Last weekend, students in our Bear Valley Middle School TV Production Team had an exciting behind-the-scenes learning experience at KUSI News! Led by Bear TV Production Teacher Mitchell de Neve and thanks to Bear Valley Middle School parent and KUSI producer Hula Ramos, students toured the studio and explored the anchor room, writer’s desk, editing suite, podcast studio, and newsroom. They also had the opportunity to interact with news anchors Jason Austell and Teresa Sardina and ask questions about careers in media and journalism. Experiences like this bring our EUSD Framework for the Future to life by empowering students as Effective Communicators, critical thinkers, and real-world problem solvers while connecting classroom learning to future career pathways.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
EUSD Middle School Spelling Bee Champions Head to Regionals!
We are proud to celebrate our middle school Spelling Bee champions as they advance to the San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on March 5, 2026! This annual event highlights the dedication, perseverance, and bravery of students who commit to daily practice and confidently compete in front of an audience. Please join us in congratulating and cheering on our outstanding spellers:
Bear Valley Middle School (BVMS)
Russell Paner, 8th Grade – Champion
Van Mason, 7th Grade – Runner-Up
Hidden Valley Middle School (HVMS)
Sonja Bolen, 8th Grade – Champion (2nd year in a row!)
Giselle Davila, 8th Grade – Runner-Up
Mission Middle School (MMS)
Dominic Garcia, 8th Grade – Champion
Zoe Briones Garcia, 7th Grade – Runner-Up
We are incredibly proud of these students and wish them the very best as they represent EUSD at the regional competition! Go EUSD!
Felicita Cheer team to SDSD Cheer Camp
Our Felicita EXPLORE cheer program recently enjoyed an incredible day of mentorship and school spirit at the San Diego State University youth cheer and dance clinic. This experience was made possible through our EXPLORE program, with the cheer class taught after school by teachers Samantha Ouellette and Tanya Zammit, whose coordination and support allowed our students to attend. Our athletes spent the day mastering new cheers and sideline routines alongside the SDSU cheer team before taking the Viejas Arena court for a high-energy halftime performance. The experience reached a thrilling conclusion as the SDSU women’s team clinched the Mountain West Championship, and our Felicita athletes were invited onto the court to celebrate the win amidst the confetti and trophy presentation. It was a powerful day of athletics and inspiration that our students will surely never forget.
Visit the Escondido History Museum
The Escondido History Center is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing the heritage of Escondido. Located in Grape Day Park at 321 N. Broadway, this free public museum campus invites visitors to step back in time and explore an original Victorian house, train depot, library, and a blacksmith replica featuring live demonstrations. Office hours are Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with docent-led tours offered on Saturdays for those seeking a deeper look into the area’s past. To discover the stories that shape the community and learn more about the historic buildings and hours, visit escondidohistory.org
Summative ELPAC:
Students in kindergarten through grade eight who are classified as English learners will take the Summative ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California) every year until they are reclassified as proficient in English. Administration of the Summative ELPAC began in EUSD on Monday, February 2, and will continue through Friday, May 29. Each school has a specific testing window within the EUSD window. If you have questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or principal. To learn more about the ELPAC, go to the Starting Smarter Website.
San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering
Join Illumina and Love STEM San Diego for a day of discovery and fun at the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering! Families are invited to enjoy more than 100 hands-on activities, exciting experiments, live performances, reptiles, rockets, prizes, and more. This FREE community event is perfect for all ages and a great way to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Petco Park in San Diego.
Resources for Food Assistance
We want to make sure families are aware of local resources that offer free food and support for those who may need it. Here are a few options available in our community:
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need help connecting with these resources.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus:
All EUSD students have access to no-cost breakfast and lunch. Families can view our new online menus. Select your school and menu to see what is being served every day.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools