"The Mighty Mighty Presidents" by Robinson Elementary 3rd Graders

February 15, 2018

2018 SVUSD Teachers of the Year

The following teachers have been selected as SVUSD Teachers of the Year by their colleagues. Three teachers have been selected to move forward to represent SVUSD as nominees for the Orange County Teacher of the Year. Congratulations!

Jamie Bennett - Montevideo Sharon Bouas - Santiago Christine Cerise - Del Cerro Irene Constantine - Del Lago Ashley Dawley - Glen Yermo Andee Dekofsky* - La Paz Michelle Dunn-McDermaid - Silverado/Mira Monte Stacey Eldred - Esperanza Stephanie Evans - Valencia Sherri Fankhauser - Portola Hills Leslie Gonzalez - Linda Vista Roger Gunderson - Laguna Hills Kara Johnson* - Trabuco Hills Patti Lopez - Gates Patricia Manning* - Rancho Canada Pam Marks - Los Alisos Susane Melton - Cordillera Julia Montoya - Robinson Russell Moreau - Fine Arts Sandy Peterson - Olivewood Karissa Teskey - Trabuco Mesa Paul Treibel - Rancho Santa Margarita Staci Von Luft - San Joaquin Tiffany Voss - CieloVista Rachel Walker - Melinda Heights Brad Warkentin - Mission Viejo Mike Wood - El Toro Vicki Zoradi - Lake Forest On Tuesday, March 27, a reception will be held to recognize our teachers in the District Education Center Board Room. Sponsored by SVEA, SVUSD, and Schools First Federal Credit Union. * Indicates the teachers who will represent SVUSD for the Orange County Teacher of the Year

Top 10 Teacher of Orange County by OC Parenting Magazine

Congratulations to Candy Mack, Los Alisos Intermediate School teacher, who was named one of the Top 10 Teachers of Orange County by OC Parenting magazine. On February 7, an awards reception was held at the Bowers Museum for the teachers who were named to the Top 25 Teachers of Orange County. The surprise came that evening when the announcement was made that Ms. Mack was named as one of the Top 10 Teachers.

School News

Winter Olympics

Meet Jonathan Blum, a 2007 Trabuco Hills High School graduate, who is part of Team USA for Ice Hockey. Jonathan Blum's Bio

Serrano Intermediate Principal is "Student for the Day"

Serrano Intermediate Principal, Robert Sherlock, became a "Student for the Day" after he challenged the students during a school fundraiser, and lost. ASB sponsored an event called "Step It Up," a school-wide fundraiser that raises money for school activities, including: dances, intramural sports during lunch time, student spirit and the class gift at the end of the school year. The fundraiser also provides prizes to students based on the level of donations raised. During the planning stages, Mr. Sherlock promised the students that if they hit their target goal of $65,000, he would be a "Student for the Day." The students passed that goal and raised around $75,000!

Portola Hills Celebrations 25 Years

Past principals with current principal, Joe Ledoux, on the right.

The 25th Anniversary celebration at Portola Hills on February 2 was a huge success! The event was well attended by many alumni teachers, students, staff and families.  The MPR displayed a walk down memory lane where, every year since the school's opening, was profiled with photos and information reflective of that year. Outside was set up with a carnival-like atmosphere including music, food and games. The evening was a great way to see old friends and celebrate the 25 years of Portola Hills Elementary School.

Athletes of Character and Honor

The annual Orange County Athletic Directors Association "Athletes of Character and Honor" dinner was held at the Anaheim Convention Center on February 5th. Over 500 people were in attendance to honor 120 athletes from Orange County schools. This award is presented to athletes who pursue victory with honor by showing great character in their respect for their school, coaches, teammates, opponents, and the game itself they represent. We are proud to recognize the six SVUSD 2018 recipients! Mission Viejo High School Mitch Dossey and Peyton Cody

El Toro High School Ashley Messineo and Cooper Jones  Laguna Hills High School Chris Hunt and Maya Williams

National Letter of Intent Signing Day

On February 7, three of the SVUSD high schools recognized their student athletes as they signed their National Letters of Intent to their chosen colleges on February 7.  Congratulations to the student athletes who will continue their education with the opportunity to play the sport they love at the next level.

El Toro High School Baynard-Jones, Myles – Cross Country & Track– Savannah College of Arts and Design Castles, Sierra – Soccer – Cal State University, Long Beach Chavez, Arturo – Soccer – San Diego State University Church, Nathan – Baseball – University of California, Irvine Dill, Katie – Water Polo – Cal State University, Long Beach Holmes, Collin – Water Polo – Pennsylvania State University Jackson, Demetrius – Basketball – Metropolitan State University Jones, Cooper – Football – Southeastern University Medley, Maliyah – Track - University of California, Los Angeles Morland, Riley – Volleyball – Cal State University, Los Angeles Nelms, Brad – Water Polo – McKendree University Noel, Andrew – Baseball – Cal State University, San Marcos Parsio, Brandon – Soccer – Northwest Nazarene University Roberts, Serena – Cheer – Cal Baptist University Shiffman, Stone – Baseball – Cal State University, Northridge Smith, Kailey – Soccer – University of Texas at Austin Smith, Xavier – Cross Country & Track – Cal State University, East Bay Steele, Jacob – Volleyball – Pepperdine University Tiffin, Ashley – Soccer – New Mexico State University Tolman, Erik – Baseball – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Vargas, Adrian – Cross Country & Track – Cal State University, East Bay Vasquez, Dominick – Football – Concordia University, Ann Arbor Whitesides, Kyle – Football - Dixie State University Ziv, Ben – Baseball – Chapman University

Mission Viejo High School

Baltruweit, Drew – Baseball – Cal State University, Northridge Burt, Peyton – Soccer – Cal State University, San Marcos Champlin, Kevin – Baseball – Wheaton College Cody, Peyton – Softball – St. John’s University Collins, Kaitlin – Soccer – Boston University Farley, Kate – Soccer – Cal State University, Monterey Bay Glauber, Sanya – Gymnastics – University of Maryland Guy, Robert Brendan – Baseball – University of Utah Jemal, Alexander – Oregon State University Johnston, Hailey – Softball – Hendrix College LaValle, Christian – Football – Arizona State University Levine, William – Arizona State University McGowan, Terra – Softball – Arizona State University Mitchell, Christopher – Football – Boise State University Muench, Jack - Football - Cornell University Osborne, Austin - University of Washington

Patterson, Jarrett – Football – University of Notre Dame Petro, Kelly – Lacrosse – Whittier College Rende, Ashley – Soccer & Lacrosse – University of Redlands Rich, Brenna – Softball – Kansas Wesleyan University Tanuvasa, Kanoah – Football – Dixie State University Vieira, Alyssa – Softball – Washington College Viggiano, Olivia – Softball – Seattle University

Trabuco Hills High School

Estes, Abby  - Soccer - Cal State University, San Marcos  Fergeson, Aubrey - Soccer - Biola University Garrido, Sophia  - Soccer - University of California, San Diego Krenik, Paige  -Volleyball - University of Maryland, Baltimore County Lee, Sean  - Track & Field - University of California, Los Angeles Pinvidic, Garrett  - Football -Benedictine College Shutler, Audi - Soccer - University of Chicago

SEUSSICAL TIME!

The Mission Viejo High School Drama Department presented the musical,  Seussical Jr. to both elementary school students, as well as the larger  community ,  on February 7 & 8.  The performance featured a supporting cast and crew from Drama 3, and IB Theatre HL1 and HL 2 students.  The production themes included, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community, while exposing young children to the arts. The Cat in the Hat ( Jeffrey Baker ), Horton the Elephant ( Ben Sellers ), JOJO ( Devoree Shields ), and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters sprung to life onstage in a fantastical musical extravaganza! From the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrated the story of Horton the Elephant, who must protect the Whos from a world of dangers, and guard an abandoned egg, that had been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird ( Kayla Morgan ). Although Horton faced ridicule, danger and a trial, Gertrude McFuzz ( Hope Spires ) never lost faith in him.

Upcoming Events

March 3 - Youth Sports Flag Football program begins at Mission Viejo High School and Laguna Hills High School March 31 - Kids Factory Bunny Days - Norman P. Murray Senior & Community Center - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm   1st Annual Spring Break Sports Academy at Laguna Hills High School

SVUSD Upcoming Events

February 16 - 19 February 28 March 5 March 24 April 2 - 6 April 11 April 18 April 24 April 26

February Recess Let's Talk Cannabis @ Mission Viejo Christian Church 6:30 pm Elementary School Choice Opens STEAM Expo @Laguna Hills High School 3:00 - 5:30 pm Spring Recess Intermediate School Open House High School Open House Esperanza Open House Elementary School Open House

SVUSD District Information

Superintendent Dr. Crystal Turner   Board of Trustees President Amanda Morrell   Vice President Suzie R. Swartz   Clerk Dr. Edward Wong   Members Dolores Winchell Dennis Walsh   Student Member Daniel Choi

Board of Education Meeting Dates

The Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees encourages community members to attend and participate in its business meetings whenever possible.   Closed session board business is typically conducted at 5:00 p.m. followed by open session business typically beginning at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are held in the SVUSD Education Center Board Room located at 25631 Peter A. Hartman Way, Mission Viejo.