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SVUSD School Board Trustee Candidate Forum This is a recording of the livestream of the 2024 SVUSD School Board Trustee Candidate Forum that took place on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from 7-8 pm in the Saddleback Valley School District Board Room. The Forum was sponsored by the Saddleback Valley Council of PTAs and was moderated by the League of Women Voters. **This recording is intended for viewing purposes only. It may not be downloaded, altered, redistributed, or used in any form without explicit permission. Any unauthorized editing, reproduction, or use of this content is strictly prohibited.** Trustee Area 2 Candidates Scott Miller Candidate Questionnaire Candidate Statement from OC Registrar of Voters Michele Sparks Candidate Questionnaire Candidate Statement from OC Registrar of Voters Other Trustee Area Candidates Voters in Trustee Areas 2, 3, and 4 will be selecting a SVUSD School Board Trustee. View the trustee areas. *Invitations were sent to all 6 candidates to participate however, one candidate from Trustee Area 3 and another from Trustee Area 4 were unable to attend the forum. As the National PTA Toolkit advises, “If it is a two-candidate race and only one agrees to attend, you should not go forward with your forum.” Therefore, the forum will only continue with the candidates from Trustee Area 2. Trustee Area 3 Michelle O'Brien - Candidate Questionnaire Suzie Swartz - Candidate Questionnaire Trustee Area 4 Amanda Morrell - Candidate Questionnaire Michael Stannard - Candidate Questionnaire We kindly ask all forum attendees to abide & respect these rules: There will be no substitutes or stand-ins for the candidates No campaign banners, signs, literature, handouts, buttons, tee shirts, or other campaign paraphernalia will be allowed in the debate hall until after the forum has concluded The audience will be asked to refrain from applauding or in other ways demonstrating support or nonsupport for a candidate Candidates will be introduced by full name. Thereafter, "Mr." and "Ms." will be used. The candidates will remain seated at all times during the debate The candidates will not use props, but may bring notes and use a note pad and pens for taking notes during the debate Time limits on responses will be strictly observed. A timekeeper will hold cards, visible to the speaker, indicating how much time remains. When the "stop card" is shown, the speaker must end his/her speech within 10 seconds. The moderator will have the responsibility for enforcing time limits. The moderator also will have the authority to interrupt the proceedings to enforce the ground rules and format that were agreed to by the candidates. The moderator will read the questions The moderator may restate the question The candidates will not interrupt one another No flash cameras and no motor-driven cameras will be used during the debate other than those authorized by the sponsors Candidates are invited to remain after the conclusion of the forum to speak with audience members Candidates will be asked to have their cell phones turned off & not on their person

A Little Bit About Us SVPTA Mission Statement The mission of the Saddleback Valley PTA is to empower our units, families and community members to become effective advocates for all children. SVPTA Goals for 2025-26 PEOPLE: Strengthen the relationship between unit, council and our communities. Provide council mentors for unit officers. Provide training for officers. PROGRAMS: Share ideas for successful programs and work collaboratively when possible. Encourage the exchange of ideas and discuss concerns among units. Encourage and strengthen family engagement. PROMOTE PTA: By fostering legislative awareness and advocacy within all units by educating members on pertinent legislative issues and encouraging attendance at Sacramento Safari and legislative roundtables. By encouraging attendance at California State PTA Convention. By using Council and State PTA Resources including the toolkit, websites, bylaws, and other sources of communication.

CAPTA & 4th District Running Your PTA 4th District Leadership Tips CAPTA Tips for Leaders CAPTA Forms 4th District Forms Building Membership Financials CAPTA Finance Resource Page Insurance Coverage and Service 2024 Guide Advocacy CAPTA Advocacy for PTA Leaders 4th District Advocacy Communicator 4th District Advocacy/ Legislation Parliamentarian Parliamentary Procedure Bylaws & Standing Rules Nominations & Elections Social Media Guidelines for PTAs in California Advocacy Chart Guidelines for PTA Leaders and Members in California Training Videos CAPTA Virtual Summer Leadership Academy President, Part 1 & Part 2 Secretary Treasurer, Part 1 , Part 2 , & Part 3 Parliamentarian Basics Audits Reflections Membership Basics Legislation & Advocacy 4th District Training President General Financial Secretary Parliamentarian Auditor Membership Membresia (Spanish Membership) Reflections

