Community Newsletter
Dear Families & Community Members,
As the school year comes to a close, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our students, families, staff, and community partners for your unwavering support and commitment throughout the year. Together, we’ve overcome challenges, celebrated milestones, and stayed focused on what matters most—our students.
Celebrating Our Accomplishments
This year, we launched key initiatives that reflect our shared values and priorities. Highlights include:
Finalizing our Portrait of a Graduate, Adult, and System, providing clear direction for student outcomes and educator growth.
Expanding career and technical education (CTE) pathways to ensure students have access to real-world learning experiences.
Growing our arts programming through Prop 28 funding, giving more students opportunities to explore their creativity.
Streamlining our support for English learners, improving identification and monitoring to better serve our multilingual students.
Initiating a successful Farm to Table committee, connecting nutrition, local agriculture, and student learning.
Celebrating our schools’ PBIS Silver recognitions, a reflection of our focus on positive school climates.
Looking Ahead
While June marks the end of one school year, it also signals the beginning of important summer work. Over the next few months, we will:
Continue our transition to a consolidated middle school model.
Strengthen recruitment and retention strategies for staff.
Prepare for new programming and supports to launch in the fall.
Transition to new district and site leadership
A Heartfelt Thank You
I want to thank the Sonoma community for two years of support and willingness to collaborate. There are so many wonderful assets in our community, including many volunteers and non-profit partners who want to see our students thrive. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together in a short amount of time. I would encourage everyone to continue to keep students first and arrive at a common vision. This is a district with lots of potential and our students deserve the very best! I wish the very best for Sonoma Valley in the years to come.
Wishing you and your families a restful and joyful summer.
With appreciation,
Jeanette
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Congratulations to Connie Jones for winning Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for April!
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Congratulations to our Seniors, Sonoma Valley High School Class of 2025!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
As we enter into the last stretch of our 2024-2025 school year, we want to take a moment to acknowledge May as National Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. As a District, we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being.
Supportive families, communities, and resources help children lay the groundwork for lifelong well-being.
- Supportive families, schools, and communities help children and teens build strong mental health.
- Teaching coping skills early empowers young people to manage emotions and challenges.
- Open conversations about emotions help children develop resilience and feel safe seeking help.
- Regular physical activity and healthy nutrition can help improve children’s mental health and enhance their well-being.
- Many children face mental health challenges—early intervention and support can make a difference.
Mental health and academic performance are closely aligned. When students experience mental health challenges, it may negatively impact their ability to learn, focus, and achieve academically. Conversely, academic stress can also contribute to mental health problems. SVUSD plays a vital role in promoting mental health and well-being, as it directly impacts student success and engagement.
Our District has resources available at every school site. A number of student support services are available within SVUSD schools to assist students with their academic progress as well as their personal, social and emotional development. If you or a family member need support, please reach out to a school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker. Services are provided by site staff as well as community-based agencies in partnership with site staff.
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Congratulations, El Verano Elementary! We are excited to announce that El Verano Elementary has been awarded the five year California Community Schools Implementation Grant! This important achievement honors the school’s long-standing commitment to serving the whole child through strong family partnerships, inclusive practices, and deep community connections.
A Community School is more than a place of learning—it is a hub where students, families, and community members come together to grow, connect, and thrive. This grant will expand and strengthen academic support systems, ensuring that all students have equitable access to the resources, interventions, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Additionally, with this grant, El Verano will continue to build on the Four Pillars of the Community Schools Model:
Integrated Student Supports – academic, social-emotional, and wellness services tailored to student needs.
Expanded Learning Time and Opportunities – after-school and enrichment programs that spark curiosity and growth.
Family and Community Engagement – meaningful collaboration with families and local partners.
Collaborative Leadership and Practices – shared decision-making that gives voice to students, families, educators, and the community.
Congratulations to the El Verano team—staff, students, families, and partners—for this well-earned recognition. This is an exciting next step in a legacy of community-centered education!
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2024-2025 Student Testing Results
As the CAASPP and ELPAC scores for the 24-25 assessments become available, we understand your eagerness to know how your child performed. It's important to note that these results are released in batches as scoring is completed, meaning not all families will receive their scores simultaneously. Additionally, different tests have varying release times.
The good news is that the state now provides these test results electronically to families as soon as they're ready. You can access the reports through the parent portal in PowerSchool. For detailed instructions on accessing the test results of California Proficiency Assessments in both English and Spanish, please refer to this provided guide, How to Access Test Results of California Proficiency Assessments.
Furthermore, in the coming Fall, we will offer a video score report to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the results.
If you find yourself wanting more insights into interpreting your child's score report, exploring sample questions, taking practice tests, or accessing additional free resources to support your child's learning journey, we encourage you to visit Starting Smarter.
Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's academic success.
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School Consolidation Updates
Adele to Altimira
Principal Snow held various tours and information sessions for parents and students throughout the month to get everyone familiar with the Altimira campus. Students had opportunities to connect with one another and begin the process of coming together as one student body.
A bid for the black top area of Altimira will be opening pending board approval. We know our students are looking forward to this space for additional play space.
Wifi connectivity is being worked on in the previous Woodland Star section of the campus. This will help with safety announcements and classroom instruction for classes held in this part of the campus.
For the first time in a number of years, some of our middle school students will have the opportunity to participate in math support during the summer through our partnership with Elevate Math. This will be a great opportunity for our students to have access to math support and tutors.
For our students with disabilities needing additional support, the Just Words program will continue next year. Teachers will continue to receive training and support as they implement this program.
We want to thank our Rotary partners for continuing to help in beautifying our campus. The Altimira garden and common spaces are looking fresher with the help of volunteers that have been coming in regularly. We appreciate you!
During the time the 7-11 Committee carries out its work, Adele Harrison Middle School will have occupants. Creekside HS will be moving into Adele this spring, as will our existing special education Transition program. Our partners at La Luz will also be on campus in the evenings to provide adult ESL classes. We are excited to have these programs at Adele until the board makes a final decision on the facilities use.
Elementary
The Board of Trustees made the decision on May 8th to conditionally close the Flowery Elementary campus for the 2026-2027 school year. The Dual Immersion program will remain intact, with the possibility for expansion. The next steps are for staff to investigate options for moving the Dual immersion program to one of the remaining elementary sites or possibly creating a TK-2, 3-5, and Dual immersion school. The conditions for final approval of elementary consolidation decision include: boundary changes, development of a transition plan, and consideration of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis.
SVUSD Special Olympics
On May 9th, Altimira Middle School had the honor of hosting SVUSD’s annual Special Olympics - a truly uplifting event that united TK through 12th grade students from Prestwood, Altimira, and SVHS in a celebration of determination, inclusion, and sportsmanship. From the opening ceremonies to the cheers at the awards ceremony, our students inspired everyone with their heart, resilience, and incredible spirit. Thank you to the volunteers, staff, and families whose involvement and support made this event such a success!
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Important Dates
6/5: SVUSD Regular Board Meeting
6/11: First Day of Summer School
6/17: SVUSD Regular Board Meeting
7/11: Last Day of Summer School
8/11: First Day of School
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Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing summer vacation, see you in August!
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