Safety Focus for October

Penny Weaver, Superintendent, Scotts Valley Unified School District

October is National Bullying Prevention Month and our classroom lessons, as well as activities like “Respect Week” at Scotts Valley High School, provide opportunities to spread the anti- bullying message. There are many ways to teach about bullying in the classroom and encourage students to courageously avoid bullying or stand up for others. Our ongoing goal with school safety is to ensure that our schools are secure and peaceful places for learning, teaching and working, free of drugs, alcohol, weapons and fear.

According to StopBullying.gov, bullying is “unwanted aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.” Bullying can happen in and out of the classroom, during recess, field trips, sports, or over the Internet and social media outlets.

Community Involvement

Research indicates that the most effective bullying prevention efforts build a culture of caring and respect throughout the school community, rather than focusing attention only on children who bully and those who are bullied. Strong family-school partnerships translate into healthier school environments and better student outcomes. A huge part of the strong relationships between schools and parents in Scotts Valley is a group called the Site Leader Collaborative. Parents and community members who are leaders in the Parent Clubs for each school, Falcon Club, School Site Councils and the Scotts Valley Education Foundation meet with me each month to collaborate and coordinate activities. Our ongoing goal is the support of opportunities for intervention, enrichment and athletic experiences for all of our students in safe environments.

To that end, Principals will be conducting emergency preparedness sessions with school staff this month and updating their School Safety Plans. We will practice our earthquake and fire safety procedures with students and conclude our safety focus with celebrating Red Ribbon Week October 23 -31. This year’s theme is “Love yourself. Be drug free.” We encourage everyone to take the pledge at www.redribbon.org/pledge. Our teaching staff will be focusing on character education and other safety-related topics during the month of October in addition to our rigorous academic line up.

Community Service is a focus all year in Scotts Valley. During the October 25th “Make a Difference Day” and Cesar Chavez Day on March 31st, our students are encouraged to help improve the lives of others with community service activities and projects.

Also in October, the Scotts Valley Middle School Alternate Housing Committee will begin meeting to study housing options for 6th- to 8th-grade students when construction begins in the next year or two. Parents and SVMS staff will meet October – November with the goal of providing recommendations to the Board of Trustees in December for housing students while the school is being rebuilt.

Please note on your calendar that no classes will be held on Friday, October 31, 2014 due to a District-wide professional development day. Classes will resume on Monday, November 3, 2014.

There are many ways for you to become involved with Scotts Valley Schools. Visit “The Orphanage” themed Haunted House this year (if you dare) on October 23, 24, and 25 from 7 p.m. and on, in the Student Union Building at SVHS. This yearly event benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Over 200 students are involved in this truly scary and amazing production. Join us for Homecoming on Saturday, November 1 with the Frosh/Soph game at 3 p.m. and Varsity at 5 p.m. at Falcon Field, SVHS. Volunteer to tutor students at SVHS or SVMS. We also need volunteers at Brook Knoll and Vine Hill Elementary Schools to read with students and assist with centers and other activities under the direction of our teachers. Call any of our school offices or contact me at pweaver@scottsvalleyusd.org for more information on how to make a difference at our schools.

Kiwanis Club in Scotts Valley just completed the “Music at Sky Park” event and proceeds are donated to our District to support music education. We are so grateful for groups like Kiwanis who make it possible for our music teacher Beth Hollenbeck to provide extraordinary opportunities for our students to engage in instrumental music, band and choir. More thanks giving next month!

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Penny Weaver, Scotts Valley Unified School District Superintendent pweaver@scottsvalleyusd.org