SVS Vision:

We aim to provide students with the necessary tools to achieve their full potential.

SVS Mission:

In collaboration with family and community, we will build strong relationships and share challenging, innovative instruction to inspire student passions, potential, and the ability to think critically and creatively

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Spring is finally here, bringing warmer weather and longer days! It's the perfect time to encourage our students to enjoy the outdoors and stay active. Physical activity not only boosts physical health but also supports mental wellness and academic focus.

This month also marks one of the busiest periods of our school year. With state testing (AKSTAR), SAT exams, and Prom just to name a few of the tings taking place, our students and staff are working diligently with your student to ensure success. We ask for your support in helping your child maintain a balanced schedule that includes plenty of rest, healthy eating, and time for relaxation.

As we move into this busy season, our school-wide mindset is shifting from being motivated to becoming more focused. Key characteristics of this focused mindset include recognizing and avoiding distractions, utilizing routines and organizational tools, and practicing positive self-talk. We appreciate your partnership and continued dedication to your child's education.

Thank you for your continued support, and please reach out if you have any questions. Let’s make the rest of this semester a great one!

Bryan Kirby, SVS Principal

Bryan.Kirby@matsuk12.us

907-733-9300

Tuesday April 1 - ATSI Meeting 2 3:15-4:30

Friday April 4 - HS Track at Anchorage (Dome)

Saturday April 5 - HS Track at Anchorage (Dome), Student Peru Trip

Sunday April 6 - Student Peru Trip

Monday April 7 - MS Track Starts, Student Peru Trip

Tuesday April 8 - 8th Grade AKSTAR Science Test, Student Peru Trip

Wednesday April 9 - 10th Grade AKSTAR Science Test, Student Peru Trip

Thursday April 10 - 8/10 AKSTAR Science Test, Student Peru Trip

Friday April 11 - Student Peru Trip

Saturday April 12 - Student Peru Trip

Sunday April 13 - Student Peru Trip

Monday April 14 - Student Peru Trip

Tuesday April 15 - AKSTAR Testing

Wednesday April 16 - AKSTAR Testing, SAT Test (Junior / Senior), HS Track Mini Meet at Palmer High

Thursday April 17 - AKSTAR Testing, PTSA Meeting at Su Valley 4:00

Saturday April 19 - Prom

Tuesday April 22 - Senior Trip

Wednesday April 23 - Senior Trip, HS Track Mini Meet at Wasilla

Friday April 25 - HS Track at Wasilla

Saturday April 26 - HS Track at Wasilla

Tuesday April 29 - Drama / Music Performance

Wednesday April 30 - MS Track at Palmer High

Scholarships

New scholarships are being advertised daily at Su Valley. Students can find hard copies on the scholarship bulletin board and from Mrs. Harrison.. There are thousands of scholarships available through sites such as: www.fastweb.com, www.scholarship.com, www.akcis.org, www.wiche.edu, www.cappex.com, www.myscholly.com, www.raiseme.com, www.healthymatsu.org.

Seniors

Seniors intending to apply for loans and scholarships need to file the FAFSA! Federal Student Aid (FSA) The FAFSA opened December 1st. The earlier you apply, the more aide you may receive. The FAFSA is free to apply.

Remember, you should file the FAFSA as early as possible after it is released – some institutions have very early FAFSA deadlines – check with your college or trade school’s Financial Aid Office to find out. Some programs may have later deadlines. The priority deadline to file the FAFSA for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) and the Alaska Education Grant (AEG) is June 30, however the University of Alaska recommends submitting the FAFSA by February 15th.

Juniors/Seniors

Students in 11th & 12th grade will be given the opportunity to take the digital School Day SAT on April 16th 2025. It is recommended that 11th graders take the SAT in the spring.

Fast Facts about the SAT

• Most students take the SAT for the first time in spring of their junior year; some take it again in fall of senior year. Learn more about when to take the SAT.
• Students can take the SAT as many times as they like; College Board recommends taking it at least twice..
• Different colleges evaluate SAT scores differently. In general, test scores aren’t the most important part of a student’s application—their high school transcript is, and some colleges have adopted test optional policies.
• The SAT connects your child to scholarship opportunities as well as to colleges that are looking for students like them.

SAT Practice

• Your child can practice for the SAT for free by using Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy, where they can get a personalized study plan by taking short quizzes or providing their scores on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10.
• They'll also find interactive problems, video lessons, and full-length practice tests. Official SAT Practice shows your child which specific skills they need to work on most and customizes their practice plan to help them turn areas of weakness into areas of strength.
• A recent study showed that 20 hours of practice on Khan Academy is linked to an average 115-point increase from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT.
• Other free ways to practice include the Daily Practice for the SAT app, full-length practice tests, and online practice questions.

Please contact Tamra Harrison at tamra.harrison@matsuk12.us if you have questions.

I want to talk about something crucial for your health and well-being: sleep. You might think you can function on just a few hours, but research shows that losing even a little sleep can have a big impact, especially on your mood.

Sleep and Your Mood:

A recent study from Iowa State University found that even a couple of hours of lost sleep can make you angrier, particularly when you're already dealing with frustrating situations. So, if you've been feeling irritable or short-tempered, it might be a sign you need more sleep.

Why Sleep Matters for Teens:

Sleep is as important as food and water; it is essential for health. It helps you manage stress, eat better, and stay healthy. Your body's natural sleep cycle shifts during adolescence, making it hard to fall asleep before 11:00 PM. You need 8-10 hours of sleep each night to function at your best. Many teens get far less than that. Sleeping in late on weekends throws off your body's clock, making it harder to sleep well during the week.

