August 13, 2023
Nutrition is one of the most important – and sometimes overlooked – factors for academic success. In EUSD, access to healthy and delicious meals is a priority every day.
Breakfast and lunch are provided to all students at no cost. Meal applications are no longer needed, and there is no income eligibility requirement. Every single EUSD student is encouraged to enjoy a nutritious meal on campus!
Our Nutrition Services team leads the district in supporting our commitment to nutrition and a healthy lifestyle for our students and families. “Our universal meals program means that students are getting the nourishment they need to power their minds and bodies for learning,” Nutrition Services Director Anna Scimone says.
The EUSD nutrition team has long embraced scratch cooking – preparing a large portion of meals using fresh, unprocessed, raw ingredients – whenever possible based on staff and kitchen space. Now, additional state funding will support the further growth of scratch cooking in EUSD. This school year, students among the new or revised from-scratch menu items students can look forward to are fresh bolognese sauce for pasta, chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese, chilaquiles, and breakfast bowls. As always, EUSD meals include fresh fruit, as well as a salad bar at lunchtime.
“Good nutrition has a positive impact on our students in countless ways,” Scimone says. “Our meals are made with care, and we hope it gives our students kids another reason to look forward to school every day.”
The first day of school is Tuesday, August 15. For all school site start and dismissal times, check our districtwide bell schedule here. Please allow for extra travel time, as the first week of school traffic is always heavy. Thank you for your support in ensuring a successful start to the new school year!
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Class lists: Teacher and classroom assignments will be posted in Rooms, the classroom communication system accessed through the EUSD mobile app. For students enrolled in elementary schools, Quantum Academy, and Limitless Learning Academy, assignments were posted the evening of August 11. For students enrolled in middle schools, assignments will be available the evening of August 14. For complete details about the EUSD app and Rooms, please visit our new Stay Connected in EUSD webpage.
Share your smile: We are so excited to see our students for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 15. Share your smiles with us using our EUSD first day of school signs! Follow the link to find the first day sign for your child’s grade. Tag us on Facebook at @EscondidoUSD and on Instagram at @eusd_learns, or share them with us by emailing communications@eusd.org. #EUSDbacktoschool #ChooseEUSD #EUSDshareyoursmile
Student registration: If you have not yet registered your returning student, now is the time to complete the required registration of all students returning to EUSD for the 2023-2024 school year. You can complete your child's registration by clicking the following link: Returning Student Registration. The Returning Student Registration takes just minutes to complete online. Timely submission of registration for the 2023-2024 school year will help ensure proper placement of your child, prevent delays in receiving your child's class schedule, assist staff in determining your child’s eligibility for assistance program benefits, and confirm that necessary emergency contact information is up to date. Our school offices are now open to the public, with our staff members available to answer any questions. If you have a child who is new to EUSD, please visit our New Student Enrollment webpage for information and click the Enroll Here button to complete the process. In addition, EUSD State Preschool is now accepting online applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Please visit the Preschool website for information on eligibility and an application.
Absence notifications: In order to create a more uniform notification process for attendance, families of students in TK through 8th grade will receive automated phone calls at 10:15 a.m. on days when their student is absent from school.
School supplies: The district provides all school supplies that are needed for every student to succeed in school. This includes a district-issued iPad for all students in all grade levels. You may receive a “wish list” for your child’s classroom; however, these are simply requests and not mandatory for you to provide. At home, it’s recommended that children have access to a quiet place to do homework. Should you need any supplies for home – such as pencils, a notebook, or crayons – please let your child’s teacher know or contact your school’s family liaison or school social worker.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools