two young kindergartner girls on play structure holding toy cars

December 18, 2022

In EUSD, every student is finding their joy. They are finding this sense of joy in countless ways, and at this time of year it’s often through the holiday spirit, by giving to others, or in the great sense of accomplishment as they reflect on the first half of the school year. 

Finding joy has become an important part of the culture and conversation around our schools. Social-emotional lessons infused in our classrooms help students learn to not only navigate challenges and setbacks; they also help children to recognize the good around them, to find those silver linings and bright spots.

two kindergartner boys at table making igloos with mini marshmallows


At Bernardo Elementary this week, students found joy in Family Read Night, with crafts, churros, and special guests for read-aloud stories. At Glen View Elementary, Transitional Kindergartners were delighted as teacher Christopher Kaminski tucked a lesson on manners into a sweet story about penguins. At Limitless Learning Academy, 2nd-graders, 1st-graders, and Kindergartners were filled with pride and joy as they devised clever ways to construct igloos out of marshmallows. At Farr Avenue Elementary, students were smiling ear to ear as they rehearsed song after song for their winter concert.

Perhaps the highlight of finding joy this week was at Lincoln Elementary, where 22 Advanced Woodshop students from San Pasqual High School visited to deliver hand-crafted toy cars to every student in Kindergarten and TK. These artisan-quality cars are like snowflakes as no two are alike. The solid-wood toys were simple – no beeping, no electronics – and yet they brought squeals of joy to Lincoln’s littlest learners. The children raced cars around the playground, on ramps that the high schoolers brought, and down the play structure slides. The quintessential, perfectly giddy playing-with-cars moment happened when the teens delivered cars to Candy Longaker’s Transitional Kindergarten classroom. The children were hushed, waiting in a circle as a Woodshop student pulled car after car out of his festive red bag. Once every student had received a car, Mrs. Longaker gave them the OK to start playing. Every single 4- and 5-year-old dropped to the carpet and started going, “Vroom, vroom, vroom!” as they pushed their cars around the room. It was the happiest of sights and sounds! 

classroom of young kindergartners in classroom holding toy wooden cars with three teens and teacher

As we head into winter break, I hope that you experience that same sense of wonder and joy, especially in the simplest of moments with family and friends. Happy holidays!

Here are this week’s updates and reminders.  

COVID test kits: At-home COVID test kits for students will be distributed on Tuesday, December 20. The intent of providing these at-home tests is to reduce potential exposure to COVID at school following winter break by ensuring that students who are sick stay home. Please plan to administer the COVID test on Monday, January 9, and notify your school site if your child tests positive. This at-home testing program is strictly voluntary and is not required to return to school on Tuesday, January 10. To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses including RSV, flu, and COVID this winter, review these tips from the California Department of Public Health.

Meet our specialty schools: Limitless Learning Academy is an EUSD school of choice for grades Kindergarten through 8. Limitless Learning offers an innovative blended learning program: Students are in class online from home in the morning, and join enrichment activities and academic support either online or in person on campus in the afternoons. The hallmark of Limitless Learning Academy’s educational experience is individualized learning in a small-school environment. Students receive live online instruction every morning with their grade-level classroom teacher. Personalized academic supports include mentor meetings with their teacher and specialized intervention time in the afternoons. Enrichment activities – including STEM and art – can be done on campus or independently at home. The program is a great match for students who are independently motivated and engaged in school, and for parents who enjoy partnering with their child’s teacher. Enrollment in LLA does require an independent study contract, and regular attendance and participation is essential for success. “Our son has grown in so many aspects,” the mother of an LLA 5th-grader shared. “He has learned time management, self-discipline with his school work, computer skills, and patience. The teachers and staff at LLA are the best, and I commend them all for taking on such a new way of educating our kids.” We invite you to see for yourself what Limitless Learning Academy has to offer: Call 760-432-2388 to schedule a visit. Families interested in LLA for their child must submit a School Choice application by January 31.

kindergartner girl sitting at table smiling at teacher

Winter recess: As a reminder, the 2022-2023 winter break is scheduled for Thursday, December 22, through Friday, January 6. All EUSD schools will be closed. Monday, January 9, is a non-student day. School resumes on Tuesday, January 10. The District Office will be closed to the public Friday, December 23, through Friday, January 6.

Foundation innovation awards: Join us in congratulating the nearly three dozen EUSD educators on receiving more than $42,000 from the Escondido Education Foundation at the recent Dr. Mike Caston Innovation Awards. The awards will fund 23 grants created by teachers, librarians, and social workers. The diverse range of engaging and challenging educational projects in this year’s grant cycle range from “Aquaponics” at Central Elementary to “Electrified Engagement” at Quantum Academy, and “Outdoor Classroom: A Place Where Young Minds Grow” at Limitless Learning Academy to “Food and Culture: An Appetizer Project” at Rincon Middle School, and others related to reading, art, robotics, and more.

– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools