AT A GLANCE: 

~EUSD Vision~

Ignite the Limitless Potential of All Learners.

 

Dear EUSD Families,

Our greatest strength as a district is the people who serve students every day. I feel strongly that we have the best professionals supporting students in all aspects of their school experience. It is of utmost importance that we continue to support the training of each individual in our district organization. High-quality staff development is how we sharpen our practice, stay current, and create consistent, equitable experiences across classrooms.

Professional development is provided in a variety of different ways, from mentoring to staff meetings, to grade level collaborative planning time during Enrichment, to pull out Grade Level Collaboration Days and sub days for our various learning pathways. For our paraeducators, we offer staff development during modified days during conference weeks. Many of our other professions like Child Nutrition or Maintenance and Grounds have dedicated time or meetings specifically related to their work often before the school year begins.

All staff members start the year with mandated training regarding such topics such as mandated reporting, bullying, injury prevention and sexual harassment, but these are just the beginning. Some of our topics for professional growth this year for staff members include:

- Our new Reading Difficulties Screener, Amira

- Planning Interdisciplinary Units of Study

- Serving students with ADHD and Autism 

- Behavior Pathways

- Foundational Reading Skills and Morphology

- Cognitive Guided Instruction in Mathematics

- Up-to-Date Safety Training

We know that early dismissal days and sub days can seem burdensome at times for families, however, please know these are critical to ensuring every child has the most highly qualified, well-trained educator possible directing their learning and supporting their needs.

Please see the slides below from Dr. Illingworth’s presentation on Professional Development to the Board of Trustees from the September 9, 2025 Board Meeting.

As always, I truly appreciate your support. We are committed to continuous improvement as our students deserve the very best we can provide.

Warmly,

Andrée Grey, Ed.D. 
Superintendent 

 

The updates listed below were presented at the EUSD board meeting held on September 9, 2025:

Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Amy Illingworth and Executive Director of Student Supports Services, Maria Waskin gave an overview of the professional development opportunities that will be provided to teachers and staff for the 25-26 school year. 

Principal Greenberger and ECC students shared their experiences from last year’s fifth-grade partnership with the La Costa Glen Senior Living Center. They built meaningful connections with the residents through conversations, games, art projects, and more—creating lasting bonds across generations. The students reflected on how this opportunity helped them grow as skilled communicators, wellness advocates, global citizens, confident collaborators, innovative thinkers, and empowered learners, while making a positive impact in the community.

 

At Capri, community-building activities are woven into learning from the very start of the year, bringing to life the EUSD values of Joy and Belonging by helping every student feel connected. Teachers and support teams are laying the foundation for a year of academic success and social-emotional wellbeing through these types of thoughtful connection opportunities! Below are just a few highlights of community-building activities in action around Capri: 

 

To create community and ease beginning-of-year transitions, all kindergarteners gather daily at the bell for a morning circle in English and Spanish in the center of the kindergarten playground.

In Mr. Gomez’s 4th- grade class, class meetings cultivate trust and build empathy.

Mrs. Upton’s 6th graders opened the year reading the novel “Wonder” and sharing their own story of self through visual art and writing. Students described ways others might see them as ordinary and highlighted ways in which they feel they are proudly not ordinary, contributing to an equitable community that embraces diverse abilities.

Most students at Capri participate in buddy programs, which offer valuable learning experiences as Confident Collaborators and Wellness Advocates all year long, for younger AND older students!

 

Mission Estancia is excited to welcome its new principal, Ms. Kiersten Matthews (formerly Newquist)! Ms. Matthews, who previously served as an MTSS Teacher on Special Assignment in EUSD, brings extensive experience, a passion for student growth, and a proven ability to build strong, positive relationships. Her collaborative spirit and commitment to helping every student thrive make her a wonderful addition to the Mission Estancia community. We also extend our gratitude to Principal Megan Power, who recently accepted a leadership role in another district, for her four years of dedicated service at M.E.

“I’m incredibly excited to be rejoining the Mission Estancia community as their new principal! This is a school where the joy of learning is evident, and I feel lucky to be part of a team that approaches their work with innovation, flexibility, and a deep commitment to helping all students ignite their limitless potential. The genuine care this community shows for one another is inspiring. I’m honored to get to be a part of such a special place and look forward to this new chapter.”  ~ Principal Matthews 

 

Fresh watermelon from our very own EUSD Farm Lab has made its way to every school salad bar across the district! So far this season, more than 950 pounds of watermelon have been harvested by farmers Emily and JJ. Thanks to our Farm Lab and Child Nutrition Services teams, EUSD students have access to a variety of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables every day at lunch. Their commitment to providing students with organically-sourced, made-from-scratch meals is what makes the EUSD breakfast and lunch program so incredible. 

 

If your student rides a bike, e-bike, scooter, or e-scooter to school, they are required to apply for a permit ID tag for the 2025-2026 school year. Students who ride to school must:
- Complete a permit tag application (must be completed each year)
- Attend an Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) approved Bike / eBike Safety Presentation. 

Permit Tag Application:
Permit applications for each school can be found on the district website. 

Bike/e-Bike Safety Training:
In partnership with the San Diego Bike Coalition, each school site is planning or has already completed a bike safety assembly. All students in attendance at school on the day of the assembly listen to the presentation, regardless of if they ride a bike to school or not. Dates for these assemblies can be found on the district website. Attendance at this assembly fulfills the requirement of attending an approved bike/e-bike safety presentation. If your student is absent on the day of the assembly at their school, you can sign them up for an approved class through the cities of Encinitas or Carlsbad (links found on the district website), or attend one of the make-up safety assemblies provided by the district. Parents will be notified of the dates for the make-up assemblies as soon as they are scheduled.

Permit Tag Issuance:
Once your student has completed the application and has attended an approved training, 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. 

Deadline:
Students have until October 27th, their first day back from fall break, to complete an approved bike safety course, submit a permit application, and have the tag attached to their bike. If students have not completed these necessary steps before that date, they will not be permitted to ride their bike to school until they have done so. 

Please reach out to your school office manager with any questions. 

 

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, and Park Dale Lane

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

Screen time RX: Raising healthy, balanced & mindful kids in the digital age

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.

Wednesday, October 15th 
6:30 pm at El Camino Creek
7885 Paseo Aliso, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Childcare and translation will be provided

Topics covered will include:
- How to get screen time under control
- How to stop being the “bad cop”
- Managing video games
- Social media - yes or no?
- First phones
- Keeping kids safe online

Plus tips, tools and tons of great resources for your family!

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:

-AI and Deepfakes: What Are They? - Sept. 23
-Online Scams and Info Security: What Families Need to Know - Oct. 28
-When Gaming Takes Over - Nov. 3
-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

 

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