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April 2025 Community Newsletter

Posted Date: 4/18/25 (11:30 PM)


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 April Community Newsletter
Important Dates
4/21: Emergency Day, No School
4/22: SVUSD Board Study Session & Special Board Meeting
4/23: SVHS Senior Awards
5/3: SVUSD Board Study Session
5/5: Trustee Bell Office Hours at Sassarini Elementary School
5/5: Trustee Ching Office Hours at Prestwood Elementary School
5/5: Trustee Lehman Office Hours at El Verano Elementary School
5/5: Parent Connection Meeting
5/8: SVUSD Regular Board Meeting
5/9: SVUSD Special Olympics

Message from the Superintendent  

Dear SVUSD Community,

As we near the end of the school year, there is much to reflect on and celebrate while at the same time preparing for the 25-26 school year. I want to take a moment to share some of the progress we've made this school year and share a few exciting updates and reminders.

Celebrating Spring Growth

Just like the season, our schools are blooming with growth and activity. Our students have accomplished much this year from winning sports competitions, such as our wonderful Football and Soccer teams to Mock Trial recognition for individual students. Our FFA students, students receiving CTE certifications and the Seal of Biliteracy also make us proud. And of course to all our seniors who will be graduating soon who have spent endless hours applying for colleges and universities and/or seeking employment opportunities as they move on from our district. It’s a joy to witness their hard work and creativity come to life.

State Testing & Academic Focus

April marks the beginning of our state assessments. These tests are important tools that help us measure student growth and ensure we’re meeting educational standards. This year’s results will also serve as our baseline data as we establish targets for the next 3 years. Thank you for encouraging your children to do their best and for supporting healthy routines—plenty of rest, good nutrition, and positivity go a long way!

Staff Appreciation Coming Soon

May is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Month, and I encourage everyone to start thinking about ways to show gratitude to the incredible educators and support staff who make a difference every single day. We want to especially recognize principals Kriss and Kiss for being recognized by the Association of California School Administrators for their leadership and Heather Gobbee for being recognized as the Sonoma County Arts Educator of the Year. Thank you to all our educators and staff for your dedication and commitment. 

Kindergarten Registration & Planning Ahead

If you have a child entering kindergarten next fall, or know someone who does, now is the time to register! Early registration helps us prepare and ensure a smooth start for our youngest learners. 

Community Engagement Opportunities

We’re also planning some exciting end-of-year events and celebrations of learning. Be sure to check your school's calendar for dates and join us whenever you can—your involvement means the world to our students and staff.

Gratitude & Looking Ahead

As we move toward the final stretch of the school year, I want to thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and support. Together, we are creating safe, inclusive, and inspiring spaces for every student to learn.
 
Sincerely,
Jeanette Rodriguez-Chien, Superintendent

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Congratulations to the SVHS Mock Trial team who competed at 
the State Championship Tournament!

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After sweeping Sonoma, Solano, and Napa counties, the undefeated SVHS Mock Trial team advanced to the State Championship Tournament at the Los Angeles County Superior Court Courthouse, where Sophomore Madison Boter won the prestigious J. Skelly Wright Constitutional Advocacy Award.
 

Help Shape Our Future – Share Your Voice in Our Strategic Plan Survey!

As many of you are aware, SVUSD has completed the process of developing a Portrait of A Graduate, Adult, and System. These portraits allow us to be clear about where we want to focus to prepare our students for the future. These are the foundation for the development of a strategic plan that will establish clear, focused, and well-articulated goals for our district. These goals will lead to the development of strategic actions that will allow us to make decisions about resources (human, fiscal, instructional) in the short and long term. We want your input and as we begin to work on our strategic plan and ask that you answer this brief survey. Although we know that we cannot establish all of these programs and courses immediately, we ask that you select those that you would like to see in an “ideal” school. We want to establish a path to the ideal. Our students deserve it! Thank you in advance for your input.

Elementary School Survey
Middle School Survey
High School Survey 

 

School Consolidation Updates
We continue working on the transition from Adele to Altimira and want to keep all informed. Here are some updates for this month:
  • The majority of the classrooms at the previous Woodland Star site at Altimira have had new flooring installed and painted.

  • We are extremely thankful to the Sonoma Rotary Sunrise for coming to the campus almost on a weekly basis to clean up the garden and other areas that need some “sprucing” up. We appreciate your support!

  • We are continuing to offer information sessions to parents who want to learn more about the programs that will be offered next year. 

  • Classroom organization and draft teaching assignments have been shared with staff. 

  • Our Technology department is diligently working on getting any new internet wiring and cameras installed on the campus.

  • The decision to rename Altimira was put on pause at the April Board meeting due to fiscal implications. The trustees will revisit this process a year from now.

 

CPR & AED Training for all Middle School Students at Adele Harrison & Altimira!
The Sonoma Valley Fire District held its first ever hands-only CPR training for all SVUSD 7th and 8th grade students. Thank you to the Sonoma Valley Fire Department to offering this great training to our students!
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Sassarini 2nd Graders Learn to Swim!

Second grade students at Sassarini Elementary are diving into a new Learn to Swim Program, a collaboration between SVUSD and Sonoma Splash. This pilot initiative provides students with twice-weekly sessions focused on free swim and essential water safety skills. The goal is to expand this wonderful program to all district students.

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Reimagining Education through the Arts at Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (SVMA) is thrilled to be partnering with SVUSD to support teachers and principals this year in a new initiative designed to build leadership around supporting students with arts integrated creative practices. SVMA’s Teacher Cohort has met three times since January in the galleries, led by SVMA staff and IDEAL Bay Area trainers, to learn creative inquiry practices and build community. Teachers are sharing their excitement about how the arts can support students to grow and thrive as joyful learners, creative explorers, and critical thinkers.
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Sonoma Valley USD Office: 17850 Railroad Avenue, Sonoma, CA 95476     
District Office Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm                                                         
Superintendent's Office: 707-935-4246                                                                   
Superintendent Email: jchien@sonomaschools.org                                 
Executive Assistant Email: mquinonez@sonomaschools.org                                
District Website: 
www.sonomaschools.org
April 2025