Superintendent's Message:
Support for Students Amid Global Safety Concerns
You are likely aware of the devastating news of the outbreak of war in the Middle East. The horrific violence and brutality are especially difficult for many of our students, families, and staff with connections to this region. In the past few days, I've heard personal stories from staff members and families about how the events in Israel and Gaza are affecting them and their loved ones. Each of these vulnerable, raw stories has underscored the profound pain felt by people we encounter in our schools and workplaces every day. Please know that our thoughts and hearts go out to those directly or indirectly impacted by these tragic events here and around the world.
Support for Our Students
We recognize that national and international conflicts affect our diverse community in various ways, and the graphic images and videos circulating on social media and television can impact us all. Mental health experts advise families to be mindful of what their students may be exposed to. It's important for families to monitor the news and social media content their children access and to check in with them to help process their thoughts and concerns. We encourage parents to be fully aware of what their children are exposed to online, and recommend implementing restrictions on social media use in the ways that make most sense for each family.
Carlsbad Unified has counselors available at each school to provide support. If you believe your child needs assistance, please contact your school directly.
See Something, Say Something
The safety of our schools is a partnership between our school sites and our communities, a partnership we greatly value. If you notice anything suspicious, please report it directly to the Carlsbad Police Department. Additionally, students and families can report anonymous concerns at p3tips.com, accessible on every student Chromebook and on our district website.
Comprehensive School Safety
The safety and welfare of our students and employees are top priorities. We will continue to monitor national and global events and work closely with law enforcement partners, including the Carlsbad Police Department, to understand local impacts. Local law enforcement is collaborating closely with county, state, and federal agencies. Schools remain among the safest places for our students and staff.
We will continue working closely with the Carlsbad Police Department, the Carlsbad Fire Department, the San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center, the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies on implementing our site and district safety plans. If you have any questions about your school site’s safety plan, please contact your principal directly.
Resources for Families and Educators
As parents, guardians, and caregivers, we understand the challenge of explaining violence and war to children. The San Diego County Office of Education has shared resources for educators and families to discuss the events in Israel and Gaza with students. These resources aim to provide information, and we encourage you to choose those most appropriate for your children. These resources are not meant to be exhaustive, nor are they an endorsement of a particular political viewpoint.
No Place for Hate
Part of our district-wide collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) involves addressing hate in any form as we implement No Place for Hate across all sixteen schools. No Place for Hate elevates the role our students take in the building of safe and welcoming school environments. Students, with staff and parent support, will have an opportunity to take a stand against violence, hate speech, prejudice, and retaliation. Together, we can work to ensure that every member of our community feels safe, valued, and respected.
Carlsbad Unified is a diverse and welcoming community intentionally fostering connection and belonging across all campuses for all students. We are here to help any students, families, or staff who may need extra support processing these events. If needed, please reach out to your school directly.
Classified Spotlight:
Lisa Beckman
Library Media Technician at Calavera Hills Middle School
To Foster a Love of Reading
The library at Calavera Hills Middle School (CHMS) is a warm and welcoming place. And when the bell rings, students come running to secure their favorite seats.
“It is important that a library is a place of refuge, with cozy places to read a book, comfortable corners to study, and fun spaces to hang out with your friends or play games on chromebooks,” says Lisa Beckman, the CHMS Library Media Technician. “And It is important to connect with the students.”
Since starting at the district five years ago, Lisa has taken on many large projects, including redesigning the entire library at CHM, bringing the eBook app Sora to CUSD, and was instrumental in the integration of a new library software program that helps track student Chromebooks across the district. She also mentors any new Library Technician that joins the district to make sure they feel supported and have access to training as school library work is very technical and specific.
But first and foremost is her commitment to making the library a place where students and staff can always find a space that serves their needs and that a good book is within arm’s reach.
The library now serves as a quiet place where students read or do their homework, and as a classroom where teachers bring their students to learn research skills or to work on projects.
“Now the library is a magnet for kids,” says CHMS Principal Judi Stapleton. ”Ms. Beckman has created a culture where students feel safe and excited to be in this positive environment.”
Having placed her stamp on the library culture – she regularly talks with students about the books they are reading – Ms. Beckman remains busy all day long with her numerous circulation duties. She checks out books and chromebooks, troubleshoots issues with devices for students and staff, hosts class visits, and distributes textbooks and instructional materials to teachers and students. And she processes every new book received at the school – unpacking, bar coding, cataloging, sorting, and distributing them to teachers and students.
Last week was an especially busy and exciting time. The district has invested nearly $1 million districtwide on a new middle school science curriculum, aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, called Bring Science Alive. The new science materials – including textbooks, hands-on lab materials, and consumables for CHMS’s over 600 students (beakers and resources for dissection, measurement, and chemical analysis) – arrived at CHMS wrapped in boxes filling six large pallets. Ms. Beckman unpacked all the pallets, with help from Science Teacher on Special Assignment Ashley Crawford, and now Ms. Beckman will prepare all of these materials for classroom use.
As Michael Ecker, former principal at CHMS and current Coordinator of Pupil Services, remarked, “The library is like a home for so many kids. Ms. Beckman has fostered a love of reading in her students. She takes a personal interest in each one, and knows what they like to read – especially high-interest fiction – and makes those books accessible to them.”
The proof of her success is tangible. As Ms. Beckman notes, “The kids love to come to the library. It is often so busy there are no empty seats.”
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Carlsbad Unified School District
Email: cusd@carlsbadusd.net
Website: https://www.carlsbadusd.k12.ca.us
Location: 6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA, USA
Phone: 760-331-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/CarlsbadUnifiedSchools
Twitter: @CarlsbadUSD