The FACE Forum

Can you believe April is already here?! The trees and flowers are blooming (achoo!) and the blue skies and sun are finally starting to show up. We hope these are all good signs that brighter days are definitely ahead! Thank you for all the hard work and dedication you've each shown this year. We know it hasn't been easy and we thank you for all you do each and every day for our students, families, and colleagues!

~Your FACE Friends

Inside this month's FACE Forum newsletter, you'll find information on April workshops for families and staff, our spring Families Matter conference and other upcoming events, food distributions, community resources for families, morale boosters, partnership highlights, and more! While our FACE Forum monthly newsletter is an internal newsletter intended to only be shared with district staff, you are welcome to take any applicable parts of the newsletter that may support families and add to your own site/classroom newsletters and family messaging.

We are hiring a Family & Community Engagement Facilitator. This role will focus on volunteer processing and recruitment as well as community partnership vetting and collaboration. You can find the job description and more details in the link below. If you're interested in applying for this position, apply soon as the job posting closes on Friday, April 4!

Facilitator Position

We know it's been a year filled with overwhelming waves and crazy currents that have left everyone incredibly tired. But much like expert ducks, you continue to remain cool, calm and collected on the outside, despite all the paddling like crazy that you're doing to keep your head above water. We want you to know that we see you and appreciate you! Thank you for all you're doing right now to keep on swimming. We are Lucky Ducks to have each and every one of you!

This month's Morale Booster is called Lucky Ducks and it's guaranteed to help bring some fun and appreciation to you, your staff, students and families--who all could use a little extra appreciation and reminder to just keep swimming!

Included in your monthly mailer here, we've placed a rubber Lucky Duck for you that has a number on the bottom. For the remainder of the year in our FACE Forum newsletter, we'll be including a Lucky Duck section where we'll list five Lucky Duck numbers who will win a special prize from our team! Be sure to check the newsletter each month and if your duck's number is listed, send us an email to tell us you're a Lucky Duck winner! To get things started below are the April Lucky Duck Numbers! Let us know if your duck's number matches! Please email FACE@sanjuan.edu.

April Lucky Duck Numbers

74, 85, 102, 119, 138

For those who would like to utilize this Morale Booster at your own site or department, we've included the Amazon links to purchase the bulk rubber ducks in our FACE Forum newsletter. We've also included the "We Are Lucky Ducks to Have YOU" note that you can send to your staff or place in the staff room with the ducks that they can select. Each staff member picks a duck and then at various times throughout the week or months, email out a Lucky Duck number. If it's their numbered duck, they get to come to your office and pick a prize. Prizes can be anything from tangible items, $5 coffee cards, new flair pens or other classroom supplies, books, Dollar Store items, donations from community partners, etc.

You can also use this Lucky Duck booster in the classroom with students or send a duck home with each family and use it as a way to encourage them to read your school newsletter and see if their duck's number is announced for a student or family prize!

Thanks for all you're doing to encourage your staff, students and families to keep on paddling!

Amazon Link for 100 Rubber Ducks ($35.99): https://a.co/d/aecRuhH

April is often recognized as "Celebrate Diversity Month", a time to recognize and honor the diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, promoting inclusivity and understanding. "Celebrate Diversity Month" was initiated in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity surrounding us all. It's a month of powerful observances, from honoring resilience and remembrance to advocating for inclusivity and environmental protection. These events highlight both global awareness days and cultural milestones that encourage reflection, support, and action. The month aims to foster a deeper understanding of each other and to celebrate the differences and similarities that make us stronger as a community.

How to Celebrate:

• Engage in cultural practices and conversations: Participate in cultural events or festivals, start diversity-themed book clubs, or host virtual multi-cultural meet-ups.
• Explore multicultural films, literature, and art: Expand your horizons by engaging with diverse media.
• Learn about different cultures: Make an effort to learn about different customs, traditions, and perspectives.
• Promote inclusivity: Create environments where everyone feels valued and respected.
• Combat discrimination and racism: Celebrating diversity helps to combat discrimination and racism by creating awareness about the importance of accepting and valuing people from different backgrounds.

