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Each year, the San Diego County Office of Education and San Diego County Credit Union partner to collect new, unused school supplies for the more than 22,000 students in San Diego County experiencing homelessness. 

Although the school supplies collection portion of the campaign has finished, online monetary donations are still being accepted through Aug. 9. These donations will be used to buy school supplies, such as backpacks, binders, paper, pens, crayons, and more, that will go directly to students in grades K-12 in the 42 school districts in San Diego County. 

Help students be prepared and ready to learn on the first day of school. Go to the online donation site to donate. Visit sdcoe.net/stuffthebus to see more details about the campaign.

In appreciation of the dedicated service of teachers, Coles Fine Flooring is giving away free area rugs for use in the classroom.  

The giveaway of these large-sized area rugs will be from 8 to 10 a.m. Aug. 3 at the San Diego store, 1170 W. Morena Blvd. In anticipation of an overwhelming response, Coles recommends arriving early. This event is limited to teachers only.

Valid teacher identification must be presented. Rugs will be distributed while supplies last. Visit the Coles website for more details.

Tickets are now on sale for the 29th annual "Cox Presents: A Salute to Teachers" sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union. The Academy Awards-style extravaganza will take place Sept. 7, live from the Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego.

 

Tickets can be purchased online at the San Diego Theaters website, by calling the Balboa Theatre box office at 570-1100 (all San Diego area codes), or at the Advance Sales Window at Third Avenue and B Street. Ticket price is $15.50 (plus additional fees for online and phone purchases).

 

Visit the SDCOE Salute to Teachers page for more information and to see a list of this year's nominees. 

Learn all about Cuyamaca Outdoor School, home of San Diego County's original 6th Grade Camp, at the school's annual open house Sept. 7 in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

Students, parents, teachers, principals, alumni, and anyone interested in outdoor education are invited to spend the day connecting with nature. Visitors can tour the campus, participate in hands-on science activities, try rock climbing, and more.

The open house is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school located off Highway 79, north of Descanso. View the event flyer for additional details and directions.

The musical 33⅓ House of Dreams tells the story of Gold Star Recording Studios in Los Angeles, home of many rock and roll icons and top 40 hits. Written by a former educator, Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg, and featuring several students from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts in the cast, 33⅓ House of Dreams is the opening show of the San Diego Repertory Theatre's upcoming season.

The show runs Aug. 1 to 25 at the Rep's Lyceum Stage. Educators and students can enjoy discounted prices on tickets. Students automatically get half-price tickets, and adults get 15% off using the code HOD15. Discounts apply whether purchasing online, via phone, or at the box office. See the event flyer for details on pricing for groups of 10 or more.

There are several opportunities this school year to take in an Aztecs game with your colleagues or students!

Extra Yard for Teachers Football Game

As part of the College Football Playoff Foundation's national Extra Yard for Teachers promotion, San Diego State University (SDSU) invites all teachers to the Sept. 21 Aztecs home football game vs. Utah State at 7:30 p.m.

San Diego County teachers can purchase a discounted ticket for $20 through the Aztecs ticketing website by using the promo code TEACH. All teachers who purchase a ticket will also receive a free t-shirt (one per teacher). T-shirts can be picked up at Aztec Village in lots C1/D1 in SDCCU Stadium before the game. View the event flyer.

The San Diego County 2020 Teachers of the Year will also be recognized at this game. Come cheer on the Aztecs as they celebrate all teachers!

Save the Date for Women's Basketball

Save the dates now for these upcoming women's basketball games and events for students and school groups:

• Nov. 14 - Field Trip Day, Aztecs vs. Alabama A&M at 11 a.m.

• Jan. 29 - Field Trip Day, Aztecs vs. New Mexico at 11 a.m. 

• Feb. 8 - Girls and Women in Sports Day, Aztecs vs. Air Force at 1 p.m.

Through a partnership between SDSU Athletics and the San Diego County Office of Education, free tickets will be available for students, teachers, and chaperones to attend these games. More information about requesting tickets for specific dates will be available next month.

Schools are responsible for their own transportation. Game tickets are free for K-8 students and their teachers and chaperones. High school students are welcome but cannot receive free tickets, as per NCAA recruiting rules

The San Diego Symphony is helping to introduce young people to the world of classical music by offering elementary and middle school students an opportunity to attend a free concert as part of a fieldtrip experience.

Teachers and students are invited to attend 50-minute concerts at the Jacobs Music Center in Symphony Hall. Tickets are only $5 per person and must be reserved in advance.

Funds are available to assist Title I schools and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the San Diego Symphony website for more details. Download an event flyer.

You can download for free these two sets of colorful and inspiring posters of women in STEM and space exploration to display in your school or classroom. Please observe the image use policies stated on these websites.

STEM Role Models - Women Innovators Posters

These posters of female role models in STEM were commissioned by Nevertheless, a podcast that celebrates women in technology.

The eight women featured have excelled in their fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and the artwork was created by various female illustrators across the globe.

You can download the posters as a set or individually and they are available in eight languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, French Canadian, and Simplified Chinese.

Visions of the Future - Space Tourism Posters



A creative team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory created the Visions of the Future series that depicts places in our solar system and beyond in the style of vintage vacation posters.

The 14 posters show planets, moons, and exoplanets as imaginative travel destinations to inspire new generations to be architects of the future.

Visit the NASA/JPL website to download the posters.

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day is Sept. 21. Participating museums and cultural institutions will provide free admission to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket.

One ticket can be downloaded per email address and each ticket provides general admission for the ticket holder plus one guest. Visit the Smithsonian website for more information and a list of participating museums. Tickets will be available beginning Aug. 15.

The FBI's Safe Online Surfing (SOS) program promotes digital citizenship by educating students in grades 3 to 8 on the essentials of online security. Students play interactive, grade-level games that teach them about online safety.

For teachers, the program provides a ready-made curriculum that meets state and federal internet safety mandates, including online testing, and a competition at the national level to encourage learning and participation.

Learn more by visiting the FBI SOS webpage, consulting this Google doc that offers a general overview of the SOS program, or by contacting Charmin Lindholm. 

Cal Coast Cares Foundation Educator Grant 

CalCoast Cares Foundation, a part of California Coast Credit Union, offers educator grants that target learning opportunities for students in the STREAM subjects of science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math.

Educators in K-12 public and private schools in San Diego County are eligible to apply. The application period closes Aug. 3, and grants will be payable no later than Dec. 31. Visit the program webpage for more information and to download an application.

Chargers Grant Application Opens Aug. 19

For 20 years, the Chargers Champions Program has been providing grants to students, educators, and schools, awarding more than $6 million in grants and funding since its inception. 

 

In the 2019-20 school year, the Chargers Champions School Grant Program will again be providing funds to schools in San Diego and Imperial counties for physical fitness, nutrition, and athletic programs. High schools can apply for grants of up to $70,000, middle schools up to $40,000, and elementary schools up to $30,000. 

 

The grant application will go live on Chargers.com on Aug. 19. The deadline to apply is Oct. 4.

Bostitch Creativity in the Classroom Grant

Bostitch will award grants in the form of a $250 Visa gift card to K-12 teachers to use for creative classroom supplies. Applicants will be judged on a sample lesson plan that shows creativity, originality, and potential impact. The fall application period closes Aug. 20; the spring period closes on Jan. 20. Visit the program webpage for more information.

Bookmobile Grant Program

The Lois Lensky Covey Foundation's bookmobile grant program provides funds for purchasing children's fiction or non-fiction books for students in grades PreK to 8. The books are to be available for checkout by young people for pleasure reading or as an information source. There are specific restrictions on what kinds of books and purposes qualify. Visit the grant website for the eligibility details and to apply. Applications are due Sept. 1.

BBB Ambassador Scholarship

Through the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Ambassador Scholarship program, students can win scholarships between $1,000 and $2,500 for delivering presentations to their peers with tips and resources for navigating topics such as credit, rentals, loans, and employment scams as they near college and beyond. Each ambassador or team needs to deliver a minimum of three presentations to groups of any size organized through school or other extracurriculars. The application deadline is Oct. 31. For more information and to apply, visit the BBB scholarships page. 

BBB Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship

The BBB will award five scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 to students in grades 9-12 who submit an essay about the importance of ethics and integrity in the community. The application deadline is Sept.10. Winners must be present at the Torch Awards for Ethics event Oct. 9. Visit the BBB scholarships page for more information.

Teacher and Student Recognition and Incentive Programs

For more information about the programs below, and to submit nominations, visit the San Diego County Office of Education Celebrate School Stars webpage.

Class Acts 

Nominate a deserving teacher to win $200 to use on supplies or classroom projects. Radio station Jam’n 95.7 and Mission Federal Credit Union visit a classroom every Tuesday throughout the school year with great prizes and a fun time. Self nominations are accepted.

NBC San Diego Inspirational Student and Teacher of the Month 

SDCOE and NBC 7 San Diego are looking for inspirational students and teachers who are outstanding individuals on campus and within their community. Surprise a stellar junior or senior student or a dedicated educator with a visit from NBC 7 for a segment on a weekday newscast recognizing what makes them special.

Teachers are Heroes 

Nominate a K-5 teacher who goes above and beyond for their students with a surprise recognition and award for the teacher and their whole class. Self nominations not accepted.

USD Torero Achievement Club 

Teachers of grades 3 through 8 can take their class or some star students on a campus tour of the University of San Diego followed by a Torero home game, including a voucher for concessions.

Nominating a teacher or school employee as a LifeChanger of the Year is great way to make them feel special and acknowledge their hard work.

 

This recognition is sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation and honors K-12 educators and employees who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership.

 

Anyone -- including parents, administrators, school colleagues, students (with approval from an adult), and other members of the community -- can nominate up to three full-time K-12 public or private school employees. Each nominee is celebrated in various ways upon being nominated, and has the opportunity to be considered for one of 17 awards and the grand prize of $10,000.

 

For additional details and the nomination form, click here. 

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What's Happening is a monthly publication from the San Diego County Office of Education that highlights free and low-cost enrichment opportunities for San Diego County students, teachers, and schools. 

Have feedback on What's Happening? Email the San Diego County Office of Education Communications department: [email protected] 

858-292-3500 | www.sdcoe.net

Our Mission

The mission of the San Diego County Office of Education is inspiring and leading innovation in education.