Welcome Back Cougar Newsletter
July 28, 2026
First Day of School: Thursday, August 6th
Principal’s Message
from Jeff Calden
Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year. The staff of San Lorenzo Valley High School is excited for our students to show up for the first day of classes on Thursday, August 6th.
This email is loaded with a ton of important information about the beginning of the school year.
Monday, August 3rd is Cougar Day
Schedule: Freshmen: 8:00 am. Sophomores 9:30 am Juniors 11:00 am. Seniors 1:00 pm
Students will get schedules, books, and School Pictures taken by Jostens.
If you absolutely cannot make your time slot, you can show up to another, but you need to let the photographer know your grade level
It is important for incoming Freshmen to come to Cougar Day get their School Pictures taken and receive a Chromebook from the library.
But Freshmen will receive their schedules when they come to Freshmen Link Crew Orientation on Wednesday the 5th. More details about this day are below.
The Jostens School Portrait Day flyer is attached to this email.
Students with schedules that have errors or are incomplete can use the QR code on their schedules to make an appointment with their counselor.
We will not be doing any other types of class changes on Cougar Day.
For those who cannot be there on that day to get their school picture taken, we have makeup pictures scheduled for September 14th
School Picture / Student ID Information
All SLVHS Students will get their pictures taken during Cougar Day on Monday, August 3rd.
The Jostens School Portrait flyer is attached to this email. It has the link and the code to find your student's photo and order pictures online. Students should also receive their School ID card.
After photos are taken, go to jostenspix.com, create an account, put in the school name and the code, and order the picture packet you would like to have.
Freshmen: 8:00 am. Sophomores 9:30 am Juniors 11:00 am. Seniors 1:00 pm
If you cannot make it in your timeslot, come to a different time slot and check in with the counseling office.
For those who cannot be there on that day to get their school picture taken, we have makeup pictures scheduled for September 14th
Link Crew Freshman Orientation
8:30 am - 12:00 pm. Wednesday, August 5 in the SLVHS Gym
The purpose of Link Crew Freshman orientation is to make the transition from middle school to high school a positive one.
Seniors and juniors will be serving as leaders and mentors to the freshmen. Large and small group activities are designed to address students’ needs and concerns in an enjoyable manner.
This half-day is similar to the WEB Day Orientation students received when entering Middle School.
Wear comfortable clothes and don’t bring all your stuff...travel light!
If you have any questions, please email Link Crew Coordinator Luke Dahlen at [email protected]
POWERSCHOOL REGISTRATION MUST BE DONE BY ALL FAMILIES BEFORE AUGUST 6th
Families MUST Update School Registration Online in order to receive Schedules.
If you did not update your registration for this year, when it was sent out to you in the Spring, You NEED TO DO IT NOW!
Anyone who has not yet updated registration will receive an email today (7/28) with links and instructions on how to do this.
The email is from [email protected]
The title of the email is SLVUSD Powerschool Enrollment (Online Registration)
If you have not registered yet and do not get the email - please call or email our Registrar, Katrina Mount, to give us an email that works for you.
[email protected] or 831-335-4425 X210!
Senior Sunrise - Friday August 7th - 6:30 to 7:45 am
Senior Sunrise will take place on the football field from 6:30 am to 7:45 am on Friday, August
Food and Games for Seniors to begin their final year of High School.
Tremendous shout-out and thank you for the Cougar Club putting this event and many more throughout your Senior year.
Did you know? Each school day, all California students can enjoy FREE meals at school!
One Breakfast and One Lunch at No Cost.
Even though meals are free for everyone, completing a Free and Reduced Meal Application helps SLVHS in big ways!
Why it matters:
Every application helps our school receive additional state & federal funding!
Qualifies families for discounted bus passes
Reduces fees for AP exams & other programs
Ensures we can continue offering quality meals and student support
Our school funding depends on how many families qualify — your form makes a difference!
Please complete your application today at:
https://linqconnect.com/main
Families NEED to call the attendance line when a student is Absent. There are consequences for unexcused absences
If your student is absent, you need to call the attendance line at 335-4425 - Extension 206 to excuse. You can also send a note with your student or an email to [email protected]
Absences not cleared by families in three school days become cuts. Cuts are the source of detentions and truancy letters.
Families can retroactively excuse absences. However, the school can ask for a doctor's note if there are excessive absences.
Finally, if an absence that becomes a cut is not excused within 3 days of the cut, the family can still excuse the absence, but teachers do not have to take schoolwork from that day.
