AT A GLANCE: 

~EUSD Vision~

Ignite the Limitless Potential of All Learners.

 

Dear EUSD Community,

Each year we share with our school community the safety features we have in place. Our schools submit updated safety plans to the Board each year in November, and we take this opportunity to highlight the steps we are taking to keep our campuses secure.

Safety remains our top priority in EUSD and there is nothing more important than ensuring our staff and students are safe. Over the past nine years, we have continued to strengthen our efforts through new safety measures and comprehensive training. I’d like to take this opportunity to share some of the key ways we are working to maintain safe and supportive learning environments across our district:

- All sites have dedicated safety plans that are approved yearly by law enforcement, local fire departments and School Site Councils with specific procedures for various crisis situations from wildfires, to earthquakes, to pandemics and active shooters.

- All sites have done Crisis Management Training with Run, Hide, Fight techniques, situational awareness, decision making, and crisis communication.

- Sites have had active shooter simulation drills for staff with our trainers and/or law enforcement.

- Each campus has been walked with professionals to determine areas of vulnerability or need.

- Staff members are equipped with new handheld radios which are critical to managing a threat on campus. Early detection of something amiss and swift all school communication can make a tremendous difference in response times. These new radios are more powerful, clear sounding, sturdy, have more functionality, and are easier to operate. We are in the process of providing this updated model for staff members at all sites. 

- We have an emergency communication system with parents, Parentlink, which allows us to text notifications out immediately.

- EUSD upgraded school intercom systems to allow for public announcements to be made from any phone on campus. Additionally, we get instant notification of 911 calls include exact location and listening capabilities.

- There are lock blocks on every door.

- We have added gates, fencing and/or privacy fencing in areas of need to provide greater security and/or exit options.

- We have reduced and/or reconfigured points of entry and exit and provide personnel at the points during pick up and drop off.

- All classrooms have emergency kits. All sites have emergency supplies including food and water.

- All sites do lockdown drills, fire drills and earthquake drills with students, including the Great California Shakeout drill. Our student training message is for students to stop, look and wait for a staff member to guide them as the safest place may not be the classroom. Staff members using their handheld radios can communicate directions to each other to avoid students moving toward an unsafe situation.

- There are security cameras on campuses and we are in the process of adding additional security cameras at all nine sites.

- Buildings have been labeled for law enforcement on the outside of the building and roofs. These are the large letters you see.

- We have site blueprints and grids in law enforcement locked boxes on each campus.

- The Raptor/Visitor Management System is in use at every campus.

-We have a strong collaborative relationship with both the Sheriff's office in Encinitas and Carlsbad Police Department. They are responsive to us 24 hours, 7 days a week should a school threat arise.  

- We also continue to recognize the importance of strong social and emotional and mental health services for children. Students receive weekly TRAC (Team building, Regulation, Awareness and Community) lessons. Additionally, we have school counselors and psychologists.

Please take a moment to review the presentation done by our Director of Facilities and Safety at this week’s Board Meeting below.

Warmly,

Andrée Grey, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Facilities and Safety Director, Eric Smith, and I.T. Director, Nathan Short, presented a district safety update to the board on November 4, 2025. The updates included information on comprehensive school safety plans, emergency preparedness, crisis management training, and video surveillance and access control, and internet safety measures. 

 

This fall, we launched Superintendent Student Advisory Panels at each school to bring student perspectives directly into district planning. Each school site panel is meeting with Superintendent Grey twice this year to discuss belonging, school culture, meaningful learning, safety and the overall student experience. Students have shared thoughtful insights about the need for hands-on learning, opportunities for choice that support their learning, and what makes school hard for them. Their input directly connects to the work ahead of us within our Framework for the Future and Strategic Plan.

Superintendent's Student Advisory Panel discussing belonging at Flora Vista

Superintendent's Student Advisory Panel at Ocean Knoll

Students part of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Panel at LCH giving ideas about choices in their learning

 

Flora Vista’s students are demonstrating our Learner Profile Competencies through many inspiring leadership opportunities across campus!

Our Green Team is leading the way as Global Citizens and Innovative Thinkers, organizing Green Morning Drop-Offs. Recently, they shared important messages about composting pumpkins after Halloween and keeping our environment clean by putting candy wrappers in the trash. Their creativity and commitment show how small actions can make a big difference for our planet.

