Rincon Community News #1

Greetings Rincon Community!

Ready or not, the 2025-26 school year is here and I am so excited to meet you all! I hope your summer was everything you hoped it would be and more. I had the opportunity to travel with family to Costa Rica. I am a travel freak and I thrive learning about cultures, people, food, and exploring nature.

As your new Rincon Principal this year, I am eager to get the school year started. But for those of you that may not know me, here is a little about me.

With over 23 years of experience in education, I am excited to begin this adventure with all of you. Coming from my role as principal at Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning, I carry with me a deep passion for fostering student growth, deepening connections, and building community.

My career began as a high school teacher, but I soon found my niche in middle school, where I spent twelve fulfilling years at Del Dios, Bear Valley, and Mission. These experiences taught me the joys and challenges of helping students learn and thrive. While my transition to elementary school was unexpected, it became a transformative experience, deepening my commitment to creating engaging and inquiry-driven learning environments for students of all ages.

At Conway, we implemented innovative programs that transformed our school into a dynamic environment emphasizing experiential learning. Our mission had always been to empower all learners to achieve more than they thought possible. I believe in building a strengths-based school that allows our students to discover their potential and become change-makers in their communities. Through collaboration with dedicated teachers, staff, and families, we were able to turn Conway around from being one of the lowest-performing schools in our district to one that now outperforms the district average in both reading and math. This remarkable transformation earned Conway the EL Education Credential in 2023, recognizing our commitment to equity and excellence.

As I step into my role at Rincon, I bring with me a collaborative leadership style and a genuine commitment to building strong relationships with students, staff, parents, and the community. I believe that clear communication, models of excellence, and opportunities to “fail forward” are essential for success. Conversely, I understand that fixed mindsets and feeling unheard can hinder growth and creativity.

On a personal note, I am a lifelong learner who enjoys spending time outdoors, mountain biking, hiking, and traveling. I cherish moments with my family, whether it’s enjoying our weekly Sunday dinners, traveling together or playing games together. These experiences fuel my passion for education and remind me of the importance of connection, community, and love.

As we prepare to launch the 2025-26 school year, I am excited about the adventures that await us. I can't wait to meet each of you and work collaboratively to continue nurturing a vibrant learning community at Rincon Middle School.

Warmly,

Tina Meglich

Rincon Principal

Parents/Guardians are invited with your student to pick up an iPad/book/planner, purchase PE clothes/Rincon swag (cash only). Complete registration/health office paperwork if needed and learn about PTSA, X-Track, and Vista Hill.

Monday, August 11

8:00AM - 12:00PM - 7th Grade Registration/Orientation in the MPR

Tuesday, August 12

8:00AM - 12:00PM - 8th Grade Registration/Orientation in the MPR

See you there!

We are already off to a strong student centered start. Our amazing WEB leaders, Kallan Campa and Amber Terry, led student leaders through a two day training focused on creating a welcoming environment for all new incoming 6th graders and new 7th grade students. “Where Everybody Belongs” W.E.B. is a new program to Rincon led by Campa and Terry . The energy was infectious!

The goal is for WEB leaders to feel empowered as mentors to our new learners so they can discover how to successfully transition to middle school. The goal of WEB is to create a structure to build relationships, make meaningful connections, and feel safe.

Appreciate our WEB teachers, Ms. Campa and Ms. Terry, and all the student leaders for taking charge and leading with heart.

My name is Gwen Smith, and I began my teaching career in EUSD in 1999. I started at the elementary level, where I taught grades K–5, led GATE clusters, and served as a team lead. I also spent four years teaching in Temecula, continuing to support elementary education, as well as online and blended models, with California Virtual Academies (CAVA), teaching grades K-8. I hold a B.A. in Organizational Leadership and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction. After earning my preliminary Administrative Credential through the San Diego County Office of Education, I transitioned to middle school five years ago as a Reading Specialist. Since then, I’ve worked in Math Intervention, supported Newcomers, and served as ASB advisor. I have worked at Mission and Del Dios. I have supported our summer school and ELOP programs.

Additional experience includes my work with the Department of Defense, where I supported military families in Coronado (Navy) and Miramar (Marines) through early childhood development (8 weeks- preschool) and before/after school programs (K-High School). In that role, I served as a Training and Curriculum Specialist, supporting both NAEYC and COA standards for staff development.

It is an honor to be in this profession, and I’m proud to support Rincon as your MTSS. I’m also familiar with the Community Schools model through my work as the former EEEA Secretary, where I had the opportunity to receive training through CTA and NEA, as well as touring Community Schools in Anaheim in years 3 and 4 of their grants.

I am a San Diego native. I moved to Escondido 4 years ago and love this community. I am a mother to two grown sons, ages 23 and 21, both of whom are serving in the Army. I have a foster daughter, a former student, who just graduated from San Pasqual High School and is now starting at Palomar College to become a counselor. She is originally from Guatemala. I love to hike, cook, garden, read, and travel.

Let's have our best year yet! Go Bulldogs.

Gwen Smith, gwsmith@eusd.org

Hello Bulldogs!

I am honored to join the Rincon Bulldog community as Assistant Principal and bring with me a deep-rooted connection to the Escondido Union School District. As a proud product of EUSD and the daughter of a dedicated Special Education teacher who served in the district for over 30 years, I’ve experienced firsthand the power of strong, student-centered public education.

My journey in education began as a middle school English Language Arts teacher, where I developed a passion for creating engaging, inclusive learning environments. Most recently, I served as a Behavior Specialist, supporting students, staff, and families in building positive systems that promote academic, social, and emotional growth.

This year, I’m excited to learn and grow from and with the incredible staff, students, and families at Rincon. I believe in the importance of fostering meaningful relationships, holding high expectations, and ensuring all students feel safe, seen, and empowered to succeed.

I’m grateful to be part of this passionate team and look forward to the work ahead as we inspire students to reach their fullest potential.

Morgan Conroy, mconroy@eusd.org

As you are cleaning out your closets getting ready for back to school please consider donating unwanted jeans and tshirts (any condition) to my cooking and crafting class. We will be upcycling jeans in mending and sewing projects, and creating yarn from tshirts. These can be put in my mailbox or delivered to rm. 6 when we return.

Also, gather any clothing you need repaired as we gear up for “Mending Mondays.” We will be learning how to hem, take in, repair tears and holes, see on buttons. Set these aside we will be ready after Labor Day to start taking orders.

It feels good to do good in the world. Donate today. Contact cfeeney@eusd.org.

Monday, August 11

7th Grade Registration/Orientation (8:00AM - 12:00PM)

Tuesday, August 12

8th Grade Registration/Orientation (8:00AM - 12:00PM)

Tuesday, August 19

First Day of School 8:00 AM - 2:45 PM

Monday, August 25

Picture day!

Thursday, September 4

Rincon's Back to School Night 5:30 PM