Dear Dragon Family:

Thank you for another great week at SVHS! We appreciate everyone who helped us in appreciating our teachers last week. Shoutout to Interact Club for providing our teachers Sweet Scoops Ice Cream on Friday, and to all those students and families who wrote shoutouts for their teachers which we decorated the copy room with. Coming up, the week of May 20 is our Classified Appreciation Week. We will be planning similar gestures of appreciation for our Classified Staff, and are asking for your help in sharing your appreciation of them. If you’d like to give our Classified Staff a shout-out please submit an appreciation here. Classified staff includes our campus supervisors, instructional aides, office staff, maintenance and custodial staff, cafeteria staff, and more! Without Classified Staff our school would not run, so we want to show them how much we appreciate their support and care.

With Prom coming up, we want to remind our students of behavior expectations for dances. We want to make sure that everyone has both a fun and a safe prom.  All school and district rules apply at every school function, including Prom. Should a student at Prom be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the parent will be called to come and get them. For safety, at the entrance to Prom, school administrators will breathalyze students randomly as well as checking bags and asking students to empty pockets.  If the student is a senior and is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, participation in graduation ceremonies and Senior Week may be jeopardized. No crowdsurfing at the dance - anyone crowdsurfing will be asked to leave the dance. Students must arrive by 7pm - students arriving after 7pm will not be admitted. Prom is an exciting, culminating event for our students and we appreciate your support with making it a fun and safe event. We encourage families to review these expectations with their students if they are planning to attend prom. We appreciate your support.

We also want to highlight this recent message shared on the Sonoma Police Department’s Facebook page regarding Fugitive Night: “As we approach the end of the school year at Sonoma Valley High School, the Sonoma Police Department would like to speak to the danger and vandalism that has occurred in previous years when students from the high school participate in an event that has been called, “Fugitive Night”. This is a non-sanctioned event that has occurred for several years with the freshman class traveling on foot from the Ernie Smith Community Park to the Sonoma Valley High School campus without the senior class catching them along the way. It is organized in secrecy by the student body and the exact date and times are not known to law enforcement nor school administration.

Last year, this event generated more than forty calls for service to the Sonoma Police Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office during the event, nearly all of which were coming from community members that were scared for the safety of youth walking on the street being chased by vehicles and other youth. One local business was the victim of a very expensive act of vandalism and the high school itself had several windows shot out with projectiles (frozen paintball pellets and BB’s).Parents- If you have youth that are entering high school, or are currently at the high school, you are responsible for your kid’s involvement in this event. The Sonoma Police Department is prepared to enforce the laws that govern reckless driving, vandalism to property, and violent actions taken by students on other students and have staffing plans in place to directly ensure the safety of the entire community. The types of crimes that the Police Department has learned of from prior years can be very expensive and may affect a student’s ability to get a job and selection into many college institutions. As we don't know when this will occur, it is upon each of you to find out what your kids are up to and ensure they are safe. Students- The student body of the Sonoma Valley High School is the finest in the county, do not let this event taint the stellar reputation that you have worked towards all year. The Sonoma Police Department stands in partnership with the community for the safety of all. We do not believe that the student body sets out to cause harm or damage, often the excitement of the event makes for poor choices.”

As we approach this last stretch of the end of the school year, it is imperative we revisit our expectations regarding behavior. We urge our students to carefully consider any actions that would jeopardize their participation in end-of-year events including prom, senior week activities, and the graduation ceremony. Any non-school-sponsored, student-initiated activities that involve trespassing, cause damage to school property, or violate behavioral guidelines, will be met with disciplinary action and the potential involvement of law enforcement to ensure the safety of both students and the community. This includes but is not limited to, Fugitive Night and any senior pranks. As a school community, we do not condone these events and discourage participation for all students in these types of student-initiated activities. Administrators visited senior classes during the month of April to discuss senior activities, graduation, and review behavior expectations. We encourage families to engage in conversations with their students regarding end-of-year events and appropriate conduct. Your cooperation and ongoing support are greatly appreciated.

Just a reminder that only our final grading period remains, with finals and the end of the semester fast approaching. We encourage all students to put their best foot forward in this last part of the semester and take advantage of the Empowerment Academy, Office Hours, and Dragon Time to ask questions and get homework help.

Dragon Strong, We All Belong!

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

The Returning Student Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. Please log onto your PowerSchool parent portal and complete it as soon as possible. This is a requirement for all students.

In Good Standing/Off Campus:  Off-Campus and In Good Standing were updated as of the end of the last grading period.  If your student has any detentions to clear, detentions are offered weekly Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Students can come see Leonela in the office if they want help creating a plan to clear their detentions or if they have any questions. We check detentions weekly so that students can get back “in good standing.” If a student doesn’t qualify for off-campus due to grades, they’ll need to work on their grades so they can get off-campus back for the next grading period. The grade requirement  is each grading period a student must have a 2.0 with no more than 1 F to go off campus.

Please take a look at the linked document for all the necessary information regarding graduation and senior week activities. Senior Communication 2024 

SONOMA VALLEY GRAD NIGHT 2024

Attention Seniors! We are excited to announce that planning for Grad Night is underway. Grad Night is a safe and sober non-school sponsored event scheduled for May 31, 2024, from 9 PM to 5 AM. To register, click on the attached link and complete the required form. Payment options include Square, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or you can choose to pay cash or send a check by clicking on this link. 

