SAUSD E-Blast for the Week of May 24-30, 2019 
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.
TOP 100 SCHOLARS 

Each year, the Santa Ana Unified School District honors its top 100 graduating high school seniors at the Top 100 Scholars Recognition Ceremony held at Guaranty Chevrolet. Each high school was represented with students who had the highest GPAs among their peers in the class of 2019 and will be attending such universities as Harvard, Stanford, and campuses within the University of California and California State University system. Congratulations to all of our top scholars! Click here
to view more photos from the May 17 event. 
GODINEZ SOFTBALL TEAM MAKES HISTORY, WINS CIF DIVISION 4 TITLE   
Congratulations to Godinez Fundamental High School Girls Softball Team for winning 15 to 1 over El Segundo in the CIF Division 4 Championship Game on Saturday, May 18 becoming the first SAUSD team to capture a section title in softball. Congratulations Grizzlies!
SANTIAGO STUDENT NATIONAL HISTORY DAY NATIONALS FINALIST

Santiago Elementary student Maverick Malfavon, took first place for his individual performance in the junior division at this year's National History Day-California competition. Supported by his teacher, Erik Peterson, Maverick researched a little known court case, CastaƱeda v. Pickard, that had national implications for English language learners. We wish Maverick the best of luck at next month's National History Day finals in Maryland. Go Maverick!
SIERRA PARENTS GRADUATE FROM CIVIL LEADERSHIP COURSE

After ten weeks of civil leadership classes, parents from Sierra, graduated from their civic leadership course. This outstanding group of parents learned about our city's structure, developing an action plan, and how to work as a community to solve pressing issues. SAUSD Board President Ms. Valerie Amezcua along with District officials presented the parents with certificates of recognition.
OC GRIP GREETERS CELEBRATION

Congratulations to the following SAUSD GRIP schools: Adams, Diamond, Davis, Lincoln, Monte Vista, Kennedy, Roosevelt, Madison, Fremont, and Villa for celebrating their amazing group of parents on Wednesday, May 22 for their outstanding volunteer service as GRIP parent greeters!
MADISON ALMA SCIENCE SCHOLARS RECOGNIZED; MADRES EN ACCION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS

On Saturday, May 18, Madison Scholars as well as their UCI and UCLA mentors were recognized for their hard work in the ALMA Saturday Science Academy. ALMA stands for Aspire, Learn, Mentor, and Achieve. Students who participated learned about life sciences, engineering, robotics and so much more. ALMA Science Academy definitely focuses on preparing our students for College.    
 
Also, this past Saturday, Madison's Madres en Accion parent group presented three scholarships to three very deserving students. Madres en Accion parent volunteers have worked very hard to raise money to be able to provide scholarships and promote the importance of attending college. One scholarship went to Jesus Najera, Madison Alum currently attending Godinez Fundamental, Mayra Hererra, Madison Alum currently attending Irvine Valley College, and Amberly Briones, one of Madison's Saturday Science mentors. Congratulations to all! 
BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

The Board of Education met on May 21, 2019.
The meeting began with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Alexis Rodriguez Mejia, a 12th grade student from Middle College High School.
During the meeting, the Board honored:

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 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
MIDDLE COLLEGE WIZARDS FOR WATER

The Middle College "Wizards for Water"  team recently participated in the Orange County Half marathon. This is the fourth consecutive year that MCHS has completed a half marathon in order to raise money for clean water projects in Africa. This year, their team was comprised of 41 MCHS students, 2 recent graduates, 1 Godinez student, 1 Mendez student, and 2 MCHS teachers. Together, they raised nearly $10,000 dollars, which far surpassed both their initial goal and their previous years' totals. Through this fundraising, the team is able to provide 200 children in Africa with clean water for the rest of their lives.
SAHS VAPA STUDENTS JOIN TOGETHER IN YEAR-END CELEBRATIONS OF ARTS LEARNING

The visual and performing arts students of Santa Ana High School joined together in year-end celebration of their arts learning. They performed some of the highlights of their concerts and exhibits from throughout the year. The unique aspect of this event was the collaboration across disciplines. The dance students performed to a live performance by the orchestra students and the film students created a video of the dance students which was screened for the audience.  Theatre students wrote original monologues about their community and life experiences, and performed them to the delight of the crowd. The students from music, dance, and theatre got to work collaboratively with students they don't normally get to, and the result was the opportunity for students to be informed and uplifted by each other through the forging of new and growing relationships across all the arts forms.
WILLARD'S 3RD ANNUAL GOT TALENT SHOW  

