A PLACE OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
FJUHSD Superintendent Communication
Let me start by thanking everyone for the collective efforts put forth by all of our staff members, students, families, and community members for ensuring that the safety of our students remains our number one priority. Due to these collective efforts, FJUHSD has been able to successfully navigate a return to full in-person instruction with minimal impact from COVID on our school sites and district offices. 
 
As we enter into the month of October, our districtwide focus will be on how we can best support the mental health needs throughout FJUHSD. We understand that the past two years have been, and continue to be, challenging for everyone. This is especially true for our students, some of whom may not have been in a physical school setting for almost two years. This has resulted in the need to ensure that we reinforce what positive student behavior looks like, provide opportunities for students to be connected at our schools, and share with our whole community the resources that can support our students at school and at home. 
 
Within this newsletter, we will highlight some of the various activities, people, and opportunities for support that are currently available. Additionally, during the first week of October, our students will be asked to complete a short survey to provide data on how they are doing. This will be critical in helping us make informed decisions on how we can improve various supports throughout the year. 
 
Thank you again for your continued commitment to caring for our students, our staff members, and our community as a whole. We know this is what makes our FJUHSD communities such special places to live, work, and learn.

Steve McLaughlin, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Mental Health
The 2021/22 school year is off to a great start with students and staff members excited to see each other, reconnect with a more normal routine, and celebrate together at Sonora.  

That being said, we also understand there continues to be an increased need of mental health services due to continued concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, re-acclimating to the school environment, and other events happening throughout the country and world.

FJUHSD recognizes that these world dynamics may bring up uncomfortable emotions, questions, concerns, or directly impact their personal environments. If you or your student are experiencing difficulties affecting your wellness, please note that FJUHSD has partnered with Care Solace for this exact reason. 

Care Solace is committed to helping our students, families, and staff connect with mental health services in the community. They are experts at navigating the mental health systems so that you can access support quicker and easier. Please consider contacting Care Solace if you or your loved ones are in need of support. 

If your student’s performance is being impacted by these world dynamics, we have a document on our district website that outlines How To Access School-Based Mental Health Services at Sonora High. Please review the information and consider if this may be of benefit to you. 

Lastly, our district's main webpage has a Mental Health tab for your reference. The tab has our Virtual Calming Room where anyone can have access to healthy coping skills and mental health resources for both students and parents. 

As we continue to work with our students and families transitioning back to campus, we wanted to remind you that FJUHSD is committed to supporting our students and staff holistically. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this important message, and for ensuring every member of the FJUHSD community feels supported and cared for during these unprecedented times.
Key to Leadership
The following was shared with JROTC about leadership. These words can apply to our Raider Family as well.

In preparation to speak before you today, I looked up leadership and what it meant. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines leadership as 'the office or position of a leader, the capacity to lead, and the act or instance of leading'. According to President Dwight D Eisenhower (Who served in the United States Army) "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want to be done because he wants to do it." So this began my research and I came across one of my favorite authors, Simon Sinek. He said that he sat and spoke with a group of Navy Seals. One of the most elite fighting forces in the world. He asked the seals who are the people who actually make it through to become a seal. I can’t tell you the kind of person who makes it through, but I can tell you who does not make it through. The guys who show up with huge bulging muscles, usually do not make it through. The leaders who like to delegate all of their responsibilities, usually do not make it through. Those who have not fallen down and gotten back up, usually do not make it through. Some of the guys who make it through are the skinniest, smallest guys, who are shivering out of fear usually make it through. 
The characteristics of the ones who do make it through are the ones who when they find themselves physically or emotionally spent. When they have nothing left to give, somehow they find a way to help the person next to them. If you want to be an elite warrior and an elite leader, then please learn to help others. This is how people advance in the world.  

I am a proud third-generation military. My grandfathers served in World War II in the Army, my uncle and dad served in Vietnam in the Army and Navy. I looked at them and the one thing that they have taught me and has carried me throughout my life and throughout my career is actually a modified quote from John Wesley “Do as much as you can for as many as you can for as long as you can.” That is the simple key to leadership in life. Please stay strong and stay connected to our school throughout your years at Sonora High School so that in life, you can do as much as you can for as many as you can for as long as you can.
Safety Procedures
  • All students and staff will complete a Qualtircs COVID Safety Survey each morning (the survey will be sent to your school email).

  • Before entering campus, students will show their green checkmark from the completed survey permitting them to be on campus.

  • Students will walk through the thermo-imaging temperature cameras after showing their green checkmarks.

  • Masks are required inside and will be optional while outside.
In accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), CA Dept. of Public Health (CDPH), and Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), we ask that you complete the Qualtrics survey each morning prior to arriving on campus. However, please do not attend school if you have experienced any COVID-related symptoms:
  • Flu-like symptoms such as fever of 100.4 or greater 
  • Chills 
  • Cough 
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose that is not associated with a pre-existing condition or other chronic health condition. 
Further, following the recommendations issued by the CDC, the CDPH has issued guidance in support of full in-person instruction and to as much instructional time as possible. 

Please note that masks will be required by all staff and students while indoors regardless of vaccinated status. As an extra precaution, FJUHSD is committed to continuing the enhanced cleaning procedures established to ensure that our schools are clean, sanitized, and safe. Further, temperatures will continue to be taken each morning. 

If you do not receive the Qualtrics Link, then please click here: Daily Symptom Qualtrics Survey (Paper Form).docx. Please look here to check for your symptoms: Symptom Checker.
JROTC Opening Ceremony
On Friday we celebrated the 27th annual Sonora High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Opening Ceremony. At this ceremony, there was a presentation of Colors, a Change of Command Ceremony, the introduction of this year's Cadet leadership team, and various presentations of JROTC achievements.  Well done, Colonel Hunt and Sergeant Salamann!!
Latest COVID Vaccination Requirements
ASB News
Thank you to the 702 students who purchased a ticket to the Homecoming Dance. We really appreciate your attendance and we hope that you had a blast at our second dance of the school year. Please tell your fellow Raiders to be sure to join us for our next dance coming soon.
Congratulations to our Homecoming Court. Well done!! Congratulations to Anthony Pavlik and Yvette Rivera for being crowned as this year's Prom King and Queen. We are so proud of each of you.
La Habra Corn Festival
The La Habra Corn Festival is hosted by the La Habra Host Lions Club in La Habra California. The event began as little more than a dance and cookout. It has grown to be the largest fundraising and community event in La Habra each year.

The poceeds from the festival for the Lions are used to provide free eye examinations and eyeglasses for needy students in the La Habra School District. The club makes large donations to many charitable groups in La Habra, including the Boys and Girls Club, HBIC, The Gary Center, each of the high school grad night programs, and many of the sports programs in La Habra, such as Pop Warner, Girls Softball ,and the high school sports programs.

Thank you to the Sonora students and parents who were there to represent our school at this community event. It means so much to our school and community to see you there. Here are some pictures from Saturday.
Daily COVID Survey
Here are the ways you can take your Quatrics Survey:

  1. The email that you receive in the mornings.
  2. There is a link on our website as pictured below.
  3. There are QR Codes here and as you walk to the front doors. Please have your devices charged and ready.

