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Superintendent Search
San Diego Unified is searching for a new Superintendent to become a partner with the Board of Education and the community in the district's on-going efforts to increase student achievement. On March 11, the Superintendent Search Advisory Committee held its first open meeting, launching the beginning of the search process. The committee will conduct a series of open meetings in March to develop a set of skills and values sought in the next superintendent. In April, the Search Committee will host a series of five town-hall meetings to seek public comment on the quality sought in the next superintendent. Following these Town Hall meetings, the next task of the Search Committee will be to conduct a preliminary screen of the applications received and make a recommendation to the Board of a set of candidates to interview. For more information on the search, visit www.sandi.net/suptsearch or contact Bernie Rhinerson, chief district relations officer, at (619) 725-5578 or brhinerson@sandi.net.
For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.
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Five District High Schools Participate in the 12th Annual Hospitality Student Conference
One of the many advantages we have in San Diego is that we?re a center of higher learning. Staff and students from our two- and four-year colleges and universities are working with our students every day.
A recent example treated more than 180 San Diego Unified students from five high schools to an inside look at the hospitality industry. San Diego State University?s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Management, under Director Brian Blake, brought together more than 20 local companies and educational institutions Feb. 26 to give our culinary arts and hospitality students a wonderful learning opportunity. San Diego, Morse, Mira Mesa, Madison and Scripps Ranch high schools participated in the program, which started with Alexandria Brooks, of the School of International Studies at San Diego High, singing the National Anthem.
Speakers included Richard Anderson, general manager of PETCO Park, and Crissandra Riddle, hospitality executive with the new Hilton Bayfront Hotel. In addition, a variety of behind the scenes tours were available at Marriott Hotels, San Diego Convention Center, Manchester Grand Hyatt, Anthony's Fish Grotto, The Fish Market, Hard Rock Hotel, Omni Hotel and PETCO Park.
The tours allowed students to get a true sense of the scope and magnitude of the industry. SDSU hospitality students escorted and mentored high school students throughout the day, many previous conference attendees themselves who were eager to provide advice and guidance.
For more information, please contact Brian Blake at bblake@projects.sdsu.edu
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Board Member Receives State Honor for Music Support
The California Association for Music Education has selected Board Member Katherine Nakamura as its Legislator of the Year. Mrs. Nakamura?s selection was based on her tireless efforts and work towards the passage of AB351. A special awards dinner will be held in Sacramento on March 12. For more information, please contact Bernie Rhinerson, chief district relations officer, at (619) 725-5578 or brhinerson@sandi.net.
For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes.
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Birney Joint-Use Field Breaks Ground
On Feb. 26, six members of the Birney Elementary School Student Council broke ground on the school?s new joint use field as Board President Richard Barrera, City Councilmember Todd Gloria and community members watched. Construction on the 1.57 acre turf field and .25 acre walking track began March 1 and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2010.
The joint use model has been successfully implemented at sites throughout the district, adding acres of public park land and improving school facilities. For information, please contact Randy White, real estate specialist, at (858) 637-3687 or rwhite1@sandi.net.
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Student Safety is Top Priority
School Police Share Tips That Help Protect ChildrenThe safety and well-being of our students and staff are a top priority. In response to the Chelsea King and Amber Dubois tragedies, School Police has compiled a list of simple, common sense tips that can help protect children and adults against stranger abduction or attack. Please read these tips carefully and share with students, staff, parents and community members:
- Don?t walk or run alone, when possible. Go with a family member, friend and/or a dog.
- Always tell someone where you are going and how long you?ll be gone.
- Walk or run in highly-visible, well-populated, well-lighted areas. Avoid alleys, canyons, wooded areas and other isolated areas.
- Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to your instincts. If an area or a situation doesn?t feel right, leave immediately.
- Don?t become so distracted by your iPod or radio that you lose focus of your immediate environment. Keep the volume low so you can hear everything around you. Using only one earbud/headphone and keeping one ear free is strongly recommended.
- If you have a cell phone, bring it with you.
- Have personal identification with you that contains a phone number of an emergency contact as well as information about any allergies or other conditions that may be needed by a paramedic.
- If you find yourself in trouble, scream loudly to attract attention. Run towards people, a school, or open business.
- Be extra cautious at night.
Additional tips on child safety can be found on the San Diego Police Department website at http://www.sandiego.gov/police/prevention/childsafety.shtml .
For more information or with questions, please contact School Police Lt. Paula Rivera at (619) 725-7002 or privera@sandi.net .
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SD Attorneys Bring Books, Read to Porter Students
 Retired U.S. District Court Judge Leo Papas recently spent a morning reading to students at Porter Elementary School as part of the San Diego County Bar Association's efforts to help the community. The association?s Children at Risk and Literacy programs, as well as the annual Children?s Book Drive, serve schools in San Diego?s neediest communities. As part of their community service, Bar members go the school to read with the children, not only helping them with their reading abilities, but serving as adult role models that reading is an important and valued skill. Judge Papas was one of the leaders at the Bar in starting this program.
Porter students also receive this same interactive role-modeling in their Conflict Resolution Skills Training, which includes Peer Mediators Training (teaching students to become peer counselors who will mediate disputes between other students) and Conflict Resolution Skills Training (introducing basic conflict resolution skills to the whole classroom). A lead trainer from the Bar?s Children at Risk Committee teaches core concepts to the students and leads class discussion. Attorney volunteers teach the skills directly to small groups of students. For more information, please contact Attorney Lori Mendez at lrmendezplc@sbcglobal.net .
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Kudos to Food Services Summer Lunch Program
San Diego Unified's Summer Lunch Program has been honored by the federal government and state Superintendent of Schools. Read more from the California Department of Education»
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Thousands of New Books Donated by City National Bank and Barnes & Noble
Three district schools have received the always-welcome gift of new books, as part of a literacy support campaign by City National Bank and Barnes & Noble bookstores. The companies donated nearly 11,000 books to California schools as part of the Reading is the Way Up Holiday Book Drive. Our schools benefiting from the program are Ericson, Washington and Golden Hill elementary schools, which received more than 1,000 books plus more than $12,000 in credit to buy books of their choice. Washington Elementary students also received a visit from the program?s mascot, Blue. For information, please contact Ellen Tiffany, Community Relations manager, at (619) 725-5594 or etiffany@sandi.net. For more district news, subscribe to the Superintendent's Friday Notes. 
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