La Mesa
EDUCATION
"Let's Go Brandon" T-Shirts Can Be Barred from Middle School on Grounds of Vulgarity
Before we get to Brandon, let's detour to Bethel School Dist. No. 403 v. Fraser (1986). Matthew Fraser gave this nomination speech for a friend who was running for high school vice-president:. I know a man who is firm—he's firm in his pants, he's firm in his shirt, his character...
Football: St. Anthony Falls To Mount Miguel
The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase. The562’s coverage of St. Anthony athletics is sponsored by Jane & B.I. Mais, Class of 1948. St. Anthony coach Jeff Magdaleno got an early look at what his team is capable of, and...
Diocese of San Diego says too many San Diego schools fail the Molest Test
On Monday, Robert Cardinal McElroy, Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego, kicked of the diocese’s “Catholic Schools Week” with a press conference that announced some surprising news: “It is now statistically more likely for a student to get molested in a public school setting than in a Catholic school setting, or even a Catholic ministerial setting. True, the Diocese just had to file for bankruptcy for the second time in less than 20 years in order to settle a bunch of sex abuse cases - 457, to be exact. But the fact remains that the majority of those new cases concern events that took place more than 50 years ago, and the claims were filed only because California extended the statute of limitations. The simple truth is that we’ve cleaned up our act. But public schools? Just in the past couple of weeks, you had Stacy Michelle Walker, drama and theater tech teacher Mount Carmel High School, sentenced to three years in state prison for a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old. And Connor Chanove, substitute teacher for Vista Unified, sentenced to 10 years for lewd acts with a 13-year-old. A lawsuit filed against San Dieguito for failing to prevent school supervisor Omar Galeana from molesting a 12-year-old girl. Escondido High teacher Kyiri Tisdale arrested and accused of sex acts with two underage students. And on August 9, the bombshell report, released by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, which according to the Union-Tribune, found San Diego Unified ‘had failed to meet its obligations under federal law in responding to 253 reports and complaints of sexual harassment and assault of students from 2017 to 2020.’ When it comes to getting your child a quality education that doesn’t involve sexual trauma, we think the choice is clear.”
This school year, San Diego families are struggling to get into after care
A year ago, Deniece Hasson was thrilled when her children were accepted into free after care through the newly expanded PrimeTime program. She would no longer have to worry about costly child care after the elementary school day ended for her three kids. But this year, when she signed up...
Handling Hate in High School
There is a buzz in the air that only the month of August can bring. Most children feel it, most adults remember it– the excitement and nerves that come with a new school year. Seeing old friends, making new ones and getting class schedules can almost make starting school worth ending a summer vacation, but there is a darker side to being thrust back into the social circles that can affect a young person’s year.
San Diego schools expand mental health support with wellness coaches
A new California grant program is boosting mental health support in schools. KPBS health reporter Heidi de Marco says certified wellness coaches will help address the rise in students’ mental health issues. A word of warning, this story mentions suicide. Kaleb Coleman is an eighth grader at Wangenheim Middle...
CIF has new guidelines to protect student-athletes from heat-related illnesses
ESCONDIDO, Calif. — Stadium lights beamed for the first game of the season for many districts throughout San Diego. The start of the new school year also brought new procedures to protect student-athletes from extreme heat. School districts must follow the California Interscholastic Federation Guidelines to prevent heat-related illnesses...
Bonita Defense Picks Four Passes, Including Three Pick-Sixes in BHS’ 47-0 Victory Over Sierra Vista; Beatty Tossed Four TD Passes
In the first two games in school history, the Bonita flag football program destroyed an opponent by the same exact score. On Tuesday, BHS left Don Lugo with a 47-0 victory. And one night later, in their home opener, Bonita trounced Sierra Vista, 47-0, to improve to 2-0. The Bearcats...
New football season, new playoffs
The 2024 high school football season will be like none other, and it should be very interesting for that reason alone. The San Diego Section will once again conduct its playoffs in eight divisions, though without pre-determined divisions being taken into account. A total of 64 teams will qualify for...
Chula Vista school board race heats up, fueled by national issues
Francisco Tamayo wants a seat on the Chula Vista school board — just not the one he holds now. Tamayo is among a field of seven candidates running for the Chula Vista Elementary School District board. Though he holds Seat 1 until 2026, his name will be listed on the November ballot as a choice for Seat 4 — currently held by board member Kate Bishop, who’s seeking re-election.
Coronado School Board candidate to serve for students and teachers
Shawnee Barton Merriman, a mom of four Coronado Unified students and part-time art faculty member and Wellness Ambassador at California State University, Long Beach, said she has experience navigating difficult situations and helping kids get the emotional support they need in announcing her plans to run for the Coronado school board this month.
CHS girls volleyball team defeats Christian High School in Home Opener
On Aug. 13, the Coronado High School girls varsity volleyball team defeated Christian High School in their home opener match. The Islanders won three sets and lost one, with the final scores set at 25-23, 23-25, 25-20 and 25-20. The Islanders currently stand at a 7-2 record, with their next...
Late touchdown lifts Lakeside over North
EASTLAKE—Lakeside kicked off the 2024 season with a dramatic finish to its 21-14 nonconference win at North on Friday. Trailing 14-13 with 2:14 remaining in the game, the Dragons marched 66 yards in just over a minute with Devan Miller capping the drive with a go-ahead touchdown and quarterback Matthew Wanger added a two-point conversion to close out the scoring.
Safe Kids Worldwide Offers Back-to-School Safety Tips and Resources
As students across the country head back to school, Family Safety Day “Hanging with Heroes” event partner Safe Kids Worldwide has these back-to-school safety tips for families. Safe Kids Worldwide, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children from unintentional injury— is reminding all parents and caregivers to...
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