You do not need a phone to take this survey because you can use your Chromebook.
Community News
This section is dedicated to general Orange County/La Habra information that may apply to our students and families.
Here is a decision tree that all families should use with regard to COVID as it relates to school.
FJUHSD FOOD SERVICES
Meals will be provided to ALL students free of charge again this school year and for the foreseeable future! While families are not required to complete the FJUHSD Income Data Form to access these free meals, they are encouraged to complete one to qualify for the additional benefits associated with this eligibility (P-EBT card, reduction in fees for bus passes, home internet access, utilities, and AP/SAT/PSAT testing). The FJUHSD Income Data form is in Data Confirmation or you can come into the office to pick up a hard copy. Please click the link below to read all of the benefits. We WILL be using the POS computer system. Students will sanitize their hands and then proceed thru service lines (speed lines or kiosks) as they have prior to COVID. They will make their food selections and then enter their student ID number into a pin pad to be processed. Breakfast will be served at the morning snack break and lunch at lunch break. We will not be selling any items a la carte.
Master Calendar for 2021-2022
We understand that planning is important for all of our Raider Families. We have included an academic calendar for the school year below. There will be additional extra-curricular events that are not included in the calendar below.
Bell Schedules for 2021-2022
What time does school end? What time does school begin? What time...? For answers to all of these questions, you will need a bell schedule. Please click any of the links below to access the various bell schedules that are reflected in the master calendar that you see above.
Access your grades 24/7
Please keep in mind you can access grades all day, every day by clicking here: Aeries Parent Portal. If you have any trouble accessing your Aeries account, please contact Elizabeth Moreno or Monica Lopez.

Please remember that we will end the first quarter on October 15th.
Academic Assistance
We encourage our students to use any of the following academic interventions to support their learning while at SOHS. We want you to stay connected to your learning.
Raider Revolution
This week you will move into a new Raider Revolution based on your progress report grades. If you need assistance in a subject, then you will be moved into that tutorial (20 minutes Monday through Thursday) starting tomorrow. If you would like to discuss your Raider Revolution placement, then please contact Mr. D'Amelia at jdamelia@fjuhsd.org
Math Tutoring
Academic Saturday School
We have Academic Saturday School whereby NHS peer tutors will work with students from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm on any subject they need assistance in. For more information, please contact jjackon@fjushd.org
Writing Center
We have the Writing Center that is open to all of our students in the Garage Monday through Thursday from 3:15 until 4:15. This is to help you with any reading/writing assignment that you may have in any of our subject areas. All are welcomed to attend. If you have any questions, then please feel free to email jjackson@fjuhsd.org.
College Colors Day
Athletics
 Sonora's Coaches

Usually, we place the pictures and updates of our teams, but we are going to pause this week to say thank you to our coaches. October 6, 2021, was NATIONAL COACHES DAY. We celebrate all of the coaches that make our programs great, provide opportunities to be a part of a community, and teach our students the life skills that will help them be successful members of society. We thank them for the tireless hours they spend with our kids, sacrificing time with their own families, in order to give the Sonora Raiders an experience like no other. You are appreciated and celebrated today and every day.
THANK YOU
ATHLETIC CLEARANCE PROCESS

ALL Sports Including Cheer, Dance, JROTC & Band Must Register

1) Go to AthleticClearance.com
  • Create an account and complete all sections: Watch the video on by clicking here: AthleticClearance.com for detailed instructions.   
  • **Very Important** Choose “Sonora” (CIF-SS)” on the list and the School Year "2021/2022"

2) Print out Confirmation Page from AthleticClearance.com
  • Print & Fill Out (Both parent & student signature is required)
  • Please be advised that each sport/activity will require a separate confirmation page.
3) You must complete all 4 pages of the Physical Evaluation Forms 

  1. Print & Fill Out all 4 pages (Both Parent & Student signature is required)
  2. Pages 1-2 are filled out by the Parent(s) and Student 
  3. Page 3-4 MUST be COMPLETED, SIGNED, and DATED by PHYSICIAN. 
  • Only the Signature from an MD, DO or PA will be accepted. Signatures from Chiropractors and Nurse Practitioners are NOT accepted. 
  • NO PHOTOCOPIES will be accepted. 
  • Student's Physical & Physical Form Must be Completed After May 15th  

4) Athletic clearance paperwork will be collected by sport. Check with your coach to find out when your sport will be turning in their athletic clearance paperwork.  
 
5) Athletic Waivers
Athletic Waivers must be turned in with Athletic Clearance. View and download Waiver HERE
 
If you have questions, please contact Mr. Cazares at scazares@fjuhsd.org
Important Dates
Please click here for FJUHSD Important Dates:

October 15, 2021 (End of First Quarter)
November 1, 2021 (No Student Day)


Office Hours
Monday through Friday 6:45 am until 4:00 pm
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