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Is your child struggling? When your school-age student is struggling, it can be difficult to figure out what is going on and what to do. We have gathered some resources on this site that we hope you’ll find helpful. Do you suspect that your child might have a disability or learning difference? When your child has difficulties learning or participating in school activities, he or she may have a disability. Learning differences or disabilities can emerge or be identified at any time. Issues are commonly identified around Kindergarten age, but learning disabilities are often identified much later. ​ Red flags that your child may have a disability that impacts his or her ability to access education include (but are not limited to): difficulty reading, writing or spelling, difficulty with math, refusing to go to school, difficulty getting along with teachers or other students, difficulty following directions or paying attention in class, difficulty with transitions, or physical conditions that make it difficult for the student to learn, sit or participate in school. First Steps If you suspect that your child may have a disability or learning difference, here are some good first steps: ​ Talk with your child’s teacher. (The teacher should also notify parents if there has been a noticeable gap in academic performance, possible learning difficulties, or problems with attendance or behavior, but if they haven’t it doesn’t mean there’s not a problem). Talk with your child’s doctor. They may refer you to appropriate specialists or suggest other interventions. Call the Selpa SOC SELPA Director, Rae Lynn Nelson (949) 580-3394 RaeLynn.Nelson@svusd.org Talk with another parent. The PTA has parent volunteers who can help with navigating the process while respecting your privacy. (Please note that we are not experts and cannot provide medical advice.) Contact Us: specialed@svpta.org Possible next steps The teacher may suggest trying some strategies in the classroom or ask that a Student Study Team (SST) evaluate your student’s academic, behavioral and social-emotional progress. The SST may propose additional strategies. ​ If progress is still a concern the SST may recommend an assessment to determine eligibility for special education and related services. Some families may also choose to have a private assessment. ​ Important: You as the parent can also request an SST evaluation at any time. You don’t need to wait for the teacher or school administration to propose this. You can also request that an assessment for eligibility for special education be done at any time. The assessment process does not have to be initiated by the school. How to request an assessment.- https://youtu.be/GoBSv0FdPYo Learning More To effectively advocate for your child you need to learn about your child’s needs. It is also important to learn about the process and your rights as a parent. There many good resources, testimonials and simulations online like Understood , AutismSpeaks , Disabilityrightsca.org , Undivided and many others. ​ You can also read the SELPA Parent Handbook . ​ Don’t despair! The right intervention or support can be different for every child and can take time and patience to identify. SVPTA Special Education Liaison Kris S. specialed@svpta.or g

Arts Advocacy Studies show arts education not only decreases feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation but also positively impacts all-around academic performance . As students struggle through incredible loss this year, the arts are not a luxury, they are a tool for recovery . California's Education code promises visual art, music, dance, theater and media arts classes to each K-12 student. "Section 51220" California Education Code 2020 Students with an arts education are 5 times more likely to stay in school, 3 times more likely to get a bachelor’s degree, and 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. "Arts and Achievement in at Risk Youth..." NEA 2012 Especially important during this time of trauma and upheaval, students need to develop self-management and self-discipline, interpersonal and relationship skills, and self-expression. Numerous studies show the arts support the development of all of these essential skills. "The Connection Between Art, Healing..." APHA 2010 share-your-story Send a letter to our district and/or board of education in support of art education either from your family or in collaboration with your PTA or organization. Here is a template to draw from but remember to always add your own story to make it more personal and persuasive. Share your SVUSD art story and inspire others! We’d love to connect and hear your story. Fill out the submission form . Join CreateCA and support California’s movement for arts education at www.createca.org ​ Check out your local community theatres, county arts commissions, and museums for more events near you... California Department of Education: www.cde.ca.gov California Arts Council: www.arts.ca.gov List of California art museums: www.caea-arteducation.org/california-art-museums List of California museums:www.seecalifornia.com/museums/directory.html SF Arts: www.sfarts.org Arts Advocacy Chairman arts@svpta.org

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Welcome! Saddleback Valley PTA Council serves the schools in Saddleback Valley Unified School District. Our council represents 25 units and falls within the Fourth District PTA, California State PTA and National PTA. Upcoming Events Latest News PTA at its heart is an advocacy organization. ​ With ADVOCACY at the forefront of our organization, we have put together a list of resources supporting the importance of parent involvement in schools, as well as contact information to assist you in advocating for your child through local representatives, state representatives & various agencies. ​ ​ ​ Read More Contact

