This season, we are proud to share a meaningful opportunity that our staff embraced to support EUSD students. Under the leadership of Teacher Katy Maskiewicz, our Newcomer Support Team worked together to assemble 180 Newcomer Gift Bags for students who are new to the United States and still learning English. These bags include essentials and welcoming items that help students feel supported as they adjust to a new school, a new community, and a new language.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to the dedicated educators and staff who made this project possible, including classified and certificated staff and district team members who donated items, packed bags, and ensured every student would receive something personal and encouraging. Your collective effort reflects the very best of EUSD, ensuring every student feels seen, welcomed, and valued.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Honor a Caring Heart:
The nomination window has been extended to December 19, 2026, at 4 p.m. for the annual Caring Hearts Awards (PDF), 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. December 19 at the district office. The awards will be presented at the annual foundation dinner on February 6, 2026. Check the foundation website for future updates.
School Choice:
The School Choice application window for the 2026-2027 school year will be open Tuesday, December 2, through Friday, January 30. Typically, students attend the schools that serve the neighborhood attendance areas in which they live. School Choice is an opportunity for families to apply for an intradistrict transfer for their child to attend a school other than their neighborhood school of residence, such as one of EUSD’s specialty schools:
Quantum Academy, a project-based learning school of choice for grades 4 through 8. Students live by Quantum’s five core values: lead with empathy, ask questions and seek answers, create, impact the community, and perseverance.
Dual Language Immersion at Farr, Glen View, Lincoln, and Pioneer, with a pathway to continue at Mission Middle School. The program begins in TK and follows an instructional model that is designed to promote bilingualism, biliteracy, and biculturalism for students whose primary language is English, as well as those whose primary language is Spanish.
Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning, follows the expeditionary learning model, or EL Model, which is a project-based learning approach with the core of the work's emphasis on authentic, multidisciplinary experiential learning and integration of rigorous content with real-world experiences that foster relational character development, and empower students to make the world a better place.
Explore all of our schools online. School Choice details and application links can be found on our website.
Opportunity to Serve on the EUSD Personnel Commission
The Escondido Union School District is seeking interested community members to serve on its Personnel Commission for a three-year term beginning February 2026. The Personnel Commission is a non-partisan public body that helps ensure fair and equitable employment practices for classified (non-teaching) employees in our district. Commissioners meet monthly to review and provide oversight of staff recommendations.
To be eligible, applicants must be registered voters, residents of Escondido, and supporters of the merit system principles. Appointees may not be current EUSD employees or members of any school district governing board.
Interested residents are invited to submit an application and résumé by 4:00 p.m. on December 18, 2025, to Ashley Bird at abird@eusd.org or by mail to: Escondido Union School District, 2310 Aldergrove Avenue, Escondido, CA 92029.
Click here to access the application for Personnel Commissioner
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.
Winter break:
As a reminder, the 2025-2026 winter break is scheduled for Monday, December 22, through Friday, January 2. All EUSD schools will be closed. Monday, January 5, is a non-student day. School resumes on Tuesday, January 6. The District Office will be closed to the public Monday, December 22, through Friday, January 2.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools