Proposition "S" is a $2.1 billion bond measure that the Board of Education has placed before the voters for approval on the November 4 ballot. If approved by 55% of the voters, Proposition “S” will provide bond funds for the repair and renovation of school facilities as specified in the ballot measure. To read the ballot measure and for information, visit http://sandi.net/PropS/.

Monthly classified employees who are interested in becoming teachers are encouraged to apply for the Board President's Scholarship Award , presented annually by the President of the Board of Education and California Coast Credit Union. Two recipients will be selected. Each will receive a $1,000 check at the November 18 board meeting. The application (part 1  | part 2 ) deadline is Friday, October 3. For information, contact Melissa Hudson at mmabe2@sandi.net or at (619) 725-5550.

Dependents between the ages of 19-25 years must be full-time students to remain on the medical and dental benefits plans of benefit eligible employees. Employees must complete a declaration of dependent eligibility form  and submit to the Benefits Office at the Education Center, Room 1150, or to the VEBA office c/o McGregor Van De Moere Inc.,7676 Hazard Center Drive, Suite 300, San Diego (92108), by Tuesday, September 30. If a dependent is not a full-time student or if the declaration is not received by the deadline, benefits will terminate October 1, 2008. For information, call the Benefits Department at (619) 725- 8130, option 6.

Newspapers, TV, radio and internet media are always looking for good stories about our schools and district; the Communications Department always needs stories to share. Schools and departments can help by submitting items to the weekly Campus Calendar, which is distributed weekly to the media. The calendar includes open-to-the-public events, such as open houses, student plays and school carnivals. The San Diego Union-Tribune publishes many of these events in its "Our San Diego" Schools Calendar, which runs on Thursday. The calendar also includes not-open-to-the-public events where you’d like media coverage such as student recognitions, ASB functions and unique classroom projects. TV stations have covered Earth Day celebrations, ice cream socials and attendance ceremonies. Newsrooms are often looking for a positive story to cover; we just need to let them know. E-mail items to Jack Brandais, media relations specialist, at jbrandais@sandi.net, in advance as soon as possible. For information, call Jack at (619) 725-5570.

Due to budget reductions the Grade Level Arts Experience Project has limited money for transportation to local arts venues. The Target Corporation will award 5,000 Field Trip Grants of up to $800 each during the 2008-09 school year. The application deadline is Saturday, November 1. Take advantage of this free offer to make sure students get to participate in field trips this year. For information, contact Karen Childress-Evans at kchildressevans@sandi.net or (858) 539-5349.

Placement and Appeal is conducting a student discipline training on Thursday, September 18, from 1-4 p.m., in the Ed Center auditorium. The training will cover suspension/expulsion procedures. Every secondary school should send at least one representative to the training. This individual will be responsible for training the staff at their school site. All new site administrators should also attend. Although expulsions are rare at the elementary level, elementary schools are encouraged to attend. Please bring your bright pink copy of the 2008-09 Placement and Appeal Guidelines to the training. For information, contact Laurie Lamb or Deidre Walsh at (619) 725-5660.

Hands On San Diego is Volunteer San Diego's annual week-long service event that mobilizes thousands of volunteers from all over San Diego County. Students, families and employees are welcome to participate in one of many service projects on Saturday, September 27, or Sunday, September 28. Last year, volunteers completed 100 projects benefiting 40 diverse community organizations, including our schools. For more information, visit www.volunteersandiego.org.

Want to get in great shape, have fun and set a healthy example for our students? Join the Southern California Schools VEBA fitness challenge: The Great San Diego Walk About . All district employees age 18 and older can sign up for this fun, voluntary 8-week walking program. Each participant will receive a pedometer, step-tracking sheets and other items. Prizes will be awarded to those who reach their goals. Other incentives and services will also be available. Deadline to submit a participation form  is Friday, September 19. The challenge begins September 29 and ends November 23. For information, contact Ronnie Adair at radair1@sandi.net or healthcoach@VEBAonline.com.

• Earn National Board Certification, Master's Degree at the Same Time
  In partnership with National University, district teachers can pursue National Board Certification in 2009-10 while completing a Master's Degree in Teaching, a Master's with an Administrative Credential, or simply National Board Certification. Approximately 80 district teachers are currently participating in this partnership program. Classes meet one night per week at a district school and online in our hybrid program. Apply for the February cohort no later than February 2, 2009. Plan to attend an informational meeting  to learn more. For questions, contact Julia Groff at jgroff@sandi.net or visit the Teacher Preparation and Student Support Division website.
  
  
• Discover Program Course Offerings
  Take advantage of the great professional development opportunities offered by the Discover Program. Registration is still open for the following September course offerings:
  • Basic Life Support CPR and First Aid
  • Moodle 1
  Register early. Classes are held based on the number of registrations. To view course descriptions and to register online, go to the DISCOVER website. For information contact Esther Caluza at ecaluza@sandi.net or (858) 496-1887.
  
