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#TeamPUSD

Sharing the Good News and Good Work of Students and Staff

#TeamPUSDSharing the Good News and Good Work of Students and Staff

August 2016 Edition

Dear #TeamPUSD,

As a new-ish member of the District, this August 16th was my first "back to school" as both an employee and a parent. It was really fun to witness all the behind-the-scenes work that goes on over the summer to get everything ready for the students to arrive. It just reinforced my sincere appreciation for you, my fellow team members. Enjoy the August edition of the #TeamPUSD newsletter and keep those submissions coming!

-Christine Paik, Director of Communications

Acting Superintendent's Message Acting Superintendent's Message

Dear Team:

Welcome back to the start of another school year! I would like to express what a privilege it is to lead such a strong team and District dedicated to all students learning and succeeding.


On that note, if you haven't already, please take a moment to watch this video. I think it really sums up what #TeamPUSD is all about. I hope you feel a sense of great pride when watching and sharing it.

Welcome to Poway Unified School District

I would like to assure you, while we’ve experienced some changes in District leadership, our focus and mission of college and career readiness remains for our kids. As we launch a new school year, I look forward to working together with all of you.


In preparation for August 16th, you updated and improved facilities, worked in collaborative teams to develop engaging and relevant curriculum, and increased technology access as well as staffing on our sites, just to name a few.


Thank you for your continued dedication in the months while our students were away and in the months to come as our students return.


As your Acting Superintendent, I will remain student focused. I know you will do the same.


I hope you had a great summer, and best wishes for a successful school year.

Sincerely,

Mel Robertson, Acting Superintendent

School, Staff, and Student Achievements School, Staff, and Student Achievements

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State Cyber Challenge

Under the direction of Tammy Neuhaus, Westview High placed second in the State of California’s first ever Cyber Innovation Challenge, which took place in Sacramento on June 29th. Eight high school teams from around the state competed.
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Barona Education Grant

Turtleback Elementary School students received a $5,000 Barona Education grant to assist in the purchase of various LEGO kits and materials to build a "Maker Space" to support academic growth and creativity.
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Fundraising for Ecuador

When MBMS students Daniela Garcia and Myra Ashraf heard about the devastating earthquake in Ecuador they wanted to help. After hosting a booth at Del Sur Heritage Night and a matched donation from Poway Deputy Mayor, Mr. Jim Cunningham, they were able to donate $919.94 to the Red Cross.

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Newsweek Top School

Westview was named 83rd on Newsweek’s list of Top 500 High Schools 2016. The rankings assess schools based on which institutions do the best job of preparing students for college. The report took into consideration factors including graduation rate, percentage of college-bound students, as well as poverty levels.
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SD County Fair

Over 80 PUSD students were awarded “Best in Show” or “Best of Class” in the San Diego County Fair Student Showcase from June 3rd to July 4th. Categories ranged from architectural drafting to videos. Congratulations!
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Eco Ambassador

Exciting news! The Abraxas High garden is a finalist in CBS 8 - San Diego News "EcoAmbassador" People's Choice contest. We are competing with 7 other organizations for a $20,000 top prize. Voting begins this Friday at 9am and ends Sept. 13th at noon at cbs8.com. Please vote every day!
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Top 5 on SYTYCD

Emma Hellenkamp, Black Mountain 6th grader, competed this summer on the Fox show "So You Think You Can Dance: Next Generation." The televised show features young dancers, ages 8 through 13, competing for the top prize of $250,000. Out of 100 dancers selected from auditions, the 11-year-old tap dancer has advanced to be among the top five contestants.
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Linda Foote

Foote, a Technology Integration Specialist, was one of 100 educators from around the world selected to attend the Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute (DENSI) in Chicago July 17th-22nd. DENSI is a unique weeklong residential style professional development opportunity that brings together Discovery Educators from across disciplines and geography with a common mission to energize their teaching through the power of collaboration, technology, and fun.
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Jonathan Penuliar

Penuliar, an English teacher at Twin Peaks Middle School, was awarded the 2016 Joint Doctoral Program Chrispeels Fellowship by UC San Diego Department of Education. Penuliar is the school’s English Language Development site coordinator, yearbook adviser, and theatre director. The award will support his goals of positively impacting organizations and school systems to build stronger communities through education.
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Chargers Grant

Sunset Hills won a Chargers Champions grant. They will be receiving $3,000 to buy picnic tables for the playground. Prior to this, the students ate their snacks on the black tops. The grant is a healthy/nutrition and fitness grant. Coinciding with the new eating area will be a focused emphasis on helping students and families make healthy food choices for snacks and lunches.
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CNG Bus Grant

