March 10, 2024
In EUSD, every student experiences Personalized Learning with their teachers. Personalized, Competency-Based, Authentic, and Inclusive and Equitable are the qualities that define the new EUSD Learning Model, which is the foundation of our Framework for the Future.
This week, we turn to L.R. Green Elementary as we continue to share examples of “What does Personalized look like in EUSD?” L.R. Green is home to the district’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing program, which serves students from across North County. The DHH program at L.R. Green is served by two teachers, Bryanna Hammet and Olivia Hannigan. This visit took us to Hannigan’s multi-grade classroom, with students from 2nd to 5th grade.
American Sign Language is used in the DHH classrooms, and every child receives Personalized Learning with teachers, DHH interpreters, and paraeducators. The customized schoolwork aligns with the child’s grade level, cognitive abilities, language, and academic skills.
On a recent visit to this exceptional classroom, we learned how students build their vocabulary in American Sign Language. DHH Interpreter Kim Williams worked with two students on their personalized “Handshape Dictionary,” a one-of-a-kind resource for the students as they continue to learn ASL and enhance their communication skills in both ASL and English, as well as reading and writing. Araceli, a 2nd-grader, shared with visitors the multi-modal story she was using to create her Handshape Dictionary. Her work involved reading and writing, handshapes and signs, and cutting and pasting.
This personalized learning experience supports Araceli and her classmates as they grow into effective communicators and critical thinkers!
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Time change: Longer days are on the horizon – it’s time to spring forward. Daylight saving time began at 2 a.m. this morning, Sunday, March 10. Your clocks should have moved forward one hour on Saturday night. Enjoy the extra daylight!
Spring break: The 2024 spring break for EUSD is scheduled for Thursday, March 21, through Monday, April 1. We look forward to students’ return to campus on Tuesday, April 2. As a reminder, Wednesday, March 20, is a minimum day for students in TK through 8th grade. Check this bell schedule for your school’s release time. The district office will be closed to the public from Monday, March 25, through Friday, March 29.
Teacher appreciation: The San Diego Helpful Honda Dealers will be honoring deserving teachers throughout San Diego County by surprising them with $5,000 worth of school supplies and materials to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week in May. The San Diego Helpful Honda Teacher Appreciation Awards is seeking your help to identify teachers whose efforts have greatly impacted their students, community, or school – educators who have gone above and beyond to give their students a memorable and unmatched educational experience. To nominate a deserving teacher, submit this form by Friday, March 29. In 2002, our own Olivia Hannigan of L.R. Green Elementary was an honoree in the Helpful Honda teacher appreciation program. Check out the inspirational video here.
Celebrating school social workers: In honor of National School Social Work Week, please join me in sharing gratitude for the invaluable support these professionals provide for our students and their families. School social workers are trained mental health professionals who play an important role in education, supporting the academic and social success of students in EUSD. They serve as a link between the home, school, and community. We are excited to share that once again, one of our own has been named a School Social Worker of the Year: Please join me in congratulating Ariana Vargas, a school social worker who supports the TREC program at Bear Valley, Del Dios, and Rincon. The fourth annual School Social Work Awards, presented by the San Diego County Office of Education, were announced Friday afternoon, with Vargas and other school district-based social workers from around the region recognized as the best in their field.
Summer programs: The deadline to submit the interest form for EUSD summer programs is Monday, March 18. Details on summer enrichment opportunities and a customized interest form were sent by email last week to parents and guardians of students currently enrolled in Transitional Kindergarten through 7th grade. Parents and guardians will choose an appropriate program and submit an interest form for each child enrolled in EUSD. Families will be notified of enrollment or waitlist status the week of April 2. If you have questions or need help completing the forms, please contact your child's school. Summer program participants will engage in a variety of activities designed to give students a fun, interactive, and safe summer experience. Space is limited, and enrollment will be conducted by lottery if there are more applicants than spaces available. Priority enrollment is given to students who are identified as socio-economically disadvantaged, including English learners, foster youth, or experiencing housing insecurity.
Super spellers: Join us in wishing the best to two of our middle school students representing EUSD in the 2024 San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 14, at the Jackie Robinson YMCA. EUSD super spellers are 7th-grader Averi Alexander of Bear Valley and 8th-grader Leif Bolen of Hidden Valley. Special thanks go out to the school site spelling bee coordinators, Bear Valley’s Jennifer Boaz and Hidden Valley’s Shannon Wrzeski and Erin Mundy.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools