Rancho Santa Fe Review
December 19, 2013
B27
Rancho San Dieguito Union High School District Superintendent Rick Schmitt’s Monthly Update Santa Fe Review 3702 Via de la Valle Suite 202W Del Mar, CA 92014 858-756-1403
www.rsfreview.com
U-T Community Press Publishers of Rancho Santa Fe Review Gold Ink Award Winner, California Newspapers Publishers’ Association Award Winner, Independent Free Papers of America Award Winner, Society of Professional Journalists Award Winner
DOUGLAS F. MANCHESTER Publisher PHYLLIS PFEIFFER Vice President and General Manager LORINE WRIGHT Executive Editor editor@rsfreview.com KAREN BILLING Senior News Writer KRISTINA HOUCK Reporter MARSHA SUTTON Senior Education Reporter JON CLARK Photographer DON PARKS Chief Revenue Officer/General Manager RYAN DELLINGER, SARAH MINIHANE, COLLEEN GRAY, GABBY CORDOBA, DAVE LONG, MICHAEL RATIGAN, KATHY VACA, ASHLEY O’DONNELL
Advertising DARA ELSTEIN
Business Manager BEAU BROWN
Art Director NATHAN PARVIN
Lead Graphic Artist SCOTT REEDER, STEPHEN RUBIN
Page Designer
Joe Tash, Suzanne Evans, Diane Welch, Kathy Day, Rob LeDonne and Kelley Carlson, Gideon Rubin, McKenzie Images
Contributors OBITUARIES: 858.218.7237 or cathy@myclassifiedmarketplace.com
LETTERS POLICY Topical letters to the editor are encouraged and we make an effort to print them all. Letters are limited to 200 words or less and submissions are limited to one every twoweeks per author. Submissions must include a full name, address, e-mail address (if available) and a telephone number for verification purposes. We do not publish anonymous letters. Contact the editor for more information about submitting a guest editorial piece, called Community View, at 400 words maximum. We reserve the right to edit for taste, clarity, length and to avoid libel. E-mailed submissions are preferred to editor@rsfreview.com. Letters may also be mailed or delivered to565 Pearl St., Ste. 300, La Jolla, or faxed to (858) 459-5250. LETTERSPOLICY
Superintendent Rick Schmitt plans to update the greater San Dieguito Union High School District community through the local media with a monthly update. Topics covered will include curriculum, facilities, budget, safety, and other specific and special interest topics. Today’s update focuses on the High School Selection Process. BY RICK SCHMITT The San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) serves students in grades 7-12 from the communities of South Carlsbad, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Carmel Valley, and Del Mar. Families from all over the world are attracted to SDUHSD for its stellar reputation, built upon years of educational excellence and high achievement. Our mission is to develop a community of lifelong learners, creative thinkers, and responsible individuals, by providing innovative and top- quality educational programs in a safe and supportive environment. When it comes to providing students with a well-rounded experience encompassing academics, athletics and extra-curricular opportunities, SDUHSD is second to none, with our graduates prepared to pursue higher education at top universities and to pursue fulfilling careers. One of the unique features of SDUHSD is our High School Selection program. Through this process, families in the San Dieguito Union High School District may choose to send their children to any of our four excellent high schools – Canyon Crest Academy (CCA), La Costa Canyon High School (LCCHS), San Dieguito Academy (SDA), or Torrey Pines High School (TPHS). Each of our high schools offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum, which differs in unique and distinct ways. We believe that offering students a choice of unique schools helps families select a school that best meets the unique needs of each individual
student. All students in the district live in the attendance area for either Torrey Pines High School or La Costa Canyon High School and are guaranteed attendance at their “boundary school.” Canyon Crest Academy and San Dieguito Academy do not have attendance boundaries and are open on an equal basis to any student residing within our district, regardless of where within the district the student resides. With the High School Selection Process students and families have three options: 1) To attend their boundary school; 2) To apply for an intra-district transfer to attend the other boundary school (either TPHS or LCCHS) – admittance to a boundary school via intra-district transfer is guaranteed unless the school is already at or over capacity; 3) To apply to attend one of the academy schools. Each year all 8th grade students, students new to the district and students wishing to change high schools must declare which of the four high schools they would like to attend through the High School Selection Process. Students may select only one school for attendance. Students currently attending the high school of their choice
do not need to make a new selection unless they wish to c h a n g e schools for the following year. Rick Schmitt Historically, more students have applied to Canyon Crest Academy and San Dieguito Academy than there have been spaces available. When this occurs, a lottery is conducted to determine, in an equitable manner, who is admitted. The lottery is random and students may not earn priority status for any reason other than having a sibling who already attends and will continue to attend Canyon Crest Academy or San Dieguito Academy. If a student applies to attend one of the Academies and is not admitted due to lack of space, that student is automatically enrolled in the “boundary school” of residence (TPHS or LCCHS). For the 2014-15 school year, students will make their selections online beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014 through Monday, March 3, 2014 at 4 p.m. If students do not declare which high school they want to attend during this selection window, they will automatically be en-
rolled at their “boundary school” (TPHS or LCCHS). If applications exceed available space at one or both of the Academies, a lottery will be held on Tuesday March 18, 2014 and families will be notified of the results by March 25, 2014. In order to assist students and families in making a thoughtful and informed high school choice, each of our high schools provides information to prospective students online and through campus tours and information nights. For more information about each of our high schools, the High School Selection Process, and SDUHSD go to the district’s website at http://www.sduhsd.net/. You can follow Superintendent Schmitt on Facebook, (https://www.facebook.com/sduhsd), and Twitter, (https://twitter. com/SDUHSD_Supt).
tunein AM 600 KOGO
This Saturday - Dec. 21st The Financial Advisors Radio Series Every Saturday 8 am on News Radio
Strategies to Help Reduce Your 2013 Income Tax Burden With:
Aubrey Morrow, Certified Financial Planner ™ Forrest Padilla, Certified Financial Planner ™ David Elhoff, Registered Principal
Helping You Plan Your Financial Future
Financial Designs, Ltd.
Personal Financial Advisors Since 1981 5075 Shoreham Place, Suite 200 San Diego, CA. 92122 www.MoneyTalkRadio.com Phone (858) 597-1980 · Fax (858) 546-1106 Topics discussed on the radio show are not meant to be interpreted as individual advice. Please consult with your tax or legal advisors for information on how the topics may apply to your particular situation. Neither the material on the radio broadcast constitutes an offer to sell or purchase any security. Securities and advisory services offered through Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG), a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. Member FINRA and SIPC. IFG and FDL are not affiliated entities.