This year's 3 rd Annual Willard's Got Talent Show featuring Hollywood producer and Turnaround Artist, Nigel Lythgoe, was a smashing success. Willard students worked all year to prepare their acts, such as Mariachi, spoken word, instrumental music, voice, stand up comedy band, Stop Motion films and dance! Special guests at the Show, included Ruth Ann Moriarty, Elizabeth Segerstrom, Marissa Shriver, SAUSD Board Clerk Dr. Alfonso Alvarez, and Board Member John Palacio. Students were judged by Nigel Lythgoe and VAPA Coordinator Robyn McNair from Santa Ana Unified on performance, creativity and skill. Students received certificates and trophies for their outstanding performances. Click here to watch a video.
GARFIELD STUDENTS PERFORM FREEDOM TRAIN

Fifth grade students at Garfield Elementary performed, "Freedom Train" a script based on the courageous work of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. This unique opportunity was provided through the non-profit organization Spirit Series and their artist in residence program. Students also learned about the gifts Harriet gave to the slaves she rescued, including vision, courage, commitment, service, and faith!
SANTA ANA ELKS RECOGNIZE SAUSD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL ATHLETES  

SAUSD Intermediate School MVP athletes in the Intramural Sports Program were recognized by the Santa Ana Elks Lodge on May 13, 2019 at Santa Ana High School. Arlin Ramirez from Godinez Fundamental H.S. and Jesus Gaona from Santa Ana Valley H.S. received the "Wally Dietrich Scholarship" from the Santa Ana Elks Lodge. Congratulations to all honorees!
SEGERSTROM STUDENT NAMED HONORABLE MENTION ALL ORANGE COUNTY & ACADEMIC ALL AMERICAN BY US LACROSSE ASSOCIATION

Congratulations are in order for Segerstrom H.S. Student Ricardo Olivares who was recently named Honorable Mention All Orange County and more importantly - Academic All-American by the United States Lacrosse Association. Ricky is an outstanding leader, a three year starter at midfield and team captain. This past season he scored over 52 goals, 25 assists and 60 Ground Balls. All with a 4.5 GPA. Well done Ricky!
SANTA ANA KIWANIS ANNUAL "GEORGE UPTON" BARRIER FREE PICNIC

On Friday, May 17, the Santa Ana Kiwanis held its annual "George Upton" Barrier Free Picnic at Thornton Park. Many of our students were able to enjoy a fun day at the park. The Santa Ana Barrier Free Park was built by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana in partnership with the City of Santa Ana. It is a place where children with special needs can play alongside their typical peers, while not being held back by the normal "barriers" that exist in most playgrounds. Thank you Santa Ana Kiwanis for all that you do to support our students.
MARIACHI LOS SANTOS PERFORM AT 15TH ANNUAL BATTLE OF THE MARIACHIS FESTIVAL    
 
On Saturday, May 18, 2019, Mariachi Los Santos from Santa Ana H.S. performed at the 15th Annual Battle of the Mariachis Festival at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. The exciting day featured live music performances by mariachi groups from across Southern California and beyond as they competed on stage for cash prizes before a panel of distinguished judges. Festival highlights also included ringing of the historic Mission bells, a special performance of the National Anthem and gourmet Mexican food vendors. To view a video of their outstanding performance, click here.
GODINEZ STUDENT RECEIVES $5,000 SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

On Thursday, May 23, the Boys and Girls Club along with Planet Fitness paid a visit to Mrs. Blash's 4th period class to present Yesenia Garcia with a $5,000 scholarship. Yesenia, through her involvement with the Boys and Girls Club, was encouraged to apply for the scholarship. Part of the criteria was to submit a video describing why she was committed to spreading kindness and preventing bullying. In the words of the presenters, "The videos that were most compelling ended up winning." Well, her video was compelling enough and she was 1 out of 30 applicants IN THE NATION to be selected for the $5,000 scholarship. Way to go Yesenia!
MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY: MONDAY, MAY 27
 
The Santa Ana Unified School District Office and all campuses will be closed Monday, May 27, 2019 in observance of Memorial Day.
UPCOMING EVENTS 
Watch SAUSD graduation ceremonies live on your electronic devices. The stream will start just prior to each ceremony. Click HERE to be directed to the page where you can click on the livestream. Please share with your family and friends.
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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 theresa.cisneros@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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