Bobcat Tales

Mark Your Calendar

Nov. 18th-December 13th: Valley Holiday Food Drive

Nov. 22nd: Trimester 1 Report cards sent home with students

Nov. 25th-29th: Fall Break~No school

*Dec. 20th-Jan. 3rd: Winter Break

*Dec. 20th is reserved as a District Storm make up day if needed. If we do not need to make up the day, it will become a no school day for students.

Jan. 6th: Professional Development Day for teachers. No school for students.

A Message from Principal Ponza

It's been a busy two weeks. The weather is changing at SLVE. This week, students and staff experienced their first rainy day recesses. The Valley Holiday Food Drive is happening now through December 13th. Crates for food collection are in TK-5th grade classrooms. I know we are all looking forward to some rest, relaxation and rejuvenation over Fall Break. I'd like to take this opportunity to let you know how grateful I am for all of the teachers, staff, families and especially students of this amazing SLVE community. I am filled with gratitude to be the Principal of such a remarkable school.

PBIS Gratitude Assembly

At the November Bobcat assembly, fifth and first grade students shared the importance of gratitude. The assembly featured heartwarming presentations where the fifth graders explained the concept of gratitude. First grade students shared specific people, places and things that they are grateful for. Shout out to Ms.Hill and Ms. Reed for winning the Golden Ticket reward for being safe, respectful and responsible with their substitute. Great work Bobcats!

Spirit Week

SLVE students and staff celebrated Spirit Week with tons of enthusiasm and participation. From PJ Day, to Color Day, Wacky Wednesday to Character Day and finally Bobcat Day, students were excited to share the many creative ways they dressed up to match the theme. Thank you to Mr. Muchmore and the SLVE Student Council for organizing this fun event!

5th Grade Performance

The 5th grade classes have been working hard on their musical "How to Interact with Human Beings!" This was a funny and educational play involving SUPERHEROES learning social skills. Students loved going to the SLVHS Performing Arts Center to see this play. Not only was it entertaining, but we all learned a lot. Thank you to the 5th grade teachers and students for sharing your hard work and talent with all of us!

Report Cards are coming home today!

Trimester 1 report cards will be coming home with students today. Please be sure to look for your student's report card. Highlighting their academic and social/emotional growth and talking about an area to focus on in Trimester 2 is a positive way to approach report card time. The students have worked hard this trimester!! We are all very proud of them!

Coffee with the Principal

Please join us for Coffee with the Principal on Friday, December 6th from 8:20-9:00 in the SLVE MU. It will be a great opportunity to chat with Ms. Ponza and hear about what's happening at SLVE as we move into trimester #2.

Can your student sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, or do they have another talent to share?

Permission slips came home in early November. If your student want to participate, have them bring the signed permission slip to their teacher or the office by Monday, December 2nd, Last minute exceptions will not be made. All students who wish to perform must have a signed permission slip and audition. Auditions will be held during school hours on Thursday, December 12th.

Questions? Email stekkagirl@gmail.com

Bobcat Club News

The San Lorenzo Valley Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, known as the Bobcat Club, is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting our school community. Our primary goal is to raise funds for special programs like Art, Ceramics, and Life Lab, while also enhancing our campus. Additionally, we provide support for teacher and staff appreciation, classroom supplies, sports equipment, and technology needs. Each year, we aim to raise about $150 per student. With a variety of fundraisers throughout the year, families can choose the ones that work best for them to help us reach our goal. Proceeds from events like the Drive for Schools and Book Fair go directly to supporting classrooms and the library.

Join us for SLVE NIght at the Warriors on Feb 8! There are 150 tickets available for purchase. We will all be sitting in the same section! SLVE Kids will also sing the national anthem with Mr G! So be sure to sign them up when you are checking out. If you'd like to sit with another family, we suggest buying your tickets together. Buy Your Tickets Today! They make great holiday gifts!

Thank you to all the families that made Family Science Night a huge success!! Special shout out to Cara, who chaired it and brought it all together!

Buy a Yearbook Our yearbooks are only sold online.

5th-grade families, don't forget to buy dedications for your 5th-graders. They are called recognition ads in the system when you check out. Questions Email yearbook@slvebobcatclub.org

Everything is 15% off in our Gear Shop right now! Grab a t-shirt, sweatshirt or a hat!

Visit slvebobcatclub.org for more information!

Save the Dates:
January 14: Bobcat Club Meeting
February 7: Family Game Night

February 8: Warriors Game
March 11: Bobcat Club Meeting
March 21: Family Art Night
March 27: Fun Run

April 13: Nominations are open for the Board Positions
April 24: Open House
April 25: Bobcat Bash (Spring Auction)
May 5-9: Staff Appreciation Week
May 13: Last Bobcat Club Meeting and Election

Share your concerns regarding Highway safety in SLV
The 2019 Highway 9/SLV Complete Streets Plan is being updated and expanded. The new Rural Highways Safety Plan (RHSP) effort by the SCCRTC and Caltrans will also include all other conventional highways in Santa Cruz County, including Highway 236 and Highway 35. Share your safety concerns using the bilingual survey on the RHSP project webpage (sccrtc.org/rhsp) until December 6, 2024.

