Saddleback Valley
Unified School District

September 13, 2024

Twenty-two Saddleback Valley Unified School District campuses have been distinguished by California PBIS for excellence in implementing a robust Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. Melinda Heights and San Joaquin elementary schools and Silverado High School have earned one of the most distinguished awards, the Gold Implementation Award. Recipients of the Silver recognition include Cielo Vista, De Portola, Foothill Ranch, Glen Yermo, Lake Forest, Linda Vista, Lomarena, Montevideo, Olivewood, Portola Hills, Ralph A. Gates, Rancho Cañada, Robinson, Santiago, Trabuco Mesa, and Valencia elementary schools as well as La Paz, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Serrano intermediate schools.

California PBIS oversees a statewide recognition system to acknowledge schools for implementing PBIS with fidelity to the national framework. Schools are given the opportunity to apply to be recognized as Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze according to their level of implementation. Following the 2023-2024 school year, only 611 schools across the state were designated as platinum, 651 as gold, 753 as silver, and 206 as bronze.

According to the California Department of Education, PBIS is an approach that focuses on the emotional and behavioral learning of students, which leads to an increase in engagement and a decrease in problematic behavior over time. It assists schools in adopting and organizing evidence-based behavioral interventions that improve social and emotional behavior outcomes for all students.

At Melinda Heights Elementary, students ROAR by being Responsible, Owning their choices, and Acting with integrity and Respect. Positive behavior expectations are taught through annual Safari Rotations and class-created behavior matrices. ROAR tickets reward positive behavior, allowing students to shop at the ROAR store. Monthly, Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams analyze behavior data to plan support. New this year, monthly student-led Power of the Paw assemblies feature the ROAR pledge, song, mascot, and prizes. Additionally, classes can earn ROAR Activity Carts for demonstrating positive behavior together.

"As the new principal of Melinda Heights Elementary, it is exciting to become part of this wonderful staff who have a laser-focus on the social-emotional well-being of our students," said Principal Wendie Hauschild." We have a school-wide culture of seeking to understand what students are communicating with their behaviors and supporting them in positive ways."

PBIS at San Joaquin includes the development of lesson plans with explicit examples of expectations aimed at positively impacting students’ mental health. The Cheetahs are encouraged to practice positivity by sharing affirmations, thoughtful words, and acts of kindness. Specific examples such as “Your bracelets are adorable” or “Thank you for helping me clean up my Legos” are provided in the classroom and help to foster a supportive environment. Ultimately, the goal is for San Joaquin students to use similar phrases both inside and outside the classroom to communicate effectively with one another.

San Joaquin principal, Kristin Fowler, shared the following of her school’s award: “Receiving the PBIS 2024 Gold Implementation Award is a profound honor for both me and our school community. It reflects our collective dedication to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment, and it motivates us to continue striving for excellence in creating an inclusive and effective educational experience for all students.”

Silverado High School attributes this recognition to its faculty, staff, and administration who have been dedicated to implementing and improving PBIS systems across campus. This has provided strength and consistency in working with students who need stability as well as academic and behavioral direction.

“For the second year in a row we have earned the Gold level award for our strong tier 1 and tier 2 practices,” remarked Silverado principal David Gordon. “At Silverado, our students SOAR!”

The Saddleback Valley Unified School District has focused on using data to better support students and has enhanced its basic behavioral programs to ensure all students receive consistent support. The district has also allocated Educator Effectiveness Block Grant funds to hire four additional MTSS SEB Teachers on Special Assignment to help establish clear systems that support the effective use of these strategies across all 31 schools in the district.

“When a California school district is recognized for its PBIS implementation, it shows a strong commitment to fostering a positive school culture for everyone from students to staff and even our community at large,” said Kathy Stauffer, SVUSD Teacher on Special Assisment who supports PBIS. “Awards like the PBIS Silver or Gold reflect the district’s dedication to ongoing training, resource allocation, and data-driven decision-making to support positive behavioral outcomes for students​.”

The distinguished schools will be recognized as a part of the 9th Annual California PBIS Conference in Sacramento on October 9-11, 2024. 

“We are proud to have the most awarded schools of any medium-sized district in all of Orange County with 100% of our applying schools earning their state recognition,” Ms. Stauffer shared.

Click here to see the full list of 2023-2024 California PBIS Recognized Schools. Great work, SVUSD!

This page lists all of the updates from SVUSD regarding the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon.

Update #5 - 4:10 p.m. Sept. 13, 2024
Shared with All SVUSD Staff & Families

Dear SVUSD Community,

We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well. As you know, the Airport Fire has heavily impacted Trabuco Canyon, causing closures for Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools this week.

