

SLVUSD Charter News
Vol 1.9 - Week of Nov 27, 2023
From the Principal
Here's hoping everyone had a restful and happy Thanksgiving Break! Only 4 more weeks till Winter Break!
A few important reminders:
Hot lunch orders
Those families who order hot lunch for students, please remember to order in time when we have long weekends and holidays so your students aren't disappointed when they have to pick from the cold options (all healthy and good, but still...). Orders need to be in by 9am on the last school day prior. Info is lower down in the newsletter and here:
- SLV Student Nutrition Services. Please click here for more information
And note that the new month is coming up - Dec 1st is Friday! So go ahead and check out the new lunch menu for December and place your lunch orders for the month. Anyone who orders lunch for Fri, Dec 1 (Craft Faire Day) will be getting it as a sack lunch as we will also have food for sale before noon and after 12:15pm. (Please note that there is no school on Fri, Dec 22.). And don't forget to do the same for when students come back on Tues, January 9. (I'll remind you when we get to the end of the semester.)
NWEA/Map testing (Math and Reading)
Thank you to all those who attended the Zoom parent info meeting on 11/17! We got really good input about our upcoming benchmark assessment pilot.
Outcomes from the meeting:
- We are only testing our 3rd through 11th graders - no 2nd or 12th graders included;
- We are looking for 100% participation in order to have a legitimate pilot program that we can evaluate, but parents are entitled to opt their student out of testing;
- In the future we will be figuring out how to send this assessment home for our homeschoolers so that we don't use up valuable enrichment time. For the pilot we do need to conduct the testing at school;
- The Reading and the Math test each take approximately 1 hour to complete - we are allocating 90 minutes for this first round. And anyone who doesn't finish will get make up time;
- Parents will get a report indicating specific Math and Reading standards areas needing support and/or where they are excelling. Over time, these reports will also track growth and progress as compared with similar aged/grade students across the country;
- Students test using a custom secure browser on their chromebook (just as they do for state testing in the spring) so there's no risk of data breach/private parties selling their emails or other identifying info. (The district also has safeguards for this, but it's an extra layer of security.)
Student Council officers elected:
Congratulations to the following officers who will be representing their programs and class on the Student Council this year!
Heartwood TK-1: River Curry and Kenna Monoogian
QHHS Creeks: Jane Whipple, Adhara Culligan, Winnie DeGreen and Sebastian Lutter
QHHS Quails: Olivia Krotkov and Bridgid Hultin
QHIA: Zasha Sterling
Nature Academy: Ben Amendolagine and Iris Tunis
Coast Redwood Middle: Represented by Katie Matessa and Megan Kasteen
Attendance reminder from Janet:
Please remember to call your student absent every day that they will not be at school and why they are absent. The attendance line is 831-336-8527. Thank you!
Visitor reminder from Danelle:
ALL visitors to campus (even our wonderful long-term parent volunteers) need to sign in at the office and get a guest sticker before moving about campus. Thank you for helping us keep our campus safe!
Holiday Food Drives
Please remember our less fortunate this winter - the CRHS students are collecting cans and other non-perishable food items at the moment for Valley Churches United, and starting Dec 4 the TK-8 programs will begin collecting for the Second Harvest Food Bank. We would so appreciate your donations!
Here's to a great week ahead!
Kerry
News and Announcements
Thank you to parent helpers for Room 15 (Kitchen/Science Lab)
Thank you so much to Chad (Iris's dad); Bill (Torren's dad); Megan (Calla's mom); Colby (Kamari's dad) and O'Keefe (Xaylen's dad) for your hard work and sacrifice of family time!
We are also grateful to our district Facilities/Maintenance department and our teachers for their help and valued support for this project!
(Our electrical renovation project is part of the Bond master plan; this temporary fix will get us through until that can happen!)
School-wide Spellling Bee championship assemblies - Thurs, 11/30
A reminder to families whose students are candidates for our Elementary or Junior division Spelling Bee School Championship that our Spelling Bee contest assemblies are on Thursday, 11/30!
Elementary division: 10am (MPR)
Junior division: 12:30pm (MPR)
You are welcome to attend to cheer on your student. (We regret that seating is limited to families of participants.)
Winter Craft Faire - Fri, 12/1
Come and shop for the holidays at our annual Winter Craft Faire! Friday, Dec 1 from 10 - 2pm! Our young artists and entrepreneurs will be selling their craft, designs, jewelry, art work and all kinds of other magical things! (NOT a drop-off event, thank you for supporting!)
If your child has a table, please note that they must be accompanied throughout the day by a parent. Set up begins at 9:30am, and tables will be provided, as well as a vehicle-accessible drop off zone (brief) for materials. After dropping off, please park on Marion or in the neighboring roads.
Nature Academy will release at 12:05 (Minimum Day schedule). Parents please note that there are NO BUSES running to the tricampus on this day, and all NA students must be picked up from school or get a ride home.
Looking ahead - save the date!
Month of November: Native American Heritage Month
Mon, Nov 27 - SLVUSD All-Charter Band rehearsal - 5pm in the Multi Purpose Room
Tues, Nov 28 - QHIA and NA 6th Map Assessment (Reading)
- Ga-ga Ball pit reserved for elementary programs every Tuesday lunch time
- Charter Play Rehearsals: 2:45 - 5:15pm in the MPR
Wed, Nov 29 -- NA 6, 7, 8 and QHIA Map Assessment (Math); CRMS (Reading)
- Astrophotography Club - 2:15 in the Library
- Charter Play Rehearsals: 2:45 - 5:15pm in the MPR
Thurs, Nov 30 - Student Council - 8:15 - 8:45am - Library
- Elementary division Spelling Bee assembly - 10:00am - MPR
- Junior division Spelling Bee assembly - 12:30pm - MPR
- Dungeons & Dragons Club meeting - Alex's room - 2-4pm
-- Charter Play Rehearsals: 2:45 - 5:15pm in the MPR
Fri, Dec 1 - Craft Faire Day! 10am - 2pm
- Minimum day for NA (dismissal 12:05pm) - NO BUSES home today
Mon, Dec 4 - Holiday Food Drive begins (Second Harvest Food Bank)
- SLVUSD All-Charter Band rehearsal - 5pm in the Multi Purpose Room
Tues, Dec 5 - All-Charter Play rehearsals:
- Charter Play Rehearsals: 2:45 - 5:15pm in the MPR
- Ga-ga Ball pit reserved for elementary programs every Tuesday lunch time
Wed, Dec 6 - - Astrophotography Club - 2:15 in the Library
- Charter Play Rehearsals: 2:45 - 5:15pm in the MPR
Thurs, Dec 7 - Student Council - 8:15 - 8:45am - Library
- Pinewood Derby Day for Homeschool programs!
- Dungeons & Dragons Club meeting - Alex's room - 2-4pm
-- Charter Play Rehearsals: 2:45 - 5:15pm in the MPR
Coming up:
Week of Dec 11: QHHS (Reading/Math), CRHS (Reading/Math), CRMS (Math) and 7th/8th grade NA (Reading) - Map testing
Dec 12 - 9:15am Parent Advisory Council (postponed from 11/28/23)
Dec 19, 20 and 21 - Minimum Days for NA (12:05 dismissal); Buses running
Fri, Dec 22 - NO SCHOOL (start of Winter Break)
Mon, Jan 8 - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
Tues, Jan 9 - NA and CRHS students return from Winter Break
Mon, Jan 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
Wed, Jan 24 - Homeschool program enrichment classes begin again
Nature Academy parents, don't forget to check the Nature Academy Google Calendar to be sure which bell schedule we're on! (You can also click here if you are not a Google Calendar subscriber)
- A1 Mondays are 3pm dismissal at the tricampus;
- A2 Mondays are 2:05pm dismissal at Nature Academy;
- O days are Tues/Thurs, dismissal 2:05pm;
- E days are Wed/Fri, dismissal 2:20pm (Wed) and 2:05 (Fri);
- Minimum Days dismiss at 12:05;
- Short Mondays dismiss at 1:19pm
- Excursion Days (dates not all finalized) - times are individual to the excursion
Student Council Update from Teacher Alex
SLVUSD Charter School will be participating in this year's Second Harvest Food Bank Holiday Food Drive. Please start sending your canned food and other non-perishable food items starting Monday, Dec 4! Our Student Council will be working on an incentive system to encourage more donations!