Head to the Highway 9/SLV Complete Streets Program webpage (sccrtc.org/slvplan) for updates on upcoming and planned construction projects, including the 2025 construction of the sidewalk and bike lanes connecting SLV High School to downtown Felton. Sign up for “Highway 9 SLV” and “Vision Zero” email updates on the SCCRTC eSubscription webpage (sccrtc.org/esubscriptions) to keep informed about Highway 9 Complete Streets implementation and the Rural Highways Safety Plan.

Learning Websites~IReady and Lexia

Your student can access Lexia Core5 (phonics/reading support) or i-Ready (math & reading) from home using their Google login information or their Classlink QuickCard (QR Code). Teachers will be sending home IReady/Lexia log in information (also linked below) and QR codes with students by Friday, October 4th.

You can access these applications from a personal computer (Mac or Windows), a personal Chromebook, a school-issued Chromebook, or an iPad. See the instructions for how to access them below:

How to Access Lexia/i-Ready from Home (Slideshow with all options)-SLVE

How to access Lexia/i-Ready from Home (School-Issued Chromebook)--SLVE

How to access Lexia/i-Ready from Home (iPads)--SLVE

How to access Lexia/i-Readyy from Home (Computers/Personal Chromebook)--SLVE

Updated Student Illness Protocols

For suggestions to help with knowing when to keep your child home when they are not feeling well please click on this Illness Protocol Link. Contact a health care provider if your child needs medical care. A doctor’s note is generally not required to return to school or child care. For more information, please visit the CDPH guidance page.

Cradle to Career

Cradle to Career Santa Cruz County (C2C) is a family advocacy organization and community connector that strives to uplift all families. C2C has expanded into SLVUSD and has developed free programming, including recreation activities, parent workshops, and advocacy opportunities for families. Register with C2C for more information about upcoming yoga classes, and more! Contact Claudia Oblea, SLVUSD's Community Organizer, for more information about C2C, questions, or resource support.

To Register with C2C visit: https://share.hsforms.com/1PECJBXBRREmsdHAUyGb4Ggdl8zs

Claudia's Contact information:

Email - Coblea@c2cscc.org

Phone: 916-270-5237

Triple P Parenting Classes

Triple P Positive Parenting topical workshop flyers for November are attached. Información sobre programas en español disponibles en el sitio web.

Each flyer has its own unique link to register for each class, or go to https://www.first5scc.org/triple-p-classes and register on the website. All of these classes are on Zoom!

Workshops are all free, and grant funded by First Five of Santa Cruz.

Individual sessions are also available for free or sliding scale. If you are interested in a 1:1 session, please contact First Five of Santa Cruz at First 5 Santa Cruz County at (831) 465-2217 or

The "Community Opportunities" website link is provided as a courtesy to parents and students, by the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, to enable you to receive information of current local events and opportunities for adults and/or children.

Student Drop Off and Pick Up at SLVE

It is VERY important that all cars have the student placard in the front windshield when picking up your student. It allows staff on duty to see the name and call the student so they can be standing and ready to get in your car quickly. Thank you for following this very important pick up protocol.

We are really needing to focus on safety during our pick up time each day. As a reminder, the far right lane is the ONLY lane that you may idle in to pick up your student. The middle lane is a drive thru lane only for parents who are driving up to park. If cars stop in the middle lane, buses CANNOT get up the hill to pass without going into the far left lane which is the exiting lane. There have been some close calls and unsafe situations where cars are stopped in the middle lane when buses are making the wide turn to go down the driveway to head out onto Highway 9. We would also like to remind you that the parking lot in front of the school office is reserved for teachers/staff only. Please do not stop there to drop off or pick up your student. We appreciate your role in helping to ensure the safety of our SLVE students and families.

Bus and School Lunch Information

We will continue to provide free lunch to all students this year. We do ask that you complete the application on the district webpage. It is very important that ALL families complete this form, as it helps us with funding in several different areas.

If your child will be riding the bus this year and will need a bus pass, please make sure you purchase your bus pass online here. Once you log in to LinqConnect you will see "School Store" on the bottom right hand corn. Click that to buy your pass. Any questions contact the Transportation department at 831-336-2223

Please complete the Transportation Registration Form for all students riding the bus. Should there be a school bus breakdown, closed route or a route delay, School Messenger will not contact you unless your student(s) are registered.If you do not have your student registered by Thursday, 08/29/24 your student will be left at the school and sent to the office. For more information please call the Transportation office at 831-336-2223 or email Heidie at hoconnor@slvusd.org.

Thank you for your understanding.

-Transportation Department

Attendance Matters

As we conclude our first trimester of school, we continue to emphasize the importance of daily attendance for your student.

We know people get sick, people get injured, and there can be family or life responsibilities and other issues that are reasonable and excused. But if your student can attend, they need to be in school.

If your student is out for three or more consecutive days, we may request a doctor’s note to continue excusing the absences. Students who miss 3-5 days will receive a Chronic Absence letter. We will then meet with those families to attempt to support the student attending school. On the second Chronic Absence Letter, families may be required to meet at the District Office to put a plan in place for the student’s attendance. On the third Chronic Absence Letter, families may be required to meet with the County Office Student Attendance Review Board for truancy. Our goal is that nobody ever gets that far along with truancy. We are here to help and support, but it does start at home with the expectation that your student will attend school regularly.

Please remember that students who are absent 3 days or more should complete an independent study contract. Lisa Ghelardi, at lblairghelardi@slvusd.org our SLVE Registrar, will work with families to get the paperwork and the missed classwork assignments needed to complete the contract.