May 1, 2022 | Issue 9
"End of Year Celebrations"
Superintendent's Message
Dear FJUHSD Community,

During the month of May, we celebrate the many people who make a difference in the lives of our students. Please join us as we celebrate Teacher and Classified Employees Weeks during (May 2-6 and May 15-21). At our upcoming School Board meeting on May 10th we also look forward to recognizing the District and Site Certificated and Classified Employees of the Year who were chosen by their peers for their exemplary support and commitment to our students. 

This month we want to celebrate the contributions made by our nutrition service workers, counselors, school nurses, transportation services, and all who work together day in and day out to create a solid and stable support system for our students. Through the twists and turns of returning to full in-person instruction, there has been one constant – the commitment and genuine care for students that each of our staff members displays across the district.

Lastly, we would like to thank our parents, guardians, family, and community, along with our Board of Trustees who have supported our students and our schools this year. It is your involvement and genuine care for education that helps us be the best we can be.

As we take time to celebrate the meaningful connections our dedicated employees have made during the 2021/22 school year, we also celebrate with our high school graduates.

So here’s to our education professionals who keep students at the heart of their work. Here’s to our support staff whose work makes it possible for our students to succeed. And here’s to the GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022! Congratulations to all that you have accomplished and endured over your time within FJUHSD. The skills and relationships you have developed will serve you well as you get ready to take this next step - IT’S CELEBRATION TIME!

Steve McLaughlin, Ed.D.
Superintendent
2021/22 Employees of the Year
Congratulations to all the Employees of the Year!
District Teacher of the Year
Earl Bench
Buena Park High School

District Teacher of the Year
Roseann Halcomb
La Vista High School

District Classified Employee
of the Year
Teresa Zambrano
Sonora High School
Teacher   
BPHS Earl Bench
FUHS Joseph Olivas
LHHS Holly Ryan Chavez
LSHS Steve Scianni
LVHS Roseann Halcomb
SOHS Darlene Clarke
SHHS Kellie Ma
TRHS Jerry Cowgill
Classified Employee
BPHS Diana Oseguera
FUHS Jean Page
LHHS Margarita Chavez
LSHS Cherie Jordan
LVHS Antonio Arenas
SOHS Teresa Zambrano
SHHS Daniel Rodriguez
TRHS Maria Williams
DSC Bryan Becker
DTC Rosie Valencia
EC Emma Esparza
Board Meeting Recognitions
FJUHSD District Art Show Winners, Spring Athletic Teams that reached CIF, and new Administrators were recognized at the April 12, 2022 Board Meeting by the Board of Trustees.
2021/22
Student Board Member
Grace Lee
Thank you Grace for serving as Fullerton Joint Union High School District 2021/22 Student Board Member. We appreciate your hard work and committment to the District and the Student Advisory Council!
Student Board Member Interview Panel
Thank you 2021/22 and 2022/23 ASB Presidents for participating in the 2022/23 Student Board Member Interviews at the District Office on April 27.
We Appreciate all that you do!
Shout Out!
School Bus Driver Appreciation Day!
We celebrated School Bus Drivers on April 26, 2022 for School Bus Driver Appreciation day. We would like to thank all of our FJUHSD Bus Drivers for their commitment and dedication to our District!
Important Dates
For more information, contact the school
Classified School Employees Week
May 15-21, 2022

In 1986, California Senate Bill 1552 (Campbell) established the third week of May as Classified School Employee Week in order to recognize the vital contributions of classified employees. 

We want to give all 443 classified employees in our district a huge shout out for their dedication and hard work displayed everyday to our students, parents and staff.

From the first day as freshman to senior graduation our classified employees keep education in our district moving forward. Our classified staff continues to face challenges unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes. Their work is more important now than ever to keep our students learning and work towards a kinder future. 

Our classified employees are everyday superheroes to our students. We build connections and inspire lives in our communities. They get it done.
Excellence Among Us
The Fullerton Joint Union High School District is fortunate to be served by many outstanding classified, certificated, supervisory, confidential, management, and administrative staff members. Each month, Human Resources has the honor of showcasing a staff member or members who contribute to the support, development, and success of our students and who help to make this District exceptional.

