AT A GLANCE: 

~EUSD Vision~

Ignite the Limitless Potential of All Learners.

 

Dear EUSD Community,

October is National Farm to School Month, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the progress we have made together in bringing fresh, healthy, and sustainable food to our students.

EUSD began our Farm to School program in 2013, and in just over a decade it has grown into one of the most celebrated programs in the country. We are proud to be the first public school district in the nation to own a California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) certified organic farm, and today our Farm Lab supplies more than 17,000 pounds of organic produce every year for daily salad bars and scratch-made meals across all nine of our schools.

From the paste tomatoes and herbs featured in our scratch-made pizza and pasta sauces, to the freshly harvested lettuce, carrots, broccoli, corn, and potatoes that appear on salad bars and side dishes throughout the year, our students enjoy produce that is grown right here at Farm Lab. Even better, our farm provides orchard and vine fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, peaches, plums, strawberry guavas, and apriums - with mandarins and strawberries coming soon.

As we’ve grown, we’ve also evolved. In 2021, Farm Lab earned certification from the Real Organic Project after transitioning from traditional organic farming to a regenerative agriculture model. By using compost, mulch, cover crops, and low-till practices, we have turned what was once fill-dirt into living soil that grows more nutrient-rich food while also helping to mitigate climate change.

This work has not gone unnoticed. Our nationally recognized program earned an Innovation Award from the Center for Ecoliteracy in 2019, and was featured in a Green Schools National Network webinar on transforming food systems in 2020. Additionally, Farm Lab received the coveted California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award in the Climate Change Innovation category in the 2022-23 school year. These honors reflect the passion and dedication of Farm Lab Site Administrator Julie Burton and her team, and the deep commitment of our community.

Our Child Nutrition Services (CNS) program provides both breakfast and lunch to all nine schools in the district, serving more than 3,000 lunches each day. Meals are prepared from scratch in our central kitchen at El Camino Creek and delivered fresh daily to every school for students to enjoy. CNS Director Lea Bonelli and her team prioritize sourcing high-quality, local, and organic ingredients. Beyond acquiring seasonal fruits and vegetables from the Farm Lab and regional California farms, only the best grass-fed organic meats, all free of chemical additives and preservatives, are used in student meals. Other organic ingredients such as flour and grains are thoughtfully purchased in their whole/pure form—avoiding harmful additives, artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup, and nuts.

In addition to its lunches, last year CNS expanded scratch-made meals to their breakfast program. After extensive planning, the team introduced freshly made breakfast items such as chocolate chip muffins, banana bread, hand-rolled breakfast burritos, and protein-rich egg bites. Their goal is always to provide elevated, kid-friendly meals made from fresh every day, supporting student health, focus, and learning throughout each school day. 

Beyond nutrition, the benefits are far-reaching: minimal packaging, short food miles (just 2.3 from farm to kitchen), and donations of surplus produce to local food banks and community resource centers. Together, we are supporting healthy eating habits, protecting our environment, and caring for families in need. 

As we celebrate Farm to School Month, I invite you to learn more about this work that is feeding our students today while helping to ensure a healthier future for generations to come. Be sure to follow along on our Instagram all month long to get a closer look at farm to school in action around EUSD. 

Warmly,

Andrée Grey, Ed.D.
Superintendent

In honor of Farm to School Month, during a site visit at El Camino Creek, Board Trustees Marlon Taylor and Tom Morton had the opportunity to try school lunch with Superintendent Dr. Andrée Grey after touring the campus. They got to enjoy grass-fed beef carne asada tacos, with a scratch made salsa and corn bread, locally sourced tortillas, and fresh organic produce from Farm Lab and other local farms—a perfect way to see (and taste!) the difference scratch cooking makes. They also had the chance to check out the central kitchen to get an up-close look at all the incredible work our CNS team does every single day! 

 

Last Spring, the Board of Trustees requested administration form a Calendar Committee to review the current EUSD calendar and the misalignment with San Dieguito Union High School District, our feeder district. The Calendar Committee with representation from parents, classified and certificated leadership, office staff, and district administration solicited community input via a survey.

Overall, the majority of those surveyed supported a change in the calendar and the most selected change was to reduce spring break by one week. The specific groups within the survey had different preferred outcomes. The results of the survey suggested parents supported a change in the calendar to reduce spring break by one week to end school a week earlier. The results of the survey suggested staff members did not want to change the current breaks or school year ending date.

The Calendar Committee created a revised calendar for 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 from the data which supported the parent community preference. As per the Teachers of Encinitas contract, teachers voted on whether or not to accept the new calendar which proposed the change in spring break from two weeks to one week to greater align with San Dieguito. The proposed calendar was not approved by Teachers of Encinitas.

The Calendar Committee will reconvene and the District will open negotiations with the Union to seek a resolution. Thank you for your patience as we work to find a path forward that works for our entire EUSD community.

