Week of dec. 16-22, 2024

Official newsletter of the Santa Ana Unified School District, designed to inform the community about District related news, opportunities, and resources. 

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NEWS

Board of Education to Meet Dec. 17, 2024


The Board of Education is meeting Dec. 17, 2024 at the District office. Closed session is at 5 p.m.; public session is at 6:30 p.m. Visit our site here to read the agenda, submit a public comment, and watch live.

SAUSD Budget Webinar and Town Hall Meetings Scheduled for Dec. 18, 2024 and Dec. 19, 2024


The District is hosting a Budget Webinar on Dec. 18, 2024 and two in-person community town hall meetings on Dec. 19, 2024 to provide information and answer questions about the budget process and how schools are funded. The Budget Webinar on Dec. 18, 2024 is scheduled for 5:30-7:00 p.m. The first in-person town hall is scheduled for 9 to 10:30 a.m. at McFadden Institute of Technology, 2701 S. Raitt St.. The second takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Century High School, 1401 S. Grand Ave. Click here for more information.

Celebrating Talent, Culture, and Community at the Youth Mariachi Showcase


On Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, Santa Ana Stadium came alive with vibrant performances at the Youth Mariachi Showcase and Resources Fair. Students from Century High's Mariachi Real Del Siglo, Carr Intermediate's Mariachi Los Astros, Santa Ana High's Mariachi Los Santos, and Godinez Fundamental High School captivated the audience with their musical talents. The event also highlighted strong community support, with SAUSD Board of Education Clerk Hector Bustos and newly elected Board Member Valerie Magdaleno in attendance to cheer on our young musicians. It was a beautiful celebration of Santa Ana’s spirit, culture, and artistry! Click here for photos.

SAUSD and SAPSF Invite You to Host a Toy Drive Benefiting Santa Ana Youth


Spread holiday cheer with SAUSD and the Santa Ana Public Schools Foundation! We’re inviting local businesses and community members to host toy drives as part of our mission to collect 10,000 toys for Santa Ana’s youth. Ready to join the fun? Click here to request a Toy Drive Collection box. Let’s make this season magical for our kids!

Join the Spirit of Giving: Support CENA 2024


Donations are now being collected to support Caring Educators Nourishing All (CENA) 2024! This beloved SAUSD tradition spreads holiday cheer by providing meals and toys to hundreds of students and families. This year’s goal is to collect enough toys and funds to distribute 10,000 toys and 4,000 grocery gift cards. Click here to find out how you can join in and make a difference!

Share Your Input on SAUSD’s LCAP


SAUSD is committed to supporting every student by using resources effectively. Help shape our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which outlines our vision for student success and how the district’s budget supports those goals. Join an LCAP input session by contacting your school, or share your thoughts by taking our survey at https://bit.ly/LCAP-24-25 or scanning the QR code in the image. Click here to learn more about the process. Your voice matters!

Join Us for LCAP Input Meetings


SAUSD is hosting a series of parent and community input meetings to gather your thoughts on how we can best support student success. Your voice matters! To participate, contact your child’s school for meeting details. Virtual options will be available, and dinner, childcare, and transportation will be provided. Let’s work together to make every student successful! Click here to learn more about the process. Your voice matters!

AB 469 Reminder: SAUSD Seniors Required To Submit Financial Aid Applications By March 2, 2025


SAUSD seniors have until March 2, 2025 to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), as outlined in AB 469. Completion of a Financial Aid application is necessary in order to qualify for federal student aid such as grants, work study, and loans. Visit our website here for important details on this requirement and resources that may assist with determining how you would like to proceed with the AB 469 requirement for your senior.

SAUSD School of Choice (Open Enrollment) For 2025-26 School Year Runs Through Feb. 28, 2025


Open enrollment for the 2025-26 school year has begun and runs through Feb. 28, 2025. Check ParentSquare for important announcements and visit www.sausd.us/enroll for the enrollment calendar and links.

Celebrate Our Heartbeat of SAUSD: Nominations Open for 2024


SAUSD is excited to continue our "Heartbeat of SAUSD" recognition program. This special honor celebrates the dedicated staff members who embody the spirit, resilience, and commitment that drive our district's success. We are seeking nominees who:


  • Have multiple family members working in various roles across SAUSD
  • Are proud alumni or have attended SAUSD schools


If you or your family exemplify these values and have a deep connection to our educational community, we want to hear from you! Submit your nomination here. Thank you for helping us recognize the heart and soul of SAUSD!

Plan Ahead with SAUSD's Academic Calendars


The academic calendars for the 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 school years are now available on our website. Stay informed and plan your school year ahead! Click here to access the calendars!

Flyers: Community Resources and More: Week of Dec. 11-17, 2024


Looking to connect with groups that provide free groceries, diapers, parenting workshops and more? Check out this week's flyer round-up here for details on these and other helpful resources.

VIDEOS

SAUSD Students Shine at Wilshire Square Holiday Parade


On Dec. 7, 2024, SAUSD students filled the Wilshire Square Holiday Parade with festive cheer! Marching bands from Santa Ana High School, Godinez Fundamental, Saddleback, Segerstrom, and Valley High Schools delivered vibrant performances, while cheer squads from Santiago Elementary, Lathrop and Willard Intermediate Schools, and Circulos at Advanced Learning Academy energized the crowd.


The event featured Lathrop Intermediate Principal Cesar Flores as Grand Marshal, with SAUSD Board Vice President Dr. Alfonso Alvarez joining the celebrations alongside Wilshire Square neighbors. We’re proud of our students for showcasing their talent and holiday spirit! Click here to watch a short video.

Exploring the Future of Technology Together


Families recently participated in The Future Begins Here: A Family Journey Into Technology, an engaging SAUSD event showcasing cutting-edge tools for the digital age. Attendees explored AI resources like ChatGPT, delved into coding and robotics, and experienced the transformative power of virtual reality in education. The event highlighted SAUSD’s commitment to empowering students and families with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly tech-driven world. Click here to watch a short video.

SAUSD Rewind for Week of Dec. 9-13, 2024


Join us in taking a look back at how students and staff spent their last few weeks of summer getting ready for a new semester. Click here to watch.

UPCOMING EVENTS 
COMMUNITY RESOURCES