dsusd in the news - Desert Sands Unified School District

MICROSOFT
DSUSD IN THE NEWS
Editor: Mary E. B. Perry, Public Information Officer
Desert Sands
Unified School District
11.17.2014
So Why and So What?
Monday, November 10, was a day dedicated to
training. At Andrew Jackson Elementary School that
training was all about Thinking Maps.
Thinking Maps, the company, was founded in 1970,
originally as Innovative Services, Inc. The concept
is based on eight visual patterns, each created to
focus on a fundamental thought process. The
patterns can be used individually or in combination.
Like Common Core Standards, Thinking Maps are
designed to promote critical thinking.
The teachers and classroom aides at Jackson
Elementary School were divided into two groups
based on grade level. They then formed table groups
where they created their own scenarios using the
concept. One group used the idea of “So Why” and
made the statement that numbers can be represented
by dots. The next step was the “So What” and the
group determined that the use of dots could help a
student learn to count. Students then use one of the
“maps” (circle, tree, multi-flow) to further discuss
the topic and build sentences around the statement.
Another group used the “So Why” that animals eat
different things to support their life cycles. Their
“So What” called out facts such as the idea that not
all animals eat the same thing. This presented the
concept of omnivore and carnivore while connecting
the entire topic and promoting critical thinking,
discussion, vocabulary, and sentence development.
Much of the thought process evolves around the
ideas that I now understand; I need to know this
because; and the information is important because.
Additional examples were created and discussed
with overall teacher consensus using Thinking Maps
in their classrooms does facilitate student thinking
and learning. It assists with the idea of idea
comparing/contrasting, moves the student to great
independence in learning, and improves their
cognitive vocabulary. Principal Vicki Barber noted
that, “The process of creating this type of connected
thinking leads the student to a better understanding
of topics at every grade level and in every subject.
Math, language arts, science, social studies...they
can all use the processes.”
Full implementation of Thinking Maps at Jackson
Elementary School is planned. Other schools within
Desert Sands Unified School District also use the
concept. Success stories and examples of the
Thinking Map process are welcome and can be
shared in this newsletter by emailing them to
mary.perry@desertsands.us.
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Dates of Note
ECMC College Night Winners
December 8: Franklin Elementary School will spend
time throughout this week on the Hour of Code. This
innovative attempt to teach students computer
programming began last year with over 20 million
children participating across the United States. For more
information on the program go to http://csedweek.org.
On Wednesday, October 29, Palm Desert High School
hosted a college night sponsored by ECMC (Education
Credit Management Corporation). The purpose of the
night was to inform students, many of whom will be the
first in their family to go to college, and their parents
about the benefits of going to college.
December 13: DSTA members and volunteers—
highway cleanup: December 13, January 10, February
28, April 18, May 16, June 13. Meet at the DSTA office
at 8:00 am.
After a pizza dinner,
the 160 participants
attended break-out
sessions, offered in
English and Spanish.
Topics included:
1) how college can
change your life,
2) how to choose the
right college and
review the admissions process, 3) how to pay for
college and apply for financial aid and 4) scholarship
searches and scams.
December 17: District Spelling Bee at the La Quinta
High School Theatre at 5:00 pm
January 24: CPR & First Aid Class from 8:00 am to
6:30 pm in the Ed Services Training Room. Cost is $75
per person. Space is limited. Contact Chris Viveros at
Christina.Viveros@desertsands.us or 760-771-8685.
January 25: The Palm Desert Charter Middle School
Panther 5K on El Paseo Avenue benefitting the school‟s
technology. The 5K will be a part of the writing contest
begun last year. Prizes will be awarded based on creative
writing and given to racers in a variety of categories.
Registration is open to the public at www.active.com
(search Panther) or at www.dsusd.us/schools/pdcms.
At the end of the evening, three students won a raffle
for $500 scholarships. The lucky winners (left to right)
were Andrew Schaller (senior), Joe Dubeau (junior) and
Matthew Richards (senior).
March 9-11: District Science Fair in the Taj Mahal at
the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio. Award
ceremony at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, March 11.
A special thank you to staff and parent volunteers who
helped present and serve including: Lynette Wohlmuth,
Priscilla Kubas, Nolan Sparks, Dinah Sparks, Molly
Farrin, Ammy Wardell, and Tiffany Rapp. In addition,
representatives of CSUSB Palm Desert, Brenda
Machuca and Avisinia Rodriguez, were present to
deliver the Spanish language session.
March: LQHS Wind Symphony to perform at New
York City‟s Carnegie Hall.
Teachers and Staff Attend Training
(Thanks to Carol Daiberi for submitting this article!)
 The annual California Mathematics Council (CMC)
South took place in Palm Springs on October 24 and 25.
Considered to be among the top national math
conferences, teachers from across the district attended.
Medal of Honor Awarded to Relative
Mary Dolan is a teacher at
Abraham Lincoln
Elementary and her
husband Chris teaches at
Colonel Mitchell Paige
Middle School.
 DSUSD was also represented at the Association of
California School Administrators (ACSA) Leadership
Summit in San Diego on November 6 and 7 with Deanna
Keuilian, educational services administrator, presenting
on creating/revising secondary career technical education
(CTE) programs into an academic structure using linked
learning strategies. A number of other personnel also
attended the summit.
Congratulations to them and Helen Loring Ensign
(Mary‟s mother) on the awarding of the Medal of
Honor to a distant cousin, First Lieutenant Alonzo H.
Cushing, for his bravery in action during the Civil War.
A Union solder, Cushing performed his heroics in July
1863 but had never been recognized for his efforts. Mrs.
Ensign accepted the award from President Obama at a
White House ceremony in November.
 State and Federal Programs staff and Curriculum &
Instruction project facilitators attended the English
Language Arts/English Language Development
Framework Training offered through Riverside County
Office of Education.
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Going, Going, Gone!
Red Ribbon Poster Contest
Red Ribbon Week continues via the annual Drug,
Alcohol, and Tobacco Prevention Poster Contest. Denise
Muller, student assistance program counselor assigned
La Quinta High School intern Katlyn Villagomez to the
project. Katlyn created the wonderful displays at DEC
North after collecting the entries, entering them in a
database, and numbering them. She set up the system for
judging and encourages all who stop by the building (or
who may want to make a special trip over there) to vote
for their favorites.
Participation earns you a
free drug prevention
calendar. Winners will
receive prizes ranging
from movie tickets to art
supply baskets, suitable
to the varying grade
levels. Entrants receive a
participation certificate.
The LQHS Culinary Team was up for auction at the
Pendleton Foundation fundraiser on November 6. The
Foundation is dedicated to helping meet the financial
needs of Coachella Valley residents suffering from
cancer. Their 10th Annual Chef‟s Auction offered
supporters the opportunity to “have one of the Coachella
Valley‟s most spectacular chefs cook a private meal for
eight at either the patron‟s home or the chef‟s restaurant”
The LQHS team was purchased by philanthropists
Deborah Paige and Don Saxton for $5,000. The dinner
will take place at their valley home in March.
The winning posters will be sent into the Carol Addiss
County Drug Prevention Calendar Contest. Schools that
missed participating in this program can submit
additional entries for submission to the Betty Ford
Center SAP advisory meeting in early February. Three
posters from each grade level are then sent to the
Riverside County Department of Mental Health where
they are judged for the annual calendar. It is highly
competitive but
DSUSD
typically has
one or more
pieces selected
for the
calendar. One
year, six
winners made
it to the
calendar. This
year three
DSUSD
posters were
used including
the cover.
Knights Joust with Police
Knights 53 - Cops 50
Aaron Wiltrout, Shadow Hills High School head
basketball coach, sent out the challenge to Joel Osmond,
school SRO (school resource officer), and the game
was on.
Thursday, November 6 on the school court found the
Knights varsity team up against 13 Indio Police
Department officers for a fundraiser to support United
States men and women in uniform.
The district has
participated in
the program for
the past twelve
years under
Denise‟s
stewarship.
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AVID Students Assist Desert Arc
Band Victorious
An important component of the high school AVID
program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is
community service. Students at Indio High School
participate in a number of worthy causes but their work
with Desert Arc is very close to their heart. Desert Arc
services handicapped adults, enriching their lives with
career training and life skills. Each year Desert Arc holds
a two day Italian Festival and Indio High School students
volunteer to assist in a variety of ways.
Loss of their equipment truck didn‟t stop the Marching
Aztecs as they won their final competition on Tuesday
evening at Shadow Hills High School. Normally a AAA
band, the Marching Aztecs competed in AAAA and took
first place in band and sweepstakes in color guard. Of the
13 bands in the competition. The PDHS band had the
second highest score of the evening. The only band with
a higher score was a AAAAAA band with 175 members
from San Diego. The Marching Aztecs are the highest
scoring AAA band in the state.
The AVID students are traveling to northern California
to visit colleges for future consideration. In addition to
the rigorous academic program and community service,
the students conduct fundraisers to support this type of
familiarization trip. An auction is being held on
December 2. (see flyer on page 7)
Students Receive Books
The Assistance League of Palm Springs Area recently
participated in the USA Weekend Make A Difference
Day by hosting a children‟s book drive. The books are
most appreciated by the students. The photo below was
included in the student appreciation notes sent to the
Assistance League.
Band Truck Stolen
Local news media have spread the word about the Palm
Desert High School band truck stolen from the school on
Sunday, November 2. Surveillance video of the thief was
provided to local television and newspaper in hopes that
the public will assist in recovering the vehicle.
The white Ford 2003 F250 has a DSUSD sticker and the
license plate number is 1147989. Information on the
theft would be
appreciated and
should be
directed to the
Palm Desert
police department
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LQMS Teacher Nominated
Finalists for the 2014-2015 Educator of Year Award for California League of Middle Schools,
Region 10, have been announced. Laura Spradlin, sixth grade language arts and journalism
teacher at La Quinta Middle School is the only teacher from the Coachella Valley to be
recognized at this year‟s ceremony being held on December 8 at the Riverside Marriott.
According to Principal Janet Seto, “In addition to being an excellent educator, Laura has been
the „quiet leader‟ on staff who has spearheaded LQMS's Fitness School of Champions culture,
has written countless grants, has garnered financial support for the school, and has procured
many awards for LQMS including: Alliance for a Healthier Generation National Bronze Award
Winner, California School Boards Association's Golden Bell Award, First Lady Michelle
Obama's „Let's Move‟ Award, Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Humana Challenge Cooking
Contest, etc. Ms. Spradlin also has many community connections and has brought landscape, art, entertainment, and golf
professionals to our school to share their expertise and work side-by-side with our Bulldogs. It is through her inspiration
and vision that our classrooms and office have taken on a bright, color-coordinated (with school colors), cohesive, noninstitutional spirit and feel. There is no other teacher who is more deserving of the California League of Middle Schools
Teacher of the Year honor.”
District Staff Receive Training on Cyberbullying, Social Media, and Self/Peer Motivation
Internationally renown safety and security trainer Theresa Campbell spent a full day with over 60 school administrators
and staff from DSUSD and other districts on Friday, November 7. Disturbing videos and detailed accountings of
examples of both physical and cyberbullying were shared by both Ms. Campbell and Chief Jeff Kaye. Explanations
were given on the definitions of bullying and the types regularly being addressed by today‟s schools. They included
physical bullying; verbal bullying; and social, emotional, and relational bullying. She went on to describe concerns
students have; reasons that they may be hesitant to report bullying. They may fell disconnected from adults, afraid that
no action will be taken if they tell, concerned that the telling of the occurrence could instigate further bullying, and the
fact that no one has ever specifically asked them if they have been bullied.
Ms. Campbell provided suggestions on ways that adults can reach out and provide help to both the students being
bullied and those doing the harassment. She proposed that we look at a school not through an adult lens but through that
of the child. During the lunch break, both Ms. Campbell and Chief Kaye were interviewed by CBS Local 2 for an
upcoming in-depth story on the issues of bullying. Details on the airing of the program will be forthcoming.
On February 26 and 27, Desert Sands Unified School District will present a seminar titled Safer Schools Together &
School Safety Operations at the Agua Caliente Resort Spa Casino in Rancho Mirage. The main focus of the seminar will
be why emergency preparedness and response is of utmost importance in our schools. Presentations will be made by
experts and professionals in school security and law enforcement. Keynote speaker will speak on Lessons Learned from
School Violence. Information and registration can be found at www.schoolsafetyops.com or
www.saferschoolstogether.com Both Theresa Campbell and Jeff Kaye will be participating and presenting.
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Bulletin Board
Health Department Ebola Tips
Smarter Balanced Digital Library
Concerned about possible children‟s
reactions to graphic images and scary
rhetoric appearing in the media, Riverside
County Health officials have issued tips on
talking to children about Ebola. Dr.
Christopher D. Deal, a pediatrician who
oversees the Children‟s Medical Services,
noted that children my not understand how
difficult Ebola is to contract or how remote
the chances are that it could spread. Dr. Deal
offers the following tips when talking to
children about Ebola:
DSUSD teachers are now able to access the
Smarter Balanced Digital Library where they
will find subject/grade specific resources to
support the instruction of Common Core
Standards and apply the formative
assessment process during daily instruction.
Resources are added almost daily. Additional
information can be obtained from the
Educational Services Department.