The San Diego Air Pollution Control District is awarding PUSD's transportation department up to $300,000 to fund the tank replacements on 12 of our 35 CNG (compressed natural gas) buses. PUSD is a recognized leader in this technology statewide having had CNG buses since 1990. Of PUSD’s 151 buses, 35 units (23.17%) are alternative fueled by CNG.
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Bond Refunding

For the first time, the District Finance team was able to accomplish two things on a bond refunding:

  1. PUSD realized a 25.82% overall savings on refunding bonds from various CFD areas

  2. PUSD was able to reduce the final maturity of outstanding bonds by 10 years. This means that CFD taxpayers final payment for their outstanding bonds will be 2032 in lieu of 2042.

Everyday Heroes and TeamPUSD Awards Everyday Heroes and TeamPUSD Awards

Awarded at the June 21st Board Meeting

The PUSD 'Everyday Heroes' Classified Recognition Program honors classified employees who demonstrate excellence in work performance, school and community involvement, leadership and commitment to our District and students. The Team PUSD Award is designed to recognize an admirable team of employees, who together accomplish an exceptional task or project. The recognition is for a group of two or more classified and/or certificated individuals who have made a significant contribution to the benefit of PUSD, an individual, his or her work site, the community or other volunteer or service organization.

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Everyday Hero

Hilary Ramirez, ESS Supervisor (SHES)
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Everyday Hero

Anna Noel, Instructional Asst. (RBHS)
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Everyday Hero

Vicki Wahlsten, LAN Administrator Coordinator (District)
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Everyday Hero

Ruth Siopongco, Accountant II (Finance Dept.)
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Team PUSD Award

Teachers Robert Lutticken, Barrett Becker, and Robert Saxton (Abraxas)
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Team PUSD Award

Rick Simon, Instructional Assistant (BHMS)

PUSD Volunteers of the Year PUSD Volunteers of the Year

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Stan Kim, Painted Rock

Painted Rock nominated Stan Kim as PUSD Volunteer of the Year due to the lasting impact he has had on their school community. Stan pioneered the volunteer involvement of men on the PRES campus by starting the Painted Rock Dad's club, "Lunch with Dads Week", and "Dads Rock The Classroom". Stan loaned his art form of photography to more classrooms and teachers than can be counted. He has even helped train other parent volunteer photographers. Stan has spent years coaching the 3rd graders to run in the Rotary Club race (which PRES has won many years due to Stan's training!) He also teaches leadership skills to 4th and 5th graders by having them mentor and train with the younger runners. Stan has organized/emceed the Talent Show/Panther Idol throughout the years. More recently, he has lent his services to the Foundation where he spent hours producing a video for one of their live auction winners. Stan has also launched a scholarship program for promoting 5th grade ESL students.
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Audrey Frank, Rancho Bernardo

Audrey Frank is the driving force behind the RB Music Boosters Organization, serving as the executive board president for the past six years. She is a hard worker who has an infectious, positive attitude that inspires and drives the parents who volunteer for the music program. The demand as booster president requires being available around the clock to respond and address the 275 families involved in the instrumental music program. Since the music program operates and performs year round, Audrey works year round to keep the music boosters running. During Audrey’s time as president, the music booster organization faced many hurdles as funding grew difficult in a struggling economy. Under Audrey’s leadership, the music boosters continued to move forward and provide the best support possible for the music program. There were many days when Audrey would work a full day as an elementary school principal and drive straight to RB for a meeting or music booster activity. She has also been involved with the swimming parent organization, assisting her husband with their Boy Scout troop, and volunteering at church.
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Garry Burgess, Black Mountain

For the past 2.5 years, Garry Burgess has been the president of Black Mountain Middle School’s Foundation, at one point, also balancing being the president of Sunset Hill’s Foundation. Under Garry, the Foundation has helped fund various programs on campus, such as Show Choir, Community Garden, Orchestra, Band and more. This year, the Foundation implemented a $10,000 mini-grant program where staff could apply for $500 mini-grants that would help benefit classes. Items that were funded ranged from the Playwright’s Project, field trip fees, and conference fees to iPads, and K’Nex blocks. Garry’s volunteerism extends beyond the Foundation. As a parent, Garry has two students that attend BMMS. Through Garry’s efforts, he has helped bring the Hour of Code program to campus for the past two years. Over the course of one week, Garry helps lead students through the basics of programming. This year, they were able to host an “advanced” Hour of Code, again with Garry’s assistance. Garry has also helped out with other programs, such as Odyssey of the Mind, the annual FallFest carnival, and within the BMMS Academy.

