SVUSD eNewsletter
May 26, 2023
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Congratulations to Santiago STEAM Elementary!
2023 CA Green Ribbon Green Achiever Award and 2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Award Recipient
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Five years ago, it was the vision of SVUSD Leadership and the SVUSD Board of Education to create a STEAM Magnet school, and Santiago STEAM Elementary was born. On Thursday, May 25, 2023, Santiago STEAM had the great honor of hosting the 2023 CA Green Ribbon Awards for the state at which they received its highest honor of Green Achiever in person from State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond. Over 100 honorees and California Department of Education leaders experienced Santiago’s award-winning programs in student-led tours showcasing student-developed initiatives and site-wide conservation and ecological practices.
Kudos to Santiago STEAM Principal Howard Johnston, dedicated teachers and staff, and a committed PTA and community for your partnership in creating and sustaining a program that gives agency to students to work together to find solutions to concerns that affect the world around them.
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School News
Roll Call
June Edition
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The June 2023 Edition of the School News Roll Call magazine is now available! Read highlights from each of our schools and departments.
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THHS Named CIF-SS Unified Track & Field Champions |
Congratulations to Trabuco Hills High School for being named 2023 CIF-SS Unified Track and Field Champions! Twenty teams and over 150 athletes competed in the championship at Trabuco Hills High School.
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THHS Student Named 2023 Fellow for Dragon Kim Foundation |
Trabuco Hills High School junior and working magician, Om Darji, has been named a 2023 Fellow for the Dragon Kim Foundation. As part of his fellowship, Om will receive regular leadership training and mentoring along with a grant of up to $5,000 from the foundation for his project. Om will use the grant to conduct a free summer camp called Magic4Teens. |
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SVUSD Students Participate in ocMaker Challenge |
Students from the La Paz Intermediate STEM Pathway and the ETHS, MVHS, and THHS Engineering Pathways recently participated in the ocMaker Challenge. The challenge to Orange County elementary, intermediate, and high school students was to “Design and build, or significantly repurpose, a product that would solve a problem, need or want.” There were 152 projects entered into the competition.
SVUSD won several placements and awards at the secondary level. Of special recognition, “The Collapsible Kitchen” invention developed by THHS students not only secured 1st Place in the Division B Level 2 category, but was also chosen by Chapman University for the Emerging Entrepreneurs award. This special award is sponsored by Chapman University and holds immense prestige as it is selected by Chapman faculty at the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Ethics
The winners of the 2022-2023 ocMaker Challenge can be found here. Details of the winning teams and their projects can be found on the ocMaker Challenge website.
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SVUSD 6th Annual STEAM ExPO Winners Are... |
SVUSD's Annual STEAM Expo brought new challenges to the innovative spirit of our third through sixth grade students. Third and fourth grade engineers created a Rube Goldberg machine that could shake and spill out a box of Nerds candy. Fifth and sixth grade engineers utilized specific upcycled materials to create products that serve as a solution to a current problem.
2023 SVUSD STEAM Expo winners
3rd Grade
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1st Place- La Madera; The Watermelon Machine
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2nd Place- Melinda Heights; Beauty and the Buzz
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3rd Place- de Portola; S.W.O.M.
4th Grade
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1st Place- Trabuco Mesa; Techno Nerds
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2nd Place- Melinda Heights; Nerds Got Knowledge
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3rd Place- Foothill Ranch; Candy Express
5th Grade
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1st Place- La Madera; CCLA Ovens
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2nd Place- Robinson; Compostable Compost Bin
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3rd Place- Del Cerro; PWAASICOE
6th Grade
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1st Place- Robinson; The Plastic Purse
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2nd Place- de Portola; Innovative, Sustainable Squirrel Homes
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3rd Place- Melinda Height; Omni Organizer
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LHHS Fiddler on the Roof is a Favorite at the Spirit of the MACY Awards
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Twenty-one actors involved in the LHHS production of Fiddler on the Roof, along with the Lighting and Stage Management teams, received awards at the Spirit of the MACY Awards at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Congratulations!
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Spirit of the MACY Trophy: Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Susan Lord
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Lead Actor in a Dramatic Role Nominee: Nicolas Fuller, as Tevye
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Supporting Actor Nominee: Joseph Mulrooney, as Perchik
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Supporting Actress Nominee: Lizzy Calvano, as Golde
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Stagecraft Award/Excellence in Lighting: Taylor Squires
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Stagecraft Award/Excellence in Stage Management: Audrey Masson
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Highest Achievement Medallion: Lizzy Calvano, Nicolas Fuller, Sarah Hall, Joseph Mulrooney
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Outstanding Achievement Medallion: Aleena Estrada, Annie Gelfer, Barrett Hinojosa, Luke Ippolito, Adrian Magana, Anderson Wurth
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Achievement Medallion: Charlie McKeegan, Peyton Mobasseri
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Bright Spot Award: Joe Arambula, Carissa Diller, Julian Fisher, Matthieu Fuller, Kierstin Laska, Kiley Luke, John Martin, Bridget O’Donnell, Abby Offenhauser
LHHS Theater raised $1,261 to donate to the United 24 Rebuild Ukraine fund (Fiddler is set in Ukraine.).
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2023-2024 Bus Pass Application Now Open |
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2023-2024 applications for school bus passes to Linda Vista Elementary, San Joaquin Elementary, La Paz Intermediate and RSM Intermediate are now being accepted.
New process for RSM! The RSM bus pass application will be open May 11 – June 1. Passes will be assigned via a random lottery process. Applicants who do not receive an initial pass will be placed on the waiting list.
Linda Vista, San Joaquin, and La Paz bus passes will continue to be processed on a first come, first served basis, with the application window open May 11 through June 8.
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Parenting OC Reader's Choice Awards |
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The nomination window is open through June 4, 2023 for Parenting OC Reader’s Choice Awards!
Let the community know how much you love your school by nominating it for an award. Categories include:
Best Public High School
Best Public Elementary School
Best Alternative Learning School
Best Bilingual School
Best Special Needs School
Best South Orange County School District
Voting will take place from June 19 to July 9, 2023.
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SVUSD Summer Free Meals Program |
SVUSD Food Services will be serving FREE meals this summer to students attending summer programs at specified District school sites. Also, for all children 18 years and under (not required to be an SVUSD student), free meals will be provided at the El Toro Library. |
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Surprise! On Thursday, April 27th, our Superintendent, CSEA president, and members of the Superintendent's Executive Cabinet surprised all of our district-wide Classified Employees of the Year. Congratulations to our awardees, and thank you for all of your hard work! |
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Vital Link
Art Competition
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Congratulations to the following SVUSD students for placing top honors in Vital Link OC's Digital Media Arts Competition!
- 1st Place Photography – D. Tran (featured image)
- 3rd Place Graphic Design - P. Tran
- 3rd Place Promo Marketing - G. Ortega
The competition had over 200 submissions this year from schools all around Orange County and SVUSD's students were at the top of the list!
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La Madera Student Recognized by OCSD |
La Madera sixth graders participated in the Above the Influence program which is provided by Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD). Recently sixth grader, Lauren Larsen, had to call 911. Calling 911 is part of the Above the Influence lesson plan. Lauren did exactly as she was taught and provided dispatch with precise and accurate information. Due to the information she provided, the suspect was successfully apprehended by law enforcement. In recognition of Lauren’s calm assuredness, and her assistance in apprehending the suspect, several deputies from our local OCSD came to campus to recognize her with a special award. We are so proud of Lauren for using what she learned at school to help make a difference in our community! |
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Mission Viejo HS Student Becomes Screenwriter |
Arian Vaghef, a senior at Mission Viejo High School, has written his first script for an animated show that will begin production soon! At the beginning of his senior year, Arian decided to try his hand at writing and creating an animated show instead of taking the traditional route through college. He used the internet to learn much of his craft. Arian joined a screenwriters’ group through Reddit where he received immediate feedback through his peers. He was then able to set up an appointment with a major entertainment group (unfortunately the details can’t be disclosed until the project airs, due to an NDA) where he pitched his project. His show was greenlighted at the beginning of this year, and should air sometime in the near future. Arian noted, “It would be great if more students understood that they don't have to wait until some time far in the future to start their dreams-- they can start them now.” Way to go, Arian! |
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SVUSD Seniors Awarded State Seal of Civic Engagement |
Hannah Averbuck from Saddleback Virtual Academy and Prince Plotena from Trabuco Hills High School recently earned the California State Seal of Civic Engagement. This award is given to California students who demonstrate excellence in civics education and participation, as well as an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the democratic system of government. Hannah earned the award through creation and production of Santa Rosa High School's first news broadcast, The Panther Prowl, in which she addressed social isolation, lack of club interaction, and the disconnect between the school and local community. Prince addressed the issues of mental health and school safety through his work with the California Boys State conference. Through this work, he has since joined the SVUSD Student Advisory Council to further support his proposals for improving mental health, school facilities, and safety for his peers. Congratulations, Hannah and Prince, on your outstanding work towards student civic engagement! |
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CAMTSS Features La Paz Intermediate |
Congratulations to La Paz Intermediate for being featured in the Winter Edition of the CAMTSS Newsletter. The CAMTSS newsletter is shared across the state to highlight best practices in MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support). It shines the spotlight on schools across the state and their signature practices for the success of all students. |
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Kiwanis Recognizes Silverado HS |
The Kiwanis Club of Mission Viejo recognized Silverado HS students for outstanding contributions to Silverado and the community. Congratulations to Collin Thibault, Efrain Palacios, Robbie Pozo, and Yasan Draginov for this recognition! |
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Best Buddies
Buddy Pair
of the Year
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Trabuco Hills High School students, Sasha DeJong and Annabelle Roehricht, were selected as Best Buddies California Buddy Pair of the Year for 2023 out of over 120 Best Buddies Chapters in Southern California. Selection for this award is based upon weekly Chapter participation, inclusion advocacy on campus, growth, sustainability, and activity. Sasha and Annabelle have been Best Buddies in the THHS Unified program for the past four years and have participated in Friendship Walks, Best Buddies events, Chapter events, dances, lunches, and dinners. Their favorite thing to do together is go out to sushi. |
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LHHS Teachers Receive Crystal Apple Awards |
Congratulations to former SVUSD Assistant Superintendent Laura Ott for receiving the first ever Lifetime Achievement Crystal Apple Award! Timothy Marklevitz and Robert Snyder from Laguna Hills High School also received Crystal Apple awards. The Crystal Apple awards are chosen by students to recognize and thank the teachers who have had a positive impact on their lives. |
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Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Visual Art |
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Congratulations to Ashley Jung, Abigail Lei, Lauren Sunkin, and Melanie Ocampo of Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School for their selection into the Orange County Department of Education’s OCArts4All County Showcase! See their work on display through Thursday, June 8th in Crystal Court at the South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
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The District Safety Department recently completed a safety timeline highlighting District safety efforts over the last six years. This, along with Board presentations and numerous safety resources can be found on the District website, under the section titled "Additional Resources."
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Additional perimeter fencing projects were completed at Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, Linda Vista Elementary, and Del Lago Elementary. Fencing projects are planned at an additional thirteen SVUSD sites and will be completed in early August 2023. |
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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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