SAUSD E-Blast for December 22 , 2017
The weekly e-blast is designed to keep the Santa Ana Unified School District Community informed of district and educational information, recognitions, opportunities, and resources.  Please feel free to share with others  who  are not on the SAUSD distribution list.
NEW VIDEO: SAUSD POLICE SWEAR IN FIRST RECRUIT, HONOR LIFE-SAVING OFFICER 
  
The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Police Department this week honored two of its own during a special recognition ceremony at the district office that was attended by Board of Education members, Superintendent Dr. Stefanie Phillips, district leaders, staff, and other supporters. Felix Rivera, the department's first recruit and a 2006 graduate of SAUSD's Saddleback High School, was sworn in as an officer, and Officer Brian Singer received the Life Saving Award for saving a driver from a burning car. To read more, click here. To watch the Superintendent and Board members speak about the significance of the event, click here.
1,300+ SAUSD FAMILIES SERVED THROUGH ADOPT A FAMILY     
  
Christmas baskets reached more than 1,300 families at SAUSD schools this week as part of the Adopt a Family event, which originated through the Share Our Selves community organization. The Costa Mesa-based group has provided health services, food baskets, legal services, dental services, optometry and more for families in need for more than 25 years. The district's Migrant Program participated as well and received baskets for 40 families. To watch a video about this year's distribution, click here.  
FRANKLIN STUDENTS RECEIVE NEW SHOES
  
Filipp Chebotarev and Polina Chebotareva, partners at Cambridge Companies SPG in Newport Beach, in partnership with Shoes That Fit, provided more than 400 new pairs of athletic shoes to Franklin Elementary School students on December 20, 2017. As children, both experienced what it's like to only have one old pair of shoes when they immigrated to the U.S. as children in 1993, Chebotareva said. "We are so proud to partner with Shoes That Fit," Chebotareva said. "These efforts help empower, build self-esteem, and effectively prepare these kids for future leadership positions and becoming highly productive members of our community." 
SANTA ANA HIGH SCHOOL NJROTC ON TV  

Mark your calendars: The Santa Ana High School Color Guard, which won first place in the Huntington Park Parade a few weeks ago, will be featured on ABC 7's Christmas Special at 9:30 a.m. on December 23, 2017. Don't forget to set your DVRs to Channel 7 to learn more about these award-winning Saints.
WILLARD TO REPRESENT TURNAROUND ARTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
  
Willard Intermediate School has been selected to represent California at the Turnaround Arts talent show to be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. from March 9-12, 2018. The delegation from the school will include 17 dancers, chaperones, and Principal Amy Scruton. "Our kids have worked so hard for this," Scruton said. "We are so excited!" TV producer Nigel Lythgoe, who has worked closely with the school for more than a year through  Turnaround Arts, will create a video announcement about the school's selection.
MENDEZ STUDENTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH ASTRONAUTS IN SPACE
  
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School has been selected to participate in a NASA project in which Mendez students will be able to converse with astronauts on the International Space Station via ham radio. Mendez was selected by the ARISS-US Team (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station). ARISS's primary goal is to engage young people in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and involve them in activities related to space exploration, amateur radio, communications, and areas of study and career.  
BOARD HIGHLIGHTS 
  
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.  

Members of the SAUSD Board of Education 

Valerie Amezcua, President
Rigo Rodriguez, Ph.D., Vice President
Alfonso Alvarez, Ed.D., Clerk
Cecilia "Ceci" Iglesias, Member
John Palacio, Member  

Stefanie P. Phillips, Ed.D., Superintendent
GODINEZ LAUNCHES DISTRICT'S FIRST MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY
  
Godinez Fundamental High School has started a new chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, the only national honor society for student musicians in the country and the first music honor society in the district. Through performance and community service, students will develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, compassion, and a host of other leadership skills. This will also highlight the school's music program and give students the opportunity to perform, lead, and serve. Over 1,900 Tri-M chapters enrich the lives of over 75,000 students across the globe.
CÍRCULOS STUDENTS VENTURE INTO THE COMMUNITY FOR PLACE BASED LEARNING  
  
Círculos students at César E. Chávez High School have been busy lately venturing into the community and experiencing Place Based Learning. On a recent day, students explored Old Town Orange, met up with Chapman University professor Dr. Noah Golden, and sat in on one of his college courses. On another day, students spent the day at the Power106 radio station, where they met the radio personalities and learned about all that is entailed in running a radio station, including marketing, technical support, and various jobs. By having student-led learning experiences, students are more engaged, they are open to new concepts, and are more adaptable to different environments.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY VIDEOS AVAILABLE ONLINE    
  
SAUSD students have been busy this month, singing, playing instruments and performing holiday selections for supporters at various sites. The SAUSD-TV crew has covered a range of these events, from the Letters to Santa party at Madison Elementary, to the Shout Out Holiday Luncheon at Century High School, to caroling tours by various schools at the district office and more. Visit our Vimeo page here to view our video selection, and check back for more new videos in the coming days.
PIO PICO ELEMENTARY HONORS PARTNERS AT LUNCHEON 
  
The Santa Ana Police Officers Association (SAPOA) was invited to attend Pio Pico Elementary School's annual Holiday Partner Luncheon on December 15, 2017. SAPOA has been a critical partner for over 25 years with the school and the community. To learn more about it, click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS 
130TH ANNIVERSARY KICK OFF CELEBRATION SCHEDULED 
  
An event kicking off SAUSD's 130th year as an educational legacy is scheduled for 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on January 12, 2018 at Plaza Calle Cuatro in Downtown Santa Ana. 
Click here to RSVP by January 5, 2018.
SEND US YOUR NEWS
Your school news is important to us! To have your items considered for inclusion in our weekly eBlast and/or via other District media channels, please submit items to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Wednesdays for possible publication the following week. Due to space limitations, we may not be able to publish every item but will make every effort to share your news with the SAUSD community.
LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGES

Like our District Facebook page to ensure that our photos and videos appear in your news feed. Please visit the district Facebook page at Santa Ana Unified School District, Superintendent Phillips page at   SAUSD Superintendent, the Educational Services page at SAUSD Teaching and Learning, the SAUSD Business Services Page, and the Santa Ana School Police Department, and click like on all five pages.


DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP

Download the SAUSD Mobile App offered in the Apple and Google Play Store. Simply type SAUSD or Santa Ana Unified. It features articles and photographs highlighting the programs, events, and people that comprise the district. Don't miss out! Download today . 


STAY CONNECTED: