AT A GLANCE: 

~EUSD Vision~

Ignite the Limitless Potential of All Learners.

 

Dear EUSD Community,

One of the best things we can do for children is to help them get hooked on books.

Research continues to show that regular reading supports children in powerful ways. Children who read often tend to build stronger vocabulary, improve comprehension, strengthen writing skills, and increase overall academic achievement. Just as importantly, reading helps children grow empathy, curiosity, and confidence. When students discover books they truly enjoy, reading stops feeling like an assignment and starts becoming a habit that can last a lifetime.

As a mom, I remember when my daughter was introduced to the Choose Your Own Adventure books as it was a series that made her fall in love with reading. She could not read them fast enough and I was purchasing five at a time! Those stories made reading fun, relatable, and memorable for her. I remember times when I had to tell her to put the book the down which no educator ever wants to say. 

That is what we want for every student in our district: the chance to find that one book that makes them want to keep reading.

Families can help children discover books they enjoy in a few simple ways: attend school book fairs and book events, reach out to your child’s teacher for recommendations, connect with the library media assistant who can match students with books based on their interests, and share books you loved as a child. Reading those stories together can be especially fun, not only because it builds connection, but because it helps children see how times have changed.

As a district community, we are committed to supporting strong literacy skills and helping students develop a genuine love of reading. Thank you for all you do to support your child’s learning.

Warmly,

Andrée Grey, Ed.D. 
Superintendent

 

One of the most meaningful ways families experience OPE for the first time is through our student-led school tours. Designed to highlight both our academic strengths and our welcoming community, our tours place students at the heart of our school while empowering them to serve as ambassadors for our campus.

From the moment families arrive, students create a welcoming environment by greeting everyone at the front office. Parents are then escorted by students to a designated space on campus to begin the presentation and tour, which typically lasts an hour. Students share a thoughtfully structured presentation that provides families with a comprehensive overview of OPE, including information about academics, enrichment programs, school events, and more. They showcase what it truly feels like to be a student at our school. 

Every time we have a student-led tour, visiting parents always leave impressed and appreciate the firsthand perspective from our students. As the principal, I’m also there to answer questions and elaborate on topics when needed. Student voice and leadership continue to be a top priority at OPE, and this collaborative approach to school tours provides an opportunity for students to get involved in an impactful way.

Students who serve as tour guides are selected after completing an application, similar to applying for a job. Tour guides attend training sessions with me and practice delivering the presentation during our meetings and at home. This intentional preparation helps students develop their public speaking abilities. It’s truly impressive to see their confidence as skilled communicators grow throughout the spring as they gain more experience as tour guides.  

What truly shines through our student-led tours is the professionalism and enthusiasm students bring to their role as empowered learners. They are poised, knowledgeable, and confident, speaking with genuine excitement about their school. Their enthusiasm is contagious, giving new parents an authentic sense of the supportive environment and strong community that define our campus.

- OPE Principal, Christie Kay

 

The updates listed below were presented at the EUSD Board of Trustees meeting held on February 10, 2026:

Student leaders from Flora Vista joined MTSS TOSA Elizabeth Erbes and Principal Arlene Oyagi to present at the February Board meeting. They showcased their Safe School Ambassadors program and introduced Fun Fun Friends, a recess initiative they designed especially for kindergarten students.

Fun Fun Friends is a student-led effort where upper-grade students organize structured games and create meaningful connection opportunities for kindergarteners once a week during recess. Not only does the program provide a more fun and inclusive recess experience for younger students, but it also gives these leaders the opportunity to grow as wellness advocates, confident collaborators, and skilled communicators.

Learn more about the program in the slides linked below. 

King Consulting has updated and analyzed demographic data relevant to the District's facility planning efforts. Representatives from King Consulting presented a report on projected districtwide student population through 2032-2033.

View the full Demographic Analysis & Enrollment Projections Report here. 

 

The second annual Flora Vista Science Fair was out of this world! Participation was 100% voluntary and open to any students who wanted to join. A total of 55 empowered learners submitted projects, ranging from the effects of pollution on marine life, to understanding sound waves and fluidization, to the classic re-creation of how volcanoes work. As skilled communicators, these young scientists enthusiastically shared their innovative thinking and were ready to explain their projects to every student and parent that walked through the fair.

A special thank you to FV parent Erica Pedersen, and STEM teacher Bronte Kornreich for facilitating this valuable learning experience and community event! Additionally, a huge thank you to the PTA for providing every student participant with a trifold board to present their work.

 

Students at ECC practiced being global citizens this week as they learned about the Lunar New Year. Thanks to the support of the ECC PTA, a local lion dance company visited campus to perform for the school. The performers shared the cultural significance of Lunar New Year and explained traditions associated with the holiday, including the lion dance. To conclude the performance, each ECC teacher placed a red envelope into the lion’s mouth—a tradition believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Meaningful learning experiences like these bring education to life and help students develop an appreciation for cultures and traditions from around the world.

 

With the support of BCK Programs, EUSD students are continuing to make a positive impact on their campus and in the Encinitas community!

OPE
At Olivenhain Pioneer, 4th-grade students are participating in a citizen science project focused on tackling common sources of neighborhood litter. They are currently gathering litter from their own neighborhoods, which they will then analyze to identify frequently found items and to also discuss issues like microplastics.

Capri
On January 28, Capri's Green Team organized a successful fortune cookie litter collection initiative during lunch. This project directly addressed a frequent source of campus litter: cookie wrappers and fortunes that often blow away. The Green Team managed to collect nearly every wrapper and fortune distributed during the meal service, effectively preventing this litter from polluting the environment

EUSD Share Bins
In a collaboration between EUSD’s CNS Department and BCK Programs, Share Bins have been implemented at nearly all EUSD campuses. Student Green Teams have played a crucial role in teaching classmates to place all uneaten and unopened food items from the school lunch line into the Share Bin. This process is a win for the environment (decreasing food waste), while also ensuring that the saved food can be utilized or donated at a later date.

 

 

Families of students entering kindergarten next school year who are interested in the EUSD Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program are required to attend one DLI orientation meeting in order to apply. The orientation provides important information about the program and the lottery process. 

DLI Orientation Meeting Dates:
-Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Capri Elementary
-Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Paul Ecke Central Elementary.

Childcare will be provided.

Click here for frequently asked questions about the DLI Program

More information is available at https://www.eusd.net/parents-community/dual-language-immersion

The District sent out an email on January 30, with the 2026 EUSD State of the District video from Superintendent Dr. Grey. If you haven’t had the chance to watch the video, we invite you to watch and celebrate the work we are doing together for our students and our future. 

Join us for our second workshop in partnership with the National Conflict Resolution Center. The Bystander Challenge is an interactive workshop that teaches parents and caregivers how to respond when bullying or inappropriate comments occur. Gain practical, effective strategies to take action safely and confidently, and build skills you can share with your child and strengthen a more respectful community.

Date: Wednesday, February 25th
Location: El Camino Creek
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

Childcare and translation will be provided. Please RSVP at the link below:

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Enrollment for new students for the 2026-2027 school year will open on Monday, February 2, 2026. This is for new incoming students only, not returning students.

Those eligible for enrollment include:

- Students turning 5 on or before September 1,
   2026
- Current residents within EUSD boundaries
- New incoming EUSD students of any grade

For more information and to enroll online, visit eusd.net/registration.

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

-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:
-Info Security and Passwords - Mar. 10
-Popular Apps - What Are They and Should Your Child Use Them? - Apr. 15

 

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