Cougar Connection
January 15 , 2024
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Diegueño Families,
According to Common Sense Media, tweens spend an average of six hours a day watching TV or playing video games. Starting this past week, Diegueño has established our campus as a video game free zone. During nutrition break and lunchtime, any students needing to have their Chromebooks out to work on homework are being redirected to the Learning Commons. Within the Learning Commons, we have several tables that are designated for homework only. Everywhere else in the space is to be used to visit with friends, read a book, work a puzzle, or play a board or card game. We know this is a good move, but some of our students are struggling with the transition.
In case you are facing similar challenges at home, here are some suggestions from Common Sense Media:
Set time limits. Agree on weekly screen-time amounts that work for your family. Consider creating a device contract (for yourself and your kid!) to keep everyone honest.
Role-model good digital habits. Parent role-modeling shows kids the behavior and values you want in your home.
Carve out media-free zones. Make certain areas off-limits to media and devices. Learn more about creating media-free zones.
Strive for balance. You might have days of heavier media use, such as when your kid is home sick from school. Other days will be lighter. Aim for a balance of activities throughout the week.
Here are some additional resources from Common Sense Media:
Many thanks to our Learning Commons Tech, Heidi Bridges, for creating a safe space for all students in the Learning Commons. We're also grateful Ms. Karney, Ms. Scherba, Ms. Nguyen and Ms. Lewis for helping out this week.
Kindly,
Celeste Barnette, Ed.D.
Principal
(760) 944-1892 x6683
PTSA HAPPENINGS
PTSA Executive Board Elections
It's time to consider next year's PTSA board. Every position is up for re-election. Nominated candidates are chosen by a committee. All members eligible to vote on board Slate. Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings. Positions are:
President
Treasurer
Financial Secretary
Secretary
VP Fundraising
VP Membership
VP Communications
VP Events - Hospitality
Historian
Parliamentarian (appointed)
We are also in need of an auditor (appointed, not Board member) for our 2023 End of Year Audit and 2024. Please email stacilaw@gmail.com if you're interested.
SAVE THE DATE - PTSA Adults Night Out on April 20
Diegueno PTSA’s Inaugural Adults Night Out is coming on April 20th! Live 90s music, drinks & food. Be on the lookout in future newsletters for ticket sales.
Donations Are Still Welcome
Thank you to all the families who joined our PTSA in the first half of the year. Your donations made it possible to fund 100% of our teacher’s mini grant requests - these are purchases that directly affect YOUR child’s education in the classroom.
Did you know you can join PTSA, or make additional donations, any time of the year? Just visit DieguenoPTSA.org to join or donate.
We have several projects in the works but we remain the most excited about The Best Room Ever and our permanent outdoor games. Stay tuned for updates!
Thank you for all you’ve made possible for every student at DNO.
Staci Valdez,
PTSA President
COUNSELING CORNER
Mental Health Webinar Series
Rady Children's Hospital and the San Diego County Office of Education are offering a free youth mental health webinar series for parents and caregivers. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
January 24 - Social Media's Impact on Youth Mental Health
February 7 - Mental Health 101: Everything Parents Need to Know to Support Youth at Home
March 13 - From Darkness to Light: A Parent's Guide to Recognizing and Responding to Youth Depression
April 24 - Cultivating School-Life Balance to Support Academic Success
May 15 - When Anxiety Attacks: How You Can Help
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year,
people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question,
persuade and refer someone to help.
In this free training you will learn to:
- Recognize warning signs of suicide
- Know how to offer hope
- Know how to get help and save a life
Operation School Bell
The Assistance League of Rancho San Dieguito has a program called Operation School Bell. The goal is to help children thrive and succeed in school by providing new school clothing for those that might have need. This year they are providing students in need with a Target gift card to purchase new school clothing.
Please email your counselor if you know of a student who could benefit from this opportunity.
As always, the counseling office is here to help you!
Sarah Wilhelms (Last names A - G)
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays
Laura Martin (Last names H - Z)
laura.martin@sduhsd.net Counselor H-Z
Mondays - Fridays
Carlos Fletes (Student Support Facilitator)
Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
NEW NEWS
ELAC Meeting on January 23 at Oak Crest MS
6:00 - Focus on ELPAC and CAASPP testing
6:45 - Information for 8th grade families about high school selection
Translation, snacks and childcare will be provided.
6:00 - La atención se centrará en las pruebas ELPAC y CAASPP
6:45 - Selección de escuela secundaria/información de inscripción
Traducción, refrigerios y cuidado de niños
Diegueño Night at the Opera!
50 Diegueño students will be able to see Pucinni’s opera, Madama Butterfly, for free on Wednesday, April 24 at the San Diego Civic Theater.
