Video: Board of Education Meeting, Jan. 28, 2025

The Board of Education met Jan. 28, 2025 and Jan. 31, 2025 at the District Office. Click here to watch a video of the meetings.

SAUSD Board of Education Passes Resolution Proclaiming February 2025 as African American History Month

The SAUSD Board of Education adopted a resolution proclaiming February as African American History Month, also known as Black History Month. SAUSD honors the contributions of the local African American community and is committed to educating students about the history, achievements, and lasting impact of African Americans in the U.S. Click here to read the full resolution.

SAUSD Board Proclaims February 19 as 'We Care Day'

At its Jan. 28, 2025, meeting, the SAUSD Board of Education adopted a resolution proclaiming February 19, 2025, as “We Care Day.” This special day extends the district-wide We Care. Get Help. campaign, focusing on mental health awareness and suicide prevention efforts. Click here to read the full resolution.

January 2025 Heartbeat of SAUSD Honorees, the Rico Family, Recognized During Board of Education Meeting

Congratulations to the January 2025 honorees of the Heartbeat of SAUSD recognition: the Rico Family! They were acknowledged during last night's Board meeting for exemplifying the core values of our district — a deep, enduring connection that weaves together generations of students, families, and educators into a vibrant educational tapestry. Click here to learn more about their profound and inspiring contributions to SAUSD.

SAUSD January 2025 Employees of the Month Highlighted During Board of Education Meeting

The District’s Employees of the Month for January 2025 were highlighted during the Jan. 28, 2025 Board of Education meeting. The Certificated Employee of the Month is Martin De Santiago, Outreach Consultant at Carr Intermediate School. The Classified Employee of the Month is Cristian Hernandez, District Safety Officer at Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School. Learn more about them here.

Early Retirement Incentive Extended for Certificated Staff

The SAUSD Board of Education has approved an extension of the Supplemental Early Retirement Plan (SERP) during the January 28, 2025 Board meeting. This decision reflects the district’s commitment to providing our dedicated staff with valuable options for financial and professional planning. For more information about SAUSD’s budget planning, visit https://www.sausd.us/fiscalstabilization.

SAUSD Launches 2025 'We Care, Get Help' Campaign

SAUSD is highlighting the “We Care, Get Help” campaign this month with special events, spirit weeks, self-care activities, and more. The initiative is aimed at mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Districtwide resources, events, and activities are planned for the month of February. Visit the We Care webpage by clicking here to access flyers and resources.

SAUSD Campuses Remain Safe Havens for All

On Dec. 17, 2024, the SAUSD Board of Education reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity, equity, and safety by adopting a resolution designating all district sites as welcoming spaces for every student. This resolution ensures that district resources will never be used for immigration enforcement and reinforces our promise to provide a supportive learning environment for all. Together, we stand united in empowering our community and ensuring every student feels safe, valued, and supported. Click here to read the full resolution.

Superintendent Almendarez Reaffirms SAUSD’s Support for Students and Families Amid Immigration Enforcement

At SAUSD, our commitment to students and families is unwavering. Our schools are safe havens for everyone, regardless of immigration status. We provide vital resources such as mental health services, legal assistance, and educational opportunities to ensure our campuses remain inclusive and welcoming spaces for learning and growth. Learn more about how SAUSD stands with our community—today, tomorrow, and always. Click here to read and watch a video message from Superintendent Jerry Almendarez.

The State of California Launches Comprehensive Immigration Resource Hub for Families and Organizations

This website, available at https://www.ca.gov/immigration/, provides vital information for families with mixed immigration statuses and for groups such as schools, local governments, and community organizations. The resources aim to clarify public program eligibility, federal immigration policy implications, and more. The site will be regularly updated to ensure resources remain current and helpful as policies evolve. Resources are available in English, Spanish, and other languages to ensure accessibility for diverse communities. Additionally, the California Attorney General’s Office has released updated quick reference guides for school staff, students, and families. These guides, building on previous guidance, offer essential information on educational rights for immigrant students. The complete guides are available in English, Spanish, and additional languages at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources, with translations in more languages coming soon to further support all families.

SAUSD Wraps Up LCAP Meetings – Still Time to Share Your Input!

SAUSD recently hosted LCAP Community Input Meetings across the district, bringing families together to share insights on how to better support students and improve schools. The final meeting took place at Carr Intermediate School, welcoming parents from Carr, Valley, Lorin Griset, Adams, Harvey, Jackson, Godinez, King, Mitchell, Romero-Cruz, Monte Vista, Lincoln, and Diamond. Board Member Dr. Alfonso Alvarez attended to hear community feedback firsthand. There’s still time to share your input! Take our survey here: https://bit.ly/LCAP-24-25 and click here to learn more about the LCAP process.

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.

Free Virtual Doctor Visits for SAUSD Families

Exciting news for SAUSD families! Students now have access to free virtual doctor visits at home through Hazel Health. To get started, simply log into the Aeries parent portal, give permission to share your student's data, and complete Hazel’s consent form. Ensure your student has access to care anytime they need it! Get started today at: getstarted.hazel.co/district/sausd.

Celebrate Our Heartbeat of SAUSD: Nominations Open for 2024-25

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 Jan. 29 - Feb. 4, 2025

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.

Highlights from Our LCAP Community Input Meetings

Our SAUSD families came together to share their voices at the recent LCAP Community Input Meetings, helping shape the future of our schools. Click here for a glimpse into the conversations! 

There’s still time to share your feedback—take our survey today: https://bit.ly/LCAP-24-25

Honoring Native American Culture at SAUSD

On Jan. 25, the SAUSD community came together at Saddleback H.S. for the Native American Culture, Heritage, and Family event, Home of Our Ancestors. Attendees experienced the beauty of tradition through live Native American dancing, unique crafts, and more. SAUSD Board President Hector Bustos, Board Clerk Valerie Magdaleno, and Board Member Dr. Alfonso Alvarez joined in the celebration, embracing the spirit of unity and cultural appreciation. Click here for a short highlight video.

Building Bridges Through Learning Walks

On Jan. 10, staff and parents came together for SAUSD Learning Walks at Willard Intermediate and Santa Ana High School! These tours celebrate student success, foster trust, and strengthen the connection between schools, families, and the community. Click here for a short highlight video.

SAUSD Rewind for Week of Jan. 27-31, 2025

Join us in taking a quick look back at our top headlines of the week. Click here to watch.