AT A GLANCE: 

~EUSD Vision~

Ignite the Limitless Potential of All Learners.

 

Dear EUSD Families,

At last week’s Board meeting, Dr. Amy Illingworth, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services shared key updates to next year’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and instructional plans based on feedback from students, families, and staff. While our five LCAP goals remain the same, several important improvements are planned for 2026–27.

Highlights include:

- A districtwide math textbook adoption pilot next year featuring two new programs with an emphasis on paper and pencil.

- Purposeful and balanced iPad use including district-wide expectations for reduced screen time, no ipads sent home, no digital homework, increased filtering and more digital citizenship lessons throughout the year.

- Teachers will share more information about how they will use iPads within their classrooms during Back to School Night in the Fall. 

- Continued use of Mystery Science in grades K-5 and the addition of Generation Genius for 6th grade science.

- New writing resources through Mystery Writing for grades 2-5. K-1 materials will be added when available.

- Increased emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, student exhibitions of learning, and Learner Profile competencies.

- Continued support for handwriting in K-2 and cursive instruction in grades 3-4.

- Professional development changes designed to give teachers more collaboration time while reducing time out of classrooms.

For more details, please see the slides from the Board Presentation here or linked below.

We appreciate the valuable feedback from our community that helped shape these decisions and look forward to continuing to strengthen teaching and learning across EUSD.

I wish all of you the best summer. May it be safe, healthy and filled with joyful memories for your family.

Warmly, 

Andrée Grey, Ed.D.
Superintendent

 

The updates listed below were presented at the EUSD Board of Trustees meeting held on May 19, 2026:

Dr. Amy Illingworth, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services shared key updates to next year’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and instructional plans based on feedback from students, families, and staff. While our five LCAP goals remain the same, several important improvements are planned for 2026–27.

Sixth-grade students from Mission Estancia joined Principal Kiersten Matthews to share about student leadership opportunities at their school. They outlined efforts through initiatives like the Spirit Assembly Team, the Superintendent Student Advisory Panel, student PTA representatives, new family school tours, and Peers, where they play with and get to know students in the RISE special education program. 

Director of Leadership and Learning Lisa Forehand and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Amy Illingworth provided the Board with an update on the process of adopting a new math curriculum and textbook. This process includes forming a math adoption committee, completing extensive research, gathering teacher, student, and family feedback, and more. It is anticipated that the new curriculum will go to the Board for approval in the Spring of 2027. 

 

We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Katie Andan has been named as a San Diego County Teacher of the Year! After being selected as the EUSD Teacher of the Year, Katie completed an extensive application process and was interviewed by a panel of judges including representatives from SDCOE, the 9th District PTA, and districts throughout the county. The five teachers chosen to represent the county were selected for their incredible passion, dedication, and the impact they have had on their students throughout their career. Katie will now move forward to the state level representing EUSD and San Diego County!

Katie is more than deserving of this distinguished award and exemplifies everything it means to ignite the limitless potential of all learners. Katie’s goal as a teacher is for her students to feel safe, seen, and heard every day, and in every situation. She has taught 5th grade at La Costa Heights Elementary for the past 12 years and has 20 years of classroom experience. Drawing from a teaching career that spans the globe, Katie showcases different perspectives and helps her students understand and practice empathy. At the end of each school day, Katie hopes kids leave her classroom feeling like they contributed, learned something new, exhibited critical thinking, held themselves to high expectations, and are excited to come back the next day. Congratulations, Katie! 

Beyond her phenomenal instructional skills, Katie has a heart of gold. Her love of teaching is evident in the way she pours her heart and soul into her work every single day. Not only does she support her students and colleagues by creating a culture of belonging, but she encourages them to be compassionate, empowered learners who are capable of making a difference in the world. Congratulations, Katie!

 

Building Fluency Through Collaboration

At La Costa Heights, students are bringing our Learner Profile to life as Confident Collaborators, Skilled Communicators, and Empowered Learners through our school-wide Math Fact Fluency Challenge. Students in every grade level are working in triads to practice math facts, encourage one another, and build automaticity with essential math skills.

By strengthening their fluency, students reduce the cognitive load required for basic calculations, allowing them to focus more deeply on problem solving, reasoning, and mathematical thinking. As they work together, students communicate strategies, support their teammates, and celebrate growth, demonstrating the power of collaboration in learning.

This initiative is doing more than improving math fact recall—it is helping students develop confidence in themselves as mathematicians. Through innovative thinking, critical thinking, and perseverance, our students are becoming stronger problem solvers and more engaged learners. It has been exciting to see students across all grade levels embrace the challenge, cheer one another on, and experience the joy that comes from growth and success in mathematics. Hoot Hoot!

 

We extend our heartfelt appreciation and best wishes to the EUSD staff members retiring at the end of this school year. Throughout their years of dedicated service, they have inspired students, supported their school communities, and helped shape the heart of our district. Their commitment, compassion, and contributions have made a lasting impact, and they will be deeply missed. We are grateful to have had the chance to celebrate them at the Retiree and Employees of the Year Recognition Event held on May 26. 

2026 Retirees:

Capri:
Julia Alba May
Meghan Ling
Nancy Greene

El Camino Creek:
Michelle Christensen

La Costa Heights:
Kim Shulz
Victor Flake

Olivenhain Pioneer:
Catherine Carroll

Park Dale Lane:
Marisa Apostol

Paul Ecke Central:
Lorraine Geisterfer

 

Check out the most recent edition of Farm Lab News, highlighting first and second grade hands-on learning experiences, the farm's peach harvest, and Dusty, who plays an essential role in organic pest management around the farm!

 

Please vote for Farm Lab to remain a Lazy Acres Envirotoken recipient. You can vote daily until June 6. These funds support the bonus farm-to-table nutrition science workshops for students.

 

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