SVUSD eNewsletter
May 20, 2022
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2022 Classified Employees of the Year |
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Every spring in Saddleback Valley Unified School District, in conjunction with CSEA, school sites and divisions have the opportunity to choose a Classified Employee of the Year. We always look forward to the opportunity to recognize this important branch of employees and the integral work they perform. We appreciate our Classified Employees every day.
Five honorees, representing different categories, are selected as SVUSD Classified Employees of the Year. Each of the five honorees will submit applications for Orange County Classified Employee of the Year. Congratulations to Christina Bledsoe (Food and Nutrition Services), Debbie Cordero (Clerical and Administrative Services), Yvonne Debolt (Paraprofessional), Amira Hana (Security Services), and Pedro Perez (Custodial and Maintenance Services), our 2022 SVUSD Classified Employees of the Year.
Congratulations to all of our Classified Employees of the Year!
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Saddleback Valley Education
Foundation Scholarships
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Ethan Knoll, El Toro HS
Dr. Walter Cascell Scholarship
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Sarah Harris, Trabuco Hills HS
Saddleback Valley Educational Foundation
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Devin Limon, Silverado HS
Mission Viejo Company Scholarship
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Kelly Houlihan, Trabuco Hills HS
Saddleback Valley Educational Foundation
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Hailey Winston, Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo Company Scholarship
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Theodore Thai, Mission Viejo
Saddleback Valley Educational Foundation
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Jacob Tescher, Trabuco Hills
Mission Viejo Company Scholarship
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The Saddleback Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) proudly presents many scholarships to SVUSD’s graduating seniors. Congratulations to the following 2022 recipients:
Dr. Walter Cascell Scholarship: The scholarship is endowed by the Cascell family in memory of Dr. Walter Cascell, in thanks for educating their children. Congratulations to Ethan Knoll from El Toro High School.
Saddleback Valley Educational Foundation (SVEF): The SVEF Scholarships are awarded to exceptionally qualified students who exhibit outstanding academic abilities and sheer determination. This year’s recipients are
Theodore (Theo) Thai, Mission Viejo High School
Sarah Harris, Trabuco Hills High School
Kelly Houlihan, Trabuco Hills High School
Mission Viejo Company Scholarship: The Mission Viejo Co. Scholarships are given to one deserving student from each high school in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, residing in Mission Viejo. Congratulations to
Jacob Tescher, Trabuco Hills High School
Hailey Winston, Mission Viejo High School
Devin Limon, Silverado High School
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Del Cerro Elementary School Enjoys
Families Picnic
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Del Cerro recently enjoyed welcoming families back on campus to eat lunch with their children and friends. Families ate lunch picnic-style on the grass while reconnecting with one another and meeting new friends too.
After lunch, families were invited to play recess games with their children. Our PTA has purchased new recess games for our students-4 in a Row, lawn bowling, Jenga, cross net, spike ball, etc.
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De Portola Elementary Outstanding PAL Program Award |
De Portola Elementary School had a surprise visit from OCDE’s Dierdre Hill on May 10th to award their PAL program students with the county’s Outstanding PAL Program Award. De Portola is one of two elementary schools, and five schools total, in the county to be awarded this honor through a competitive nomination process.
De Portola's PAL group received the one-time Perseverance Award last year and their advisor Mrs. Lodge also received a Perseverance Leadership award.
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SVUSD VAPA Award Nominations |
Congratulations to our incredible SVUSD VAPA educators on their Orange County Music and Arts Administrators Awards nominations!
- Linda Curtis, Elementary Instrumental Music Educator Finalist
- Chris Hixson, Secondary Theatre Educator Finalist
We are so proud of their accomplishments and honored by their service to our district’s visual and performing arts students!
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Five MVHS students participated in the annual Orange County Automotive Dealers Association (OCADA) technical competition on May 7th. Their accomplishments were incredible! All five earned a $750 scholarship and four placed in the top 10!
