Dear Scotts Valley Community,
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it is packed with exciting activities and events. Please be sure to check out school site websites regularly for information.
We recently sent out applications for Citizens Oversight Committees, Measure V and O. Measure V, the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee, usually meets twice a year. Measure O, the Bond Oversight Committee usually meets quarterly. Oversight Committees Letter
As in prior years, district office personnel are finalizing the upcoming 2025-26 student calendar. When building the calendar, we collaborate with other districts and receive input from teachers, counselors, and administrator employee groups. We intend to bring our recommendation to the School Board of Trustees at the February 11th School Board meeting. Once approved, the 2025-26 school calendar will be shared district-wide and on the District website.
February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month. As a part of our Diversity and Awareness Calendar, we are spending the month celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. At all four of our schools, you will see books, historical discussions, and representations of African Americans' many contributions to our country. Scotts Valley Unified School District recognizes and celebrates the history and contributions of African American citizens. This is just one step we are taking to focus on and celebrate our diverse community.
This is Scotts Valley High School’s WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation year, and the visit is coming soon. Principal Joe Allen and WASC Coordinator John Postovit will host the WASC Visiting Committee at SVHS on February 10th -12th. They will begin their visit with a reception at SVHS on Sunday, February 9th, during which the Student Government will give a campus tour. Throughout their visit, the Visiting Committee will meet with many different groups, including teachers and staff, students and parents, and site and district administration. After this visit, SVUSD & Scotts Valley High School expect to receive approval as early as this coming summer.
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, we proudly celebrated the grand opening of our new High School Wellness Center. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours, and detailed information about the center’s purpose and its vital role in supporting student well-being.
With this on-campus Wellness Center, we are excited to achieve the following goals:
1. Reduce the Stigma Around Mental Health Care
2. Provide Open Access to Wellness and Connections to Services
3. Offer Integrated Systems of Support Addressing Social Determinants of Health and Prevention
4. Deliver Early Intervention and Social-Emotional Skill-Building
This milestone would not have been possible without the collaboration and dedication of many individuals and organizations. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Congressman Panetta’s office, and our school district team for helping bring this vision to life. Together, we’ve created a space where students can thrive emotionally, mentally, and socially. KSBW Action News - Scotts Valley High School Opens Mental Health Wellness Center
During the week of February 3rd–7th, we will celebrate National School Counseling Week—a dedicated time to recognize the invaluable role our school counselors play in shaping students’ success and well-being. While we appreciate their daily dedication, this week is a special opportunity to acknowledge their positive impact on our campuses.
From providing academic guidance to offering social-emotional support—whether in one-on-one sessions or small groups—our counselors help students thrive in countless ways. Let’s come together to show our gratitude and make them feel as special as they make our students feel every day!
Thank you to SVPD’s Detective Ahrens, SVUSD’s School Resource Officer, and his team for an evening of hands-on training using the work of Vigilant Parent Initiative. Parents who participated this past Thursday evening were provided iPads and explored popular apps like Tic Tock, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. They learned about parental controls and how to manage their families’ online safety, including from online predators. Each participating parent learned practical tools and strategies to apply immediately. This was SVUSD’s second time sponsoring this event, and we will continue to partner with the Scotts Valley Police Department and other community services to keep our students safe.
Your Voice Matters – Get Involved and Make a Difference!
More children than ever are being diagnosed with learning disabilities and unique educational needs. In North Santa Cruz County, YOU can be a key part of making a positive change! By joining the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), you’ll have the opportunity to help shape training, spark important conversations, and raise awareness.
Our CAC meetings are open to all parents—whether your child has a disability or not—as well as educators, community members, and representatives from local agencies. Each district’s school board carefully chooses voting members, and at least half must be parents of children with disabilities in public or private schools in North Santa Cruz County. We invite everyone passionate about supporting kids with disabilities to attend and lend their voice!
Interested? Visit the North SELPA CAC webpage for more details and learn how to get involved.
You can also find Parent Resources HERE and Parent Workshops HERE.
March is just around the corner, and we’re excited to celebrate Disability Awareness Month! At Scotts Valley Unified School District, we prefer to call it Different Abilities Month because it’s a time to honor the unique talents, strengths, and perspectives each individual brings to our community.
Throughout the month, we’ll focus on raising awareness, understanding, and acceptance for all students – especially those with disabilities. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our children to learn about inclusion, kindness, and the importance of supporting one another, no matter our differences.
We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of celebrating diversity and recognizing that every person has something special to offer. Together, we can create an environment where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to shine in their own unique way.
Stay tuned for exciting activities and events throughout March. Let’s work together to make this month memorable and meaningful for our students and families. Thank you for your continued support in creating an inclusive and compassionate school community!
In closing, we invite you to support students and families affected by the LA fires. Many have been displaced and are focused on meeting their basic needs, making gift cards and financial contributions the most helpful form of assistance. Santa Cruz County Educators encourage those who can give to consider donating to this fund. Your support will make a meaningful difference.
Sincerely,
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