COMMUNITY CONNECT DECEMBER 2025 | VOLUME 6 | EDITION 5
“It’s all about finding the calm in the chaos.” — Donna Karan
I have probably said this in the December edition for the past six years that I’ve been doing the newsletter... “After this month (and Winter Break), the school year flies by!” And...there are only 15 school days in December to wind out the Term and get ready for the Holidays before we welcome 2026! With so much happening during the Spring Term, as students, staff, and families are fully immersed in a whirlwind of activities, the days go by so swiftly. From engaging classroom projects, lively sporting events, and inspiring art performances to preparations for graduation and the 2026-2027 school year, there's never a dull moment. But first...let’s pause. A good portion of this month will be spent taking a recess from school and work to enjoy the Holidays, create memories, and find some time for calm and rejuvenation. It's a time to embrace simple joys, like the sparkle of holiday lights, the scent of fresh pine, and the taste of homemade cookies. Let's relish in these moments, allowing them to carry us into the New Year with renewed energy and hope. As you step into this festive season, may you all find your own unique
ways to unwind and cherish the beauty around you. Please enjoy your Holiday Season, and we’ll see all of the students back on campus on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Official Newsletter of the Placer Union High School District
December Board Meeting Tuesday - December 16, 2025 5:30 pm RVO Meeting Room 13000 New Airport Road | Auburn
Sarah Rath, Communications Officer Sarah Rath
Superintendent Message Happy December! I truly cannot believe we are in the final month of this term. Before I get carried away with my message, I’d like to once again share how thankful I am to be here serving among our communities. The Placer Union High School District is a special place--and although I’ve been here for only six months, I feel like I am home. From our exceptional staff to our incredible students to the supportive families and greater communities, it is easy to see why so many love to learn, work, and live in PUHSD!!
I am hopeful you had an opportunity to watch our first annual “State of the District”. In an effort to share information about our District’s goals and achievements, we thought that it would be a new and informative way to reach our communities. If you haven’t had a chance, please take a look. It’s posted later in this newsletter. The State recently released this year’s “Dashboard,” which shares how schools and districts across California are performing. I am proud to share that our District continues to thrive! Take a moment to check out all of the information on the State’s site about PUHSD. As I reflect on this Fall 2025 Term, a few things stand out in my mind... The level of academic discourse among our students and how they are taking advantage of all we have to offer academically is truly inspiring and astonishing. I seriously have never seen anything like it. Our students are hungry to learn and do well. The intensity, dedication, camaraderie, and fun on our fields and courts have been awe-inspiring. Each of our student-athletes and coaches should be proud not only of winning, but doing so with class and pride. Congratulations to our Fall Teams for a great season! The dedication of our Administrators, Teachers, and Staff is to be commended. They all care deeply about the success of our students, programs, schools, and District, and it shows in the accomplishments we reap in the classrooms, on the fields/courts, and in our communities.
I am hopeful you enjoy the remainder of this Term and can make lasting memories, enjoy the festive season, and take a well-deserved rest during our Winter Break.
Tom
Happy Holidays to All ~
We ’ re all here for the students because that ’ s...
The
P INT
SEAS N 3 It’s hard to believe that we are starting the third season of our podcast episodes! Superintendent O’Malley and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Caminiti will be co-hosting. We’ll be airing an episode per month over the course of the school year. Be sure to follow us on Spotify! Episode #1 (25-26) ~ Welcome Back!! Episode #2 (25-26) ~ Clubs on Campuses Episode #3 (25-26) ~ College Visits & More! Episode #4 (25-26) ~ Maidu Virtual Charter Academy
Podcasts will be aired once a month during the school year (unless that needs
adjusting due to topics/schedule).
Follow us on Spotify
Episode #5 (25-26) ~ Reflection of the Fall 2025 Term
First Annual State of the District Message
Please take a moment to join Superintendent O’Malley and Board President Jessica Spaid as they present the inaugural Annual ‘State of the District’ message.
Link to Video
We would again like to thank Mr. Wolff and his amazing Colfax crew for helping with the production of the video! PUHSD Proud!
VIDEO CONTEST UP stander
THEME
UP stander
HOW TO BE AN
UP stander
Use
brand
Under 2 minutes Use school-appropriate language & content Who can submit?
LAST MONTH TO SUBMIT!!!!
SUBMISSIONS Now through the end of the Fall 25 Term (Winning videos from each site will advance to a District-wide contest held in the Spring) Questions and submissions should be emailed to:
Ronda Black - rblack@puhsd.k12.ca.us or Sarah Rath - srath@puhsd.k12.ca.us
Videos may be shown throughout the District & shared on Social Media
FORESTHILL HIGH SCHOOL
Foresthill High School serves approximately 200 students. While it is the smallest among our schools, the dedicated staff leverages this size to develop strong relationships with each student, driven by a commitment to provide extensive opportunities and encourage every student to thrive. The school’s highly qualified educators strive to deliver a diverse range of advanced academic, support, and elective courses, as well as providing extracurricular opportunities. Foresthill’s FFA students are highly ranked in the State’s Forestry Challenges each year. This year’s first-ever 8-man FHS Football Team made school history with an outstanding season! PUHSD Proud of FHS!!
Our vision is to be a place that students, parents, and the community are proud of and excited about. We want to meet the needs of every student, one student at a time. We will do so by providing a comprehensive program that rivals any in the region, including an academic program that ensures career and college ready students; consistently high- achieving and varied athletic programs; distinctive performing arts opportunities; and access to diverse curriculum through the use of technology and distance learning. Perseverence Ingenui ty Pride Respect Integri ty
Foresthill High School 23319 Foresthill Road Foresthill, CA 95631 530.367.5244
From the desk of Crystal Eatherton, Director Child Nutrition Services Department
OUT & ABOUT IN THE DISTRICT
Placer FFA Member Luis participated in the band at the FFA National Convention and was awarded a solo part in the musical production! PUHSD Proud!
Mother-Daughter Coaching Duo!
Check out this story featuring Colfax students using their skills they learned in class to help the community. PUHSD Proud!
Jen Isaac (Del Oro) and Ashley Patton-Isaac (Placer) are the dynamic coaches for their respective schools’ Girls Tennis Teams. This year, they each guided their teams to achieve the title of Section Champions! **Fantastic job, Coaches & Players!**
13000 New Airport Road Auburn, CA 95603 Phone: 530.886.4400 Fax: 530.886.4449 Placer Union High School District
LET’S connect
The Placer Union High School District (PUHSD) is committed to ensuring equal, fair, and meaningful access to employment and education services and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. PUHSD understands and will address the intersectionality of identities and how they can lead to unique forms of discrimination or harassment. PUHSD prohibits discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, or bullying in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, ethnic group identification, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical information, national origin, disability, parental status, political affiliation, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, retaliation, sex, sexual orientation, military or veterans status, homelessness, foster status, or any other basis prohibited by California state and federal nondiscrimination laws consistent with Education Code 200 and 220, Government Code 11135, and Title IX. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, or bullying, you should contact Title IX Coordinator (Students) Steve Caminiti, 13000 New Airport Road, Auburn, 530.886.4402, scaminiti@puhsd.k12.ca.us; Title II (Students) and Section 504 Coordinator Carrie Warda, 13000 New Airport Road, Auburn, 530.886.4433, cwarda@puhsd.k12.ca.us; and/or Title IX and Title II Coordinator (Staff) Elena DalFavero, 13000 New Airport Road, Auburn, 530.886.4426, edalfavero@puhsd.k12.ca.us.
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