Other April Recognitions:

• International Autism Acceptance Day – April 2: This day promotes understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum, focusing on recognizing their unique strengths and contributions.
• International Day of Pink – April 9: This day stands against bullying, homophobia, transphobia, and all forms of discrimination, with communities worldwide encouraged to wear pink in solidarity. It’s a call for inclusivity and respect, fostering awareness and support for a safer, more accepting world.
• Earth Day – April 22: Earth Day raises global awareness about environmental protection, inspiring action to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and promote sustainability. It’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet for future generations through conscious, everyday choices.
• National Arab American Heritage Month: During the month of April, the Arab America Foundation formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society.
• National Deaf History Month: The month-long celebration aims to honor the history, culture, and achievements of individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
• World Autism/ Autism Acceptance Month: World Autism/Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.

Direct to Teacher Grants San Juan Education Foundation

Parent/Family Hub www.sanjuan.edu/parents

Student Hub www.sanjuan.edu/students

FACE Outreach requests (Face Mobile, mini clinics and more!) https://bit.ly/FACEoutreach

FACE Lending Library of Fun https://bit.ly/FACElendingfun

Staff Digital Resource Library (community/district flyers) https://bit.ly/FACEresource

San Juan Unified Volunteer information www.sanjuan.edu/volunteer

FACE department Intranet! (Field trip forms, volunteer flyers and more!) intranet.sanjuan.edu/face

Community Resources www.sanjuan.edu/communityresources

• Food

• Clothing

• Diapers

• Utilities & Housing

• Social & Recreational

• Academic

• Disability & Special Education

• Employment

• Mental Health

• Refugee, Immigrant & Newcomer Supports

• LGBTQIA+

• Domestic Violence

• and more!

Having a family engagement event? FACE offers items for checkout at no cost to support family engagement efforts! Staff and volunteer leaders (PTO/PTA, etc) are welcome to request items on behalf of school family engagement events. We will follow up and confirm in 2-3 business days. Pickup and return of items is at the San Juan Unified District Office during pre-scheduled hours.

For more information, visit our Lending Library of Fun Catalog!

Enrollment Dates:

Kindergarten Enrollment began February 3! Families with incoming kindergartners can visit www.sanjuan.edu/enrollment to complete their registration.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Lottery began February 10 and the priority window closes March 14. Enrollment is due by April 7. Families with incoming TK students can visit www.sanjuan.edu/TK for information.

Visit our Regional Community Care Hubs for free resources! www.sanjuan.edu/communityresources

• Thursday, April 10, 3:00-4:30 pm - San Juan High (7551 Greenback Lane, Citrus Heights)

• Thursday, April 24, 3:00-4:30 pm - Encina High (1400 Bell Street, Sacramento)

FREE April FACE Family Workshops! www.sanjuan.edu/familyed

• Level up Your Leadership

  Meets on Mondays: March 31, April 7, April 21 and April 28

  6:30 - 7:30 pm

  District Office Board Room - 3738 Walnut Ave, Carmichael

  
  

  The Ride Ahead: A Film Screening on Disability, Independence, & Opportunity

  Thursday, April 3rd

  6:00 - 8:00 pm

  District Office Board Room - 3738 Walnut Ave, Carmichael

  
  

  Parent Project - Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior

  Starting on Wednesday, April 23

  Meets weekly on Wednesday from 5:45 - 7:45 pm

  Casa Roble High School - 9151 Oak Ave, Orangevale

  
  

  Talleres Familiares

  Tuesday, April 29

  6:00 - 7:30 pm

  Grand Oaks Elementary - 7901 Rosswood Dr, Citrus Heights

  
  
• Supporting Read Aloud at Home- pre-recorded video in our NEW Family Engagement Video Library at www.sanjuan.edu/familyed under the "Family Engagement Video Library" tab

April Staff Professional Development Opportunities

On Zoom - Register through the Staff Portal portal.sanjuan.edu

• Getting to Know Your Neighbors: The Value of School Community Asset Mapping- Wednesday, April 9, 3:30 - 4:30 pm via Zoom

Mini-Clinics at sites by request (10-15 minutes at staff meetings) https://bit.ly/FACEoutreach

• Field Trip Process
• Volunteer Process & Recruitment
• Conflict Resolution Process
• FACE Resources

Find resources, including monthly parent newsletters, family workshops and volunteer information, as well as staff resources, such as our Lending Library of Fun, Outreach Requests, and Digital Resource Library, on our website at www.sanjuan.edu/familyed.

