Good Afternoon, CUSD,
We are sending our newsletter out on Thursday this week due to the upcoming four-day weekend.
As you may be aware, our Governing Board is currently in the process of discussion with an intention to revise the district’s cell phone/smart device policy beginning in the next school year. Community engagement and feedback is an important part of the discussion. Please take a few minutes to fill out the CUSD Survey: In-School Student Personal Smart Device Use before it closes on Tuesday 2/17 at midnight. Information gathered from this survey will be used to help guide decisions to ensure we are supporting students in the most effective way possible. If you were unable to attend the Community Forum last week you can watch the video and/or view the slide presentation.
It’s hard to believe that CoSA, our award winning school-within-a-school at CHS, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The CoSA Foundation Gala is set for March 14 and promises to be a great night out for a very special cause. Please consider supporting our talented student artists by attending the event - which will feature student entertainers, specially curated decor, delicious dinner, and dancing at the trendy Venue 808 in downtown San Diego. Bonus: if you purchase tickets before 2/14 at noon you will be entered into a drawing for special prizes. See flyers below for all the details and buy tickets here.
We are thrilled to share an update on how our $1.25 million DoDEA Computer Science (CS) Grant is transforming education in Coronado Unified! Since October 2024, we have hit the ground running to expand Computer Science education for every student, Kindergarten through 12th grade. Over the past 18 months, a dedicated team of 15 CUSD educators has teamed up with the San Diego County Office of Education to participate in a strategic visioning process (SCRIPT) and develop a comprehensive implementation plan that aligns with our CUSD Portrait of a Graduate.
The impact of the grant is already visible in our schools. We have purchased new hardware and software to support hands-on learning, and our teachers are diving into professional development to bring the best instruction to students.
K-5 Foundation: Our teachers are collaborating to develop an integrated curriculum that introduces CS concepts as early as Kindergarten.
New Middle School Courses: CMS has launched exciting new electives, including Automation & Robotics, App Creators, and Design & Modeling.
High School Success: Our students are excelling, with increased enrollment and higher pass rates in AP Computer Science courses and exams.
The implementation of the grant will continue to grow as we build an articulated K-12 CS scope and sequence and learning pathways that will include real-world, work-based learning opportunities. We are looking for community partners to provide real-world experiences for our students in tech and Computer Science. If you’d like to get involved, don't hesitate to get in touch with the CUSD Learning Department: sarah.yakutis@coronadousd.net
Have a restful and safe break! See you on Tuesday,
Respectfully,
Karl J. Mueller
Superintendent
