Welcome to the first newsletter from the PTSA for 2025-26. It is the source that will keep you updated on the activities and events relevant for the DVHS community. This includes not only PTSA events, but also those from others - such as the Booster Groups, DVHS departments, SRV Educational Foundation and SRV School District. Please get your friends and neighbors to sign up for this newsletter - and spread the word!

PTSA Association Meeting - Tuesday, Sep 16, 2025

Our first PTSA Association meeting will be on Tuesday September 16, 2025. 

Time: 7 - 8:30 pm PST      Location: DVHS Library.(Entry via one of the central doors to the Quad)

Who can attend: PTSA members and any one who is part of the DV Community and wants to know more about the PTSA.

Guest Speaker: DVHS Principal Ms Lauren Falkner

Join the DVHS PTSA – Support, Connect, and Make a Difference!

Help make Dougherty Valley High School the best it can be — become a PTSA member today!

Whether you're a parent, student, or teacher, your membership helps strengthen our school community and supports the programs that enrich the DVHS experience. No volunteering or meeting attendance required (unless you want to!) — just your membership makes a powerful impact.

Why Join DVHS PTSA?

Your membership supports a wide range of programs, including:

 ✅ Weekly SCHOOL Newsletter for timely campus updates

✅ Staff/Department/Principal presentations for school insights

✅ Family engagement events: College counseling, Math Night, expert panels & more

✅ Health & Wellness initiatives in partnership with student leadership

✅ Inclusion & Diversity efforts — including "No Place for Hate" & anti-bullying programs

✅ Legislative Advocacy for students & families through California PTA

✅ Reflections Arts Program – a platform for student creativity

✅ Senior Scholarships — up to $5,000 awarded to graduating seniors

✅ Teacher Grants — $2,000–$6,000 awarded annually for innovative classroom projects

✅ Thoughtful Giving to our Sister School in Oakland

✅ Support for Special Needs/Exceptional Education students

For more information, please visit the Dougherty Valley High School - Membership (srvusd.net)

🎁 Membership Perks!

PTSA members enjoy exclusive discounts like:

🎮 Dave & Buster’s

🥬 20% off Farm Fresh to You

🚗 Uber Teens ride discounts

🛥️ Special DVHS PTSA perks: Introductory rate to Yacht Night for Senior Student Members even after the prices go up!

…and more! 📝 DVHS PTSA is a 501(c)(3) organization — donations and memberships may be tax deductible and eligible for corporate matching.

Join us today and be part of something impactful!

👉 Join DVHS PTSA Now!

🛥️ DVHS SENIOR YACHT NIGHT 2026 – SIGN UP NOW! 🎉

Let’s cruise into graduation in style, Class of 2026!

DVHS Seniors – your final celebration is here, and it’s BIG. Join us for an unforgettable night aboard a luxury yacht with your friends, food, fun, and incredible San Francisco views. SRVUSD seniors are welcome as guests!

📅 Event Info:

• Date: 3rd week of May 2026 (Final date TBD)
• Time: 4:30 PM – 11:30 PM (4-hour cruise)
• Location: Departing from DVHS (round-trip coach transportation provided)
• Dress Code: Semi-formal / Nautical Chic / Party Attire (no high heels allowed)

🎟️ Ticket Pricing (All-Inclusive):

• DVHS Seniors: $210
• Guest Tickets: $225

Prices increase after September 15th 2025. Sign up early to lock in the current rate!

Special PTSA Perks: Students who purchase PTSA Student membership before September 15th will be able to purchase the tickets at the same introductory rate of $210.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET HERE!

💫 What’s Included: All-inclusive rate

• Round-trip luxury bus transportation
• Full-service casino games (Blackjack, Poker, Roulette & more!)
• DJ + Dance Floor with bay views
• Catered dinner, drinks, and desserts
• Unlimited photobooth + professional digital photos
• Karaoke & rooftop sunset views

✅ Important Dates:

• Sign-Up Deadline: November 30, 2025
• Full Refund Deadline: November 15, 2025

After that, tickets may be transferred to another eligible senior with notice.

⚠️ This Event Depends on YOU!

Yacht Night will only happen if enough students sign up by the deadline. If not, the event will be cancelled and refunds will be issued. Rally your friends and make it official — don’t miss your chance to be part of this epic night!

📲 SIGN UP NOW AT THIS LINK!

Make memories. Celebrate your class. End senior year with a night you’ll never forget.

Let’s make DVHS Yacht Night 2026 legendary.

