We are now entering the "home stretch" of the academic year. While this is often our busiest season, it is also our most celebratory. Over the next five weeks, our campuses will be filled with the sounds of spring concerts, the excitement of championship games, and the proud preparations for graduation and promotions.
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Academic Growth: Our students are currently showcasing their hard work through year-end projects and assessments. Their progress, maturity, and resilience continue to be evident and inspiring.
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Community Spirit: Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our recent open houses, mini-Run Big events, fundraising campaigns, and more. Our parent and community involvement is one of the "secret sauces" that make St. Helena schools thrive.
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Looking Ahead: Keep an eye on the district calendar for upcoming milestone events. We want to ensure every student crosses the finish line feeling supported and celebrated.
Let’s make these final weeks count by staying focused, always being kind, and—hopefully—enjoying a little more time in the sunshine.
Warmly,
Jodi McClay, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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St. Helena Unified School District proudly celebrated 37 students at this year’s Reclassification Ceremony, an important milestone in their academic journey. Reclassification recognizes students who have demonstrated English proficiency and are ready to transition from English Learner to Fluent English Proficient.
This achievement reflects years of hard work, perseverance, and growth. Reclassified students have developed strong language skills that allow them to fully access academic content, participate confidently in the classroom, and expand their opportunities for future success.
The ceremony is not only a recognition of student achievement, but also a celebration of the support provided by families, teachers, and staff who have guided students along the way.
A special thank you to Ricky Hurtado, Director of Community Engagement at NorthBay Health, for serving as our guest speaker and helping make the event even more meaningful.
Congratulations to all of our reclassified students, we are proud of you!
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SHPS recognized Read Across America Day in March, where students engaged in reading activities that highlighted the joy of books and the importance of building strong literacy skills.
SHPS celebrated a successful Back to School Night on March 26, welcoming families to campus and strengthening school-home connections. Appreciation is extended for the opportunity to share classrooms, learning, and the school community, with photos from the event below.
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On March 18, St. Helena Elementary School proudly hosted an incredible evening of music that showcased the strength and vibrancy of our program. The event began with performances from our St. Helena Music Academy students, highlighting the talents of our youngest musicians across grade levels.
Our 3rd and 4th grade students then took the stage with Vamos a la Mar!, presenting engaging performances that demonstrated their growth in rhythm, movement, and musical expression. Both performances were enhanced by the accompaniment of the RLS Orchestra, creating a special cross-campus collaboration.
The evening concluded with the RLS Orchestra Candlelight Concert, a beautiful and memorable performance that highlighted the dedication and progress of our student musicians.
Overall, the night was a celebration of student talent, collaboration, and the power of music in our schools.
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March was RLS's Month of Movement, with students and staff tracking their physical activity and wellness efforts to earn spirit points. It was inspiring to see our school community stay active, healthy, and engaged throughout the month.
RLS also kicked off Give Big with an exciting Olympics Rally, building energy and school spirit across campus. It culminated with a “Little Run Big” event, bringing our community together in support of a great cause.
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On March 23 and April 27, SHHS’s Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) held its fifth and sixth sessions with PLC Consultant Dr. Brandon Eighmy. As the newest site in the district’s PLC work, SHHS continues to make strong progress. Recent sessions also included collaboration with the World Language and CTE departments, supporting the school’s continued growth toward becoming a model PLC.
On March 20, SHHS students and staff partnered with the Give Big committee to host a pre-play event at Davies Winery. Culinary, Choir, Horticulture, and Drama students showcased their talents through catering, performances, and student-created projects. Thank you to Monique and Hugh Davies for hosting, and to the dedicated staff who helped make this special event possible.
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As April comes to a close, Saints spring sports are heading into the most competitive stretch of the season with league races, championship meets, and postseason spots on the line.
On the softball field, the Saints were part of an instant classic against undefeated Cloverdale. In a back-and-forth battle featuring lead changes, late-inning power, and clutch hitting, the game was tied 7–7 after seven innings. In extra innings, strong pitching from Ada Blanton and key defensive plays kept the Saints in position before Malia Lund delivered a walk-off single in the 10th to secure a thrilling victory. Standout contributions also came from Leyla Blanton, Maycee Farrell, Lillian Grimes, Jordan Hamilton, and a strong defensive effort led by Ellie Carmichael.