Student Council meets every Thursday in the Library from 8:15 - 8:45am. Any student is welcome!
Ongoing information from previous Charter News
Community opportunities
Did you know that our district maintains a "Community Opportunities" website? This is for parents / students to receive information about current local events and opportunities for adults and/or children.
Note: The San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District does not sponsor or endorse any of the organizations or events that are located here. They are non-school sponsored events and are not being promoted by the school district. All postings are provided as a courtesy to the parents/students.
Homework Help at the Public Library
Bring your assignments to one of the FREE drop-in Homework Help sessions at one of the following public libraries.
Tuesdays from 3:00p to 5:00p.
Downtown, 224 Church St., Santa Cruz
Felton, 6121 Gushee St.
Capitola, 2005 Wharf Rd.
La Selva Beach, 316 Estrella Ave.
Open to all students up to grade 12.
Call 831.427.7713 for more information.
Guide to Resources for Families in SLV
Here's a handy one-pager listing various organizations and resources for families in the San Lorenzo Valley.
If youโre interested in following our Instagram account, showcasing news and events from SLVUSD Charter School, here is the info:
โI'm on Instagram as slvcharterschool. Install the app to follow my photos and videos, or click this link: https://instagram.com/slvcharterschool?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==
(Please know that we will be very careful not to post pictures of students on the "Do not Photograph" list.)
And if you haven't started following the District Instagram accoount, look for "slvusd" and click "Follow!"
Attendance matters!
Attendance Matters!
We hope to see a positive improvement in our attendance rates this year, and encourage our families to support your student in participating consistently, whether it be in a homeschool program where work completion = attendance, or in our classroom-based 5 day a week Nature Academy. Students who are absent 10% or more in a school year are typically "less proficient in reading, writing and math than their peers with good attendance" (Source: CA Dept of Ed.) Thank you for being our partners in supporting good attendance.
Volunteer information
New! Volunteer application hours - PLEASE NOTE: The Charter Office and SLVUSD Human Resources Office hours will process volunteer registrations on Tuesdays from 7:00-11:00 am and Thursdays from 12:30-3:30 pm. The Human Resources Office is located at 325 Marion Avenue, Ben Lomond, CA 95005.
All Charter parents are encouraged to register with the District as a volunteer and a field trip driver. (All parents are asked to drive on excursions...)
Please click here to access the required volunteer paperwork. Hard copy paperwork is also available at the Charter Office.
To use your personal vehicle to transport your own or other students, we will need updated driver information on file as well - please click here for the form.
ร New Volunteer: You will be required to fill out the volunteer paperwork and obtain a signature from the principal. Once complete, please bring your signed paperwork to the Human Resources Office. You will be required to provide a current TB result. Also, all new volunteers will be required to be fingerprinted.
ร Returning Volunteer: You will be required to provide current TB results. This documentation can be provided to the Charter office. The school site will forward current TB results to the Human Resources Office. You may also bring current TB results directly to the Human Resources Office.
Transportation
If your child takes the bus to or from school, please remember you will need to purchase a bus pass. Please click here to access the Transportation web page with all the information you will need.
ALL Nature Academy students have to be registered to take bus transportation on A1 days to the tricampus. (No need to pay.). Our office has taken care of this registration paperwork.
Students at Coast Redwood High who need afternoon transportation to the tricampus for concurrent enrollment classes can take the TK bus that leaves the District Office at noon each day. They will not need to pay for a bus pass. However they still need to register with Transportation. Rides will be denied if students are not registered.)