For PTA Presidents Running Your PTA ​ Timeline & To Do L ist PD F Webpage ​ WHAT TO UPLOAD TO SVPTA PDF ​ POINTS CHART Webpage ​ Finan cial Calendar PDF ​ Sample meeting agenDa http://toolkit.capta.org/running-your-pta/meetings/sample-agenda/ ​ Meeting Cheat Sheet PDF ​ What Meetings Do You Attend? PDF ​ Pay Insurance https://aim-companies.com/capta-insurance-renewal/ HOW to sign a contract http://toolkit.capta.org/finance/policies-and-procedures/contracts/ ​ PTA GRANTS https://www.svpta.org/pta-grants ​ CONVENTION GRANT PDF ​ ​ Programs & Events Work closely with your principal and office administrator and you can start planning together. If you have any questions, please reach out to - progra ms@svpta.org Approval Process https://www.svpta.org /approval-process ​ Insurance Coverage http://downloads.capta.org/fin/CAPTA_Insurance_G uide_2024.pdf ​ Fiduciary Agreement http://downloads.capta.org/toolkit/forms/FiduciaryAgreement.pdf ​ Approvals from SVUSD Board of Education Meetings August 3, 2023 September 7, 2023 October 12, 2023 November 9, 2023 December 14, 2023 ​ BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL APPROVED VENDOR LIST https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EPkZvzyyJ79_AFpdgKEdAVZE_5wAU0uvNjjeXPuRQ1Q/ CAPTA approved vendor list http://downloads.capta.org/Leaders/Insurance/Approved_Vendor_List.pdf Forms Workers' Comp Online Form https://aim-companies.com/capta-wcreporting/ ​ Conflict of Interest Form http://downloads.capta.org/toolkit/forms/ConflictWhistleblower.pdf ​ PTA Event Participation Waiver http://downloads.capta.org/fin/Insurance/participant_volunteer_waiver_forms.pdf PTA Photo Release http://downloads.capta.org/toolkit/forms/PhotographyRelease.pdf Helpful Links ​ NAtional PTA https://www.pta.org/ ​ National PTA Blog https://onevoice.pta.org/ ​ CALIFORNIA STATE PTA https://capta.org/ ​ Fourth District PTA https://www.fourthdistrictpta.org/ ​ SVUSD Website https://www.svusd.org/ ​ MYPTEZ https://www.myptez.com/ ​ CAPTA TOOLKIT http://toolkit.capta.org/ ​ ​ Need Help? Have a Question? Contact Catherine - president@svpta.com or Olivia - vp@svpta.org

Register for SVPTA Fall Training Wednesday, September 13th 7-8:30pm Google Meet Training for: ​ President & VP Treasurer Secretary Parliamentarian Auditor/Financial Reviewer Programs & Fundraising Communications Register below and you will receive a link to the Training. Encourage ALL your board members to attend First name Last name Email Your PTA Signing up for the following training: Submit Thanks for registering. An email has been sent to the email provided with the link information. Please check your SPAM filters

Your one-stop-shop for everything relating to Arts at SVUSD Studies show arts education not only decreases feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation but also positively impacts all-around academic performance . As students struggle through this ever changing world, the Arts are not a luxury, they are a tool for recovery and confidence . ​ Mission Statement : Our committee's goal is to build and support a robust Arts culture for our students and families of SVUSD. We will advocate for the arts through elected officials, legislation, education, and delivery of information, while facilitating a relationship between school sites and Saddleback District. We are reliable and transparent when communicating about the budget for campus programs. We will continue to provide a platform that encompasses all art opportunities by filtering relavent information abut local resources and school site activities. Sp otlight of the month DID YOU KNOW? California Prop28 provides additional funding for arts and music education (K‑12 and charter schools) by annually allocating from the state General Fund an amount equaling 1% of required state and local funding for public schools.This will be a ongoing minimum source of income to supplement arts education programs. More info on our Funding page below. SVUSD Calendar of Art Events WHAT SCHOOL DO YOU WANT TO LOOK AT? (Directory of art activities per campus) A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET INVOLVED? We would love to extend you an invitation. Please inquire . California's Education code promises visual art, music, dance, theater and media arts classes to each K-12 student. Section 51220 California Education Code 2020 S tudents with an arts education are 5 times more likely to stay in school, 3 times more likely to get a bachelor’s degree, and 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. "Arts and Achievement in at Risk Youth..." NEA 2012 Especially important during this time of trauma and upheaval, students need to develop self-management and self-discipline, interpersonal and relationship skills, and self-expression. Numerous studies show the arts support the development of all of these essential skills. "The Connection Between Art, Healing..." APHA 2010 DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE ARTS? Please let us know if we can help . VAPA RESOURCES REFLECTIONS FUNDING SHARE