Cooper Call - 5th place
Logan Michel - 1st place
Kevin Stewart - 6th place
Mason Widner - 3rd place
Andrew Puck
Toyota will donate an entire engine to MVHS Automotive as a result of placing in the top three spots.
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El Toro High School Mental Health Fair
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El Toro High School hosted its annual Mental Health Fair on May 4th. ETHS collaborated with ten local community agencies, as well as the SVUSD Mental Wellness Team, to create an opportunity for students to learn more about the resources available to them and their families and to learn more about how to practice positive mental health in their daily lives.
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Silverado HS Student Receives Kiwanis Award |
Abe Lincona was recognized by the Mission Viejo Kiwanis with the Award of Achievement. Abe was selected by the Silverado staff for his hard work and great attitude. Abe is a member of the Silverado School Site Counsel and is part of the Culinary Arts class. Abe is a fantastic young person who always wants to help and always has a smile. |
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Interested in learning about SVUSD's online and blended learning school? Complete the interest list form to receive more information as well as dates for upcoming Q & A meetings! |
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So Cal Helpful Honda People Surprise
Mrs. Baer at Valencia Elementary School
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Valencia Elementary School had some special visitors on Monday. The So Cal Helpful Honda People visited Mrs. Baer to support her programs in the garden and with SEAKers! |
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SVUSD Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week
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Thank you to all of our amazing teachers. We appreciate you! |
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Robinson Elementary Special Olympics National Banner Celebration |
Robinson Elementary School was honored as a Special Olympics National Banner School for the 2021-22 school year, becoming the first Elementary School in California to receive this honor. On Thursday, April 28th Robinson celebrated with a special morning assembly and evening presentation where the banner was revealed by the student leaders of the Unified Sports program at Robinson Elementary. |
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Vital Link OC Digital Media Art Competition |
Congratulations to our student at Mission Viejo High School, Wynn Revere, who was awarded 1st place in all of Orange County for his Graphic Design work submitted to the Vital Link OC Digital Media Art Competition!
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Assistance League of Saddleback Valley |
The Assistance league of Saddleback Valley graciously donated $4,848.40 to support literacy and provide new library books to SVUSD Title I elementary schools. |
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Trabuco Hills HS Student Receives Paid Internship with CyberForward |
OCDE Newsroom featured a success story article about Trabuco Hills High School senior Michael Collins. After completing AP Computer Science Principles course at THHS, Michael has received a paid internship with CyberForward. A link to the full article can be found below.
OC High Schoolers Get a Jump on Cybersecurity Careers Following Summer Academy
A year ago, senior Michael Collins hadn’t really given much thought to the world of cybersecurity. Now, it’s a potential career. “Cybersecurity is really outside-of-the-box thinking,” said Collins, who attends Trabuco Hills High School in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. “It forces you to think like an attacker, to try to find holes in your own solution in order to improve it and constantly make it better.”
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SVUSD Offering Free Enrichment Classes to all Secondary Students |
As part of summer school this year, SVUSD will be offering FREE enrichment classes to all secondary students. These courses will be taught by Saddleback Valley teachers and will be interactive, high-engagement opportunities for students to keep their academic skills strong.
