A Little Voice with a Lot to Say
Every classroom has a story to tell, and some of the most inspiring stories are found in the everyday moments when students discover something new, connect with a friend, or accomplish something they have been working toward.
This week, our Story of Us takes us inside Danielle Parker’s TK/K/1 classroom, where students are learning, creating, communicating, and building friendships in ways that celebrate their individual strengths and abilities.
In Ms. Parker’s classroom, early literacy comes to life through the Orton-Gillingham approach, a hands-on, multisensory method that helps students connect letters with sounds and develop reading, writing, and spelling skills. Alongside their functional skills curriculum, students like Camila are building the foundational skills and confidence to become more independent readers and writers.
During my visit, I had the pleasure of chatting with Camila about her favorite colors using her AAC communication device and the TouchChat app. It was a special reminder that every student has something to say, and providing the right tools helps every voice be heard.
Fall has also brought some colorful creativity into the classroom! Students have been busy making seasonal artwork while strengthening the small muscles and coordination needed for writing. From using paintbrushes to apply glue to carefully placing tiny pieces of tissue paper and practicing their names, every part of the activity supports important developmental skills.
Beyond their classroom, students enjoy learning alongside their general education kindergarten peers. During STEM electives, hands-on activities encourage exploration, problem-solving, and collaboration, with support from our wonderful paraprofessionals.
Library time is another favorite! Students enjoy exploring books and stories alongside their general education classmates while developing early literacy skills and making new friends. These shared experiences promote communication, peer modeling, empathy, and a sense of community for all learners.
Even the morning routine is filled with purpose. Each day, students join Miss Alyssa, their resident teacher, for a walk around the track. It's a peaceful and positive way to begin the day, providing consistency, movement, and an opportunity to connect before classroom learning begins.
These are the moments that make our schools special. Whether students are learning a new sound, expressing themselves through technology, creating a work of art, or sharing a story with a friend, they are developing skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
At EUSD, we believe every child deserves a place to learn, grow, and belong. Thank you to Ms. Parker and her dedicated classroom team for showing us what that commitment looks like in action.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Time change:
It’s time to “fall back.” Daylight saving time ended at 2 a.m. today, November 1. Be sure to check clocks around your home to ensure that they have been set back one hour. We lose some daylight with this annual shift to standard time, which means that it will be darker on the way home from school for those students who participate in after-school enrichment and care programs. I encourage families and students to take extra care when traveling to and from school to adjust to the shift in daylight hours.
Veterans Day:
All EUSD schools and the district office will be closed next week on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.
FREE Spring Break Overnight Camp Opportunities for 6th & 8th Graders!
EUSD’s Expanded Learning Department is proud to offer a no-cost, 5-day / 4-night overnight camp experience this Spring Break (March 29 – April 2, 2027) for our 6th and 8th-grade students. On Monday, November 2, an email will be sent to all parents and guardians of 6th and 8th-grade students with a link to the Student Interest Form. Space is limited. Read more about each overnight camp opportunity here:
6th Grade: Camp Cuyamaca
Location: Cuyamaca Outdoor School (Cleveland National Forest)
Experience: The program, led by the San Diego County Office of Education Cuyamaca Outdoor School, incorporates trail experiences and citizen scientist projects to create hands-on learning that is meaningful, memorable, and fun. For many students, the weeklong, overnight experience transforms how they feel about science and themselves as learners.
8th Grade: SEACAMP San Diego
Location: Mission Bay (operated by SEACAMP San Diego)
Experience: This overnight camp opportunity is through SEACAMP San Diego, an outside vendor based in Mission Bay, and includes a week of exciting marine exploration and learning. Students will engage in highly physical, interactive activities, including marine labs, snorkeling, kayaking, boogie boarding, beach and tide pool exploring, and even a full-day boat trip. Through these activities, students will learn concepts in the fields of oceanography, marine biology, ecology, and physiology. Campers will also learn about careers in these various fields. This will undoubtedly be an amazing opportunity for our 8th-grade students.
🎃 Young Artists Bring Halloween Magic to Downtown Escondido!
Creativity was on full display at the 53rd Annual Rotary Halloween Window Painting Contest this past Saturday! Our talented young artists transformed downtown storefront windows into colorful Halloween masterpieces, showcasing their imagination, teamwork, and artistic talents. A special thank you to the Rotary Club of Escondido, our dedicated EUSD teachers, and the families who helped make this beloved community tradition such a success!
Congratulations to this year's talented winners!
🏆 Overall Best Entry
1st Place: Samantha Carvajal, Thiago Carvajal, and Leydi Carrillo - Mission Middle School
2nd Place: Victoria Escobar - Del Dios Academy of Arts & Sciences
🎃 Best Halloween Theme
1st Place: Edwin Aguilar - Bear Valley Middle School
2nd Place: Maximus Martinez and Mirfla Encizo - Mission Middle School
🎨 Most Artistic
1st Place: Carina Thao, Cali VanderLeest, and Leah Vargas - Del Dios Academy of Arts & Sciences
2nd Place: Anthony Mendina and Kayla Mendina - Mission Middle School
We are incredibly proud of all our participating students for sharing their creativity with our community. What a wonderful way to celebrate art, community spirit, and a little Halloween fun!
Daybreak Online Mental Health Support:
Daybreak Health partners with EUSD to offer confidential, personalized online mental health support for students ages 5–19, helping children build confidence, manage stress, and strengthen emotional well-being. Sessions are available in English or Spanish from Monday through Saturday (8:00 AM–8:00 PM), pairing your child with a clinician tailored to their unique preferences. Care is low-to-no cost for most families depending on district coverage and insurance, with 92% of parents reporting positive behavioral improvements at home. To get started in as little as two weeks, you can submit a care request directly or visit daybreakhealth.com for additional details.
