Bobcat Tales
September 26, 2025
SLVE Mission Statement
“We are a supportive team of educators, collaborating with our community, dedicated to nurturing critical thinking, social-emotional growth, and a lifelong love of learning. Rooted in equity and inclusion, we strive to educate and prepare responsible, compassionate citizens through strong partnerships and engaging learning experiences.”
Mark your calendar
September 29th-October 3rd: Fire Safety Week @ SLVE
September 30th: TB Risk Assessment Clearance and Registration for volunteers @ District Office between 8:00-11:00 a.m.
October 3rd: Sugar Skulls Workshop SLVE cafeteria 5:30-7:30.
October 10th: No School for students/teachers
October 16th: Site Council: Title 1 Presentation shared
October 13th-17th: Parent Teacher Conferences Dismissal at 12:00 noon
SLVE Book Fair in MU 7:45 am-3:30 pm
October 30th: Halloween Parade 8:45 am
November 3rd: Teacher Professional Development Day~No school for students
November 11th: Veteran's Day~No school
November 14th: Report Cards sent home with students
Principal's Message
Playworks at SLVE
SLVE Playwork's Program is up and running! The SLVE Junior Coaches, along with Ms. Glover, our Playworks coordinator, noon duty aide and yard duty supervisors, have worked to launch this year's Playwork's program. Fun games and activities were organized, set up and supervised by our 4th/5th grade Junior Coaches. Conflict managers were also outside helping students to problem solve and have fun at recess. It has been great to have this program back this year. Structured games and other fun activities like Legos and Connect Four are also available to play, and quiet reading in the SLVE Library have helped to make recess at SLVE fun and safe for everyone!
If you would like to donate equipment to support our Playworks Program please feel free! Here are a few items that we would love to have:
Legos
Chalk
Bubbles
Quick and easy pop-up volleyball nets
Colorful bouncy balls
Yoga balls
Pool noodles
Fire Safety Week September 29th- October 3rd
Next week will be Fire Safety Week at SLVE. TK-K grades will receive a basic overview of the terms of fire safety and prevention. They will also watch“The ABCs of Fire Safety” video. 1st-3rd grade students will visit the fire trailer which will be stationed on our playground. Firefighters will lead the students through a tour of the trailer which is known as the "Safety House' and includes a kitchen, living room and upstairs bedroom. Firefighters will visit the 4th graders to review safety and fire prevention at home, and 5th graders will be trained in proper use of a fire extinguisher, under supervision of fire safety personnel. The week will culminate with a Fire Drill Extravaganza. This is an annual event and an exciting week at SLVE. We are thankful for the support that our local fire department and firefighters give us in teaching Fire Prevention Safety training to our students at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School
SLVE Bobcat Broadcast News Crew in action.
PBIS at SLVE
We are proud to share that SLVE has been recognized with GOLD Status in the California PBIS Recognition System! This honor reflects our commitment to creating a safe, positive, and supportive school environment through the successful implementation of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). GOLD status recognizes our strong tiered systems of support, including social-emotional learning, and highlights the dedication of our staff in supporting the success and well-being of every student.
This week, we were proud to honor nearly 80 students across grade levels for demonstrating friendship skills and support for others. September’s Theme of the Month at SLE has been Friendship—learning how to lend a hand and show kindness to all. Students enjoyed a classroom read-aloud and shared their ideas about what it means to be a good friend. We are so excited to celebrate these Friendship Award recipients. Go Bobcats!
Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Friendship Awards Recipients
PBIS Book of the Month
3rd, 4th, 5th Friendship Award Recipients
School Site Council - Title 1 Funding
SLVE receives Title 1 funds yearly to deliver supplemental services as a Targeted Assistance School (TAS) or through a comprehensive school-wide plan under the School wide Program (SWP) model.
We go over our Title 1 funds, needs, and programs each year at our School Site Council (SSC) meeting. Our next School Site Council meeting is on October 16th at 3:15 pm in the SLVE Library. We would love for you to attend to learn more about our Title 1 program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at kponza@slvusd.org.
