SAUSD E-Blast for December 21, 2018 
The weekly e-blast is designed to keep the Santa Ana Unified School District Community informed of district and educational information, recognitions, opportunities, and resources.  Please feel free to share with others  who  are not on the SAUSD distribution list.
CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR 2019 NAMED  

Superintendent Stefanie P. Phillips, Ed.D. and members of her Cabinet this week honored five 2019 Classified School Employees of the Year during surprise visits to each of their work sites. The honorees will be celebrated by the District during the Classified School Employees of the Year Reception & Ceremony in April 2019. Their names will also be forwarded to the Orange County Department of Education for consideration for the county's 2019 Classified School Employees of the Year awards.  The District's Teachers and Support Staff of the Year will also be named and recognized in early 2019. 

SAUSD's 2019 Classified School Employees of the Year are: Category: Support Services and Security, Inocencio "Chris" Chavez, Community Liaison at McFadden Intermediate; Category: Office and Technical, Lisa Varela, School Office Assistant at Washington Elementary; Category: Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities, Juan Carlos Delgado, Plant Custodian at Franklin Elementary; Category: Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance, Mireya Guillen, Library Media Tech at Carver Elementary; Category: Child Nutrition, Beatriz Rodriguez, Nutrition Services Lead at Garfield Elementary.     
CARR INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR VETERANS   

Carr Intermediate School special education students have been busy raising funds for the Dark Horse Project - an Orange County-based veteran and first responder resource program and suicide prevention group - by shining the shoes and boots of Carr teachers. Students, under the direction of teacher Mr. Halewijn, were trained on how to shine shoes and run a balance sheet. The Carr community presented a check for $200 to Chris McDonald, director of the Dark Horse Project, on December 20, 2018. The group will use the proceeds to take veterans on outings.     
ROMERO-CRUZ, SPURGEON COMMUNITIES HOLD  INAUGURAL WINTER FESTIVAL  
 
Students, families, educators and supporters of Romero-Cruz Elementary and Spurgeon Intermediate came together December 15, 2018 for the inaugural Romero-Cruz/Spurgeon Winter Festival. The event featured a toy give away, food distribution, raffles and resource booths. It served as an opportunity for families to have access to community resources, and to create a sense of community and connectedness.
WILSON ELEMENTARY STUDENTS RECEIVE TOYS FROM ERIC WALL FOUNDATION   

Wilson Elementary School students on December 14, 2018 received baseball caps, a toy of their choice and other items from the Eric Wall Foundation. The foundation, which has donated gifts to Wilson students for the past 17 years, was started by Toni Raykovich Wall in the memory of her son Eric, who was diagnosed at a young age with Leukemia and passed away at the age of four. His mother remembers how much he loved Christmas, and how toys were the biggest comfort for him during his hospital stays. To honor his memory, she brings the joy that toys gave her son to other children. To watch a video of the toy giveaway, click here.   
SPURGEON STUDENTS SING FOR SANTA ANA SENIORS  
 
Spurgeon Intermediate choir students performed December 14, 2018 for Santa Ana senior citizens at the downtown Santa Ana Senior Center. As ambassadors of good will and engaging community through the arts, they delighted all who were in attendance. The students inspired everyone involved to sing, including Rep. Lou Correa. The choir students and director Caran Holland serve as leaders and connectors in the community, spreading good cheer during the holiday season and throughout the year.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPOINT  
SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE 

Due to a vacancy, the Board of Trustees of the Santa Ana Unified School District intends to appoint a qualified individual to the Board of Trustees, pursuant to Education Code section 5326. Term of provisional office ends December 2020.  Interested persons should contact the District Superintendent at 1601 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92701, SuptOffice@sausd.us or call (714) 558-5512.
 
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, citizens of the State, residents of the District, and not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the State from holding a civil office. Interested persons should provide written notification of interest in writing and furnish their names, addresses and confirm they are 18 years of age or older and not disqualified from holding a civil office.
 
To be considered, applications must be on file in the Superintendent's Office by 4:30 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2019. For a copy of the application, contact the District Office at the following number: (714) 558-5512 or email SuptOffice@sausd.us.
 
The Board on January 8, 2019, at a public meeting may elect to interview qualified individuals. The Board may take action to appoint at that meeting or at a later meeting.
 
    
 
SAUSD SCHOOLS TO HOST RANGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS IN DECEMBER  

Santa Ana Unified School District schools are performing various concerts, plays and other works in the weeks leading up to winter break. Click here to view a round up of event flyers and other related information.     
 
 
DONATE TO CENA TO BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO CHILDREN  
 
If you're doing any holiday shopping this week, please keep our annual CENA event in mind, as your help is needed to make our annual SAUSD holiday tradition a success. Each year, employees, family members, and friends support Caring Educators Nourishing All (CENA). This year, it will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Monday, December 24, 2018 at Santa Ana Valley High School, 1801 S. Greenville St. It's an opportunity to bring holiday joy to a child's face by providing warm meals, toys, books, dictionaries, and even a visit from Santa himself! To learn more on how you can support this truly worthy endeavor, please click HERE.   
 
AMERICAN LEGION SANTA ANA SPIRIT AWARDS   
 
The nomination period for the American Legion Santa Ana Spirit Award is open through December 31, 2018. The Santa Ana American Legion "Mighty" 131 would like to recognize a Santa Ana Volunteer of the Year, a Santa Ana Teacher of the Year, and a Santa Ana Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. If you know of an SAUSD volunteer, teacher, and school police officer that is worthy of this award, please email info@santaanaamericanlegion.org with their information. Nominees must live or work in Santa Ana. For more information, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/santa-ana-spirit-awards-tickets-52035440403
 
BOARD HIGHLIGHTS    
 
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on January 22, 2019, at 6:00 p.m.    
 
    
Members of the SAUSD Board of Education 
 
Valerie Amezcua, President
Rigo Rodriguez, Ph.D., Vice President
Alfonso Alvarez, Ed.D., Clerk
John Palacio, Member  
 
Stefanie P. Phillips, Ed.D., Superintendent   
 
SAUSD COMMUNITY INVITED TO PROVIDE LCAP INPUT THROUGH JANUARY 24   
 
The Santa Ana Unified School District is committed to engaging all stakeholders in the process of establishing our Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP). Only when we build strong relationships with our staff, students, families and community members can we make the changes we need to reach every student. Students, family, staff, and community partners are invited to provide input for our LCAP through January 24, 2019. Click here to participate.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS 
SEND US YOUR NEWS
Your school news is important to us! To have your items considered for inclusion in our weekly eBlast and/or via other District media channels, please submit items to PIOinfo@sausd.us by 5 p.m. Wednesdays for possible publication the following week. Due to space limitations, we may not be able to publish every item but will make every effort to share your news with the SAUSD community.
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