• January 15: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (non student day)

• January 16: Prospective Student Interest List opens (tentative)

• January 17: Future Designers Campus Tour (AM & PM)

• January 22-26: Great Kindness Challenge

• January 29: Pro Grow Day (non student day)
  

Martin Luther King Jr. Day transcends mere remembrance of the iconic civil rights leader; it stands as a dedicated day for service and reflection. Tomorrow, many individuals will honor MLK's legacy by actively engaging in community service, volunteering, and supporting causes that uphold equality and justice. This collective commitment to giving back aligns with Dr. King's vision of cultivating a more just and compassionate society, where citizens serve as agents of empathy.

San Diego offers abundant opportunities to contribute, volunteer, and serve this vast community. Let this day of service inspire you to join this collective effort, making a positive impact that echoes Dr. King's vision. Remember, it's a day on, not a day off.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

We want to express our gratitude to the many parents and community members who attended the Michele Borba event last Wednesday evening. The D39C Showcase was filled to capacity, with many eager to hear Dr. Borba's perspective on raising empathetic and resilient thrivers.

Your feedback is valuable, so if you attended the event, please CLICK HERE to take a brief survey and share information about your experience.

Events like this are only possible with the support of our parent community and the D39C Collaborative, who generously contribute their time and treasure to our campus through the 39 Days of Giving and beyond. Your commitment to Design39Campus makes a significant impact on the opportunities and resources available to our students, LEDS, and community. With your generosity, we will continue to develop life-ready thought leaders, elevating humanity.

A HUGE thanks to Mysterious Galaxy bookstore for bringing copies of the Thrivers to the event. Shops like Mysterious Galaxy are essential community anchors, fostering connections and a shared appreciation for literature. They contribute to the local economy, provide unique book selections, and create a distinct cultural footprint that enriches the community's literary experience. We appreciate your support for this event and look forward to a continued partnership.

Please note: Several copies of Thrivers were donated to the Welcome Center. If you would like to borrow one, please contact D39C's Administrative Assistant, Mary Carpenter, and she will connect you with a copy.

To ensure you're informed, you can also stay up-to-date through the Design39Campus 2024-2025 Enrollment section on our website. Click the button above to access this information directly.

The Interest List for the 2024-2025 school year is projected to open by noon on January 16th and will close February 16th. Please check the PUSD D39C Enrollment Page for additional details.

Design39Campus will offer multiple in-person tours for prospective 24-25 families. These tours begin in the Showcase and are adult only. This year, the preliminary dates are as follows:

• January 17: 9:30 am and 5:30 pm
• UPDATED February 5: 9:30 am
• February 13: 9:30 am and 5:30 pm

Every year, we kindly request that you share your enrollment plans for the upcoming school year. This information is crucial for our enrollment and staffing planning. We specifically invite families with students in grades TK-7 to participate in the survey, encompassing all students associated with D39C. Your input is invaluable, and we appreciate your cooperation.

Kindly complete the survey by February 16, 2024.

To complete the Returning Student Survey for the 2024-2025 school year, please click HERE.

Thank you for your prompt response and collaboration, and for helping us prepare for the 2023-2024 school year!

**This survey is not Continuing Student Registration for the next school year. Continuing Student Registration will take place in March**

Tomorrow we celebrate and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy resonates as a beacon of inspiration, illuminating the path toward equality, justice, and social change. His unwavering commitment to civil rights echoes through time, a testament to the power of peaceful resistance and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

At the heart of MLK's teachings lies the potent belief in the transformative force of nonviolent protest. He envisioned a world where differences were celebrated, not as barriers, but as threads that weave together the vibrant fabric of society. His impassioned speeches, notably the iconic "I Have a Dream" address, echoed a fervent desire for unity and a society free from the shackles of racial discrimination.

Through his tireless advocacy and activism, MLK catalyzed monumental legislative change, carving a path towards equality with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His approach to confronting injustice through peaceful means resonates profoundly, advocating not for violence, but for a collective voice raised in harmony, demanding equality and justice.

Beyond legislative triumphs, MLK's legacy endures as a guiding light for future generations. His courage in the face of danger, his eloquence in the pursuit of truth, and his unwavering commitment to justice continue to ignite passion and inspire action in the ongoing struggle against discrimination and inequality.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy lives on as a testament to the enduring power of hope, resilience, and the unwavering belief in a world where all individuals stand equal and united. He remains an eternal symbol of courage and determination, urging us to tread the path he forged, toward a future where justice, equality, and dignity are the birthright of every person, regardless of race or background.

This week's AVID tip is to ask questions-- good questions.

This tip underscores the significance of crafting insightful inquiries using Costa's Levels of Thinking. Costa’s Levels of Thinking and Questioning cover a spectrum from basic information extraction (Level 1/nonrigorous) to sophisticated, higher-order analysis of text (Level 3/rigorous). Students can leverage content-specific resources on Costa’s Levels of Thinking and Questioning to initiate their learning journey, progressively advancing towards autonomous text exploration. The crux of this approach lies in posing elevated queries that foster conceptual understanding. Skillful questioning is pivotal in nurturing the inquiry process, empowering students to become autonomous thinkers who master their own learning trajectory.

Let's delve into the steps delineating the levels of inquiry and corresponding sample questions:

Step 1: Gathering and Recalling Information (Gathering/Input):

Pose Level 1 questions to discern what students already comprehend about the problem or question and link it to their prior knowledge:

• What existing knowledge do you possess about the problem?
• What’s the significance of __________?
• What key points did you extract from your class notes during the lecture?
• What does the text expound upon regarding this topic?
• Are there any formulas or mnemonic devices (e.g., P-E-M-D-A-S) aiding in problem-solving steps?

