New principal sought for Sonoma’s Creekside High School

Sydney Smith takes expanded role as district coordinator of student services|
INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT
INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF REPORT

What does Student Services do?

The main objective for Student Services is to maximize the impact of the instructional programs throughout SVUSD by offering specialized services to the students who need them, explained Sydney Smith, who coordinates students services for the Sonoma Valley Unified School district. Student Services supports students, and their families, in the areas of enrollment, attendance, health, discipline, Section 504 Plans and student records/privacy rights. Student Services also provides support to district and school site personnel to assist them in their efforts to be in compliance with legal requirements as they pertain to topics and situations within the scope of student services.

Creekside High School principal Sydney Smith has taken a new role as full-time coordinator of student services for the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. Smith had been serving part-time in the position for the past school year while also serving as principal of Creekside High School.

“To better meet the needs of students, the role of coordinator, Student Services has been increased to a full-time position,” said district Human Resources Director Jonathan Ferrer.

Smith will now report to Elizabeth Kaufman, the district’s new associate superintendent of instructional services.

Smith has been with the district since 2007 in a variety of roles; a teacher at Sonoma Valley High School and as principal of Altimira Middle School.

“Smith has a proven track record of successfully serving students in the district,” said Ferrer, who credited her with strengthening the district’s working relationship with Sonoma Valley Youth and Family Services, improving the district’s attendance review board process, and introducing positive behavior supports to restructure discipline systems.

Creekside celebrated the largest graduating class in the school’s history in 2018, and Smith worked with school principals to reduce suspensions and expulsions in grades 6 through 12.

In 2016, Creekside was granted full accreditation status, a process Smith helped shepherd through for the alternative high school. That same year, Creekside students participated in the district’s first-ever one-to-one tablet program.

Smith said that she will miss the students and staff at Creekside.

“They hold a special place in my heart, but I’m confident that a qualified candidate will be selected and that Creekside High School will continue on the path of continuous improvement towards excellence,” she said.

The open Creekside principal position has been posted both internally and externally. The position is half-time. The new role is a combined position of 50 percent Creekside principal, 50 percent teacher on special assignment responsible for writing center coordination.

Smith will serve as Creekside’s interim principal until the position is filled, according to Ferrer.

What does Student Services do?

The main objective for Student Services is to maximize the impact of the instructional programs throughout SVUSD by offering specialized services to the students who need them, explained Sydney Smith, who coordinates students services for the Sonoma Valley Unified School district. Student Services supports students, and their families, in the areas of enrollment, attendance, health, discipline, Section 504 Plans and student records/privacy rights. Student Services also provides support to district and school site personnel to assist them in their efforts to be in compliance with legal requirements as they pertain to topics and situations within the scope of student services.

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