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Well-being of Faculty and Staff Also Discussed
School Board Hears Superintendent's Plan for the District's Financial Future in 24 Page Report
In a 90 minute session on Wednesday night, the School Board heard from all of the District Administrators in a round-table discussion how they plan to solve the current financial crisis. All of the principals, assistant principals, and senior directors spoke to the Board passionately about the conditions of their school or department and the need for calm and positive speech.
"The beginning of the school year is the wrong time to be discussing cuts ," said Dr. Rebekah Barakos-Cartwright, Senior Director of Human Resources. "The schools are still in the process of hiring staff and developing their instructional program."
A similar tone was displayed by the rest of the administrators. Some Board Members were not happy with the tone of the meeting and had higher expectations.
"Facing up to $1.7 million in cuts next year we were hoping for an opportunity to brainstorm and collaborate early in the process with district leaders on creative ways to save money," said School Board Member Maria Simon. "Unfortunately our discussion today was not productive along those lines but we will continue to seek input from all staff and community members."
At the end of the round-table discussion, Superintendent Felix was asked to summarize his 24 page report on how employees were feeling after the loss of Proposition E and the early discussion of more cutbacks along with a strategy for the financial future of the organization.
"This School Board developed a sound plan over a year ago to reduce and then finally end the structural deficit by 2018," stated Dr. Felix. "That plan was a good one then, and it is a good one now. We must stick to the plan and make changes as we go, but with an eye toward keeping the instructional fervor and academic integrity intact. We owe our students nothing less."
A full copy of the Superintendent's report can be downloaded here.
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Over 400 Participants in Two-Day Event
Educators from All Over North America Converge on Coronado as CHS Hosts Google Apps for Education Summit Last Weekend
 Coronado welcomed educators from around the globe to the Google Apps for Education (GAFE) Summit held on October 4 and 5, 2014 at the Coronado High School campus. A total of 400 participants registered for this two-day opportunity to learn more about using Google Apps for Education. This sold out Summit was a huge success.
All participants were thrilled with learning sessions such as "Using Dynamic Math with Free Web Based Tools" and "Digital Portfolios for Elementary Students." (For a full list of sessions offered, click here: http://ca.gafesummit.com/2014/sessions-1) As a bonus for hosting the summit, twenty CUSD educators were provided free entry to the Summit equating to $5,000 in professional development for district teachers. "You could see and hear the enthusiasm for innovations in teaching and learning from all participants, no more so than from our own CUSD teachers who attended the Summit," said Senior Director of Learning and Instruction Claudia Gallant, "The ideas shared were designed for immediate implementation into student learning opportunities."
 CUSD schools began using Google Apps for Education just over two years ago, and developed their own district domain to allow for ease of student use and Single Sign On capabilities with Haiku Learning. Additional training in the use of the GAFE tools was incredibly valuable for attendees. "Having Coronado Unified School District host the GAFE Summit allowed us the opportunity to use our resources in new and innovative ways," said Coronado Middle School science teacher Kevin Paiz-Ramirez, "Professional Development goes hand in hand with technology as we bridge our students into our connected world."
The Coronado High School campus provided a perfect setting in Coronado for visitors, many who travelled from afar to stay in local Coronado boutique hotels. Visitors praised the beautiful Coronado Island town with its lovely restaurants and lodging. Google EdTech Team organizers were so thrilled with the location of Coronado and the school site facility that they immediately requested to return in the fall of 2015.
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SILVER STRAND'S PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION
 Silver Strand Elementary recently established a Partnership in Education (PIE) with the USS Pearl Harbor. Sailors from the ship have begun volunteering at the school in a variety of capacities. These have included helping with the first PTO Family Fun "Space" Night, Operation Pals (an after school homework assistance and mentoring program). Plans are in place for future volunteer endeavors including Everyone a Reader (EAR), Jog-a-Thon and weekly Specials. The school recognized a group of the Command's sailors and its Point of Contact, Chaplain Jamil Khan, at a recent Friday Flagpole Assembly, and it looks forward to a fruitful and cooperative association for the remainder of the school year.
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A weekly publication produced for the staff of Coronado Unified School District and the Community of Coronado by Jeffrey P. Felix, Ed. D., Superintendent of Schools
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