Official newsletter of the Santa Ana Unified School District, designed to inform the community about District related news , opportunities, and resources. 
Please share and follow SAUSD online!
CAROLYN TORRES SWORN IN AS NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
Congratulations to Carolyn Torres, who was publicly sworn in as the newest member of the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education this week. She fills the seat vacated by previous school board member Cecilia Iglesias, who was elected to city council. She will fill this seat on the Board until 2020. 
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTS NEW OFFICERS, REPRESENTATIVES
During its annual organizational meeting this week, the SAUSD Board of Education elected: Rigo Rodriguez, Ph.D. - President; Valerie Amezcua - Vice President; Alfonso Alvarez, Ed.D. - Clerk. In addition, Dr. Alvarez was elected to serve on the County Committee on School District Organization and Ms. Torres was elected as the alternate. Dr. Alvarez was also appointed to serve as the District’s representative in the CSBA Delegate Assembly during the 2020-22 term office. Congratulations to all.
MUIR FUNDAMENTAL NAMED 2020 CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL 
SAUSD’s John Muir Fundamental Elementary was named a 2020 California Distinguished School this week. Sponsored by the California Department of Education, the program recognizes outstanding education programs and practices. Schools are awarded for closing the achievement gap and for achieving exceptional student performance. California Distinguished Schools will be honored during an awards ceremony on February 10, 2020 at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
SUPPORT C.E.N.A. 2019
SAUSD employees and families are planning the Caring Educators Nourishing All (CENA) Christmas event for Santa Ana families and students, an annual tradition for more than 25 years. We are in need of donations to help us provide a positive holiday experience for our families. Last year alone, we were able to provide a warm holiday meal to more than 2,500 people, and on December 24, 2019, we will continue this tradition at Santa Ana Valley High School, located at 1801 S. Greenville St. Click here to learn more on how you can support this endeavor.
CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH: LEAH WELLIKSON
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized Leah Wellikson as Certificated Employee of the Month for December 2019. Leah is a first grade teacher at Fremont Elementary School. “Mrs. Wellikson began teaching at our school over 20 years ago and has been a positive and caring influence for hundreds of students in the community as well as a constant resource for their families,” Mary Troup, principal of Fremont Elementary, said during the Board meeting. To read more, click here .
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH: MANUEL MARTINEZ III  
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized Manuel Martinez III as Classified Employee of the Month for December 2019. Manuel is a Plant Custodian at Fremont Elementary School. “Behind the clean, safe, and orderly school operation at Fremont Elementary is this excellent and professional employee, Mr. Martinez, who everyone calls Mr. Manny. He is our plant custodian who has developed an organized and efficient work flow that has been of tremendous service to our school site for over 20 years,” Mary Troup, principal of Fremont Elementary, said during the Board meeting. To read more, click here
HIGHLIGHTED VIDEO
The Santa Ana Unified School District has opened 57 Wellness Centers during the last year. Wellness Centers are a dedicated hub at each school site, where Family and Community Engagement (FACE) stakeholders can engage with each other for the benefit of students, the school, and the community. Click here to learn more about the roll out of Wellness Centers across SAUSD.
SAUSD PARENTS COMPLETE CIVIC LEADERSHIP CLASSES
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized the Family and Community Engagement in Partnership with Orange County Labor Federation Parent Civic Leadership Class Graduation. The Orange County Labor Foundation offers Civic Leadership classes for parents to discuss and reflect on issues affecting their surrounding community. SAUSD parent participants at Sierra Preparatory Academy and for the first time at Romero-Cruz Academy, have completed six Civic Leadership classes and have received a certificate of completion.
ORANGE COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION PROVIDES SUPPORT TO SAUSD STUDENTS
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized the Orange County Bar Foundation's Higher Education Mentoring Program. The Higher Education Mentoring Program provides SAUSD high school students with the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school and succeed in college.
GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA PRESENCE GROWING IN SAUSD
The SAUSD Board of Education this week recognized the Girl Scouts of America for offering a one-of-a kind leadership development program for girls. During the 2018-19 school year, Girl Scouts of America started troops in 18 schools and are working with Engage 360 staff to continue growing the program. As of May 2019, 400 students have registered as members of Girl Scouts and have received three or more badges.
SAUSD FAMILIES RECEIVE CHRISTMAS BASKETS FROM S.O.S.
More than 1,100 families from schools across Santa Ana received Christmas baskets from the Share Our Selves Adopt A Family program this week. Office staff, Family and Community Engagement (FACE) liaisons, employees from the facilities and logistics departments, FACE community workers, principals and teachers worked together with Share Our Selves to ensure that SAUSD families have a very merry Christmas this year.
KIWANIS CLUB OF SANTA ANA HOSTS ANNUAL TARGET SHOPPING SPREE
On December 13, 2019, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana held its annual Target Shopping Spree where 73 students from Adams, Harvey and Thorpe were able to shop for presents for their families and themselves. Thank you Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana for spreading holiday cheer and bringing smiles to our students and volunteers alike. Clic k here for photos.
F.A.C.E. LIAISONS ORGANIZE JOINT HOLIDAY EVENT 
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) liaisons from Century, Sierra, Villa, Madison, and Kennedy came together to host a holiday celebration on December 6, 2019. The celebration was hosted at Century High School, providing students, families and the entire community with many engaging opportunities such as dancing, creating, sharing, singing and getting to know one another. It was a great way to build community, learn about our families’ cultures and enjoy old and new traditions. 
LOWELL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN VEX IQ ROBOTICS COMPETITION
On December 4, 2019, a team of 11 students from Lowell Elementary, coached by Jazmina Amado, Liza Villa and Kevin Obillo, participated in the Vex IQ robotics competition at the Orange County Department of Education. This group of students competed against 37 other teams from around the county in designing, building and manipulating a Vex robot through a series of tasks, and finished in the upper tier of teams. Students were tasked with driving, maintaining, designing and repairing the robot.
UPCOMING EVENTS
HOLIDAY EVENTS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS!
'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.