Good afternoon Sun Valley families!

Just a reminder that tomorrow is Picture Day at Sun Valley for all students in grades 9 - 11 in the Gymnasium.  Picture forms were distributed to students in school and there are extras available in the main office.  Pictures can also be ordered online through the Barksdale website.  Use Online Password:  01050IN.

All students will attend classes as scheduled tomorrow and we will call for students alphabetically and by grade throughout the morning.  Students will be required to wear their mask while waiting to get their picture taken and the photographer will tell them when to remove it for their photo.

Sun Valley Picture Re-takes will take place in school on Thursday, October 21 for any student who misses tomorrow or wishes to have a new photo taken.

Thank you for your attention to this message!

Mr. Sasse

Principal, SVHS

Dear Sun Valley Families and Students!

WELCOME BACK!  We are excited for the 21-22 school year and are eager to have you back in our classrooms, ready to learn.

Just reaching out with a few reminders as we start classes on Tuesday, September 7th:

• 1st period classes start promptly at 7:30 am, so please leave yourself enough room to be here on time and in your class for 7:30.  
• All students and staff are required to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth while inside the school building.
• Incoming 9th graders, last names A-M will go directly to the AUDITORIUM and last names N-Z will go to the CAFETERIA.  We will review some announcements and guidelines with the class so they have a good idea of where to go throughout the day.
• Senior Parking: we put out a message via phone & email & posted on our website back in mid-August asking for seniors interested in a parking space to fill out the request link.  Due to ongoing construction we are again limited to 90 senior parking spaces. For those who completed the link, information will be shared to your student e-mail address by Mrs. Lessik.  Please follow the directions so you can obtain your parking pass with no delay.  We will accept additional seniors' names to be on a waiting list in case any additional spaces open up or if another senior has their space revoked due to poor grades, attendance, or behavior.
• Our lunch seating is spaced out to a 3-foot distance and there are signs and taped areas indicating where students are to sit at each of our table configurations. Lunches are free again this year and items not included with the free meal require payment. Students should know their ID numbers so they can enter it at the cashier table if needed. When students finish eating, they should put their mask back on for the remainder of the lunch period.  During nice weather days, we will have out courtyard space open for students to use.
• The school day ends at 2:15 pm.  Students staying after for a practice, game, activity, should report directly to the Cafeteria or MIC.  Students staying after to meet with a teacher should arrange that meeting ahead of time.
• We are looking forward to welcoming you back this year!  Enjoy one last weekend and come back ready to learn and to re-engage and re-connect with Sun Valley!

Sincerely,

Patrick Sasse

Principal

Download PDF here or read below.

August 24, 2021

Welcome to Sun Valley! 

On Monday, August 30th, there will be a brief in-person orientation for students new to Sun Valley. The event will be divided into groups based on the last name of the student. Each session is expected to last 40 minutes. Please follow the breakdown below and be on time so we can keep the event running smoothly. 

Alphabet Groups 

9th / New Student Last Name A-F     12:00pm-12:40pm 
9th / New Student Last Name G-K     12:30pm-1:10pm 
9th / New Student Last Name L-R      1:00pm-1:40pm 
9th / New Student Last Name S-Z     1:30pm-2:10pm 

Students are encouraged to wear a mask (covering their nose and mouth) at all times while inside of SVHS. Students are encouraged to bring a copy of their schedule (paper or picture on their phone) so they can see their classrooms on the tour. This is a school event, so appropriate behavior and positive decision-making is expected. 

All students should enter through the 1st set of doors (if facing the building, on the right hand side of the circle). They will be clearly marked and a SVHS representative will be directing traffic. Parents are asked to exit the circle and park in the side lot (if opting to wait on-site for their student) or return to the side lot for pick-up (if not waiting on-site) at the appropriate ending time of your child’s session. 

Please remember, this event is ONLY for new students to SVHS. Parents are asked not to enter the building. 

Chromebook Exchange

All students who attended Northley Middle School (NMS) for grade 8, MUST bring their Chromebook and charging cord to the orientation. Once their middle school device has been returned, they will receive their new Chromebook for Sun Valley. 

Any students who are new to the district for the 2021-2022 school year, will receive their Chromebook at orientation. 

For students who are unable to attend the orientation, a summary of information from the event will be available on the SVHS website on September 1st. If you attended NMS last year, you will receive your Chromebook on the first day of school (September 7th) after returning your middle school device. Students new to the district, will receive their Chromebook on the first day of school. 

If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Raymond, (610) 497-6300 x2353 or email: sraymond@pdsd.org 

Download the PDF or read below. 

August 24, 2021

Welcome to Sun Valley! 

On Monday, August 30th, there will be a brief in-person orientation for students new to Sun Valley. We are also inviting incoming 10th grade students who may be “newer” to in-person learning at SVHS. The event will be divided into groups based on the last name of the student. Each session is expected to last 40 minutes. Please follow the breakdown below and be on time so we can keep the event running smoothly. 

