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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L.A. CHARGERS GIFT 300 PAIRS OF SHOES TO SAUSD STUDENTS
The Los Angeles Chargers and WSS teamed up this week to provide new shoes to 300 students from the Santa Ana Unified School District. Students from Taft, Monroe, Esqueda, Jefferson, Adams, and Washington were paired with a Charger player or a Charger Girl who led them down the aisles in search of the perfect pair of shoes. For nearly three decades, the Chargers have hosted an annual shoe giveaway for children. For photos, click here . To read an Orange County Register story about the event, click here .
SPEECH AND DEBATE STUDENTS TO COMPETE THIS WEEKEND 
Students from SAUSD’s National Award Winning Speech and Debate program are representing the District at the 2019 Bradley University George Armstrong Speech and Debate Tournament in Peoria, IL on Dec. 6-7, 2019. Fifty students are making their way across the country to showcase their skills in areas ranging from extemporaneous speaking and poetry interpretation, to dramatic interpretation.
SAUSD REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT AT CSBA 2019 CONFERENCE 
Three District representatives presented a workshop focusing on equity, opportunity and access in SAUSD during the California School Boards Association’s (CSBA) 2019 Annual Education Conference and Trade Show this week. Valerie Amezcua, SAUSD Board of Education President; Sonia Llamas, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent K-12 School Performance and Culture; and Krista Barton, Program Specialist, School Climate led the session, titled “The Road to Platinum: One District's PBIS Journey.” SAUSD Board Members and Administrators also attended the conference.
SAUSD SCHOOL COUNSELING TEAMS RECOGNIZED 
The Godinez Fundamental High School and Saddleback High School Counseling Programs were recognized during this week's City Council meeting for their outstanding contributions to the community. Godinez came in second, and Saddleback came in eighth, in the statewide Student Aid Commission’s Race to Submit, a campaign that aims to increase the number of financial aid applications for California high school seniors who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application. Filling out these financial aid applications is the first step toward college success.
HIGHLIGHTED VIDEO
Did you know that SAUSD offers a Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program at Century High School? Students in the trades program have the opportunity to learn about the multitude of high-paying and rewarding careers available through the building trades, in classes taught during and after the school day. Click here to learn more.
SCHOOL NEWS
Visit our SAUSD school websites and follow our schools on social media for news on programs, accolades, events and more!
Students from several Santa Ana Unified high schools recently competed in an annual "Shark Tank" style event, in which CTE students pitched product concepts to a panel of professionals for feedback and funding. The event was sponsored by Pacific Western Bank. Click here to watch.
GREENVILLE, MONTE VISTA STUDENTS ROCK THE HOUSE AT ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING 
Student musicians from Greenville Fundamental and Monte Vista elementary schools recently performed during the 7th Annual Plaza Navideña event and Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Santa Ana. “The Wild Mustangs of Monte Vista Elementary School” performed their rockabilly versions of Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry, while “The Greenville Chamber Strings” presented many holiday/Christmas classics and “Fancy Fiddles.”
JEFFERSON NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Jefferson Elementary School is one of 5 finalists trying to win a faculty lounge makeover from IKEA. This is the last weekend to vote. Let’s help them win!

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Visit the IKEA store in Costa Mesa now through Sunday, December 8, 2019 during the store hours of 10am-9pm.

2. Look for Jefferson’s banner and photos.

3. Vote for Jefferson! (one vote per person, per day)

The top 3 schools with the most votes will earn a new faculty lounge makeover. You can visit once a day and vote. Good luck Jefferson!
Posted by Heroes Elementary to Facebook: “Chemistry Lesson - Graduate students from the University of California, Irvine held a special presentation on chemistry for our 5th grade students. Thank you guys for visiting our students and exposing them to the basic principles of chemistry.”
Posted by Jefferson Elementary - SAUSD to Facebook: “Jefferson 4th & 5th Grade students had the opportunity to listen and learn from guest speaker, Willie O’Ree! We are thankful for our partnership with the Anaheim Ducks Foundation SCORE program that allowed us this opportunity.”

Posted by lathropintermediatemusic to Instagram: “The students of Lathrop Intermediate got to attend a concert featuring the Zurich Chamber Orchestra hosted by The Philharmonic Society of Orange County. The kids were astounded with the caliber of these musicians and are excited to continue studying music!”

Posted by valley.hs.music to Instagram: “What an amazing opportunity for our students, both vocal and instrumental alike, to watch @ericwhitacre rehearse the @lamasterchorale at @waltdisneyconcerthall...Thank you to the LA Master Chorale for this opportunity!”

Posted by sausdpolice to Instagram: “The Santa Ana #CHP station and SAUSD PD explorers post 490 teamed up for the annual CHP toy drive.” #explorers #chp #police #gifts #sausd

Posted by SAUSD School Counselors & Higher Education Coordinators on Facebook: “As November came to a close, many of our high school counselors and higher ed. coordinators held late nights and special sessions to help our SAUSD seniors with college applications.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
HOLIDAY SEASON HAS ARRIVED!
'Tis the season for toy drives, holiday concerts, family nights and more in SAUSD! To help spread the holiday cheer, we’re gathering fliers and information on SAUSD-related seasonal events and happenings and posting them to our SAUSD Facebook page. Click here to access the photo album, which will be updated on a regular basis throughout the holiday season.
  • December 7, 2019: Battle of the Books, Garfield Elementary School, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • December 7, 2019: Helping Hands Toy Drive, Laborers Union Hall, 4-11:00 p.m.
  • December 10, 2019: Special Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. SAUSD Board Room
  • December 17, 2019: Board Meeting, 6 p.m. SAUSD Board Room
  • December 20, 2019: Duty Day - Student Free Day - High School Only.
  • December 23-25, 2019: Christmas Holiday - Schools and District Offices closed.
  • December 26-27, 2019: Non-Instruction; schools closed.
  • December 30, 2019: Non-Instruction; schools closed.
  • December 31, 2019 - January 1, 2020: New Year's Holiday; Schools and District Offices closed.
  • January 2-3, 2020: Non-instruction; schools closed.