AT A GLANCE: 

~EUSD Vision~

Ignite the Limitless Potential of All Learners.

 

Dear EUSD Community,

As we head into winter break, I want to take a moment to reflect with gratitude and pride on the incredible spirit that has filled our schools and community over the past several weeks.

I have had the joy of attending many meaningful events across the district, including choir concerts and band performances, spirit days, festive Winter Wonderlands, welcoming VIP Days, as well as seeing the impact of various holiday food and giving drives. Each event was a powerful reminder of what makes our district so special. Our students shined, our staff went above and beyond, and our families and community partners showed up with overwhelming support.

What stood out most was the shared sense of joy, service, and belonging. These are not just words, they are our district values we see lived out every day in our classrooms, campuses, and community spaces. Whether through music, generosity, celebration, or simply coming together, our schools continue to be places where students feel supported, connected, and valued.

As winter break begins, I hope you find time to rest, reconnect, and enjoy the season with those you love. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year refreshed and ready for all that lies ahead in 2026! 

Warmly,

Andrée Grey, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Winter choir performance at Paul Ecke Central.

The Capri community donated winter jackets and coats in all sizes for students and families in need. 

The Winter Wonderland family event at Park Dale Lane was a huge hit! 

Fourth grade students at Capri made wreaths to sell for next year's sixth-grade camp scholarships. 

Flora Vista Choir's winter performance. 

EEF Band & Strings Winter Performance.

La Costa Heights Choir's Winter Spectacular performance.

Paul Ecke Central's Gifts of Hope event provided 50 families, including more than 80 kids, with a chance to shop for holiday presents, and receive "experience gifts" such as certificates to the SD Zoo, restaurants, movies, and more.

Mission Estancia Broadway West Choir performance.

Students at OPE making snow globes. 

Paul Ecke Central hosted a holiday market representing traditions from around the world.

STEM activities and learning at OPE. 

 

At Mission Estancia, our sixth graders are stepping into meaningful leadership roles that strengthen their growth as skilled communicators and confident collaborators. Through multiple leadership opportunities, students are learning to use their voices with purpose, listen to the ideas of others, and work together to make our school community stronger. These experiences empower students to lead with confidence, empathy, and responsibility.

Our Spirit Team is a powerful example of this growth in action. This year, 25 sixth graders participate on two teams that meet on Fridays at lunch to build their leadership and communication skills. Students have deepened their understanding of our monthly learner profile traits while practicing speech writing, collaboration, voice projection, and crowd engagement. With minimal guidance from the principal, students now fully write and lead our school assemblies. This month, they created and are getting ready to perform a skit to teach the trait of Global Citizen, demonstrating impressive confidence and teamwork as they divide roles, collaborate on ideas, and come to agreement on how to best teach their message to the school.

We also have 11 sixth grade PTA Representatives who meet twice a month with our PTA Presidents to share student perspectives and help problem-solve schoolwide challenges. These students practice real-world communication and collaboration as they brainstorm solutions—such as organizing a “search and rescue” for sports equipment that has gone over the fence—and actively support school events. At our Gratitude Lunch before November break, they volunteered their time to help serve pumpkin pie, showing leadership through both service and teamwork. They also attend our PTA meetings to present their ideas, which they have done with clarity and confidence. 

Additionally, 12 of our students proudly represent Mission Estancia on Dr. Grey’s Superintendent Student Advisory Panel. These students demonstrated strong skilled communicator habits as they reflected honestly on what they love about our school—especially their teachers—and shared thoughtful ideas for continued improvement. They gathered input from peers and represented those voices with confidence and respect, showing true collaborative leadership at the district level.

Together, these leadership opportunities are helping our students grow into confident leaders who communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and take pride in making a positive impact on their school community.

Mission Estancia Spirit Team Leadership Meeting

Mission Estancia Spirit Team Leadership Meeting

PTA student representatives volunteered serving pie at the gratitude lunch. 

 

The updates listed below were presented at the EUSD Board of Trustees meeting held on December 15, 2025:

EUSD Community Liaisons Cristina Palacios Maldonado, Susy Miranda, Lourdes Alarcon, Maria Casas and Lupita Barnett presented an update on their work at school sites. Their efforts not only help ensure families have access to critical resources, but foster belonging and connection within the community. They truly embody the EUSD values in all they do. 

Principal Christie Kay, teachers, and students from OPE provided an update on how classrooms are incorporating recognitions and projects centered around the learner profile competencies of empowered learner, skilled communicator, innovative thinker, wellness advocate, confident collaborator, and global citizen. 

 

Students in Ms. Andan’s fifth grade class at La Costa Heights recently brought learning to life through a deliciously authentic writing experience that highlighted both student voice and real-world connection. After writing opinion essays about their favorite restaurants, students mailed their work along with a letter explaining the project and inviting the restaurant to respond—an activity that strengthened their skills as Skilled Communicators by writing for a genuine audience.

After receiving a letter from one of the students, Broken Yolk went above and beyond in their response. Not only did the restaurant decide to cater breakfast for the entire class, but they invited CBS8 News to join them for the morning to capture this feel-good story of learning in action and community partnership. The students were thrilled! Throughout this learning opportunity, they demonstrated what it means to be an Empowered Learner, taking ownership of their ideas, confidently sharing their opinions, and seeing how their words can create meaningful connections beyond the classroom. It was an exciting morning centered on real-world learning that came to life! 

Broken Yolk provided a swag gift box to the student who sent them an essay about why Broken Yolk is her favorite restaurant. 

Broken Yolk owner, Billy Motola, with LCH Principal Galassi, Ms. Andan, and Ms. Mical. 

Students eating a yummy breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and fruit provided by Broken Yolk. 

 

 

Tis’ the season for zero waste fun and environmental literacy exploration with BCK Programs!

In collaboration between BCK Programs and EUSD’s CNS Department, PEC recently unrolled the District’s first Share Bin in the lunch area to help combat food waste. Green Team students helped spread the word to their peers and have been active in supporting this important new system. This initiative will continue throughout the District at other sites in the new year.

At ECC, a dedicated team of 5th grade students are maintaining the health of the worms in their garden's vermicompost system. Each week, students collect scraps from the salad bar to feed their wiggly friends!

Sixth grade students at Capri have been exploring hydroponics. Over the course of five weeks, students get to plant and watch their crops grow. At the end of the rotation, students are able to enjoy their crops, but they also help facilitate the donation of their harvest to a local food pantry.

PEC share bin at lunch

ECC students give salad bar scraps to the worms

Capri hydroponics crops

 

Capri Community Shows Up For Ruby Bridges Walk-to-School Day

San Diego Union Tribune

On a rainy Nov. 14 morning, Capri Elementary School hosted its first-ever Ruby Bridges Walk-to-School Day. More than 200 students, families, staff and community members walked to the Encinitas school, joining in a nationwide movement that honors the bravery of a six-year-old girl who changed history.

 

EUSD has partnered with the National Conflict Resolution Center to provide a free workshop for parents and caregivers of students that will teach important communication strategies as you approach tough conversations with your kids.

This workshop is designed exclusively for parents who want to nurture open, honest, and productive conversations with their children—including how to thoughtfully discuss race and diversity.

Join us on Wednesday, January 14 at Olivenhain Pioneer from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Childcare and translation will be provided. Please RSVP at the link below:

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

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:
-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