Baseball continued its strong season with two dominant wins over Lower Lake. Offensive leaders included Charlie Blaum, Adam Herdell, Julian Earls, and Huck Anderson, each recording multiple hits, while Kai Blasingame delivered a complete game with 8 strikeouts. The Saints remain in a tight league race with Clear Lake as the season enters its final stretch.
Track & Field saw impressive performances despite challenging conditions, with over 16 personal records set at the home meet. Standouts included Sylvie Cooperman in the long jump and Charlie Watson in the pole vault, along with strong weekend performances from Corinna Schlatter (3200m) and Breanna Pham (100m hurdles). The team will also honor senior James Feeney at Senior Day this week.
As the season winds down, golf, tennis, and swim head into their CMC championship events, closing out their seasons in competitive postseason play.
With league titles and championship opportunities still in reach, Saints athletics continue to showcase determination, growth, and strong team performances across all spring sports. Go Saints!
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RLS student-athletes delivered standout performances this week in both track and wrestling.
On the track, the 8th grade girls 4x400 relay team, Cora Suhr, Delia Bennett, Ryan Eakle, and Miranda Olivera, made history by breaking a school record that had stood since 1988 at the Windsor meet on March 25. This remarkable achievement highlights their hard work, speed, and teamwork.
In wrestling, the RLS girls team competed at the Girls Middle School State Championships and represented the Saints with pride. Genesis Terata earned a 6th place finish, Parker Pike placed 5th, and Persie Pike led the way with an impressive 3rd place finish.
Congratulations to all of our RLS athletes for their dedication and success.
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Our Wellness Centers and dedicated Wellness Coaches continue to play a vital role in supporting students’ mental health and overall well-being. Recently, student leaders from St. Helena High School and neighboring schools shared their voices in a podcast conversation focused on the importance of accessible mental health resources for youth.
The discussion highlighted the experiences of first-generation students, including the pride and pressure that often come with being the first in their families to pursue higher education. Students also spoke about the unique challenges of growing up in small, close-knit communities, where access to resources can be limited.
Most importantly, the conversation reinforced the strong connection between mental health and academic success. With the support of our Wellness Coaches, students are able to access guidance, build coping skills, and feel more prepared to show up and thrive in school each day.
Through continued investment in our Wellness Center, we are committed to ensuring all students have access to the support systems they need to succeed, both in and out of the classroom.
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A heartfelt thank you to UpValley Family Centers, and to Susana Garcia-Sanchez and Jasmine Casillas, Student & Family Case Managers, for leading and supporting the recent Triple P parenting workshops for our families.
Their dedication to providing meaningful, responsive resources and creating a welcoming space for parents to learn and connect has made a lasting impact on our community. We are grateful for their partnership and commitment to supporting our students and families.
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Special Education Parent Support Group – IEP Study Hall Part Two
May 4 | 5:30 – 6:30 PM
SHPS Cafeteria
Lucky Diaz Community Concert
May 6 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Lyman Park, St. Helena
SHUSD Spring Choir Concert
May 7 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
St. Helena Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Parent Night – QPR Training
May 11 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM
St. Helena High School Cafeteria
SHES Open House
May 13 | 6:00 – 7:00 PM
St. Helena Elementary School
SHUSD Spring Band Concert
May 20 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
St. Helena Performing Arts Center
FFA Spring Awards Banquet
May 27 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM
St. Helena Performing Arts Center
SHHS Senior Awards Night
May 28 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM
St. Helena Performing Arts Center
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As a reminder, all students in California, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, have the right to attend school free from discrimination, bullying, harassment, or intimidation.
Recent California laws (AB 49 and SB 98) strengthen protections for immigrant families and ensure that schools remain safe and welcoming for every student.
For more information, please review the flyer below or scan the QR code to read the California Attorney General’s guidance. You can also visit the District website for questions or concerns regarding immigration policies.
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As the Community Liaison Director, I’m here to support families with resources, connections, and questions about the district. Please feel free to reach out anytime.
Selene Robledo
Community Liaison Director
C: 707-227-0874 | P: 707-967-2708, Ext. 5011
srobledo@sthelenaunified.org
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