Intermediate and high school students from across the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) gathered on February 6, 2019 at Santa Ana High School for the final round of competition in the District's inaugural Literary Arts Festival. The finalists presented their poetry, prose or media in front of an enthusiastic audience and judges from the city's arts community. Winners will go on to showcase their work during the Boca de Oro Art and Literature Fringe Festival on March 2, 2019 in Downtown Santa Ana. For a list of winners, click here.

Each year during the first week of February, schools across the nation celebrate National School Counseling Week to focus public attention on the unique contributions that school counselors make to U.S. school systems and to highlight the tremendous impact that school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. In SAUSD, the celebrations began with the Board of Education proclaiming February as School Counseling Month. This year's theme, "School Counselors: Providing Lessons for Life," was celebrated across SAUSD with activities held at all intermediate and high school campuses with counselors engaging with students, parents, and faculty to share how school counselors support students in Santa Ana.

SAUSD LEADERS VISIT WITH KEY LEGISLATORS ON EDUCATION ADVOCACY DAY

A delegation of SAUSD leaders met with key legislators, directors and consultants in the State Capitol this week during SAUSD's Education Advocacy Day to learn about legislation affecting public education and to advocate for priorities that are important to SAUSD students, parents and teachers. Participants included Valerie Amezcua, President of the SAUSD Board of Education; Stefanie Phillips, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Sonia Llamas, Assistant Superintendent, School Performance & Culture; Barbara Pearson, President of the Santa Ana Educators' Association; and Norma Ortiz, Executive Director of the California Teachers Association/Santa Ana Educators' Association. Discussion topics included school funding, charter schools, mental health, special education, early education and more. SAUSD representatives also used the occasion to highlight the District's strengths, such as its balanced budget, and the progress that it is making in multiple areas, including its rising high school graduation rate, school climate improvements and more. To read more, click here. 

The Board of Education for the Santa Ana Unified School District seeks applications to fill a total of seven seats on the Bond Oversight Committee. The purpose of the Bond Oversight Committee is to oversee the expenditure of Measure I funds and to communicate its findings to the Board and the public in order to promote the proper expenditure of school bond funds as voters intended and the efficient completion of projects. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of California, and reside within the district's geographic boundaries. The deadline to submit applications is 4:30 p.m. on February 19, 2019. For more information on how to apply, visit the District's website here.

SAUSD has one primary goal - to prepare students with 21st century skills to graduate from high school and to become productive contributors to our society. We take that to heart in SAUSD where all teachers, staff, and administrators have taken a pledge to believe in all students and support them to be successful academically, mentally, and social emotionally. We know that when we have high expectations and believe in our students, they excel. To that end, students and families are invited to attend a series of meetings through February 22, 2019, to learn more about SAUSD schools and programs that best meet their interests and needs. Click here to access a list of School Showcase Parent Informational Meeting dates in English and Spanish. 

In honor of National School Counseling Week, the Orange County Department of Education will be recognizing two exemplary SAUSD employees for their contributions to the counseling field. Dr. Sonia Llamas, Assistant Superintendent, School Performance & Culture is the recipient of the 2019 Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocacy Award. Beau Menchaca, a Counselor at Century High School, is the recipient of the 2019 Orange County K-12 Counselor Recognition Award. Both individuals show their commitment and expertise in the implementation and development of a Multi-tiered System of Support with a focus on the whole child, which includes academic, behavioral, and social-emotional and college and career development. Congratulations to both on this recognition!

 

Members of the SAUSD Board of Education 

 

To help prepare students for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), SAUSD's Career Technical Education (CTE) department has developed classes focusing on the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) curriculum, a rigorous, relevant and hands-on activity-based curriculum. Students from the District's PLTW classes recently showcased what they've learned during PLTW's three-day Summit on February 1-3, 2019 in Anaheim. Some students shared their experiences during the Summit's General Session, while others led tours of three participating SAUSD campuses. The PLTW Summit featured students, schools and projects from across the District. Offsite tours of three SAUSD schools were also part of the workshops, in which participants had the opportunity to witness how SAUSD is implementing PLTW engineering and computer science curriculum in the classroom. To read more, click here.

The Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana and the Nicholas Academic Center # 3 recently recognized nearly 200 Century High School juniors and seniors who have logged at least 80 hours of community service at their 6th annual Good Citizens recognition luncheon and ceremony. Students were honored at the luncheon and presented with a certificate. "It was very inspiring to see so many students engaged in community service," Principal Jonathan Swanson said. "We appreciate the Kiwanis' and the Nicholas Academic Center # 3 for their support in recognizing these students for their contributions."

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