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SDCOE/QPI Office/CVUSD “Let’s Read Together”

We have been working for a couple of years now in QPI on effectively engaging the fathers of our middle eastern preschoolers in learning how to support their students early school experiences and readiness for kindergarten.  Our preschool community liaison, Firas Alnaqeeb, had an idea.  Why not offer the literacy workshop provided by SDCOE/QPI, a meal, childcare and a soccer match?  His first attempt on a week day afternoon was somewhat successful; however, input from dads was “we will come for a Saturday workshop”. We got permission to use the Lexington field on a Saturday morning, Firas ordered middle eastern food instead of pizza and got the word out to our preschool dads at Lexington, Chase, Anza and Meridian.  There have been 3 very successful Saturday workshops since the initial weekday workshop.  At this last workshop, 29 adults attended and 30 children. More moms are also attending now.

This  great video from Firas puts a picture to all that I am trying to describe. It demonstrates how successful parent engagement can be when you hit the right combination: know your audience, listen and meet parents where they are.

It also helps to collaborate with colleagues and other district departments. A big thank you to the following supporters:
SDCOE/QPI Office for providing support and training on the early literacy “Let’s Read Together” curriculum (which Firas and Graciela, our other liaison, attended), providing all the materials and the featured book to give away
Jeremy Lyche who made sure we had access to the field on Saturday mornings
Eyal and the FACE office team for supporting Firas in his efforts and covering some of the additional costs – including additionalparent incentives
The CSPP office staff for helping secure child care
Maxine Willey for always making sure everything was ready and who facilitated behind the scenes so Firas could concentrate on delivering the workshops
We can do great things with teamwork and combining resources!
Ginny Pinkerton
Director
Early Childhood Programs
619.588.3146
pinkertonv@cajonvalley.net

Barbara and Kerry Osterling Rescue “Trash Can Puppy” (MUST SEE!)

CBS News 8 – San Diego, CA News Station – KFMB Channel 8

Cajon Valley Warehouse Supervisor, Kerry Osterling and his wife Barbara give loving home to abandoned puppy.

Cajon Valley Secures County-Wide Settlement Agreement from SDCOE re: “MITI” (PeopleSoft)

With support of the Cajon Valley Union School District Governing Board, The Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD) took the lead in negotiating a countywide settlement agreement between the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and all 41 San Diego County School Districts.  We asked Peter Fagen to assist with examining contracts, documents, and a long list of performance/service failures that surfaced over the course of several years.  David Miyashiro and Brian Marshall (La Mesa/Spring Valley) negotiated a 25% refund of implementation costs for each district, a stop payment of maintenance fees for two years, and a reconstitution of the service agreement moving forward.  Also negotiated in this agreement was a reimbursement of all attorney fees accrued in relation this this settlement by SDCOE.  Total amount anticipated from the settlement agreement for CVUSD is upwards of $300,000.00.  A portion of this settlement award will be set aside for a strategic planning tour and the remaining balance will augment our one-time fund expenditure budget.

In 2013, as part of its Modernization, Improvement, and Transformation Initiative (“MITI”), SDCOE expressed the desire to implement a County-wide Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system, called PeopleSoft.  SDCOE intended to modernize systems across the County – which previously varied both in software type and functionality – in order to allow SDCOE to provide human capital management to the County’s school districts.  SDCOE endeavored to provide a County-wide, fully functioning, integrated ERP solution to replace existing software systems throughout San Diego County for and with County school districts in an effort to provide greater ease of use and more consistent monitoring and oversight from SDCOE.

In order to commence implementation, SDCOE and County school districts entered into a series of Memorandums of Understanding and Memorandums of Agreement (“Prior MITI MOUs”).   Pursuant to the Prior MITI MOUs, each of the participating County school districts were required to contribute two forms of payment to SDCOE: initial one-time implementation costs and continuing annual maintenance, upgrade, and support fees.

