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,

As we approach the end of the first semester, I want to take a moment to celebrate the amazing progress our students have made so far this year. Our winter test scores in Math and iReady show tremendous growth, reflecting not only the hard work of our students and the dedication of our staff but also the invaluable support and encouragement from home. This is something we can all take pride in as a school community!

As we move into the new year, we’re also shifting our Monthly Mindset focus from Perseverance to Self-Awareness and Self-Honesty. This mindset encourages students to:

• Be willing to question their own limitations.
• Be open to making adjustments to improve.
• Practice being brutally honest with themselves to grow and achieve their goals.
  
  

These attributes are essential not just for academic success but for personal growth as well. We encourage you to talk with your children about what self-awareness and self-honesty mean to them and how they can apply these principles in their daily lives.

With the foundation we’ve built during the first semester, I’m excited to see what kind of success the second semester will bring. Together, we will continue to help our students grow and achieve their full potential.

Thank you for your continued support, and let’s finish the school year strong!

Bryan Kirby, SVS Principal

Bryan.Kirby@matsuk12.us

907-733-9300

Tuesday January 7 - HS BB vs Port Alsworth (JV) 3:30 pm MS Volleyball Starts

Wednesday January 8 - HS BB at Nome (Boys)

Thursday January 9 - HS BB at Dillingham (Girls) HS BB at Nome (Boys)

Friday January 10 - HS BB at Dillingham (Girls) HS BB at Nome (Boys)

Saturday January 11 - HS BB at Dillingham (Girls) HS BB at Nome (Boys)

Sunday January 12 - AMH Cup#2 5/10K duathlon

Tuesday January 14 - HS BB at Redington

Wednesday January 15 - HS BB at Bethel. MS Volleyball at Houston

Thursday January 16 - HS BB at Bethel

Friday January 17 - HS BB at Bethel

Saturday January 18 - HS BB at Bethel

Sunday January 19 - Wasilla Bowl and Ski

Monday January 20 - HS BB vs Unalaska 5:00 pm

Tuesday January 21 - HS BB vs Ninilchik 1:30 pm MS Volleyball at Wasilla

Friday January 24 - HS BB at Ninilchik MS Wrestling at Houston

Saturday January 25 - HS BB at Seward MS Volleyball vs Tri-Valley at 12:00 pm MS Wrestling at Houston

Sunday January 26 - AMH Cup #3 wooden ski/5k skate race/waffle party

Monday January 27 - HS BB vs Newhalen 3:00pm

Tuesday January 28 - MS Volleyball vs Houston 3:00 pm

Thursday January 30 - HS BB at Lumen

Friday January 31 - HS BB at Lumen

Online Tutoring Help

Statewide Library Electronic Doorway

Get online tutoring for subjects like math, English, and history. Work with a live tutor or use the resources to study independently, all free to you! Live Homework Help also provides all Alaskans free help finding and applying online for a job, writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing prep, and applying for unemployment assistance.

Go to https://lam.alaska.gov/sled/homework/ for more information.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a free, online educational resource that offers a variety of learning tools for students, teachers, and parents:

• Videos: Short video lessons on a wide range of subjects, including math, science, history, literature, and computer science
• Practice exercises: Interactive practice problems to help students master skills
• Quizzes and tests: Assessments to help students practice and master skills
• Personalized dashboard: A dashboard that helps students personalize their learning

Go to https://www.khanacademy.org/

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

Holidays, Winter, and Stress

As our daylight hours become shorter, most of us feel less energetic and a little sleepy. This time of year can be hard, and without support can lead to depression. Depression is hard on not only families but on children, who do not understand what is happening. Here are a few ways to help those you love who may be depressed or stressed, and some simple ways to help yourself stay positive and healthy.

Depression can lead to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts so, first, if you or your friend are having these thoughts, reach out for help. 1(800)273-8255 is a 24-hour national suicide prevention hotline. No one chooses to be depressed and they cannot simply “snap out of it”. A great way to help is just to sit with them and listen. If they’re open to it, offer a hug. Choose words that help build them up, not tear them down. Make plans with them but don’t expect them to take on too much. Above all, remind them that there is always hope.

While it can be easy to blame seasonal affective disorder (sad) for a blue mood in the winter, there is a good chance that it may be something else. In the winter people do not get outside as much and in turn do not get enough exercise. Activity and exercise are linked to an increase in positive feelings.

People tend eat more during the holidays and besides weight gain, this can also affect your mood. Try to eat fruits, vegetables, and lean protein during the day before a holiday party in the evening. Antioxidants, fiber, and protein will help fuel your body and your mood.

It is easy this time of year to become overwhelmed with obligations, feel overscheduled, and worried about money. To fight this stressful situation, tap into your own power! Don’t be afraid to politely decline any stress-inducing invitations and don't be afraid of creating a budget for the holidays. If these two things can save your sanity, then they are worth the trouble.

Depression and stress can be confusing for children because it often becomes something no one talks about. Children will then come up with their own answer and these can be wrong and scary. It is important to keep an open conversation with your child. Here is a website that can help you find answers for the children in your life who have questions about depression: www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/when-a-parent-is-depressed

Gratefully,

Romy Byrd RN

School Nurse

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

Susitna Valley High School Volleyball concluded its season placing 2nd at the state tournament.

Sawyer and Tassi have both qualified for the state wrestling competition and will be proudly representing Su Valley this weekend.

The following middle school sports begin when we return from the winter break on January 9th.

MS Volleyball (girls)

MS Wrestling (coed)

In order to be in the gym and/or at practice, the following must be in place for each athlete:

~A current school physical ("current" is a school physical within the last 18 months). A current physical must be in place before students can practice.

~Athletic Registration completed. Please use this link for the process. Forms will be available at SVS.

~Students need to be registered in PlanetHS Link

~Sport fees must be paid by January 21st for athletes to be able to continue participating. See the SchoolPay link below to make a payment, or send in cash or check with your student to give to the front office. Fee waivers are available in the front office for those who do not have an ability to pay. We will not turn anyone away!

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.

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

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