Lincoln Cluster Schools Newsletter
April 2021
Hello Lincoln Cluster Families
We are in our 3rd week of reopening schools across our Lincoln cluster and I am excited to share that it has been a smooth process for our staff, students and families getting back to a more normalized schooling experience in our classrooms and on our school sites. Across the cluster we are averaging between 60-90% depending on each site, of students returning to on-site learning, and the numbers continue to grow each day. Our staff is confident in their teaching practices as they navigate on-site and on-line students simultaneously, create community with all students every day, and engaging our students not only academically, but also, you can see and feel the joy, and the social-emotional needs being met as they learn and play with one another (socially distancing of course). I want to re-extend my gratitude and appreciation to all of our families in the Lincoln Cluster who have over these past 13+ months stepped up in ways insurmountably to partner with our schools and teachers, as you take on the role of teacher in the home and partner with the school. Your hard work and dedication is showing itself in the positive, rewarding and uplifting engagement we are seeing each and every day at our school sites. Let’s continue this momentum in partnership as we progress through this school year and into the Fall, because our kids are counting on us, need us, and ultimately, together we are stronger as a community.
United we grow.
Bruce R. Bivins
Area 1 Superintendent
Lincoln High School
Lincoln High School
College & Career Pathways
Preparing students for College & Career is a privilege and responsibility of both our school and community. After months of meetings with input from teachers, industry, parents, students and community members, we are excited to announce the creation of our Pathways for Social Justice where teachers will partner with community and industry professionals to expand opportunities for career exploration and preparation. Students, starting with the class of 2024 , are able to choose one of three Pathways that include Biotech & Engineering; Performance & Communication Technology; and Medical & Emergency Services. From February to April 9th, 9th grade students received emails, text messages, and class presentations about the new Pathways for Social Justice options and how to submit their Pathway and Elective preferences. Students will be notified by email by April 30th of their Pathway Assignment.
If you would like more information or would like to contribute to building industry connections for any of our pathways, please contact principal Brown at Stephanie.brown@sandi.net
Knox Middle School
Knox Middle
Millennial Tech Middle School
MTM
Phase II has been a great success at Millennial Tech Middle School. We have welcomed back nearly 52% of our students for in-person learning. Due to the high demand, we currently offer 2 days of in-person learning. We cannot wait until we get to have full-day experiences. Our staff is so elated to be seeing our students in-person and are eagerly awaiting the day when all students can return back to the classroom experience.
For our Phase II reopening, students were welcomed back in style, as balloon arches, music, and staff cheered kids back on campus. Each morning, our students are greeted by MTM staff who check temperatures and ensure that all students have filled out their health screening. We are so impressed with our students who have followed all safety protocols beautifully. MTM students have a lot to be proud of.
Currently, we are testing our English Language Learners using the ELPAC. This test consists of four parts—Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. If you prefer for your child to take these exams in-person, please sign up on our website link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050c4eaba72fabfe3-elpac.
MTM wants to thank our district office and our custodial staff for providing the necessary resources to make in-person learning possible. We are so grateful for the handwashing stations, sanitizer wipes, masks, and barriers that we so rely on.
If you would like to learn more about Millennial Tech Middle School, please contact us at 619-362-4650 or by email at: Dgoulart@sandi.net.
Porter Elementary School
Porter Elem.
Baker Elementary School
Baker Elem.
Nye Elementary School
Nye Elem.
Valencia Park Elementary School
Balboa Elementary School
Balboa Elem.
Chavez Elementary School
Chavez Elem.
This is our Captain Counselor Sonia Sobampo. She has been in this school for a whopping 11 years. She finished her Psychology degree in 2000 and her Master’s in School Counseling in 2005 at the University of San Diego.
She worked at Balboa, Miramar Ranch, Loma Portal, Franklin, Cadman, Emerson, and finally Cesar Chavez Elementary.
“She helps students spread kindness and to have fun throughout the school. She’s AWESOME!!!” Ms. Diana
“She’s there to support students in their emotional distress and gives them coping strategies.” Ms. Mari
“She is fabulous and great with the students.” Ms. Valdez
“She is definitely a team player, caring, and very supportive school counselor.”
“I had seen Ms. Sonia calmly solve some difficult problems. She is a problem solver. Most of all I see that her heart goes not just to the students but all, to the parents and to fellow staff. At the beginning of the pandemic, she did house and phone calls with a few of our staff to those children that are not attending the zoom class. She is very good around kids but she is also a good listener and she is passionate to all the students or to anyone She talks to. I admire and love her. She is one of my superheroes…. Captain Counselor Sonia Sobampo.” Xenia
Happy Administration Day to Ms. Carmen Buenrostro(ESA), Ms. Ana Fred(School Clerk), and Ms. Diana Plazola (Sub Guidance Asst.). They have been the backbone of our school. They are welcoming, friendly, hard workers, problem solvers, and professionals.
Diana is doing a wonderful job in reaching out to families that need help.
Ana helps out with the home visits and is excellent at her job. She is outstandingly very helpful with co-workers.
