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.
Fluffy vs. Crispy Pancakes
Which type of pancake do you prefer?
Fluffy
Crispy Edges
Pancake Moments
Chief Stephanie Nhim is our North Orange County Regional Occupational Program (ROP) Culinary Arts Teacher at Sonora High School. Each year the counselors and I talk about how all the students who are in the class. There are three levels that she teaches: Introduction to Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality Management.

A couple of weeks ago she and I began talking about pancakes. There are two types of pancakes that a person can eat. One with a crisp edge or one that is fluffy from edge to edge. We turned our debate into a challenging question for the students in all of her levels of Culinary Arts. The students had the opportunity to not only tell us which one they liked but the why behind it. It was an entertaining day to go into the classes even for the short five minutes to interact with our Raiders. Since that time so many students are still talking about pancakes.

Many times students come into a classroom and immediately the level of anxiety and stress rises. This could be the lack of confidence the student has in their ability to earn the desired grade in the class. This could come from a bad experience that they had with the grade that they earned on the last assignment. Rest assured students, you need Pancake Moments.
A student once told me, "Show me that you care for me outside of the classroom, then I will academically perform for you inside the classroom." This is a belief that is shared by all of our staff at Sonora High School. We want to show our students that we care for them outside of the classroom. This comes in many forms. It could be the time the teachers take to know the interest of our students. It could come in the form of the conversations that our staff have with our students about their future and their future endeavors. All of these are Pancake Moments.

Some may think that it is silly and how insignificant the five minutes were, but it shows Pancake Moments. Moments where students' level of stress and anxiety was reduced. A moment that we showed our students that we can all connect regardless of race, gender, or background.

As silly as it sounds, you are encouraged to take some time to create Pancake Moments. Raiders connect take care of yourselves mentally and connect with one another. It is only at that time that we are going to be able to make it through any rough time in life.
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.
Latest COVID Vaccination Requirements
ASB News
The energy on campus could not be any more lively. We are about to enter into our Homecoming Week. So far we have sold over 500 tickets for the dance. We hope that you do not miss out and will see you next Saturday Night.
FFA News
Congratulations to Kai Cavarlez, who competed in the Dairy Show at the Southern California Fair in Lake Perris last weekend. She did an amazing job and we are very proud of her!! She competed with both her cow and her calf. She won Reserve Champion Cow, took 2nd in the cow/calf pair class and she won 2nd place overall Advanced FFA Showmanship! Way to go! 
JROTC News
Congratulations to our Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) for earning the Distinct Honor Unit with Distinction Recognition. An Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD) is one that has demonstrated exceptional performance in all areas of program operation in the combination of scores earned during an external inspection determines this rating for each school year. In order to be awarded this rating, the JROTC program must score between 90-100% on the annual Unit Report, and 95-100% on the JROTC Program of Accreditation. Thank you, Colonel Hunt and Sargent Saalmann for your leadership within JROTC.
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
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
FJUHSD College Fair
Thank you to all who came out to the FJUHSD College Fair last Thursday. We had over 50 colleges represented. A special thank you to the Guidance Staffs at Sunny Hills and La Habra High Schools for their support. Thank you to Elizabeth Alfonso and the Sonora High School Guidance Department for the coordination and hard work to make it such a resounding success.

Seniors, please be mindful of the timelines listed in the program below. We will send out more information within the week.
Athletics
 Sonora Girls' Soccer

There is no rest for this team. Getting up early in our fitness lab putting in work! Way to go!!
 Sonora's Cross Country

At the Woodbridge Invitational, the Boys' team finished 5th out of 25 schools. Both teams broke Personal Records during the event. Congratulations to all who ran!!
 Varsity Boys' Water Polo

Our Boys' VarsityWatrer Polo team has a record of 4-7. We look to get back in the water this week to improve our league record. Please stay tuned as we get back into action this week!
Congrats!
Varsity Girls Volleyball

This week our team went 1-1 for an overall record of 7-9 and a record of 3-3 in the Freeway League.
Girls' Varsity Tennis

Congratulations to the JV and Varsity Girls Tennis Team for their victory this week. The team was lead by Varsity Captains Kylie King and Keilani (Kay-Lawn-E) Darvin who swept their matches in 3 straight sets.."
THANK YOU

We have to pause for a moment to say thank you. The sincerest gratitude goes to our JROTC, Band, Cheer, and Drill. Without all of your hard work and dedication that goes on, we would not have such a first-class Friday night event. Thank you for all that you do to represent our Raider Family.
Varsity Football

If you missed the football game on Friday night, then you missed a thriller. Your Sonora Raiders were victorious last week. Please come out to join us for our second Freeway League competition this Friday against Troy High School at the FJUHSD Stadium at La Habra High School at 7:00 pm. We need our student section so please come pack the stands once again. This is our Homecoming Game so we invite our Alumni to come back and be a part of the game festivities.
Please click the link below for the schedule of our athletic events this week.
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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