A PLACE OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

May is

Mental Health Awareness Month


With the Mental Health Awareness Month theme this year is “anxiety”, we set out to share the message with students that often there are many small things we can do to help us manage stress and anxiety. We handed out mini bubble wands and sensory breathing stickers as fun ways to teach students to pause and take some breaths. We also offered two art activities, coloring, and an airbrush stenciling activity, to encourage the use of art-making as a way to take brain breaks during this significant month for testing. Here are a few pictures of the event. 

FJUHSD Mental Health Resources
Care Solace
FJUHSD Virtual Calming Room
OC Links

Table of Contents

Any new information in our newsletter will be in Sonora Gold.

Rotary Students of the Month

Sonora Spotlight Classrooms

No School Next Monday

Finish Strong...Sonora Strong

Yearbook

Dance Drill

Lost and Found Flyer

Class of 2023 News

Attendance

Raider Activities

Counselors' Corner

Raider Athletics

Parent Involvement

FJUHSD News

School Calendar

Community News

Employment Opportunities

Important Dates

Quote of the Week

Rotary Students of the Month

I am pleased to introduce everyone to Nikkole (Nikki) Douglass as one of the Sonora High School's Female Student-Athlete of the Month for the La Habra Rotary. We had a great time sitting down and getting to know each other. Nikki has been playing softball for ten years now. She did play soccer at one time as well.  


Nikki has taken many of our AP/IB Courses at Sonora High School that have prepared her to be a success next year as she attends Utah Valley University to study criminal justice. She would like to go into this field because she has close relatives and family friends who have served in the police force. Nikki enjoys watching murder-mystery shows to determine if she can solve them first.  


We conversed about Utah and if she was prepared for the difference in climate and she affirmed that she is more than ready. She has spent a lot of time in Utah visiting family and friends. The facilities at Utah Valley are second to none according to Nikkole.  


We are confident in her success in college because of her coaches and her greatest influence in life, her mom. Her coaches are such a great influence because they not only taught her to be a great softball player but a great woman in life. There were so many softball lessons that became lessons to live by in life. Nikkole’s mom taught her to work hard life and work for everything.  


Every person in life has a “True North”. This is a combination of your values, your beliefs, and your purpose. It keeps you on a straight track that's true for you. And it's different for every single person. There are no two people for whom True North is the same. The guide for Nikkole is that life is about relationships. You should value everyone in life because you never know the impact/value that they have on the relationship with you. Her impact on her friends exemplifies her True North in that she makes situations light-hearted and not serious at all. There is a silver lining in the situation and Nikki is the one who finds it every time. Her True North can also be found in her participation in our Best Buds Program. This program partners our general education students with our moderate/severely handicapped students for fun and activities at least once a month.  


One legacy that Nikkole would like to leave behind is for everyone to value each moment. COVID robbed her and her classmates of valuable time together. They went without contact for a little over a year. This time apart created a great chasm of connectivity. In life and in high school do not be afraid to put yourself out there. Make friends and value the connections that you make. The worse a person can say is no and you can say that at least you tried.  

Teachers had this to say about Nikki:


“Nikki is a true Raider-generous of heart type of student. She recently volunteered to visit her old junior high and talk to a group of kids with special needs that were really nervous about starting high school. I am always grateful to meet and teach genuinely kind students such as Nikki. A well-deserved award!” -Mrs. Viveros


“Nikki excels in the classroom and on the softball field.”- Mr. Roach


“Nikki is a four-year varsity player and our team Captain. She earned that role through her leadership and commitment to the Program. As a coach having someone like Nikki to rely on and have the confidence to know she will have the team ready to go on game day, setting up for practice, or simply passing along information is such a relief. Nikki has always been mature beyond her years. As she moves onto the next chapter of her life we wish her the best of luck and will miss her as a program but I will personally miss her.” -Mrs. Rodriguez 


Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Nikkole Douglass, Sonora High School’s Top-Female Athlete Rotary Student of the Month. 

I am pleased to introduce everyone to Josef Obrony as Sonora High School's Male Student-Athlete of the Month for the La Habra Rotary. It was my pleasure to sit down to get to know Josef more. Josef has been a strategic part of our football and track teams this year. In football, he plays Defensive End and Left Tackle. In track, he participates in shotput, discus, long jump, and triple jump. Josef’s outstanding performance in track and field led our Boys' Track Team to the first league title since 2001.  