Timeline & To Do List Summer August September October November Ha ve a casual get together with your new board Add new check signers & take off old ones. Update your website with new information January February March April May General To Dos Treasurer should complete the Worker’s Compensation Form online https://aim-companies.com/capta-wcreporting/ Treasurer should submit membership dues to SVPTA ($5.90 per member). Treasurer, Membership & Secretary should hand off books to Auditor/Financial Review Committee Attend SVPTA Council Meeting on January 17th @ 7pm in the SVUSD Board Room Attend the Superintendent’s Advisory Council on January 22 @ 9:30am in the SVUSD Board Room Submit an application for a 4th District Award Upload docs to SVPTA ​ ​ At Yo ur Executive Board Meeting Vote to recommend sending members to Sacramento Safari At Your Association Meeting Elect nominating committee Approve sending members to Sacramento Safari

Upload Docs to SVPTA Do you already know our new system for uploading documents? YES ​ ​ Go Straight to Our Google Form https://forms.gle/NEuMPw9QoghLB3Dr5 ​ ​ Items You Will Need to Upload Throughout the Year View PDF NO ​ ​ ​ Check Out Our Step by Step Guides For Secretaries PDF VIDEO ​ For Treasurers PDF VIDEO ​ For Presidents PDF

Advocacy PTA at its heart is an advocacy organization. Recently on a phone call, National PTA President Anna King discussed advocacy and the importance of parents' decisions in their student's education. ​ Please remember that advocacy is respectful. If you want to be heard and enact change, it needs to be done in a kind and respectful manner. We’ve seen many people on all sides struggling with the impact of this pandemic on their children. As we continue to move forward & towards more normalcy for all of us, let’s do everything we can to reunite our school communities and our families. With ADVOCACY at the forefront of our organization, here are resources supporting the importance of parent involvement in schools, as well as contact information to assist you in advocating for your child through local representatives, state representatives & various agencies. 01 The Power of Parents Research underscores the impact of parent involvement in schools. Power-of-Parents-Feb-2014.pdf (edsource.org) 02 PARENTS' RIGHTS - Did you know that parents and caregivers have legal, guaranteed rights to school and student involvement? ​ It’s true: These laws and rules were created and put into effect by families, teachers and concerned community members and groups like the PTA who want the best for our kids. Parents' Rights - California State PTA (capta.org) ​ ​ 03 Proposed Legislation from the CA Assembly & Senate (if you have concern or support of certain bills, here is where you can go to provide your feedback) https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/ Legislator Contacts* *Please note, if you are writing your legislators, you cannot use your PTA title or position on any statewide issue. You must write them as a parent from their district. Senator Dave Min Website Email (949) 223-5472 ​ District Map ​ ​ Senator Catherine Blakespear Website Email (949) 598-5850 ​ District Map ​ Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez Website Email (949) 459-7170 ​ District map ​ Assemblywoman Diane Dixon ​ Website Email (949) 459-7170 ​ District Map ​ Contact the Governor ​ You may contact Governor Gavin Newsom by mail at: Mailing address: Governor Gavin Newsom 1021 O Street, Suite 9000 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 445-2841 Fax: (916) 558-3160 ​ Submit a comment online - https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/ ​ ​ Any PTA district, council or unit may recommend action on legislation to the California State PTA Board of Managers. PTA districts, councils, and units are responsible for taking action on local issues originating in school districts, cities, regions, or counties. ​ Laws enacted by local, state and national bodies are primary sources of public policy. Securing adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth is one of the purposes of the organization. Therefore, PTA maintains an active legislation program. PTAs can and must participate actively in the process through which public policy decisions are made. Legislative Chairman ​ PTA is a child advocacy association. Its legislative mission is to speak on behalf of all children and youth at the local, state and federal levels. One of the Purposes of PTA is “to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.” PTA promotes and encourages legislative advocacy for the education and welfare of all children and youth. ​ Role of PTA legislation ​ As local officers of the largest grassroots child advocacy organization in the state, PTA legislative advocacy chairs are responsible for demonstrating leadership on children’s issues at the local level by educating PTA members, community members and elected officials about PTA’s issues of concern and legislative priorities and goals. ​ The California State PTA takes positions on issues/legislation based on position statements in the California State PTA Toolkit, California State PTA convention resolutions, California State PTA Legislation Platform and National PTA positions and convention resolutions. ​ The unit, council or district legislative chair provides PTA members with information about PTA positions on current legislation and issues. ​ ​ Advocacy Resources Advocacy Communicator PTAs Nonpartisan Policy OC Voting Information Election Campaigns & the role of PTA Sacramento Safari Current Legislation CAPTA Resolution Process How to Make a Study 1st VP of Advocacy Michele S. advocacy@svpta.org

