Cougar Connection
August 27, 2023
From Principal Celeste Barnette
Dear Diegueño Families,
Back to School Night - We can't wait to see YOU on campus and in our classrooms this Thursday for Back to School Night! Please note that this evening is for adults only.
- 5:00 Information tables in the main quad (PTSA, Boys & Girls Club, etc.)
- 5:00 Optional Title I meeting in the Learning Commons (Spanish interpretation provided)
- 5:25 Principal's welcome in the main quad
- 5:30 - 7:00 Classroom visits
Please print this Back to School Night Guide have your student fill in their class schedule, especially their classrooms, so you'll know where to go 😊
School Site Council Elections - We need one more parent or community member on DÑO’s School Site Council. SSC monitors and evaluates our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA). There are approximately 4 one-hour afterschool meetings. We need you to commit to two years, per our bi-laws. You may self nominate. Nominations will close on Monday, August 28. Nomination form
Expectation Talks - Assistant Principal Staci Ortiz and I met with all 759 students (in small groups) this past week to review behavioral expectations. Our objective was to lay the groundwork for a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school climate for all students. Here's a link to a voiceover of the presentation. You student's safety is our highest priority!
I hope to see you Thursday night.
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
How to Get a Bike Tag
Bike Tag Application Process
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
Counselors' Corner
We loved meeting all of our newest Cougars this week at our New Student Lunch. What a great group of students we have added to the Diegueno Community from other districts, cities, states, private schools, and we even have some coming all the way from Spain and Brazil! The 30 new students came to the New Student Lunch to play fun games and make connections with other new students. The kids were able to get to know the counselors, school support facilitator, our principal, and assistant principal. The students left the lunch with big smiles and more connections to their school community. If you see a new face on campus, make sure to stop and make them feel welcome.
A huge THANK YOU to the PTSA for supplying a delicious lunch and Encinitas Chick-Fil-A for the student prize cards. Your commitment to our students helps make Diegueno a place where our newest Cougars can thrive.
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)
Last Week of PTSA Membership Drive...Donate NOW
Joining the PTSA is ZERO Time Commitment yet makes a WORLD of difference for your child AND there is NO EEF request in middle school so those elementary school funds can be re-routed here to support your child's evolving educational and social-emotional needs.
We're excited to announce that when you join Diegueno's PTSA this year, you'll be included in our new PRIVATE FAMILY DIRECTORY. We heard your requests to know more about your child's new middle school friends, including their parents' names and where they live. This is a PRIVATE directory so your information is only shared with PTSA members.
Your membership includes the FREE Membership Toolkit app so you can have all the information right on your phone.
Our PTSA is committed to bringing back Academic Classroom Support in the form of teacher mini-grants, as well as a classroom supplies allotment for EVERY teacher. This includes supplemental curriculum, digital subscriptions, sports equipment, and more.
When our teachers have what they need, our students thrive!
We also host activities for students and teachers to strengthen our DÑO community!
There is a membership level for every budget and you can even make monthly payments this year! All forms of payment are accepted.
Check out the flyer (above) detailing the awesome perks we have for your kids when you join today.
If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to reach out to our new PTSA President, Staci Valdez: stacilaw@gmail.com or 323-574-4775.
THANK YOU DIEGUENO FAMILIES! We can't wait to get to know you!
Two ways to join:
Staci Valdez
PTSA President
323-574-4775
Upcoming Dates
- August 28 - 31 - Welcome Week
- Monday, August 28 - Late Start (9:45 first bell)
- Tuesday, August 29 - Spirit Day - Wear blue & gold
- Wednesday, August 30 - Spirit Day - Wear denim
- Thursday, August 31 - In-Person Back to School Night (5:00 - 7:00 PM) Adults only please
- Friday, September 1 - Spirit Day - Wear pajamas
- Monday, September 4 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
- Monday, September 11 - Late Start (9:45 first bell)
- Wednesday, September 13 - SDUHSD Multilingual Learner Night & Listening Circle (6:00 @ San Dieguito Academy)
- Friday, September 22 - Make-up Picture Day
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
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.
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?
Our first 4C Family Coffee Meet Up will be held at Pinpoint Cafe on Tuesday, August 29 from
9:30 – 11:30am.
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