CUBS CONNECT Principal Newsletter

Dear Families:

Welcome back CUBS! It is my honor and privilege to serve as the principal of Sierra Vista Elementary School! I hope your family enjoyed a fun, restful, and memorable summer. We are looking forward to welcoming our sweet scholars back on campus! Their energy, smiles, and curiosity brings our school to life! Our incredible team has been hard at work preparing classrooms, lessons, and enriching experiences to ensure every scholar feels supported, challenged, and inspired from day one. This year, we’re excited to introduce a variety of programs and opportunities that will spark curiosity, build confidence, and prepare our scholars for a bright and promising future.

As we begin this new school year, please consider getting involved in one of our parent groups: PTA, ELAC, Ubora, or SSC. We welcome your input and value your partnership regardless of how much or how little you are able to contribute to our pride.

Did you know that a group of lions is called a pride? Lions live and thrive together in a pride because they rely on one another for support, protection, and strength—each member playing an important role in the group's success.

At Sierra Vista, we are Cubs, and just like a pride of lions, we believe in the power of community, connection, and collective strength. When families, students, and staff work together, we create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where everyone can grow and thrive.

So, this year, we invite you to Be Part of the Pride—get involved, stay connected, and help us build a school community that elevates every scholar to success.

Sincerely,

1. Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.

2. Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.

3. Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.

4. Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.

5. Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.

Who to contact if your child doesn't want to come to school: Mrs. Mejia, Elementary Counselor

To avoid having to call and leave a message, excuse digitally. Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_dbq79nId0GuMWYa5jx-Ib_6cV18G3rzzouOUtJZ9pqeRfg/viewform or scan this QR Code:

Our traffic is a challenge! Please be patient with us. Our goal is to move as many vehicles (about 15) into our loading zone (curb from end of driveway to gate at bike rack) by having drivers pull as far forward as possible before allowing scholars to load/unload, so that we can safely & efficiently get 15 cars through the traffic light cycle.

• Loading Zone = The only drop-off/pick-up area is in the loading zone along the curb.
• Parking Lot = Staff parks furthest from campus & Families must park in the first lane. Students must be with an adult in the parking lot at all times.
• Crosswalk = Students must be escorted by an adult. Staff will not accept or receive scholars in the crosswalk without an adult escort.
• Dismissal:
• K-5 Families please have SV Valet Sign hanging from vehicle mirror. Students will remain in designated grade level areas until ride arrives.
• Students should remain behind the yellow safety line until their ride has pulled forward as far as possible and is at a full stop before loading/unloading.
• Students need to look for their ride, No Chromebooks.
• Students may not go past bike rack or cross driveway without an adult escort. Students must utilize pedestrian gate on Sherman and walk on West side of street and cross at crosswalk.

• 7/28-8/8-AERIES Registration
• 8/5-Kinder Assessments 9-11 & 12-2
• 8/6-Kinder Assessments 9-11 & 12-2
• 8/8- PTA Meeting 3:00 PM
• 8/11-6th Grade Orientation @4PM
• 8/12-6th Grade Orientation @ 9AM
• 8/12- Campus Preview (Self-guided tour) A-G 4:00-4:30 & H-Z 5:00-5:30
• 8/13- First Day of School! Families welcome on campus for drop-off!
• 8/13- Kinder Orientation 8AM
• 8/15- EB or LG Kinder Assignment
• 8/20 - 6th Grade Expectations Assembly @ 7:45 AM
• 8/20 - K-2 Expectations Assembly @ 8:15 AM
• 8/20 - 3-5 Expectations Assembly @ 8:45 AM
• 8/21- Inside The Cubhouse! Connect with the Principal & Counselors @1-2
• 8/26- Fire Drill @ 8:30 AM
• 8/26- PBIS Meeting @ 2:30 PM
• 8/26-Title I Meeting @4:30PM & 6th Grade Back to School Night @ 5PM
• 8/27- Title I Meeting @4:30PM & K-5 Grade Back to School Night @ 5PM

Dear Val Verde Families,

If you are interested in having your child participate in any of our Expanded Learning activities, please complete the Interest List Application using the link below:

🔗 Interest List Application – Click Here

Please note: This form is an interest list only and does not guarantee enrollment. A parent meeting with more details on how to officially enroll in a specific program will be scheduled soon. However, completing the interest form is required to receive an invitation.

📌 Important: If your student does not have an application on file, they will not be able to participate in any ELO-P activities for the 2025–2026 school year.

We look forward to another exciting year of learning, growing, and exploring together!

Sincerely,
Lizeth Osorio Gonzaga
Expanded Learning Opportunities, Liaison
Val Verde Unified School District
lgonzaga@valverde.edu

Expectation Systems: Behavioral Expectations are Taught. The behavioral expectations are taught to all students at Sierra Vista and are taught in real contexts.

Acknowledgement System: Appropriate Behaviors are Acknowledged. Appropriate behaviors have been defined and taught and are acknowledged on a regular basis through the use of the PBIS Rewards acknowledgment system, Cub of the Week, and Student of the Month.

Teaching Systems: Behavioral Errors are Corrected Proactively. When students violate behavioral expectations, students are re-taught the skill and provided with an explanation of why their behavior was unacceptable.

PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is a proactive approach to supporting student success by recognizing and encouraging behaviors that lead to positive outcomes. It focuses on clearly teaching expected behaviors, reinforcing students when they demonstrate them, and using preventive strategies to reduce challenging behaviors.

Families play an essential role in PBIS by reinforcing these positive behaviors at home and working closely with the school to help every child thrive—both academically and socially.