CARDIFF
District seeking applicants for board
The Cardiff School District is seeking applicants for a provisional appointment to the seat vacated by longtime Trustee Mark Whitehouse. Find the application and information at cardiffschools.com. Application deadline is 3 p.m. Nov. 5. Eligible candidates must live within the district and be registered to vote in California. Whitehouse resigned Oct. 7, citing family and work commitments, after serving 11 years on the board. All eligible candidates will be interviewed by the school board at the Nov. 16 meeting, which starts at 5 p.m. in the Ada Harris School Library.
CARLSBAD
Tech officer earns statewide honor
San Diego County Office of Education Chief Information Officer Terry Loftus, a Carlsbad resident, was recently selected to receive the California State Information Security Leader of The Year award. Loftus was honored virtually at the California Virtual Cybersecurity Education Summit. The awards and event were presented by the California Department of Technology, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California Military Department, California Highway Patrol and Sacramento State University. The honor goes to a person who demonstrates outstanding influence across organizations by developing future IT leaders, and creating ways to share information and collaborate in their own organization or among government organizations. Loftus has more than 22 years of public and private management experience and has served as technology director and chief technology officer in large and small school districts. He serves on the board of directors for the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California, and the Resource Program Committee with California IT in Education. He is also chair of the Technology Steering Committee Cybersecurity Subcommittee with the California County Superintendents Education Services Association.
ESCONDIDO
Valley High School staff honored
Staff at Valley High School in the Escondido Union High School District were recently honored by the California Continuation Education Association. Principal Cory Gregory was named Administrator of the Year, Catarina Garcia was named Teacher of the Year, Tara Monzet was named Counselor of the Year, and bilingual parent liaison Monica Navarro was named Classified Person of the Year during the association’s conference held in San Diego. EUHSD Superintendent Anne Staffieri was also named Superintendent of the Year. Two years ago, Valley High began using restorative practices, where students and staff come together to strengthen relationships between individuals and within communities. In the first year, the school saw a 5 percent decrease in suspensions. Valley High was one of 27 California continuation schools recognized as Model Continuation Schools by the state Department of Education earlier in the year.
District hosts free COVID-19, flu clinics
The Escondido Union High School District will host free COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics at Del Lago Academy, Escondido, Orange Glen, San Pasqual and Valley high schools this week. Anyone 12 years and older can receive a free COVID-19 vaccine (all three will be offered) and/or flu shot. Students and their families can attend any of the clinics, regardless of what school they attend. No preregistration is required. Parents/guardians must attend with their students to provide consent. Clinics are open for students, their families, and any other interested community members. The schedule: 2 to 6 p.m. Monday at San Pasqual High; 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Orange Glen High; 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Escondido High; 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Del Lago Academy; and 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at Valley High.
NORTH COUNTY
Preschool protocol for COVID-19
Children’s Paradise Preschool and Infant Centers recently announced the release of an operational system of posters, signage and tags that outline how to combat COVID-19 and other viruses in settings that care for children up to age 5. The Sweet Teams program outlines step-by-step strategies to keep centers, play yards and common areas safe and healthy. Most guidance and templates being provided at the state and local levels is for grades K-12, not the preschool or day care cohort. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred the Children’s Paradise leaders and staff to develop and enact strict health and safety protocols. Within 100 hours of the pandemic’s start, Sweet Teams was created, and as a result, Children’s Paradise never had to close its doors. The centers also joined other organizations to hold weekly food and diaper drives, and created home-learning kits coordinated with a YouTube channel for those who decided to keep their children home. Sweet Teams has launched more than 40 products and is continuing to develop its protocols and education materials to ensure that classrooms stay clean and virus-free. Visit childrensparadise.com.
Free virtual event on college readiness
ACT, the nonprofit that administers the ACT college readiness exam, will convene its first free virtual event from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Students, their families, educators and counselors can hear from experts how to prepare for college and careers — from finding scholarships to transitioning to campus life to the tools parents and students need. Sessions include “The Transition to College,” “Tips and Tricks to Land Your Dream Job,” and “Navigating the Financial Aid Process.” Register and learn more at bit.ly/3pBt5p9.
Please send items to ncsch[email protected] at least two weeks in advance of events.
