5th Annual Alumni Breakfast a Fun Feast

posted on : July 11th, 2010

On Tuesday, June 1st, the Urban Skills Center and COOK Education Center celebrated our 5th Annual Alumni Breakfast. Twenty-eight alumni from the class of 1993 to 2009 connected with us either at the breakfast or by phone to share their achievements and life experiences. Six alumni gave brief speeches about their work, education, and leisure experiences as well as advice for our current students. They shared information on the following resources: calling “211” for community information, taking classes at Mesa Read more

Urban Skills Center Commended in Recent Site Reviews

posted on : November 5th, 2009

Urban Skills Center and the other three schools of The Institute for Effective Education’s (TIEE’s) family of schools were given site visits by two review teams in spring, 2009. One of the teams represented the California State Department of Education (SDE) and their review was conducted as part of a cycle of annual reviews pursuant to SDE certification of TIEE’s schools as Non-Public, Non-Sectarian Schools. Joining the state team was a second team representing San Diego County Office of Education Read more

Urban Skills Center Director Invited to Direct Instruction Conference

posted on : November 5th, 2009

The Association for Direct Instruction invited Mary Taylor, Director of the Urban Skills Center, along with Hillary Whiteside, Director of Children’s Workshop, to attend a conference in Eugene, Oregon on the use of Direct Instruction (DI) practices and materials with students with autism. The TIEE Directors met with two eminent research professors of DI practices and outcomes, Tim Slocum, Ph.D., of Utah State University and Cathy Watkins, Ph.D., of California State University Stanislaus, to develop a Read more

Urban Skills Center Student Award Winner

posted on : November 5th, 2009

Yngwie Schmidt earned the Urban Skills Center's Vocational Education Service Award for the month of October. Yngwie works as a crossing guard at the Cook Education Center and recently began a new food service job with California Catering at La Jolla Country Day School. According to his supervisors, Yngwie is consistently on time, reliable, and highly efficient. He is friendly to both co-workers and peers and demonstrates a positive attitude. He is a hard worker and continues to impress! Congratulations Read more

Michael McLaughlin’s Haunted School

posted on : November 5th, 2009

Spooky things were happening the week of October 26th at The Urban Skills Center. The walls mysteriously became draped in black shroud, mist and fog filled the hallways, goblins, ghouls and zombies began attending school and then on Friday, the 30th the ghost of Michael McLaughlin arrived! Mr McLaughlin was a beloved teacher at the Urban Skills Center for many years. He passed away unexpectedly back in 2004. One of the many fun and wonderful things Mr McLaughlin is remembered Read more

Urban Skills Director participates on FACCT Conference Panel

posted on : November 5th, 2009

Mary Taylor, the Director of the Urban Skills Center, participated as a panel member at the 4th Annual Families and Communities Caring Together (FACCT) Conference held at the University of San Diego on Saturday, October 24. The FACCT conference is presented each year as a collaborated effort between the COMPASS Family Center and The University of San Diego. The theme of this year’s conference was Navigating Transitions. Ms. Taylor participated on a panel regarding Adult Transition Programs available to students Read more

Urban Skills Center Holds Annual Transition Information Night

posted on : November 5th, 2009

We had a successful Transition Information Night and Open House on October 6th. Over 50 parents and students attended this event! Presenters from several adult agencies and the community college district shared information about services available to students once they finish their school program. Agencies included: The Arc of San Diego, CREEL, Employment & Community Options, Department of Rehabilitation, and the San Diego Community College District. Partnerships With Industry and Toward Maximum Independence were unable to attend but provided written Read more

Sample Urban Skills Center

posted on : July 15th, 2009

Sample News. Sample News. Sample News. Sample News. Sample News. Sample News.Sample News. Sample News.  Sample News. Sample News. Sample News. Sample News.Sample News.Sample News.Sample News.  Sample News.Sample News.Sample News.Sample News.Sample News.Sample News.Sample News.  Sample News.Sample News. Read more