  
• CSET Prep Courses Scheduled
  Prep courses for the November 1 California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) will begin Thursday, October 2. Courses are available in Single Subject English , Single Subject Science   (General Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Geoscience), Single Subject Mathematics  and Multiple Subjects . Courses are free for district employees; $60 for non-district employees. The registration  deadline is Thursday, September 25. For information, contact Lucy Del Valle at ldelvalle@sandi.net or (619) 725-7142.
  
  
• Educational Technology Fall/Winter Classes
  Registration is underway for Ed Tech Fall/Winter classes, which start Wednesday, September 17. Courses include Intro to Moodle; Moodle 1 and 2; Using Video; Google Collaborative Tools; Using Digital Images; Using Graphical Organizers; Using Online Databases and United Streaming. Courses scheduled for September through December are held from 4-6 p.m. at the IMC. Sign up online at http://registration.sandi.net. For information, contact Susan Levine at slevine@sandi.net or (858) 503-1700.

• CARS + Welcome Back
  CARS Plus, the organization for special educators, is holding its Welcome Back event  on Tuesday, September 23, from 3:30-5 p.m., at Mt Everest Academy. Guest speaker is Susan Martinez, interim executive director, special education division. For information and to RSVP, contact Karen Karagozian at kkaragozian@sandi.net or (858) 496-1827.
  
  
• Weight Watchers At-Work Program
  Interested employees are welcome to join the Weight Watchers At-Work program sponsored by the Education Center Building Committee. Meetings are held every Thursday, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., in the Education Center auditorium. Members have lost more than 700 pounds since January. The next session begins Thursday, September 25. The deadline to sign up is September 18. By joining now you will become a partner with Weight Watchers in their “Lose for Good" Campaign to reduce hunger worldwide. For information, contact Paula Hall at phall1@sandi.net.
  
  
• Employee Viejas Trip
  The Ed Center Building Committee is sponsoring a trip  to the Viejas Casino and Outlet Center for all employees and their guests on Friday, September 26. A bus will leave the Ed Center at 5 p.m., and return at midnight. Cost is $5 per person and includes transportation, Viejas Outlet Discount Book, food coupons and a V-Club Membership Card. RSVP by Friday, September 19. For information and to RSVP, contact Jen McIntyre at jmcintyre@sandi.net.
  
  
• Jerabek Celebrates 30 Years
  Jerabek Elementary will hold its 30th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, October 5, from 2-6 p.m. Festivities will include entertainment by The Heroes, food and raffle. For information, contact Cynthia Collins at cynthiacollinssd@aol.com.
  
  
• An Evening with Richard Lederer
  The San Diego Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa is hosting a dinner meeting on Tuesday, October 21, at 5 p.m., at the Handlery Hotel and Resort. Noted author and columnist Dr. Richard Lederer will be talking about his newest book, Presidential Trivia. Dr. Lederer is the author of more than 30 books about language and humor, His syndicated column, “Looking at Language,” appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. Cost is $20. For information and to make a reservation, contact Jeannie Steeg at jeannie@aasdcs.org or (619) 295-2118.
  
  
• Community Resource Fair
  The Counseling and Guidance Department is sponsoring the 4th Annual Community Resource Fair on Tuesday, December 2, from 8-10:30 a.m., at Marina Village. Representatives from community agencies will share information about resources available to schools. For information, call the Counseling & Guidance Department at (858) 503-3180.

• Superintendent’s Friday Notes
• Proposition S Ballot Language and Arguments

• San Diego Union-Tribune
  September 11, 2008
  Recovering lost students | Youths are urged to return to school SAN DIEGO – Happy with his job detailing cars, Christian Rodriguez had accepted his decision to drop out of Hoover High School back in May.
  
  
• KPBS-FM
  Sep 09, 2008
  SD High School Exit Exam Results Good, Reforms Still Expected
  The San Diego Unified School District saw an uptick in the number of seniors who passed California's high school exit exam this year.

• 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 93,000 miles. Credit Union payoff $7,600. Good condition. Call Bob at (858) 627-7451.
• Shell Vacations Club at the Ilikai Waikiki Marina Resort. Deluxe studio w/ full kitchen. Annual SVC points good at any SVC destination worldwide. $20K OBO. Call (619) 309-8945.
• Mexican Red-Head Amazon Parrot. Has ability to talk. $375. Call (619) 993-1180.
• 2004 Buick Regal LS. 4-door. Silver w/grey leather interior. 22,000 mi. $8,000. Call (619) 241-2054, eves.

• 2-Story Cottage, 2BD/1BA with large deck. One block from Birney Elementary. $1200/mo inc. utilities. Call (619) 297-2388.

• Roommate to share a 2BD/2 BA apt. in No. Park. No smokers/pets. Great location. Off-street parking, own bathroom. Utilities incl. $650/mo + $500 dep. Call (619) 208-2595.
• Carpool. Vista to Mira Mesa area. Approx. 6:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Contact resparza1@sandi.net or (760) 917-3945.

Classified ads are accepted from district employees only. Submit ads by e-mail to communications@sandi.net. Limit to 15 words (not including phone number). Include work location and phone number (for ID purposes only).

Do you have an announcement for Newsline? Newsline is published every Monday; the deadline to submit items is noon on the preceding Friday.  E-mail items to communications@sandi.net and mark “Newsline” in the subject line.