From writing and math, to art, fashion, and photography, the JCCS Design Jam Take Action showcased an array of student talent across the region.

Design Jam is a semi-annual, cross-curricular effort designed to engage students at JCCS in relevant learning. Students and teachers can choose how they want to participate and exhibit their work. The main objective is to create projects utilizing multiple subjects and answering the essential question, which this spring was: How can I take action for a cause that is meaningful to me, my family, and/or my community?

“With every new Design Jam, we see more students participating in innovative and creative ways such as exhibiting ideas through Flipgrid, Adobe videos, art, and even a fashion show with student-designed clothing,” said Melanie Tolan, JCCS instructional coach. “It's always uplifting to see the curriculum come to life through each student’s unique lens.”

This quarter, schools hosted both virtual and in-person exhibitions, which allowed students to share their projects and interact with SDCOE staff members and other guests. San Diego SOAR Academy students wrote argumentative essays; Bayside Community School shared poetry and art on Flipgrid; Innovations Academy or Empowerment students created newspaper matrices. Nearly all schools in JCCS participated.

Ocean, a former Girls Rehabilitation Facility student now enrolled in an independent study program, worked with arts partner Combat Arts and classmates Elie and Jamie to create a painting of a huma bird with the aurora borealis in the background (pictured above).

Read more.

This year, 18 students from Lindsay Community School, Global Academy of California, and Victoria Community School participated in a year-long program called the ArtWorks Fellowship.

In its second year, The ArtWorks Fellowship program provides a pathway to an arts-focused education and career. Fellows enrolled in this program learn art-making skills, meet professional artists, and are mentored by teaching and practicing artists Diana Cervera and Lorain Khalil Rihan. They also had the opportunity to display and present their drawings, photographs, and prints at The Front Arte Cultura gallery in San Ysidro.

“We are always looking for ways to engage our JCCS students with courses that meet their interests and provide strong career path opportunities and the ArtWorks Fellowship partnership does just that,” said Amanda Wallace, visual and performing arts technician for JCCS. “We are grateful for Arts Education Connection San Diego and their teachers, who have provided two years of great education and mentorship for our students and look forward to another cohort of students having the opportunity next year.”

Throughout the school year, students develop a capstone project that includes a portfolio of artwork, an exhibition, artist statements, a resume, and a public speaking presentation. Students self-select to participate in the career pathways course and those who complete the ArtWorks Fellowship Program earn five high school credits and a $200 stipend. The program is generously supported by the Ruth & Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Community Grant.

The JCCS student representatives on the San Diego County Board of Education for April and May were Abigail, a senior at Victoria Community School, and Ken, a sophomore at San Pasqual Academy.

Abigail (pictured above with Board Trustee Guadalupe González) was recognized for her passion for learning and ability to help others while also excelling herself. Her interests have led her to participate in graphic design classes, The ArtWorks Fellowship program, volunteering for the Outdoor Outreach nonprofit group, and as an amateur boxer, all while concurrently enrolled at Southwestern College. She is on track to graduate this month and hopes to pursue a degree in criminal justice or nursing.

“Abigail pushes herself to learn and improve her skills daily,” said Principal Roberto Carrillo. “She is inquisitive and her passion for learning is contagious.”

Abigail credits her classmates with helping her excel, and offers this advice: Set goals in life so that you have an inspiration and motivation to want to move forward without anything or anyone stopping you.

Ken was recognized for the progress he’s made in becoming a student who is more involved and engaged in school.

“He smiles, participates in class, reads the daily announcements over the intercom, and is a leader,” said Principal Suzanne Miyasaki.

He hopes to work in law enforcement in the future, possibly with the Drug Enforcement Agency or in the military.

Ken’s advice to other students is simple, yet meaningful: Try new things. For him, it was joining the football team that changed his outlook.

“Being a part of the football team has changed me in a variety of ways," he explained. "For instance, I am way more talkative now and I don’t let the smallest things get to me. Try new things. That’s all you need to stop feeling that sense of despair or the feeling that everything is starting to feel the same and that there’s nothing you can do about it. Because in reality, there is something you can do about it, and there always is.”

Kyle, a student at San Diego SOAR Academy East Mesa, was selected recently as the first recipient of the Heard Family Trust Scholarship. The scholarship is in the amount of $1,200 and can be used to pursue ongoing academic and professional goals.

The scholarship is designated for JCCS students who are pursuing career technical education in a variety of fields, including construction, manufacturing, marketing and entrepreneurship, graphic design, culinary arts, cosmetology, child development, and agriculture.

The scholarship is awarded by SDCOE on behalf of the Heard Family.

North County Tech Academy 12th grade student Alondra Arteaga is an iVIE Award finalist for her PSA video entitled Cyberbullying. The video, which was recently screened at the 2022 iVIE Student Awards and Film Festival, was created for her multimedia class assignment. Her teacher, Elizabeth Rice, gives her class the assignment of creating a “how-to” or PSA video each year.

JCCS hosted a virtual recognition ceremony for a group of parents that consistently volunteer their time and provide input on a variety of topics impacting students and schools across JCCS. More than 40 parents attended the event, which included a photography lesson from arts partners California Center for the Arts and Outside the Lens. Awards celebrating parent commitment and leadership were also handed out.

San Diego SOAR Academy Principal Joanne Finney authored an article on the new Youth Transition Campus that appears in the most recent journal put out by the Juvenile Court, Community and Alternative School Administrators of California (JCCASAC). Finney, along with Coordinator Allison Wulff presented on the same topic at the organization’s May conference. In addition, Principal Gretchen Rhoads, Teacher Cindy Stallo, Counselor Chris Toomey and Supervisor Steph Johnston Austin presented at the conference on how to build community and support dual college enrollment.