Cougar Connection
September 4, 2023
From Principal Celeste Barnette
Dear Diegueño Families,
Thank you to the hundreds of families who attended Back to School Night. The evening was the highlight of an action-packed Welcome Week which was hosted by our ASB/Leadership students under the direction of Dr. Kelly Casassa. I've included a few pictures in this newsletter but you'll want to follow us on Instagram (@DieguenoMS) to see all the fun in real time.
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
PTSA Updates
Last call to join - Thank you for all who have joined our PTSA! We're up to 36% participation rate, but we still need YOU! This is our last call for our fall membership drive. You can drop your payment off in the Diegueño office or you can donate online. Let's give our students a year full of connection and joy that they'll never forget!!
Gift cards needed - Do you have a friend who owns a local business that might offer a generously sized gift card to include in our Membership Incentives Raffles? Would you like to donate one? Or maybe you have one sitting in a drawer that you'll never use? We are looking for local, family-friendly gift cards to raffle off as a thank you to families who joined PTSA. If you have a lead on something, please contact Stephanie Munoz, VP of Membership: smunoz27@gmail.com.
Spirit wear - We've extended our spirit wear fall flash sale through Tuesday, September 5.
PTSA Reflections Art Program
Does your middle schooler enjoy art, music and, dance or have an interest in writing, producing films, or taking photos? Then encourage them to unleash their inner artist with PTA Reflections!
This year's theme is "I am Hopeful Because…".
All students are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:
● Dance Choreography
● Literature
● Photography
● Film Production
● Music Composition
● Visual Art
Click HERE for submission guidelines and entry forms (Spanish) or have your student stop by the office to pick one up. Submissions are due to the Reflections box in the Diegueño office by Friday, October 13, 2023. For more information please contact Stephanie Turl at stephanie.turl@gmail.com.
How to Get a Bike Tag
Submit bike permit application (including parent/guardian signature) to the assistant principal’s office. Students must submit a new application every year.
We will affix a bike tag to your bike.
Provide proof of having attended a bike safety training. Some options include:
Enforcement will begin on October 2. Click HERE for additional information.
Questions? mallory.reeves@sduhsd.net
Carlsbad Bike Safety Class - September 9
Whether you are driving, biking, or walking, we all have a role to play in traffic safety. Here are some top safety tips that the City of Carlsbad would like to share with you and your students:
- Make sure to allow extra time to get where you need to go.
- Eliminate distractions and put your phone away.
- Look both ways (and then look again!) before crossing the street.
- Slow down and watch your speed when driving or riding a bike/e-bike.
- Look out for and yield to pedestrians.
- Bicyclists and e-bike riders must follow the same rules of the road as people driving. Join the Carlsbad Police Department for the September 9th safety class to help middle and high school students learn the rules of the road.
Get more tips at carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets.
Multilingual Learner Night & Community Listening Session
Noche de aprendizaje multilingüe de SDUHSD - miércoles 13 de septiembre en SDA. Escanee el código QR a continuación para registrarse. Preguntas frecuentes sobre recursos y programa para estudiantes de idiomas multilingües Diegueño para familias.
SDUHSD Multilingual Learner Night - Wednesday, September 13 @ SDA. Scan the QR code below to register. Diegueño Multilingual Language Learner Program and Resources FAQ for families.
English Learner Parent Advisory Committee (ELAC) Meeting
Únase a nosotros en nuestra reunión de ELAC (Comité Asesor de Padres de Estudiantes de Inglés) el martes 26 de septiembre en Diegueño Learning Commons de 6:00 a 7:30 p.m.
Please join us at our ELAC Meeting (English Learner Parent Advisory Committee) on Tuesday, September 26 in the Diegueño Learning Commons from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Counselors' Corner
We loved getting to meet so many of you in person at Diegueño's Back to School Night! As we kick off the academic school year, we want parents to know how to best monitor and support your student in their middle school classes. Middle school is the time to let go and allow your child to navigate their classes, while ALSO closely monitoring and offering support.
Aeries: Make sure you have a parent portal on Aeries. You can access your student's classes, attendance and grades. Here is the LINK.
Google Classroom (Student): The most up-to-date information on missing assignments, completed assignments, and current grades is your student’s Google Classroom. You can access this by asking your student for their login/password or on their school issued Chromebook.
- Google Classroom (Parent): Parents can also sign up to get regular email summaries that include information about class activity, upcoming assignments, and missing work. Here is the LINK.
If you are still struggling to find out your student’s status in one or more of their classes, encourage your student to talk to the teacher or email them. If additional information is needed, they parents can contact the teacher.
We are anticipating a fantastic 2023-2024 academic school year with our Diegueño students!
Please reach out if you ever have any questions or concerns. We are here to support you.
Sarah Wilhelms (Last names A - G) & Laura Martin (Last names H - Z)
Attendance Reminders
Please report all absences by sending an email to dgattendance@sduhsd.net or calling 760-944-1892 ext. 6605.
