Escondido

Settled in a long valley in the coastal mountains of Southern California, Escondido, which means "hidden" in Spanish, lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles, and 30 miles northeast of San Diego. Surrounded by avocado and citrus groves, Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with just the right mix of small town friendliness and big-city buzz.

More and more people are making Escondido their "City of Choice." As the heart of San Diego North, it is one of the few remaining communities where people of all income levels can enjoy the Southern California lifestyle. We offer attractive homes in a wide range of prices, 8 parks, 2 lakes, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, comprehensive healthcare and the nearby San Diego Wild Animal Park. In addition, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, brings world class entertainment to the area along with the Mingei gallery and Queen Califia's Magical Circle, a sculpture garden in Kit Carson Park donated by late internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle. In recent years Escondido was named by Money Magazine as the Best Place in the West in which to retire and, at the other end of the spectrum, was named a Kid-Friendly City for our broad range of youth programs. Ladies Home Journal also ranked Escondido number eight among the Top Ten Cities for Government.

Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community. You can see it in the historic homes of Old Escondido or experience it in the thriving downtown area and the weekly blast to the past, "Cruisin' Grand." Yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise. New jobs, new cultural amenities, new entertainment venues, new choices for residential living, and a new vision for Escondido's future, make Escondido a city to watch.

EUSD Teacher Honored

Karen Sleichter, Felicita School kindergarten teacher, was recently awarded the Teachers are Heroes Award by Legoland California. This program is endorsed by the San Diego County Schools, and supported by Azusa Pacific University. Twelve teachers are chosen from over 26,000 in San Diego County for this award each year. Nominations are made by the community - parents, teachers, even students may nominate. Sleichter received a beautiful glass award shaped like a book, along with passes for her entire class of kindergarteners to attend a special presentation and have a fun day at Legoland on June 7, 2008.

EUSD the Major Winner at the iVIE Film Festival

Teachers belonging to Project LIVE, the innovative EUSD program aimed at using video as a tool to learn the curriculum, scored heavily at the 2008 iVIE Film Festival (May 20). Of the 13 categories open to them, Project LIVE teachers scored wins in 7 categories, including the K-5 Grand Recognition Award won by Chris Oden's 4th Grade class from Bernardo School. Superintendent Jennifer Walters made the presentation.