These Volunteers of the Year, Classified Employees of the Year, and Teachers of the Year will all be honored at the upcoming Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, September 13th, 2016 at 6pm.

#TeamPUSD Behind the Scenes #TeamPUSD Behind the Scenes

PUSD Registration Week 2016
PUSD Campus Cleaning and Beautification 2016
PUSD Teachers Room Prep 2016
PUSD Network Upgrade Project 2016
PUSD Energy Storage Project 2016

State Testing Results

The Poway Unified School District is pleased to report that the just-released California Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment results show the overall growth in student performance on this state-wide test is positive across the District when compared to the first year of results released in 2015. The assessment, which was administered to over 18,000 students this past spring, saw larger numbers of students in all grade spans achieving the state goal of "Met or Exceeded State Standards." Overall 76% of students in English Language Arts and 67% of students in math met this goal. To see or search the results go here.

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Spotlight on Ella Smith: New Student Board Member

We had the opportunity to sit down with #TeamPUSD's new Student Board Member, Ella Smith. Ella attends Westview High School.


Q: What are you looking forward to most about your new position?

E: Working with adults. I have previously worked with student government. I am looking forward to working on larger scale, substantial issues.


Q: What have you been up to this summer?

E: I got to travel with my mom for five weeks. We went to Russia, Italy and Sweden. Did you know a train across Italy only costs about thirty euro?


Q: What are your future plans?

E: I want to go to college and I will probably major in business. I could see myself working for a non profit.


Q: What do you want to accomplish for your final year?

E: I want to help all students feel involved and that they can voice their ideas, big and small. I also want to increase hydration across campuses.


Q: What are some fun facts about you?

E: I like art history and when I was traveling I discovered that I love gnocchi.


Q: Do you have a message for your fellow PUSD students?

E: Yes. Be informed to be empowered. When you are informed you can voice your opinion well and you will feel empowered.

Summer Fun and Back to School Gallery Summer Fun and Back to School Gallery

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ESS Friendship Festival

Over 500 kids from five schools gathered at Design 39 Campus for the Friendship Festival. They're all part of PUSD's Extended Student Services (ESS) summer session. They got to dance, play games, make crafts, and eat lunch together.

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Music Ambassadors

Over the summer, band and orchestra students from Rancho Bernardo HS, Poway HS, Westview HS, and Del Norte HS, traveled as part of the Southern California Ambassadors of Music European Tour. The students traveled through seven European countries, experienced new cultures and cuisine, and performed for enthusiastic crowds throughout Europe.
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Class of 2020

Principal LeMaster welcomed the RBHS freshman class with the caption "Class of 2020! Going to be a great 4 Years". The school kicked off the year with a back-to-school rally and dance.
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Classified Learning

This was one of several CLCs offered over the summer: Campus security and Instructional Assistants received safety training at Mt. Carmel on August 8th.
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New Teachers

New teacher orientation on August 9th: about 120 educators joined #TeamPUSD for 2016-17, many are PUSD grads themselves!
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X-Ploration

X-Ploration is PUSD's new way of bringing STEM, VAPA, and PE curriculum to our elementary students. This team of teachers will rotate among different school sites throughout the school year.
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Poway Ensemble

Music needs no translation! PUSD Orchestra Director Ulli Reiner just returned from a tour across China with her PUSD Adult School ensemble, "The Poway Symphonette." The group was very well-received, performing in three venues in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.

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APSM Kickoff

The Association of Poway School Managers kicked off the year on August 5th with a breakfast and team-building activities. APSM is made up of District managers (i.e. principals and directors), supervisors (i.e. ESS and aquatics) as well as school psychologists.
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Budget Deadline

Sometimes you just have to celebrate after a deadline. This is PUSD's Finance Department after completing the budget on time, despite learning a new software. Money keeps our schools running, so thank you!
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"Rainbow" Graduation

Asst. Principal Patty Hurtt awarding Jason Towner, Poway Adult School graduate (and student speaker) with the APSM scholarship. On August 3rd, PUSD celebrated summer graduates at the "rainbow graduation" ceremony. It's called that because the graduates wear different colored caps and gowns, depending on their school.
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Titan Welcome