Our district has been working diligently to ensure that students from these two schools can return to learning as soon as possible. We are actively exploring alternate locations for students, teachers, and staff should current conditions in the Trabuco Canyon area remain unchanged. In the event of continued evacuation orders and road closures, in-person learning for Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools may take place at three alternate sites starting on Monday, including Cielo Vista, Glen Yermo, and Trabuco Mesa elementary schools. 

Should this plan be enacted, we anticipate increased traffic around Cielo Vista, Glen Yermo, and Trabuco Mesa on Monday morning. While these adjustments may present challenges, please be assured that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities. 

Finally, all other SVUSD schools remain open, and staff will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as we receive them from the Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Sheriff’s Department. 

We truly appreciate your ongoing support, and together, we will continue to navigate this time with strength and care. We look forward to resuming learning next week and reuniting with all of our students.

Sincerely,

Robert Craven 
Assistant Superintendent, Business Services
Saddleback Valley Unified School District

Update #4 - 4:10 p.m. Sept. 12, 2024
Shared with All SVUSD Staff & Families

Dear SVUSD Community,

While we were hopeful to reopen schools this week, continued road closures and evacuation zones are still in effect. As a result, Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools will remain closed on Friday, September 13, 2024.

All other SVUSD schools remain open and staff will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as we receive them from the Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Sheriff’s Department. We remain very optimistic about reopening Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools on Monday, given the current trajectory of the fire and the ongoing efforts of our dedicated first responders. The progress being made suggests that conditions may soon improve, allowing us to safely welcome all students and staff back to our campuses. 

In closing, we understand the challenges and disruptions that the ongoing school closures have caused for our SVUSD students, families, and staff, and we deeply sympathize with everyone affected. Please know that your safety and well-being remain our top priority as we navigate the circumstances surrounding the Airport Fire together.

Sincerely,

Robert Craven 
Assistant Superintendent, Business Services
Saddleback Valley Unified School District

Update #3 - 4:10 p.m. Sept. 11, 2024
Shared with All SVUSD Staff & Families

Dear SVUSD Community,

Even though the Airport Fire is now primarily affecting Riverside County, mandatory evacuation zones and road closures in the Trabuco Canyon area remain the same. Therefore, Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools will remain closed on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.

At this time, all other SVUSD schools remain open and staff will continue to closely monitor the areas surrounding the fire with the help of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD). Should the situation change, we will provide additional updates. 

We thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Sincerely,

Robert Craven 
Assistant Superintendent, Business Services
Saddleback Valley Unified School District
 

Update #2 - 4:10 p.m. Sept. 10, 2024
Shared with All SVUSD Staff & Families

Dear SVUSD Community,

Due to the ongoing response to the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon, both Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools will remain closed tomorrow, September 11, 2024. We have been closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD), and we made this decision to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

At this time, all other SVUSD schools remain open and SVUSD staff will continue to closely monitor the areas surrounding the fire. Should the situation change, we will provide additional updates promptly.

Please stay updated by checking your email and ParentSquare for further information. We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to navigate this situation together.

Sincerely,

Robert Craven 
Assistant Superintendent, Business Services
Saddleback Valley Unified School District

Update #1 - 2:10 p.m. Sept. 10, 2024
Shared with All SVUSD Staff & Families

Dear SVUSD Community,

Over the past 24 hours, Saddleback Valley Unified School District (SVUSD) officials have been working closely with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) to respond to the Airport Fire in the Trabuco Canyon area.

Yesterday, due to nearby evacuations and road closures, we made the decision to transport some students and staff from Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools to alternate after-school pick-up locations. To ensure everyone’s safety, both campuses were closed today, with the hope of resuming normal operations tomorrow, September 11, 2024. We are still evaluating the situation to determine if adjustments or continued closures will be necessary, and we will provide an update to the entire district by 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. It is important to emphasize that we have been in constant communication with the Robinson and Trabuco school communities, who have been directly affected by the situation.

With that said, our partners at OCFA and OCSD have continued to assure us that our other schools in the surrounding area remain safe for students and staff. We know that situations like this bring many challenges and concerns, and we are truly grateful for your cooperation and support as we work to keep everyone safe and well. Your trust in our procedures and your flexibility in adapting to change are invaluable.

Please know that in emergencies such as local fires, our schools have comprehensive safety plans and evacuation procedures in place. These plans are regularly reviewed, practiced, and updated following best practices and guidelines from our local authorities and safety experts. Our top priority is to maintain a secure and supportive environment where every member of our SVUSD community feels safe and prepared.

We appreciate everyone’s understanding and flexibility as we navigate this situation and make decisions that best support our entire SVUSD community. We also extend our deepest gratitude to our first responders and local officials for their ongoing commitment to protecting our entire community. Please continue to take care and stay informed by checking your email and ParentSquare for updates from the district.

Sincerely,

Robert Craven 
Assistant Superintendent, Business Services
Saddleback Valley Unified School District