If your student needs to leave campus during school hours for any kind of appointment (medical, dental, orthodontist) or simply going out of town, you need to request an off-campus pass at least 48-hours in advance through email or phone.
- To minimize classroom interruption, please remind your student to pick their off-campus pass before school on the day of their appointment.
- If your pick-up time is during break or lunchtime, please remind your student to meet you in the attendance office for you to sign them out.
- For the safety of our students a Parent or Guardian will always need to sign-out their student at the attendance window in the administration building. Students cannot walk or ride their bikes/e-bikes off campus during the school day without a guardian signing them out first.
- Anyone picking up a student is required to show a government-issued photo ID.
Sorry! We Can't Accept Food Deliveries
Please understand the challenge it presents when parents have food delivered to their students (from Grub Hub, Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.). This tends to cause issues between students and creates more work for our front office staff. Meal deliveries will be refused. Similarly, food dropped off from fast food restaurants causes the same issues. Any such meals will be held until the end of the school day.
Our strong preference is that students bring a meal with them from home or choose from our menu of free breakfast and lunch offerings. Thank you for your cooperation.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, September 4 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
- Monday, September 11 - Late Start (9:45 tardy bell)
- Wednesday, September 13 - SDUHSD Multilingual Learner Night & Listening Circle (6:00 @ San Dieguito Academy)
- Friday, September 22 - Make-up Picture Day - Passes will be sent to students who missed the original picture day
- Tuesday, September 25 - English Learner Advisory Committee Meeting 6:00 @ Diegueño
SDUSHD Job Openings
Help us spread the word. We’re hiring an additional campus supervisor who will work M - F from 11:00 - 3:00. Starting pay is $19.37. EdJoin Application Link
Do you know a current college student who wants to earn some extra cash? Our College Readiness Tutor position is a great first part time job ($17.97/hr). EdJoin Application Link
How to Order Your Yearbook
Don't wait. Place your yearbook order now! Click HERE to order online. Price increases on September 15.
Chrome Book Insurance
Families who purchase device insurance will be able to return their device to the District and receive a replacement device at NO CHARGE. The cost for this optional Chromebook insurance will be as follows:
Families will pay $44/year, per student. The current insurance being offered will provide coverage from August 8, 2023, to August 7, 2024. Insurance for the previous school year does not carry over to the current school year.
Click here for more details about the optional Chromebook insurance.
The deadline to sign up for the optional Chromebook insurance for the 2023-24 school year is October 31, 2023.
Please note that the insurance does not cover accessories (charger/Stylus).
Download the flyer (link to the flyer: English/Spanish) and/or visit SchoolDeviceCoverage.com for more information on signing up.
Families that choose to not purchase insurance may need to replace a device that is broken, in the same manner that a damaged textbook requires replacement. Repair costs are for damages beyond normal wear and tear and are based solely on the cost of parts.
Community News
Fall Sports Tryouts
Fall sports tryouts info is available now on the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito Website. Fall sports include: flag football (boys & girls), cross country (no cut), volleyball (boys & girls), and golf.
DÑO Surf Club
Join the DÑO Surf club! Registration is now OPEN! Open spots available. Causally free surf with the club or take your surfing to the next level and compete in the Scholastic Surf Series and earn your rank! For additional information checkout our website.
Learn English for Free/Aprende inglés gratis
Families interested in learning English...classes at Oak Crest and they are free!!! Familias interesadas en aprender inglés... ¡¡¡clases en Oak Crest y son gratis!!!
Special Education information Sessions and Family Events
Did you know that SDUHSD hosts monthly parent collaboratives for families receiving special education services as well as informational sessions related to all things special education?
Please click here for more information on our informational sessions or to access the SDUHSD Special Education Family Resource Webpage.
Cal State University, San Marcos FACE Program
The CSU San Marcos Alliance is offering a Fall 2023 Family Alliance Community Exchange (FACE) program to all SDUHSD families.
What is FACE? The FACE program supports all family members to develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills to be productive and happy members of our communities. The Alliance to Accelerate Excellence in Education facilitates the FACE program through collaboration with our Service Area School Districts.
This fall 8-week, virtual program is focused on the Habits of Mind that are essential skills, such as curiosity, creativity, responsibility, and persistence, that characterize successful individuals. When families and educators create environments fostering these habits and when youth understand how to react in challenging situations, they learn how to be successful in academics, career, and life.
More Information
On Tuesdays, starting September 12, 2023, through November 7, 2023, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Provided in English and Spanish
FREE
Virtual event and tailored towards parents and adjusted for middle and high school students in attendance in a virtual environment throughout the weekly program.
The weekly virtual sessions are offered simultaneously for elementary, middle, high school students and adults, together, in English and Spanish.
To register for this event, please visit: https://csusm.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Nrt2DIVwzSZWw6
For more information please view the event flyer: English/ Spanish.
Staying Connected
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)