brought the two of you to work for the District?
Jen's dad taught in the district and she grew up in Poway. She attended Valley, Twin Peaks, and Poway High. Greg's family moved to San Diego when he was in 7th grade. He attended Black Mountain and Mt. Carmel. This is the only district either of us have known as students, teachers, and now parents.
What are the benefits of working for the same organization?
Professionally, it's good to be involved in the same type of work, know the same people, and be able to have someone to bounce ideas off of. Personally, having similar schedules is definitely a luxury both during the school year and certainly during district breaks and holidays.
Do you feel that having work in common has brought you closer together?
It has in the sense that we are able to easily understand what one another experiences during the school day both positively or negatively. We both know what the terms "good day" and "bad day" mean in education. You really need to be a teacher to truly understand the profession.
Do you “talk shop” at home”?
When necessary. We don't look to avoid the topic. It is no different than spouses being involved in different professions. However, it helps to have someone else who know the challenges of the work and can celebrate your successes and relate/offer advice to the obstacles involved with teaching 8th grade students.
Family, friends, relaxing. Our schedule always seems to revolve around Brady and Cooper's sports, but we also enjoy finding time for going to good dinners and relaxing with family and friends.
Dancing on the Ellen Show
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Story Time & Doughnuts These first graders at Rolling Hills Elementary enjoyed story time and doughnuts with Interim Superintendent Dr. Apostle. They wrote a letter to thank him for leading the District. His last day was February 17th. | Civil Rights Speaker In honor of Black History Month, civil rights pioneer Neal Arthur spoke to Meadowbrook Middle School students about his experience marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma. | Addams Family The Mt. Carmel High School Drama Club presented the Addams Family February 9-11 and 16-18. As you can see, the costumes and casting were spot on! |
Story Time & Doughnuts
Civil Rights Speaker
Addams Family
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Bye Bye Birdie The Del Norte High School Theatre Department presented "Bye Bye Birdie" February 2-3 and 10-11 at the DNHS Performing Arts Center. It tells the story of a rock and roll singer who is about to go into the army. | Human Sundae Los Peñasquitos Elementary Principal Deanne McLaughlin was turned into a Human Sundae after students met the challenge to raise money to go toward the No Excuses University Scholarship, which is given every year to a former Los Pen student who is headed off to college. | Cooking Shows Design 39 students in the Cooking Pathway worked in groups on 1) revising protoptype, 2) final peer edits, 3) editing show 4) filming show! |
Bye Bye Birdie
Human Sundae
Cooking Shows
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Reading Buddies Morning Read at Park Village Elementary School has 4th graders working with 1st graders to mentor their younger peers. | Band Antics Mesa Verde Middle School band members got silly on photo day. | Orientation Nearly 60 Oak Valley Middle School AVID students attended high school orientation and learned about becoming future Nighthawks. |
Reading Buddies
Band Antics
Orientation
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Walk Through CA Westwood Elementary School experienced "A Walk Through California," a presentation designed to allow fourth grade students to actively participate in a lively retelling of California’s rich history. | Yoga for P.E. X-Ploration P.E. teachers improvised on rainy days, bringing Cosmic Kids Yoga to these kindergarteners. | Women Engineers Business Partner General Atomics hosted Mt. Carmel students for Women in Engineering Day. |
Walk Through CA
Yoga for P.E.
Women Engineers
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Seussical Jr. Bernardo Heights Middle School Muscial Theater Club put on the production Seussical Junior. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters were brought to life onstage. | AVID College Tours PUSD alumni attending Cal State Fullerton and Chapman University hosted AVID students from Poway High School. | Peer Leaders Great job to Oak Valley Middle School Peer Leaders on hosting a student forum teaching 6th graders about stereotypes and how to see past them. |
Seussical Jr.
AVID College Tours
Peer Leaders
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80's Dress Up Day Westview High School's ASB hosted dress up days ahead of Winter Formal, including "Decades Day" where the juniors donned 80's gear. | Counseling Week Counselors from across the District celebrated National School Counseling Week to raise awareness of the important role school counselors play in student success. | Summer Jobs Connect2Careers SD trainer Tary Ells explored summer job opportunities with students at Abraxas High School. |
80's Dress Up Day
Counseling Week
Summer Jobs
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Weather Visit 10 News Meteorologist Megan Parry visited her alma mater, Painted Rock Elementary, to discuss the recent storms and their effect on California's drought. | Reenacting Ellis Island 2nd graders at Stone Ranch Elementary experienced a reenactment of Ellis Island, put on by teachers and parent volunteers. Amazing and authentic learning about early immigration to the U.S. | Lunar New Year Del Sur Elementary's Friday Flag was filled with Lunar New Year celebration. The Three Treasures Kungfu and Lion Dancers got the whole crowd involved in the fun. |
Weather Visit
Reenacting Ellis Island
Lunar New Year
Last Call for LCAP Surveys
Community College Night
Preschool & TK Registration
All completed forms are automatically sent directly to the Preschool Administration Office. A lottery process may be required if the requests for a class exceeds openings in the class. Parents will be notified starting the week of March 13th about class placements or wait list status. Children must be 3 before September 1, 2017 to enroll in preschool.
THE TK INTEREST WAIT LIST BEGINS MARCH 1st for the 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR. Parents of children with a fifth birthday between June 1st and September 1st, 2017 who wish to enroll their child into a TK class, MUST place their name on a District Interest Wait List. Select "TK Interest Wait List" link on this page to complete and submit the required form to put your child’s name on the list. KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION BEGINS IN MAY.
Finish Chelsea's Run
Poway Unified School District