Conway

Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning

Community Crew News #7

Principal Update

Two adults sit at a classroom table with a young girl who is looking at papers in front of her.

Hello Conway Families,

We are incredibly proud to be a fully credentialed EL Education Specialty School in the Escondido Union School District. Since beginning this journey over a decade ago, Conway’s remarkable transformation has been driven by our staff's unwavering commitment to our vision: All learners will discover their unlimited potential through excellence, perseverance, integrity, and compassion. At Conway, we truly believe EPIC is the way to be!

Part of what sets EL Education schools apart across the country is our sharp focus on empowering students to become leaders of their own learning. A cornerstone of this approach is our Student-Led Conferences (SLCs)—a vital routine provided to all learners where your child takes the driver's seat in sharing their progress, goals, and growth. To deepen this experience and keep you fully connected to your child's journey, Conway is proud to be the only school in EUSD that hosts these conferences twice a year, both in the fall and winter. This October, our goal is to partner with families to identify each learner’s academic, social, and emotional needs, establish collaborative goals, and build stronger home-school connections.

Student-Led Conference Schedule
Thursday, October 8: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM, (Dinner break 3:00-4:00 PM), 4:00-7:00 PM (Non-instructional day)
Friday, October 9: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Non-instructional day)

SLCs are most powerful when parents, students, and teachers unite to collaborate on academic achievement, character growth, and high-quality work. Because this dedicated time is crucial to setting your learner up for success, our expectation is 100% family participation.

Please sign up for a conference time with your Cougar’s teacher(s) next week and check Rooms for the latest updates. If you require translation or interpretation services, let your teacher know as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued partnership—together, We Are Crew, Not Passengers!

In Crew Always,

Krystle Miller, Principal

A Step Beyond Auditions

A young girl in an orange A Step Beyond t-shirt leans back mid-dance movement, with other children blurred in the background.

Dance Auditions – A Step Beyond

Dance Auditions

Saturday, September 19

A Step Beyond is hosting their annual auditions!

A Step Beyond is a Creative Youth Development program offering FREE dance education, academic support, and family services for underserved youth.

Annual auditions are open to youth ages 8-12 (3rd-6th grade).
No dance experience is necessary!

Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: Arrive between 8:00-10:00 AM
Location: A Step Beyond
340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025
(Across from Grape Day Park)

A few things to know:

  • Youth must be eligible for free or reduced-price lunch
  • Transportation is required
  • Youth will learn choreography and perform for judges
  • Wear comfortable clothing, dance barefoot, and bring water
  • Parents must attend with their child and participate in an informational meeting

For more information please contact A Step Beyond via phone at (760) 670-3250 (opens in a new tab).

Parent Leaders Welcome!

A colorful camp-themed flyer featuring a yellow tent, campfire, and a wooden Camp Conway sign against a blue background, with text inside a large yellow-bordered circle.

Everybody Plays a Piece at Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning

Everybody plays a piece at Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning.

Sign up for an opportunity to take a leadership role within one of our school committees.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a vibrant school community, and our success is powered by the dedication, time, and leadership of our committee members.

We need parent representatives to lend their voices and perspectives this year for our School Site Council Committee.
School Site Council consist of the school principal, classroom teachers (selected by teachers), and other school personnel (selected by school personnel). The other half must be parents or community members selected by parents.
Its primary role is to develop, review, and update the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).

School Site Council meets on a monthly basis (a total of 7 meetings this school year) from 3 - 4 pm. We invite you to take an active role in shaping our school’s future—partner with us to plan events, guide strategy, and participate in key decision-making.
Your voice makes all the difference!

School Picture Day

School picture day is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22.
ALL students will have their picture taken.
Order forms were sent home this week. Please make sure to turn in order forms containing cash or check payments to the front office on or before picture day.
Photos can also be purchased online by visiting the Studio 1 website and entering our school code: F2681499.

For questions regarding photo orders, please contact Studio 1, Monday through Friday, 9am - 5 pm via phone: (413) 287-1234 (opens in a new tab)

A school picture day flyer showing six sample student portrait photos labeled A through F, with ordering details for Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning.

Fall Picture Day — Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning

Special Pre-Order Pricing

  • 26 background selections online
  • 100% money-back guarantee
  • Free gift with orders placed online

Fall Picture Date

9/22/2026

Online Ordering Code

F2681499

Order Online

Order school portraits online at ShopStudio1.com (opens in a new tab)

Order school portraits online — ShopStudio1.com (QR code link) (opens in a new tab)

Volunteer Workshop & Fieldwork Training

As an Expeditionary Learning school, one of our Core Principles is actively engaging families in the Community and Life of our school.
We invite you to our upcoming Volunteer Workshop & Fieldwork Training to best support teachers and staff during volunteer activities.