Alphabet Groups

10th / New Student Last Name A-F     12:00pm-12:40pm 
10th / New Student Last Name G-K     12:30pm-1:10pm 
10th / New Student Last Name L-R      1:00pm-1:40pm 
10th / New Student Last Name S-Z     1:30pm-2:10pm 

Students are encouraged to wear a mask (covering their nose and mouth) at all times while inside of SVHS. Students are encouraged to bring a copy of their schedule (paper or picture on their phone) so they can see their classrooms on the tour. This is a school event, so appropriate behavior and positive decision-making is expected. 

All students should enter through the 1st set of doors (if facing the building, on the right hand side of the circle). They will be clearly marked and a SVHS representative will be directing traffic. Parents are asked to exit the circle and park in the side lot (if opting to wait on-site for their student) or return to the side lot for pick-up (if not waiting on-site) at the appropriate ending time of your child’s session. 

If you are a NEWER 10th grade student, please fill in this registration link, so we know to expect you. This event is typically reserved for new students; however, since many incoming 10th graders may have not been with us in-person for a large portion of the 2020-2021 school year, we are opening the event to you, but ask you to register. Parents are asked not to enter the building. 

If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Raymond, (610) 497-6300 x2353 or email: sraymond@pdsd.org 

You can read the welcome letter from Mr. Patrick Sasse, Sun Valley Principal here as a PDF or read below.

August 17, 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian: 

Welcome to Sun Valley High School where students are challenged to achieve beyond their personal goals. Sun Valley offers students opportunities to enhance their growth intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Our goal is to show our Valley Pride through focused and engaged learning, social and emotional maturity and support, and meaningful involvement in clubs, service, athletics, and the arts. 

Please become familiar with the school’s website as it will provide important information for students and parents throughout the school year. The web address appears in the heading of this newsletter. In addition, our electronic system (phone & e-mail) will be used to communicate important messages during the school year. Finally, follow our school on Twitter @SunValleyHS where we post about our students’ achievements and the day-to-day successes here in the Valley. We appreciate your involvement in the Sun Valley High School and your support of our programs. 

Back to School Night

Back to School Night is our parents/guardians opportunity to meet their child’s teachers and better understand the expectations and goals for each class. Sun Valley’s Back to School Night is on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 pm. More specific details on the evening’s events will be released during the first week in September. 

Sun Valley Parent Teacher League (PTL) 

The Parent Teacher League is a group of high school parents who meet regularly to discuss school issues and programs. All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend these meetings. The first meeting is Wednesday, September 15 at 5:30 pm in the Sun Valley Main Office. A PTL-specific e-mail will be coming soon! Please make sure we have your correct e-mail by contacting our main office! 

SCHOOL NEWS & NOTES 

Bus Schedules 

Please review your child’s bus schedule by checking the district website. As soon as they are available, they will be posted. 

AM Parent Drop Off at SVHS

The front doors at Sun Valley HS is the only available student entrance for each school day. The front doors will be opened for students at 7:05 am each school day. Families who are dropping a child off in the morning must stay close to the inner circle/flag pole so the bus drop offs can drop off along the curb line. First period class starts at 7:30 am, so please plan accordingly to ensure your child is dropped off on time. 

Senior Parking 

Parking on campus is a privilege and not guaranteed to any student. Due to building renovations, the number of student parking spaces and the opportunity to park in our lot may change and be limited. Seniors (Class of 2022) will have the first opportunity to secure a parking space by completing the Parking Application 2021-2022. The form must be completed by Thursday, September 2, 2021. If there are more requests than available spaces, we will select senior names randomly. Only if spaces remain after the Senior Selection Phase, will we will make spaces available to interested Juniors (Class of 2023). 

Parking permits require a fee of $25.00 and a copy of the student’s license, registration, and insurance information. Full information about Student Parking is available in the Student Handbook. 

Start of School

The first day of school is September 7, 2021 and the school day runs from 7:30 am – 2:15 pm. The bell schedule is below: 

Time Range

• Period 1 
  7:30 am - 8:18 am 
• Period 2 
  8:21 am - 9:09 am 
• Period 3 
  9:12 am - 10:00 am 
• Period 4 
  10:03 am - 10:51 am 
• Period 5 
  10:54 am - 11:42 am 
• Period 6 
  11:45 am - 12:33 pm 
• Period 7 
  12:36 pm - 1:24 pm 
• Period 8 
  1:27 pm - 2:15 pm 

We will operate on an 8 day cycle. Classes that are 1.0 credits will meet every day of the 8 day cycle. Classes that are 0.5 credits will either meet on odd or even days of the cycle for the duration of the school year. 

Lunch Periods 

Lunch periods will run from periods 4-7. Students can either have the same lunch period for the duration of the year or the lunch period may change every other cycle day in order to maximize the academic classes students’ requested. Students may not request schedules changes for lunch periods. Free lunch is again being offered to all students. Food/drink items not included with the free lunch may be purchased by students by using their School Bucks account. If you need to set up your child’s lunch account, please go to www.myschoolbucks.com or download the My School Bucks app. If you need to complete paperwork for free and/or reduced lunch, please use this link for the necessary forms to complete. 

