#TeamPUSD Newsletter
January/February 2021 Edition
We want to thank our community for collectively working together to reduce COVID cases in our area. It appears San Diego County is on track to return to the Red Tier within weeks, and that means restrictions will continue to loosen. With our elementary schools back open since February 1, we are just awaiting approval from public health officials to continue with PUSD's reopening plans for our middle and high schools in March. Additionally, San Diego County will begin vaccinating K-12 school staff this weekend in those areas hardest hit by the virus. While the County has not yet opened up vaccinations to PUSD employees, we will continue to advocate for the prioritization of our employees.
Please enjoy this latest edition of the Team PUSD Newsletter.
The Poway Unified School District
Visit our Reopening Website
COVID-19 Dashboard
*Important Note: PUSD does not wait to notify close contacts upon initial report of a positive case. However, we do wait for official confirmation from the public health department before listing the case on this dashboard.
PUSD is Hiring Instructional Assistants
Apply here: bit.ly/pusd-ia-subs
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District News
The 2021-22 LCAP Survey is LIVE!
“What programs or services would you like to see continued or improved in order to advance student and staff learning and wellness for the 2021-22 school year?”
This year, we are again using Thoughtexchange, a simple, convenient online platform that can be accessed from any smartphone or computer. Thoughtexchange is essentially a virtual conversation, where you can share your thoughts, see the thoughts of others in your school community, and prioritize the thoughts most important to you.
Join the conversation by clicking here: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/445950426
OPENING SOON: Student Board Member Application Period
The application period for the 2021-2022 Student Board Member position will be open from March 1-31, 2021. Any high school juniors, in good academic standing, who will be seniors next year can choose to apply. They do not need to be nominated! The Student Board Member represents all PUSD students at Board of Education meetings, participates in discussions on student-related issues with PUSD District leadership and Board of Education members, serves on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, and learns first-hand about local government.
The application and information page can be found here: https://powayusd.com/en-US/Board/Student-Board
Black Mountain Ranch Southern Site Community Forums
RSVP here: bit.ly/pusd-bmrss
The Intra-District Transfer Window is Open!
For students who live within #PowayUnified boundaries and would like to attend another PUSD school, we will accept transfer requests for the 2021-2022 school year from February 1, 2021, at 8 a.m. through March 31, 2021, at 5 p.m.
For more information, including FAQs and restrictions due to COVID, please visit: bit.ly/pusd-transfers
Mandarin Immersion Program
Did you know Adobe Bluffs Elementary is the only elementary school in #PowayUnified to offer Dual Language Immersion in Mandarin? This 50/50 Two-Way language program develops a student's literacy and proficiency in both English and Mandarin, while inspiring them to become cross-cultural ambassadors in their communities.
ABES Principal Eddie Park hosted a Community Info Session for those interested in the 2021-2022 program year (Mandarin Immersion and Foreign Language in Elementary School).
Meeting info posted here: https://bit.ly/adobebluffs
PUSD Foundation 13th Annual Golf Classic
After postponing last year, the #PowayUnified School District Foundation is excited to be hosting its 13th Annual Golf Classic on April 30, 2021. With your help, we can reach our goal to raise $75,000 that will directly support our STEAM initiatives and enhanced classroom resources to foster world-class learners. The Foundation is actively looking for players and sponsors for this fun day of golf, and invites you to learn more about how you can participate: https://birdease.com/pusdfoundation
(Please note that physical distancing and face covering protocol will be enforced at all times, no exceptions.)
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Achievements and Recognitions: Students, Staff, Schools & District
PUSD is Home to Three ACSA Admins of the Year
- Marian Kim Phelps, Ed.D., Superintendent: Superintendent of the Year
- Joe Austin, Career Education Specialist: CTE Administrator of the Year
- Carol Osborne, Associate Superintendent of Learning Support: Valuing Diversity Award
Congratulations on this exceptional achievement. Read more about their efforts and backgrounds: http://bit.ly/pusd-acsa
Carol Osborne Named SDCOE "Turnaround School Leader" 2021
Nene & Ekene Okolo to Receive Peacemaker Award
Sisters Nene and Ekene Okolo from the @BlackinPUSD Instagram account are being recognized by the National Conflict Resolution Center as the recipients of their Local Peacemaker Award. Nene and Ekene have worked tirelessly to effect change in this district, and PUSD is proud to partner with them in our commitment to correcting systemic inequity in PUSD schools. They will be honored at NCRC's virtual ceremony in May.
Nene and Ekene also gave the Student Leader Welcome at San Diego county's Equity Conference and we highly encourage you watch for free at this link: https://stream1.sdcoe.net/wc/ec2021
National Charity League Poway Donates to Youth in Transition
Westview Senior Named "Up-and-Coming-Storyteller" by PBS
Read more about the work Yeonseo and her SRL colleagues are doing in their communities: https://studentreportinglabs.org/blog-posts/srl20/
Poway HS Senior Selected for All-National Honor Ensemble
Full story: bit.ly/pusd-ryan
Morning Creek 5th Grader Shares Kindness Through Code
Congratulations to Morning Creek 5th grader Mihir Konkapaka, who won the #CSforSD Video Contest through Code.org. For his coding project, Mihir built a website that generates positive adjectives for a name acronym - all because he wanted to spread kindness amongst his friends.
Check out Mihir's website: http://wordname.mskcoding.repl.co/about.html
Michelle Hinds Named to Sandy Hook Promise Advisory Board
READ: http://bit.ly/shp-dnhs
Abraxas High School Receives Gardening Grant
Mesa Verde Middle Schoolers Chosen for Art Contest
(clockwise from top L) : Lauren C, Sasha L, Zoey L, Minh Thu N.
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Fun Photos and Videos
Elementary Schools Return to Campus Feb. 1
Enjoy these photos !
Professional Growth Day
SSAC Thanks Teachers, Staff
GRATITUDE: Our Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC), which is comprised of high school students throughout #PowayUnified, recently filmed a message of appreciation and encouragement to #TeamPUSD teachers of all grade levels We invite you to take a look!
(This video was filmed by SSAC, and edited to fit social media time limits.)
Stone Ranch Student Council Cares for Veterans
(a non-profit homeless shelter/recovery center), to keep people warm and safe. The student council said they want to thank the Stone Ranch community for their donations and generosity.
Del Sur 2nd Graders Donate to Veterans
Virtual Pep Rally at Garden Road Elementary
Twin Peaks Celebrates Second Quarter Achievement
100th Day of School
"Snow Day" Fun at Highland Ranch
Studio 701 "Excellence in Education Series"
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Celebrations and Resolutions
February is Black History Month
Why do we celebrate Black History Month?
breaks it down in this helpful video. Thank you for sharing, Raiders! Take a look:
"Profiles in Power" series from SDCOE
National School Counseling Week Feb. 1-5
Monterey Ridge and Canyon View Elementary
Sunset Hills Elementary
Mesa Verde Middle
Adobe Bluffs Elementary
Mesa Verde Middle
Tierra Bonita Elementary
Lunar New Year 2021
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021
January Is Board Recognition Month
Ginger Couvrette
T.J. Zane
Dr. Darshana Patel
Michelle O'Connor Ratcliff
Dr. Cindy Sytsma
Emily Bylsma
Poway Unified School District
Email: cpaik@powayusd.com
Website: www.powayusd.com
Location: 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA, United States
Phone: (858) 521-2700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowayUSD
Twitter: @PowayUSD