SLVE Parent Compact
School Site Council Parent Members Needed
We are seeking parent volunteers to serve on our School Site Council. This council plays an important role in reviewing our school programs, setting goals, and supporting student achievement. Serving as a member is a meaningful way to contribute to our school community and ensure that parent perspectives are included in the decision-making process. If you are interested in serving, please fill out and submit this SLVE School Site Council Parent Member Interest Form. We value your partnership and participation. Site Council Meetings will be held in the SLVE Library at 3:15 on October 16th, January 15th and May 14th.
Homecoming Football Game - Saturday, September 27th vs. Greenfield
Junior Varsity at 10:00 am and Varsity at 12:30 pm
Come out and Support the Cougars! See the Halftime floats and Homecoming Extravaganza!!!
Go Cougars!
SLVHS Goodwill Fill the Truck Fundraiser
Time to declutter for a cause!
Bring your gently used items to our Goodwill Fill the Truck Fundraiser
Oct 4th & 5th • 9AM–3PM
SLVHS parking lot
Your fall cleaning = a safe + fun Sober Grad Night for the Class of 2026!
Hispanic Heritage Month~Theme: Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
As September kicks off, we’re excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! This is a great time to recognize and learn about the amazing contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
Our district is proud to continue building a community where everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected. This is our second year of the DEIB Committee—made up of school leaders, staff, parents, guardians, and Board members—who are committed to helping our schools grow even more inclusive for all.
Events in and around Santa Cruz to learn more and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Upcoming Events & Organizations:
- Santa Cruz Public Libraries: Provides information on the history and significance of Hispanic Heritage Month and lists relevant events, according to the library's news and announcements page.
Boardwalk Fiesta en la Playa: A celebration with mariachi, folklorico dancers, and a free beach concert.
This organization hosts various festivals throughout the year, including its annual Hispanic Heritage Month event, focusing on local artists and entrepreneurs.
A community organization offering cultural events like the Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza and Día de los Muertos festivals.
This commission is active in the local community and has events such as the celebration of their Hispanic Heritage Art Wall.
How to Find More Information:
- Visit Santa Cruz County: This website lists upcoming events and festivals in the Santa Cruz area.
- Mi Gente CA Website: Visit migenteca.org/festivals to learn about their past and upcoming festivals.
Sugar Skills Workshop~Friday, October 3rd, 5:30-7:30 pm
Join us for a family fun workshop celebrating Hispanic Heritage and Culture. Discover and learn the meaning behind the tradition of making paper flowers and decorating sugar skulls.
This workshop is part of a monthly heritage and identity celebration series.
Register to reserve your spot in the workshop by scanning the QR code on the flyer, or contact Claudia at coblea@c2cscc.org or by calling/texting 831-325-2390. If you are interested in volunteering, please let Claudia know!"
Parent Teacher Conferences Next Week October 13th-17th
Parent teacher conferences are next week, Monday, October 13th-Friday, October 17th. All students grades TK -5th grade will be dismissed each day at 12:00. Please be sure to double check the time of your scheduled conference and to arrive to your conference on time. This is a great opportunity to connect with your student's teacher and have the opportunity to discuss your student's progress.
What is the Bobcat Club?
Join the Bobcat Club and help make San Lorenzo Valley Elementary the best it can be! We’re the school’s parent-teacher organization, funding programs (art, ceramics, lifelab), field trip buses, assemblies, and campus improvements that enrich every student’s experience. Your involvement—big or small—helps create a stronger, more connected school community. Learn more and get involved at slvebobcatclub.org
Drive For School Raffle - Tickets should be coming home this week! They are $5 each for $25 for 6. Please fill out the stubs and send them back to school with cash or a check made out to SLVE Bobcat Club. All proceeds go directly to our classrooms. Check out the prizes that you can win at https://beachboardwalk.com/drive-for-schools/
Buy a Yearbook! Early Bird sale through September 30! https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1016914162674592
If you would like to volunteer for the yearbook email yearbook@slvebobcatclub.org
Save the Dates!
Bobcat Club Meeting: October 14
Book Fair: October 13-17
Family Science Night: November 14
Warriors Night: January 31 - ticket sales coming soon!
Buy Bobcat Gear
https://san-lorenzo-valley-elementary.myspreadshop.com
Sign up for our Newsletter
SLVE Reminders
- Please be sure to review the SLVE Bell Schedule which highlights start/end times throughout the day.
- Please be sure to send all students to school with a snack, even if they are getting a school lunch.
- The students are very hungry by morning recess. A snack helps to keep them focused and engaged until lunch time.
- Label all jackets, backpacks, water bottles and lunch bags.
- Make sure to communicate pick up plans with your student's teacher.
- Our perimeter gates will be closed from 8:30 am-2:00 pm each day. All visitors should enter the school through the front office and sign in.
- TK Pick Up Protocols
- Car Pick-Up: You may pick up your TK child through the car pick-up line at the flagpole between 12:15–12:20 p.m. (Wednesday pick-up begins at 12:15 p.m.).
- Please note: On Wednesdays, our buses need extra time to complete TK pick-up and return for upper-grade dismissal, so we appreciate your timeliness
- Classroom Door Pick-Up: If you prefer to pick up your child at the classroom door, please stop by the front office first to sign in and get a visitor pass. To help maintain campus security and minimize disruption to other classrooms still in session, we ask that you do not enter campus before 12:10 p.m.
- A lanyard for TK pick up will be distributed at Back to School Night. TK teachers will be discussing this protocol at that time.
- K-3rd Pick Up Protocols:
- Perimeter gates will open at 2:00 pm
- Car pick up:Teachers will walk classes out to the pick up area for both car and bus pick up.
- Classroom door pick up: if you would like to walk in to pick up your child, please do not come before 2:00 when gates open.
- In an effort to minimize noise and distractions for our 4th and 5th grade classrooms the SLVE Playstructure and Field of Dreams playground areas will be closed from 2:15-3:00 pm
- If you plan to remain on campus while waiting to pick up an upper-grade sibling between 2:15 and 3:00 p.m., we kindly ask that you wait at the picnic tables located under the shade structure on the basketball court playground. Your cooperation helps us maintain a quiet, focused and safe learning environment for all students through the end of the school day. Thank you for your continued support!
- 4th-5th Pick Up Protocols:
- Car pick up: Students will be walked to the pick up areas by their teachers at 3:00 pm
- Classroom Door pick up: If you are walking in to meet your student, please be sure to wait until 2:55.
Creating a Safe and Caring School for Everyone at SLVE
At San Lorenzo Valley Elementary, we want to start the school year by sharing something very important: we do not allow any form of hate, bullying, or unkind behavior in our schools. Every student and adult deserves to feel safe, respected, and welcome—always.
We are proud of the many different backgrounds, families, and identities that make up our school community. We believe every student should be treated with kindness, no matter their race, abilities, gender, religion, or family structure.
Here’s how we support a safe and inclusive school:
We take all reports of bullying, body shaming, or hateful actions seriously and follow our rules to keep everyone safe.
We teach students about kindness, respect, and how to treat others through class lessons and school activities.
We provide counseling and support to students and families who need it.
We ask for your help at home, too. Please talk with your children about treating others with empathy and kindness.
Together, we can make sure our schools are places where every student can learn, grow, and feel proud of who they are.
Hello from the SLVUSD Transportation Department,
We have been delighted to welcome your students back onto our school buses this past month, their smiling faces have been an absolute joy to see! We are addressing all our district parents/guardians as a reminder that some of these smiling faces have still not been registered to ride our school buses, and we are announcing that starting next week, Monday September 15th, we will start denying rides to un-registered students.
To register your student, there are two options:
1) Online on the Transportation Department’s page located on the SLVUSD.org website. Under Registration Information there is a clickable link to our Google Doc which will automatically update our department on your student’s registration.
2) At our office in the school bus yard located at 315 Marion Ave, Ben Lomond, half-way down the driveway to the District Office. For the safety of our mechanics and drivers, we ask that you park at the District Office and walk up the driveway to our office.
Information about payments for an annual or single semester bus pass for your student is also located on the Transportation Department’s page. To pay by card, please use LINQ Connect, just as you would for student lunches. To pay by cash/check, come to our office at the transportation yard. If your student receives government assistance and you would like to see about free or reduced-price bus passes, or if you have any questions at all, please call our office at 831-336-2223.
Thank you so much for your continued support for the safe transportation of students, and remember:
If the red lights are flashing, you shouldn’t be passin’!
Triple P Parenting Classes
Triple P Positive Parenting topical workshop flyers for September.
Información sobre programas en español disponibles en el sitio web.
Each flyer has its own unique link to register for each class, or go to https://www.first5scc.org/triple-p-classes and register on the website. All of these classes are on Zoom!
Workshops are all free, and grant funded by First Five of Santa Cruz.
Individual sessions are also available for free or sliding scale. If you are interested in a 1:1 session, please contact First Five of Santa Cruz at First 5 Santa Cruz County at (831) 465-2217 or
Cradle to Career
"We're excited to share some wonderful happenings in our community! Cradle to Career (C2C) is a family advocacy group and resource connector. Claudia Oblea is the district's Community Organizer, focusing on strengthening families and communities. She does this by bringing families together through programming and connecting you with local resources. She is here to support you with personalized connections, parent advocacy, food distributions, and fun programs! You can reach her at Coblea@c2cscc.org or call/text at 831-325-2390.
Produce Boxes: November 18th
Last week, Claudia and a couple of parents distributed 150 boxes of fresh, organic produce from Live Earth Farm to families. The great news? There are no eligibility requirements, and every family is welcome to participate! The last batch included delicious items that were in season, like tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, and cilantro—perfect for salsa or taco night! Mark your calendars for the next distribution on November 18th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm(or until supplies last). If you have any questions, reach out to Claudia!
Yoga at BCE
We’re also thrilled to announce our Free Yoga Tuesdays starting this Tuesday! Hosted at Boulder Creek Elementary on Tuesday Nights from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. It’s a great opportunity for families to unwind, relax, and stay active. Adults can join a gentle yoga class to reduce stress, and kids can participate in an energetic movement class to release some energy, improve focus, and feel centered. Bring your family, a friend, or come solo! While it’s great to bring your own mat, we’ll have a few available to borrow."
Attendance Matters
We are so happy to welcome our students back to school after the summer break. Now that we are all back, we'd like to emphasize the importance of daily attendance for your student.
We know people get sick, people get injured, and there can be family or life responsibilities and other issues that are reasonable and excused. But if your student can attend, they need to be in school.
If your student is out for three or more consecutive days, we may request a doctor’s note to continue excusing the absences. Students who miss 3-5 days will receive a Chronic Absence letter. We will then meet with those families to attempt to support the student attending school. On the second Chronic Absence Letter, families may be required to meet at the District Office to put a plan in place for the student’s attendance. On the third Chronic Absence Letter, families may be required to meet with the County Office Student Attendance Review Board for truancy. Our goal is that nobody ever gets that far along with truancy. We are here to help and support, but it does start at home with the expectation that your student will attend school regularly. For more information please visit our SLVUSD Student Attendance Policy on the SLVUSD website.
Please remember that students who are absent 3 days or more should complete an independent study contract. Lisa Ghelardi, at lblairghelardi@slvusd.org our SLVE Registrar, will work with families to get the paperwork and the missed classwork assignments needed to complete the contract.
Student Pick up Drop off
We are really needing to focus on safety during our pick up time each day. As a reminder, the far right lane is the ONLY lane that you may idle in to pick up your student. The middle lane is a drive thru lane only for parents who are driving up to park. If cars stop in the middle lane, buses CANNOT get up the hill to pass without going into the far left lane which is the exiting lane. There have been some close calls and unsafe situations where cars are stopped in the middle lane when buses are making the wide turn to go down the driveway to head out onto Highway 9. We would also like to remind you that the parking lot in front of the school office is reserved for teachers/staff only. Please do not stop there to drop off or pick up your student. We appreciate your role in helping to ensure the safety of our SLVE students and families.