Skyward and Schoology

The two software systems students and parent will use most are Skyward and Schoology. Please see below for important information about each. 

Skyward: Skyward is a program where students and parents can review attendance, students’ schedules, academic history, and review report cards. Students should log into Skyward to view their upcoming schedule for the 21-22 school year. Schedules will be viewable on or after August 17, 2021. Use this link to log into Skyward. Students’ usernames are the first half of their e-mail address and the last two digits of their graduation year. For example, Bobby Smith’s (12th grade) log in would be: bsmith22 (do not include the @pdsdstudents.org in the username). The password was selected by students. If students forget their password, they should click on forget my password on the Skyward log in screen and a temporary password will be e-mailed to their pdsdstudents account. For parents who haven’t set up a Skyward account yet, follow the same steps as the students above by clicking forgot my password and put in the e-mail address you have on file with school district. A temporary password will be e-mailed to you to log in. If students or parents experience any issues logging in, please e-mail the PDSD help desk at: helpdesk@pdsd.org. 

Schoology: Schoology is a platform that students will utilize daily to view classroom assignments, submit assignments and view current marking period grades. Parents also have a Schoology account and can view their child’s grades and assignments at any time. Parents can also receive notifications regarding their student’s grades or upcoming assignments in the “Account Settings” on the Schoology page which can be accessed at pdsd.schoology.com or download the Schoology app. For parents needing additional information about Schoology, please use this link to view our district website that provides additional information. 

Student Schedules for 2021-22

Students should review their schedule in Skyward to make sure they have the necessary classes for the upcoming year. Also, please review page 5 of the Course Guide for the graduation requirements. If a student needs to request a schedule change, he/she will need to complete the Schedule Change Request form for 2021-22. Please know that not all schedule change requests will be possible either due to class sizes or availability and how that affects the student’s schedule. There are guidelines outlined on the Google form about what type of schedule changes a student is permitted to request. Requests will be handled as they are received, but please remember counselors return to work on September 1, 2021. Please be patient and only send one request! 

Summer Reading: 

Just a reminder that students have summer reading to complete prior to the start of the school year. For more information about summer reading, please use this link to access the requirements by grade level and English course. 

Attendance

Prior to the start of the school year, please review the school district’s attendance policy to ensure your child doesn’t accrue unexcused absences or lateness/tardies. Students need to arrive on time to school daily as school begins promptly at 7:30 am. All absences require a parent or doctor’s note in writing to be submitted to the main office within 3 days of the absence. Students are permitted ten parent excused absences in a school year and any future absences after ten will require a doctor’s note to be excused. Please review the school district webpage for more information on how to submit electronic absence notes and information about late arrivals or requests for an early dismissal. Student attendance is taken each period at Sun Valley High School. Students who miss three - four (3-4) periods in one day will receive a half-day (0.5 day) absence and students who miss five or more (5-8) periods in one day, receive a full day absence. Sun Valley’s attendance policy is detailed here. 

Sun Valley Handbook

Students and parents should review the Sun Valley Handbook which covers additional important information. Please click here to access the Sun Valley Handbook. 

New Students & Incoming 9th Grade Orientation

Incoming 9th Graders are encouraged to join us for a brief Orientation program on Monday, August 30, 2021, in-person at Sun Valley HS. Masks are recommended for unvaccinated individuals. Upon arrival, students will enter at the Planetarium doors (to the right of the school’s front doors). Parents/guardians are being asked to drop students off and to either: (1) wait in the main parking lot (side of the building) or (2) to drop off and return approximately 45 minutes later. At orientation, students will meet some high school staff members, receive a guided tour so they can acclimate to their class schedule, and receive their new Chromebook & charger*. More details will be sent via phone & email in advance of the Orientation session. 

Chrome Book Information

Incoming 9th graders (who went to Northley for 8th grade) are required to turn in their middle school Chromebook in order to receive a new Chromebook & charger from Sun Valley. The Sun Valley Chromebook will remain with the student for the entirety of their high school career. Students are expected to bring their middle school Chromebook & charger with them to the Orientation on 08/30/2021 to exchange for their new device. We cannot provide a new device without the old one to exchange. Students who are unable to attend Orientation will receive a new Chromebook & charger during the opening days of school. 

New students to the high school, will receive a new Chromebook & charger at Orientation or during the opening days of school. 

I look forward to the upcoming school year and working with you and your children. If you have questions about topics listed above, please contact the high school office at 610-497-6300. 

Sincerely, 

Patrick A. Sasse 

High School Principal 

Dates to Remember 

September 7 – First Day of School! 1st period begins at 7:30 am

September 9 – Picture Day, 7:30 am - 12:00 pm (SV Gymnasium) 

September 10 & 13 –Senior Portrait Re-takes, 9:00 am (SV Auditorium) 

September 15 –PTL Meeting, 5:30 pm in the SV Office 

September 23 – Back to School Night, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. 

September 24 – Half-Day for Students, 10:15 am dismissal; Teacher In-Service Day