Buy your grad tickets now! Unfortunately, we have not had enough ticket sales and Grad Night is in danger of being canceled. Please purchase your ticket ASAP (ideally by May 1). If we haven’t sold enough tickets by May 1 Grad Night may be canceled.

To all Senior Parents!

If you are interested in purchasing a "Congratulations Class of 2024" Lawn Sign, please order your signs by completing this order form.

SENIOR CLASS LAWN SIGN ORDER FORM

The signs cost $25 each and can be delivered to your senior at school or delivered to your home for a $5 fee.  You can pay via cash, check or credit card.  Signs will be delivered upon receipt of payment.  If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Rivara at trivara@sonomaschools.org.

As a fundraiser for the Senior Class to help offset the cost of Senior Week, the Senior Class officers are selling money leis that you can purchase for your graduate.  There are two options:  a lei with $25 in ones which costs $50 or a lei with $15 in ones and $50 in 5's which costs $95.  If you are interested in purchasing one for your graduate to wear at graduation, please complete the form below, which includes your payment method.  Once we receive payment, we will custom create the lei for you.  You will then be able to pick it up in the Student Activities Window at any time up until the morning of graduation.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tammy Rivara at trivara@sonomaschools.org.  

MONEY LEI ORDER FORM

Senior families:

Grad Night Food Donation Request 

We are in the planning stages of creating the 2024 Grad Night Celebration (to be held Friday, May 31, at SVHS) and we are asking for your help with food donations and supplies so that the students can be well fed and happy throughout the night. We have created an Amazon FOOD Wish List to make your help easy….with shopping and shipping directly to our Food Coordinator, Erin Weaver. Please see the Amazon link here. These items can also be purchased at Costco or other retailers in bulk. We can work with you to coordinate drop off or pick up. Please also consider making or purchasing baked goods for the night. We have attached the following baked goods donation form for sign ups.

We are in need of chaperones for the Senior Week trip to Six Flags!  The trip is Wednesday, May 29 and you would need to be available to be on the trip from 9am until about 7pm (which is when the bus returns).  Your entrance to Six Flags would be included.  If you are able to chaperone, please email Amanda Dowdy at adowdy@sonomaschools.org or Connor Snow at csnow@sonomaschools.org.  Thank you!

SVHS STUDENTS: As you are aware, we are developing a strategic plan that will serve as our North Star. An integral pillar of our plan’s development is student voice. We need your help and participation in the Guiding Coalition. Your input will shape the vision of future SVUSD students!  Note:  We welcome students to attend ANY of the sessions (they are not required to attend all). Meals will be provided. This can fulfill community service hours, if needed. Letters of participation can be provided, if requested.

SENIORS!  Worrying about financial matters after graduation?  Come to "Show Me The Money: Financial Tips for Graduating Seniors" Join us in the CCC to hear from financial professionals about 1) opening a bank account; 2) obtaining a credit card; 2) good credit & bad credit;  3) loans; 4) taxes; 5) insurance, etc. on Tuesday, May 14th,during Dragon Time in the CCC!

Calling all seniors! We want to celebrate your plans for next year! Wear your college swag on Wednesday, May 15th and stop by the CCC so we can take your photo for our Wall of Fame. Don't have swag? Borrow one of our pennants. We want to celebrate all seniors attending a 2-year college, 4-year college or trade school.

Senior Awards is Wednesday, May 22nd at 6pm in Pfeiffer gym. All Seniors receiving an award will be notified, but all seniors are encouraged to attend. There is plenty of room in the gym for friends, families and SVHS students.

Interested in the environment and working outdoors?  The Sonoma Ecology Center is taking applications for its Summer Enviroleaders program!  Work Wednesday and Friday mornings, 8:45am-12:00pm at Sonoma Garden Park. Earn $15/hour.   Applications are due by May 19th!    Click here for more information and to apply.

Looking for a part-time job? Keep an eye on the "Job Opportunities" page on the CCC page of the website if you're looking for a part time job.

Check out our Summer Opportunities page on the website.  More will be added as they become available!

Want to keep up-to-date on what's happening in the CCC, like colleges coming, application workshops, guest speakers?  Make sure you follow the CCC on Instagram @svhscollegeandcareer!

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

• Summer Sports Camps - Please click on this link Summer Sports Camps  to register for SVHS Summer sports camps (girls and boys basketball, girls lacrosse, & the new Dragon Strength and Conditioning camp).

Athletic Clearances for 2023-24 -  All students need to create an application for the 23-24 year as signatures/forms may have changed. Follow the steps below to get started: Go to Athleticclearance.com to start the sign up process. You will receive an email when your clearance is complete. *** Athletic Clearance must be completed & approved before a student may participate in any sport

Go Fan Digital Ticketing - Tickets for home games can be purchased using this link. In addition, all VVAL schools use Go Fan and tickets for away games. To purchase tickets, go to this link.

We invite you to #BeTheChange! Sportsmanship is simple, treat others how you would want to be treated. Respect the game and everyone participating including student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators. Education-based athletics is more than winning, it’s about academic development, equity, and character. Be Responsible, Be Respectful, 

#BeTheChange! #BenchBadBehavior

Youth and Young Adult Heart Screening in Sonoma Valley on June 8th. Please take a look at the flyers linked below for important information. 

Sonoma Valley Heart Screening 

Heart Screening Information