Friday, December 9, 2016

TdS Hosts First Annual Tech Day

Guest Blog Post by Dahlia Rinck, TdS Teacher


TdS students try out coding during Hour of Code Week
TDS held its first annual Tech Day to celebrate Hour of Code Week (December 5th-11th). The goal is to get our students interested in careers in STEM. The day offered several activities for each grade-level; coding, hands-on maker space, math challenges and STEM careers. Activity #2 broke the Internet (just kidding) and had every TDS Sundevil coding for one hour! Students learned about the impact young people can have on the world. The brilliant kids that created their own apps built a fusion reactor and created a space (Rookie) for young girls to feel empowered. 
TdS Students Attend an Assembly on Coding
Shout out to Mr. Nguyen and his robotics students for being Genius Bar Sundevils, Mr. Brumbaugh for setting up the entire student and teacher accounts for Hour of Code, and Mr. Narlock for his fantastic ideas!


We even had a celebrity appearance by Kent C., an Apple account executive, that walked our kids through "Everyone Can Code" curriculum. This is an amazing program that allows our students to be exposed to not just basic coding, but also the ability to use Swift to create their own apps. At the end of the day, students completed a survey to assist us in improving and modifying next year, based on their feedback. Overwhelmingly, our students felt the day was interesting and many responded that they are more interested in a career in STEM. A significant amount of students wanted to code longer than the dedicated hour and also said they would use code.org or Swift at home on their own!Our Lakeside students are creative and innovative kids that already solve real world problems because they have the tech tools in their hands! 



TDS Rocks!




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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

LMS Student Techsperts Are Getting the Job Done!

LMS Student Techsperts Are Getting the Job Done!

Though there tends to be an assumption that today's students are "digital natives", students actually come to class with varying levels of foundational technology skills. While some are creating YouTube Channels or building robots, others may struggle with the basics, such as effectively searching for information online. Student inequities in comfort and knowledge levels can create barriers to adoption and use.

To help support those skills, last week over 30 LMS classroom and office aide students were trained as iPad Techsperts. Teachers John Dungan and Brian Mendoza, alongside IT Technology Analyst Shauna Winchester and Educational Technology Director Dr. Laura Spencer taught the students troubleshooting strategies for the iPads so that students can get quick help from their peers instead of having to wait for IT, or interrupt a teacher lesson to ask for assistance. Students learned how to fix wifi connectivity problems; loss of audio; glitchy apps, and much more.



No Techsperts? No Problem!

Even without Techsperts on a school site, teachers can encourage students to offer their skills and expertise. Before assigning work on a new app or tech tool, allowing students 15-20 minutes to explore without any directions at all about the app/tech tool. It gives teachers an opportunity to see what students are drawn to and what some of the struggles might be. By providing time for students to work with each other to become familiar with the functionality, students won't be bogged down by the logistics of things like figuring out what each button does. Usually, students will eagerly share what they have found with each other, potentially freeing teachers up to focus on content rather than technology support. As an extension activity, teachers can ask an "expert" to create a Tips Sheet or How-To video to share with the class.

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Dia de los Muertos

Guest Blog Post by Karen Van Nest, Lakeside Middle School Teacher





We are so proud of our LMS immersion and Spanish language students for all the hard work they put in to our Dia de los Muertos exhibit!  We have been learning all about this colorful, popular Mexican holiday and our students had the opportunity to share their knowledge in a variety of ways.  Some groups created altars or informational displays.  Others wrote poems called "Calaveras", made dioramas, or informational folders.  There were so many fun activities like face painting, paper flower making, papel picado making, games and even a photo booth!  Guests had the opportunity to sample foods made specific for this holiday such as  pan de muerto (bread of the dead), mole and tamales.  There was a wide variety of things to do and see! A big thanks to Ms. Drake, who directed The Harmonies (LMS Choir) for the event. Thank you Señora Hudson and Señorita Torres for helping to make this event a success!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Becoming Empowered Learners

Recently, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) came out with new standards for students.  According to the ISTE website, "The ISTE Standards for Students are designed to empower student voice and ensure that learning is a student-driven process of exploration, creativity, and discovery no matter where they are or their teachers are in the thoughtful integration of ed tech."

The first student standard is:


But what does this really mean? What might it look like in a classroom? How can teachers make sure their students are truly on their way to becoming empowered learners?

Here are a few ideas:

Allow students to chose and demonstrate their learning goals in different ways. For example, if you're doing a unit on force and motion, you could create three categories (gravity, friction, and force) and allow students to choose which topic they are interested in and want to learn more about. After you've stated your learning objectives for students and students know exactly what they need to learn and why (I am learning how the speed of an object affects it's impact so I can design a safety device for the tricycles on the kindergarten playground), students can choose how they want to present their knowledge- whether it be with an iMovie, a Google Slides presentation, a good old fashioned poster, etc.

Help students find their "go-tos"; People in their "network" they can go to for help. This might include making students "Experts" in certain apps or programs or subjects; "If you need help with Popplet, make sure to talk to Sally." Pairing students up with learning partners or in groups they can rely on when they are having trouble will help students build their learning network. And simply knowing who and how to contact a peer for work and information when a student is absent will help students create and maintain their own personal learning networks.

Students need to be taught how to become organized and independent learners. However this is much more effective when we allow students to organize themselves in a way that makes sense to them- not just to us as teachers. For example, we can teach students how to organize files in Google Drive. Often times when we model this skill, the students will mimic exactly what we do as teachers because it must be the only correct way to do it, right!? If I make a 7th Grade Art folder in my Drive, I've found students will do the same, even though they don't even have an art class. The question for students then becomes- What folders can you make, that will help you become more organized, and will make sense to you.

All of these things will help your students become empowered learners and take charge of their own learning.

Teachers can download these posters as a reminder of the things we strive to do each day in our classrooms to empower our students to become independent learners.


Sandy Patterson
Educational Technology

Friday, October 28, 2016

TdS' Cool Kids! Production A Success!

Guest Blog Post by Natalie Winspear, Executive Director of Pupil Services


This week I had the opportunity to see the production, Cool Kids. I was so impressed with the every aspect of Cool Kids! First, I want to shout out to Kellie Riganti and Darin Curtis for creating a relevant, meaningful, engaging and AWESOME show designed to teach and open a conversation about bullying.  There are so many positive things to say about Cool Kids. The TdS student actors and backstage crew were all professional and well organized.  They tackled a difficult topic with creativity and made students feel comfortable asking difficult questions.  The production was expertly layered to provide multiple opportunities for our elementary students to connect with older middle school students and ask questions/explore their experiences.  First was the "show" where the actors were in character and the acting was impressive.

The show was followed by middle school students breaking character and sitting on risers closer to the audience. Mr. Curtis facilitated this discussion while participants were able to ask questions to the actors about their feelings, the characters' feelings and about bullying. After about 20 minutes of Q & A, the middle school students came into the audience and "mingled" with the younger students, including signing autographs.  Finally, as each class left the auditorium, a few of the middle school students who were in the production went back to class with them to continue the Q & A.  Finally, students were able to respond to questions about bullying via an online survey created by Kellie and Darin.  I am so proud of our staff and students for tackling this difficult and important topic!







Thursday, October 6, 2016

Making Perfect Pie Dough

A Chef Tip from Chef Jim Dumars, Lakeside Central Kitchen


Julian is famous for its apple pies but you can also make your own!

Begin by gathering up the equipment you will need:  a mixing bowl, a pastry cutter or two knives, a liquid measuring cup and a rolling pin.

Next, gather your ingredients.  You will need 2 ½ cups pastry flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, 8 ounces cold butter and 3 ounces ice water.

Julian Apples
Photo Credit: Laura Russell
Combine the pastry flour, salt and sugar in the mixing bowl.  Cut the butter into small pieces, about ½-inch cubes.  Add the butter pieces to the dry ingredients and cut it in using the pastry cutter or two knives.  Your goal is to keep the butter as cold as possible so that is why you should avoid using your hands to work the butter into the flour.  To achieve perfect pie dough the trick is to work most of your butter into small pieces that are smaller than a pea and keep a portion about the size of corn flakes.

When all the butter is properly cut into the dry ingredients, add the water to finish the dough.  Be sure to keep the water over some ice cubes so you can have the coldest water possible.  Adding cold water will keep your butter cold and not undo your work of getting the butter into small particles.  Add just enough water to achieve a rough dough, a little bit of flour at the end of mixing is fine.  You can use your hands at this time to mix the dough together but be careful not to overmix as you want to keep your dough flaky.

Cut your dough into two pieces and use the rolling pine to shape them into circles.  Wrap each pieces of dough and refrigerate it for at least an hour to relax the gluten and firm up the butter.  Roll your pie crust out on a lightly floured surface until it is about ¼” thick.  Only reroll your pie scraps once to reuse as the dough will become too tough.

This will make enough for 2 9” pie shells.

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Positive Behavior Has Its Rewards

Guest Blog Post By: Kay Little, Digital Learning Coach

Positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) is a district initiative to make schools safe and promote positive behavior.  The focus of PBIS is prevention, and not punishment. Students learn about what behavior is appropriate, and are taught social skills, including how to act in different settings. They may learn through role-playing or through actual lessons.

At Lakeside Farms School, the entire staff has implemented a lanyard program to encourage positive behavior. If a student goes above and beyond in being safe, responsible, or respectful, a staff member may put a PBIS lanyard around the student’s neck, and tells the student how they were being safe, responsible, or respectful. Throughout the day when other staff members or students see the child wearing a lanyard, they ask the student what they did to earn it. The student then reiterates what they did to earn the lanyard, which again reinforces the positive behavior.

According to Lakeside Farms Principal, Matt Thompson, there are two positive benefits to the lanyard program:

The child receiving the lanyard feels positive about receiving it, and has the opportunity to re-explain why they received it several times throughout the day to their classmates and staff members. Peers who see the students with the lanyards want to know what they did to receive it, which reinforces the positive behavior. It is also a great way to build the School/Home connection.  When parents ask their child how they earned the lanyard, the child once again reinforces safe, responsible, or respectful behavior by verbalizing why they received it.  

Mr. Thompson models the
Lakeside Farms lanyard.
The student takes the lanyard back to school the next day and turns it in to their teacher.  The teacher then gives the student a cougar paw to put on a bracelet or a backpack.

Lakeside Farms also has Possum Reward tickets that are given out to students for being safe, responsible, or respectful. The tickets are taken to their classroom where they are put in a basket. Teachers use the reward tickets in the classroom for class incentives, such as the opportunity to eat lunch with their teacher. Also once or twice a week the office calls for the tickets, and Mr. Thompson draws names for school wide incentives.  

PBIS has been very successful throughout the district. At Lakeside Farms, a student who earned a PBIS lanyard was so proud of it that he wore it to the grocery store and to his friend’s house. He even slept with it. He was so proud and excited!


Thanks to the UPS Store for printing and donating the PBIS lanyards for Lakeside Farms School.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Being a Good Digital Citizen Starts Young

Student drawings of their virtual trip
Students drew an experience from their virtual field trip
Did you know there's a potty training toilet that has an iPad connected to it? We're not suggesting that everyone should run out and buy their toddler an iPotty, but the truth is, children are being exposed to the digital world at younger and younger ages.

To help them navigate this world safely, ethically, and wisely, teachers have developed digital citizenship lessons for all kinder through eighth grade students. These age-appropriate lessons aim to provide students with the skills they need to make good choices when online.


This week, Lakeview students had their first digital citizenship lesson. They went on a virtual field trip to the zoo to learn that they can go to exciting places online, but that it's important to follow guidelines so that they remain safe. They then drew pictures to illustrate their field trip, and a few even shared with Principal Arnold all about their experience.


Of course, going on a virtual field trip to the zoo isn't as awesome as the real thing, but what a fun way to learn about the exciting opportunities that are available via the Internet.


 Where will you go on your virtual field trip?

