Being a Good Digital Citizen Starts Young

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?

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.  

Most importantly, many Mandarin immersion students from Riverview International Academy were invited to perform at this event.  A group of 4^th graders led by Mrs. Wass performed Chinese yo-yo.  A group of 3^rd 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. 

Photos courtesy of Confucius Institute: https://flic.kr/s/aHskDxgH6d 

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!

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