— DVHS Graduation Events Committee

Back To School Night

Back-to-School Night will be in person on Wednesday, August 27th. There will be a presentation beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Main Gym, and classes will start at 6:00 p.m.

Schedule Change Requests

The last day for students to submit a schedule change request is Wednesday, Sept 3rd. After this date, the only changes made will be for students wishing to drop a class or make a level change, space permitting. Any change after this date will also result in a record appearing on the transcript. For all schedule change requests, please fill out the change request form linked on the DVHS counseling page.

DVHS Registration/Donations

We would like to thank everyone for their donations to our school and affiliate parent organizations. We rely heavily on your donations to keep our programs running and provide wonderful opportunities for our students. Don’t worry, there is still time to donate! 

Please use the following links:

• Please use our FutureFund Donation Site for all donations. Donations include PTSA, EdFund, Music Boosters, Athletic teams, and more.
• Please use our WebStore Site for all purchases. Purchases include the ASB package, yearbook, parking permits, and more. You will need to create an account and add your student ID# under my family.



These links may also be accessed from the home page of the DVHS website – see the ”Registration” tile at the upper right of the home page. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!

DVHS Music Boosters Pancake Breakfast

Let’s celebrate the return to school with music and food!

When: Saturday, September 6, from 8:30 to 11:00 AM

Where: DVHS Quad

Tickets:

• Adults: $15 (includes 1 raffle ticket)
• Middle & High School Students: $10
• Elementary Students: $5
• Preschoolers & Under: Free

Tickets are included in the Diamond Level Music Booster Membership.

To upgrade your membership, please contact us at dvhsmusicboosters@gmail.com. Tickets are available on our Future Fund.

All proceeds benefit DVHS music programs.

DVHS Orchestra, Band, and Choir will perform throughout the morning while our volunteers serve plates of hot pancakes. Click here to volunteer and donate!

Athletic Boosters

Welcome Back, Wildcat Family!

Dear Dougherty Valley High School Community,

Welcome back to what promises to be an incredible school year! As we gear up for another exciting season of Wildcat athletics, I'm thrilled to connect with you as the president of the DVHS Athletic Boosters.

Who We Are & What We Do

The Athletic Boosters are the heartbeat of support behind every touchdown, every basket, every finish line crossed, and every personal best achieved by our amazing student-athletes. We're a dedicated group of parents, alumni, and community members who believe that sports build character, create lifelong friendships, and teach invaluable life lessons.

Here's how we champion our Wildcats:

🏆 Equipment & Facilities: We help fund new equipment and facility improvements that keep our athletes safe and competitive.

🎉 Coach Support: Over $10K a year supporting coaches' grants to progress sport programs

💪 Trainer Support: Only High school in the district to have a full-time trainer that is paid for by Boosters.

🎓 Academic Excellence: We celebrate our scholar-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom through special scholarship programs.

Why Your Involvement Matters

Every dollar raised, every volunteer hour contributed, and every cheer from the stands directly impacts our student-athletes' experience. When you support the Athletic Boosters, you're not just supporting a team – you're supporting young people who are learning teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and the joy that comes from pursuing excellence.

Join Our Winning Team!

There are so many ways to get involved, regardless of your schedule or availability:

Become a Member: HERE Every contribution makes a difference.   

Volunteer: We have opportunities that fit every schedule, from board seats to committees, some that can be done completely remotely.

Attend Events: Come cheer on our Wildcats! Your presence in the stands means the world to our athletes.

Spread the Word: Help us connect with other families and community members who share our passion for supporting student-athletes.

Corporate Partnerships: If you own a business or work for a company that supports community initiatives, we'd love to explore partnership opportunities.

Ready to Get Started?

Visit our website or email us at dvhighab@gmail.com to learn more about membership, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events. Follow us on social media @DVHighAthleticBoosters for the latest updates and to celebrate our athletes' achievements.

Together, we can ensure that every Wildcat athlete has the support, resources, and encouragement they need to reach their full potential – both in athletics and in life.

Here's to an amazing year of Wildcat pride!

Go Wildcats! 🐾

Art Mimnaugh and Board

ATHLETIC BOOSTER MEMBERSHIP CARDS:

Thank you to all who purchased your Athletic Booster Membership. We will have our one and only pick up next week at Back to School Night on Wednesday. There will be a table in the quad for you to pick up your membership cards and lanyards.

If you haven’t had a chance to, you can still buy your membership and/or make a donation, please click here. 