Friday, September 16, 2016

Riverview Students Perform at the Chinese Moon Festival

Guest Blog Post By: Wei-Yu Wass, RV Teacher

On September 10, thousands of San Diegans attended the annual Chinese Moon Festival at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.  The event was hosted by the Confucius Institute at SDSU and the House of China.  It celebrated a major Chinese traditional holiday called Chinese Moon Festival, which is a social gathering celebrating the harvest, like the USA’s Thanksgiving.   There were many professional performers, such as Chinese acrobats, singers, folk and lion dancers.  
IMG_9956
Most importantly, many Mandarin immersion students from Riverview International Academy were invited to perform at this event.  A group of 4th graders led by Mrs. Wass performed Chinese yo-yo.  A group of 3rd graders led by Ms. Chen and Tai Chi Master, Cao, performed Tai-Chi.  These students had practiced last year and during the summer to prepare for this big event.  They did an amazing job on Saturday and learned a lot about Chinese culture, dedication, and teamwork through this experience.  They represented Riverview international academy, and deserved all the recognition they received. 
IMG_0129
Photos courtesy of Confucius Institute: https://flic.kr/s/aHskDxgH6d 


Tuesday, September 13, 2016

My Moment in Time

Guest Blog Post By: Mrs. Kim Messina, LMS and Lakeside Teacher of the Year





10 years ago, when Dr. Steven Halfaker and Steve Mull showed up at my spring choir concert at La Presa Middle School and asked if I would be willing to come over to Lakeside and start a program, I had no idea that that leap of faith would lead to the amazing rollercoaster I experienced this past weekend. When Dr. Lorden announced that I was the LUSD Teacher of the Year at our LMS staff meeting in March, I was both in shock and deeply honored on behalf of the entire district.

Within that same week, Cox communications came out to the school looking to fill performance spots for the televised Salute to Teachers. A few short weeks later, I was told that my students at Lakeside MIddle would fill not one, but two of the four performance spots on Salute to Teachers. It was surreal to think that I would get to sit in that audience at the beautiful Balboa Theater and watch my own students perform up on stage.

In the summer weeks leading up to the event, I began rehearsals with both my show choir students as well as with Cassidy Drabble and a group of our LMS dancers. We had to rehearse in the evenings and weekends due to schedules but these kids were more than willing to put in the extra time and energy it took for a spectacular performance. It wasn’t until the week of the event that this experience became surreal.

As I looked over the required rehearsal schedule provided by Cox, I became very aware that my focus was going to on my students and their performances, as opposed to being a nominee and my time was going to be spread thin. Each group had a 2 hour rehearsal in addition to my own as a TOY nominee. They were asked to run through their performance over and over so that camera angles could be precise and the home audience would receive the best televised show possible.  The time and planning that goes into this process is truly remarkable and although it was exhausting, it was also exhilarating and I felt so honored to be able to showcase my kids at their best in front of so many amazing educators.

Although I told my kids I would not get to see them until after the show, I could not resist sneaking backstage between the VIP reception and live show to say hi and to wish them luck. They were so truly happy for me and so very excited to see me that I felt like I was on cloud 9. Steve Mull and my parent volunteers were truly amazing volunteering to be backstage throughout this process so I could enjoy the moment.  

As I returned to my seat, I was beaming with pride. As the MC’s announced the Lakeside Middle School Show Choir Aptitude, the butterflies took over but so did the excitement.  I was all smiles from ear to ear in the anticipation. As the other nominees seated around me realized the amazing performers up on stage were my students, their comments filled my heart with pride. The responses were amazing and everyone was so in awe and disbelief that those were MIDDLE SCHOOL students up on stage.  Those were MY students, MY KIDS. The reactions grew even more as Cassidy Drabble took the stage singing “One Moment in Time” with Ella Brady and the LMS dance students. As Cassidy began to sing, my emotions soared and as the song swelled, so did my heart. I do not consider myself an overly emotional person but I was brought to tears as I watched them on stage. This truly was “that moment in time” when all of my dreams were a heartbeat away. It was truly an amazing feeling of pride and love for each one of these kids.
As we exited the theater that evening, each of my students came out front and handed me a single rose one after another. I have never been so honored as I was by them that very night! I really felt like I had touched their lives and made a difference. As a teacher, I strive to make a lasting impression on my students, and that night...I truly believe I did.  I know they have made a lasting impression on me!



Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The First Weeks of School in Lakeside

It has been such a wonderful start to the 2016-2017 school year here in Lakeside! Students were excited to meet their new teachers and see old friends (and make new ones too!) Principals welcomed parents and students. The district welcomed many new teachers and staff members to our Lakeside family, and the feel around the district has been excitement and anticipation for the best year yet!


As an Instructional Coach, I was lucky to have the chance to visit many different classrooms on the first day of school to pop in and say hi! And I must say, our Lakeside students are so lucky to have such incredible teachers who care so deeply about their students; This was evident even on the first day of school.  It was clear teachers had been working incredibly hard to make sure everything was perfect for their students on the first day of school- from their classroom decor to the engaging lessons they had planned for their new students.
Check out some of the fun activities students participated in throughout the district in their classrooms to make new friends and build community within their new classroom homes:
Students in Miss Bender and Miss Schniepp's classes did many fun literacy activities throughout the week based on the book "You're Finally Here." Miss Bender and Miss Schniepp let their students know how happy they are that they're finally here! 






Students in Miss Nava's class did a "Stick it Together" activity. They each had to write on a sticky what qualities make a good friend and student. Then together they came up with a best answer in the middle where they included everyone's ideas. At the end, they presented their ideas to the rest of the class. 




Students in Mrs. Sandford's class had a blast doing a STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) challenge each day of the week. They worked together in groups to make pom pom blasters that would launch a pom pom at least two feet. Teams built a spaghetti cup tower and bridges with marshmallows & toothpicks. Groups participated in a cup challenge to stack cups using only string and a rubber band. And they "saved Fred"- the gummy worm who was "stuck" on his boat. 





In Mrs. Smith's class they jumped right into some of the fun math transformations activities teachers have been learning about all summer, and played the fraction game "Cover Up." The students have begged to play it everyday since! 


Mrs. Cherniss' students conducted an interview with a new friend whom they'd never been in the same class as. Each student was able to successfully partner with somebody they weren't in Kindergarten or 1st grade with and everyone made a new friend!


It is clear it's going to be a great year for all of the students, teachers, and staff members of Lakeside! We are so lucky to learn, work, and be in such an amazing district! 

Sandy Patterson
Educational Technology 

Monday, August 29, 2016

It's Going to be an Extraordinary School Year!

Welcome back students and families! 
First Day of School photos
First Day of School Instagram (@LakesideUnion)
It was such fun to check out all those First Day of School photos that families tagged us in all day. We compiled some collages and shared them on our Instagram feed.

Poster at Eucalyptus Hills
This morning, the district leadership team visited each campus to say hello and share in the enjoyment. Everywhere we went students and teachers were smiling and getting to know each other. Kindergarten students were learning where the bathrooms were located, which table at which to eat lunch, and how to sit "criss cross apple sauce." Some of them were even learning all this in Spanish or Mandarin!

And luckily, there were only a few tears shed...by parents...as they waved goodbye and gave that final hug before the students headed in to class.

Each and every student that walks on to our campus is someone special, and part of the extraordinary family of the Lakeside Union School District. We are grateful for their eager minds and look forward to watching them soar during this extraordinary school year!

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Believe! Our Welcome Back Kick-Off

Guest Blog Post By: Kim Reed, Coordinator of Curriculum, Data, and Assessment

Today marked my very first Welcome Back Breakfast in Lakeside Union School District. Superintendent Lorden, in his address to staff told a story based on his own life illustrating the importance of perception. He tenderly and with humor explained that it is not enough to believe that every student wants to and can learn. Dr. Lorden showed us that we must make sure that our students perceive that we believe in them. Perception, as it turns out, is everything to our students. Staff members received a “Believe” t-shirt to wear on Fridays to help remind LUSD students that the adults in LUSD believe in them. I think I’ll wear mine to remind me that LUSD believes in me and is counting on me to do this important work.