This month, Human Resources is proud to recognize District Director, Student Support Services Allen Whitten, and Sunny Hills High School Assistant Principal Melissa Stinson. One of the most important administrative activities on a high school campus is the development and implementation of the Master Schedule, which determines course offerings and teaching assignments on a school site. The Master Schedule is the reflection of the vision and mission of the school Principal and ensures that the academic needs of students remain a priority.

Both Mr. Whitten and Ms. Stinson are highly experienced administrators known for their extensive knowledge and skill in building effective and efficient Master Schedules. This April, they facilitated a professional development workshop on Maximizing the Master Schedule, attended by Assistant Principals currently responsible for building the Master Schedules on their school sites, Assistant Principals who are working toward someday having the responsibility of building a Master Schedule, and several Principals. The insights and tips Allen and Melissa shared with their colleagues were well received by the administrators in attendance and will have an immediate and positive impact on the development of each site’s Master Schedule, both presently and in the future.  

Thank you Mr. Whitten and Ms. Stinson for your exceptional service to our staff, students, parents, community, and District! You truly represent the excellence among us.
Celebrating Administrative Professional's Day
In celebration of the exemplary service provided by the staff members of Human Resources, the Assistant Superintendent, Director, and Manager of Human Resources wish to extend their sincere gratitude to Administrative Secretary Wendy Rutz, Certificated Personnel Technician Joni Best, Personnel Technicians Sandra Reyes and Marina Cardenas and Senior Account Clerk Luke Aiello. These five individuals are responsible for supporting the needs of our staff from the moment they are hired until the day they retire and beyond. They are responsible for the recruitment, screening, and hiring of every employee of the District, and it is they who ensure that staff members and their families receive medical benefits, advance on the salary schedule, are reminded of credential renewals, and who guide staff in their use of Family Medical, Sick, Personal Necessity, Catastrophic and Bereavement Leaves.

Thank you, Wendy, Joni, Sandra, Marina, and Luke for all you do to support the employees and retirees of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District.  
The District is currently recruiting individuals to join our team in a variety of positions. Those interested should visit Edjoin for details.
End of Year Celebration
The Facilities and Maintenance & Operations department is excited to celebrate the graduating class of 2022 by placing the District Jumbotron at each school site to highlight each of the 2022 graduates. Keep an eye out for the Jumbotron at your school site.
Ed Services Celebrates Wellness and Mental Health Support
FJUHSD Educational Services ensures our schools are SET for success in student wellness and mental health support. Under the guidance of our Mental Health Specialist, Carlos Alcantara and through a grant and partnership with the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) and Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Buena Park High School opened the District's first Wellness Center. 
BPHS first envisioned a Wellness center in 2019 as the need for social-emotional support for students was growing. Then the pandemic hit. They found a partnership with OCDE and began putting the pieces together. As students returned to school, they found a new beautifully designed space developed to meet their needs. In the first semester, BPHS had over 1,000 student contacts in the Coyote Corner (wellness center). BPHS is seeing an increase in positive behaviors with these students and ultimately more success in school. 

When students check-in to the Coyote Corner they are offered a wide array of services to suit their needs at that time. Counseling interns check-in with students every 10-15 minutes to see if they need further support before returning to class. Students utilize various tools such as sensory activities, journal writing, yoga, and games to manage emotions. Upon checking in, students rate their mood on a scale of 1-5, and before checking out, they update their mood rating. Data shows that almost all students rate higher after their 10-15 minute stay. 

We are also thrilled to announce that a second grant has been secured, and Troy High School is in the process of gathering input from their stakeholders to build the district's second wellness center. Starting in the Fall, Troy will be able to utilize this space to further support the mental wellness of their students.

Through partnerships with local organizations including the Assistance League of Fullerton, and Giving Children Hope, FJUHSD schools are serving our homelses, foster, and disadvantaged youth at a whole new level. Each of our schools now has a pantry where students can get essential items such as personal hygiene, school supplies, food, clothing and more.
For students to be successful, they need stable, long-term resources. Access to basic needs is critical for ensuring strong academic performance, increasing persistence and graduation, and will improve the overall wellbeing of our students. Thank you to the dedicated staff at each school, our Community Liaison, Stephany Grigorov, and our local partners for their contributions to this incredible project.
Thank you
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