Message from Dr. Tony Apostle, Interim Superintendent
Dear TeamPUSD:
The following article is a testimony to the lifelong impact that positive, honest, candid and constructive communications between educators and parents can have on a student`s self-esteem and hope for a better future. Today, these words reflect my core beliefs like no other expressions of my confidence in our public education system.
The importance of a strong partnership between parents and educators is timeless. I am reminded of my own third grade parent–teacher conference with my late mother and my third grade teacher, Mrs. Larsen, in Tacoma, Washington. I still unpleasantly recall receiving nine N`s (needs improvement) on my report card which triggered a required parent–teacher conference. I shuddered at the thought of attending my own parent–teacher conference as a translator because our primary language at home was Greek and my mother could not fluently write, comprehend or speak English.
The much anticipated conference day arrived. Nervously and with halting hesitation, introductions were made; and we sat down in the empty and quiet classroom. Mrs. Larsen politely and immediately addressed the purpose of the meeting and quickly began to share her criticisms regarding my lack of academic progress in several subject areas. She went on and on as I translated in Greek my numerous academic weaknesses to my mother and, at the same time, I battled tears and was sobbing out loud. My mother tried very hard to hold back her emotions - unable to speak in English and ask questions about what was on her mind; more importantly, wanting to defend her son from the negative criticisms.
Halfway through the conference my mother interrupted Mrs. Larsen in mid-sentence and said in her best, but nearly unintelligible English, “Tony, good boy?” She then repeated it a second time, “Tony, good boy?” There was momentary and uncomfortable silence that seemed to last far too long for me! Mrs. Larsen broke the silence and replied, “Tony is one of my favorite students- very polite and well behaved- qualities that a mother should be very proud of.” One can imagine hearing my sigh of relief and see my ear-to-ear grin as I repeated in Greek what Mrs. Larsen had said – her first positive comment about me in the entire conference. My mother warmly held my hand tight and smiled for the first time that day.
Days later, Mrs. Larsen asked me to stay after school. She began by telling that I did well at the parent conference and that she appreciated my translation of her assessment of my academic progress. She told me that she would spend extra time with me since my mother could not read English and my father worked late driving a truck. She went on to say that together, we would set a goal of zero ”N`s” at the next grading period. I replied that I did not think it was possible. She bent down looked me straight in the eyes, and confidently told me something that I have not forgotten. She said, “Inch by inch, life's a cinch; yard by yard, life is hard.”
This message is another reminder that parents and educators today, both classified and certificated, serve a very important and crucial role in guiding student success. Working as #TeamPUSD together and making students our highest priority, we can make a profound difference in the lives of children- every day. It lasts a lifetime… I should know, as a once struggling student who became an educator myself.
May you find rest and rejuvenation during the winter break, and we will see you in the New Year to continue our work!
Tony
Rosenthal Prize for Math
Grammy Finalist
Ulli Reiner, Orchestra Director at Twin Peaks and Bernardo Heights Middle Schools, is one of 10 finalists for the Grammy Music Educator award! The announcement aired on CBS national news and Ms. Reiner and her students were also profiled locally on CBS8. The finalists were chosen for their significant contributions to music education in their schools and will each receive a $1,000 award. The winner will attend the Grammy Awards in February and receive $10,000.
Hall of Fame
Barbara Scholl, Director of Preschool and Extended Student Services, was inducted into the Educators’ Hall of Fame by Youth-on-the-Move Education International. The honor recognizes exemplary dedication to ensuring a quality education for all students. Barbara received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez at the November 19th awards ceremony in Anaheim.
Siemens National Finalist
Celebrating Art
Westview sophomore Amber Li’s beautiful piece “Splash” was named a top ten winner in the celebratingart.com contest. Amber's artwork will be published in a national anthology for art students and educators.
CA Teacher of the Year
AVID Validation
Students at Black Mountain Middle School gave a warm welcome for the AVID visitation team on December 6th. BMMS is one of only three AVID Demonstration Middle Schools in San Diego County. In order to keep this designation, they need to be revalidated by site visits every three years.
Confucius Classroom
Band Educator of the Year
Jeri Webb, Music Teacher at Westview High School, was selected as the 2017 California Music Educators Association “Byron Hoyt/Don Schmeer High School Band Educator of the Year.” She recently conducted her 85th and final halftime show.