SDCOE’s MITI Implementation continues to develop functionality to be fully implemented as promised in the original ERP scope included in County school districts’ Prior MITI MOUs.  As such, SDCOE did not foresee or forewarn County school districts that there may be unanticipated additional costs associated with the MITI implementation, such as the funding of new positions, training, and overtime expenses to ensure compliance with required deadlines.

County school districts and SDCOE have mutually determined that it is in the best interest of all parties to together to identify and resolve issues and concerns related to SDCOE’s MITI Implementation pursuant to the terms and conditions contained within this MOU.

 

David Miyashiro, Ed.D.

Superintendent

 

Attached are the final MOU (Settlement Agreement), Letter to Superintendents, and a breakdown of the first reimbursements paid out to the 41 districts

MOU (Final Version for All SD Districts) 8-24-17

MITI Letter to Supts

Reimbursements to Districts

 

CVUSD Governing Board Strategic Planning EduTour

As members of both The League of Innovative Schools (Digital Promise) and The National Council on Digital Convergence, Cajon Valley has been in the company of the most innovative and successful school districts in the United States.  One aspect all of the top districts in the county share in common is partnerships both within and surrounding their local communities.  Baltimore County Public Schools and Fraser Public Schools in Michigan are prime examples where the school district and city have collaborated on projects to elevate both the students and community at large.

In preparation for making decisions about the future of our property on Park & Ballentyne adjacent to Cajon Valley Middle School and also to formalize a new district mission and vision statement, The Governing Board and Cabinet will be taking a small group of district stakeholders on a 5 day Edutour starting in Jacksonville Florida and ending in Fraser Michigan.  The weather will be cold and the itinerary will be intense in order to make the best use of our time.  The itinerary and list of participants can be found at the end of this post.  This trip is paid for from a portion of the settlement agreement money David Miyashiro and Brian Marshall (La Mesa-Spring Valley) secured (see story above) from the San Diego County Office of Education.  The remainder of the settlement money from the “MITI” resolution will go to augment our one-time fund account.

​We have representatives from the district office, CSEA, CVEA, and a cross-section of  principals to represent Principal’s Council.  CVUSD World of Work partner Daryl Priest will be joining us as well.  This is both a learning and working trip.  In addition to learning from Baltimore County and Fraser, we will have an opportunity to engage with a Modern Teacher Framework in Jacksonville that will help us clarify expectations of our classrooms for 2018 and beyond.  Although we have many shining examples across the district of Blended & Personalized learning, World of Work implementation, Presentation Literacy, and Digital Innovation to name a few… we are lacking a common understanding of what is expected in “All” classrooms.  The Governing Board and Cabinet plan to return from this tour with a concrete mission and vision, clear expectations of staff, and ideas to make the vacant lot adjacent to Cajon Valley Middle School something that will benefit both our students and the Cajon Valley community.
David Miyashiro, Ed.D.
Superintendent

EDUTOUR ITINERARY

Monday, February 12

Attire: Comfort for travel

8:00am Meet at District Office for Bus Drop off at Airport

11:40am Flight Departing San Diego on Southwest, Flight 1704

1 stop, no plane change – 6 hours, 10 min flight

Arriving in Jacksonville at 8:50pm EST

9:30pm Pick up Rental Vans (3)

40 minute drive to hotel

HOTEL Check-In:

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort, 1000 PGA Tour Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

 

Tuesday, February 13

Attire: Business Casual

8am – 8pm National Conference on DIgital Convergence (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

 

Wednesday, February 14

Attire: Warmth/Comfort

5:00am Meet in hotel lobby for travel to airport  (40 minute drive to airport)

7:45am Flight departing Jacksonville (JAX) to Baltimore (BWI) on Southwest, Flight 4069

Nonstop, 1 hour, 50 min flight

Arriving in Baltimore at 9:35am

10:00am Check in with Charter Bus

11:00am Group Lunch and Discussions  (Checking on this with tour facilitators)

