Sierra Vista Unified School District

School counselors help students in more ways than you may know. This week we celebrate them as a part of National School Counseling Week 2023. All week we will feature one of our amazing counselors and what they to #HelpingStudentsDreamBig.

There is still plenty of time to check out the proposed new science curriculum. Check out our news page for presentations, videos, questions and even a view at the student portal. https://www.svusd68.org/article/977752

Friday, February 3rd is a half day for all of the Elementary Schools in order to have Parent Teacher Conferences. Students will get out at 11:15 am.

This morning the smoke alarm at Huachuca Mountain went around off due to a high volume of smoke in the kitchen. The staff and students were all evacuated from the building and the fire department was called. Students and staff were outside for approximately 15 minutes before the fire department allowed everyone back in the buildings. The smoke was a result of a piece of kitchen equipment, at no time were flames visible in the area or any immediate threat to student and staff safety. Thank you to all the staff and students for following our fire/smoke alarm procedures and putting safety first. We would also like to thank the Sierra Vista Fire Department for their quick response. All activities and classes have resumed as normal.

Yesterday we held the 2nd annual SVUSD68 Spelling Bee. The 14 participants were the champions and runner-ups from each elementary and our middle school. Congratulations to all of our school winners for making it to the district wide Spelling Bee! After 17 rounds with 106 words called, January was the championship word. SVUSD68 2023 Champion is Quinn H. a 6th grader from Huachuca Mountain Elementary. And our runner-up, Landen M. a 4th grader from Village Meadows Elementary gave it his all! Quinn will be representing SVUSD68 at the Cochise County Regional Spelling Bee next month! Good Luck, Quinn!

SVUSD is excited to have our second Governing Board meeting of the new year. At our last meeting, new and re-elected members Kale Kiyabu, Donald Lee and Hollie Sheriff were sworn in by Jacqui Clay, Cochise County School Superintendent. Join us tonight for the Governing Board Meeting at 6pm in the Governing Board Room or streaming on our YouTube channel

SVUSD Curriculum Office is hosting a presentation about the proposed new science curriculum on Thursday, January 19th from 5:00-6:00 pm in the Rothery Education Center Conference Room. During the presentation representatives from both programs, Inspire Science and BRW AP Science, will walk through their respective programs and take questions from the attendees. 5:00-5:05 Welcome & explanation of our process by Terri Romo, Assistant Superintendent 5:05-5:25 Presentation from Inspire Science 5:25-5:35 Community questions for Inspire Science 5:35-5:40 Transition to BRW AP Science 5:40-5:50 Presentation from BRW AP Science 5:50-6:00 Community questions BRW AP Science Any questions that cannot be answered during the presentation will be sent to the companies for a reply and the district will post the answers on our website. If you would like to submit questions for the company please print from the link below and bring it with you to the event. https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2408/svusd/2704418/_Science_Curriculum_Questions_Form__1_.pdf

All schools and offices will be closed tomorrow in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

SVUSD has selected a new Science Curriculum for all grade levels. The proposed curriculum is available for public viewing and comments until Monday, March 6th. To view the curriculum stop by the Curriculum Office in the Rothery Education Center Room 403, Monday thru Friday from 8am-3pm. Scheduled appointments can also be made by calling 520-515-2742.

Due to a sewer line break, tonight's governing board meeting will be held in the Rothery Education Center Conference Room.

Winter break has begun! All SVUSD schools and offices will be closed for the Winter Break. School begins again on Wednesday, January 4th. We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year. Can't wait to see you all in 2023!!

Due to our area forecast for ice and snow overnight all Sierra Vista Unified School District schools will have a delayed start time of two hours. Buena will begin at 9:20am, JCMS at 11am and elementary schools at 10am. Bus times will be pushed back 2 hours on all routes and stops. All release times will remain as a normal school day. Thank you and please be safe.

Students at Town & Country Elementary got to take part in a little holiday cheer and decorate gingerbread men cookies. But, these were not any ordinary gingerbread men. Buena Culinary students made the cookies using cookie cutters that were designed and printed by Buena Engineering students using a 3D printer. Once the template was created, it traveled to the Auto Shop and students used their metalworking skills to make the cookie cutters. The cookie cutters headed back to the student’s kitchen where the dough was rolled out and baked. Buena Culinary students then headed to Town & Country with the giant cookies, candy and frosting and worked with the elementary students to decorate the gingerbread men. Everyone had a blast and the first graders were so happy to have the big kids come to their class and work with them. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making this holiday cheer happen!!!

Buena Fine Arts Productions brings you a comedy-filled, children’s holiday musical, fit for all ages. The Day Before Christmas follows a cold-hearted Jack Frost and sweet Suzie Snowflake as they get in a big argument on… the day before Christmas! Jack causes chaos, while Santa and his crew have work to do! While the others prepare for Christmas, a team of elves and reindeer attempt to warm Jack’s heart and save the holiday. Will Jack’s plan be successful? Or will Santa’s troupe come through and take to the skies? Come and find out! Join us December 1st and 2nd at The Klein Center for an evening full of fun! Doors will open at 6:30pm and the show will begin at 7:00pm. Tickets will be $5 at the door. Bring the whole family, we can’t wait to see you there!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

All school and district offices will be closed Monday, November 21st through Friday, November 25th for the Thanksgiving Break. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving break.

SSVEC recently announced the finalists for their Washington DR Youth Tour. Congratulations to Buena's very own Benjamin Squires, Heart Monger, Kevin Tran, Ryan Wilde who are finalists and Natalie Rice and Gumaro Vasquez who were semifinalists. All of the students get to travel to Washington DC with SSVEC members. Finalists get the entire trip paid for by SSVEC and semi finalists get a portion of the trip covered. Way to go Colts!!

Last week our Bella Vista Bobcats had the opportunity to participate in Camp KUDOS with military personnel from Fort Huachuca. Camp KUDOS (Kids Understanding Deployment Operations) provided students and faculty an opportunity to familiarize their understanding of what a Service Member does on a daily basis. Students were able to explore military vehicles, activate the sirens on a firetruck from Sierra Vista Fire, and get close up to an unmanned drone. There was even an obstacle course and fitness challenge based on what service members do during their physical challenges. Thank you so much to Archer Company, 2-13 AVN REGT, 18th MP Detachment, and Holds Company, 111th MI BDE and Sierra Vista Fire for allow our students this amazing opportunity

Last week the Buena administration began an investigation regarding a video that was shared on social media of an incident involving the boys basketball team. During the investigation administration spoke with the team and sent a letter to all students and parents in the boys basketball program that any behaviors that are in violation of district policy, regardless of whether these actions were said or acted in a joking manner, will not be tolerated. Any student that is confirmed to have acted in any manner that is against district and school policy will face appropriate disciplinary action. In the beginning of the investigation BHS admin was unable to identify specific individuals, but as the investigation continued administration was able to identify the students involved in this isolated incident. At that time, administration notified the varsity boys basketball team that practice had been suspended and the Thanksgiving Tournament was canceled. Disciplinary action has been taken against the students involved in this incident in line with policy. Details regarding the discipline of individual students cannot, by law, be released. Any behaviors that violate school and district policy will not be tolerated at Buena. Should a parent, student or community member have any information regarding any violation of school policy please contact the school.

Just like adults do, students sometimes get stuck, feel stressed or get overwhelmed at school. SVUSD's Exceptional Student Services Department is hosting a Coping Skills & Self Regulation Night for students and families to learn about ways to help navigate those feelings. Learn about resources available, practice activities that help refocus, and much more. Everyone is welcome to attend on Thursday, November 17th from 4-6pm at Town & Country Elementary Cafeteria.