Linda Yanez, a photography student at Saddleback High School, has won First Place in the Congressional Photography contest sponsored by Congressman Lou Correa representing the 46th Congressional District. The award ceremony was held May 20, 2017 at the Cal State Fullerton Grand Central exhibition space on Second Street in Santa Ana. Linda is a 10th grade student who created the work, "Barrio Logan: Remembering the Fallen." The photograph depicts the commemorative community mural in the Logan neighborhood. Linda and her parents will be honored at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. at a ceremony on June 29, 2017 and the work will be hung in a gallery/corridor setting in the Capitol Building along with student artwork from other U.S. Congressional Districts. Congratulations Linda!

In addition, artwork by 21 students from Godinez Fundamental High School was also on display during the event. Participating students included: Linda Cerrillo, Yesena Cortez, Rosemary Dias, Jerry Flores, Karla Gazano, Tanya Gomez, Ryan Guapilla, Natalie Guerrero, Jacqueline Gutierrez, Denisse (Susie) Hernandez, Kaylee Nava, Van Nguyen, Diana Nuñez, Clarrissa Nuñez, Jorge Pacheco, Thais Pena, Moises Piña, Licet Ramirez, Fatimas Rios, Alexa Rizo, Zuyapa Saavedra.

Do you listen to Santa Ana's own La Ranchera 96.7 FM radio station? Now is the time to start! For the next few weeks, the station is running a series of segments exploring the many exclusive and unique programs, options and opportunities that we offer our students. In addition, Dr. Daniel Allen , Executive Director of School Renewal, is stopping by the station to participate in live broadcasts about our educational offerings. Allen is scheduled to be on the air again at 1:30 p.m on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. Tune in to learn more!

Approximately 100 families toured the new location of Romero-Cruz Elementary School during a set of tours that occurred Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. The tours were specifically designed to give parents of incoming 4th and 5th graders a tour of the campus and the new, state-of-the-art building that the elementary students will be housed in on the campus of Spurgeon Intermediate School. During the tour, parents were able to ask questions to members of the Board in attendance (President John Palacio and Vice-President Valerie Amezcua) and Superintendent Stefanie Phillips. After touring the campus, families were entertained with musical selections from the talented Spurgeon choir and school band. Beginning fall of 2017, Romero-Cruz will join Spurgeon offering full day kindergarten and 1st grade in a dual language immersion program. They will also offer enrollment for 4th and 5th grade students. Each year, the school will add an additional year. By year three, the school will be a full K-8 model school, the fourth in the District. For information on enrollment, please call (714) 433-3481 for registration.

Laura Compton, an eighth grade science teacher at Willard Intermediate School and the District's Intermediate Teacher of the Year, is taking part in Playing with Data, a three-year National Science Foundation-funded study to investigate what information and tools can help teachers who use student gameplay data to guide their teaching. Compton is featured in a new video about the effort called "Playing with Data: Helping Teachers Use Games for Formative Assessment" that was recently posted online as part of the 2017 NSF STEM for All Video Showcase. To watch it, click here.

Students from the Santa Ana Unified School District recently had the opportunity to attend a Los Angeles Angels baseball game hosted by the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP). This year, 56 schools participated and interacted with police officers while enjoying the game. 

Looking for a way to get some exercise while donating to a great cause? Here's your chance. The 2nd annual Jaguar Prowl 5K is coming at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017 to Segerstrom High School. Organizers expect 500 runners to participate, up 100 from last year. There will be vendors, giveaways, top prizes from Dave & Buster's, Freedom Ride, ASICS and Newport Rib Company, and more. "This 5K run will benefit our scholar athletes and provide them with scholarships," said Duncan McCulloch, Principal of Segerstrom High School. Register today at www.jaguarprowl5k.com. 

Nigel Lythgoe - co-creator, executive producer and judge on "So You Think You Can Dance," and former executive producer of "American Idol" - judged more than 30 auditioning acts at Willard Intermediate School this week to select the singers, dancers and other entertainers who will perform during the school's talent show, "Willard's Got Talent," on June 2, 2017. Lythgoe has built a rapport with the Willard community over the last year as part of the school's participation in Turnaround Arts: California, a highly selective White House program that infuses the arts into participating campuses via arts education resources and visits by high profile artist mentors. Lythgoe and his panel of invited guests judged the first round of auditions on May 24, 2017; he returned to the school May 25, 2017 for the second and final round. The talent show is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. June 2 at the school, with doors opening at 5 p.m. To view a video promo for the event, click here.

On May 11, 2017, Santiago Elementary School dedicated its "Jungle Party Tonight" program to Wildlife Warrior Steve Irwin, creator of the show "Crocodile Hunter" and the Australian Zoo, Wildlife Reserve. Steve's memory lives on through his family members and in the zoo he created and wildlife he protected. The scholars in Mrs. Andersen's and Mrs. Miller's classes will never forget his passion, dedication, and his message. "Wild animals are gorgeous," he said. "Respect them. It's their planet too!" Over 33 parent volunteers and 11 support staff members helped with the amazing set designs, props, costumes, and rehearsals. It was a "crikey" success! 

Several students from Sierra Preparatory Academy will participate in various college internships this summer. Here is a look at who they are and what they will be doing. "I'm very proud of each one," said Rosa Marino, Counselor at Sierra.