You may be aware last school year EUSD received a charter petition from North Star Waldorf Academy Charter School. Charter schools can request a local education agency for authorization to operate a school within the jurisdictional boundaries of the authorizing agency. The District reviewed the petition for legal compliance as well as conducted a detailed review and analysis in all areas such as curriculum and education, business and finance, liability and risk management, as well as student rights and special education. On August 19, 2025 at their regularly scheduled meeting the EUSD Board of Trustees voted to accept the EUSD staff’s factual findings and deny the charter petition. The petitioners did not decide to file an appeal with the San Diego County Office of Education. At this time, there is no further action around the charter petition in our district. We thank the community for sharing your feedback around this topic with the Board of Trustees. To view past updates and information on this charter petition, click here. 

 

Last week, ECC participated in Start with Hello Week! Each day, students wore name tags and were encouraged to introduce themselves to classmates and peers they had not yet met. It was a simple act with a powerful purpose: building belonging and creating a stronger, more connected community. By taking time to greet one another, students learned how small actions—like saying hello—can make a big difference. Together, we created an environment where everyone felt seen, included, and supported.

Throughout the week, classrooms talked about why connectedness matters, how to start and maintain conversations, and ways we can discover shared passions and interests. These lessons helped students not only strengthen friendships but also understand the importance of kindness, empathy, and looking out for one another.

Our families and community members also played an important role by modeling these behaviors. Whether at the school gates or around campus, many took the opportunity to introduce themselves to someone new. Those simple “hellos” brightened days, built positive connections, and reduced feelings of isolation.

Together, we showed that creating a community of belonging can begin with one small step: just saying hello.  Here’s a challenge for all of us: try saying hello to three new people this week—whether at school, at the store, or in the neighborhood. See how one small word can spark a smile, create a connection, and remind someone that they belong.

As part of Start with Hello Week, ECC students played connect bingo during lunch to get to know more of their peers.

ECC students participated in lunch talks to meet new friends and be part of meaningful conversations. 

ECC students playing connect bingo. 

 

Pumpkin season is here, and that means our Kindergarteners have been participating in enviro-literacy learning at Farm Lab! Each kindergarten class spends a day at the Farm Lab DREAMS (Design, Research, Engineering, Art, Math, and Science) campus discovering the journey of a pumpkin’s life cycle—from the tiniest seed to a bright orange harvest, and finally to compost. Students get to dig into what a seed needs to grow, observe pumpkins at every stage along the way, and tour the regenerative organic farm. They roll up their sleeves to plant seeds of their own and even learn how food scraps can be recycled through vermicomposting (with the help of some very busy worms!). To make the day even sweeter, each class gets to pick a pumpkin to bring back and enjoy in their classroom. It’s a hands-on, joyful way to learning about nature, sustainability, and the farm-to-school connection. Check out the learning in action below with pictures from Ocean Knoll's kindergarten visit:

 

The EUSD Film Guild has officially launched for the 2025–26 school year! Open to fourth through sixth grade students across all nine EUSD schools, Film Guild provides immersive, hands-on instruction in cinematic storytelling. This innovative program gives students an opportunity to express their unique perspectives and passions through film. Each week, students participate in project-based learning that builds both technical skills and creative confidence. They also benefit from mentorship and workshops with industry professionals—including directors, USC film students, TV producers, and camera technicians—who share their craft and inspire students to think like real filmmakers.

Film Guild consistently weaves the EUSD Learner Profile into its work. Students practice being skilled communicators and confident collaborators as they write, plan, film, and edit together. The creative process pushes them to think innovatively, while many of their projects highlight themes of wellness advocacy and global citizenship. 

The Film Guild at La Costa Heights kicked off its first meeting last Friday with nearly 90 students—the largest group yet! Students wasted no time diving in: after being placed in groups, they were tasked with brainstorming and storyboarded short film plots with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Next session, they’ll bring their ideas to life on camera. Their positive and excited energy was palpable.

Throughout the year, students will create more extensive films to submit for awards while also practicing exercises that strengthen writing, production, and cinematography skills. We can’t wait to see the inspiring stories our young filmmakers will bring to the screen this year!

 

San Diego Tribune

Encinitas Union School District holds fun-filled Family Picnic

Encinitas Union School District Special Education Parent Council hosted a festive Family Picnic on Sept. 14, funded in part by the City of Encinitas Community Grant Program. The event was held at Flora Vista Elementary School and included music, San Diego Gymnastics, first responders, arts, crafts, stories, food and more.

 

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. 

 

Movie Night at Farm Lab – Friday, October 10

Hosted by the EUSD Special Education Parent Council, join us for a fun and inclusive evening under the stars. Bring blankets, chairs, and the whole family for a night of community and connection.

Location: Farm Lab, Encinitas
Movie: Monsters Inc
Time: Gates open at 6:30 PM and the movie begins at dusk

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!

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:

-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

 

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