Dear Parents and Community Members,

Welcome to September and to the 2010-2011 school year. The school year has started off well as students, teachers, and support staff filled our schools with excitement and an eagerness for the year ahead. And when I say they “filled our schools”  I mean that literally as once again the district finds itself growing by more than 1,000 students over this time last year. This is actually quite remarkable as very few school districts are growing in this economy, and the few that are generally do not come close to the level of growth we are experiencing.

Not surprisingly, the enrollment growth is both good news and “challenging news”. The good news is that growth helps the district financially, with the challenge of course being how best to house the influx of new students. There is no doubt that if growth continues at this rate the district will have to consider various options such as boundary changes and/or year-round schools, especially in the Dougherty Valley.

While not wanting to be presumptuous about all the reasons for the growth, it would seem that the quality of our teachers and support staff, the high expectations for student achievement, our academic results, and being a district that is committed to student success in the 21^st Century are certainly  factors contributing to this growth.

As we look forward to the year ahead, our commitment will remain focused on core academic standards and achievement, supporting character development, and promoting instruction and applied technology that incorporates the 21^st Century skills of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, curiosity, and creativity. We believe this continued effort will support students and their learning in a manner that will keep moving this exceptional school district to the next level of quality.

I will conclude by simply saying “thank you” to parents and other community members for your ongoing support of our schools. Every day I am reminded of how fortunate we are to have this support. We would not be the district that we are without your support, and your contribution of time, energy, and money is never taken for granted.

Thank you for the courtesy of reading my letter. I hope everyone has a great month of September.

Steven Enoch

Superintendent of Schools     

State law requires that all public school students pass the CAHSEE as a high school diploma requirement. Last spring, more than 2,100 tenth grade students in SRVUSD high schools took the exam that addressed state academic standards for English/Language Arts and Mathematics. 98% of those students passed the English/Language Arts section; 97% of the students passed the Mathematics section.  According to statewide results 81 % of students statewide passed the test in both sections, while 85% of students in Contra Costa County received passing scores in English/Language Arts and 83% passed in Math.

“We are very pleased with these results, but will continue to focus on helping the small number of students who need additional help to pass the test and ultimately graduate,” said Superintendent Steven Enoch. 

Students not passing CAHSEE have more opportunities to pass in their 11^th and 12^th grade years. Statewide, district and school results can be found on the California Department of Education website at: http://cahsee.cde.ca.gov/

• Janet Terranova, Monte Vista High School
• Matt Hermann, Venture Independent Study School
• Chris George, Charlotte Wood Middle School
• Stan Hitomi, Alamo Elementary School
• Ken Nelson, Hidden Hills Elementary School
• Amy Black, Sycamore Valley Elementary School
• Kathy Crosthwait, Montair Elementay School
• Barbara Mallon, Twin Creeks Elementary School
• Nadine Rosenzweig, Live Oak Elementary School

Get ready to run (and eat pasta)! Online registration is open for the Annual Primo's Run for Education. This year's event is Sunday, October 10, 2010 (that's 10/10/10)! The event is the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation's largest fundraiser and a wonderful opportunity to support education in our community by running or walking a 5K or 1/2 marathon course. We are also looking for volunteers to help on the day of the race. To register and for more information, go to: www.primosrun.com

The Rotary Club of San Ramon's 26th Annual CarboLoad takes place the evening before the Primo's Run, Saturday, October 9, 5-10PM at the Toyota Warehouse in San Ramon. Join us this year for the biggest and most exciting CarboLoad party ever! Entertainment includes musical performances by district students, expanded kids play area, live and silent autions, raffle prizes and of course all-you-can-eat pasta and desserts! This year, all the proceeds from the CarboLoad event will be donated directly to the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation.