Dear SVHS Community,

This week we shared information about the Sonoma County Health Order and its implications for athletic competitions (linked below in sports). We also had to postpone our rally scheduled for Friday as this is also restricted due to the health order. We will look to reschedule a rally after Feb. 11 once the restrictions are lifted.

While we continue to be faced with new information, changes and challenges from COVID and the Omicron variant, I am grateful that our staff continue to meet the demands and ever changing needs. We will continue to forge ahead and work to maintain safety and support student learning. My appreciation and gratitude continues to our students, parents and community as well for your continued patience, understanding, support and partnership as we move forward together.

Reminder - no school Monday. We hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

~ SVHS Admin Team

Jessica Hutchinson, Lindsey Apkarian, Molly Kiss & Ati Koonkongsatian

Next week’s bell schedule:

Need to plan in advance?

Check out our At-A-Glance SVHS Bell Schedule for quick reference. Second semester days are now added.

We are continuing to distribute at-home rapid COVID tests to all students that have been provided by the state of California. We have only been provided one test kit per student at this time. If your student has not received their kit yet, please email: Amber McCann-Howlett, amccannhowlett@sonomaschools.org or Maria Campos, mcampos-orona@sonomaschools.org to arrange a time for pick up. This is a voluntary testing opportunity for all students.

Please reference the following for information regarding COVID rapid-tests that were issued by the state and distributed to all SVHS students on Friday.

Rapid At-Home COVID test info SVHS Students and Families 1/7/2022

How to understand the test results

Know before you go: 2022 Return-to-School Testing

A team from SVUSD met with the Sonoma County Department of Public Health regarding the surge in positive COVID cases in the district (especially at the high school). Among the many matters that we discussed was the increase in positive cases among our vaccinated students (break through cases). The clear instruction that was given to us by the county's lead COVID physician - Dr Lobato, is that we should also require testing (2 negative tests within a 10 day period) when a vaccinated student is considered to be a close contact to a positive case. This formerly was only required by unvaccinated students on a modified quarantine.

If students are positive for COVID, or need to stay home under quarantine, this is considered an excused absence. Students should try to keep up with their assignments via Google Classroom and also communicate (email) directly with their teachers regarding assignments and plan for making up work and/or assessments. Please note that some of our staff may also be absent at this time and as such may take more time than usual to respond to emails.

Also, with the presence of the new Omicron variant, please remind your students to practice SAFE COVID behaviors when NOT at school and out in the community: wear your masks, stay away from large gatherings, and wash yours hands as often as possible.

A Note About Transportation - We regret that buses and transportation were limited this week. The transportation department has been impacted by high absences and staff shortages.

COVID Testing Please remember the SVUSD district COVID testing times for the high school have been changed and will now be offered on Thursdays rather than Fridays. SVUSD Covid Testing

Color Platform for COVID Testing - when registering your student in Color for COVID testing, you only need to do it ONCE for all future testing AND doing so gives the school/testing team permission to test their child whenever they are considered a close contact and during the time that their student would be on a Modified Quarantine (which requires TWO tests by day 3 and day 5). Parents should contact the school if they want to be notified each time their student is tested.

Contacts for Covid Related Questions, CrisisGo and Attendance:

To report your student absent, quarantining, tardy, and or needing to get out early please contact our Attendance Office 707-933-4017 to notify Crystal. The attendance office cannot answer specific questions pertaining to specifics around quarantine status or COVID testing; however, you can direct Covid-related questions to the COVID Response Team.

• If you have any COVID related questions please visit the Covid Dashboard or you can contact the COVID Response Team via email to covidresponseteam@sonomaschools.org.

• If you have any questions pertaining to your student’s CrisisGo status please contact Erin Garrett at egarrett@sonomaschools.org, 707-933-4007 or Leonela Armenta Jauregui at larmentajauregui@sonomaschools.org, 707-933-4008..

Due to the recent Sonoma County health order we have postponed the all school rally that was set for Friday 1/14/2022.

Communication - Health Order and Athletic Competitions - This message was sent Thursday afternoon. Jan. 13th.

Attention Dragon Athletes! SVHS Girls and Boys Swimming season is right around the corner! We will have our first meeting Thursday, January 20th right at the start of lunch (12:30) on the tennis courts. Bring your lunch. We will be brief and just take a few minutes to fill you in on plans for the season. The season will start February 7th. If you are interested in swimming please sign up and take care of all the requirements on AthleticClearance.com ASAP so you can get cleared to participate. If you have questions about Swimming please contact Coach Jane at janehans@sbcglobal.net or 707-694-8202. Hope to see you at the meeting. Bring a friend or two. I'll have snacks!

Baseball - “Freshmen interested in playing baseball in the spring should attend the baseball meeting on Tuesday, January 18 during lunch period. The meeting will take place at the baseball field behind the track.”

Winter GoFan ticket information.

Here is the link https://gofan.co/app/school/CA23061 to purchase tickets for all home Winter athletic events, You will notice other schools have our away game listed as well. That is how our fans purchase tickets for those away games. For the 2021-22 year, we will only be charging admission for VVAL soccer games, not the non-league games.

Winter GoFan ticket information.

Here is the link https://gofan.co/app/school/CA23061 to purchase tickets for all home Winter athletic events, You will notice other schools have our away game listed as well. That is how our fans purchase tickets for those away games. For the 2021-22 year, we will only be charging admission for VVAL soccer games, not the non-league games.

[REMINDER] The Dragon Haven (G5) is open every day during lunch. The room is staffed by one of our school counselors, where you can ask questions, color art, play board games, grab a snack, listen to chill music, or simply relax. There will also be a monthly wellness workshop. This month is Create a Vision Board- on Tuesday January 25th during lunch. We hope to see you there!

Grief Groups and Workshops: By the Bay Health is offering free workshops for students and parents experiencing grief. They are just zoom meetings and not in person meetings.

2/2/22 One time teen grief group for 13-17 year olds @ 6-7pm. Call 415-526-5699 to sign up or for more information.

Monthly grief group on 1st Thursday of each month for Bereaved Parents. The first one for this year is on 2/3/22 @ 11am-noon. Call Ceci Luna 415-318-7566 to sign up or for more information.

Summer is Coming! Now's the time to start thinking ahead to summer internships, camps and other opportunities! Check out the "Summer Opportunities" section of the College & Career page on the SVHS website! All updated for Summer 2022!

Seniors - don't forget to complete your FAFSA or Dream Act application ASAP! You could be eligible for free money for college next year. If you need help, please come to our virtual workshop on Monday, January 24th from 6-8pm. Please see the English or Spanish flyer for details and required materials. Spanish speakers will be available to help.

Revolution Prep is offering online practice ACT and SAT exams for only $5! Please visit the information for the details.

10,000 Degrees is offering seniors help completing their FAFSA or Dream Act applications. Workshops are virtual, please use the links below:

• Wednesday, January 19 from 6:00 - 7:30 | Students can register here

• Wednesday, February 16 from 6:00 - 7:30 |Students can register here

• Tuesday, March 1 from 6:00 - 7:30 | Students can register here

• Tuesday, January 25 from 6:00 - 7:30 | Students can register here

• Wednesday, February 22 from 6:00 - 7:30 |Students can register here

Seniors - please share your college acceptances! We have an enormous map up in the College and Career Center and we would love to have you post a flag with your name and college! We want to celebrate YOU!

All seniors should complete and submit their financial aid forms! Some colleges require FAFSA in order to award scholarships. If you need help or have questions, we have put together a flyer with a wide array of support services.

Do you need a little academic boost? We've got you covered! There are lots of resources available to students - please see our tutoring opportunities.

Families, SVUSD and SVHS are seeking hardworking, dedicated, and compassionate adults to serve as classified substitutes at this time. We could use support in clerical work, transportation , campus supervision, student support and so much more.

If you are interested in being added to our classified employee sub-pool, please contact Ann Marie Paparelli at Apaparelli@sonomaschools.org to begin the simple process of onboarding.

Thank you! These are paid positions and the compensation varies by the type of work completed.

SVUSD is looking for Bus Drivers ASAP, if interested please click HERE for more information.

2022 Senior Ads - Create and purchase your senior's recognition ad today for the 2022 yearbook! Last day to submit your ad is February 4. See flyer attached here for pricing and instructions.

Renea Magnani is the current chair of our Sonoma Valley Senior Grad Night 2022. Please contact her if you would like to help with the planning of this year’s event. The event will take shape when we are closer to graduation and have a better understanding of what will be allowed. Renea Magnani 7073379770 or sonomagradnight@gmail.com

SVHS Boosters online Spirit Store has new items! Shop here:

Sonoma Valley High School Boosters - SVHS SPIRIT WEAR

Please read the most recent Superintendent's Letter to Families from Jan. 11, 2022.