🌱 City Brings In Contractors + Test Scores Show Sizable Losses

Hello everyone! I'm back with your fresh copy of the San Diego Patch newsletter. Sip that coffee, munch on that English muffin with butter and jam, and read on to find out what's happening around town today:

• To catch up, the city will rely on contractors.
  
• Students post poor test scores after COVID-19 pandemic.
• Teens awarded with Laurels for Leaders.

But first, today's weather:

A passing afternoon shower.☔ High: 59, Low: 52.

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Here are three of the top stories in San Diego today:

1. With serious staffing shortages, the City of San Diego is moving to hire private contractors to catch up on some basic services. When the permitting backlog in the Development Services Department reached emergency status, the city moved to bring in help from outside contractors to process permits. Similarly, with 5,900 broken streetlights, the city pledged to bring in more electricians to help work through the repair requests. Meanwhile, an effort is being made to hire additional workers at city departments. (Voice of San Diego)
2. After two years of virtual learning, students at San Diego Unified show a decline in post-pandemic test scores. Students' scores dropped sharply in math, with smaller drops in English. In grim terms, the pandemic erased five years of learning in math, and nearly all gains in English. What does it all mean? Learning losses may hold students back when competing for jobs where math skills are required for technical jobs. (Voice of San Diego)
3. One hundred Associated Student Body presidents were invited to SDSU to receive honors at the annual Laurels for Leaders luncheon. The students were honored for improving their schools and their communities. Event sponsors Kiwanis Club of San Diego and the San Diego County Office of Education awarded each student with a certificate and a check for $300. Later, the winners were able to network with community and business leaders in attendance. For a list of winners, click here: (Rancho Santa Fe Review)

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Today in San Diego:

• Music and Motion — MountainView/Beckwourth Branch Library. (11:30 a.m.)
• Lunchtime Concert: Violin & Guitar Duo — Mission Hills Branch Library. (Noon)
• Toddler Storytime — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (Noon)
• DO YOUR HOMEWORK @ THE LIBRARY — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (3 p.m.)
• Tiny Houses — Carmel Mountain Ranch Library. (3 p.m.)
• Cat Cafe @ the OB Library — Ocean Beach Branch Library. (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Not just a typical traffic stop: "An officer conducted a traffic stop in the City Heights neighborhood on a vehicle with multiple equipment violations and an expired registration. As the officer got to the driver's window, they noticed a magazine for a firearm sticking out of the driver's front pants pocket. Training and officer safety kicked in immediately, and officers safely resolved this situation and got another gun off the streets." (San Diego Police Department via Facebook)
• Lanes closed: "⚠️ DETOUR: Northbound lanes of Texas Street will be closed starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, through Tuesday, Feb. 28. Traffic will be detoured to Adams Avenue and Interstate 805 into Mission Valley. Please avoid the area if possible." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• Children at the Botanic Garden: "Free with admission, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10 am -12 pm join us for our SAPLinGS programs! Children are invited to join Science, Art and PLay in Garden Spaces (SAPLinGS) for learning, hands-on activities, and fun in Hamilton Children’s Garden." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• For the love of reading: "Not sure what to read next? Let an SDPL librarian help you ignite your love of reading! 💛📗 All you have to do is fill out a quick form and you will receive a personalized list of author and title recommendations. Find your perfect book match today by visiting: http://sandiego.gov/matchbook" (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)
• Top 10: "Did you know Downtown San Diego is ranked in the top 10 for the nation’s best urban lifestyles? Not to mention it’s the only downtown in CA to make the cut. See how Downtown San Diego stacks up: https://www.storagecafe.com/blog/best-citi..." (Downtown San Diego Partnership via Facebook)
• Need a little something? "Is your home missing a little something? Or perhaps a big someone? Meet Max! This handsome pup is available for adoption through our rehoming site, Home To Home. His family had to make the difficult decision to rehome him due to an overseas deployment, but before they go, they're looking for a perfect home to contain his oversized cuteness." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Social Security Seminar at Rancho Bernardo Glassman Recreation Center. (March 2)
• Screen You Gut - Save Your Butt 5K Challenge. (March 4)
• One Night on The Town - The Marcus Syndicate Dance Band Live. (March 4)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Bettyann Pernice

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Diego Patch newsletter? Contact me at sandiego@patch.com