October 6, 2017
Saddleback Valley
Unified School District
Students walking together with Montevideo T-shirts
School News
2018 National Merit Semifinalists Announced
Saddleback Valley Unified School District is proud to announce 6 students who have been identified as National Merit Semifinalists.
National Merit Scholarship Logo
Congratulations to:

Karina L. Akers (THHS)
Darren K. Bao (THHS)
Joel Kattapuram (ETHS)
Jackson Machesky (ETHS)
Ashish Verma (THHS)
Jenny Wang (THHS)

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a United States academic scholarship competition for recognition and university scholarships administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

About 1.5 million students in approximately 22,000 high schools enter the National Merit Scholarship competition annually when they take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMQT). This test measures critical reading ability, mathematics problem-solving ability, and writing ability. Semi-finalists are the highest-scoring students in each state and represent the top 0.5% percent of the state's senior students.

To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semi-finalists have to fulfill requirements to advance to Finalist standing. Each Semi-finalist submits a detailed application that includes essays, information about extracurricular achievements, awards, and leadership positions in addition to an outstanding academic record.

We want to wish our Semi-finalists success as they continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarship awards.
Serrano Intermediate School Program
Prepares Students for College and Careers
Serrano student Megan Ringer
Serrano student Norma Cortez
SoarTivities
Serrano Intermediate School staff implemented a college and career awareness program called “SoarTivities” at the beginning of the 2017-18 school year. The goal of Serrano’s “SoarTivities” program is to increase college and career awareness and exploration for their students. Students choose from different activities to help them prepare and think about different post secondary options.

There are SoarTivities in three different areas: College Exploration, Career Exploration, and College/Career Skills. These activities can be explored through a variety of ways, such as online research, interviewing an adult, getting involved in community service, and by touring colleges.

When students complete a set amount of SoarTivities, they are rewarded by attending a fieldtrip to tour a college and career program and earn a luncheon and possible medal from the guidance counselors.

Congratulations to Serrano staff and students for making college and career readiness a reality!


Students Enjoy Exploring Books at Melinda Heights Elementary and RSM Intermediate
students sitting at a table reading books
Melinda Heights students from Mrs. Walker's fourth grade class explore books from different genres at the "Book Cafe."
RSM staff get creative with engaging students during "Book Tastings."
Students in Mrs. Walker's fourth grade class at Melinda Heights Elementary and RSM Intermediate students have been introduced to “Book Tastings” to expose students to new books and new genres and most importantly, to get them excited about reading. 

During the “Book Tastings”, students rotate through new and high-interest book titles. Students then choose a book and the “taste” begins: they read for 5 minutes, take 2 minutes to write a review of their taste in their “menu”, and then they share their thoughts with classmates. 

Book Tastings are being planned at different schools in the district and we look forward to sharing the joy of reading.
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Community Events
City of Mission Viejo Partners with Saddleback Valley Unified School District and Capistrano USD for the Annual
Walk Against Drugs
Walk Against Drugs Event Flyer
Walk Against Drugs Flyer.back
The City of Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Unified School District and the Capistrano Unified School District are partnering together for the 29th Annual Walk against Drugs and Community Fair on Saturday, October 21, 2017.

The event unites the City and Sheriff's Department with local schools, businesses, residents and community groups to promote healthy choices and a drug-free lifestyle. The Walk Against Drugs kicks off Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week is designed as a community awareness event to recognize the belief that one person can make a difference in the struggle against drugs. Red Ribbon Week traditionally marks the beginning of the "Four Seasons of Prevention", a year-round focus on prevention.

The walk begins at Mission Viejo High School at 8:00 am on Saturday, October 21, 2017 and concludes at the Norman Murray Community and Senior Center. Come Join the fun!
SVUSD Community Services Department Hosts Hometown Halloween Event
Don't miss the spiders, bats, ghouls and spooky fun at Hometown Halloween. This family event includes pony rides, glowing games, crafts, photo booth and a pint-size pumpkin patch. Everyone will enjoy the moonlight maze, themed characters, live band and so much more.

Come dressed in your Halloween best---sweet or scary---and all are welcome!

For more information, call 949-768-0981.

OCTOBER 28,2017

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

NORMAN P. MURRAY COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTER

24932 VETERANS WAY, MISSION VIEJO
SVUSD Hosts Career Fair
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I ntermediate and high school students and their parents are invited to attend the SVUSD Career Fair on November 8, 2017 from 6:00 – 9:00 P.M at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center in Mission Viejo. Students and parents will meet with over 60 representatives from a variety of Career Pathways. Community College career programs will offer hands-on demonstrations. Private colleges and trade schools will also be represented. Saddleback Valley Unified School District CTE (Career Technical Education) teachers and Coastline ROP teachers will display projects and interactive activities as well as discuss the opportunities offered to students. In addition, local industry representatives will provide information about their career fields, opportunities in their industries and required post-secondary preparation.

This is a great way for students to learn more about what is offered in SVUSD schools, the road to pursue their intended career path and discover new career opportunities.
The Career Fair is held in conjunction with Vital Link, a non-profit connecting business and industry, Educational Services College & Career Division. 

For more information, please see SVUSD Career Fair flyer.
SVUSD Hosts Employee Health Fair
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On October 3, 2017, the Saddleback Valley Unified School District held the 2 nd annual Employee Health Fair. 

The Employee Health Fair is an event designed to promote health and wellness. Approximately 225 employees participated in meeting 32 vendors. Vendors included health insurance providers, local medical groups (MemorialCare & St. Joseph/Hoag), local dental, vision, and chiropractic practices, financial institutions, gyms as well as several food vendors. 

Many of the vendors shared health and safety related information as well as demonstrated their products or provided health screenings, such as BMI, bone density, retinal screening, spinal screening, and blood pressure. 

In addition to the Health Fair, the Red Cross Bloodmobile was here for a blood drive. In total, 64 staff members donated blood.

The District is committed to promoting health and wellness with all employees.
SVUSD Food Services Celebrates
National School Lunch Week
National School Lunch Week
October 9-13

Join SVUSD Food Services in celebrating National School Lunch Week!

Elementary schools will be celebrating National School Lunch Week by enjoying a healthy and balanced meal with our program.

School meals are a great value at only $2.75. Each nutritionally balanced meal includes a healthy entrée, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables along with their choice of 1% white milk or fat free chocolate milk and juice.

Students who have a school lunch will have the opportunity to complete a fun and educational activity and receive a whole grain, reduced fat cookie or brownie at lunch the next day. The activity will be available in the lunch area. Check out our lunch menus on our webpage at educafe.svusd.org  and join us for a really fun week!

Upcoming Events
October 11        Esperanza Back to School Night
October 12        Board of Education Meeting
October 19        District Wide Disaster Drill
October 21        City of Mission Viejo "Walk Against Drugs"
October 23-26   Red Ribbon Week
November 1      District Staff Development Day - no school for students
November 10    Veteran's Day
SVUSD District Information
Board of Trustees

President
Dolores Winchell

Vice President
Dennis Walsh

Clerk
Amanda Morrell

Members
Suzie R. Swartz
Dr. Edward Wong

Student Member
Daniel Choi                                                SVUSD Board 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 Educational Center Board Room located at 25631 Peter A. Hartman Way, Mission Viejo.