Century High School Lead Counselor Mireya Vazquez has been selected by the Orange County Department of Education and the College Board to receive a College Board High School Counselor Award. The award recognizes applicants who, among other criteria, demonstrate leadership and advocacy in school counseling practices, initiatives and programs focused on increasing equity in K-12 college and career readiness outcomes, especially for underrepresented populations. "It is a testament not only to the work she does, but the entire counseling Dream Team," said Principal Jonathan Swanson, Ed.D.  

Alberto Rodriguez, a senior at Saddleback High School, is a two-time grand prize winner of the City of Santa Ana's Water Poster Contest. Alberto is a member of the Teen Arts Council at Bowers Museum and is helping to plan the District's Artspiration Visual Arts Showcase exhibition, on March 28-29, 2018 and has been nominated for the OC Register's Artist of the Year award. Alberto hopes to attend Laguna College of Art & Design in the fall. In addition, Julisa Julian, a junior from Saddleback was named a finalist. 

Maria Lopez, a detective with the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) and an SAUSD alumna, was named Detective of the Year during the Annual Public Safety Award Banquet for 2017. The Elks Lodge in collaboration with the Santa Ana Police Officers Association and SAPD honored members of the police department as the detective and the police officer of the year for 2017 during the event. Lopez graduated from Century High School in 2002, and for the past two years, has been an assistant varsity basketball coach at her alma mater. To read more, click here.  

Each year, the Santa Ana Public Schools Foundation offers mini grants to Santa Ana Unified School District educators to support innovative projects for students and to provide special opportunities for which no other funding exists, with the goal of enhancing achievement. Examples include: instructional projects, classroom equipment, special events or activities for students, and specialized classroom supplies. The deadline to apply is February 16, 2018. Don't miss out on applying for one of these grants. Applications are available on the SAPSF website, here.   

An email was sent to all District staff this week asking employees to update their contact information in the District database. It is imperative that employees log into Oracle to verify the telephone number that is on file for them. If it has changed, please update it directly into the system no later than February 17, 2018. Timely communication is vital in the event of an emergency. Making sure that the District has your current contact information is part of the preparation process. Directions were included with the email. If you need assistance, please contact your immediate supervisor or the Help Desk at 714-558-4741.