Week of Oct. 7-13, 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 Oct. 8, 2024


The Board of Education is meeting Oct. 8, 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.

Empowering Young Voices: A Successful Start to Voter Education


Santa Ana’s inaugural High School Voter Education Weeks were a remarkable achievement! In collaboration with SAY Vote, our dedicated college and high school fellows, alongside volunteers, registered and pre-registered over 1,000 young people in Santa Ana in less than two weeks. A special shoutout to Erika and Valerie at Godinez Fundamental High School for leading the charge with over 250 registrations, making their school the top performer in the SAUSD! As we aim for a goal of 2,000 registrations before the mail deadline, SAY Vote remains committed to enhancing youth voter turnout and representation in our community. Let's work together to ensure young voices are heard in Santa Ana! Click here for photos. 

SAUSD High School Speech & Debate Shines at Jack Howe Memorial Tournament


SAUSD’s High School Speech and Debate recently had a remarkable weekend at the Jack Howe Memorial Tournament held at Cal State Long Beach, where they showcased their talent among 136 schools and organizations nationwide. Over two days, 61 dedicated students from Circulos at ALA, Godinez Fundamental, Middle College, Santa Ana, and Segerstrom High Schools competed fiercely in 12 events at both the Novice and Open levels. Their hard work paid off, with 16 students advancing to the semifinal and final rounds, and many others finishing in the top half of their events. Notable achievements included Abigail Almazan's first-place win in Novice Dramatic Interpretation and Aidan Najera reaching the Octos in Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate. A heartfelt thank you to all the teachers, staff, and volunteers who supported our students, ensuring a smooth and successful tournament experience! Click here for more. 

Valley High Students to Serve Up Culinary Creations at Taste of Santa Ana


Valley High School Culinary Academy students are excited to showcase their culinary talents and passion for cooking at the 9th Annual Taste of Santa Ana on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, from 6-9 pm at MainPlace Mall. Our aspiring chefs will be serving free, delicious samples prepared with care for the Santa Ana community. This is a wonderful opportunity to support local talent and experience the future of culinary excellence. For more information, visit tasteofsantaana.net.

Lathrop Intermediate Celebrates 100 Years of Excellence


Lathrop Intermediate School marked its 100-year anniversary with a memorable celebration that brought together current and former staff, alumni, and families across generations. Student ambassadors proudly led tours, highlighting Lathrop's diverse programs and offerings. We extend our gratitude to SAUSD Board Members Dr. Alfonso Alvarez, Hector Bustos, and Katelyn Brazer Aceves for joining us in commemorating this incredible milestone. Click here to watch a short highlight video of the event, click here for photos. 

SAUSD Takes Pride in Representing at OC Pride Festival


SAUSD was proudly represented as the only school district at the OC Pride Festival in Costa Mesa on Oct. 5, 2024. Staff and students showcased our programs and resources supporting the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting SAUSD’s commitment to inclusion and equity. SAUSD is also the only district in Orange County with a board policy protecting gender diverse and LGBTQ+ students. Special thanks to Board Clerk Hector Bustos for attending and supporting our efforts! Click here to view photos from the event.

SAUSD Intermediate Athletes Shine in October Tournaments


Congratulations to all the amazing athletes who competed in the SAUSD Intermediate Athletics All-District Cross-Country Meet on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at McFadden Institute of Technology, and the Girls Volleyball and Boys Flag Football tournaments on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024! Your teamwork, determination, and spirit made us proud! Click here to view photos from the All-District Cross-Country Meet, and click here for photos from the Girls Volleyball and Boys Flag Football tournaments. 

2024 SAUSD State of the District Breakfast: Nov. 1, 2024


SAUSD community partners, parents, and guardians are invited to the 2024 SAUSD State of the District Breakfast on Nov. 1, 2024, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Godinez Fundamental High School. This year's theme, "Imagine the Unimaginable," encourages us to envision a future where our students' potential knows no bounds. Hosted by SAUSD and the Santa Ana Public Schools Foundation, the event will bring together leaders, educators, and our community to celebrate our achievements and explore the limitless possibilities for our district's future. Be sure to RSVP by Oct. 18 at bit.ly/2024SOTD

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 Oct. 2-8, 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.

Classroom Spark Grant - Invitation to Apply


The Santa Ana Public Schools Foundation is providing up to $1,500 to educators for innovative, curriculum-based classroom projects that do not have an available funding source. Applications are due Oct. 14, 2024. To learn more and complete the application, please visit https://santaanapublicschoolsfoundation.org/mini-grants/ 

VIDEOS

Carver Student's Special Pumpkin Inspires District-Wide Learning


Last October, a Carver Elementary student was nervous about bringing in a uniquely colored pumpkin, but his teacher called it "the most beautiful pumpkin she’s ever seen." This pumpkin, grown with his grandfather, sparked something special. Thanks to a partnership between SAUSD’s Farm to School program and UC South Coast Research, students across the district are now planting seeds from that very pumpkin, learning about the connection between seeds, heritage, and community in our school gardens. Click here to watch a short video.

SAUSD Rewind for Week of Sept. 30 - Oct. 4, 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