PHS peer counselors and student leaders gathered early in the morning to appear live on 10News and welcome classmates on the first day of school. See part of the segment here.
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MCHS Tradition

All Mt. Carmel sophomores, juniors, and seniors get personalized notes from ASB on their first day welcoming them back.
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Summer Facelift

Maintenance & Operations worked furiously over the summer to complete dozens of facilities projects before students' arrival. Among those pictured here: new exterior paint at MVMS, new concrete at GRES, new energy storage at BMMS, and new office space at BHMS.
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Going the Distance

Dr. Mel Robertson, pictured here with PHS Principal Ron Garrett, celebrated the first day of school by visiting first-day rallies at campuses around the district.
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Ni Hao

Adobe Bluffs now officially offers Mandarin as a foreign language to elementary students. Starting this year, students will learn basic Chinese language and culture, with the goal of bringing a full language immersion program in the future.
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Swap Meet

Elementary library staff gathered at Stone Ranch for their annual "Swap Meet," working together to ensure students & teachers get the materials they need to excel.
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New Marquee

MBMS students started off the year with a new LED marquee, courtesy of the Meadowbrook Educational Foundation. The sign was installed over the summer.
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Cheetah Mural

Back in June, Bailey, a former Tierra Bonita student, reached out to Principal Bedard and asked if he could paint a mural at the school. Over the last few months, Mrs. Bedard and Bailey came together numerous times to discuss the mural and its theme: a Cheetah who is focused on making healthy choices!

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Peer Ambassadors

2016-2017 Peer Ambassadors from DNHS,RBHS, PHS, WHS. Peer Ambassadors are exceptional seniors committed to the academic achievement and character of younger students in the district.
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New Track

Turtleback Elementary Principal Ann Auten at the August 12th ribbon cutting for the school’s new track. She was joined by Kevin Juza, Turtleback Education Foundation president, and several Turtleback students.
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Lights, Camera...

Rancho Bernardo's award-winning digital media program, under the direction of Ross Kallen, is off to a great start. The group produces Bronco TV as well as PSA's, documentaries and short films.
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NJROTC at Petco Park

Westview's NJROTC color guard took the field at Petco Park at the August 18th Padres game vs. the D'backs.
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Safety First

Principal Mike Mosgrove made sure students got to school safely during drop-off on the first day of school.
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Warm Welcome

Willow Grove staff welcomed students into the office as they file onto campus on the first day of school.

Scenes from the Rancho Bernardo Spirit of the 4th Parade

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Nancy Dannhauser, Classified Employee of the Year, with her daughter; Joe Gizzo, Teacher of the Year; Neel Pujar, Student Board Member, with his brother
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Board member Kimberley Beatty, with her husband; Board member Charles Sellers, with his wife
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Emmett Cruz drives the PUSD antique fire truck for parades
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Deer Canyon Elementary, National Blue Ribbon School 2015
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Adobe Bluffs Elementary, California Gold Ribbon School 2016
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Los Penasquitos Elementary, California Gold Ribbon School 2016
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Poway High band and color guard
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Rancho Bernardo High band and color guard
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Westview High band and color guard
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Del Norte High band and color guard
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Mt. Carmel High band and color guard
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Miss Poway, Miss Teen Poway, and Miss Junior Teen Poway, all PUSD students

Poway Unified in the News

  • New School Year Starts with Mandarin
  • Politics Runs in the Family at Valley
  • Mt. Carmel Band Camp Photo Gallery
  • Poway Adult School Changing Lives
  • RBHS Best Buddies Dream Big
  • Teaching Students About Digital Footprints
  • Engineering and Construction Pathways
  • Poway Unified teacher shares ideas via fellowships
  • Students at Sunset Hills go back to school
  • Art teacher Paul Messerle serves as a leader to students
  • New Track for Turtleback
  • Design 39 Campus to welcome its first 8th graders
  • Del Norte band ready for competition
  • Vaccinations for back to school
  • Football: Broncos still loaded
  • Local School District Rethinking Homework
  • Case Closed: Getting crosswalks painted outside PUSD schools

Upcoming Dates:

  • Labor Day is September 5, 2016
  • Poway Days Parade on September 10, 2016 at 9am
  • Cox Salute to Teachers on September 10, 2016 at 8pm.
  • The next Board of Education meeting is September 13, 2016 at 6pm
  • PUSD College and Career Fair at Rancho Bernardo High School on October 18, 2016 at 6pm
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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: facebook.com/PowayUSD
Twitter: @PowayUSD

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