Greetings Scotts Valley Unified Community,
We’ve been back from spring break a few weeks now and heading into May - the last month of our school year! Our COVID positivity rates have been minimal, which has allowed more activities and events to occur. Student activities, field trips, athletics, and extracurricular events are in full swing. School sites are also participating in CAASPP state testing district-wide.
This Sunday, May 1st from 12:00 to 3:00 PM, Scotts Valley Unified School District will be hosting our inaugural Multicultural Fair to be held at Vine Hill School. The committee for this event has been very busy planning for the festivities. There will be several booths to represent many countries around the world, displays of student art, a variety of entertainment, crafts, and many other goodies. I hope to see you there!
Also, this weekend is the last showing of the Scotts Valley High School play, Urinetown. I was able to attend the play last week and I thought the students did an amazing job.
This next week, we will be recognizing National Teacher Appreciation Week and Day of the Teacher on Tuesday, May 3rd. A HUGE shout out to our teachers for their dedication and hard work, especially over the last few years.
Also next week, Brook Knoll and Scotts Valley Middle School are holding their Open Houses on May 4th and 5th respectively, and Vine Hill is holding their Open House the following week on May 12th.
On Friday, May 6th, Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Community Awards Gala where Scotts Valley Unified‘s Educator of the Year, Kathy Peterson, will be honored. Also, Jeremy Kain, a senior at Scotts Valley High School will be honored as the Youth of the Year. Both of these wonderful individuals represent our district very well!
Good news - US News just came out with school rankings both local and statewide. SVHS ranked second for local high schools. Best High Schools in Santa Cruz, CA Area - US News
On behalf of the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation, they are looking for a Treasurer and VP of fundraising. If you are interested or willing to learn more, please let me know and I will connect you with our Foundation leaders.
There are several culminating events and activities occurring across the district in the month of May concluding with fifth-grade promotion ceremonies on May 26, Scotts Valley High School graduation that same afternoon and the Scotts Valley Middle School promotion on Friday the 27th. Schools will be sending out specific information to each of their respective sites.
We are excited to be able to offer a summer program at Scotts Valley Middle School for students in grades TK through eighth. This program is provided by an outside agency, Champions, with whom we are also contracting for the before and after school childcare in the fall. If you’re interested in learning more about this opportunity for your students, you can find information on our website at https://www.scottsvalleyusd.org/childcare.
In response to growing interest, we are redesigning our Independent Study program to increase access for families who are seeking alternative options to meet student and family needs. Scotts Valley Unified School District is pleased to offer an Independent Study program for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. This program will combine both in-person and online teaching, to maximize student learning and support families seeking different education options. Our high school program is also expanding Independent Study offerings to include full remote learning for students who prefer a home-based learning program. These programs offer the benefit of independent study with the option to participate in afterschool sports and activities. You can find more information about our program offerings and how to sign up on our website: https://www.scottsvalleyusd.org/independentstudy
Our school sites are in the process of sending out parent surveys. Please take a few minutes to respond - we do appreciate your feedback.
While this school year has provided its own unique challenges, we have persevered through it and held strong as an educational community to provide in-person education all year long and adhere to CDPH safety measures in order to keep our schools open. We want to finish out this school year as safe and ‘normal’ as possible as our kids deserve to have all of their expected events. Let’s all do our best to stay safe and healthy finishing out this year
Thank you,
Tanya Krause
Superintendent
SVUSD
Mission: Scotts Valley Unified School District will provide each student with quality educational and social opportunities needed to thrive in a modern world.
Vision: Our students will be socially responsible, pursuing their full potential in intellectual, social, and physical development, and be engaged, ethical and effective citizens.
Core Values and Guiding Principles:
- Our role is to develop academically capable, culturally attuned and socially responsible students.
- There is strength and value in diversity of thought and experience.
- District decisions, at all levels, should be thoughtful, equitable and transparent.
- We value commitment and collaboration from our engaged students, families and the community.
- We value trust, respect and teamwork from our highly skilled and dedicated team.
- We are accountable to our public for setting clear expectations and optimizing resources to meet our goals.
Please use this link for more information on the COVID-19 testing program for the school community in Santa Cruz County:
All staff timesheets for the June 2022 pay period are posted on the Business Department webpage under:
Visit the district’s Help Desk page for resources and weekly drop-in support hours. In addition, our District’s SVUSD Website has a live online Chat with an SVUSD Tech.
School Board Information:
Note: Until further notice, SVUSD school board meetings will be remote (access the public agenda page below for the link to the current meeting).
Measure A Exemption Form
(for Senior/SSI parcel tax exemptions)
Measure A Exemption Application
This form is for the 2022-23 tax year. Please complete the form and submit the form and requested documentation to the District (contact information is on the form).
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About Us
Scotts Valley Unified schools are ranked as some of the highest performing public schools in Santa Cruz County. We are proud of the high quality education we provide to approximately 2500 students year after year.
Please look around to see what we do so well here at SVUSD. Be sure to visit the individual school web sites to see what's happening at Brook Knoll Elementary School, Vine Hill Elementary School, Scotts Valley Middle School and Scotts Valley High School.