Next year Josef plans to attend Santa Ana Junior College and play football for them. Josef can see himself playing in the NFL in the future mainly due to his greatest inspiration in life, his grandfather. His grandad traveled to America at a young age, built his own house by hand, and worked hard to provide everything that his family could ever need and want.


This type of work ethic is evident in the resiliency of this young man. Josef sat out of football his whole junior year because of a concussion he suffered during his sophomore year of high school playing football. This made Josef appreciate playing the sport that he loves so much. Although he could not participate, he worked out and trained his body to prepare to play again. While working out Josef does not listen to music because he lives by the words of David Goggins, who is an American ultramarathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete, public speaker, and author. He is a retired United States Navy SEAL member who served in the Iraq War, who says if you workout with your headphones on, then how are you going to deal with your own thoughts and all once the headphones are off? Through Josef’s test, which later became his testimony he learned that it is that it is Ok to not be Ok because, at the end of sadness, there may be something better.   


Josef’s friends would describe him as a quiet and shy person at first, but just get to know him. He has a smile that lights up the room. He enjoys hanging out with his girlfriend, working out at 24-Hour Fitness, and disc golfing. Academically he loves the creative writing aspect of his English classes.


Mr. Oborny says that the legacy that he would like to leave behind is for students to be dedicated to their craft, but take care of their grades first. He encourages future Raiders to be student-athletes. Work hard in the classroom and you will see the benefits in life in general. It is this mentality that shows Josef’s future plans to play in the NFL and buy a home for his mom and dad will surely become a reality.  


His teachers write:

“He is a hard-working individual that has grown in so many ways. Josef is more than deserving of this award due to his efforts in the classroom and his ability to persevere through adversity to become his best self.”-Mr. Ramirez


“Josef is nice to all his classmates and is diligent in his work.”-Mr. Roach


“Josef is an outstanding Track and Field athlete who excelled both in the classroom and definitely on the field. Josef is a truly talented young student-athlete whose hard work and dedication have brought on excellence in all his endeavors.” -Mr. Chiotti


“Josef Oborny is a very hard-working young man.  His work ethic is going to give him great opportunities as he gets older.  He also has leadership qualities that stand out among his peers.  I'm excited to see what he's doing in 10 years.”- Mr. Oberlander


“Josef Oborny is a very hard-working young man. His work ethic is going to give him great opportunities as he gets older. He also has leadership qualities that stand out among his peers. I'm excited to see what he's doing in 10 years.”- Mr. Oberlander


Ladies and gentlemen without further ado, I give you Josef Oborny as the Sonora High School’s male athlete student of the month.  

Sonora Spotlight Classrooms

Mrs. Stucka's Chemistry Class

Students are building microbial fuel cells using various soils and two different chemical additives to see if they can produce enough energy to light an LED bulb. Students will collect data over 5 days using wireless sensors connected to their Chromebooks to see which fuel cell and which chemical additive, salt solution or sugar solution, produces the most energy. This NGSS-aligned activity provides students with an opportunity to use science and engineering practices: designing and building small-scale solutions to a scientific problem (reducing the harmful effects of human activity on Earth’s systems), and evaluating how effective or feasible those solutions are. Although microbial fuel cell energy production is still in the research and development phase, it may one day be another renewable resource to power our homes and communities.

Mrs. Tushla-Sanchez's Class

On Thursday Mrs. Jen Tushla-Snachez took her US History students over to our small gym to have History come alive with The Charleston Dance. This has been a traditional experience for her students for the past 27 years. On Thursday the tradition continued in conjunction with our dance teacher, Mrs. Sirerra Ledesma. The Charleston is a dance named after the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina. The rhythm was popularized in mainstream dance music in the United States by a 1923 tune called "The Charleston" by composer/pianist James P. Johnson, which originated in the Broadway show Runnin' Wild and became one of the most popular hits of the decade. Runnin' Wild ran from 28 October 1923, through 28 June 1924. The peak year for Charleston as a dance by the public was from mid-1926 to 1927.


#raiderfamily #raiderpride

No School Next Monday

We will not have school next Monday, May 29, 2023, in honor of Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30.

Finish Strong....Sonora Strong

Please see our Finals Bell Schedule below:

We are down to days left in the school year. Where do you stand academically? This is your last opportunity to take advantage of our tutoring. Click the picture below to access your Aeries account.  #beholdblueandgold

Please click the picture below for the sign-in sheet if you would like to keep track of your attendance.

