AT A GLANCE: 

~EUSD Vision~

Ignite the Limitless Potential of All Learners.

Dear EUSD Community,

I have thoroughly enjoyed being on our many campuses these last weeks and seeing the incredible work being done to build positive school communities. As we continue fostering a culture of joy and belonging in our schools, I want to take a moment to highlight the profound impact that initiatives like Kindness Week and Inclusion in Action Weeks have on our students and school community.

These special weeks are more than just events on the calendar—they are opportunities for our students to engage in meaningful conversations, develop lifelong values, and create a more connected and supportive learning environment. Through activities focused on empathy, teamwork, and celebrating differences, we see firsthand how small acts of kindness and inclusion can lead to big changes.

Kindness Week has students engage in acts of kindness—whether through writing positive notes, helping a peer, or simply offering a smile—they learn the power of compassion and the importance of treating others with respect.

Inclusion in Action Week reminds us that every student brings unique strengths and perspectives to our school community. By participating in discussions and activities that help students have a greater understanding of wide variety of disabilities, students gain a greater understanding of the challenges others may experience. 

Kindness and inclusion are not just lessons for the classroom—they are life skills that prepare our students to be compassionate, global citizens. I want to give a big shout out to our Special Education Parent Council, our TRAC teachers and our PTAs for their efforts to make these weeks full of meaningful learning and deep connections.

I encourage families to continue these conversations at home by asking students about their experiences during these weeks, discussing the importance of inclusion, and finding ways to model kindness in everyday life.

Thank you for your ongoing support in making our schools a place where every student experiences joy and sense of belonging. Together, we are building a community that reflects the very best in all of us.

Warmly,

Andrée Grey, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Media Aides encouraged students to explore books with characters who have disabilities.

Students learned to sign their names in American Sign Language and try braille during disability awareness lunch fair at OPE.

Schools hosted assemblies with guest speakers like Amy Dixon, a 2020 Tokyo Paralympic triathlon athlete who is blind, and her guide dog, Bombay.

Students learned about some of the daily challenges people with disabilities face by participating  in a variety of hands-on activities such as  wheelchair basketball.

Students participated in disability awareness programming during T.R.A.C., giving them important insights into both visible and invisible disabilities.

Students learned about the power of adaptive athletics from the Roll To Success wheelchair basketball team. Teachers at Ocean Knoll then participated in a friendly game of wheelchair basketball against the pros. 

Principal Arlene Oyagi had the opportunity to share a Flora Vista update at the Feb. 11 board meeting. With the help of several teachers and student council members, board members got a closer look at the ways student leadership is making a positive impact at Flora Vista. 

Farm Lab has been welcoming sixth graders to the DREAMS campus, for the highly anticipated 5-day entrepreneurial unit that culminates with a competition - Salad Wars! Student teams experience two learning strands during their visit that support all six of EUSD’s Learner Profile Competencies. It's a week packed with hands-on learning opportunities from start to finish. 

Students dive headfirst into the world of business to launch their very own organic salad dressing companies. Each team embraces seven key roles: chefs, MCs, event organizers, promotion teams, design specialists, flavor experts, and copywriters. Together, they brainstorm company names and themes, design dressing prototypes, experiment with different flavor profiles, and research the nutritional value of their final dressing. As part of their presentation preparation, students also create eye-catching logos, make promotional songs and choreography, and write compelling company mission statements. 

At the end of the week, teams present their work to a panel of judges— complete with a tasting of their unique salad dressings! While only one team walks away with the golden fork trophy, all students emerge as confident creators and skilled communicators.

The second strand of the unit has students digging deep (literally!) into soil science and the powerful impact of regenerative farming. Students test different types of soil, and learn that healthy soil is rich in biodiversity, holds water, and is full of nutrients — just like the soil on our Farm Lab fields.

The hands-on learning continues with a tour of our certified organic production farm, where students see regenerative farming practices in action. They make critical connections between soil health and the nutrition content of the foods we eat, as well as the farm’s role in sequestering carbon to combat climate change.

By the end of the unit, students understand why eating organic and supporting regenerative farms is vital for both their health and the planet’s well-being. Healthy kids = healthy planet!

We had an incredible time at Capri Elementary’s Kindergarten Water Day, where students received an engaging, hands-on lesson about water conservation and how we protect our oceans. Thanks to the Leucadia Wastewater District (LWWD), students got a behind-the-scenes look at how water is managed after it leaves their homes. Field Service Technicians showcased LWWD’s vacuum and line-cleaning truck and demonstrated how a closed-circuit TV robot inspects sewer lines across northern Encinitas and southern Carlsbad, all in both English and Spanish.

Students practiced being global citizens and empowered learners by asking thoughtful questions throughout the presentation. A special thank you to Kindergarten teacher Nancy Jois for securing the LWWD grant that made this experience possible.

Please join Dr. Andrée Grey for a Superintendent Chat at your site on the following dates.  Discussion Topics include:

District Updates, Bond Measure Z  Information, and Input & Feedback.

Enrollment for new students for the 2025-2026 school year is now o. This is for new incoming students only, not returning students.

Those eligible for enrollment include:

- Students turning 5 on or before September 1,
   2025
- Current residents within EUSD boundaries
- New incoming EUSD students of any grade

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

Learn about tips, tools, and strategies to support your children with common mental health challenges through a free webinar series hosted by the San Diego County Office of Education and medical and mental health experts with the Transforming Mental Health Initiative at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego.

This series will provide information on the most common mental health challenges faced by youth today, including bullying, understanding self-harm, and stress and resilience. 

Sessions are scheduled for February 19 and March 19. Each session runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by an optional, 15-minute question and answer session with the presenter. Register at the link below to receive the webinar link. Spanish interpretation will be provided. 

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