Find additional internal staff resources & forms on our Intranet at https://intranet.sanjuan.edu/familycommunityengagement

Inclusive Sports o Rama event for all secondary students coming up on April 11! https://bit.ly/UnifiedSports-O-Rama

Playmakers inclusive basketball for all abilities and school-age students at Mesa Verde High School, Saturdays, March - April: https://theplaymakers.org

IEP Trainings & Support Groups. FREE Year Round!

https://warmlinefrc.org

https://health.ucdavis.edu/mind-institute/resources/family-resource-centers

April 26, 2025 | 11:00AM-3:00PM | Fair Oaks Park (11549 Fair Oaks Blvd.)

Join the Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District and the San Juan Unified School District for a free community focus on creativity! Make and take art stations, dance and music performances, art show, food trucks, and more!

Copy and paste Family Workshop info direct from www.sanjuan.edu/familyed for Smore, Social Media, Class Dojo, Talking Points and email messaging! Digital content is translatable and accessible for families.

Registration can be found on www.sanjuan.edu/familyed

Level up Your Leadership

Meets on Mondays: March 31, April 7, April 21 and April 28

6:30 - 7:30 pm

District Office Board Room - 3738 Walnut Ave, Carmichael

This family education class series is designed for families who have attended our Family Leadership Academy program or those looking to grow their current engagement with school programs and district committees. Participants will dive deeper into learning about the school system, strategies for effective home-school partnerships, and utilizing parent voice in decision making spaces. This four session program is offered in English and Spanish. Dinner and child care assistance will be provided.

The Ride Ahead: A Film Screening on Disability, Independence, & Opportunity

Thursday, April 3rd

6:00 - 8:00 pm

District Office Board Room - 3738 Walnut Ave, Carmichael

Join us for a special screening of The Ride Ahead, a powerful documentary that follows the journey of Samuel Habib, a young adult with a disability navigating the challenges of college and career aspirations, relationships, and independence. Told from Sam’s unique perspective, this story offers a real life portrait of disability, advocacy, and determination. Film screening will be followed by interactive discussion. Dinner and child care assistance will be provided.

Parent Project - Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior

Starting on Wednesday, April 23

Meets weekly on Wednesday from 5:45 - 7:45 pm

Casa Roble High School - 9151 Oak Ave, Orangevale

This parenting support program is created by parents, for parents, to help support households who are struggling with difficult teen behavior. In this class, participants will learn strategies to help nurture positive home communication, reduce family conflict, and improve difficult teen behavior. Participants will receive a free class handbook. Dinner and child care assistance will be provided. Meets weekly on Wednesdays.

Talleres Familiares

Tuesday, April 29

6:00 - 7:30 pm

Grand Oaks Elementary - 7901 Rosswood Dr, Citrus Heights

This workshop is presented in Spanish for families and community members. Explore tips and tools to support your student’s learning. Workshop topics include strategies for positive communication with school, summer programs, summer learning resources, supporting student mental health, district and community resources, and more!

Registration can be found on www.sanjuan.edu/familyed

FACE launched a brand new Family Engagement Video Learning Library on our website where families, staff and community to access pre-recorded learning videos on a variety of topics! These videos are perfect for families who may not be able to attend our regular workshops, but would like to access the learning at a later time, or for colleagues and parent-teacher organizations who want to share the learning with families at their own site meeting or event.

April's video is "Supporting Read Aloud at Home"

★ Develop a deeper understanding of reading development stages
★ Learn ways to build habits that strengthen your child’s reading and writing skills
★ Identify read-aloud ideas to practice at home with your child
★ Explore practical strategies and activities to help develop your child’s love of reading

You can view and share the video with your families by visiting our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHYpvQ2D1fOA5K15Gu7kaTDJjnK6dV5Na

We'll release a new video each month on www.sanjuan.edu/familyed.

Whether you have a 7-year-old or a 17-year-old, research shows that students perform better academically and behaviorally if the student knows their parents are involved and have high expectations.

To support this effort, each month we will feature a new "Helping Children Learn" newsletter that is full of ideas to support learning at home. You can share this free newsletter with families directly from our website!

To access the newsletters in English and Spanish for Elementary, Middle School, and High School, visit www.sanjuan.edu/familyed and click on the "Parent Newsletter" tab.

Our FACE Spring Staff Professional Development has been released! Check out the flyer above for more details!

April's Staff Professional Development workshop is:

Getting to Know Your Neighbors: The Value of School Community Asset Mapping- Wednesday, April 9, 3:30-4:30 pm, Zoom

In this Zoom workshop, participants will learn about School Community Asset Mapping and learn to identify the strengths and resources of their school community. Once community strengths and resources are identified, participants can more easily think about how to build on these assets to address school community needs and improve student outcomes.

The FACE staff workshops take place on Zoom and are open to all certificated and classified staff members in our district. You can register directly on our FACE course page in the PL Tile (click “FACE” in the "Subjects" section on the Home page).

We are excited to host the very first FACE FamFest, which will take place on Friday, May 9 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Arden Middle School! This health, wellness & family engagement event will be a community celebration that connects families and educators with resources, promotes student well-being, and showcases the ways families can have fun together. The event is FREE and FUN for the whole family, with exciting health and wellness activities for all ages and abilities, including sports, dance, art, yoga, music, Sami’s Circuit, a community partner village, prizes and more! You can find more information about this exciting family event and register for free on our website. English and translated fliers in Spanish, Persian, Pashto, Russian, Ukrainian, and Arabic are included in the PDF file below. Thank you for helping spread the word with your families, colleagues, friends and school communities! The school with the highest number of attendees will win a free family night or family engagement mini-grant for use this year or next year!

Grab your paddles and join your colleagues for an exciting day of pickleball and community spirit at the San Juan Unified inaugural Pickleball Tournament on May 10 at Arden Middle School!

This tournament isn’t just about fun—it’s about supporting the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and making a difference for our students. Join us to get active, connect with colleagues, and show your San Juan Unified pride.

Spots are filling fast—register your team today at https://app.scoreholio.com/v2/pickleball/organizer

Don’t miss out on the fun—we’ll see you on the courts!

The FACE Mobile has been out and about in the community bringing at-home learning and community resources to families all across our San Juan Unified district and has launched its new Community Care Hubs, which you can learn about further below!

Our FACE outreach team can come out to help support you with the following:

• FACE Mobile visits

• 15 minute staff trainings on various processes:

(Problem Resolution, Volunteers, Field Trips, Partnerships, Community Resources, Family Ed, Staff Ed, general FACE overview, etc.)

• 15 minute family clinics (parent portal, preparing for parent-teacher conferences, effective school-to-home communication, exploring district and community resources, etc.)

• Volunteer recruitment (fingerprinting available evenings/weekend events only)

• Family resource center/space/bulletin board consultation

To request a FACE Mobile visit for one of your events or outreach item listed about, please click the link below:

https://bit.ly/FACEoutreach

To check out where the FACE Mobile is headed to next, visit our family education website at www.sanjuan.edu/familyed and click the FACE Mobile tab!

Check Out the upcoming regional Community Care Hubs!

April Community Care Hubs:

Thursday, April 10

3:00 - 4:30 pm

San Juan High (7551 Greenback Ln., Citrus Heights)

Thursday, April 24

3:00 - 4:30 pm

Encina High School (1400 Bell St., Sacramento)

Join us at the upcoming Community Care Hubs!

Community Care Hubs are free regional pop-up community resource fairs, hosted across the district to bring together district departments and local community partners to offer valuable information, resources, and services to families and students. It’s a great opportunity to connect, learn, and share essential tools to support student success.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Distribute/post the flyers above for families

• Share the Community Care Hub information with your staff and families via Talking Points, school newsletters, social media, etc. Below is a pre-made blurb to help you quickly share the info!

Talking Points Blurb: Receive support and resources at our regional Community Care Hubs! These pop-up events bring together district departments and local community partners to offer valuable resources and services to families and students. It’s a great opportunity to connect and access essential tools to support student success.

Mark your calendar for April Care Hubs on the Thursdays below from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

• April 10 @ San Juan High

• April 24 @ Encina High School

More information can be found at sanjuan.edu/communityresources

Free Community Food Distributions & Resources

San Juan Central Food Closet

The San Juan Unified food closet is located at the Central Enrollment Center (3700 Garfield Ave. in Carmichael) and serves families, staff and community who are in need of non-perishable food items.

Hours:

Open year round, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Closed on non-school days and holidays.

Need more information on food resources? Visit www.sanjuan.edu/resources/community-resources for more information about our district food closet and community food banks.

FACE Digital Resource Library

We know how challenging and time-consuming it is to search for resources for families, so our team has been building a Digital Resource Library for all sites and departments to have access to. In this library, you'll find flyers and links for district and community resources to assist with housing, clothing, food, health, special education, college and career, community service partners, and more. We'll be adding to this library regularly, so keep checking to see what's new! The link allows anyone in San Juan to view the resources, so please feel free to share the link with your site/ department team members!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12Roaab9q0nSbMBTZ6Ef3nzVJ8BRxtgPj?usp=sharing

Due to the delayed launch of the financial aid cycle, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) extended the deadline for all students in California to April 2, 2025, affording students additional time to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If students have not yet applied for financial aid for the 2025–26 academic year, it is time to apply now. CSAC also offers free webinars to help students and families complete the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application. These free “Cash for College Online” webinars are staffed by financial aid experts to answer questions. Attendees will learn about both applications and other important information about financial aid.

The César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration is a free college and career motivational event for junior high, high school and community college students, as well as parents and community members. Taking place on May 10 from 8:00 am-3:00 pm, the goal of this annual conference is to introduce the value of attending college - particularly to individuals who may not be considering higher education due to lack of information or financial resources.

Each year, the conference delivers an engaging program that:

• Nurtures the concept that all individuals are leaders;
• Provides information on the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) admission requirements;
• Provides information on the California Community College (CCC) matriculation and enrollment process; and
• Introduces college success resources and career workforce opportunities in STEM in the public and the private sector.

This free conference averages over 1800 attendees each year, from predominantly low-income and underrepresented backgrounds. Attendees leave empowered, believing they can achieve their goals and knowing the resources available to them to do so.

To learn more and register for free, visit https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/ccylc

Teens ages 13 to 19 are invited to find the perfect outfit for their next dance! With the help of community donations, local Sacramento Public Library branches are giving away gently used formalwear including dresses, suites, shoes, accessories, and other attire.

A few tips for teens before you come "shop" with us:

• Clothes may be tried on, but please wear under-clothing that makes it easy to change (e.g., sports bras, leotards) as there will be limited privacy.

• Please don't wear makeup when trying on items. It can get on clothing and ruin them.

• Adults are welcome to accompany teens, but teens are the only ones who may take items home.

Learn more by visiting: saclibrary.org/prom

Join our friends at the Sacramento Public Library for a month-long celebration of Día, also known as El día de los niños and El día de los libros. Día was created in 1996 by children’s author Pat Mora to bring together families and kids with the joy of reading.

During the month of April, we encourage children and their families from all backgrounds and cultures to come together and share their love of reading in any language. Throughout this month, you’ll find events and activities for everyone in the family at the library.

For more information on Diá at the Library and all the fun events planned, visit https://www.saclibrary.org/Event/Special-Events/Dia

April is National Volunteer Month, a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals who dedicate their time and energy to support our community. This month, we encourage you to recognize and celebrate the hard work of your volunteers!

Take a moment to express your gratitude—whether through a heartfelt thank-you note, a small gift, or a special event in their honor. Share their stories on social media, highlight their contributions in your newsletters, or simply let them know how much they mean to you.

Together, let’s celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and inspire others to join in making a difference!

San Juan Unified is hosting a free, walk-in Fingerprint Clinic on Wednesday, April 16 from 5 to 6:30p.m. The clinic will be at our District Office, located at 3738 Walnut Ave, Carmichael. We recommend filling out the volunteer verification form prior to attending, but assistance with this will also be available on-site if needed. All applicants must bring a valid photo ID. This is a great time to start the process for end-of-year volunteer opportunities!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at volunteer@sanjuan.edu or call (916) 971-7935.

School bus reservations are fully booked during school days for the remainder of the year!
The School Bus Availability Calendar now includes weekend, evening and summer availability.

The Field Trips to Consider page is expanding!

Find information on new popular & local experiences, including vendors who will visit your campus!

Our online field trip request portal is almost live!

Learn how to use it by attending an in-person training as early as Wednesday, April 23rd. Request trips for the 25-26 school year in the new system starting Thursday, May 1st!

Several in-person and zoom training sessions will take place the following week May 7th-11th.

District Office Board Room (3738 Walnut Ave, Carmichael)
Wednesday April 23; 3pm-5pm
Tuesday May 6; 9-11am
Wednesday May 7; 1-3pm
Tuesday June 3; 10-12pm

Digital Edge
Monday May 5; 3:30pm
Tuesday May 6; 3:30pm

Zoom link available on FACE intranet
Wednesday May 7; 3:30pm
Thursday May 8; 3:30pm
Wednesday June 4; 3:30pm

This past month, two 3rd grade classes piloted a FACE field trip experience to the Sojourner Truth Museum in Sacramento! The students, teachers and chaperones had an incredible time learning about Sojourner Truth and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, checking out museum exhibitions, creating art, and journeying through African American history and culture. Check out the pictures from the field trip and read the quotes below from the students about the impact the field trip had on them! Learn more about this incredible field trip experience by visiting https://www.sojoartsmuseum.org/.

“Thank you for inviting me and my classmates to the museum. We are very thankful for our field trip and I can’t imagine my future without knowing my past."

"It was very delightful and educational!"

“Thank you for the field trip! It was great and I liked the art project. I learned a lot about Sojourner Truth and black history.”

Looking to incorporate a literacy initiative that your first or second grade students are sure to be excited about? This summer, we will be launching the Red Book Program from Raising a Reader thanks to our local Sacramento Maisons who will sponsor the entire program. In a nutshell, the class will receive a set of numbered red bags which will rotate throughout the summer. Bags are taken home with the intent to increase reading at home. The most exciting part, students get to explore new books in each bag! If you are a first or second grade teacher at a high density or title 1 site interested in opting into this partnership or learning more, please contact Natalia Aguirre-Mazzi via email at Natalia.Aguirre@sanjuan.edu.

Sierra Nevada Journeys, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has a mission is to deliver innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and to inspire natural resource stewardship.

To achieve this mission, Sierra Nevada Journeys (SNJ) offers a range of programs in Northern California and Nevada, both throughout the school year and during the summer! If you're looking to bring some hands-on science enrichment to your campus, look no further!

Below are some of the offerings SNJ has:

• Their science instructors deliver innovative curriculum for first-through-sixth-grade students, teaching in the classroom and leading one-day field science expeditions in the Reno and Sacramento areas.

• Fifth and sixth-grade students and their teachers attend outdoor school program called Overnight Outdoor Learning at our Outdoor Education Camp in Portola, California. The 515-acre camp has modern facilities which accommodate 220 campers.

• SNJ train teachers on engaging STEM lessons and outdoor learning for their classrooms.

• SNJ engages families to reinforce classroom concepts through Family STEM Nights.

• SNJ uses weekends and summers to expand our reach beyond schools, working within our community to deliver camps for people with disabilities, leadership development, and group and conference programs.

To learn more about SNJ, visit www.sierranevadajourneys.org/ and check out their current opportunity fliers below!

TITLE I Educators Can Win Up To $1,500 in STEM Kit Materials and a $4,000 Field Trip!

How to Participate:

1. Submit a short video sharing your STEM project idea by April 15

2. See an Example here.

3. Rally your community to vote on Earth Day (April 22). The 25 videos with the most votes win their requested STEM kit materials.

4. The top 3 projects win a funded field trip to bring STEM to life!

DO IT NOW! (https://woobox.com/yewe88)

PROPEL Resources Grant due April 30!

Request up to $500 for to purchase essential classroom tools like library books, curricular materials, garden supplies, sports equipment, or music and art resources.

APPLY TODAY! https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/82336-San-Juan-Education-Foundation

The San Juan Education Foundation is offering $40,000 in scholarships for eligible graduating 12th-grade students in the San Juan Unified School District. Every San Juan Unified graduating senior with plans to pursue post-high school education will qualify to apply for at least one of the awards.

Scholarship applications are due on April 12. Apply now

Don’t miss out on San Juan Education Foundation grant and scholarship information, click here to sign up for their newsletter today.

The 43rd annual Fair Oaks Chicken Run is on Sunday, May 5. Runners will be taken down the scenic streets and pathways of Old Fair Oaks knowing that their hard work will benefit the community, as a portion of the proceeds will go towards supporting the San Juan Education Foundation.

Whether you want to participate in their competitive five-mile race, run or walk in their non-competitive two-mile course or enroll your child in the Chicken Chase Kids Race, this event has something for everyone. For more information about the event and how to register, please visit the Fair Oaks Chicken Run website.

When trust is broken by an argument, or when an individual perceives they were wronged or harmed, an apology can be the most effective way to begin rebuilding trust. When we refuse to apologize, we are harming relationships, and if they are important relationships then an apology can have a much greater impact. The consequences of not giving an apology can be worse for the long-term relationship than the perceived advantage of keeping your own status intact. Remember, saying “I'm sorry this happened” or “I am sorry you are frustrated” is not an admission of guilt or wrong-doing. In fact, making an effective apology shows you are above your own ego and are a well-adjusted individual. Making an effective apology requires emotional intelligence – self awareness, empathy and awareness of others’ emotions. By becoming aware which thoughts and emotions feed negative behaviors, we can develop greater self insight into our triggers.

Watch this recorded webinar from Education Week for strategies to develop a sense of belonging in schools and to engage families as partners in reducing absenteeism.

There are so many wonderful student, family and community engagement highlights happening around the district! We'd love to spotlight any of those efforts that your site or department is doing! Send us an email at face@sanjuan.edu and we'll highlight your shoutout in the next FACE Forum newsletter!

Carmichael Elementary School students were challenged to collect over 350 cereal boxes to donate to the San Juan Unified School District’s food closet for our community in need. Students filled the multipurpose room with cheers as they saw the cereal boxes in action, showing that kindness definitely has a domino effect!

Mira Loma hosted their annual district-wide Black Renaissance Day where students, staff, families and community from across our district joined in to celebrate Black history and culture. From presentations, music and cultural performances to educational skits and learning booths, it was an incredible day of learning and celebrating the importance of Black history and culture!

Katherine Johnson Middle School’s Career Day debuted on their new campus! The school hosted its first Career Day on the new campus, continuing its tradition of connecting students with real-world career opportunities. Thanks to their terrific partnerships with their community, the event featured guest speakers from a variety of industries—including forensic investigation, architecture, business, healthcare and more!

Celebrating the importance of reading all across our district, schools led a variety of literacy activities during Read Across America- Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers! Students at Cameron Ranch, Cambridge Heights and other sites enjoyed special Read Across America events, including author visits and guest readers from community leadership, district leadership, and other guests who visited classrooms to share their love of books. Events like these enrich students’ educational experiences and strengthen partnerships between our schools and the community!

Click the link below to access March's newsletter and see all the resources, information and supports for you and your school community!

https://secure.smore.com/n/xgh31

Want to receive the monthly FACE Forum newsletters directly to your email inbox during the school year? Our newsletter is now being emailed directly to recipients who have opted in to receiving the monthly newsletter. For those who choose not to opt in to receiving the newsletter via email, you will still be able to access the newsletter in Behind the Scenes (all SJUSD employees), Leadership Reflections (administrators), Secretary Scoop (secretaries), and Elementary/Secondary Updates.

To opt in to receiving The FACE Forum newsletter directly to your Inbox, please complete this brief opt-in here: https://forms.gle/3DQ62CUCZy4HjzGt6

Email: face@sanjuan.edu
Website: www.sanjuan.edu/face
Location: 3738 Walnut Avenue, Carmichael, CA, USA
Phone: (916) 971-7929
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanJuanUnifiedFamilyandCommunityEngagement/