There are of course, circumstances that would allow the work - such as emergency situations or extra time written into an IEP or 504 document.
If cuts and tardies pile up, there are consequences that include not being able to attend or participate in events such as school dances, athletic events, or losing parking lot privileges.
The only recognized reasons to be absent are illness, quarantine, medical or dental services, funeral, jury duty, appearance in court, or a religious or cultural ceremony or event.
These parameters are set forth by California State Education policies.
The bottom line is students need to be at school. A comprehensive High School is not a work-from-home job. Students need to show up.
Auditions for the student-directed production of The Outsiders are August 10 & 11 - from 3:00-5:00 pm in SLVHS room F1.
An Audition Form will be available to all students on August 4th.
SLV High School Back to School Night is Thursday, August 13th
More Information to Come Soon
6:00 – 6:25 pm Principal’s Welcome in the SLVHS Performing Arts Center
6:30 – 7:55 pm Classroom Visitations
Schedule for the First Week of School: Aug 6th and 7th
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Monday |
August 3 |
NO SCHOOL Cougar Day All Students get School Pictures 9th get Chromebooks and Textbooks Schedules to 10th, 11th, 12th grades |
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Tuesday |
August 4 |
NO SCHOOL
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Wednesday |
August 5 |
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NO SCHOOL Link Crew Freshman Orientation Day Schedules to 9th grade students |
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Thursday |
August 6 |
A Day |
First Day of School Periods 1-6 meet on A day School Ends at 2:49 |
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Friday |
August 7 |
A Day |
Second Day of School Senior Sunrise 7:00 am Periods 1-6 meet on A day School Ends at 2:49 |
Thursday, August 6th is the First Day of School. It is an A day - meaning ALL classes.
Friday, August 8th will also be an A Day.
First Period will begin at 7:55 each day.
School will get out at 2:49 each day.
Please be aware that there is no public use of school facilities from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm on School Days.
This is for all facilities, including the pool, the tennis courts, the track and field, the baseball fields, and basketball courts.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our campus safe.
Click Here for District Community Opportunities Web Page
Links and Resources for Students and Families
San Lorenzo Valley High School
7105 Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018
Phone: (831) 335-4425
Fax: (831) 335-1531
Attendance Line: (831) 335-3646
SLV High School Online Calendar SLVHS Bell Schedule 2026-27
SLVHS Cougar Parent Club SLVHS Athletics Booster Club
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OUTSIDE SUPPORT RESOURCES
Contact Information for anyone who may need help or support
Should you be experiencing a mental health crisis please contact:
1-877-663-5433 24 hour crisis line for support
831-458-5300 Local 24 hour crisis line for support
- Suicide/ Talk Hotline: 1-877-663-5433 (831) 458-5300 1-800-273-8255
- Servicio para la Prevencion del Suicidio: 1-877-663-5433
- Santa Cruz Women's Health Center: (831) 427-3500, 250 Locust St, Santa Cruz
- Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, and Healthy Kids Health Ins. (831) 334-3395
- Teen Program and other resources at MCR (831) 335-6600
- Woman, Infants and Children: (831) 426-3911
- Together in the Park: MCR (831) 335-6600
- Salud Para La Gente (Watsonville) (831) 728-0222
- Rainbow Counseling: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning adults, youth, couples and their families. Santa Cruz: (831) 423-9444
- Santa Cruz Superior Court Self Help Ctr/Family Law Facilitator, Watsonville Law Center: (831) 722-2845
- Shelter Outreach Plus: (831) 384-3388
- National Alliance on Mental Health: 427-8020
- Diversity Center: 423-5422
- Health Service Agency, Alcohol and Drug Program: 454-5483
- Transgender Teen Project:427-4004
- Safe Schools Project: Ron Indra 427-4014
- The Camp Recovery Services: 800-924-2879
Click here to visit the SLVHS Website
A Message from SLVHS
As we begin the school year, San Lorenzo Valley High School wants to be clear
There is zero tolerance for hate, harassment, or discrimination of any kind—whether in person, online, or anywhere on campus
Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported.
We are committed to creating a school environment where everyone belongs—no matter their background, identity, appearance or beliefs
Here’s what that looks like:
We take all reports of hate, body shaming, or bias seriously and respond quickly
We provide learning opportunities to help students understand the impact of their actions
Counseling and restorative supports are available to help students heal, grow, and move forward
This isn’t just a rule—it’s a responsibility
Students, staff, and families all play a role in making our school a place where everyone can thrive without fear or hate
Together, let’s build a community based on respect and courage