Dear Parents and Community Members,
We hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer break and are ready to embark on this journey of learning and growth together. As we begin this new academic year, we are filled with enthusiasm and anticipation for the wonderful opportunities that await our students. We are committed to providing a nurturing and challenging educational environment where every student can thrive. Our dedicated team of educators has been working diligently to prepare for the year ahead, and we are excited to share some key updates and focus areas for the year.
The first day of school for students is Thursday, August 8th. You will hear from each school site about specifics for the start of the school year. Our site staff all return on August 5th and have a few days of professional development and site preparation as we prepare to greet our students.
We continue to focus on MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) for academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support. Our PBIS (Positive Behavior, Intervention, and Support) programs remain strong at each site. This year, Santa Cruz County Public Schools will participate in the Santa Cruz Math Initiative, with a continued focus on math.
We have new management in key positions:
Han Nguyen, Interim Chief Business Official
Muhammad Faisal, Director of Business Services
Sarah Gialdini, Director of Curriculum and Assessment (previously SVHS Principal)
Joe Allen, SVHS Principal (previously SVMS Principal)
Michelle Menchaca, SVMS Principal (previously SVMS Assistant Principal)
Erin Asamoto, SVMS Assistant Principal
We are coming off of a successful hiring season in which we have secured the services of talented and passionate teachers, both new and experienced, to fill our vacancies. You may hear some unfamiliar staff member names when your child comes home from school next week. Here is a list of our new and transferring certificated staff to help you get up to speed with our changes.
The State of California released individual student scores for the 2024 administration of CAASPP State testing completed in April and May of this year. Students in 3rd-8th and 11th grades participated in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) in English Language Arts & math. Students in 5th, 8th, and 11th grades also participated in science.
Families can access their child’s report through the Synergy Parent Portal. Once you log in as a parent, you can choose the “State Test” button in the left column. Click on CAASPP English 2024, and it will take you to your child’s test results. The State has also redesigned the student report to show a student’s growth over time. Below, you will find the website, which explains the new student report and provides additional information about the testing, as well as resources for you to review. If you have questions about your child’s scores, please contact your child’s principal. https://ca.startingsmarter.org/
The California Assessment of Academic Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is just one measure of student achievement and progress toward proficiency. The District will analyze this data and make programmatic support available to students. This year, mathematics will continue to be a particular focus. Teachers will participate in lesson studies, collaboration days, and curriculum exploration as the team works to provide students with comprehensive support.
The District continues its commitment to celebrating diversity with our monthly heritage focus. With input from staff, parents, and students, this year’s calendar will continue to celebrate our unique and diverse community, expanding students’ understanding of others. This calendar can be found on our website: https://www.scottsvalleyusd.org/page/diversityequityinclusionbelonging.
SVUSD will continue to provide independent study options for families who need a different learning model. Our K-8 hybrid program launched last fall, with students participating weekly in remote learning and in-person instruction. The high school will continue to offer full-time independent instruction as well as part-time for students who would prefer to have the ability to participate in on-campus activities, including sports, electives, clubs, and social activities, but who need remote learning instruction. If you are interested in learning more about this program, you can visit our website or contact sgialdini@scottsvalleyusd.org.
We will be monitoring student attendance closely this year and ask all parents to help us ensure their children's regular, on-time attendance at school. We monitor attendance closely because research has shown that regular attendance is vital for student success in school. California law states that absences are excused only if the child is ill or there is an excuse that meets the requirements of the California Education Code Section 48205. Even excused absences that cause your child to miss significant amounts of school can cause them to fall behind in class and impact their social well-being at school.
To help your child have a positive experience with school, here are some resources and recommendations.
How to Prepare My Kid for TK or Kindergarten by First Five California
Preparing Your Child for School by Parent Teacher Association
How Many Hours of Sleep are Needed for Good Health by Mayo Clinic
SVUSD has partnered with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (SCCOE) and continues the work of opening a Wellness Center at SVHS. The District received federal grant monies to assist in this very important initiative. A Wellness Center is a welcoming and safe space on campus designed for and with students to provide access to prevention, intervention, crisis support, and education. As we approach our grand opening, we will be sure to communicate and share the news with the community.
We are excited to announce our new high school elective for our students in special education-EPIC (Exploring Practical Independence Class). This elective course is designed to empower students with essential skills for personal and professional success, preparing them for the challenges of adulthood.
EPIC students will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in several key areas: Financial Management, Effective Communication, Community/Workplace, and Socio-emotional Wellness. Each year, we work to improve our special education services across the District to diversify our program offerings to support all of our student needs. EPIC curriculum is tailored to meet the diverse needs of all students, ensuring an inclusive and supportive learning environment. By participating in this elective class, students will enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities and gain confidence in managing everyday tasks independently.
Over the summer, we improved our school facilities, including HVAC upgrades and new solar panels to enhance energy efficiency. Some projects are still being finalized, so please bear with us as we work with the contractors to finish them. Some of these projects will still be in process when school starts.
We are excited to share the completion of several significant IT projects over the summer:
● UPS Installation: To ensure uninterrupted power supply and protect our systems from outages, we have installed Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) across all four school sites.
● Network Upgrades: Our network infrastructure has been upgraded at all four school sites to enhance performance and reliability.
● IT Help Desk System: We have implemented a new and upgraded IT Help Desk Ticket system called Happy Fox. This system will streamline our support process and provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience for staff.
We are very excited that this year is Scotts Valley High School's 25th anniversary! We will celebrate throughout the year and are excited about our upcoming Homecoming events, including a parade on October 19th. Several alumni from past years will be joining, and there are lots of plans in the works, so stay tuned for more information to come.
As we move forward with the school year, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can achieve their full potential. Thank you for entrusting us with your children's education. Together, we can make this school year a memorable and successful one for all our students.
Welcome back, and let's make this year the best one yet!
Warm regards,
Tanya Krause, Superintendent, and the District Office Team
Please visit school websites for important dates and events
Brook Knoll Elementary Website
Scotts Valley Middle School Website