Yearbook

Yearbooks are here and filled with adventure! SENIORS... join us at senior sunset to receive and sign your yearbook! If you haven't bought one yet, go purchase one at the ASB window for $85 with ASB and $90 without.


The rest of the student body is able to pick up yearbooks at the activities center starting the 24th!


#raiderpride

Dance-Drill Show

We are so proud of the Dance-Drill show that was held on Friday night. They did such a wonderful job showing everyone what it is like to be part of a stellar dance team.


#raiderpride #raiderfamily

Class of 2023 News

Please click the picture if you would like to review any information. Thank you to Mr. Lee and Ms. Virden for leading us through this celebratory time of year.


LET'S GO CLASS OF 2023!!

Attendance

Raider Activities

Join us for our last assembly for the school year and our next spirit week. Please see the flyer below so you do not miss the fun and excitement.

Counselors' Corner

The following flyer lists the Summer Dual Enrollment Fullerton College classes available to students currently in grades 9-11 (no seniors). The AJ 100 course is 100% online and the LIB 100 course is in person at Fullerton College, but unfortunately, no transportation will be provided to students. Any students that are interested, need to complete the interest list as soon as possible so Fullerton College staff can reach out to them with further steps. The course descriptions are below: 


AJ 100- Intro to Criminal Justice (3 units): This course provides students with an introduction and overview of the American criminal justice system. This course examines the history, development, and philosophy of criminal justice and summarizes fundamental practices found in law enforcement, the courts, and corrections in a democratic society. Topics include the purpose of social control, theories of crime causation, the nature of police work, judicial procedures, and correctional strategies in the United States. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) (C-ID: AJ 100)


LIB 100- Intro to Research (1 unit): This course is designed to introduce students to research methods using print library materials, online information databases, and the Web. Students will develop critical thinking skills to identify research needs and locate, retrieve, analyze, evaluate, and cite appropriate resources on topics. This course is of special value to those students intending to transfer to a four-year institution. (CSU) (UC) (Degree Credit)

Raider Athletics

Our very own Sonora Football players presented the La Habra Lions Club @lahabrahostlionsclub with a special Sonora Football Jersey, as a way to say thank you for all they do for our program. The Lions Club is a pillar in the La Habra Community and their generosity does not go unnoticed. We cannot thank them enough for the support that they give to our program. The #47 is special because it signifies the year,1947, when this chapter was founded.


#raiderfamily

Please click the picture below for additional information.

ATHLETIC CLEARANCE PROCESS


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

1) Go to homecampus.com

  • Please use the following Handout to help guide you through the Athletic Clearance process
  • Create an account and complete all sections: Watch the VIDEO for detailed instructions
  • **Very Important** Choose “Sonora” (CIF-SS)” on the list and the School Year "2023/2024"

2) Print out the Confirmation Page from homecampus.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 


Downloadable Physical Form


  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 a 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  

 

Athletic Clearance paperwork must be returned to Mr. Steve Cazares. Please submit your completed Athletic Clearance Forms, all 4 pages, plus the AthleticClearance.com Confirmation Page(s) for each sport you intend to participate in for the 2023/24 academic school year. 

 

If you have questions, please contact Mr. Cazares, Assistant Principal, at scazares@fjuhsd.org.

Click for the Calendar of Athletic Events

Parent Involvement

We like to pride ourselves on being a community school. One of the key components is our parents. We have our booster programs, ELAC, and PTSA. Please see the flyers below if you would like to get involved with any of our groups. 


Please plug into our community because we need you to ensure we stay a place of excellence in education. #beholdblueandgold

Fullerton Joint Union High School News

Click for FJUHSD May Newsletter

Please click the picture below for more information.

Community News
This section is dedicated to general Orange County/La Habra information that may apply to our students and families.

Please click the picture below for additional information.

Please click the picture below to register!

Click for La Habra Chamber of Commerce
Community Resources

Employment Opportunities

Please click the picture below for additional information on employment opportunities with FJUHSD.

Please click the picture below for additional information on how to obtain a work permit.

Important Dates

Please click here for FJUHSD Important Dates:

FJUHSD Important Dates



May 29, 2023: No School


June 1, 2023: Graduation/Last Day of School


June 5, 2023: First Day of Summer School


August 7, 2023: Senior Orientation


August 8, 2023: Junior/Sophomore Orientation


August 9, 2023: Freshmen Orientation


August 14, 2023: First Day of School



Office Hours

Monday through Friday 7:00 am until 4:30 pm

Quote of the Week