Tour Schedule:

12:00–12:45pm Tour of Digital Harbor Foundation

Includes a tour of Digital Harbor Foundation, an overview of their youth programming,

and a discussion of how they support school districts in the Baltimore Metro Region and beyond

Note: There is paid street parking surrounding Digital Harbor Foundation. If street parking cannot be obtained, paid parking can be found at the West Street Garage, a short walk from Digital Harbor Foundation. (40 E West St, Baltimore, MD 21230)

12:45–2:00pm Lunch and Travel to Open Works

1400 Greenmount Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202

Includes a tour of Open Works, tool demonstrations, and an opportunity to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding between Open Works and Baltimore County Public Schools.

2:00–4:00pmOpen Works Tour

1400 Greenmount Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202

Includes a tour of Open Works, tool demonstrations, and an opportunity to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding between Open Works and Baltimore County Public Schools.

4:30pm Hotel Check-in:

Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, 110 South Eutaw Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201

6:30pm Group Dinner & Discussions

 

Thursday, February 15

Attire: Warmth/Comfort

9:00–9:45amFoundery Tour

101 W Dickman St, Baltimore, MD 21230

Includes a tour of The Foundery and an opportunity to discuss how their makerspace

supports educational initiatives in the Baltimore Metro region.

9:45–10:30am City Garage Tour

101 W Dickman St, Baltimore, MD 21230

Includes a tour of City Garage and an opportunity to speak with staff from various maker-oriented organizations housed within this space.

10:30am Leave for airport (Lunch at airport)

1:20pm Flight Departing Baltimore at 1:20pm on Southwest, Flight 565

Nonstop – 1 hour, 35 min flight

Arriving in Detroit 2:55pm

3:30pm Rent Vans / Meet Charter bus

4:00pm Hotel Check-In: (Down time)

TownePlace Suites Detroit Sterling Heights, 14800 Lakeside Circle Sterling Heights, MI

7:00pm Group Dinner & Discussions

 

Friday, February 16

Attire: Business Casual underneath w/ heavy coats, hats & gloves

Fraser Public Schools, 33466 Garfield, Fraser, Michigan 48026 (They are anticipating 5-6 school districts in attendance with over 45 visitors)

8:00-8:30am Start at Idea Lab (see attached map and address), light breakfast, registration

8:30- 9:30am Welcome/District Story/Digital Convergence LEADERSHIP AND MODERN CURRICULUM

9:30-10:45am Building Tours,INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL and DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM

10:45-11:30am Debrief in Fraser High School Large Group Instruction Room

Instructional Model and Digital Ecosystem

11:30-12:30pm Working Lunch – Table topics w/ Fraser staff, students, and board members

12:30-1:30pm Tours of FHS and student panel

1:30-2:00pm PROFESSIONAL LEARNING and close

2:30pm Depart for airport (Dinner at airport)

6:05pm Flight departing Detroit on Southwest, Flight 170 (1 stop)

Flight 1294 (Change planes in MDW)

Total flight time 6 hours, 35 min

Arriving in San Diego at 9:40pm

10:15pm CVUSD Bus Pick up at Airport

 

District Participants:

 

Name Title Site Florida Baltimore Michigan
1 David Miyashiro Superintendent D.O X X X
2 Ed Hidalgo Chief Innovation Officer D.O X X X
3 Jon Guertin Chief Technology Officer D.O X X X
4 Michelle Hayes Asst Supt, Personnel D.O X X X
5 Karen Minshew Asst Supt, Ed Services D.O X X X
6 Scott Buxbaum Asst Supt, Business D.O X X
7 Tamara Otero Board Member D.O X X X
8 Jo Alegria Board Member D.O X X X
9 Jill Barto Board Member D.O X X X
10 Jim Miller Board Member D.O X
11 Karen Mejia Board Member D.O X X
12 James Beard Director (M&O) D.O X X
13 Mark Reagles CSEA Union President X X X
14 Shelly Smith CVEA Union Rep X X X
15 Michelle Towns CVEA Union Rep X X X
16 Cindy Knight Principal Anza X X X
17 Greg Calvert Principal GMS X X X
18 Carmen Restrepo Principal Crest/DLA X X X
19 Maria Kehoe Principal Rios X X X
20 Jeremy Lyche Principal Lexington X X X
21 Brian Handley Principal Chase X X X
22 Mike Serban Principal Naranca X X X
23 Scott Goergens Principal LCCe X X X
24 Ryan Satterfield Principal Meridian X X X
25 Jenine Henry Director (Spec Ed) D.O X X X
26 Sharon Dobbins Director (Facilities) D.O X X
27 Karen Sapper Director (Ed Serv) D.O X X X
28 Ericka Smith Counselor D.O X X X
29 Naomie Rodrigues Exec Asst D.O X X X
30 Bethany Schwappach Data & Assessment D.O X X X

Other attendees (Paying own way):

Daryl Priest – Community Leader  (Entire trip)

Amy McCammon – WOW Consultant  (Entire trip)

Lisette Casey – Modern Teacher Rep  (Entire trip)

Karl Mueller – Coronado USD Supt  (Entire trip)

Jill Vinson – Cardiff USD (NCDC Conference only)

Julie Parker – Cardiff Principal (NCDC Conference only)

Janelle Scheftner – Cardiff Principal (NCDC Conference only)

Debbie – Cardiff Technology Coach (NCDC Conference only)

 

Johnson Jaguar 2nd Grade Students Receive Surprise Visit from Clifford The Big Red Dog and 10 News

 

The Second Grade Johnson Jaguars received a special surprise this week from some very kind people at Channel 10 news.  The employees at Channel 10 News decided to donate their own money to buy books for kids.  The Scripps Howard Foundation and the Scripps family members matched the dollar amount, and together they raised enough money to buy 1,000 books from Scholastic!  They decided that second graders would be their target audience, and they came to Johnson in order to film the actual book give away.  They even brought along Clifford, the Big Red Dog, for fun!  Every single Johnson second grader went home with their own book on Tuesday.  But it didn’t stop there!  Every single second grader at a Title I school in CVUSD will be getting a free book to take home.  Many, many thanks to Channel 10 News, the Scripps Howard Foundation, and the Scripps family members for their thoughtful donation!
Christine Sphar, Principal
Johnson Elementary School

El Cajon Leads San Diego County on Solving the Homeless Crisis

Earlier this month Mayor Bill Wells, the El Cajon City Council, and our local government officials were highlighted by local news media on our efforts to make El Cajon a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family… “For Everyone”.  CVUSD Governing Board members Karen Clark Mejia, Tamara Otero, Jo Alegria and I have served on the East County Homeless Task Force led by several community leaders including CEO of the East County Chamber of Commerce, Eric Lund; ECPD Police Chief, Jeff Davis; and Meridian Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Rolland Slade.  SD Union Tribune reporter Karen Pearlman has been documenting community efforts to improve conditions.  http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/east-county/sd-se-elcajon-homeless-20170809-story.html

Mayor Wells has been interviewed by most of our media outlets on the city’s efforts.  The one below is from KUSI.  Mayor Wells has a background in clinical psychology and deep expertise on root causes behind homeless and mental health issues.

It is important for all of us to know that we have proven solutions that are helping our homeless students and their families transition into permanent housing and gainful employment.  The East County Transitional Living Center is a prime example of “What Works”.  Several of our students and their families are served by this community led effort to provide permanent solutions.  Please check out ECTLC here and share with anyone you know who can benefit from these efforts the City of El Cajon and the East County Homeless Task Force are directing our efforts toward.  https://www.ectlc.org/

We recognize that those contributing to panhandling and giving food to the homeless are doing so out of good will and intention.  Enabling homelessness, however, has proven to only prolong and potentially derail any opportunity for those in need to find permanent housing and pathways back to being contributing members of society.  It is important that the CVUSD family supports the El Cajon City Council, El Cajon Police Department, and the East County Homeless Task Force in our efforts to provide a permanent solution for the homeless in our community.