Step 2: Making Sense Out of Gathered Information (Processing):

Introduce Level 2 questions to initiate processing of the amassed information, establishing connections, and forging relationships:

• Can you dissect the problem into smaller, more manageable components? What would these components entail?
• How might you structure or organize this information?
• What inferences can you draw from the text?
• Can you find a problem or question akin to this in the textbook to serve as an illustrative example?
• What correlations exist between ______ and ______?

Step 3: Applying and Evaluating Actions/Solutions (Applying/Output):

Elevate to Level 3 questions to apply acquired knowledge and established connections, enabling predictions, judgments, hypotheses, or evaluations:

• How can you validate the correctness of your solution? What measures could you employ to verify your answer?
• Are there multiple pathways to solve this problem? Could there be alternative correct solutions?
• Can you devise a model showcasing a new or different approach to disseminate this information?
• How do you interpret the underlying message within the text?
• Can this knowledge find application in real-life scenarios?
• Can you articulate this concept in a different manner?
• Could the problem-solving methodology be extrapolated to address other challenges? How might you teach this concept to a peer?

These thought-provoking levels of inquiry catalyze deeper engagement, encouraging critical thinking and application of knowledge across diverse contexts, thus fostering a dynamic and comprehensive learning experience.

January 2024 Parent Education Courses:

• Help Your Children Manage Stress and Anxiety – TK -5th Grade

• NEW Are You Tired of Your Child Saying “No”? TK-5th Grade

• NEW Help Your Teen Manage Stress and Anxiety – 6th-12th Grade

* Scholarships available for families that may be in need.

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

Due to the significant number of items collected in the last week prior to Winter Break, the decision was made to refrain from donating the lost and found at that time. However, the racks are overflowing and require your attention. Kindly encourage your student to search either outside the gates before and after school or near the Welcome Center during the school day.

This week, designers learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others who helped achieve his dream of racial equality. Our fourth grade designers posted some causes worth standing up for by “sitting-in”.

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.

Fire Season and Emergencies: With fire season upon us we want to assure parents and guardians that we have appropriate response systems in place when emergencies arise. Our first priority will always be the safety of our students and staff on campus.

When Design39Campus becomes aware of any incidents in the geographic area of the school site, we will focus first on the safety of our campus while working with law enforcement, emergency responders, and the District for guidance and support for communication. Communication with parents is part of the response plan, but will be secondary to immediate safety. As soon as we can, we will message families with details of school-wide incidents such as lockdowns or evacuations. Please ensure your contact information is up to date in ParentVue in the “My Account” section.

Finally, we have been asked by first responders to remind our families NOT to come to campus in times of emergency – there have been several instances when officers, firefighters, and their ability to respond to the emergency have been hindered by parents rushing to the scene. We will send out messages about dismissal or reunification procedures for families when first responders indicate it is safe to do so.

Cuyamaca Outdoor School (6th Grade Camp): February 5th through the 9th, 2024. Detailed Camp Packets will be coming home soon. Please take a look home soon! For information on camp, please check out this movie, or this slideshow, or you can go to their website. It is the best week of middle school!

It is never too early to begin preparing for one of the most momentous events of middle school, 6th Grade Camp. D39C 6th grade students will be attending Camp Cuyamaca February 5th through the 9th, 2024. This is not a dusty tent camping experience in the wilderness. Camp Cuyamaca is a fully accredited outdoor school run by the San Diego Country Office of Education based in our local mountains. Students will engage in science and problem solving activities and also enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and so much more!!!

The cost of the five-day program will be $455***; which includes transportation, food, lodging and medical insurance. It is an incredible experience and we are so excited to offer this opportunity to all students in PUSD.

You have two payment options:

1. Cash
2. Check (made payable to PUSD; please write your child's name in the memo line)

***Scholarships are available. Please see you LED for additional information***

Attendance and OCIS Contracts: With the holiday season rapidly approaching, we often have families who choose to take time off from school to travel. While we strongly encourage families not to miss school days, I also want to make you aware of our policy if you choose to take time off.

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 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.

We are excited to let you know that we will be hosting a Bus Driver Hiring Event at the District Office on 1/12/23 from 11:00am-2:00pm. We are hoping to staff many of the vacancies that impact our community. With our powers combined, we are hopeful to bring on many incredible new staff members to join our Poway family! 🙂

We are excited to share an opportunity for you to get involved in shaping the future of visual and performing arts education in our community. Poway Unified will form a Strategic Committee to review and improve the current strategic arts plan.

The committee is seeking participation from teachers (of all grade levels and subjects), administrators, district office staff, parents, guardians, and students to be a part of the committee. As a member, you'll examine the progress of our existing plan, analyze arts education data, and create recommendations for visual and performing arts initiatives. Committee members will represent a diverse and inclusive range of representatives across Poway Unified.

Please view this flier to learn more about the committee, including meeting dates and how to apply. The deadline to apply is December 22, 2023.

If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Just reach out to Kayla Warren at kwarren@powayusd.com anytime. Forward this invitation to other members of our community that may be interested.

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 or anywhere on the below image 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.

Parent Education Courses: PUSD is excited offer several Parent Education courses each month. Families are able to enroll and pay online at via Poway Adult School on their website linked HERE. You can search for the course you are interested in and enroll directly from the site.

• November 2023 Parent Education Courses:

  • Help Your Teen Manage Stress and Anxiety – 6th -12th Grade NEW
  • Early Childhood Development: Language is a Cognitive Super Power TK-3rd Grade NEW
  • Help Your Children Manage Stress and Anxiety – TK-5th Grade

Please note, scholarships are available to parents who may be in need. Parent can contact the Caring Connections Center for more information.

Thank you for supporting our PUSD Parent Education and for all you do for our students and families! May you have an amazing 2023-2024 school year!

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.