Cougar Connection
October 1, 2023
DÑO & OCMS Bands Perform at Friday Night Lights
80s Spirit Week
Message from Superintendent Dr. Anne Staffieri
San Dieguito Union High School District Students, Families, and Community,
Within SDUHSD, we are united in our purpose to provide high-quality education for every student to demonstrate academic growth and optimize student potential. In the spirit of continuous improvement, we invite you as an educational partner to complete the following *survey. Your collective feedback will inform our process as we examine a revision to the district's mission, vision, and long-term strategic plan. To access the survey, scan the QR code or click on the link below:
SDUHSD Educational Partners Survey Link
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in support of student success.
Sincerely,
Dr. Anne Staffieri
Superintendent
*This survey was designed and translated using Qualtrics and the embedded translation support tools.
PTSA Updates
(Adults Only) Poker Night Fundraiser
Please join us for an evening of fun benefitting the students & teachers of Diegueno Middle School! Our PTSA is hosting a Poker Tournament on November 11th to raise funds to support our students with fun projects like:
- Permanent Outdoor Games
- More Shade Umbrellas
- A Student Lounge in the Counseling Center
Players & Non-Players are welcome! Register Now!
Volunteers needed
Do you want to volunteer for campus events? If you’re interested in volunteering and are not already on the volunteer email list, please contact PTSA President, Staci Valdez: stacilaw@gmail.com. There’s lots of fun activities coming up including the Back to School Celebration/Dance, Fall Family Night, Red Ribbon Week, and Poker Night.
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.
Dual Language Immersion Parent Meeting
October 5 @ 6:00 PM
Join us for Diegueño's Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Fall Meeting on Thursday, October, 5 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in our Learning Commons.
Be Kind to Your Mind. Be Drug Free.
Red Ribbon Week
We're looking forward to Red Ribbon Week (October 9 - 13) when our students and families will learn about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and about healthy alternatives. Our PTSA and student leadership team have developed an extensive week of activities.
Supporting Your Children in Managing Anxiety This School Year
My Voice Counts Series: Supporting Your Children in Managing Anxiety This School Year
Join the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) as we provide a virtual space for parents and community members to learn strategies to support their children with anxiety. Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health disorder among children and adolescents, affecting 1 in 4 youth over their lifetime. It is important for parents/caregivers to know how to support their children and teens in managing anxiety. The first session of the five-part series is scheduled for Thursday, October 5th at 5:30 p.m. Please see flyer English/Spanish for registration and workshop information.
Spanish Translation/Interpretation is available. Please be sure to specify the language needed when completing the registration form.
Purpose:
This one-hour webinar will unpack the complexities of anxiety and offer coping strategies, tools, and resources to support your children/teens who might be feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious.
Presenter: Heather Nemour, Coordinator-Student Wellness & School. Click HERE to register.
If you have any questions, please contact LaShae Sharp-Collins at (858) 295-8773 or LaShae.Collins@sdcoe.net.
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, October 4 - National Walk & Roll to School Day
- Wednesday, October 4 - Back to School Celebration/Dance!! 3:15 - 5:15 PM
- Thursday, October 5 - Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Fall Meeting 6:00 PM
- Monday - Friday, October 9 - 13 - Red Ribbon Week
- Friday, October 13 - Reflections Arts Program entries are due
- Tuesday, October, 17 - English Learner Advisory Committee Meeting (6:00 PM in Learning Commons)
- Monday, October 23 - Late Start 9:45 start time
- Friday, October 27 - PTSA General meeting 8:30 in Learning Commons
- Friday, October 27 - Bagels w/Dr. Barnette 9:00 in Learning Commons
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. Submit your application even if you haven't met the safety class requirement yet.
We will affix a bike tag to your bike (beginning on Sept. 25).
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
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.
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.
Sorry! We Can't Accept Food Deliveries
Please understand the challenge it presents when parents drop off fast food or 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. Fast food dropped of by parents will be held until the end of the school day and meals from delivery services will be refused.
Our strong preference is that students bring a meal with them from home or choose from our menu of free breakfast and lunch offerings (October menus)
Thank you for your cooperation.
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.
How to Order Your Yearbook
Don't wait. Place your yearbook order now! Click HERE to order online.
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
Be A Crossing Guard
Help protect Diegueño bike riders and pedestrians!
All City Management Services is actively recruiting crossing guards in the Encinitas/San Dieguito area. You'll only work 2 hours per day (one hour in the morning and one in the afternoon), but you'll be paid for FOUR hours (including bonus) at $18/hour, for up to $72 per day! If you'd like to join our Team in "Keeping Kids Safe," contact:
All City Management Services
Jim Liuzzi
714-234-1690
Community News
Want to Visit Spain? Summer 2024
If you want to visit Spain in the Summer 2024, visit the webpage or go to the sign up link!
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.
SDCOE Computer2Kids Event
The San Diego County Office of Education and Computers2Kids are hosting an event for families to purchase affordable computers on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at San Marcos Elementary School 1 Tiger Way, San Marcos CA 92069 (Drive Thru Event). Click on this link for details.
Stay 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)