Carmen is very flexible and very helpful. She’s only been here for two years and she is excellent.
We also would like to thank these lovely ladies who come to our school every two weeks. They have been working four days a week at multiple schools since February. Thank you, UCSD healthcare workers!
Follow us in Facebook @ChavezElementarySchool and Instagram @chavezelemschool
Horton Elementary School
Horton Elem. -
Horton is so excited to have welcomed back approximately 250 students to onsite learning! We’ve had a successful first couple of weeks back- our students our re-connecting with their teachers and each other (safely from a distance), we’ve been practicing our back-on-campus routines and procedures, and we celebrated Earth Day on April 22nd. Our students engaged in reading and discussions about the importance of taking care of and protecting our Earth and our community. Students created beautiful art to represent the Earth, planted different kinds of seeds in our garden, helped clean up our campus, wrote about how they can help take care of the Earth, and other activities.
¡Horton está muy feliz de haber dado la bienvenida a aproximadamente 250 estudiantes a las clases presenciales! Han sido un éxito las primeras semanas: nuestros estudiantes volvieron a conectarse con sus maestros y entre ellos (de manera segura desde la distancia), hemos practicado nuestras rutinas y procedimientos de regreso al campus, y celebramos El Día de la Tierra el 22 de abril. Nuestros estudiantes participaron en lecturas y discusiones sobre la importancia de cuidar y proteger nuestra Tierra y nuestra comunidad. Los estudiantes crearon arte para representar la Tierra, plantaron diferentes tipos de semillas en nuestro jardín, ayudaron a limpiar nuestro campus, escribieron sobre cómo pueden ayudar a cuidar la Tierra y otras actividades.
Webster Elementary School
Webster Elementary
We did it! We finely reopened to students on site. It was not easy getting everything ready for our students to return, but boy was it worth it. As with all San Diego schools on April 12th Webster welcomed back our families that have elected to return. In fact approximately 78% of our students have returned to in-person learning, with a few still changing their minds. The Webster team of teachers and staff moved tables, chairs, bookshelves and other miscellaneous items to make room for students in classrooms while following all safety guidelines. In one of our 4th grade classrooms, so many students wanted to return we had to move that class to the auditorium to fit them all in safely. Our new school hours for the rest of this year are 9:00 am to 2:30 pm Mondays through Thursdays and all students zoom from home on Fridays.
For all of us at Webster April 12th was one of the most exciting days for us in a long time. We were finally able to welcome our students and their families back on campus. You could cut the excitement in the air with a knife. Webster did it right. We laid out red carpet, velvet ropes, and a balloon arch for the students to walk down and through. We wanted to make it as special as we could. Our parents seemed to enjoy it as much as the students did.
As we move toward summer, I want to remind all of my Webster families that many of you qualify for our enhanced summer school experience. Webster will not be hosting summer school but our students are invited to join another school of your choice. These past few weeks we have been inviting our priority students and families to registrar and soon if not already, all of our families can apply. We are hoping many of you will take this opportunity and join a school for the summer experience. It is going to be great!
Encanto Elementary School
Encanto Elementary
On April 12th Encanto Elementary prepared to welcome back 323 students with the help of Mayor Gloria, Superintendent Marten and Board Member Richard Barrera! The dignitaries visited with students in Mrs. Woods-Tynes 3rd grade Two-Way Dual Language classroom where they engaged in simultaneous learning and answered student questions. Next, they toured the campus and had a chance to view our beautiful new joint use field, pond and courtyard. The visit ended with a press conference welcoming back all San Diego Unified students. Superintendent Marten was so impressed with our students that she came back two weeks later to read to the classroom! Both students and staff were thrilled and honored to be chosen for this wonderful visit and opportunity to show off the pride they feel for our school community.
Chollas-Mead Elementary School
Chollas-Mead Elem.
Welcome back Chollas Mead Dolphins. We are so excited to have our staff and students back on campus. The students are having a great time learning along side one another. Zoom platform has allowed students in the classroom to collaborate and participate in small group learning with students on campus.
Congrats to Ms. Jones who was presented the Azusa Pacific University and Lincoln Financial Media Company of California,Teachers are Heros award. Ms. Jones teaches one of the Moderate / Severe classrooms at Chollas Mead and is dedicated to ensure her students and their families have what they need. Over the pandemic she performed many home visits to delivery learning materials and basic living essentials. Ms. Jones we are thankful to have you at Chollas Mead.
Johnson Elementary School
Johnson Elem.
This month we welcomed back to the campus over 160 students at Johnson! Students were very happy to be back on campus to see their classmates in person and to continue to see their classmates on Zoom!
The staff was also happy to come back to more students! We had to learn and adapt games that encouraged social distancing. One of the games was Noodle Touch. Staff had a great time playing and teaching this game. We also taught and played "Switch".
Last, we want to give a shout out to the Johnson Cafeteria Staff! They work very hard each day to feed our students to make sure they have the nutrition they need to do their best learning!