LOOK WHAT YOUR PTSA PROVIDED IN THE 2024/2025 SCHOOL YEAR!

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As we are wrapping up another awesome school year, I want to thank all of you who joined our PTSA. 

EVERY. SINGLE. STUDENT benefited from your support. AND…You may not have heard, but your Diegueño PTSA was recognized by The North County Council PTA for achieving over 200 hundred memberships! This may just be a record for our amazing school - THANK YOU!

Here are just a few highlights of what we were able to do:

• Purchased 3 high quality, branded pop-up shade tents for campus.

• With the support of a private donor last year, we were able to match our district’s contribution for a permanent shade structure for P.E. This was installed over Spring Break.

• We created a budget line item & appointed an Executive Board member for our Band Boosters, enabling our Music Department to qualify for future grants.

• We provided funding for the Spelling Bee & The National Scholastic Challenge, in which ALL 25 of our students scored higher than the national average AND our own 8th grade student, Ari Fila, earned the top score in the state of California!

• We handled submissions for the PTA Art Reflections Contest, where one of our students, 8th Grader Alexis Webb, received the Ninth District PTA Award of Merit in Literature.

• We purchased bookcases for The Learning Commons.

• We ran an LA Fire Donation Drive.

• We created Diegueño's inaugural World Culture Day.

• Our Art Department received new display panels & mat boards to host ART NIGHT.

• ASB got their long-awaited e-message board. Once it’s installed, students will have a visual reminder – in multiple languages – of the events happening on campus.

• We replaced and upgraded our only laminating machine.

• Our Science Department received new classroom supplies.

• PE received new, portable, outdoor speakers and bulletin boards, and we’re in the process of upgrading our Mile Record Board for our new locker rooms. Worthy note: This year, 8th Grader Henry Beierschmitt ran a 5:31 mile, making it onto the record board for all-time Diegueño legends!

• We purchased an outdoor sound system for Family Nights, ASB, and Performances.

• We continued our tradition of warm, welcoming, high energy campus events like: Cougar Camp, Mosey Monday, New Family Orientation, Back to School Night, Fall Family Night, etc. with fun music, food & local businesses, and information booths.

• More students participated this year in the Holocaust Remembrance PERMANENT Art Installation “The Butterfly Project.” The commemorative plaque is on its way.

• Every single classroom received MINI-GRANTS for enriched curriculum, materials & supplies that go beyond what public funding can provide.  

• We purchased new Band instruments, while repairing instruments we already own.

• We continued to improve our ability to host performances in Cougar Hall with enhanced stage capabilities focused on student-run lighting & sound and high quality stage microphones.

• We threw a few staff parties to celebrate all they do for our families. Staff Appreciation lunches, New Student meet & greets, Multi-Language Learner/ELAC gatherings, and small holiday celebrations.

• Our entire staff got custom Diegueño 2024 - 2025 shirts on the first day of school.

• Our counseling center got supplies for group projects like gingerbread houses and prizes.

• We coordinated anonymous Community Giving campaigns for DÑO families to help fellow DÑO families in need.  

• We provided anonymous scholarships.

• Our unhoused 8th grade students will receive Yearbooks, free of charge.

• We provided Student Agenda Planners for any student who needed one.

• We sent our ASB & Journalism students on a field trip to the U.S.S. Midway.

• We hosted successful and engaging wellness weeks: Red Ribbon, Yellow Ribbon, No Place for Hate, and One Diegueño.

• We provided inflatable costumes for ASB to host a Teacher vs. Teacher Race. 

• PTSA Volunteer “cheerleaders” provided healthy snacks & encouraging posters for ALL students during CAASPP testing weeks.

• We partnered with GENEROUS Diegueño families to host our annual Poker Classic fundraiser.

• Finally, we put on 8th Grade Promotion, continuing our commitment to great sound & décor, creating a special feeling for this short ceremony that marks an important time in our kids’ lives. On to high school!

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This is ALL because of YOUR support. Our hope is that our students & staff always feel supported & included when they are here. We hope their two years at Diegueño are filled with feelings of belonging & purpose and we can carry these traditions on to future DÑO students.

​I know I also speak for your PTSA Executive Board when I say we are so proud & honored to have served this community and I personally can’t wait for next year, where I will move into the VP Membership role, while Flora Vista’s Ally Hanlon takes on the President role. You’re in GREAT hands! 

I hope those of you who are returning will join us in whatever capacity you can – enjoy your Summer.

Staci Valdez

DÑO Parent (8th grader, incoming 7th grader)

PTSA President