
Designers' Reminders
March 24, 2024

Weekly Messaging from Design39Campus
Here What's Happening in March and April
March 23-24: Purim
March 31: Cesar Chavez Day
March 31: Easter
April 8-April 12: PUSD Spring Break (No School)
April 9- April 10: Eid Ul Fitr
April 13: Vaisakhi
April 22- April 30: Passover
Facilitators' Findings
While reflecting on Neurodiversity Week and the differences within our students, staff, and families at Design39Campus, I found myself thinking about my own diagnosis with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in the sixth grade. Being diagnosed with ADD at that age brought about a mix of emotions. On one hand, it felt like a relief to finally understand why certain tasks or activities had been so challenging; it explained why I had spent countless hours standing in the corners of classrooms due to misbehavior, and provided a reason why I was physically exhausted at the end of each school day, expending all my energy just trying to sit still. Simultaneously, the diagnosis provided clarity and validation for the struggles I had experienced both in school and at home. At least I had an identifiable reason for my differences.
However, the diagnosis also proved overwhelming to 11 year-old me, as it meant navigating a new reality with a diagnosed learning difference. It brought forth feelings of frustration, confusion, and sadness as I tried to comprehend what it meant for me. Entering middle school, it also brought forward fears and a sense of uncertainty about how others would perceive me and how it might affect my relationships with friends and teachers. Nevertheless, with the right support from my parents, teachers, and medical professionals, it marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of accepting my differences, figuring out how I learn best, and finding success despite the challenges posed by my diagnosis. I still hold deep empathy for my 11-year-old self standing in the corner of a classroom and the sadness of never having my name written on the board for demonstrating good behavior; however, growth mindset has allowed me to move beyond my diagnoses and prove successful in my own right.
So, this week and every week, let us continue to celebrate our differences. By embracing neurodiversity at Design39Campus, we promote inclusivity, acceptance, and understanding of individuals with diverse ways of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world. Celebrating neurodivergence encourages us to create learning environments that accommodate and value the unique strengths and perspectives of all individuals, fostering a more equitable and compassionate society. So let us go then, you and I.
You belong here.
Each of you.
ASES Is Coming, ASES Is Coming!
Design39Campus is excited to announce that we will be offering ASES Sports for the 2024-2025 school year!
You might be wondering, "What is ASES?" ASES stands for the PUSD After School Education and Safety Program and presents a fantastic opportunity for 6/7/8 students to try a new sport they may have never played before or to gain extra experience and practice in a sport they love. Sports at D39C will be FREE and run by the ASES After School program grant. Sports we may offer could include:
- Cross Country
- Flag Football
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Soccer
- Wrestling
- Golf
In addition to its athletic opportunities, ASES also includes an academic component. An educational and literacy element provides homework assistance and academic support to help students meet state standards in reading/language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
Bringing this program to D39C was initiated by our 6/7/8 students, many of whom have been seeking opportunities to compete with neighboring middle schools in athletic events. Thank you, D39C students, for bringing this idea forward and for your patience as we worked to bring it to fruition.
More information to follow.
PUSD Continuing Registration
Design39Families:
PUSD 2024-2025 Continuing Student Registration is open!
Online Continuing Student Registration will be open from March 1- March 31, 2024. We must receive a completed digital packet for all returning students. This will allow for proper placement of your student for the 2024-2025 school year. This annual digital process allows a family to complete one single “family” packet instead of completing one packet per student. Packets can be completed using any computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection.
Continuing Registration Steps:
Login and complete the digital registration packet via the online registration portal found here.
Review and complete any required forms located at the conclusion of the process. A packet is not considered finalized until this step is completed.
Please note: MEDICATION FORMS or ADDITIONAL SIGNED SITE SPECIFIC FORMS WILL NOT BE COLLECTED UNTIL SCHOOL BEGINS IN AUGUST FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR.
Forgot your username or password? Need technical help? You can retrieve your username as well as reset your password by visiting https://password.powayusd.com and clicking the button that represents the help you require. Technical help is also available by sending an email to accounthelp@powayusd.com.
Please email your current Principal as soon as possible if you do not plan to return to PUSD for the 2024-2025 school year.
Thank you for your attention to this important process,
The PUSD Enrollment Team
Welcome Marvin, D39C Campus Supervisor
Last week, we welcomed Marvin to the D39C campus and wanted to circle back to you all for more details on his role and how it aligns with our campus needs.
The recent Collaborative survey garnered many comments about the campus, and our teams have been working closely together to address how Marvin's addition may address some of those concerns. .
Your comments included:
- "Need more traffic support at the main loop."
- "Restrooms need monitoring at the middle school."
- "Campus safety at the perimeter is critical; no sneaking in and out opportunities, please."
Marvin’s role as Campus Supervisor is to directly address the above needs and more. They include:
- Assisting with traffic flow, especially in the kindergarten loop
- Diligently monitoring campus buildings, the perimeter, and campus gates
- Promptly responding to incidents and effectively implementing safety protocols while supporting the Welcome Center
- Fostering a welcoming atmosphere by engaging with students, staff, and visitors, thus promoting a sense of community and belonging
Welcome to D39C, Marvin. You belong here.
(RE) Imagine All The People
Couraging with Design
Equitable Spaces
Equity Meeting, Thursday
As we gear up for Passport39 on April 20th, our focus for next week's meeting (scheduled for Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Loft) will be planning a cultural spirit week to precede this exciting event. Scheduled for the week of April 15th through the 19th, this cultural spirit week presents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the rich diversity of our campus and foster a strong sense of community and belonging among students, staff, parents, and the wider community.
We envision this cultural spirit week to be interactive, engaging, and inclusive, involving participation from all stakeholders. Your creativity and bold ideas will be instrumental in making this week truly memorable.
With that in mind, we encourage each of you to come prepared with courageously audacious ideas for what this week could entail. Here are some considerations to guide your ideating:
Interactive Activities: Propose activities that encourage active participation and engagement from students, staff, parents, and the community. These could include cultural workshops, interactive art installations, or collaborative performances.
Student Involvement: Explore ways to empower students to take a leading role in planning and executing the activities throughout the week. Student-led initiatives can significantly enhance ownership and enthusiasm. This is a great opportunity for our affinity groups (GSA/BSU/LatinX)
Cultural Showcases: Highlight the diverse cultural backgrounds represented within our community through showcases, performances, or exhibitions. This could include dance performances, music recitals, storytelling sessions, or art displays.
Community Engagement: Consider how we can involve parents, alumni, and local community members in the festivities. This could involve inviting guest speakers, organizing cultural cuisine tastings, or hosting community forums on diversity and inclusion.
Promotion and Outreach: Discuss strategies for promoting and publicizing the cultural spirit week to ensure maximum participation and engagement. Utilize various communication channels to reach all members of the community and generate excitement.
Let's come together with open minds and creative spirits to brainstorm ideas that will make this cultural spirit week truly exceptional. Your contributions will be invaluable in shaping an event that celebrates the richness of our collective heritage and fosters a deeper sense of unity and appreciation.
We eagerly anticipate your innovative ideas and energetic participation at the upcoming meeting. Together, we can make this cultural spirit week a resounding success!
AVID Tip of the Week
The AVID Tip of the Week is be silly.
Despite the pressures that go along with being in their early teens, AVID students should still set aside time for silliness. Allowing middle schoolers to be silly can have several benefits for their development and well-being. Firstly, silliness can serve as a form of stress relief and a way for students to express themselves creatively. Middle school can be a challenging time emotionally and socially, and being silly allows students to let off steam and bond with their peers.
Additionally, silliness fosters a sense of joy and spontaneity, which can enhance overall happiness and mental health. It encourages students to embrace their individuality and develop a positive self-image. Moreover, engaging in silly behavior can improve social skills by promoting teamwork, cooperation, and empathy as students navigate shared experiences.
Ultimately, allowing middle schoolers to be silly in appropriate contexts can contribute to a positive school culture and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for learning and personal growth.
Counseling Connections
PUSD's 8th Grade Course Requests
It is that time of year where our 8th grade students will be selecting their courses for 9th grade. Please explore PUSD's 8th Grade Course Request website to ensure your learner is prepared for all the upcoming information for high school. This information includes dates and times for site visits, family night, parent drop-in sessions, and the course request window. Additionally, you will find information on intradistrict transfers.
Our Outstanding Team
Matt Bibby (last names A-I): mbibby@powayusd.com
Jennifer Asmann (last names J-R): jasmann@powayusd.com
Andrea Guevara (last names S-Z): aguevara@powayusd.com
Lofty Ideas
This week in the Loft, we delved deeper into the narratives of obscure yet impactful women, unearthing their hidden stories that have shaped our world in significant ways. With each discovery, our appreciation for the diverse array of female pioneers grew, illuminating the often overlooked corners of history where their remarkable achievements lie. As we immersed ourselves in their legacies, we were inspired to champion their rightful place in the annals of human accomplishment.