Keynote speaker Dr. Jeffrey Sprague, Director of the Institute on Violence and Destructive Behavior spoke on Positive Behavior Intervention and Support, describing research that supports the use of PBIS to not only increase academic achievement but to improve teacher health. He brought up terms that aren’t frequently used when thinking about student behavior, “forgiveness” and “restoration” and rarely used ones that you frequently hear, “consequences” and “punishment”. Dr. Sprague explained that he had already been working with leadership teams across the district and I was able to see some of this work in action when I visited sites with Dr. Johnsen in the afternoon. The teacher leadership around this work was remarkable.


I’ve only been in LUSD a few short weeks but it seems to me that the people in this district care deeply for one another and for the students and families they serve. Much of the time today was spent honoring employees and welcoming new ones, sharing hopes for this school year, taking selfies and ooing over baby pictures. And part of the day was spent laughing hilariously at each other. If what Dr. Lorden says is true, if perceptions are everything, then I think I’ll stick around for awhile. 

Monday, August 22, 2016

LUSD Teacher Draft Picks 2016!


It is with great pleasure that we introduce our Teacher Draft Pick for 2016! These amazing educators are going to be fantastic additions to our school sites. Please help us extend a huge Lakeside School District family welcome to...



1. Alex DeRosier, Lakeview, grades 3-4-5 SDC 
2.  Maria Llamas, Riverview, grade 5
3. Rachel Nolan (Hyman), Lakeview, Speech
4. Nicole Paukovits, Lemon Crest, grades 3-4-5 SDC
5. Kayla Brown, Lakeside Farms, grade 2 (sharing a contract with Mrs. Root) 
6. Diana Moreno, Winter Gardens, grade 1
7. Madeline Sirmbardis, Lemon Crest, grades K and 1
8. Dani Kordyak, LEAPP preschool
9. Megan James, Riverview, grades 4 and 5
10. Kenny Luschei, LEAPP preschool 
11. Meng Foo, Riverview, grade 5
12. Beth Sandford, Lemon Crest, grade 3
13. Sarah Luibel, Lemon Crest, grade 2 
14. Diane McKay, Lakeview and Lindo Park, Psychologist
15. Monica Mello, Lakeview, grade 3
16. Gina Nuñez, Riverview, grade 4
17. Kathryn Leal-Powers, Lakeside Middle School, Art 
18. Gwen Fraley, Lemon Crest, grade 1
19. Kari Koch, Tierra Del Sol Middle School, Science 

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Building A Nest



This Spring the employees at the District Office had the privilege of watching a mama hummingbird build a nest, lay two eggs, and then nurture her baby hummingbirds until they were mature enough to leave the nest and begin their own life adventures. 

Like the mama hummingbird, the Lakeside Union District staff has been busy this summer building a nest for our students. We're excited about the nest that we are building because it's focused on meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of all of our students. 

We hope you enjoy this beautiful video that our Digital Learning Coach Kay Little put together of our LUSD hummingbird, and can't wait to see all our students back in school Monday, August 29th. 


Friday, August 12, 2016

Telling Our Story

Have you ever shared a personal experience with someone? You told the story full of life, and emotion, and suspense... In your mind, you see it so vividly and want to pass every detail on to the person at the receiving end of the story. They listen, intrigued, and become connected to your experience because you are pulling them in and sharing that moment.

But what happens when that person then tries to tell someone else about your experience? It loses some of its life because the reteller wasn't there. That person just can't quite convey the same level of emotion that you could. So the person hearing the story secondhand loses some of the excitement and therefore, the moment doesn't have the same impact.

What we realized is that we weren't doing the best job of telling our story, of sharing that moment, with our community. We relied on the re-tellers, and although they tried hard, it just wasn't the same. So this year, our commitment is to tell our story to everyone who will take a moment to listen.


Follow Us! #LUSDLearns
But don't worry...we aren't going door to door and telling you about our day. Instead, we're leveraging the power of social media to ensure that we connect with you, share with you, and learn with you. Regardless of which social media you like, we're there for you: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and a blog! And we're streamlining so that you'll get to hear the story even if you only follow us on one of those applications.


We'll also be reaching out a lot this year, so that we can tell YOUR #LUSDLearns story as well. Have something you'd love to share? Just comment or email and we'll take care of the rest. 

#LUSDLearns