Student Night at the Opera provides students access to the final dress rehearsal of a main stage production with live music provided by the San Diego Symphony. This is a special event that brings history, language arts, theater arts, music, and visual arts learning to life. It will be an exciting cultural enrichment activity that your student will not forget!
For more information, see Ms. Collins in room F3 or download the flyer below.
UPCOMING DATES
- Monday, Jan. 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no school)
- Tuesday, Jan. 16 - SDUHSD Special Ed Presentation - Earl Warren 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Jan. 22 - 26 - Kindness Week/Spirit Week
- Monday, Jan. 22 - Dress Up Theme - Wear Sports Attire/Jersey Day
- Tuesday, Jan. 23 - Dress Up Theme - Backwards Day
- Tuesday, Jan. 23 - ELAC North End Collaborative meeting - Oak Crest 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 24 - Dress Up Theme - Twin Day
- Thursday, Jan 25. - Dress Up Theme - Jerseys, Jeans or Jordan's
- Friday, Jan. 26 - Dress Up Theme - PJ Day
- Monday, Jan. 29 - Late Start - Tardy Bell Rings at 9:45 a.m.
REMINDERS
Buy Your 8th Grader's Yearbook Ad NOW
8th grade parents - It's time to order your recognition ad in this year's yearbook for your promoting 8th grade student. Recognition ads are only $40. Orders must be placed by Feb. 1st.
Attendance Office Reminders
A friendly reminder that you must make arrangements, in advance, for all off-campus passes. To request an off-campus pass for medical appointments or for going out of town, you must call or email at least 48 hours in advance and include:
- Your student's first and last name
- Time and date for the pass
If you are picking up during nutrition break or lunch time, please remind your student to meet you in the attendance office for check-out. Your student is responsible to picking up their off-campus pass in the attendance office before school on the day of pick up.
Email: DGAttendance@sduhsd.net
Phone: (760) 944-1892 x6607
DISTRICT & COMMUNITY NEWS
TPHS Fentanyl Awareness Education Event
Thursday, January 18 @ 6:00 pm
Torrey Pines High School
Performing Arts Center
The fentanyl crisis is a global epidemic with devastating consequences at the local level. Please join us for this powerful, important presentation as Rocky Herron and Laura Brinker-White share
their experiences and insights around this growing crisis. The event is open to the public and will include free training and distribution of Naloxone, the opioid-reversal medication.
Rocky Herron is a DEA agent with over 28 years experience. He has presented to schools since 2007 and has spoken to hundreds of thousands of young people all over the world
Laura Brinker-White lost her son to fentanyl poisoning in May of 2021 at the age of 17. Laura will share Connor’s story and what you need to know about Fentanyl to keep your child and our community safe from this deadly drug.
LCC & SDA High School Information Nights
If you are starting to think about the best high school for your 8th grader, we strongly encourage you to attend each school's Information Night. Check each school's website and social media platforms for frequent updates.
Thursday, January 25 - La Costa Canyon Info Night (5:30)
Wednesday, January 31 - San Dieguito Academy Info Night (5:30)
High School Campus Tours
La Costa Canyon (LCC) campus tour dates
San Dieguito Academy (SDA) campus tour dates
Canyon Crest Academy (CCA) campus tour dates
Torrey Pines (TP) campus tour dates
Aprende inglés GRATIS
MiraCosta College ofrece clases GRATUITAS de inglés como segundo idioma en Oak Crest Middle School y Carmel Valley Middle School. Regístrese para clases en línea en surf.miracosta.edu o en persona en el Centro de Aprendizaje Comunitario de MiraCosta College. Para obtener más información, llame al 760.795.8736 o envíe un correo electrónico a adulted@miracosta.edu.
MiraCosta College is offering FREE English as a Second Language classes at Oak Crest Middle School & Carmel Valley Middle School. Register for classes online at surf.miracosta.edu or in person at the MiraCosta College Community Learning Center. For more information, call 760.795.8736 or email adulted@miracosta.edu.
CCA Girls in STEM Winter 2024 Outreach
The Girls in STEM program is entirely student-run. Our group of student mentors have created a lecture series on programming in Java. We will cover the basics of Java programming through four sessions, each being an hour long. This course will run from January 15 to February 5. Meetings will be held through Google Meet on Mondays from 4:30-5:30. If a student is unable to attend a lecture, a recorded version of the lecture will be sent.
All genders are welcomed! Girls are highly encouraged! We would love everyone to join our lecture series program, but we market the program as “Girls in STEM” as per our club mission. Sign up by completing this Google Survey.
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)