Classes will take place at Trabuco Hills HS from June 6th to June 23rd during two periods, Period 1: 8:30- 10:15 and Period 2: 10:30-12:15. Students may take up to two enrichment courses this summer and earn elective credit for both.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn something new, connect with other students, and get prepared for next school year. Register today to secure your place in this 100% FREE program to keep active and learn. E-mail questions to Katie Branley at branleyk@svusd.org
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Rancho Cañada Elementary SOARs with a New Mascot! |
Stay Safe, Offer Kindness, Act Responsibly, and Respect Others will be the new motto heard around Rancho Cañada Elementary School as staff and students engage in PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) to model and learn positive behaviors. All of Rancho Cañada’s educational partners had a role in the process of choosing the mascot, including a community-wide vote. Principal Jennifer Kadjasz announced the news by surprising students in their classrooms in an Eagle costume! |
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Student's Artwork Decorates Lomarena's Walls |
SVUSD student artwork often graces the walls of the District’s Board Room. Dr. Mona Montgomery, Principal of Lomarena Elementary, noticed a piece that was particularly special to her – a drawing of a lion by Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate student Aaron Zima. Lomarena’s mascot is a lion and Dr. Montgomery just knew that Aaron’s drawing needed to find its home at Lomarena. After making contact with Aaron’s teacher and communicating with his parents, Dr. Montgomery helped Aaron make his first sale as a young artist. His beautiful pen and ink drawing is now part of Lomarena’s PRIDE. |
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OCSEF Article Highlights Teacher Andi Suter, M.Ed. |
Serrano Intermediate School science teacher Andi Suter, M.Ed. has been featured in an article for teacher appreciation on Orange County Science & Engineering Fair's (OCESF) website. A link to the full article can be found below.
Teacher Appreciation Day: Catching Up with Science Teacher Andi Suter
It’s Teacher Appreciation Day! Mrs. Andi Suter M.Ed. from Serrano Intermediate School in Lake Forest is one of the prominent name on students’ OCSEF applications in the last couple of years. We caught up with the 8th Grade STEAM Village Science Teacher, who’s finishing up her 27th year in the district this year.
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SELPA Administrators
hold Legislative
Sharing Day
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The SELPA Administrators of California held a Legislative Sharing Day on May 4th, 2022. South Orange County SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area), which includes both SVUSD and LBUSD, and Capistrano Unified District SELPA combined resources and five parents from both the SOC SELPA CAC and the Capo CAC spoke to our legislators, Senator Pat Bates and Assemblywoman Laurie Davies about important legislation affecting our Special Education students and families.
The morning activities included information on key bills SB1113, AB2121 and SB291, which cover various issues for Special Education students and their families. The Keynote speaker, Elijah J. Stacy, shared about his journey of overcoming challenges and facing diversity.
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THHS Best Buddies Friendship Walk Buddy Pair of the Year |
Katie Finn and Makenzie Watson have been Best Buddies all four years of high school. Throughout their 4 years, they've participated in many Best Buddies events together including; Celebrity Bowling events in Los Angeles, Holiday Parties with other SoCal Best Buddies Chapters, school performances and sporting events, leadership meetings, and so much more! |
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Special Olympics Southern California Spotlights MVHS Mark Chiljian |
Special Olypmics of Southern California featured a Volunteer Spotlight article on Mission Viejo High School teacher Mark Chiljian. |
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Kiwanis Club of MV Student Recognition Awards |
Each year the Kiwanis Club of Mission Viejo recognizes students in the C.U.S.D. and S.V.U.S.D. schools located in Mission Viejo. Kiwanis honors students who have made exceptional effort in their studies and/or served the school or community through volunteer efforts.
The Kiwanis Club of Mission Viejo Student Recognition Awards took place on April 26, 2022. Students from MVHS, Tesoro, CVHS were recognized.
The MVHS students recognized are:
- Caleb Smith - Choral Program
- Olivia Carlucci - Automotive Program
- John Mosley - Engineering
- Ashlyn Cady - Art TV/Video Production
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El Toro High School 2022 Top 20
Seniors
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Congratulations to El Toro High School's Top 20 Seniors:
Olivia Barkehanai
Angel Bonilla
Michael Brewer
Tristan Chao
Claudia Chung
Jeffrey Ellis
Cyrus Kakar
Nithika Kiruveedula
Teresa Ledesma
David Liu
Kasey Lynd
Caleb Martinez
Carson Olsen
Merin Ovelil
Kunal Pandey
Kristen Skenes
Jessica Sujishi
Mukund Ummadisetti
Collin Vu
Leonard Zhao
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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
Amanda Morrell
Vice President
Barbara Schulman
Clerk
Dr. Edward Wong
Members
Suzie R. Swartz
Greg Kunath
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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