Have a business or know a business owner? We need YOUR help. We need the partnership and support of the greater San Ramon and nearby business community by way of your sponsorship in order to continue our athletic success. Please click for sponsorship opportunities. 

Next Athletic Booster meeting

Our next meeting will be Monday, September 8, 2025 @ 5:30-7:00 p.m in DVHS Library.

We are Social:

Please follow us on Facebook

Instgram @dvhsathleticboosters

Twitter @DV_AthBoosters

Questions? Email us at  dvhighab@gmail.com

Athletics Updates

Due to unsportsmanlike incidents last year, the North Coast Section (NCS) has placed all Dougherty Valley High School (DVHS) athletic programs on probation through the 2025-26 school year. Any future incidents could result in serious consequences, such as the loss of privileges to host postseason play or team suspensions. We must come together as a community—students, parents, coaches, and fans—to create a positive environment by showing respect and integrity both on and off the field. Our shared responsibility is to uphold our school's values and ensure our athletic programs continue to build character and pride.

The English Language Advisory Council (ELAC) will hold its first meeting before Back to School Night at 5:00pm on Wednesday 8/27 in the Library.  Please join and learn about how Dougherty Valley High School supports English Language Learners.  If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Shackelford:  jshackelford1@srvusd.net.

Run for Education

Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 8AM - 12PM  Come for the Run, Stay for the Fun!

Join the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation’s 42nd Run for Education on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Walk or run with friends, family, neighbors, teammates, and colleagues in support of our schools. Enjoy the kids’ zone, inflatable games, face painter, exhibitor booths, and more!

Run for Education is a community tradition in the San Ramon Valley spanning more than 40 years. By participating, you are helping fund STEAM grants and innovative programs across our 35 San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) public schools representing the communities of Alamo, Danville, and San Ramon.

For more information, visit: srvef.org/the-run

Register Here Volunteer Here

National PTA Reflections Theme 2025 - 2026

 "I Belong!" 

Wildcats, this is your chance to express “I Belong” through art, dance, film, literature, music, or photography — whatever speaks to your soul. 

✨The review panel will be looking for creative interpretation, originality, and the uniqueness of your vision. So think outside the box, dream big, and bring your imaginative ideas to life!

🗓️ Stay tuned for important details - submission dates and the registration form!

📢 For updates, keep an eye on the DVHS Newsletter ,email and follow us on social media!

DVHS Library

THANK YOU TO ALL THE FAMILIES WHO DONATED TO THE LIBRARY DURING REGISTRATION!

How can you help support the DVHS library? There are a few ways! 

1. We have an Amazon Wish List that we update frequently. Everything from bookmarks to games, school supplies, and, of course, books! Items get sent directly to us.  
2. Make a donation via the Future Fund 100% of the donation comes directly to the library. 
3. Do you have any gently used AP/SAT/ACT/College prep books that are no longer needed? We’d love any issues from 2022 onward! You can drop them off in the front office or send them with your student.  

Lastly, we would like to offer our sincerest thanks to families who donated to the DVHS Library during registration. Your donations will be used this year, for your student(s). Without donations, we could not thrive to the capacity that we do! If you did not get a chance to make a donation or want to donate again, it’s not too late! Please visit the FutureFund website to donate.

Please reach out with any questions! We are here to serve the fabulous patrons of the amazing DVHS community! 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Knapp Ms. Hussenet Annalisa Raphael 

kknapp@srvusd.net ahussenet@srvusd.net araphael@srvusd.net 

Teacher Librarian Teacher Librarian Library Media Coordinator

Attendance Updates

This September, our school is joining the nationwide effort to celebrate Attendance Awareness Month. We believe every school day counts, and consistent attendance is key to your child's success, both academically and social-emotionally.

We're proud to share that our overall attendance rate has improved to 95.79%! This is a great achievement, but we're not done yet. Our pre-COVID attendance rate was 96.36%, and with your help, we're confident we can exceed that goal this year. Let's work together to make this the best school year yet!

To report an absence:

Call 925-479-6400

Press 1, then press:

A-GUO         GUP-KUO         KUR-RAV              RAW-Z

Heidi Bindi       TBD          Laurie Bowen     Tharsne Supramaniam

Press 1           Press 2           Press 3               Press 4

We kindly remind parents and guardians of the following important procedures:

1. Early Pick-Up: If your student needs to be picked up early from school, please notify the attendance office in advance. This will help us ensure that your student's departure is handled efficiently and does not disrupt classroom instruction.