Music Teacher of the Year
Contest Winners
Gold Level Graduates
Poway's Ironman
CIF Champs: Volleyball
CIF Champs: Field Hockey
CIF Champs: Cross Country
All Southern Honor Choir
17 PUSD students were selected to be All Southern CA honor choir members.
Women’s Choir: Nidhi Deshiikan, Poway High; Esheta Gary, Del Norte; Nandini Rajgopal, Westview
Men’s Choir: Parker Shyu, Del Norte; Tyler Whitehead, Poway
Mixed Choir: Jake Hardison, Poway; John Lettang, Poway; Jadyn Ponder, Poway; Ashling Rogerson, Poway; Sarah Butikofer, Poway; Natalie Marriott, Poway; Summer Scott, Poway; Celeste Tolley, Mt. Carmel; Jessica Trost, Del Norte; Sage Harmon, Westview; Tate Nelson, Poway; Garrett Weir, Mt. Carmel
After a rigorous audition and rehearsal process, the students performed in a concert at the University of Redlands in November. Those students who made All Southern Choir can choose to be considered for CA All State Choir. All State Choir weekend is February 16th - 18th in San Jose.
Visit to GRES
The Crucible
Dodgeball Tournament
Amazing Race
Holidays with Heroes
Another successful Holiday with Heroes event, put on by the Kiwanis Club of Poway! They invited 150 of our kiddos from Garden Road, Los Pen, Midland, Pomerado, and Valley Elementary Schools to go shopping with Marines, Navy personnel, firefighters, and Sheriff's deputies. The local heroes guide the students around the store to buy gifts for their families.
Hour of Code
Anyone can code! Thanks to Hewlett-Packard volunteers who visited Highland Ranch Elementary School to help these 5th graders program Minecraft characters during #HourofCode.
Adopt-a-Family
Thank you to each and every one of you who contributed to our Districtwide Adopt-A-Family effort, to make sure nearly 500 PUSD families in need have a happier holiday season. From the PTA site coordinators to the SWAT team officers, your donation of time and gifts is inspiring!
X-Ploration
A Night at the Museum
Teddy Bear Giveaway
Food Drive
Fit Desks
Hour of Code
U.S.S. Midway
Stone Ranch 4th graders enjoyed a hands-on field trip, filled with authentic learning on board the USS Midway. Students learned how electricity and magnetism was critical to running an aircraft carrier. Using hand-held generators, students created their own electricity.
Holiday Concerts
Tour de Force
Colonial Days
Garden to Plate
Monterey Ridge Elementary served up their “Garden to Plate” produce this week at lunchtime. The students planted, tended, and harvested the lettuce. MRES was the first school in the District to be approved by the County to serve vegetables from the garden on the lunch line.
Standing Ovation
Thank You
Free e-Books
As we head into the winter break, there's a new resource that allows students to borrow free eBooks and audiobooks to read on their computers or devices at home or on the road. It’s called Overdrive, and is now available to all PUSD students, K-12.
· Read in your browser: http://powayk8.lib.overdrive.com (For K-8) or http://powayusd.lib.overdrive.com (For High School)
· Or download the Overdrive app from your app store to read on a tablet, Nook, Kindle, or phone! Visit help.overdrive.com for help or to learn more.
· Log in using your student ID and password.
· Search for your school and age-appropriate library.
· You may check out three titles at a time.
· Titles are due in 21 days and automatically return themselves. You may return them earlier yourself.
· Filter your results by AR (ATOS) Reading Level, Interest Level, or Lexile!
Parent Education Workshops
As parents we expect that love will be enough, but parents also need skills! Sign up for our fun, highly acclaimed parent workshops. No boring lectures, not just theory, but fun, interactive learning. Get results you can see immediately! Isn’t your child worth it? Sign up today. A proud service of the Student Support Services Department.
Character Counts Film Festival
Attention students! Create a 30-second to 4-minute video showing good character in real-life situations that make a difference in the world. Videos are due Friday, March 10, 2017. For contest rules click here. The winners will be announced at the Character Counts Film Festival in May.
Submit Vimeo or YouTube URL link to lellett@powayusd.com. Or send CD to Linda Ellett, PUSD, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, 92128.
Poway Unified School District
Email: cpaik@powayusd.com
Website: powayusd.com
Location: 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA, United States
Phone: (858) 521-2700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowayUSD
Twitter: @powayusd