Join PTA Today! Help strengthen our community & make an impact by joining one or more of our SVUSD school PTAs below. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ​ Cielo Vista Elementary ​ Del Cerro Elementary ​ Del Lago Elementary ​ De Portola Elementary ​ Foothill Ranch Elementary ​ Gates Elementary ​ Glen Yermo Elementary ​ La Madera Elementary ​ Linda Vista Elementary ​ Lomarena Elementary ​ Melinda Heights Elementary ​ Montevideo Elementary ​ Olivewood Elementary coming soon ​ Portola Hills Elementary Rancho Canada Elementary ​ Robinson Elementary ​ San Joaquin Elementary ​ Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary ​ Trabuco Elementary ​ Trabuco Mesa Elementary ​ Valencia Elementary ​ Intermediate & High Schools ​ Laguna Hills High School ​ Los Alisos Intermediate ​ Serrano Intermediate Trabuco Hills High School ​

COVID-19 Info Links ​ SVUSD SVUSD Return to School Flow Chart SVUSD Mask Guidance 2021-2022 SVUSD Reopening Plan COVID Dashboards ​ OCHCA OCHCA Orders & Recommendations ​ CDPH CDPH Guidance on Isolation and Quarantine CDPH Guidance for Schools K-12 ​ CAPTA CAPTA COVID-19 Resources for PTA Leaders CAPTA COVID-19 Resources for Parents, Families & Educators Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 FAQS ​ ​ Can PTA hold in-person activities? We CAN hold PTA events off campus or on campus after school hours (ex/outreach program/art club/etc), but limited on number of people that can attend (an RSVP system to confirm the number attending is highly recommended & you must work closely with your principal to ensure numbers meet SVUSD guidelines/protocols). Please work closely with your site administrator/principal on planning any events. ​ ​ Can we have PTA Programs on campus (art, STEAM lab, etc.)? We ARE allowed to have PROGRAMS on campus. However, the process for approval has changed. You must have site admin/principal approval first, then have it submitted to the district & reviewed by the SVUSD school board & approved in their meeting. This means things will take longer to get started. However, the purpose behind this is to keep our students safe. The board will be reviewing & ensuring that these outside programs are following the same SAFETY protocols as SVUSD. ​ ​ Are we covered by our insurance? Insurance will cover all events as long as they meet our insurance guidelines (when in doubt, call or email AIM & verify). However, per my email with AIM, “ Your policy has a pandemic exclusion. There is no coverage for covid no matter where you have the event.” Meaning no coverage will be provided for COVID related issues. It is extremely important that we are following any COVID protocols/guidelines outlined by SVUSD. ​ ​ ​ Do PTA meetings have to be outside of school hours? Kids permitted? Yes, PTA meetings have to be outside of school hours if you want them to be held on campus. Outside of school hours, we CAN be on campus which is exciting. There cannot be children present at the meeting, however we PTAs can hire school site personnel during the meeting time to provide childcare in a separate room. They will adhere to all COVID protocols & safety measures for the children. ​ One great takeaway from the past year, is that ZOOM is a great way to reach all families. Perhaps a good compromise is to have any late afternoon/evening meetings in person, while offering daytime meetings via ZOOM. I do think in person meetings have many benefits & it is important to have that connection in person at least some of the time. ​ Will PTA volunteers be allowed on campus if approved by school administration? It is true that Visitors & Volunteers will be limited for the safety of our students. This does not mean there won’t be opportunities or needs throughout the year. Please work closely with your site administrator/principals to support these needs, while adhering to all safety protocols.​ ​ Will PTA be permitted to make copies on campus? YES, volunteers can come on campus to make copies. Please have your volunteer make an appointment with the front office via email, prior to coming on campus. All Volunteers must wear masks at all times on campus. ​ ​ Events involving food? Does food have to be individually packaged? Can it be more buffet style? Ideally yes, food being individually packaged is preferred. However, if someone is masked/gloved & individually serving food, this is acceptable. Again, all must be approved by your site administrator/principal. ​ During COVID-19 PTA can still... Spread positivity ​ Advocate for our kids on many levels ​ Keep parents informed as information gets shared with us. Please ask your school friends to join our SVPTA FB page https://www.facebook.com/SaddlebackValleyPTACouncil/ and Instagram @svptacouncil Ask parents to become PTA members & be a part of something BIGGER!!! Joining PTA gives you a voice, it connects you to resources for distance learning, mental health resources, it advocates important issues including Art, Special Education, Equity in Education & so much more!!! If your school needs a simple way for families to join virtually, use TOTEM which is CAPTA’s electronic membership platform.