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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#SAUSDFIRSTDAY2020 PHOTO CONTEST NOW OPEN
The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) is hosting its annual Back to School photo contest to commemorate the start of the new school year. Use the hashtag #SAUSDFirstDay2020 on social media photos through Aug. 23 for the chance to win a Target gift card. Click here for more information.
DOWNLOAD PARENTSQUARE APP TODAY 
SAUSD is using ParentSquare, a new app, to increase communication among families, schools and the District. Download the app today at the Apple AppStore or Google Play to begin receiving important news and updates from SAUSD teachers, schools, and departments. Click here for more information.
SAUSD PROVIDES FREE, HEALTHY MEALS FOR STUDENTS IN FALL 2020 
SAUSD is providing free, nutritious lunches for SAUSD students during fall 2020. Parents/guardians/students may pick up meals from any school site using the student's meal I.D. card or student number. Click here for a schedule of times and locations, which are tailored to each school community. 
LINK: COMMUNITY RESOURCES NEWSLETTER FOR AUG. 21
SAUSD’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department has issued its weekly Community Resources newsletter for Aug. 21. In it, the community can learn more about the new FACE Google Site, the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar, technology tutorial videos (Google Classroom, Google Meets, Zoom) and more. Click here to read it in English; click here for Spanish.
'MEET YOUR SAUSD SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER' VIDEO SERIES LAUNCHES
In honor of Back to School week, SAUSD is unveiling a new series of videos introducing our School Resource Officers to the community. School Resource Officers work closely with site administrators, District Safety Officers, and the SAUSD community to ensure a safe educational environment. The first video in the series profiles Officer Carcano of Santa Ana High School. Click here to watch it.
HIGHLIGHTED VIDEO
Video link: SAUSD is partnering with Latino Health Access and other local groups to bring free COVID-19 testing to the community. Testing is especially needed in Santa Ana, which has a high rate of COVID-19 cases.
CONNECT WITH SAUSD SCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
SAUSD schools and departments are posting important Back to School information on their social media accounts. To access a directory of official social media accounts for SAUSD schools and departments, visit www.sausd.us/socialmedia.
BOARD PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ HONORED BY KIWANIS CLUB OF SANTA ANA
The Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana has named Rigo Rodriguez, Ph.D., president of the SAUSD Board of Education, as a 2020 Strike Gold for Kids award recipient for his contributions to improving the lives of children, families, and neighborhoods in Santa Ana. He will be recognized at the 22nd Annual Strike Gold for Kids Virtual Gala at 6 p.m. on Sept. 26 via YouTube live. For more information, click here.
SUPERINTENDENT ALMENDAREZ NAMED SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
Superintendent Jerry Almendarez has been named Superintendent of the Year by the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA). Each year, CALSA recognizes members who have made significant contributions toward eliminating the Latino student achievement gap as CALSA Honoring Our Own State Award Winners. CALSA takes pride in honoring and acknowledging school leaders for their distinguished leadership and excellence.
TWO SAUSD SCHOOLS PLACE IN STATEWIDE ‘RACE TO SUBMIT’ COMPETITION 
Godinez Fundamental High School has placed first in the California Student Aid Commission's Race to Submit competition, making the Grizzlies three-time state champions. Segerstrom High School also earned distinction this year, coming in at sixth place. The statewide campaign encourages all California high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the California Dream Act Application, as a first step toward college success.
TWO SAUSD COUNSELORS PRESENT AT ASCA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Two SAUSD school counselors were invited to present recently at the American School Counselor Association's annual national conference. Tara Delgado (Santiago Elementary School) and Laurie Tristan (MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate School) presented virtually to nearly 500 attendees on how to implement quick, informative 1:1 meetings with all students that allow counselors to build connections and provide valuable data. For a second consecutive year, SAUSD school counselors have shared about best practices on a national stage. 
DAVIS STUDENT RECEIVES STUDENT ACSA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE
Ariana Figueroa, a student at Davis Elementary School, has received the 2019 Every Student Succeeding Award from the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 17. Each year, ACSA honors students who have overcome challenges to achieve educational goals. Superintendent Jerry Almendarez, Principal Robert Anguiano, staff, and Ariana’s family attended a small ceremony in her honor, following social distancing guidelines.
SCHOOL NEWS
Posted by Jerry Almendarez to Facebook: “I hope everyone had an amazing start to the 2020-21 school year! I was able to visit Godinez, Santa Ana HS, Villa, Santiago, Heninger and Romero-Cruz yesterday and saw the staff ready and excited to serve our students. I am proud to be the Superintendent of Santa Ana Unified School District.”
Posted by lincoln_sausd to Instagram: “We have given about 200 hotspots in just the last four days. Thank you parents for waiting patiently. We want everyone who needs access to the internet to receive it!”
Posted by principalroque to Instagram: “Jaguars taking a lunch break from their #virtualclassroom to pick up their #grabandgo lunch. They shared that it had been a successful morning of #distancelearning.”
Tweeted by @CTEsausd: “We are so excited about the start of our many CTE programs at our schools. Robotics, Engineering, Medical, Legal, Dental, Auto, Aerospace, Business and more are offered at our intermediate and high schools.”
UPCOMING EVENTS