D39C Be Blogging
The Design39Campus student blog is a vibrant hub where designers share their experiences, ideas, and unique perspectives on Design39Campus. It offers a firsthand glimpse into student life, showcasing creativity and the power of student-led initiatives within the educational sphere. Reading this blog provides a direct connection to the student community, fostering empathy, understanding, and a glimpse into D39C.
Please click on the button above periodically to see what is happening around our learning facility.
Redundant Repetitious Reiterating Repeated Recurrent Routine Reminders
Please see the flyer below for information about the D39C 2023-2024 Yearbook, including ordering information.
Attendance and OCIS Contracts: If you have a student who will not be in class for 5-14 days, please notify the office so we can have the parents fill out an OCIS contract for their child. The forms will have to be completed and signed by parents 5-10 days in advance of the absence. Click here for a link to the OCIS Contract.
Parents are required to give 5 days notice for absences up to 5 days, 10 days notice for absences more than 5 days.
Prepping work for students who are absent is an incredible amount of work for our teaching staff and we ask that you give your child’s teacher as much advance notice as possible beyond the above guidelines.
We do not write contracts beyond 14 days. If you plan to be away for 15 or more days please contact the Welcome Center for the necessary procedures.
Would you like to become a part of the Design39Campus Team? Do you like to be outside and work with children? If so, we are looking for a few quality Motion Managers to help support our designers during body breaks and lunch during the middle of the day. Possible times are 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. or 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. If interested, please apply through Poway Unified School District at the this link.
Attendance: To report your child's absence or early checkout, please email the attendance office at d39cattendance@powayusd.com before 10:00 am on the day of the absence. Please include your child's name, homeroom/grade, dates of absence, and reason for absence. We kindly ask that you avoid checking out your student during the lunch period from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Please refer to the attendance section of our Design39Campus website for protocols regarding reporting student absences and requesting early release for your student.'
California Education Code 48205 states that a student may be excused legally from school when the absence is due to:
- Personal illness or injury
- Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health office
- Medical, dental, or chiropractic services
- Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family
- Justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an appearance in court, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at religious retreats, attendance at an employment conference, when the pupil's absence has been requested in writing by the parent and approved by the principal or designated representative
- For the purpose of serving as a member of a precinct board for an election
- Exclusion for failure to present evidence of immunization
- Exclusion from school because student is either the carrier of a contagious disease or not immunized for a contagious disease
Communication with your Designer: If there is a need to communicate with your child during the school day, please send a message to your child’s LED or the Welcome Center. Please refrain from communicating with them directly through text messages or phone calls as it disrupts their learning.
Personal Items: For equity reasons, we are asking that students keep their personal playground equipment at home or in their backpack. Our wonderful Collaborative supplies us with enough funding to ensure that there is enough equipment during recess and lunch.
The D39C Collaborative
The D39C Collaborative is a 100% volunteer-run foundation designed to be responsive to the needs of students, parents, and learning experience designers of Design39Campus. Their mission is to expand and enhance the educational experience of every student attending Design39Campus.
ESS Hiring Fair
What's Up With Poway Unified?
PUSD Substitutes Needed: With flu, cold, and COVID season upon us, we are once again in need of qualified substitutes to support PUSD and our campus in the event of an LED absence.
If you or someone you know are interested in applying to become a substitute teacher with Poway Unified School District, please click here.
EmpowerED Digital Magazine: We are excited to debut the first-ever edition of our new EmpowerED Digital Magazine, to highlight all the ways you are empowering world-class learners every single day! We want to share with each other and the rest of our community what makes Poway Unified students, staff, and families so special in this visually pleasing, multi-media platform moving forward.
Click here to be taken to a flipbook to enjoy the magazine. You'll see slideshows, links, and videos embedded in the pages. We hope you love it as much as we do! Feel free to share it with your family, friends, alum, retirees - anyone who might enjoy it too.
Food and Nutrition Updates and Reminders: School breakfast and school lunch are FREE for all enrolled students, every school day. Meals must still be entered into the cafeteria computer by individual student account.
Even though meals are free, families are still highly encouraged to complete the application for free and reduced-price meal eligibility. School site funding depends in part on the number of students eligible for free/reduced-price meals. Families that qualify for free/reduced-price meals may qualify for other benefits, as well. The meal application is available online at MySchoolApps.com.
Printer-friendly PDF menus are available on the PUSD Food and Nutrition webpage. At the top of the page, click or hover over School Menus + and then Printable PDF Menus.
Interactive, web-based menus containing nutrient and allergen details are available at MySchoolMenus.com, as well as via links from the F&N webpage.