Award Winners We are part of an incredible community in Saddleback Valley. Our PTA’s play a vital role in engaging our families, supporting our school sites, advocating important issues & being a VOICE for ALL CHILDREN! This year many of our SVPTA schools were recognized by 4th District PTA for their outstanding achievements. THHS PTA Outstanding Membership Santiago STEAM PTA Outstanding Unit THHS PTA Outstanding Local Advocacy SVPTA Outstanding Council

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

Membership Joining PTA supports local, state and national efforts to improve the education of children and the lives of families. Membership provides the opportunity for individuals to raise their voices with others throughout the state and nation on issues affecting children, youth and families. PTA involvement helps build leadership, communication and advocacy skills. It provides members with opportunities to participate in an educational partnership with administrators and teachers. PTA members are a valuable community resource for starting and maintaining projects to benefit children and youth. What do you need to prepare for your membership drive? Create an information guide or newsletter to send to your parents, outlining why they should join PTA. Make sure your web store is ready for your membership drive. Many units already have an online store they can use but if not, you have the option of the TOTEM system. Membership Resources Links National PTA Membership Campaign CAPTA Building Your Membership Social Media Graphics Facebook Cover Image Twitter Cover Image Small Tile Square Other Graphics Join PTA Today All Children are Our Children logo 2nd VP of Membership Liz G. membership@svpta.org

Art Resources STATE SUPPORT ADVOCACY & EDUCATAION VISUAL ARTS PERFORMING ARTS LOCAL RESOURCES SVUSD FOR ARTS PTA SUPPORT California Department of Education : Pertaining to Arts, here is information on California Education Code, content standards, common core, grant funding, and the state superintendent education transformation plan. California Arts Council : As a state agency, the California Arts Council supports local arts infrastructure and programming statewide through grants, programs, and services. Create CA : We advocate for high quality arts education for all students by providing policy expertise and by mobilizing a statewide network of advocates and allied partners. Americans for the Arts : Our program aims to dismantle systemic racism through the arts and humanities. California for the Arts : We’re helping every Californian become an advocate for the arts – from raising awareness on why the arts are so important, to providing programs and services that make our state’s creative sector stronger than ever. NFHS Advocacy : Interscholastic performing arts advocacy for all. Arts for LA : We inform, engage, and mobilize people to advocate for access to the arts across all communities. National Art Education Association : Founded in 1947, the National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts, design, and media arts education professionals. Advocacy for Performing Arts : Advocacy is about educating and informing elected officials, the public, and the media about the importance of the performing arts. It is up to us—performing artists, administrators and audience members—to explain the value of the performing arts to lawmakers. Performing Arts Alliance : PAA advocates at the federal level for policies that uniquely impact the nonprofit performing arts sector. LOCA Arts Education : Meet Orange County’s most fascinating visual artists and industry professionals! Enjoy slideshows, demonstrations, and conversations. OC Art Guide : The OC Art Guide based in Orange County, California lists art events - shows, exhibitions, workshops, tours, classes, and more. Festival of Arts classes : Pageant of the Masters sponsored art classes for youth. Kids ages 5 to 12 will enjoy art classes taught by professional artists in mixed-media, ceramics, sculpture & more. Segerstrom Center for the Arts: Segerstrom Center for the Arts is one of the nation’s most respected multi-disciplinary cultural institutions. It is Orange County’s largest non-profit arts organization. The Center remains committed to supporting artistic excellence and offering unsurpassed experiences to engage the community in new and exciting ways through the unique power of live performance and a diverse array of inspiring arts-based education and community engagement programs. Arts Teach : Segerstrom Center for the Arts has a long history of providing performances, workshops, and residencies that use the arts to address the needs of schools throughout Southern California. Museums : Comprehensive list off all 128 art museums that are located in California. STRATEGIC ARTS PLAN (2024-2029) : This refocused and redesigned document bridges our 2018-2023 Arts Education Plan, augmenting and expanding student access to arts education t hroughout SVUSD schools and programs. Throughout this process, our team analyzed the progress made from our previous plan and reflected on opportunities to maintain and/or expand our work towards a guaranteed and viable arts education for all Saddleback Valley Unified students. VAPA recap flyer: Share with your PTA/PTSO/Boosters/Admin/Faculty. SVPTA Arts Advocacy flyer : Share with your PTA/PTSO/Boosters/Admin/Faculty. K-12 STEAM Academy : Saddleback Valley Unified School District believes that students need to be proficient in making innovative connections across a variety of disciplines, particularly in areas related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Ar t, Mathematics). SVUSD offers a STEAM K-12 Academy with cohesive pathways creating a smooth continuum of STEAM curriculum from kindergarten at Santiago STEAM Magnet to Serrano Intermediate, concluding at El Toro High School. This will prepare students for both college and 21st-century careers. JJ 5th District : PTA canopy over SVPTA for communications and training. CAPTA : PTA canopy over districts for methods and practices.