2. Absence Corrections: Should you notice that your student has been mistakenly marked absent, please ask your student to communicate with their teacher to complete an absence correction form. This will help us keep accurate records and ensure that your student’s attendance is properly documented.

3. To request a short term pre-determined absence Independent Study Contract, a parent/guardian must submit a completed form to the Attendance Office. We kindly ask that these are requested at least a week in advance of the planned absence(s). Click here for an Independent Study Request Form.

Again, thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to your students' education. If you have any questions or need further assistance regarding attendance, please do not hesitate to visit our Attendance page or contact our Attendance Office.

SRVUSD Technology Updates

This school year, aligned with our lost/damaged textbook policy, students/families will be held financially responsible for the repair/replacement cost for physical damage to a device, or the loss of a device, whether accidental or purposeful. Families are not responsible for normal wear and tear of devices. For any families who encounter a situation where their student’s device has been physically damaged or lost, and who are concerned about this being a financial burden, they should speak directly with their school. We encourage you to review this Technology One-Pager for more information and links to additional resources.

Traffic & Safety Information Updates

Drop-off/Pick-up  

It is important that everyone uses caution on the streets and in our parking lot. DVHS will have just over 3,000 individuals coming to campus at the start of each day. By law, fire lanes MUST BE CLEAR AT ALL TIMES and cannot be used for pick-up or drop-off; This is considered a civil code violation. Please plan for morning drop-off delays; the best time to arrive without any delays is between 8:05 and 8:15 am. Click here to see more information regarding traffic and student safety information. 

Students driving to school will need to purchase a parking permit through the Webstore. It is important to allow extra time in the morning so students can make it to class on time.

*There will be heavy traffic every morning; please allow extra time to get to school.

Please be sure to lock up your bike or scooter when you arrive on campus. We've noticed an increase in bikes and scooters being taken or found in different areas around the school. Locking up your belongings is the best way to ensure they stay safe. If you see anything suspicious, please report it to a staff member right away. Let’s work together to keep our campus secure! Please note that DVHS is not responsible for lost or stolen bikes or scooters.

Unauthorized Bike & Scooter Parking on Campus

We have observed an increasing number of students parking their bikes and scooters in unauthorized areas, including stairwells, doorways, and railings. This creates serious safety hazards and cannot continue.

Effective Monday, September 16, bikes and scooters must be parked in one of the two designated areas:

1. Between the 4000 Building and the CTE Building, along the back road.

2. Between the Main Gym and the Auxiliary Gym.

Parking bikes or scooters on hand railings, pillars, or in front of doors is strictly prohibited. This practice obstructs emergency exits, creating a violation that can be flagged by fire inspectors and compromises the safety of our entire school community.

Failure to do so will result in the removal of the bike and a conversation with an administrator.

Please note that DVHS is not responsible for lost or stolen bikes or scooters. Your cooperation is critical in maintaining a safe and accessible environment for everyone.

Destination Imagination® (DI) General Info Session

Open to All SRVUSD Students (TK-12). 

Two Dates Available!

Gale Ranch MS, MPR - August 28, 2025 @7pm (TK-12) 

Dougherty Valley HS, Commons - September 10, 2025 @7pm (TK-12)

Destination Imagination® (DI) is an outside-of-school, project-based educational program that inspires and equips students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. Teams in our program improve in creative thinking, critical thinking and collaborative problem solving. Our participants experience the creative process, develop new friendships and learn to work together.

All SRVUSD Students are invited to attend. Please join us for this Info Session to learn more on how to get started for the 2025-2026 season. Bring your student as teams may be formed during the meeting.

Questions? Contact bob@californiacreativity.org

Learn More: BEST OF THE BAY REGION

Double Your Gift With Corporate Matching

Did you know that your donations to the DVHS PTSA are eligible for corporate matching programs? You can help the PTSA earn more money to support our students and school community simply by taking advantage of your employer’s donation matching program. Go to our page on the Benevity portal for more info: https://causes.benevity.org/content/dougherty-valley-high-school-ptsa.

PTSA Membership Fees For 2025-26:

Parent and Student Membership $18

Teacher Membership $8

Scan and pay here

Parents of recent Graduates: You're welcome to stay on the high school list, but if you'd prefer to stop receiving newsletters and school updates, click on the Update Profile link in the council newsletter and uncheck any lists you no longer want to hear from. We encourage you to subscribe to an Alumni Parent list or follow the DVHS PTSA on Social Media.