Tips for Better Sleep:

• Talk to Your Doctor: If you're struggling with sleep, schedule a checkup. Your pediatrician can help.
• Get Morning Sunlight: Start your day with sunshine to regulate your body's sleep-wake cycle.
• Manage Your Schedule: Prioritize sleep and avoid cramming too many activities into your evenings.
• Limit Tech Before Bed: Put away phones, tablets, and computers at least an hour before bedtime.
• Consistent Sleep Schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends.
• Advocate for Later School Start Times: Later school start times are better for teenage sleep patterns.

Remember: Getting enough sleep is not a luxury; it's a necessity. Let's work together to make sure you're getting the rest you need!

Resources:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy-sleep/sleep-better/teenagers-and-sleep-how-much-sleep-is-enough

https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/lack-sleep-intensifies-anger-impairs-adaptation-frustrating-circumstances

Stay Healthy,
Romy Byrd RN - School Nurse
Matanuska Susitna Borough School District
Susitna Valley Junior/Senior High School (907) 733-9300

SVS PTSA has Su Valley spirt gear for sale. Please contact them at svptsa@gmail.com or call the school to leave a message for them. (907)-733-9300

Girls HS Basketball - The Susitna Valley Girls HS Basketball team had another successful season in 24-25! They won the Dillingham tournament early in the season then qualified for State for the 6th consecutive season by placing 2nd at the Southern Conference Championships. Ashley Delima, Poppy Moren, and Lily Esmailka were honored by being selected to the All-Conference team. At State, the team went 2-1 and ended up getting 4th place by defeating the #1 seed, Metlakatla, in a thrilling double-overtime victory to end the season. Lily Esmailka was selected the the State All-Tournament team. Both Poppy and Ashley were nominated to participate in the Senior All-Star Weekend that takes place near the end of April.

Cheerleading: The Su-Valley Cheer squad finished out their season at the state competition in Anchorage. They were able to perform a routine they have been working on all season in front of a crowd of fans and other cheer teams. Violet Cole received the All-Tourney medal for Su-Valley.

Transportation from practice:

Please make sure students are picked up from practice at 4:30 PM. There will be Sunshine Transit shuttles running IF RESERVED, first come first served. Students MUST tell the front office they plan to ride a transit before lunchtime each day in order to secure a spot.

We're excited to share that we are going to continue our podcast focused on all things Su Valley. We are excited about our journey so far and know things will get better. We're committed to improving with each episode.

Stick with us as we grow and refine our content. We're dedicated to providing valuable insights and engaging conversations as we are navigating the school year. Thanks for joining us on this journey!

We highly encourage families to fill out the Free and Reduced Meals application, even if you think you may not qualify. These dollars and this designation, is what gives our school it's Title I status, and helps provide additional dollars to put towards educating your child(ren).

This application does need to be filled out each school year, for all families who qualify, or would like to qualify.

FREE & REDUCED MEAL PROGRAM

Free & Reduced Meals Parents can submit applications to enroll their student(s) in the free and reduced meal program. Applications should be submitted annually and may be completed online (LINK here). Paper applications can also be picked up at SVS if you do not have the ability to print at home.

Paper applications cannot be submitted via email or fax, but must be submitted to the student's school or directly to Nutrition Services (690 E Cope Industrial Way, Palmer, AK 99645).

The application process will require the following information be provided:

• Total household size
• Income for all household members
• Student name(s)
• Additional information that is helpful, though not required, includes the student's birth date, enrolled school, and MSBSD ID number

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to (907) 861-5100.

Here at Su Valley we know that hungry, growing teenagers need to eat! Here are option for both in school, and families at home:

• We have free almond butter and jelly sandwiches & free fresh fruit available every day at the Snack Station - students can help themselves
• We provide free shelf-stable portable snacks as available through the Snack Station - students can help themselves
• We have a free School Food Pantry - available every Friday during lunch, or by request. This is food for any family who needs additional food at home. The items in the pantry are shelf-stable and range from snacks to ingredients for full meals. We also have toiletry items (toothpaste, deodorant, etc) available. Students may help themselves. This is provided in partnership with the Upper Susitna Food Pantry.

Every Monday we will be starting school at 9:30 am. The rest of the week we will be starting at the normal time of 8:30 am. Another change this year is that we will be in school everyday of the week until 3:00. See Bell Schedule link above.

What are PLC Mondays, click on the link to go to an informative webpage to learn more.

Our behavioral health counselor, Tanya Korta, is available all summer and throughout the school year. During the summer, she can be reached at Sunshine Clinic. During the school year she can be reached at school (907-733-9300), and she will be here Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please do not hesitate to reach out to her if you need to talk, or if you know someone who may need support. Her email is TKorta@sunshineclinic.org.

The Public Information Office and Office of Instruction encourages schools to share this MSBSD website with their families to share what's happening for kids in the Mat-Su Valley. Schools, parents and other community stakeholders may download, read, or print informational flyers distributed for sharing to all schools each week.

Flyer approval requests may be sent to Laura Richardson, Family & Partnership Coordinator for review and approval for distribution to schools.

"Home of the Rams"

Email: Bryan.Kirby@matsuk12.us
Website: https://svs.matsuk12.us/
Location: S. Parks Highway, Talkeetna, AK
Phone: 907-733-9300