December Newsletter
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As we prepare to close out the year, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our students, families, staff, and community partners for your support and dedication throughout the first half of the school year. This season is a wonderful reminder of the strength of our community and the care we show for one another.
We hope the winter break brings you time to rest, recharge, and enjoy special moments with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, ready for continued learning, growth, and collaboration.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!
Rena Seifts, Acting Superintendent
Important Dates
12/22-1/5: Non-Student, Non-Teacher Days, Winter Break
1/6: School Resumes
1/6: New & Returning Student Registration Opens
1/7: Trustee Ching Office Hours at Prestwood Elementary
1/7: Trustee Bell Office Hours at Sassarini Elementary
1/8: SVUSD Regular Board Meeting
1/9: Trustee Guzman Office Hours at Flowery Elementary
1/19: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - No School
1/20: Trustee Bell Office Hours at El Verano Elementary
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School Highlights & Happenings
Sonoma Valley High School students earned multiple awards in the ATPI Fall Photography Contest—one of only two California schools to place among 6,767 entries! Congratulations to Alina Gonzalez, Enrique Hernandez-Miranda, Siena Kelly, Ethan Sager, Nick Exner, Diego Diaz, Jimena Aceves Jimenez, and Sergio De Alba. Mr. Mitchell also received a Faculty Honorable Mention. Go Dragons! The SVHS Leadership team is still seeking a Sonoma-area venue that can host up to 350 students for Prom. If you know of an available location, please contact Tammy Rivara ( trivara@sonomaschools.org) or Amanda Dowdy ( adowdy@sonomaschools.org). Thank you to the Altimira Middle School leadership class for organizing a fun spirit week. Students also enjoyed the Pixie Corner Holiday Market during lunchtime in December, spreading holiday cheer and raising money for our leadership class! El Verano Elementary School recently honored 4th–5th graders who achieved Honor Roll or met their reading goals, and recognizing 2nd–3rd graders at our PBIS assembly for exemplifying our school expectations. We were proud to see 5th grader Hugo Reyes Guerrero represent EV at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn’s annual tree-lighting ceremony. Students also enjoyed shopping at the PTO’s Penguin Patch, and several classes took field trips—from holiday crafts at the Fairmont to a ballet performance at the Sebastiani Theatre. Upcoming events include the Ballet Folklorico Winter Recital on December 7, the Vivo Orchestra Concert on December 16. Flowery Elementary School had a festive and joyful December, beginning with the vibrant Noche Decembrina on December 5, where students performed songs celebrating “Traditions Around the World,” highlighting cultures from Latin America, Spain, Brazil, and the U.S. The fun continued with an “Underground” Staff Spirit and Holiday Spirit Week, keeping the celebration and school pride going strong! Prestwood Elementary School had a full and joyful season of learning, giving, and celebrating! Students raised over $1,500—our highest total ever—for Pennies for Produce benefiting FISH of Sonoma Valley, with winning classes led by Ms. Grimes' 4th grade class, Ms. Cirillo's 2nd grade class, and overall top earners were Ms. Mellinger’s 2/3 class! All classrooms enjoyed a Classroom Safari visit featuring animals like a sloth, serval, foxes, and more, and Fun Friday events included a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, music, and popcorn, with December bringing snowflake and bracelet-making in the art room. The schoolwide Gratitude Chain continues to grow as students add monthly reflections, and several classes have begun PAWS for Reading, building confidence by reading aloud to trained therapy dogs. Students also participated in exciting field trips—from Sugarloaf and the Sebastiani Theatre to Guide Dogs for the Blind and an immersive STEM experience at Piner High School’s SPARQ Center.
Sassarini Elementary School has had a festive and engaging holiday season! On November 22, the 2nd and 3rd grade Signers performed at the Lighting of the Plaza with Tim and Lauren Curley and the Corkpullers, and they performed again at the Plaza Amphitheater. Sassarini also hosted a Family Literacy Night with games, take-home activities, free books, dinner provided by our PTO, and a visit from our mascot, Sassy the Seahawk; a Sonoma Library representative was also on hand to help students sign up for free library cards. Students and families are currently contributing to F.I.S.H. through a coin and coat drive.
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Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey
Please take a moment to provide us with your input by completing THIS LCAP SURVEY by December 19, 2025. If you need a paper copy of the survey, please reach out to your school site.
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Math Curriculum Update
As we work toward improving math instruction across our district, we have several updates to share. Beginning in January, 15 elementary teachers will participate in professional learning to deepen their understanding of the Math Framework as part of the process of selecting curriculum for the 2026–27 school year.
Our middle school math team also engaged in a full day of learning alongside math teachers from St. Helena, working with Peter Liljedahl, author of Building Thinking Classrooms.
Our educators are committed to deepening their practice to support student learning.
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High School & Middle School Winter Sports Wrap Winter sports at Sonoma Valley High School are in full swing! Winter sports includes boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls wrestling, and our winter cheer team. We have approximately 215 student-athletes involved in these activities. The Lady Dragons were Tournament Champions in the Lady Dragon Classic. We also had SVHS senior, Brianna Jurasek, sign her letter of intent to play soccer at Saint Mary's College in Moraga. Make sure to check out the new LED scoreboard inside Pfeiffer gym, courtesy of our Booster Club!
Stay up to date with SVHS game schedules here: https://svhs.sonomaschools.org/68517_2.
At Altimira Middle School, winter athletics are underway featuring our 7th and 8th grade girls volleyball teams and boys basketball teams. Our student-athletes are showing commitment, perseverance, and school pride as they practice, compete, and support one another throughout the season. These teams provide valuable opportunities for students to develop athletic skills, build confidence, and learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. We’re proud of the effort our athletes and coaches put into representing Altimira and appreciate the encouragement from our school and community as the winter season continues.
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In the Spotlight: Recognizing the Dedication & Excellence of SVUSD Staff
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Linda Clark, Special Education Instructional Assistant at Prestwood Elementary
Q: How long have you been working for SVUSD?
A: 4 years
Q: What's a moment from your time at SVUSD that made you feel proud to work here?
A: At the assemblies when my kids are all together and honored and happy to be in school.
Q: Reflecting on your journey, who was a mentor or champion in your life who helped you get where you are today?
A: My teachers throughout my Elementary and HS.
Q: If you could share one piece of wisdom with our students—something you wish you had known earlier in life—what would it be?
A: Always try and find the good in people.
Q:What's a song that always puts you in a good mood?
A: Justin Timberlake, “I’ve got this feeling”
Q: If you could have any superpower for one day, what would it be?
A: Flying.
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Katie Carlson, Teacher at Flowery Elementary
Q: How long have you been working for SVUSD?
A: 18 years
Q: What's a moment from your time at SVUSD that made you feel proud to work here?
A: In Kindergarten in the Spring when kids start realizing they can read and start putting sounds together and the light bulb goes off.
Q: Reflecting on your journey, who was a mentor or champion in your life who helped you get where you are today?
A: My mom, I've wanted to be a teacher since the second grade, a passion my mother has supported throughout the years by dedicating both time and resources.
Q: If you could share one piece of wisdom with our students—something you wish you had known earlier in life—what would it be?
A: Choose your profession based on loving what you do, and if you start on one journey and you don’t love it it's okay to change.
Q: What's a song that always puts you in a good mood
A: Los Sonido Iniciales, Just kidding, “All I want for Christmas is you” by Mariah Carey
Q: If you could have any superpower for one day, what would it be?
A: The ability to mute humans… or to fly.
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Mitch Tucker, Interim Principal at Prestwood Elementary
Q: How long have you been working for SVUSD?
A: 6 months with SVUSD
Q: What's a moment from your time at SVUSD that made you feel proud to work here?
A: After the announcement that Prestwood was going to close, I was proud of how my staff handled the myriad of emotions that this school has been through. They way everybody has remained professional. I am most proud of that and how I can be there for my staff and be there as a team and find the silver lining. Making a hard situation a little bit easier.
Q: Reflecting on your journey, who was a mentor or champion in your life who helped you get where you are today?
A: My high school football and baseball coaches set a good example for what I wanted to be and how you can impact people's lives in a positive way. What motivated me to be a teacher was to be a good coach. Being a principal is taking coaching and motivating to a whole new level.
Q: If you could share one piece of wisdom with our students—something you wish you had known earlier in life—what would it be?
A: Play the long game with education and don’t get frustrated with one teacher, or class. Be a lifelong learner. Continue to grind out and play the long game.
Q: What's a song that always puts you in a good mood
A: Anything Led Zeppelin, “Ramble on”.
Q: If you could have any superpower for one day, what would it be?
A: To fly.
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We extend our sincere gratitude to Interim Principal Mitch Tucker for his commitment and dedication to leading the Prestwood school community over the past five months. During his time with us, he brought stability, a sense of calm, and a strong spirit of community among our teachers, students, and families. His morning meeting announcements quickly became a favorite—setting the tone for the day with music, humor, and important school updates. We share our deep appreciation for his leadership and wish him all the best in his next endeavor.
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El Verano and Altimira Student Presenting at Recent Board Meetings!
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