Search Results

On February 6, 2025, the school board made the difficult decision to close San Joaquin Elementary at the end of this school year. As students prepare to move to new schools in the fall, we want to ensure they have a positive and memorable send-off. Help Us Support San Joaquin Elementary Students! On February 6, 2025, the school board made the difficult decision to close San Joaquin Elementary at the end of this school year. As students prepare to move to new schools in the fall, we want to ensure they have a positive and memorable send-off. SVPTA is raising funds to help provide a special end-of-year celebration for San Joaquin students and to purchase t-shirts from their new schools for all 220 students. These efforts will help ease their transition and give them a sense of community as they begin this next chapter. Please consider donating to show your support for these students during this time of change. Every contribution makes a difference!

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

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

Important Links National PTA Website National PTA One Voice Blog California State PTA Website Fourth District PTA Website Saddleback Valley Unified School District Website MyPTEZ.com Website CAPTA Tool Kit