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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NEW 2-STORY CLASSROOM BUILDING OPENS AT CARVER ELEMENTARY
The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) this week held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the P2P project at Carver Elementary School, which included the removal of portable classrooms and the construction of permanent state-of-the-art classrooms in their place. The majority of the funding for the project came from the state’s Overcrowding Relief Grant (ORG) program, while a portion also came from the District’s Measure I bond measure. This is the first of many such improvements planned for SAUSD schools in the near future. For more photos, click here .
BOARD HONORS CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, ALTALAGI DOUGAN
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized the District’s Classified Employee of the Month for January 2020, Altalagi Dougan. Dougan is an Instructional Assistant at Willard Intermediate School. To read more about her, click here.  
BOARD HONORS CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, KELLIE O'NEILL
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized the District’s Certificated Employee of the Month for January 2020, Kellie O'Neill. O'Neill is a teacher at Willard Intermediate School. To read more about her, click here.  
8 SAUSD STUDENTS COMPLETE INTERNSHIPS AT NASA’S JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized students who participated in an internship opportunity at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) during summer 2019. Student interns are at JPL an average of 40 hours per week for eight weeks. They are assigned to different scientists throughout the JPL facility and, at the end of the internship, give a presentation to JPL staff and scientists about their projects. Industry and community partners will present $4,000 scholarships to each participant. For a list of honorees, click here .
HIGHLIGHTED VIDEO
Superintendent Jerry Almendarez gave his first report to the SAUSD Board of Education this week. Click here to watch.
LATHROP INTERMEDIATE STUDENT WINS ‘GO SAFELY CALIFORNIA’ ART CONTEST
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized Jackelyn Murillo, a student at Lathrop Intermediate School, for winning third place in the eighth grade category for the statewide Go Safely California art poster contest. She competed with students from across California and her artwork is on display at the Go Safely California website. The Go Safely poster contest is part of the California Office of Traffic Safety, which provides guidelines on traveling, whether it is driving, walking, or riding a bike.
SAUSD POLICE EXPLORER RECOGNIZED
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized Police Explorer Joshua Castro for his leadership, commitment and dedication to the SAUSD Police Department Explorer Program. Castro was one of the School Police Department’s first Explorers when he joined at the age of 16. During his tenure, he volunteered over 350 community service hours and distinguished himself as a leader and role model during his five years of service.
HIGHLIGHTED VIDEO
SAUSD High School Ambassadors Graciela Gomez (Godinez Fundamental High School), Joseph Acevedo (Santa Ana High School), and Valeria Perez (Santa Ana Valley High School) delivered reports to the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education this week. Click here to catch up on recent news out of these campuses.
SCHOOL NEWS
Visit our SAUSD school websites and follow our schools on social media for news on programs, accolades, events and more!
Posted by ecesausd to Instagram: “At Garfield preschool we are learning about bug and plant life cycles. We explore by using most of our senses which will make a greater impact on our brains. We are scientists!”
Posted by piopicopalomas to Instagram: “Our students took on the Winter Reading Challenge and read over 12 books during the break!”
Posted by Washington Patriots to Facebook: “Washington Elementary is excited to be teaming up with Saddleback High, @bustie_clause, Key Club to support with Read Across America.”
Posted by Century High School to Facebook: “Wow! Almost 50 business partners, students, and parents at our Building Trades advisory committee meeting today. These are a lot of people interested in supporting Century students and equipping future building trades workers.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
  • January 20, 2020: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday - All schools and District offices closed.
  • January 21, 2020: Special Board of Education Meeting, 5:30 p.m., District Office
  • January 22, 2020: W.H. Spurgeon Administrative Center Dedication Ceremony, 3:30 p.m.
  • January 23, 2020: Yale Street Homeless Shelter Community Information Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Godinez Fundamental High School (Theater)
  • February 1, 2020: School Choice Fair, MainPlace Mall, 1-4:00 p.m.