Honor a Caring Heart:
The nomination window is now open for the annual Caring Hearts Awards, presented by the dedicated group of volunteers behind the Escondido Education Foundation. Directions and forms are now available in all school offices, at the front desk of the Carilyn Gilbert Education Center, 2310 Aldergrove Avenue, and online at this link: Printable Caring Hearts Nomination form (PDF). These awards recognize members of the education community who work under the radar while doing extraordinary work on behalf of students – directly supporting EUSD children in helping them find success and acceptance. These “caring hearts” do not seek recognition for themselves, and the foundation is in need of your nominations for the Caring Hearts Awards. The nominee can be any school staff member, parent volunteer, community member, or community organization. Anyone may submit a nomination. I encourage you to take a minute to think of all the individuals and organizations who go above and beyond in their support of students. Nominations are due by 4 p.m. on November 17 at the district office. The awards will be presented at the annual foundation dinner on February 26, 2027. Check the foundation website for future updates.
Get Creative! FREE Ceramics Workshops for Middle School Students!
Calling all middle school artists! The California Center for the Arts, Escondido, in partnership with the Ruth & Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts, is offering FREE ceramics workshops to celebrate the opening of its newly designed pottery studio!
Students will have the opportunity to explore their creativity, learn pottery techniques, and create their own ceramic masterpieces under the guidance of Master Potter Julie Brooke. Three workshop cohorts are available beginning November 10, with all materials provided at no cost.
Space is limited, so don't miss this exciting opportunity! Families can view workshop dates and register at artcenter.org. Middle school students register for the FREE ceramics workshop at this direct link.
Join Our Inclusive Preschool Program!
EUSD is looking for Peer Buddies to join our Inclusive Preschool Program! This wonderful opportunity brings young learners together in a welcoming environment where children build friendships, develop social skills, and learn through play. We invite families with children who turned 3 years old by August 10, 2026, to apply! Interested families will complete a simple screening form focused on social play, speech and language, and behavior.
Interested in joining us? Contact (760) 432-2400 or email nmuldoon@eusd.org for more information. We look forward to welcoming our newest little learners!
Statewide Student Data Security Incident: What Families Need to Know
We recently learned of a data security incident involving Educational Testing Service (ETS), a company that works with the California Department of Education to support statewide student assessments, including CAASPP and ELPAC. Please note that this incident did not involve the computer systems of Escondido Union School District or any of our schools.
According to information provided by the California Department of Education (CDE) and Educational Testing Service (ETS), unauthorized access to student records was identified on September 25, 2026. Our district was subsequently notified of the incident on October 16, 2026. The data that was breached includes information for California public school students enrolled from the 2023–24 school year through the present, regardless of whether a student participated in state testing.
Upon discovery, ETS immediately took the affected system offline and replaced it with a new, enhanced-security environment. ETS is actively investigating and monitoring the situation in close coordination with cybersecurity experts, law enforcement, and state agencies. To date, ETS reports no evidence that any student data has been published or made publicly available.
What can you do now?
Identity Protection: As a precaution, ETS is offering two years of complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services through Experian IdentityWorks for all affected students.
For minors, enroll at: www.experianidworks.com/minorplus
For adults ages 18 and older, enroll at: www.experianidworks.com/identity
Questions and More Information
ETS resources are available to answer questions and provide additional information about the incident, including enrollment information for identity protection services.
For answers to frequently asked questions and additional details about the incident visit: www.cde.ca.gov/ets or read the ETS notice (available in multiple languages).
For questions about the incident, please call 833-931-8488, Monday–Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time. If you have a speech or hearing impairment and use a TTY, please call 711. Please provide your engagement number:
B174774 for students under 18
B174775 for students 18 or over
We recognize how concerning any news regarding a student data security incident can be. Although this breach did not involve or originate from our district or school computer systems, it underscores the vital importance of remaining vigilant. Please rest assured that safeguarding student and family information remains an absolute top priority for Escondido Union School District.
We are committed to providing further updates should new information emerge. In the meantime, we strongly encourage all families to review the details provided by ETS and consider enrolling in the complimentary identity protection services available to you.
Supporting Families Amid Immigration Enforcement Activity
We know that reports of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in our broader Escondido community can bring up feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty for many of our students and families. Please know that our school district stands right beside you, dedicated to maintaining a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for every child we serve.
Our Commitment and Campus Protocols:
Safe and Welcoming Campuses: Our highest priority is your child’s emotional well-being, physical safety, and sense of belonging. Every student is welcome, supported, and valued at our schools.
Visitor Security: All school visitors must enter through our main offices, state their purpose, and complete our check-in procedures before gaining access to campus.
Law Enforcement Access: District policy requires that state or federal law enforcement officials present appropriate, valid documentation to the Superintendent’s Office for review and approval before entering any school site.
Student Support Services: Our school counselors, social workers, and family liaisons are available on campus to support students or family members who may be feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
Resources Available:
Know Your Rights / Red Cards: Printable "Red Cards" outlining legal rights and guidance are available in our school front offices.
Community & Legal Assistance: You can access legal support, family toolkits, and guidance through this Legal Resources page and Family Toolkit.
If your family needs assistance, extra resources, or simply someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to contact your school front office or reach out to your school's Family Liaison. We are here for you. We have added this page to our website; you can find it via the link at the very top of our website.
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.
– Andy McGuire, Superintendent of Schools