School officials conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony to honor the completion of the new pool 

April 21, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- Officials from Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) and Steele Canyon High School celebrated the completion of the new aquatics facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 17. The Steele Canyon High School Aquatics Facility is the third and final pool completed in the district this year.  

In collaboration with Jewish World Watch, San Diego Jewish Academy will hold a Walk to End Genocide, which is being organized by a group of ninth and tenth grade students. The walk is being held to raise awareness about the mass atrocities occurring in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

By Mike Lewis

April 17, 2012 (Sacramento)--The figures behind the state’s educational crisis are alarming. According to the California Teachers Association, California ranks 46 nationally in per-pupil funding, with over $20 billion cut from public schools and colleges statewide in the last four years. More than 40,000 teachers have been laid off during that same time, yet partisan gridlock has stalled any solution in Sacramento.

Event will showcase student talent

April 14, 2012 (San Diego) – More than 1,000 high school business students from over 65 high school Virtual Enterprise programs from California and Illinois will participate in the 11th annual Southern California Virtual Enterprise Trade/Fair Business Competition on April 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The event will be held at Jacobs Center, 404 Euclid Avenue, San Diego and features more than 65 booths staffed by students marketing virtual products or services showcasing their student-run businesses.

April 14, 2012 (El Cajon)--The secret is out!

Grossmont College, as part of its free 50th Anniversary Community Open House, has announced the Guinness world’s record that will be attempted on Saturday, April 14. Previously, the college has kept undisclosed the nature of the record.

The attempted record to be broken will be the most individual contributions to a birthday card. Grossmont College hopes to break the current record of 1,468 people to sign a birthday card with their name and a greeting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is the event timeframe for Grossmont College’s 50th Anniversary Open House on Saturday, April 14.

April 11, 2012 (Spring Valley) – CDA Preschool Programs is celebrating “The Week of the Young Child” with an open house April 16 through April 20 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 3845 Spring Drive in Spring Valley.  Stop by for a classroom tour, food, music, a special gift and learn about CDA’s nationally accredited preschool program.

April 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) and Granite Hills High School representatives celebrated the completion of the school’s new aquatic center with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 27.  The 40,000 square foot aquatic complex features the first Olympic-size pool on an East County high school campus and will serve as a center for East County community groups, youth aquatics teams, California Interscholastic Federation water polo and swim teams as well as physical education classes.

 March 31, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) -- A pilot program for recent Iraqi immigrants that teaches English in the context of office work is being offered at Cuyamaca College through a partnership between the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and San Diego County.

March 26, 2012 (La Mesa) – Helix Charter High School is now enrolling for the 2012-13 school year.  It is a tuition-free public school that all California residents are eligible to attend.  The school focuses on preparing all students for the opportunity to attend college.

March 24, 2012 (El Cajon) – On March 28 Cajon Valley Middle School is opening their doors to the public from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to showcase their new campus at 550 East Park Avenue, El Cajon.  The school is highlighting all the new programs taking place: computer labs, a community garden, newcomer classes, art, music and dance exhibitions, AVID and Writing for Change programs, an extended day program, athletics, clubs and tutorial support.

By Miriam Raftery

March 19, 2012 (Alpine)—A spinal tumor and life-threatening infection have left Bill Weaver, a dedicated education leader and advocate for East County’s  children, in need of community help.  I ask our readers to join in efforts to help Bill, who requires continuing in-home care while recovering from a long hospital stay. There are two ways you can help.

On Monday, April 2 from 3-10 p.m., the Alpine Tavern & Grill at 2502 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine will host “Beers for Bill,” donating 20% of proceeds to help pay for Bill’s medical expenses. 

March 14, 2012 (Lakeside) -- Join the Lakeside Union School District and the Lakeside PTA Council for the 14th annual Run for the Arts on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Lindo Lake Park.  Registration begins at 8am and the run/walk starts at 9:00 a.m. All proceeds will benefit the award winning L-E-A-P arts education program in Lakeside District schools that provides artists-in-residence programs, field trips to view artistic performances and arts assemblies. For more information please call Sarah Grosskreutz at (619) 390-2662 ext. 425 or download entry forms at http://www.lsusd.net under the “News” section on the front page.  

Education news and notes

By Anat Tour, math teacher and children’s author/illustrator

March 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Do you have children, relatives, friends, or neighbors who are planning to go to college? Make sure to check out the scholarships available below.

In addition, here are my picks for this month’s top education stories of interest to local students, teachers, and parents:

Application deadline is April 1.

March 11, 2012 (San Diego) -- A brand new scholarship program established by the Associated Builders and Contractors San Diego Apprenticeship Training Trust can help San Diego County high school students achieve their career goals in the construction industry.

March 11, 2012 (Jamul) – The water saving garden at Jamul Primary School sports a new information board thanks to a generous grant from the Metropolitan Water District. The sign is part of an ambitious outdoor learning project, which demonstrates and promotes sustainable gardening practices in arid East San Diego County. The garden is a project of ARCHES, a local non-profit corporation.

“There are many water saving features in this garden’s design,” says Lois Young, one of the after school garden instructors. “Sunken beds, instead of raised beds, catch and contain more of our limited rainfall, and the beds don’t dry out as quickly. During dry months they require less irrigation.”

March 11, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District will be dedicating three new pools throughout the district this spring thanks in part to funding provided by Proposition U.

The Granite Hills High School Aquatics Facility will be the first to be dedicated on March 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the official ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m.  The special guest will be Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

March 10, 2012 (Lakeside)--Join the Lakeside Union School District and the Lakeside PTA Council for the 14th annual Run for the Arts on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Lindo Lake Park. 

Registration begins at 8 a.m.and the run/walk starts at 9:00 a.m. All proceeds will benefit the award winning L-E-A-P arts education program in Lakeside District schools that provides artists-in-residence programs, field trips to view artistic performances and arts assemblies.