Very Sincerely,

David Miyashiro Ed.D., Superintendent

Cajon Valley Union School District

Cajon Valley Teachers Rock the SD CUE Tech Fair

Cajon Valley teaches attended SDCUE Tech Fair in force! Over 120 teachers participated in the local technology centered conference hosted by the San Diego Computer Using Educators (SDCUE). Sessions ranged from basic Google tools to specialized apps like Desmos a math app. This year’s favorite app sessions include Seesaw and Flipgrid. Teachers created a collaborative document to take notes and share resources from sessions. Nine Cajon Valley teachers presented sessions on Genius Hour, Presentation Literacy, DLP Coaching, and Digital Admin Resources. The day ended with several of our Cajon Valley crew winning raffle prizes.

Liz Loether   Director LSS, Cajon Valley Union School District
photo Phone: (619) 593-5219
Email: loethere@cajonvalley.net
Address: 750 East Main Street, El Cajon CA, 92020

IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you have received this email by mistake, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.

Google Expeditions AR Visits Cajon Valley Schools

Throughout the past months, Cajon Valley students and teachers have had the opportunity to beta test Google’s latest Expeditions app with augmented reality. Augmented Reality differs from Virtual Reality in that the experience takes place in the actual real-life environment with virtual objects appearing.With AR, students can get up close to virtual objects and scan around using a selfie stick and smartphone to view objects at different angles. In Cajon Valley, students and their teachers were able to explore natural disasters like erupting volcanoes and whirling tornadoes, get up close to animals on the ocean floor, and even analyze artifacts from ancient Rome! Google continued to visit sites throughout December.  Thank you Katie Connolly for organizing and assisting with connecting this opportunity to our schools!

Click here to see the 10 News Story https://www.10news.com/news/el-cajon-students-test-out-new-google-augmented-reality-device

Katie Connolly
EdTech Facilitator, Maker Bus/STEM Support
@ConnollykCVUSD

 

Realism For Red Ribbon Week in Mr. Day’s Class

My classroom door for the week.  We went with realism shared Kevin Day @ Montgomery Middle School.  The classroom keys came from all is prior apartments, condos, etc.. and even the kids brought some in to round out the school spirit week.  Thank you for sharing Kevin.

Cajon Valley Union School District Recognized as a Common Sense District

Digital media and technology are evolving at a dizzying pace, both unlocking extraordinary opportunities and posing real risks for young people. Students are using the immense power of the Internet and mobile technology to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined, both in and out of the classroom. But issues that emerge from this 24/7 “connected culture,” such as cyberbullying, privacy lapses, and uncertainty about which information to trust online, are surfacing both in schools and at home.

Cajon Valley Union School District sees these as teachable moments. We believe that digital citizenship skills have become essential for students in the 21st century, especially in schools like ours that are using technology to transform learning. That’s why we are committed to teaching our students how to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly. Cajon Valley Union School District has just been approved as a Common Sense  District, an honor that recognizes our efforts in teaching digital citizenship to young people and engaging the entire community in this important discussion and supporting educators using technology for learning. The recognition acknowledges our district’s’ commitment creating a culture of digital learning and citizenship.

This honor  is provided by Common Sense Education, part of a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.

Our schools are one of the more than 100,000 schools across the country that use Common Sense Education’s groundbreaking education resources. As a result, our students are better equipped to navigate the digital world and use devices for learning.

To learn more about Common Sense Education, visit www.commonsense.org/education.

photo
Jenn Petraglia
EdTech Facilitator, Cajon Valley Union School District
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