Recently, Board President Maria Dalla and I were interviewed
on U-T "Community Spotlight" radio show with Drew Schlosberg to share
our National School District #BeExceptional Campaign. To listen to the show,
click here: http://wsradio.com/110317-national-school-district-color-run-dream-tour/
Yet, 27 minutes is not nearly enough time to share what
incredible District we have. Below are just a few highlights inclusive and
beyond what we were able to share on air.
BOND MEASURES N and
HH
Thank you National City voters! Your generous approval of
recent Bond measures will enable us to upgrade our aging buildings. Because of
you, we have been able to install air conditioning at all of our sites, and
improve infrastructure to ensure state of the art technology connectivity.
Continued improvements in lighting, parking, and other facility projects are on
the horizon.
CLASSROOM REDESIGN
CHALLENGE
What should a student–centered classroom look like in 2018?
How would you design a high impact learning space? Twenty-six classrooms will
compete to answer these questions. There will be one winning classroom per
school that will receive a full classroom makeover. Contest winners work with a
designer to refine their ideas. Winning spaces will serve as pilot spaces to
inform future purchases.
PBIS AWARDS
Last month, eight of our schools (CE, ET, IH, JO, KM, LA,
LP, RN) received Bronze Recognition by the California PBIS Coalition (Positive
Behavior Interventions and Supports). These eight schools are the only schools
within San Diego County to receive this recognition.
HYDRATION STATIONS
We ensure safe drinking water. We installed hydrations
stations this summer/fall at all ten sites and the Preschool Center. A second
hydration station has been ordered for each school. After the second round of
hydrations stations, we will add lead filters to all exterior fountains as
well.
MUSIC PROGRAM
Band, Orchestra, and Mariachi are available to students in grades
1-6th. About 83 percent of our district’s students are Hispanic, so the
tradition of mariachi is something that goes way back through the generations.
Our current after-school program was launched in 1999, and is open to all grade
levels. It starts with teaching the basics – students sing the scales, play
them on a recorder and learn to recognize notes. Once they have that down, they
learn to play an instrument. The district provides the instruments, as well as
bus transportation to and from Las Palmas School three times a week for
instruction. All Free!
OCEAN CONNECTORS
Our partnership with Ocean Connectors provides marine
science education programs to our 4th, 5th and 6th graders. Over the course of
three years, students learn about marine conservation through hands on case
studies of sea turtles, whales, birds, and habitats. Ocean Connectors provides
classroom presentations and coastal field trips focused on three different
species of migratory marine life, ocean issues, and conservation themes. Students
also participate in a dual language “knowledge exchange” with children living
in Nayarit, Mexico to share information about migratory marine life. Our
students gain environmental knowledge and adopt stewardship behaviors that will
enable them to contribute to the earth throughout their lifetime.
SWIM PROGRAM
Drowning is the second leading cause of death for elementary
students. As a coastal city, it is imperative that our students learn to swim.
Our third grade swimming program is the district’s effort to teach all of its
third graders, including those in special education, how to
swim. It’s a tradition that stretches back decades in National City. After
being put on hiatus for several years during the worst of the state budget
crisis, trustees in 2015 approved the funding necessary to bring it back. Every
third grade student participates as well as students in our newcomer program.
READ ACROSS AMERICA
Last year as Superintendent, I read across America-
virtually!! The book selected was Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La
Peña. Matt grew up in National City. After hearing his story, 6th graders were
challenged to write a story of their own. The winning story was The Beginning
of a Young Superhero by Jonathan Jimenez from Lincoln Acres. Jonathan’s book
will be bought for each of our libraries and serve as this year’s Read Across
America inspiration.
ONE SIGHT
We recently hosted the annual OneSight clinic here in
National City. OneSight has a longstanding partnership between NSD and the NC
Host Lion’s Club where they send an international team of volunteer eye
doctors, opticians and vision specialists
administer a series of eyesight
tests that use an array of diagnostic equipment. Following the exams, students
get to choose their own frames and are fitted for new glasses. This year, the
OneSight vision clinic served over 1,500 students from five school districts in
the region.
SCHOOL–BASED GARDENS
School- based gardens have been implemented at five of ten
schools with a goal to complete remaining five this year. School gardens are a
great way to connect wellness and science and serve as outdoor labs for our
students.
KITCHENISTAS
We are proud of our partnership with Olivewood Gardens.
Olivewood’s signature Kitchenistas program has taken to the road sharing their
learning with parents at all of our schools. Presentations are made by parents
to parents and emphasize healthy recipe makeovers.
REACH- YMCA
Partnership
A top priority for the National School District Governing
Board is to nurture parent, family, and community collaboration and engagement.
The REACH program is a shining example of a way the District strategically
collaborates with a valued community partner to serve our students and
families. National uses ASES funding to partner with the South Bay Family YMCA
to create a dynamic, and stimulating before and after school environment - free
of charge. REACH provides curriculum designed to help students meet or exceed
state standards in a fun, camp-like atmosphere, giving our students a boost to
succeed both academically and socially.
OTHER
- Walking School Bus- Safe Routes to School (Walktober)
- 1:1 Technology Initiative
- Super Salad Bar and organic produce
- Dual Language Program at Kimball
- STEAM focus at Lincoln Acres
- Breakfast in the classroom at Olivewood
- Philosophy lessons at El Toyon
- Holiday giveaways
- And SO much more!!
Of course, none of this would be possible without our
dedicated NSD staff and the partnerships we share with our families. Thank you
all for your part in creating an EXCEPTIONAL
experience for our students!
