COMMUNITY CONNECT MARCH 2026 | VOLUME 6 | EDITION 8
"In the words of Walt Disney, 'All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.' As the flowers bloom in March, let your dreams blossom too. Believe in the magic within you and watch as your aspirations take flight." March is like nature's pep talk, nudging us all toward a fresh start. It’s a great reminder of the endless possibilities just waiting for us to dive in. March is also “Music in Our Schools” month, and our podcast highlights two of our amazing programs. Be sure to take a listen. Calendars are bursting with athletic competitions, performing arts events, community LCAP nights, testing, and then graduation. We are hopeful you join us in supporting our students during these events and sprinkle some positive vibes during these Spring months. Students - be sure to consider applying for the State Seal of Civic Engagement. Applications are due by the month’s end. For information, flip to the page later in this newsletter. Earning the Seal (which is placed on Diplomas) is a great addition for college/career applications.
Sarah Rath, Communications Officer Sarah Rath Have a fantastic, fun-filled month!
Official Newsletter of the Placer Union High School District
March Board Meeting Tuesday - March 17, 2026 5:30 pm RVO Meeting Room 13000 New Airport Road | Auburn
Superintendent Message It’s hard to believe that we only have three months remaining in this school year! While the saying “time flies when you’re having fun” comes to mind, it doesn’t fully capture the realities of managing a school district. While there have been some challenges, we've also experienced some truly wonderful moments over the past seven months! As we reflect on the achievements and milestones we've reached, it's essential to celebrate the dedication and hard work of our staff, students, and communities. From the successful seasons of our athletic teams to the progress we've seen in our academic scores, every effort has brought us closer to our goals.
This month's podcast revolves around March being designated as “Music in Schools Month” and features two of our exceptional music programs. The two brilliant minds behind these programs, Mr. Lawrenson (Placer) and Mr. Wilkinson (Colfax), will be retiring at the end of the school year. We are extremely grateful for their countless hours dedicated to developing outstanding programs that have enriched our students' experiences. With that said, Spring brings some incredible performing arts events that showcase the talents of our students. We hope that you will join us in celebrating these achievements and supporting our young musicians and performers at some of these events, as there is something for everyone to enjoy. Looking ahead, we're excited to continue providing quality education and enriching experiences for our students. Our focus remains on fostering an environment where every student can thrive, supported by a committed team that values excellence and innovation. Shane Steinback, who will serve as Colfax High School’s next Principal, is a perfect example of the individuals who bring passion and dedication we seek in our leadership. Mr. Steinback's experience and vision will undoubtedly bring fresh energy and new ideas to Colfax High School and our District, and we are excited to watch him lead Colfax next school year. In addition to this leadership change, we will also focus on strategic planning for the upcoming school year. This includes thoughtful consideration of our budget and staffing needs to ensure we continue to provide safe and effective learning environments. We aim to build on our current successes and address any challenges head-on, with a proactive and positive approach.
Let's stay dedicated to fostering a nurturing and motivating educational environment for our students. I truly appreciate the backing of our school communities and the larger community that supports our students and staff. Together, we can continue to make a significant impact on the lives of our students. Lastly, I want to extend a big shoutout to all of our Winter Sports teams! You’ve done an amazing job representing our District, your school, your team, and most importantly, yourselves. I am extremely proud of you all.
I had the honor of speaking at a recent meeting of the Placer County Association of Realtors (PCAR) in Auburn, and I’m excited to do so again for another group later this month. These dedicated individuals not only contribute to the vitality of our communities by assisting families in buying and selling homes, but they also stand as steadfast supporters of our students. Each year, they generously provide thousands of dollars in scholarships to graduates through their Scholarship Program. Seniors, make sure to explore this wonderful opportunity! Deadline for applications is 3/16/26. Thank you, PCAR!
Tom
We ’ re all here for the students because that ’ s...
The
P INT
SEAS N 3
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 Episode #5 (25-26) ~ Reflection on Fall 2025 Term Episode #6 (25-26) ~ Career Technical Education (CTE) Episode #7 (25-26) ~ Music in Our Schools
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
March ~ “MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS” Month Students are 70% more likely to receive a music scholarship than an athletic one.... Another reason to invest in a musical education.
Colfax High School’s Chamber Choir is headed to Southern California to work with the Disney crew to produce a soundtrack. They are a group of incredibly talented vocalists, and watching them perform is a gift. Their Spring show is scheduled to take place in May...don’t miss it!
Students from Placer’s Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Choir participated in the CMEA Golden Empire Solo and Ensemble Contest. It was a banner day for the instrumentalists, with every participant receiving the highest rating possible, Superior .
Del Oro’s Band Program welcomed elementary students to campus to learn about being a member of the Golden Eagle Band. Del Oro High School’s Spring Musical is “Legally Blonde”. Auditions have taken place and the cast and crew are working hard! Be sure to catch the show when it’s announced!!
STATE SEAL OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (SSCE) Be recognized for demonstrating an understanding of civic knowledge, civic skills and action, quality student reflection, and have testimony of student civic-mindedness.
Background
Placer Union High School District (PUHSD) developed and approved the District State Seal for Civic Engagement criteria on August 7th, 2024. We want to recognize and celebrate students for what they are doing to advocate for and serve the needs of our community and our democratic society. PUHSD Adoption
The California State Board of Education (SBE) now awards the SSCE to all California students who demonstrate excellence in civics education through civic participation and an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the democratic system of government.
State Seal of Civic Engagement Project & Application
Where Please visit the PUHSD webpage dedicated to the SSCE to learn more. PUHSD TIMELINE for the 2025-2026 school year: The State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE) application deadline is March 26, 2026.
ACT NOW! You may already be doing things that will help you qualify for this seal! Seals are placed on Diplomas signifying the achievement.
PLACER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Colfax High School will be the showcase at the March 17, 2026, Board Meeting. Come hear all of the great things happening on this amazing campus!!!
COLFAX HIGH SCHOOL
The mission of Colfax High School is to serve as an active part of a community based in tradition and strong values of supporting, serving, respecting and celebrating who we are. Colfax High School strives to meet the needs of all learners in a positive, supporting environment, believing strongly that all students can learn at high levels. We are dedicated to stimulating all students’ thinking, challenging their creative minds with inquiry, and reinforcing the value of taking risks in order to create principled, balanced, reflective thinkers and communicators. All programs at Colfax High School emphasize high expectations of scholarship and merit, as well as international mindedness so that students can be open-mindedly responsive to diversity and become positive, well-rounded citizens of this world. Colfax High School is the most north eastern of four comprehensive high schools in the Placer Union High School District, in the community of Colfax, California. Students are drawn from a rural 40 mile zone that parallels Interstate 80 from Christian Valley in the west to Emigrant Gap in the east and is bordered by the American and Bear Rivers. In 2018, Colfax High School received a 6-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In 2019, Colfax was authorized by the International Baccalaureate program and is currently in the second year of being an IB for All World School. Opened in 1959, Colfax serves approximately 640 students in grades 9-12.
We. Are. Colfax.
Colfax High School 24995 Ben Taylor Rd Colfax, CA 95713 530.346.2284
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme
Did you know... Colfax High School is one of only four schools in Placer County that offers an IB Diploma Programme? Perhaps the next question is "What is IB and what is their Diploma Programme"?
The International Baccalaureate (IB), formerly known as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), is a nonprofit foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and founded in 1968. It offers four educational programmes: the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Career-related Programme for students aged 15 to 19, the IB Middle Years Programme for students aged 11 to 16, and the IB Primary Years Programme for children aged 3 to 12. To teach these programmes, schools must be authorized by the International Baccalaureate. The organization's name and logo were changed in 2007 to reflect new structural arrangements. Consequently, "IB" may now refer to the organization itself, any of the four programmes, or the diploma or certificates awarded at the end of a Programme. (wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Baccalaureate)
The IB's Mission Statement: The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. "With over 5,000 IB Schools worldwide, our global school community develops well-rounded, caring, knowledgeable and self-motivated students. Joining the IB gives schools an international reputation for excellence and quality." (https://www.ibo.org/) If someone wants to know more about the Programme and experience, they should: Go to the Colfax website where there is a lot of information, as well as reach out to the IB Coordinator Kara Diederichs. Ms. Diederichs recently put together this presentation that was shared with our future Falcons. kdiederichs@puhsd.k12.ca.us Students from any school in our District may attend the IB Programme by requesting an Intra-District Transfer. Please reach out to Renee Seaman if you have questions. (rseaman@puhsd.k12.ca.us)
From the desk of Crystal Eatherton, Director Child Nutrition Services Department
OUT & ABOUT IN THE DISTRICT
S oooo m a ny g r ea t t hi n g s to celeb r a t e a t each o f our ca mpus e s !!! PUHSD PROUD !!! Soooo many great things to celebrate at each of our campuses!!! PUHSD PROUD!!!
CHOOL Facility Budgets The following is an overview of the various accounts used to build and maintain our campuses. Examples for each of the funding accounts are included. As our facilities are an integral part of our campus culture, specifically athletics, we will soon be making some much-needed upgrades at some of our sites. See the info below the budget breakdown. Fund 40 ~ This account was established years ago to fund long-range projects in our facilities. One of the dedicated funding streams comes from site facility rentals (i.e., athletic fields, auditoriums, etc.). The profits from those rentals go into Fund 40. Expenditures are by site, with the monies raised by that site's facility use. All expenditures are restricted to Board approval. A few examples of the use of these funds would be track & field repair/renovation, bleacher & scoreboard replacement and repairs, pool maintenance and chemicals, weight room floor mats, and theater updates/renovations. Community Redevelopment Fund ~ This account is generated from County Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund and other Redevelopment Agency Assets. The funding is restricted to be used for facility construction, remodeling or deferred maintenance. We have primarily used the funds for district-wide deferred maintenance projects. Ongoing Routine Repair & Maintenance ~ The State requires that the District annually contribute three percent (3%) of the General Fund expenditures into this account. This is what is used to fund the day-to-day maintenance of our facilities. It has very restrictive guidelines for what expenditures it can be used for. Examples of these expenses are repair/replacement of HVAC systems, boiler units, carpeting, door locks, and restrooms. These are the monies we used to replace all of the toilets and restroom fixtures damaged in recent vandalism incidents. These funds are used to maintain safe facilities for all of our students and staff. Developer Fees ~ The District collects fees from individuals for permitting of new buildings or additions to existing homes. Part of those fees to go the elementary and high school districts in the area they are building. These fees are based on student population growth and are allocated district-wide, not site specific. The guidelines for what these funds can be used for are very restrictive and they must also be used in a timely manner. Funds can be saved for a couple of years for a large project, for example, refurbishing football fields, redoing parking lots, updating classroom modular buildings, etc., but must be spent within five years. The premise behind these fees is to fund the school facilities necessary to accommodate student growth and/or maintain existing levels of services. Bonds ~ Measure W - This is a District-wide Bond that funded modernization of existing buildings in our District. It also provided funds to build Foresthill High School, a new library, theater, student services, and gym at Colfax High School, a new Science & Social Science building at Placer High School, and a new theater/student service/admin building and gym at Del Oro High School. Measure D - This Bond is specific to Del Oro High School and was approved by the voters in those boundaries. Measure G - This Bond is specific to Placer High School and was approved by the voters in those boundaries. The District has prioritized a series of athletic facility upgrades at several high schools, including Colfax High School, Del Oro High School, Placer High School, and Foresthill High School, aimed at improving the overall student-athlete experience. Colfax High School received a new field turf and track last Fall. A dedication took place honoring long- time teacher/coach Tony Martello during the opening of the stadium. Del Oro High School and Placer High School will each receive new field turf to replace existing turf that has deteriorated over the past few years. The turf replacements are due to a warranty issue, and the District is paying a fraction of the cost of installing brand new turf. Additionally, as part of the warranty agreement, the track at Foresthill High School will be resurfaced for approximately half of the usual cost. The school will also receive a new football scoreboard, replacing the current one that is no longer operational. Additionally, the District will be installing scoreboards for both softball and baseball. These additions will enhance the experience and operations by providing improved visibility for athletes, coaches, and spectators. “These projects reflect our ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, high-quality facilities for our students-athletes and community,” said Peter Efstathiu, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. “We’re working to schedule these improvements during periods with fewer campus activities, hoping to ensure that they can be completed efficiently while limiting interruptions.” Construction timelines and installation details will be communicated to each school community as the projects move forward. The District appreciates the patience and support of students, staff, families, and community members during these upgrades and looks forward to the positive impact they will have on our school campuses. The current projects are expected to be completed before the 2026-27 school year and are being funded through the restricted Capital Outlay Fund 40 budget.
UPCOMING SNOW MAKE-UP DAYS In light of the recent weather conditions closing Colfax and Foresthill High Schools, both locations will implement one or both of the allocated ‘Snow Days.’ (Based on closures.) As of March 2, 2026, the Snow Make-Up Day(s) (school in session) dates are provided below. Please watch for updates from individual sites. COLFAX: Friday - March 27, 2026 – Minimum Day
SPRING BREAK
FORESTHILL: Friday - March 27, 2026 – Minimum Day Monday - April 6, 2026 - Regular PLC Day
No School for Students Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Professional Development Day for PUHSD staff.
All other campuses will be closed to the public during these dates. All campuses, including the District office, will be closed to the public for Spring Break (3/30-4/3).
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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