August 1, 2026 | Issue 59

"Every Student, Every Day!"


Upcoming Board of Trustees Meetings

September 8, 2026 - Meeting agendas and minutes can be found by clicking on the link




Table of Contents


Administrative Services

Kickoff Video (new)

Board Meeting Highlights (new)

Student Leadership Page (new)

Important Dates & Info (new)

Shout Outs (new)


Education & Assessment Services

Mobile Communication Devices(new)


Human Resources

Staffing (new)

Join our Team - We Are Hiring


Business Services

TRHS Housing Project (new)


Technology Services

Tech Tip of the Month (new)


Resources

Aeries Parent Access

All in One QR Code

CALFRESH - Cash 4 Groceries

Student Records Request

Welcome back, FJUHSD Family!



We hope you had a wonderful summer filled with time to relax, recharge, and make lasting memories with family and friends. As we prepare to welcome our students back on Monday, August 10th, we are excited to begin the 2026/27 school year together under our new theme: Every Student, Every Day!


Throughout the summer, our dedicated staff worked hard to prepare our campuses, classrooms, and programs for a successful start to the school year. The Board of Trustees, FJUHSD staff, and I remain committed to providing every student with exceptional opportunities, meaningful support, and an outstanding educational experience for Every Student, Every Day!


Below, you'll find our 2026/27 Kickoff Video, important back-to-school information, introductions to our new student leaders, policy updates, and upcoming Back-to-School Night dates. We also invite you to visit the District website for additional information and resources as we begin the new school year.


As a new school year begins, we look forward to the opportunities, achievements, and memories that lie ahead. Thank you for being an important part of the FJUHSD family, we're excited to welcome everyone back and make this an outstanding year together, Every Student, Every Day!


Warm regards,

Steve McLaughlin, Ed.D.

Superintendent

FJUHSD Board of Trustees

Marilyn Buchi

President of the Board of Trustees

Member of the Board

of Trustees since 1983

Most recent election (Term):

2022-2026

Trustee Area 5


Lauren Klatzker

Clerk of the Board of Trustees

Member of the Board

of Trustees since 2018

Most recent election (Term):

2022-2026

Trustee Area 4


Joanne Fawley

Board Member

Member of the Board

of Trustees since 2016

Most recent election (Term):

2024-2028

Trustee Area 2


VACANCY

Board Member

Trustee Area 1


Vicki Calhoun, Ed.D.

Board Member

Member of the Board

of Trustees since 2020

Most recent election (Term):

2024-2028

Trustee Area 3

Administrative Services

FJUHSD administrators and District leaders came together for our annual Leadership Retreat Kickoff to officially launch the 2026–27 school year with a day of learning, collaboration, and connection. Centered around our District theme, Every Student Every Day!, the retreat reinforced our shared commitment to providing every student with the support and opportunities they need to succeed.We were honored to welcome Ted Neitzke, CEO of CESA 6, who guided our leadership team through an engaging CliftonStrengths session. After completing the assessment, leaders explored how understanding their individual strengths helps build stronger teams, enhance leadership, and better serve our students. Together, we're building on our strengths and working with purpose to ensure Every Student Every Day! remains at the heart of everything we do.

Board Meeting Highlights


At the July 21, 2026, Board of Trustees Meeting, Cambria Dominguez of Sunny Hills High School was officially sworn in as our Student Board Member, and Jayden Aguirre of Sonora High School took the oath as our Student Advisory Council (SAC) Vice Chair. Introduced by Dr. Karl Zener, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, and sworn in by Board President Marilyn Buchi, both students were joined by their proud families and school staff for this special milestone.


Cambria and Jayden also thanked the Board of Education for fostering an inclusive environment where student voices are heard, valued, and empowered.


We look forward to the leadership, insight, and perspective they will bring in the year ahead. Congratulations, Cambria and Jayden! Click here to see more photos.


Minutes from the meetings of the Board of Trustees can be found on our website by clicking here.

Student Leadership Page

We’re excited to welcome our new FJUHSD student leaders

for the 2026/27 school year!

Please visit our website to learn more

at https://www.fjuhsd.org/266762_2.


2026/27 Student Board Member

 student_trustee@fjuhsd.org

Cambria Dominiguez

Cambria is a student at Sunny Hills High School and serves as the FJUHSD Student Board Member and Student Advisory Council (SAC) Chair.


2026/27 SAC Vice Chair

student_vicechair@fjuhsd.og 

Jayden Aguirre

Jayden is a student at Sonora High School and serves as the ASB Executive Vice President and ASB President at his school.


Important Dates and Information

Click on the Images below to Read More

📅 Stay Informed: View Our Pupil Attendance Calendars!


We encourage all families to review our Pupil Attendance Calendars to stay up-to-date on important school dates throughout the year. These calendars include key information such as first and last days of school, holidays, staff development days, and minimum days.

📢 Back-to-School Nights Are Coming!


Back-to-School Nights are a great chance to meet teachers, learn about classes, and connect with the school community.



Each school has its own schedule, so visit your school’s website for dates, times, and details. We look forward to seeing you there!

Visit our school websites by clicking on the links below

BPHS/FUHS/LHHS/LS/LVHS/SOHS/SHHS/TRHS

Shout Out

Congratulations to Liran Zhu


Congratulations to Liran Zhu, a rising senior at Troy High School, on being selected to represent the United States at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, July 10–19!


Chosen from among thousands of students nationwide, Liran advanced through multiple rounds of the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad, sponsored by the American Chemical Society since 1984, to earn a coveted spot on Team USA. The team was officially announced in June during an awards banquet at the University of Maryland, College Park.


At the International Chemistry Olympiad, Liran joined teammates in competing against students from more than 90 countries, tackling rigorous five-hour practical and theoretical chemistry examinations while also participating in cultural exchanges and educational experiences with peers from around the world.


Congratulations, Liran! 

Education & Assessment Services

+A Message to Students, Families, and Staff


Supporting Learning Through Responsible Use of Mobile Communication Devices


As we begin a new school year, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (FJUHSD) is committed to providing learning environments where students can fully engage in instruction, collaborate with their peers, and achieve their highest potential.


Beginning this school year, all California school districts are implementing policies consistent with Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone-Free School Act, which requires schools to limit student smartphone use during the school day. In response, the FJUHSD updated Board Policy 5131.8, Mobile Communication Devices, to ensure compliance while continuing to support safe, effective, and engaging learning environments.


What Students Can Expect

During instructional time, students are expected to:

  • Turn off or silence their mobile communication devices.
  • Keep devices stored away and out of sight unless specifically authorized by their teacher.
  • Follow classroom procedures regarding mobile devices, which may include storing phones in designated classroom holders or pouches.


Students may use their mobile communication devices only when:

  • An emergency exists.
  • Use is authorized through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or other applicable accommodation.
  • A teacher or school administrator grants permission for an instructional or school-related purpose, consistent with California Education Code.


Why This Matters

Research and our own experience show that reducing distractions from personal devices helps students:

  • Stay focused and engaged in learning.
  • Participate more actively in classroom discussions and collaborative activities.
  • Strengthen relationships with peers and teachers.
  • Improve academic performance while creating a more positive classroom environment.


Many of our teachers have reported that strategies such as classroom phone storage systems have significantly increased student engagement and reduced interruptions during instruction.


Working Together

Creating distraction-free classrooms requires a partnership between schools and families. We ask parents and guardians to support these expectations by discussing responsible technology use with their students and encouraging them to keep their phones put away during class.


If you need to communicate with your student during the school day, please contact your school's main office. Likewise, students may access the office if they need to reach a parent or guardian during school hours.


Consistent Expectations Across Our Schools

Each FJUHSD school communicates its specific procedures through student handbooks, classroom expectations, and school communications. While classroom procedures may vary slightly, the Districtwide expectation remains the same: mobile communication devices should be off and away during instructional time.



Students who repeatedly fail to follow these expectations may be subject to progressive disciplinary interventions, including parent contact and administrative support.


Thank You!

Thank you for partnering with us to create learning environments where every student can thrive. By working together to minimize distractions, we can ensure that classrooms remain places where students are engaged, connected, and prepared for success both in school and beyond.


We appreciate the support of our students, families, teachers, and staff as we begin another outstanding school year.

Human Resources


Staffing for Student Success


This summer, the Human Resources team welcomed over 50 new employees to the FJUHSD family! Throughout the summer, our team partnered closely with school sites and departments to post vacancies quickly, recruit exceptional candidates, conduct interviews, and complete onboarding so our schools are fully staffed and ready to support Every Student, Every Day!


As part of our commitment to student-centered hiring, last school year we partnered with students from across the District to better understand the qualities they value most in the adults who support their learning. Their feedback helped identify the attributes we now intentionally seek throughout our recruitment and hiring process: individuals who are kind and people-centered, collaborative and team-oriented, dependable and trustworthy, clear and respectful communicators, and growth-minded with an unwavering focus on students. These qualities, combined with the job specific skills and experience our employees bring, help ensure we continue building a workforce that reflects the needs and aspirations of our students.


We were also excited to welcome our new certificated employees at the New Teacher Orientation, where they began building meaningful connections, learned about the FJUHSD community, and embraced our shared commitment to student success.



We are excited to see the positive impact these outstanding new team members will have as they help create supportive learning environments and contribute to the continued success of our students, schools, and District.

Join Our Team at FJUHSD🌟


Ready to make an impact in education? FJUHSD offers a supportive, innovative environment where you can grow and help shape bright futures.


✨ Explore exciting opportunities with competitive pay, benefits, and room for growth!



Visit www.Edjoin.org to apply today. Your future starts here! 🌟 #FJUHSD #NowHiring

Business Services

Troy High School Interim Housing Project


The Troy High School Interim Housing Project is nearing completion in anticipation of the start of an exciting new school year! This important project marks a significant milestone in preparing the campus for the upcoming Troy High School Seismic Modernization Project, which is expected to take approximately two years to complete.


The seismic modernization project will provide critical upgrades to the main buildings on campus. As each building undergoes renovation, classrooms will temporarily relocate to the new interim housing facilities, allowing this important work to move forward while continuing to support a positive learning environment for students and staff. The 300 Building will be the first to undergo rehabilitation, with work scheduled to begin in September.


The Troy High School Interim Housing Project includes thirty-six (36) portable classrooms, with twenty (20) located in the Hale Street student parking lot and sixteen (16) located in the center of campus between the South Gymnasium and the 900 Building.


In addition to the new classrooms, the project included upgraded fire water systems extending from the street to the interior of campus, improved fire lanes for emergency vehicles, fencing, ramps, and expanded pathways to provide safe and accessible routes to the temporary classrooms. This ambitious project began in April 2026 and was completed in just three months and two weeks, an impressive accomplishment that reflects the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved.


As the District continues to invest in safe, modern, and supportive learning environments, the Troy High School Interim Housing Project is another example of our commitment to Every Student, Every Day! These improvements will help ensure that Troy High School students and staff have the facilities they need to continue learning, growing, and thriving throughout the seismic modernization process.

FOOD SERVICES:

More Than a Meal: Connecting Students

and Families to Valuable Benefits


More Than a Meal is about so much more than free breakfast and lunch. It is about connecting our students and families with valuable resources and opportunities that can make a meaningful difference throughout the school year and beyond!


By completing the annual Income Survey, eligible students may qualify for a variety of valuable benefits, including CalKIDS college savings, SUN Bucks summer grocery assistance, waived Chromebook insurance, reduced or waived SAT/ACT and college application fees, and discounts on internet and utility services.


Completing the Income Survey is an easy but important step that can help open the door to these additional resources for eligible students and families. Families can complete the Income Survey during Data Confirmation or visit www.fjuhsdfoodservices.org to learn more.


Through More Than a Meal, we are working to ensure our students and families have access to the resources they need to succeed because Every Student, Every Day! deserves every opportunity to thrive!


Technology Services


TECH TIP OF THE MONTH



The FJUHSD Technology Department is here to help!



The FJUHSD Technology Services Department supports technology for students, teachers, and staff to promote and monitor educational growth at a high standard of excellence. We are committed to providing up-to-date technology while providing a high level of customer service.


Visit our technology page by clicking here for helpful information and technology support.



Resources

FJUHSD Community Resources Page


Please visit our comprehensive resources page, which is filled with a myriad of community resources designed to support and empower you. Whether you're seeking information on education, healthcare, local services, or other essential aspects of community support, our page is a one-stop destination for valuable resources. Click the image to visit the FJUHSD Community Resources page.

Visit our school websites by clicking on the links below

BPHS/FUHS/LHHS/LS/LVHS/SOHS/SHHS/TRHS

 

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Thank you