FJUHSD
October 2021
Making Meaningful Connections
October 1, 2021 | Issue 2
Superintendent's Message

Let me start by thanking everyone for the collective efforts put forth by all of our staff members, students, families, and community members for ensuring that the safety of our students remains our number one priority. Due to these collective efforts, FJUHSD has been able to successfully navigate a return to full in-person instruction with minimal impact from COVID on our school sites and district offices. 
 
As we enter into the month of October, our districtwide focus will be on how we can best support the mental health needs throughout FJUHSD. We understand that the past two years have been, and continue to be, challenging for everyone. This is especially true for our students, some of whom may not have been in a physical school setting for almost two years. This has resulted in the need to ensure that we reinforce what positive student behavior looks like, provide opportunities for students to be connected at our schools, and share with our whole community the resources that can support our students at school and at home. 
 
Within this newsletter we will highlight some of the various activities, people, and opportunities for support that are currently available. Additionally, during the first week of October, our students will be asked to complete a short survey to provide data on how they are doing. This will be critical in helping us make informed decisions on how we can improve various supports throughout the year. 
 
Thank you again for your continued commitment to caring for our students, our staff members, and our community as a whole. We know this is what makes our FJUHSD communities such special places to live, work, and learn.

Steve McLaughlin, Ed.D.
Superintendent
2021 National Red Ribbon Week
October 23 - October 31, 2021
Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23 through October 31st. Schools will have activites and hand-out wristbands. Local businesses offer incentives for students who are wearing their wristbands at the time of purchase. Incentives are available the entire month of October, unless otherwise specified.
District schools held their college nights on September 20th
and September 30th at Troy and Sonora High Schools. Over 50 + colleges and universities participated this year!
District schools held Club Rush events during the month of September. If you were not able to make it and would like to join a club, see your school's Activities Office for more information.
National School Bus Safety Week
(October 18, 2021 - October 22, 2021)
As we move into October, we are proud to celebrate National School Bus Safety Week. We honor all Fullerton Joint Union High School District Transportation staff members for making it their number one priority to support the needs of the students we transport to and from school daily. The Transportation Department works together to ensure the safety of our most precious cargo, our students.
Mental Health Support
Wellness of staff, students, and families continues to be a priority for FJUHSD. The district has developed intentional collaboration with multiple community partners that provide comprehensive school-based mental health support for anyone who needs it. Staff at each site have been trained on how to access school-based mental health support and ways to link students/families to appropriate services. The district has prioritized wellness by establishing a mental health tab on the district main page, highlighting information and resources for the community. A Virtual Calming Room was created on the district website for anyone around the world to access techniques, strategies, and interventions aimed to help people de-escalate and use positive coping skills. Community agencies are working with students both on campus and at home building strategies and skills that help students continue to thrive academically. They help students and families overcome concerns such as stress, low motivation, anxiety, and many other mental health impairments. Pictures below reflect the new Wellness Center at Buena Park High School (in collaboration with CHOC and OCDE) where students have access to dynamic layers of support to accessing calming techniques and eventually re-engage back into the classroom. 
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 Counselor Mental Health District Coordinator, Carlos Alcantara.
As Counselor Mental Health District Coordinator, Mr. Alcantara is responsible for the oversight of the District services that address school-based mental health and afford students access to mental health services. Carlos also facilitates staff training in school-based mental health practices and protocols and coordinates with community based agencies supporting our students and families. Additionally, he oversees the mental health agencies with whom the District contracts, develops and facilitates the District’s Mental Health Workgroup and assists staff members in navigating personal dynamics that impact their professional capacity.


Thank you, Carlos, for your exceptional service to our staff, students, parents, community and District! You truly represent the excellence among us.
Temporary Substitute Teacher Pay Increase
The FJUHSD Board of Trustees recently approved a temporary rate increase for substitute teachers.

Effective September 15, 2021:
  • Temporary daily sub rate $160 
  • Temporary long-term (10+ days) sub rate $185

These rates will remain in effect through the end of the 2021/22 school year.
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The District is currently recruiting individuals to join our team in a variety of roles. Those interested in joining our team should visit EDjoin for a detailed list of available positions.
Fullerton Auditoriun
Construction is well underway, this project is a seismic upgrade that includes structural improvements to the building, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaint restrooms, ticket booth, and compliant paths of travel. The ADA paths of travel will be to the lobby, stage, and basement. The project is anticipated to be completed Summer 2022.
Thank you
We hope you find this newsletter a helpful resource. If you know someone who would like to receive this newsletter, please have them visit the District Website to view the newsletter and then click the “subscribe” button to make sure they never miss a newsletter.