January 21, 2024
In EUSD, every student is an Effective Communicator! Our students learn how to clearly express ideas, as well as how to listen effectively. They communicate with purpose, while also welcoming input and ideas from peers and teachers.
One of the most impactful demonstrations of effective communication is seen in the interactions between student and teacher when they talk about personal learning goals. On a recent visit to Bear Valley Middle School, teachers engaged with their students one-on-one to review their progress, whether it was for daily classwork or the personalized i-Ready assessments that are given three times a year.
Teacher Casey Vogel’s STEM students close out the class period by updating their weekly “Project Log,” which includes daily and weekly goals. “They need to explain how they spent their time, and assess what was accomplished,” Vogel said. “Before they leave class, a peer reviews it and may suggest some clarifications. At the end of the week, they assess their goals.”
These project logs facilitate effective communication between student and teacher, and more: Documenting one’s work motivates all types of students, such as reluctant learners who find purpose with goal-setting or students who need to grow their time management skills.
English Language Arts teacher Stephanie Backowski created a goal sheet a few years ago to use with her 8th-graders as they take their i-Ready assessments throughout the school year. “It has been a helpful tool when talking with students about reading comprehension and goal setting,” Backowski said as she shared an example of the especially impressive gains by one of her students, who was beaming with pride. Her students showed reading growth by at least one or more grade levels over the course of just a few months. The discussion of goals between Backowski and her 8th-graders encourages students to own their learning and to become advocates for themselves – excellent skills for effective communicators and academic success!
Here are the latest updates and reminders.
Foundation fundraiser: We invite you to join the all-volunteer Escondido Education Foundation for its annual “Fall in Love with Escondido Schools” fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 9, at the Escondido Elks Lodge. The foundation welcomes parents, colleagues, and community members to this lively event that features good food, great friends of education, exciting auctions, and a special recognition of “caring hearts” – individuals and organizations that go above and beyond for our students. This year, the foundation is proud to present the Caring Hearts Award to Victoria Smith, a Special Education teacher at Orange Glen Elementary; Mersedes Barta, supervisor of the YMCA program Rose Elementary; and Mireya Alarcon, a Special Education paraeducator at Rock Springs Elementary. Reserve your spot early for the best price! Tickets are $40 per person if purchased by January 26. Tickets purchased after that are $45 online and $50 at the door. Tickets are available on the foundation’s website. All proceeds go toward the Dr. Mike Caston Innovation Awards, which fund classroom and school grants in our district.
Early education enrollment: New Student Enrollment is now open online for EUSD early education programs. Full-day Transitional Kindergarten bridges the path between preschool and Kindergarten. For the 2024-2025 school year, children are eligible for TK if their date of birth is between September 2, 2019, and September 1, 2020. For full-day Kindergarten, eligible students must be age 5 on or before September 1, 2024. To find your neighborhood school of residence, use our online school locator tool. For Special Education Preschool options, including our responsive interventions and inclusive programs, contact the team at spedsupport@eusd.org.
LCAP survey: The annual LCAP Priorities Survey is now open, and your contribution is essential as we collect input from all of our stakeholders in updating the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan, the blueprint that describes how our schools support the success of all students. The survey focuses on LCAP goals and specific priority areas, such as student achievement, family engagement, interventions and enrichment, social and emotional supports, and safety. In addition, a community meeting to gather in-person input will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 1, at Bear Valley Middle School. The LCAP is a blueprint tied to state funding that describes how our schools support the success of all students and spending priorities for such initiatives. This survey seeks feedback on current performance, areas for improvement, allocation of resources, and future goals. Responses are anonymous. The survey is available online through February 2.
Library programs: The Escondido Public Library invites EUSD families to join its Winter Reading Challenge. The challenge is underway now, with categories for all ages. Participants record their reading through February 11 to earn a prize or a chance to win a gift card. View this flyer for additional details. The library is hosting a free Lunar New Year celebration from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 27, in the library’s Turrentine Room. The event will include crafts, snacks, and a visit from local author Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan, who will read from her book “Nian, The Chinese New Year Dragon.” View this flyer for more information on the celebration.
Apply to specialty schools: The School Choice application window is open through Wednesday, January 31. The EUSD School Choice Intradistrict Transfer program provides an opportunity for families to apply for a transfer for their child to attend one of EUSD’s specialty schools, including Limitless Learning Academy, Quantum Academy, and our Dual Language Immersion schools; or a school other than their neighborhood school of residence. Typically, students attend the schools that serve the neighborhood attendance areas in which they live, which can be found using our online school locator tool. Limitless Learning Academy serves grades Kindergarten through 8, and offers an innovative and personalized blended learning experience in which students are provided a variety of educational opportunities virtually and in person. Students receive live instruction via Zoom, academic supports, and enrichment activities. Quantum, serving grades 4 through 8, provides a project-based learning environment in which students live by Quantum’s five core values of lead with empathy, ask questions and seek answers, create, impact the community, and perseverance. Dual Language Immersion programs are offered at Farr, Glen View, Lincoln, and Pioneer elementary schools, beginning in TK and following an instructional model that is designed to promote bilingualism, biliteracy, and biculturalism for students whose primary language is English, as well as those whose primary language is Spanish. Explore all of our schools online, or schedule a visit.
Spring break camps: EUSD is offering three spring break camps at no cost for students. Families will receive an email this week that includes details, as well as a link to submit an interest form. An interest form is required for your child to be considered for the camps. Participants will engage in a variety of activities designed to give students a fun, interactive, and safe spring break experience. Space is limited and a lottery will be conducted if there is more interest than available spots. Families will be notified of enrollment or waitlist status the week of February 21. The scheduled programs are:
YMCA Camp with optional Flag Rugby Camp: Open to students in TK through 5th grade, 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. March 21 through March 29, at Juniper and Pioneer elementary schools.
Theatre Camp with CCAE Theatricals: Open to students in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades, 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. March 25 through March 29, at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
Boys & Girls Club Camp with optional Flag Rugby Camp: Open to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. March 21 through March 29, at Mission Middle School.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools