SVUSD eNewsletter
February 10, 2023
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In this week's episode, see how Esperanza students in the GROW program are learning the skills needed to work on a farm, nursery, or garden center through a collaboration between SVUSD and the University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources department. |
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2023 Orange County Music & Arts Administrators Award Ceremony |
From the left: Sabrina Skeels, Erin Lopes, Chris Hixson, Barbara Schulman, Tina Van Dam |
On February 8, 2023, the Orange County Music and Arts Administrators (OCMAA) honored several of SVUSD's dedicated arts supporters at its annual awards ceremony. The OCMAA is a network of district leaders, community arts educators, businesses, and parents dedicated to quality, equity, and access to arts programs for all students.
Congratulations to:
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Erin Lopes, Secondary Visual Arts Nominee
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Barbara Schulman, Arts Advocate Award
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Tina Van Dam, Arts Advocate Award
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MVHS Teacher Named IB World Schools Exemplary Educator of the Year |
From the left: IB Teacher Patrick Lohmeier, AP Cina Abedzadeh, Award Winner Kimberly Gerwatosky, SVUSD Director of Secondary Education James Newton, IB Coordinator Sandy Hanneman, IB Teacher Daniel Holley |
Congratulations to MVHS Social Science Teacher Kimberly Gerwatosky on being selected as the California Association of IB World Schools Exemplary International Baccalaureate Educator of the Year Award. Her passion and commitment for IB education is evident to all. Mrs. Gerwatosky teaches students the skills to engage in critical analysis and how to express their views with purpose. Her enthusiasm and dedication distinguish her as an outstanding educator. |
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Laguna Hills HS
Varsity Girls' Wrestling Team
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Congratulations to the LHHS Girls' Wrestling program on capturing their first league championship! The Hawks were CIF-SS Division II Dual Runner-up, and 12 members qualified for CIF-SS Individual Divisional Championships, including three individual league champions. |
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Los Alisos
Opens New
Wellness Center
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Los Alisos has a new Wellness Center! This dedicated space with a calming environment provides a place on campus for students to take a break, practice self-care, do mindful activities, and relax before returning to learning. School counselors and mental wellness counselors will also use the space to support students by teaching effective coping strategies, how to communicate needs, and naming emotions, thus empowering students to handle their stress and increase in their resiliency. |
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MVHS Students Receive
Kiwanis Award
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The Kiwanis Club of Mission Viejo recognized three Mission Viejo High School students for outstanding contributions to MVHS and the community. Congratulations to Katherine Stiverson, Judd Karn, and Lillian Gonick. |
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School News
Roll Call
February Edition
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The February 2023 Edition of the School News Roll Call magazine is now available! Read highlights from each of our schools and divisions.
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SVUSD New Administrator Announcement
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Lindsey Gatfield, District Coordinator, TK-6 STEM, Educational Services |
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Last week, Ms. Monica and Ms. Mary's Preschool Connection class celebrated Groundhog's Day! Students were challenged to mix and match different groundhogs and shadows together. We're looking forward to six more weeks of winter! For more information on Preschool Connection, click the button below! |
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TLC (The Learning Connection) |
TLC is hiring! Explore our open positions and find an opportunity perfect for you. We currently have full-time and part-time positions, as well as opportunities for High School students. For more information, click the button below or email dalton.tringali@svusd.org.
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2023 - 2024 Transitional Kindergarten |
For the 2023-2024 school year, SVUSD offers Transitional Kindergarten (TK) for those children who will turn 5 years old between September 2, 2023 – April 2, 2024. Registration begins on March 20, 2023. Our program is a half day program with childcare available through TLC for those who need before or after-class child care. Please use the links below for additional information and registration. For students with Individualized Education Plans, please consult with your student’s IEP Team for TK placement.
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2023 - 2024 Kindergarten Registration |
Registration for SVUSD's full day Kindergarten program opens on Monday, March 20, 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year. Registration will be conducted online and you will be able to register your child from the comfort of your own home! Childcare is available through TLC for those who may need before or after class child care. Click below for general registration information and assigned neighborhood school locator. For site-specific registration information, please visit your school’s website and view the “Enrollment” page under “About”.
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This event combines all the information found in the Resource Fair with all the fun of our Special Needs Dances! Come learn all about the amazing programs and organizations designed to help you and your loved ones thrive in Orange County. There will also be a full dance floor and activity area hosted by none other than the famous Mr. DJ Noah as well as a delicious lunch provided on the outside patio area. This event is open to everyone so feel free to bring your friends and invite anyone who you feel could benefit. |
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Earlier this week, finalists for the 2023 ParentingOC Awards received a surprise visit from a group that included SVUSD Board Members, our Superintendent, and members of the Superintendent's Executive Cabinet. Congratulations to all of the Finalists! |
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Congratulations to SVUSD's
ParentingOC Magazine Top Teacher,
Employee, and Leader Finalists
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Tammy Klein, Lake Forest Elem.
Top Employee Nominee
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Andrea Mahindrakar, RSM Intermediate
Top Teacher Nominee
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Tricia Osborne, Mission Viejo High School
Top Leader Nominee
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Anmarie Macnevin, Lake Forest Elem.
Top Teacher Nominee
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Keli Peterson, RSM Intermediate
Top Employee Nominee
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Jordan Reed, El Toro High School
Top Leader Nominee
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Laguna Hills HS CTE Student Interviews the Anaheim Ducks |
In November, the LHHS Career Technical Education Broadcasting class took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Honda Center, where the Anaheim Ducks play ice hockey. They met the technicians and visited the studio, broadcast booth, and control room.
In December, teacher Mr. Markleviz, was contacted by the Bally Sports West Network and asked if he had a student that would like to come back during an actual Ducks’ game to shadow the broadcasters. He selected Annie Gelfer, a senior and multi-year participant in the program. Annie returned to the Honda Center on December 21 and represented LHHS during the Bally Sports West Broadcast of the Ducks’ game against the Minnesota Wild. Mr. Marklevitz thought Annie would only shadow the broadcasters, but Bally Sports West gave her a mic, put her on camera, and asked her to interview the players. Bally Sports West then featured her behind-the-scenes experience on their show and promoted it via Twitter. This student experience is a great example of how our students make connections and network with industry professionals.
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Valencia Elementary
Festival of Cultures
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On Saturday, January 21st, all Valencia families and friends were welcomed to campus for the Festival of Cultures. Over 30 Valencia families hosted booths representing sixteen different countries: Armenia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, England, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan, Tonga, Ukraine, and Vietnam. At each booth, families shared their cultures through display, dance, music, arts, food, fun activities and much more! There were special performances by traditional Indian and Armenian dancers, K-Pop dancers from Laguna Hills High School, and Vietnamese Lion Dancers. Students were invited to complete their "Passport" as they visited the countries/cultures by receiving a stamp at each booth they visited. To make the event more fun, all of this was on the eve of the Lunar New Year! It was a beautiful day to share and celebrate the diversity at Valencia Elementary School. |
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Esperanza Community Building |
Partnerships with our community are an important part of learning for SVUSD students. Since 2019, the University of California South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine has hosted students from Esperanza Education Center on its 200 acres of land, introducing them to careers in agriculture and providing opportunities to gain real life work experience. In addition to work-specific skills, students have learned self-reliance, gained a strong work ethic, and reaped the benefits of perseverance.
Check out this blog to learn more!
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Trabuco Hills
High School
Student Union
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The Guidance Department at THHS, in partnership with its PTSA, recently created The Meadow – a quiet space for students to decompress and calm anxious feelings. Additionally, the space will be used for small counseling groups, individual mental wellness sessions, Thoughtful Thursday, Mindfulness Mondays, and other various counseling workshops. Providing impactful spaces at our schools, such as The Meadow, helps support students as they maneuver positive emotional health in the post-pandemic era. |
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Child Care Services would like to recognize it's amazing Preschool Teachers and Assistants that lead students ages three years old to five years old in our Preschool Connection programs! Thank you for all you do to make your classrooms such a special place at SVUSD! |
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TLC (The Learning Connection) |
Students that participate in SVUSD's TLC before and after school program are always up to something fun! Last month, children at Glen Yermo TLC participated in a fun science experiment led by their on-site TLC teacher, Ms. Laos! Enrichment activities like these teach children skills of working together, problem-solving, and discovering new interests! |
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Saddleback Valley Parent Teacher Association |
Help strengthen our community & make an impact by joining one or more of our SVUSD school PTAs. |
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Saddleback Valley Educational Foundation |
The Saddleback Valley Educational Foundation (SVEF) is dedicated to supporting SVUSD in our efforts to maintain a high quality educational program with a priority to impact STEM access for all students. Check out SVEF's website for programs, and contribution and volunteer opportunities. |
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Follow Us on Social Media for the Latest Updates |
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Superintendent
Dr. Crystal Turner
Board of Trustees
President
Barbara Schulman
Vice President
Dr. Edward Wong
Clerk
Suzie R. Swartz
Members
Amanda Morrell
Dan Walsh
Student Member of the Board
Kaitlyn Heinecke
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SVUSD WEBSITE QUICK LINKS
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Thank you for subscribing to the official Saddleback Valley Unified School District eNewsletter. We welcome your feedback, any news that can be shared with the community, and appreciate comments and suggestions. Contact the District Office directly with inquiries. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are unable to respond to messages sent to this address.
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