Your voice and involvement powers our success!

A school event flyer showing three photos of volunteers doing outdoor community activities, with logos for EUSD Community Schools and Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning.
A Spanish-language flyer from EUSD and Conway Academy invites families to a volunteer and learning-trip preparation workshop on Friday, September 25 at 8:15 a.m. in Room 8, illustrated with three outdoor photos of adults sorting materials and supplies at community events.

Volunteer Workshop & Fieldwork Training – Conway Academy / EUSD Community Schools

As an Expeditionary Learning school, one of our Core Principles is actively engaging families in the Community and Life of our school. Family and community members who are interested in volunteering and would like to be considered as chaperones please attend our upcoming workshop on

Date and Time

Friday September 25
8:15 am in Room 8

More Information

For more information please contact Xochitl Maldonado.

Call for more information: (760) 432-2435 EXT 12009

Email Xochitl Maldonado (opens in a new tab)

PTA

A hand-drawn poster on light blue paper features a cartoon chef making an OK sign with the text "Membership is the Perfect Ingredient!" written above him.

Great news!
We’ve extended our PTA membership contest to September 30th to help us hit our goal of 200 members! If you haven't joined yet, there's still time to sign up.

The Grand Prize: A Family Lunchtime Pizza Party! This isn't just a regular pizza party—winning families will be invited to join their students at school during lunch for pizza, drinks, and tons of fun, all hosted by the Conway PTA!

Current Leaderboard:
Primary Lead: Tie between Mrs. Devlin & Mrs. Yabut's class
Upper Grades Lead: Ms. Sautia

Help your child’s class take the lead—join the PTA today!
Good luck, everyone!

Conway Swag is here!

Four t-shirts in green, dark green, pink, and blue display a Conway Academy Cougars logo featuring a cougar mascot face.

The Conway Swag link is now live!
Click on the button below to purchase Conway Swag and show school spirit every Thursday.
Estimated delivery date is 2 weeks after a paid purchase has been submitted. Items will be delivered to students.

Community School Needs Survey

At Conway Academy, our crew works best when we work together! The Community School Needs Survey gives us the opportunity to better understand how we can support our students, families, and neighborhood.

By taking a few minutes to complete this survey, you help shape the programs, resources, and services brought directly to our campus. Whether it’s academic support, after-school opportunities, or family resources, your feedback drives our success.

Dental Care at Conway

A silver mobile dental health services bus operated by Neighborhood Healthcare is parked outdoors, featuring a wrap displaying smiling children and contact information.

As a Community School, we believe bringing vital health services directly to our campus—removing barriers like transportation and missed workdays. We are committed to supporting the whole student and their family by providing accessible, high-quality healthcare right where you live and learn.

EUSD has partnered with Neighborhood Healthcare to make dental care accessible to ALL students. Yes, students with medical, private or no insurance are eligible to receive services onsite at Conway during school hours.

What does this mean for families and students?
Less absences for students. Healthier students. Families don't have to worry about asking for time off work or transportation to and from appointments. The list goes on and on.

What should I do if I already have a dental provider?
Great! Please feel free to submit a waiver with your insurance information. We’ll verify their eligibility and last service date to ensure they receive the care allowed according to their plan's coverage.

What should I do if I want my child to participate?
Please complete and return the waiver available in the school’s front office or complete the digital form by clicking the button below.

If you have any questions about the dental care
program, contact Dacia Ruiz ([email protected])
(442) 286-8353.

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

All EUSD students have access to no-cost breakfast and lunch. Families can view our new online menus (opens in a new tab). Select your school and menu to see what is being served every day.

Upcoming Events

September 22
School Picture Day

September 23
SSC & CSAC Meeting

September 25
ASB Spirit Day: Hat Day
Volunteer Clearance & Fieldwork Workshop 8:15 am Rm 8

September 29
ELAC & Crew with Principal Miller 5 pm

September 30 Last Day of Conway PTA Membership Contest

October 2 Spirit Day: Live Like Larry Day - Wear Orange

October 5 - 9 Scholastic Book Fair

October 8 & 9 NO SCHOOL Student Led Conferences

October 14 EPIC Run

October 23 Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat 4:30 - 7 PM

October 30
Spirit Day: Wear costume or Black & Orange
Costume Parade 8 - 8:30 am

Follow us!

Weekly Update · Conway
You're receiving this because you're part of our school community.