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

PTA Grants National PTA Grants Deadline October 1st For all Grades and Ages PTA Healthy Minds , Sponsored by the New York Life Foundation and The Allstate Foundation This program is for all grades and ages. 100 local PTAs will be selected, and each will be awarded $1,250 in funding. Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement , sponsored by the family of Mary Lou Anderson This program is for all grades and ages. Two local PTAs will be selected, and each will be awarded $1,250 in funding. PTA Wellness Fairs , sponsored by Walmart This program is for all grades and ages. 40 local PTAs will be selected, and each will be awarded $1,250 in funding PTA Connected: The Smart Talk , sponsored by Norton This program is for all grades and ages. 40 local PTAs will be selected, and each will be awarded $1,250 in funding. All programs must be completed by the end of March 2024. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go! , supported by AT&T This program is for elementary schools. 150 local PTAs will be selected, and each will be awarded $1,250 in funding. To be considered, PTAs must hold their programs in-person. At-home programming will not be supported. STEM + Families Propelling Our World , sponsored by Huntington Ingalls Industries This program is for elementary schools. 40 local PTAs will be selected, and each will be awarded $1,250 . ELEMENTARY OR MIDDLE SCHOOL PTA Connected: Be Internet Awesome , Sponsored by Google + YouTube This program is for elementary and middle schools. 50 local PTAs will be selected, and each will be awarded $1,250 in funding . MIDDLE OR HIGH SCHOOL PTA Connected: Build Up and Belong , sponsored by Discord This program is for high schools. 25 local PTAs/PTSAs will be selected, and each will be awarded $1,250 in funding. HIGH SCHOOL P TA Connected: Build Up and Belong , sponsored by Discord This program is for high schools. 25 local PTAs/PTSAs will be selected, and each will be awarded $1,250 in funding. CAPTA Scholarships Deadline Octo ber 15h Continuing Education Scholarships The scholarship must be used January 1 – December 31 following the year of award; proof of your enrollment and completion of coursework must be provided to California State PTA by June 1. Scholarships are available for: School staff members (teachers, counselors, nurses and staff) & PTA volunteers Graduating High-School Senior Scholarships Graduating high-school seniors are eligible to apply for the Volunteer Service Scholarship and the $500 Dr. Ralph E. White Scholarship for medical-field education. CAPTA Grants Deadline Octo ber 15h Parent Education Develop and implement parent education programs and projects in such areas as health, child development, child abuse prevention or parenting skills. Programs or projects must be sponsored by the PTA applying for the grant. Program grant ideas include parent-resource centers, seminars and workshops, forums for parents of children with special needs and information on preparing healthy meals. Cultural Arts Develop and implement student-centered cultural arts programs which complement the California State PTA’s commitment to a quality arts education. The programs and projects should focus on expanding the students’ awareness and appreciation of the field of cultural arts and/or enriching and enhancing arts education programs and must be sponsored by the PTA applying for the grant. Program grant possibilities include performing arts assemblies, arts communications brochures, demonstrations, storytellers, read-a-thons and docents. Outreach Translation Translate PTA written materials and oral presentations in an effort to involve every member of the school community. Presentations or materials must be sponsored by the PTA applying for the grant. The California State PTA may use these translated materials when appropriate. Copy of the translated material must accompany the evaluation report. Program grant possibilities include translating written materials into other languages, providing translations at meetings and events, offering school community activities, enhancing partnerships and engaging non-English-speaking families. Healthy Lifestyle Develop, promote and implement programs, projects and activities that will improve the overall health of children and adults. Program grant possibilities include classes, health fairs, awareness events, walking/running programs, sun safety initiatives and depression awareness efforts. Please refer to the Insurance Guide for approved activities.

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.

Executive Board 2025-26 SVPTA Officers & Chairs

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 Chair Karen R. arts@svpta.org