WEEK OF OCT. 30 TO NOV. 5, 2020
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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DISTRICT NEWS
SUPERINTENDENT ALMENDAREZ GIVES UPDATE REGARDING LAUNCH OF HYBRID INSTRUCTION 
The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) will not launch districtwide in-person hybrid instruction in early November as tentatively planned because local COVID-19 rates remain above the state’s threshold, Superintendent Jerry Almendarez said this week in a new update to the community. The tentative target is now January. However, some students with ongoing connectivity issues and those who may need additional support will return to select campuses Nov. 9 in small “Learning Labs” provided in a safe, supervised environment. To read his message, click here.
SAUSD TEACHER LAURA GÓMEZ NAMED A 2021 CALIFORNIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
The California Department of Education this week named Laura Gómez, a third-grade teacher at Martin Elementary School, as a 2021 California Teacher of the Year, the highest honor for educators statewide. Gómez, a teacher of 25 years, is one of five teachers across California to earn this recognition. Gómez was named earlier this year as the Santa Ana Unified Teacher of the Year and as an Orange County Teacher of the Year. To read more about her, click here


10 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH HONORED BY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Ten certificated and classified Employees of the Month, representing the months of March-October 2020, were recognized by the Board of Education this week. Congratulations to Lucia Venegas, Brigham Jorgensen, Howida Hanna, Cesar Gonzalez, Jill Puich, Carlos Antunez, Carlos Perales, Fabiola Diaz de Ramirez, Elida Sanchez, and Patricia Mendez! To read more about them, click here

CHECK SAUSD WEBSITE FOR FREE COVID-19 TESTING RESOURCES
COVID-19 case levels in parts of Santa Ana remain a concern. As a service to the community, the District has posted information about free COVID-19 testing opportunities being offered by the City of Santa Ana, Latino Health Access and other groups to the COVID-19 resource webpage. Click here to view them. 


#PROUD2BESAUSD
Are you proud to be an SAUSD employee, alumni, parent, student, or supporter? If so, the SAUSD Communications Office wants to hear from you. Click here to tell us why you're #Proud2BeSAUSD for a chance to be featured in this campaign reflecting the vibrant SAUSD community! To view more profiles, click here.
Meet Claudia Amezquita, a proud SAUSD alum!

Amezquita was born and raised in Santa Ana. She still resides in the city and teaches fourth grade at the same elementary school that she attended, Lowell Elementary School. She also attended Hoover Elementary, Sierra Preparatory Academy, and Santa Ana High School. 

Amezquita takes great pride in serving the community that she feels connected to and considers home. She often wears her high school letterman jacket to Lowell. When students ask her about it, she proudly shares her story with them. Her students enjoy learning that she also attended and graduated from SAUSD schools; she is one of them.

“As a student I always felt supported by my teachers and schools. As a teacher now teaching fourth grade at Lowell Elementary, I feel I have come full circle. I take pride in representing my old elementary and I strive my best everyday to support my students and families the same way I was supported. As an educator and a professional, I know that SAUSD will continue to support me and keep me updated with the newest and best teaching practices. I am SAUSD.”

SAUSD OFFERING EXPANDED MEAL SERVICE AT 58 SITES
SAUSD has expanded its free meal service as part of the Board of Education’s ongoing mission to continue to provide free, nutritious food for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The District is serving free meals to all children ages 1-18 at 58 sites through the end of 2020. In addition, the District has also expanded service times, so that meals may now be picked up in the morning, afternoon and evening. For a full schedule, click here.
SAUSD DELIVERING FREE MEALS TO TWO APARTMENT COMPLEXES
SAUSD is now also providing free meals for children at Warwick Square and Villa Del Sol apartment complexes. SAUSD serves free meals to children ages 1 to 18 at the Warwick Square apartments, located at 780 S. Lyon St., #911, from 11 a.m. to noon, and at the Villa Del Sol apartments, located at 811 S. Fairview St., from noon to 1 p.m. Click here for details. 


DOWNLOAD PARENTSQUARE APP TODAY
SAUSD is now using the ParentSquare 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.


SCHOOL NEWS
Visit our SAUSD school websites and follow our schools on social media for news on programs, accolades, events and more!
MENDEZ TEACHER WINS LITERARY AWARD FOR HIS BOOK, ‘EFRÉN DIVIDED’
Ernesto Cisneros, a teacher from Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School, recently received statewide recognition for his book “Efrén Divided,” which tells the story of a boy whose life is changed when his mother is deported to Mexico. Cisneros, a Santa Ana High School alum, received the Golden Poppy Award from the California Independent Booksellers Alliance in the category of Best Middle-Grade Book of 2020 in California. To read more, click here.
SAUSD STUDENTS TAKE TOP HONORS IN BUS ART COMPETITION 
Three SAUSD students were honored this week by JFK Transportation for taking top honors in a student art competition titled “#2020VISION Through The Eyes of a Student.” Karina Ramirez of Monte Vista Elementary School, Valeria Silva of Jackson Elementary School and Jazmin Suarez of Saddleback High School were recognized during the ceremony. In addition, JFK has placed the students’ winning designs on buses for all to see. To view more photos, click here.
Posted on Instagram by jimthorpelibrarysausd:
Daniel is starting addition and crafted a pretty peacock for the letter p. #kindergarten #sausddistancelearning #jimthorpefundamental

Posted on Instagram by madison_mustangs_sausd:
We are so proud of our Superhero Scholars saying No to DRUGS! Love our Red Ribbon Week Spirit!
Posted on Instagram by segerstrom_hec:
Congratulations to our Senior Conference Raffle Winners! Thank you for participating Jags! You are all awesome. Swipe to see the winners 🐾 #JagsReachHigher #SegerstromStrong #sfhsJaguarPride #segerstromfhs #wearesausd

Posted on Instagram by willardint:
Congratulations WILLARD SPEECH AND DEBATE scholars!! These Phenomenal Scholars won! Willard can't be more excited! Thank you for the long hours of dedication and practice. Gracias, Ms. Randall for the passion and love for this program. Thank you Willard educators for always believing in our amazing Scholars!
UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Nov. 3 - Election Day
  • Nov. 6 - Duty Day - Student Free Day - K-12
  • Nov. 10 - Regular Board Meeting
  • Nov. 11 - Veteran’s Day Holiday - All SAUSD offices/schools closed
  • Nov. 23-25 - Non-Instruction - Thanksgiving Recess
  • Nov. 26-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday - - All SAUSD offices/schools closed