La Jolla High School Announces Later Start Time

With more than two decades of experience in the field of education, Chuck Podhorsky serves as the principal of La Jolla High School, a school within the San Diego Unified School District. Among his recent activities in the position, Chuck Podhorsky announced La Jolla High School will move its start time forward to 8:35 a.m. as part of a pilot program.

For many years, members of the public and teaching staff had debated the pros and cons of changing the start time. The pilot program moved ahead after a meeting between the school’s Site Governance Team and the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD). As of April 29, 2019, La Jolla High School classes start at 8:35 a.m. and end at 3:16 p.m. Previously, the school had begun classes at 7:25 a.m. 

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics support a later start, citing health and wellness concerns for young people. If the pilot program, which also includes the Muirlands Middle School and the School of Creative & Performing Arts, is considered a success, it will continue.

La Jolla HS Musician Wins VAPA Foundation Spotlight Award

Over the course of his career, experienced educator and administrator Chuck Podhorsky has earned a number of accolades and awards, including being named among the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2005. Since 2014, Chuck Podhorsky has served as principal of La Jolla High School in San Diego, California.

Katherine Perrine, a musician who attends La Jolla High School, recently received the 2019 San Diego Unified School District’s Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Foundation Spotlight Award for Artistic Achievement. A horn player for the District Honor Band her first three years of high school, Katherine had to step down ahead of her senior year as she traveled the country to attend various music college and conservatory auditions. 

Ms. Perrine was nominated for the award by Michael Fiedler, a music teacher at La Jolla High School, while instrumental music specialist Mark Nicholson welcomed her at the March 13 awards ceremony. Nicholson praised not only her dedication and skill as a musician, but her ability to effectively balance her personal interests with school, music, and other academic responsibilities.

The VAPA awards ceremony was held at the Eugene Brucker Education Center. Award winners also received scholarships as part of the honor.

About the 2019 ASCD Conference on Educational Leadership

An accomplished education professional with more than 15 years of experience working in staff development and school administration, Chuck Podhorsky serves as principal at La Jolla High School in the San Diego Unified School District. Additionally, Chuck Podhorsky maintains membership in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

The ASCD will holds annual Conference on Educational Leadership November 8-10, 2019 in National Harbor, Maryland. The event will focus on leadership initiatives on all levels (classroom, school, district) and provide practical instruction as well as insights into the latest in educational leadership research.

The registration cost for ASCD Members is $499; for non-members, $599. There are no early-bird discounts for the conference. Those looking to package their airfare and vehicle rental can contact the ASCD’s official travel scheduling partner, WorldTEK Travel Management, at 844-663-5055. To learn more about the Conference on Educational Leadership or to register for the event, visit ascd.org/conferences.

Focuses of Team Building for Educators

Chuck Podhorsky started his education career as a middle school teacher with the San Diego Unified School District. Now the principal of La Jolla High School, Chuck Podhorsky has created and executed a professional development plan that includes team-building activities to support his staff and colleagues. 

Engaging staff in team building can increase morale, promote teamwork, and foster a sense of community within the school. Below are three essential types of team-building activities:

1. Getting Acquainted. Fun and interactive getting-to-know-you activities are a great way to integrate new teachers into an established staff. Through these games, teachers can learn about each other’s interests and build rapport. 

2. Building Trust. Activities that require communication and collaboration help to build trust among educators. Groups may be tasked with solving a problem or creating a structure out of unconventional materials such as balloons or clay. 

3. Developing Unity. Professional development training can give educators a chance to discuss their triumphs and challenges and share teaching strategies. If all staff members are gathered together during a meeting, it provides an opportune time to define shared goals for student performance and school climate and develop a unified vision.