COMMUNITY CONNECT OCTOBER 2025 | VOLUME 6 | EDITION 3
“Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find, for a mind maker-upper to make up his mind” ― Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Happy October, PUHSD! As we transition into Fall—my favorite season—I hope everyone is taking advantage of the numerous opportunities available on our campuses, as well as the thrilling events taking place on our courts and fields. This season truly brings a sense of magic to all our communities...enjoy! In the last newsletter, I mentioned how four years of high school can seem to fly by in an instant. With this in mind, one of the fantastic opportunities available on our campuses is guidance on “what to do next and where to go from here.” The College & Career Centers, supported by our College & Career Technicians and Counselors, provide essential information and in-person visits from colleges, trade schools, universities, and military branches, giving our students a glimpse into future possibilities. All of these visits are carefully organized and take place on campus during the school day, ensuring that students can easily access these valuable resources. Additionally, each year, a free ‘Regional College Fair’ takes place in the evening for all students and families to attend. This year, it is being hosted by Rocklin High School. A flier is posted later in the newsletter. Be sure to check it out! More information about all of these incredible offerings and the individuals behind them is what this month’s podcast episode is all about!
Have a fantastic month and continue to do great things! PUHSD Proud!
Official Newsletter of the Placer Union High School District
October Board Meeting Tuesday - October 21, 2025 5:30 pm RVO Meeting Room 13000 New Airport Road | Auburn
Sarah Rath, Communications Officer Sarah Rath
Superintendent Message ~ Tom O’Malley
You might grow tired of hearing me say this, but I truly believe: “This District is exceptional, our schools are outstanding, and the opportunities our staff provides to students are unparalleled!” In the past month, I’ve had the joy of witnessing various school teams compete on the fields and courts throughout our campuses. The energy and enthusiasm in these venues are absolutely contagious--many thanks to the student spirit sections at these competitions. These events create a wonderful opportunity for our students, staff, families, and the broader community to unite, support each other, and foster relationships that strengthen our connections as school communities.
One of the standout experiences for me during the recent football games has been enjoying the half-time shows. As a coach, I always missed these performances. The dedication and hard work that cheer and dance teams put into their routines are truly remarkable. The precision and excellence exhibited by our marching bands are nothing short of phenomenal. As a spectator, I find myself in awe, and as the Superintendent, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride. I look forward to continuing to watch our students succeed academically, athletically, and artistically during this school year. In this newsletter, you’ll find valuable information about the offerings and campuses of the Placer School for Adults (PSA). The Auburn campus not only serves PSA, but also hosts a program for the Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) as well as our District’s Transition to Adult Living (TAL) Program. I also had the privilege of connecting with the community by speaking at a Rotary Club meeting, where I shared information about the District’s programs and highlighted the remarkable events taking place on our campuses. Many of I recently had the opportunity to tour the TAL classrooms, meet the dedicated staff, and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the TAL students. Dr. Carrie Warda, the Director of Pupil Services, also serves as TAL’s Principal. It was heartwarming to see that she knew each student by name, and they all recognized and appreciated her presence. Dr. Warda and her team play a crucial role in equipping these students with essential life and social skills, preparing them for their future endeavors.
these individuals attended, or their children attended, one of
Thank you all for your continued support of our students, staff, and schools. Enjoy the month of October and feel free to reach out at any time. our District schools. They were happy to hear that the traditions of excellence continue to this day.
Tom
We ’ re all here for the students because that ’ s... (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Don’t forget to tune in to this month’s podcast featuring Annie Cardullo, Foresthill’s Counselor, as she shares insights on this and much more! Another example of the great things happening in the College & Career Centers comes from Del Oro’s recent newsletter, where Mrs. Fessenden shares some insights from their campus. “Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left. The College & Career Centers, in collaboration with the Counseling Offices, offer essential resources, information, and opportunities for students (and their families) to explore options available after high school. The 2025 College Night presents an excellent chance to learn about post- secondary offerings directly from representatives. This event welcomes all grade levels and their families. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!
The
P INT
Podcasts will be aired once a month during the school year (unless that needs
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!!
adjusting due to topics/schedule).
Follow us on Spotify
Episode #2 (25-26) ~ Clubs on Campuses Episode #3 (25-26) ~ College Visits & More!
PLACER SCHOOL FOR ADULTS
What is Adult Education???
**From Founding Fathers to Our Families: The Enduring Legacy of Adult Education**
Since 1957, PSA has been serving adult students throughout Placer County with a variety of educational programming and services targeted to meet the needs of adult learners in our region. Placer School for Adults has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 2012. Today, PSA operates as part of a modern federal-state partnership, serving as a key local provider that customizes its programs to the community's requirements. As part of the Sierra Joint Consortium, PSA collaborates with other regional agencies to create clear educational pathways for adult learners across Placer and Nevada counties. Our main campus, located at the Lynn MacDonald Education Center, consists of 14 classrooms, three computer labs, career and counseling center and a Pearson Vue Testing Center. The concept of lifelong learning is deeply ingrained in American history. Unlike childhood education, adult education focuses on adults engaging in systematic learning to acquire new knowledge, skills, or values. This tradition dates back to the colonial era and continues to thrive today, benefiting families in our community through the Placer School for Adults (PSA). PUHSD’s Adult Education Program provides these opportunities to our communities. Learn more about PSA here, on their website, and at the October 21 Board Meeting when they will be the ‘Showcase’! st
PSA has expanded programs to provide learning opportunities to individuals in Grass Valley and Tahoe/Truckee.
PSA also partners with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office to provide educational programs to incarcerated individuals.
Placer School for Adults is dedicated to its mission of equipping students with the education and training they need to overcome obstacles, explore new opportunities, and become successful lifelong learners. PSA serves the Placer Union HS District and the broader community with a diverse
range of programs that reflect the historical objectives of adult education: - **Earning a High School Diploma or Equivalent**: Continuing the foundational emphasis on literacy and basic education.
- **Developing English Proficiency**: Upholding the tradition of settlement houses by assisting community members in mastering a new language. - **Career Technical Education (CTE)**: Offering vocational pathways that lead to employment, a contemporary counterpart to the skill-building initiatives of early mechanics' institutes.
The following excerpt is from Principal Steven Casperite’s message that can be found on their website.
FUN FACTS: In 1957 when PSA began... The Wham-O Toy Company began producing Frisbees, which quickly gained popularity; The sitcom Leave It to Beaver premiered; On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite into orbit, sparking the Space Race; The average retail price for a gallon of gasoline was around $0.31 At PSA, we are dedicated to being your trusted guide and partner throughout this empowering journey of self-discovery and career advancement. Let us embark on this inspiring adventure together! Steven Casperite Currently, PSA operates across six campuses that serve as a beacon of learning and growth. As a key member of the Sierra Joint Consortium, we embrace collaboration by forming strong partnerships with the Roseville Adult School, the Sierra Joint Community College District, and other key stakeholders in our region. Together, we aim to create educational pathways that significantly enrich the lives of adults in our community. Our diverse and dynamic offerings include a state-of-the- art Class A truck driving school, an immersive Clinical Medical Program, watercolor painting classes and other community enrichment courses that encourage creativity, high school diploma completion classes, courses for our English language learners, preparation classes for the high school equivalency exam, commonly known as the GED, and many other engaging programs. These initiatives are the result of our collaborative efforts.
During this year’s site showcases at Board meetings, each site will select a member of their community to be recognized. PSA is the first showcase of the year and has selected two of its community teachers to be highlighted. The PSA Honorees that will be recognized at the October 21 Board Meeting are: st
Sonja Hamilton has been a vital and cherished part of the Auburn and PSA/PUHSD community since 2001. She is an award-winning artist and teacher, recognized by the PSA team for her invaluable contributions to art and education shared with our community and beyond. As an ambassador for PSA/PUHSD and the art scene in the Placer County region, Sonja boasts a national and international following, with students attending her classes both locally and online from around the globe.
Her dedication to education has earned her significant recognition, including being named an Honoree for 'Teachers Who Make a Difference' in Placer County and '2010 Teacher of the Year.'
Gayle Baker has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, which she brings to her work at Placer School for Adults. She was the very first teacher we hired when we opened in Grass Valley. She began teaching both High School Diploma and GED courses, and within a few short months, the Program grew so quickly that we needed to bring on another teacher just to keep up with the demand. Since then, Gayle has become the heart of our High School Diploma Program, teaching everything from algebra to U.S. history, business English, and health.
What makes Gayle so special is the warm and welcoming environment she creates for students. She’s full of ideas to keep them motivated and celebrated — from raffles that encourage attendance, to the tradition of signing a board at completion. She even wrote a personal card for every single graduate last year, a gesture that meant the world to our students. Learn more about these two amazing educators during the presentation at the Board meeting on October 21st! Congratulations and a job well done Sonja & Gayle!!!
As messaged in the District communication of September 5, 2025, we are spearheading an ‘UPstander’ campaign to promote awareness about helping others and making good choices every day. A couple of ways to do that are by wearing blue next Monday, 10/6/25, and submitting a video for our contest. (See all of the following details! )
On Monday, October 6, 2025, join us in supporting the WORLD DAY OF BULLYING PREVENTION by wearing blue to school!! UP stander
No Blue? No Problem! We’ve got BLUE beads for you to show your support of WORLD DAY OF BULLYING PREVENTION!!!
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?
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
From the desk of Crystal Eatherton, Director Child Nutrition Services Department
OUT & ABOUT IN THE DISTRICT
CHOOL BUDGETS LCFF, Catagoricals & LCAP- Oh My! In our ongoing effort to share insights about our school and district budgets, we would like to provide information on our revenue sources and how funds are allocated. Revenue We have three primary revenue streams that contribute to our income: Categorical Federal Funding : These funds are allocated based on student populations and enrollment, coming with strict limitations. They must be utilized for Federally prioritized programs and involve numerous compliance and reporting requirements. State Funding : These funds, which represent the majority of our budget, are determined by the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF - see below) and depend on factors such as average daily attendance (ADA), property taxes, and State aid. To access these funds, the District is required to submit a Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP - see below). Categoricals: This type of funding comes from the State for use on State-prioritized programs. Similar to federal funds, they carry several restrictions and reporting obligations. Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) - The State began using this funding formula in 2013. It changed how local educational agencies (LEAs) in the State are funded, how they are measured, and the services and supports they receive to allow all students to succeed to their greatest potential. The State has created the formula that our District complies with, which includes creating our LCAP and submitting it to the Placer County Office of Education for review and approval. These include facility funds that can only be used for that purpose, and not general expenditures. (Example - Colfax new turf is paid from facility funds, not general funding.) Grants: This is another type of one-time funding. Grants are used to maintain programs such as CTEIG, Early College, etc. These, too, carry several restrictions and reporting obligations. Local Resources : These funds are sourced from our community donations and are generally unrestricted unless the donor specifies a particular program or use.
Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) - The LCAP is a tool for our District to set goals, plan actions, and prioritize resources to meet the goals of improving student outcomes. The District invites members of our school communities (students, parents, and staff) to meet each Spring to evaluate this Plan to ensure we have a voice from all. All District expenditures are based on this Plan to ensure we are meeting the needs of our students and staff to increase our programs and student outcomes.
As we face our budget constraints, we are hopeful that sharing how school district finances are received and spent will help you understand any actions taken to sustain our necessary programs for our students.
We will continue to keep you apprised of the District’s budget through this recurring article.
PLACER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
David Underwood Trustee Area 2
Tom Duncan Clerk Area 5
Jessica Spaid President Area 3
Jeremy Jeffreys Trustee Area 1
Emerson Lake Trustee Area 4
PUHSD Board of Trustee regular meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month (two meetings in June and no meetings in July). Meetings are held at the Ron V. Oates (RVO) Meeting Room at 13000 New Airport Road in Auburn. Open session begins at 5:30 pm. Agendas are published Thursday afternoons prior to the meeting date and can be accessed through our webpage. (Link) Regular meetings are also live-streamed and recorded. We encourage all of our school communities to attend!
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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