Children should be reassured that they
are safe. While Ebola is a serious disease,
it is important to remember that it is very
rare and doesn‟t spread easily.

Children should know that health care
and public health systems in the United
States are among the best and most
advanced in the world and that scientists
are working hard to find ways to cure
Ebola and prevent it from spreading.

Adults may want to consider limiting
young children‟s exposure to the news/
social media.

It is important for children to know that
they are much more likely to get sick
from colds or the flu and should be
reminded that hand-washing/hand
sanitizing is one of the best ways to stay
healthy.

Training Used in Real-Life Emergency
On Thursday, November 6 a student at Palm
Desert High School suffered a seizure. Two
students in his classroom are members of the
Health Career Academy and medical
personnel arriving at the scene credit their
actions in helping to save the life of their
fellow student. The students had positioned
the victim‟s head to ensure an open airway
and had taken his vitals, handing the
information to paramedics upon their arrival.
The two quickly repositioned the victim‟s
head, opening his airway and preventing him
from choking. The student is expected to
return to school soon. Student recognition is
planned for an upcoming school assembly.
Up With People will be coming to the
Coachella Valley in March. The group
combines music and community service to
spread a message regarding “the need for
young people around the world to become
global citizens, develop an appreciation of
diversity and cultures, and learn the value of
volunteerism. More information to come
regarding community service opportunities,
concert tickets, and a need for host families.
Educators and caregivers can obtain
additional information from the Centers
for Disease Control, the California
Department of Public Health, and
Riverside County‟s webpage on Ebola at
www.healthychildren.org
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FUNDRAISERS AND EVENTS
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FUNDRAISERS AND EVENTS
Please send all success stories, notices of upcoming events, and ideas for press coverage to:mary.perry@desertsands.us.
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