Our Student Council took center stage at the Spirit Assembly, focusing on inclusion and what it means to be Wellness Advocates who foster a sense of belonging for all. They taught classmates how to say “Happy Halloween” in multiple languages, modeling Skilled Communication and Global Citizenship.

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, made up of twelve thoughtful 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, met to share their perspectives on when they feel empowered in their learning, when they feel a sense of belonging, and how they can grow as Confident Collaborators. Their ideas are helping shape district goals that foster student voice and engagement in EUSD!

At Flora Vista, our student leaders are showing what it means to live out our Learner Profile Competencies each day!

The FV Green Team holding their pumpkin signs filled with reminders about composting and keeping their campus clean. 

The FV Student Council taught their peers how to say Happy Halloween in Cantonese. 

Students participating in discussions as part of the FV Superintendent's Student Advisory Panel. 

 

 EUSD is proud to continue its long-standing Inclusion in Action tradition—a two-week program that promotes disability awareness and celebrates the unique strengths of every student. Across the district, students are participating in TRAC lessons, recess activities, and assemblies designed to build understanding, empathy, and acceptance for people of all abilities.

New this year, EUSD hosted a district-wide live assembly broadcast from ECC, featuring Dr. Kerry Magro, a national award-winning speaker, author, and advocate. As a person with autism, Dr. Magro shared his inspiring story and spoke about neurodivergence, inclusion, and the power of being an upstander. His message helped students see differences as something to embrace and celebrate.

We are grateful for this meaningful opportunity to learn together and for the collaboration of our Student Support Services team and the Special Education Parent Council, who make Inclusion in Action possible each year.

Dr. Kerry Margo speaking to students at ECC.

The assembly was broadcast to students at all other eight school sites.

Students had the chance to ask questions and learn about autism.

 

The updates listed below were presented at the EUSD board meeting held on October 14, 2025:

Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability, Jennifer Bond, provided the Board with an in-depth look at student data from different assessments within the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). 

Public Information Officer, Lucy Finlayson, presented an update on District communication efforts and improvements. 

The Park Dale Lane student leadership team joined Principal Terry to share about the successes they've seen in building a more positive and supportive school culture, including the school-wide implementation of the PBIS system (positive behavioral interventions and support) and more.

 

Ocean Knoll Elementary embraced Guatemala as its focus country for October, exploring the vibrant tradition of Barriletes Gigantes—the giant kites flown each year on All Saints’ Day. These colorful creations, crafted in Guatemala to honor loved ones who have passed, inspired Ocean Knoll students to learn more about the country’s culture and values of remembrance, creativity, and community.

Working together as confident collaborators, every class contributed a unique section to build one large Barrilete Gigante for the school. The project not only celebrated artistic expression but reflected global citizenship by expanding student knowledge of other traditions. 

The final design carried a heartfelt message:
“May the feeling of love, strong as a wave, unite us in an everlasting tide of happiness.”

 

What FERPA Is
- FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
- It is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education record.
- FERPA gives parents and guardians rights to access and review their own child’s education  records.

What FERPA Prohibits
- FERPA prohibits schools and districts from sharing personally identifiable information about students with anyone outside the educational context without written parental consent.

This includes information such as:
- Student names
- Disciplinary actions or behavioral plans
- Involvement in specific incidents
- Any details that could indirectly identify a student
- Even when an incident involves multiple students, we cannot share details about any students involved.

How Families Can Learn More
Families can read more about FERPA and their rights on the U.S. Department of Education website: https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/ferpa

 

As communicated previously, the permit tag deadline for students who ride a bike, e-bike, or scooter to school was on October 27th. Attending an approved safety training is required before submitting the bike permit application. We recognize that some students may have missed the training assembly at their school earlier this fall. Therefore, the District is offering two make-up bike safety assemblies on the dates provided below. As such, the deadline for permit tags has been extended until November 21st, one week after the last make-up assembly.

The San Diego Bike Coalition will be conducting the same bike safety assembly that was presented at each school site earlier this year. You and your student/s can attend on either of the following training dates:

- Friday, November 7th, at 1:30 pm - Ocean Knoll MPR

- Friday, November 14th, at 1:30 pm - Flora Vista in the MPR

These assemblies are available to all students in all grade levels and will last 30-40 minutes. Parent supervision is required as site staff will not be available. A sign-in sheet will be provided and sent to all school sites afterwards, so that the students will get credit for attending the assemblies. 

If you are unable to attend the make-up assemblies, you can sign up for an approved bike safety class online through the city of Encinitas or Carlsbad. 

After your student has attended a training, please submit a bike permit application through the district website. Once submitted, they will receive a district-issued parking permit ID tag which will need to be affixed to their bike, e-bike, or scooter. ID tags will be issued through your school’s front office. 

If you have any questions, please contact your school office. Thank you.

 

San Diego Tribune

Encinitas students enjoy fresh Farm Lab produce daily as part of Farm to School program

October is National Farm to School Month and Encinitas Union School District is celebrating more than a decade of bringing fresh, healthy and sustainable food to student

Carlsbad Business Journal (Page 6)

Building the Future With Measure Z

At Encinitas Union School District (EUSD), we recognize the importance of creating learning environments that help ignite the limitless potential of all students. School is more than just a place for students to grow academically, it’s a place where they are free to explore their interests, make lasting friendships, and find a deep sense of belonging. That’s why ensuring our campuses are modern, welcoming, and safe is essential to the educational experience and well-being of every student.

 

Substitute Office Manager & School Service Secretaries Positions:

EUSD is now hiring for substitute office managers and/or school services secretaries. These positions are a great opportunity to be part of the EUSD community and to gain valuable school office experience. The job listing can be found online at edjoin.org/EncinitasUSD. You can also contact Jane McCuigan at jane.mcguigan@eusd.net for more information. 

Join Band & Strings this fall! Open to EUSD students in grades 4–6—no experience needed. Build confidence, learn an instrument, and perform with friends. Register here: HTTPS;//BIT.LY/EEFBANDREG To learn more visit www.eefonline.org and watch the video linked below:

Bring the joy of music to our EUSD School Choirs. Apply now to be one of the following:

After School Choir Lead: Click here to apply
- $1,000 Stipend Per Session (Fall & Spring)
- Up to 3 hours a week, including once-a-week rehearsals + performances and team meetings.

After School Choir Assistant: Click here to apply
- $550 Stipend Per Session (Fall & Spring)
- 1.25 hour rehearsal per week + performances and team meetings.

Positions open at Capri, La Costa Heights, Ocean Knoll, Olivenhain Pioneer, Mission Estancia, and Park Dale Lane

For more information contact:  leslie.wright@eusd.net

25-26 EUSD Parent Workshops

Save the dates! EUSD has partnered with several outside organizations to offer the following workshops free to all parents.

-Technology & Kids, Oct. 15th at 6:30 pm, at El Camino Creek:
Learn the ins and outs of your child's online world through a dynamic presentation and Q&A with Digital Wellness Educator & Screen Time Consultant, Julia Storm. 

-Internet Safety, Nov. 5th from 5:30-7:00 pm, at El Camino Creek: Presented by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, gain valuable insight on how to protect your children from online dangers. 

-Artful Conversations, Jan. 14th from 5:00-7:00 pm, at Olivenhain Pioneer: Presented by the National Conflict Resolution Center, learn effective communication strategies, including how to handle challenging conversations with your children. 

-The Bystander Challenge, Feb. 25th from 5:00-7:00 pm, at El Camino Creek: Presented by the National Conflict Resolution Center, learn how to empower your children to become "upstanders," and how to take action when they see inappropriate behavior. 

-Drug Awareness, April 15th from 5:30-7:00 pm, at Olivenhain Pioneer: Presented by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, gain an understanding of youth drug use in the community, including a focus on vaping.

Childcare and translation will be provided at all workshops. Additional reminders for each workshop will be sent prior to the event.

The San Diego County Office of Education's Educational Technology team is launching a new virtual training series aimed at supporting families. The eight-session series is designed to help parents understand online safety and become confident digital partners in their child's learning journey. 

All sessions are free to attend and will take place via Zoom from 4 to 5 p.m. Register online to receive the meeting links. 

Training Schedule:
-Technology Addiction - Nov. 18
-The Dark Side of Tech (Digital Detox) - Dec. 2
-Understanding Cyber Envy - Jan. 27
-Info Security and Passwords - Mar. 10
-Popular Apps - What Are They and Should Your Child Use Them? - Apr. 15

 

JOIN OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO SHARE IN OUR STUDENT AND STAFF STORIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

   ENCINITAS UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT  |  101 S. RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD, ENCINITAS, CA  92024