Dear Dragon Family:

Thank you for another great week at SVHS. We appreciate everyone who was able to come out and be part of our Dragon Expo on Thursday. It was so awesome to bring this event back to campus and show off all the amazing programs we have as well as showcase our students with performances by our dance team and campus tours. We also want to appreciate everyone for sharing their feedback on our YouthTruth Survey - the deadline for sharing feedback originally was Thursday night and we heard from 823 students, 87 staff, and 308 families. The county has extended the deadline until Monday at 8am, so if you haven’t taken it yet please do! We’re at 31% of families responding and we’d love to hear from more. Of course, you are welcome to share your input at any time throughout the year - YouthTruth is just one opportunity, but we are grateful for all who take the time to share their thoughts. We also have to shout out our Lady Dragons Basketball Team for the article in Sonoma Index-Tribune highlighting their accomplishments so far this season - Go Dragons!

We are about halfway through the P4 grading period which ends on 2/17. We encourage you to check in with your student around their grades, and have your student reach out to their teachers if they have any concerns around their grades. The earlier they do this the sooner they can make a plan with their teacher. We are also approaching course selection time where students are receiving information in their social studies classes regarding their course options and will have the opportunity to begin selecting their courses as early as this week - you can see the full timeline and information regarding course selection in the “Counseling Department” section below. We also want to encourage you to review the letter and pdf packet of scheduling materials so you are fully aware of the process and have a complete understanding of how schedule changes work, so that your student can select the schedule that will set them up for success and so they feel confident in their choices.

We are looking forward to many fun events this semester including our Sweetheart Winter Formal Dance coming up on Thursday 2/16 in Golton Hall, our drama department’s performances of Clue starting on Friday 2/24, and Convention in early March, along with all of our athletic events, and many other activities. Look out for more information on these events as they get closer. We also want to give a shoutout to our amazing librarian Janet Hansen who has been busy supporting our 9th graders with their research paper project - we are so grateful to have an incredible library at SVHS to support our students in their class projects and instill a love of reading.

Stronger together!

Ms. Kiss, Ms. Dowdy, Mr. Schloesser, & Mr. Snow

IMPORTANT REMINDERS   February is Black History Month: “The thing about black history is that the truth is so much more complex than anything you could make up.” – Henry Louis Gates “Darkness can not drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr. “Black history isn’t a separate history. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that. It has such an impact on kids and their values and how they view black people.” – Karyn Parsons Here are some articles on why we celebrate Black History Month and resources to help plan for it in your classrooms. Why Do We Celebrate Black History Month?   4 Reasons Why It’s Critical To Teach Black History by Janeane Davis The History Behind Black History Month Learning for Justice Mining the Jewel of Black History Month by Emily Chiariello 6 facts about black Americans for Black History Month By Kristen Bialik and Anthony Cilluffo Black History Facts: The History Channel How Do We Celebrate Black History Month?   Do's and Don'ts of Teaching Black History: Learning for Justice Five Things Not to Do During Black History Month by Zaretta Hammond Four Black History Month Must-Haves by Zaretta Hammond Black History Month Is Over. Now What? by Dena Simmons Black History Month: Teaching Beyond Slavery by Coshandra Dillard How Should Schools Acknowledge Black History Month? by Mike Yates Time Magazine: Change How We Teach Black History Five Ways to Avoid Whitewashing the Civil Rights Movement by Coshandra Dillard Beyond the Little Rock Nine by Coshandra Dillard What Kids Are Really Learning About Slavery by Melinda D. Anderson School Site Council: School Site Council will meet on Thursday, 2/2 in the CCC from 3:25-4:25pm. Agenda can be viewed here.   Health and Safety: In order to ensure the health of our school community, it is important to remain at home if you are feeling ill. If you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, please take a Covid test. If you test positive for Covid-19, please let the school know right away at 707-933-4017 and isolate. Our Covid Response Team will be in contact with you regarding your isolation timeline. If you are in need of a Covid test, one can be provided for you from the main office. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding! Need to plan in advance?   Check out our SVUSD Calendar 2022-23 for quick reference. Here is a look at our daily schedules.

CSF: The application period for CSF is open starting this Monday the 23rd and ending on Friday, February 3rd. All grade levels are invited to apply. Applications are available in Mr. Tierney's room in K9 and should be returned to Mr. Tierney with a transcript (printing available at the College and Career Center) and $5 processing fee. Please email Mr. Tierney at ctierney@sonomaschools.org if you have any questions.

Attention all sophomores.  If you are interested in taking AP US History next year, you are invited to attend an informational meeting in Mr. Gibson's classroom (K-15) during lunch on Tuesday February 7th.  Current AP US History students will be presenting and taking any questions you have about the class.  If you have any questions, please see Mr. Gibson. May the Force be With You. 

Sweetheart Dance

Come to the Sweetheart Dance on Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 7pm to 9:30pm in Golton Hall.

Tickets will be on sale at lunch  in front of the dragon starting Monday, 1/30 through Friday, 2/6.  The last day to purchase a ticket will be Friday, 2/6 at 3pm.  No Exceptions.  Tickets will NOT be sold the week of the dance nor will they be sold at the door.  You must be in good standing to purchase a ticket and attend the dance so if you are not currently in good standing, you have this week and next week to attend detentions.

Ticket prices are $8 with an ASB sticker or $10 without an ASB sticker.  Students may pay in cash, with Venmo or with Apple Pay.  Please note that using Venmo or Apple Pay comes with an additional 75 cent service fee.

If students would like to bring a guest from another school, the Guest form may be picked up at the front office or in Room J-9 or downloaded from this LINK.  Note that the guest form must be turned into the office no later than Wednesday, 2/8 and that guests must be approved by administration before the ticket can be purchased.  Guest forms required both the guest's parent's and principal's signature. 

For information, eligibility and registration requirements for sports, please visit our SVHS Athletics web page. 

Go Fan Digital Ticketing - Tickets for all home games for Winter sports can be purchased using this link. In addition, all VVAL schools use Go Fan and tickets for away games can be found on this link as well. To purchase tickets, go to https://gofan.co/app/school/CA23061. 

Boys Golf Meeting - a meeting will be held on February 1, 2023 at the start of lunch in Pfeiffer gym for all those interested in participating in boys golf. You will meet the new SVHS Boys Golf coach Bill McMonigle. Please plan to attend if interested. 

Open Head Coaching Positions 

• Track & Field Spring 2023

• Boys Volleyball Spring 2023

• Girls Volleyball Fall 2023

• Varsity Football Fall 2023

Anyone interested should contact apaparelli@sonomaschools.org

Any questions, please contact Mike Boles svhsathletics@sonomaschools.org

4-year College Night for Juniors is Thursday, February 2nd at 6pm in the Pavilion. This evening is geared toward juniors, but all grade levels are invited to attend. We will review the overall college application process and allow time for questions.

February is JOB SHADOW month! (Get it....shadow, like the groundhog?).  Want to spend part of a day exploring a career or business you're interested in?  If so, fill out this Job Shadow Questionnaire:  Job Shadow Interest Questionnaire  (see Mrs. Swanson if questions!)

North Coast Builders Exchange Construction Corps, an after-school, 3-month basic construction training program for senior students.  The program meets Saturdays from 8 AM to 4 PM in April and May., followed by a two-week paid internship  or boot camp in June. Every year, nearly all Corps members who want to work in construction are offered a job at the graduation ceremony and interview event on the last day of Boot Camp.  Applications are due February 10th! NCBE will be here during Advisory on Monday, 1/30 to present information about the Construction Corps program 12:05 in the CCC.  Passes available in the CCC!

Sonoma Ecology Center is accepting applications for the Spring Enviroleaders program! Information and applications here: https://sonomaecologycenter.org/enviroleaders/  Applications are due February 12th!  (Or find the Enviroleaders table in front of the library on Feb. 1st at lunch!)

Transcendence Theater is looking for interns for its summer program.  Application and information can be found here: https://transcendencetheatre.org/community/arts-education/interns-and-apprenticeships/

Have you recently started a job?  Don't forget, you need a work permit!  Come to the CCC to pick up a work permit application!  Are you looking for a part-time job?  Check out the "Job Opportunities" link on the CCC webpage!  If you currently have a work permit issued this year, don't forget the 1st grading period ends this week!  All work permit holders' grades will be checked to make sure you have a 2.0 or better GPA and no Fs, otherwise you might lose your work permit!