The Charter Office staff ask families to call in before 1:50pm if they have a message for their student about changing that day's bus transportation arrangement.
Athletics information (middle school)
Middle School athletes, remember that eligibility rules require you to carry at least a 2.0 GPA (C average) to remain eligible to complete in the middle school athletics practices and competitions.
Parents, please read this updated Spectator Code of Conduct from SLVMS Principal Shanna Urbancic.
Click here for the updated newsletter from middle school Athletic Director Lupita Alaniz
(Parents, Lupita still has Cross country photos for your students. They will need to return their jerseys in order to get the photos. Also, if any athlete has a jersey from last season they can't get another jersey until they return the last one.)
Please click here for a link to the Panther Athletics website (SLVMS).
Please click here for a link to the Cougar Athletics website (SLVHS).
Parking lot safety
Student drop off and pick-up:
Please be mindful of safety during drop-off and pick-up. Drive slowly, and stay with your young child when walking to and from your car. Older students should walk (never run), and watch for moving cars when the are in the parking area.
- Parents/guardians of elementary-age students need to park and walk their students to their classroom and sign them in at their classroom.
- Middle school and High school students can walk to their classroom, where the teacher will take attendance, or students will sign in.
- If your student is taking the bus, they will be dropped off in the morning in front of the District Office.
- At pick up time, teachers will supervise all students until they are picked up - either at the bus stop at the top of Marion, or at the parent pick-up spot behind the District Office building.
NOTE: The driveway down to the main campus is not designed for walkers and cars at the same time. Buses need to take wide turns to exit the transportation lot. Please use the stairs when going up and down from Marion Avenue to the central campus area.
Parking:
- Parents of elementary and middle school students can park in front of the District Office Building.
- CRHS students who are driving to classes can park in the front parking lot and walk up the stairs to the CRHS building.
Bikes:
- Any student who is riding their bike to the campus needs to park their bike at the top by the Coast Redwood High School building, along the side of the path, and walk down the steps to the central campus area.
Nutrition services
- All SLVUSD students are eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch through the cafeteria. But lunch must be ordered online.
- Complete the Free/Reduced Lunch Application at https://family.titank12.com/
- Although a meal application is not necessary to receive free meals during the 2023-2024 school year, households are encouraged to complete a meal application to ensure that your school receives accurate funding. As well, your childโs eligibility for free or reduced lunch could qualify you for additional outside services or benefits including Free/Reduced Bus passes, student fee waivers, P-EBT, discounted utilities, and more.
- Meals will be served from our Multi-use Room in the central area of the campus.
- Breakfast will be available in the mornings from 8:15 - 8:45am - no need to place an order
- Lunch times vary per program, but generally happen in the 11:50 - 12:30 window
- CRHS students can order lunch and it will be delivered to the CRHS building.
- Elementary students will have lunch cards (kept by teacher)
- Secondary students will need to key in their student ID on a keypad
- Make sure your online order is in by 9am on the day prior to ensure hot lunch. Some limited cold lunch options will be available for anyone who didn't order in time. Here is a link to the steps for setting up a LINQ account and ordering your child's lunch. (Free to all; no charge!)
- SLV Student Nutrition Services. Please click here for more information
After school childcare
SLVUSD partners with the YMCA to provide before and after-school childcare at Boulder Creek Elementary and San Lorenzo Valley Elementary. For more information, please reach out to the YMCA (831) 338-2128, or visit their website - YMCA CHILDCARE.
Parent/family engagement/involvement and education opportunities
Triple P
Triple P/First Five of Santa Cruz County offer ongoing parenting classes for parents of students of all ages. Please click here to see their workshop offerings.
Triple P also offers 1:1 sessions for parents who are needing intensive 10 week session and add-on sessions for people who are divorcing or separating (Family Transitions), for couples wanting to work on their relationship (Enhanced) and for people wanting to work on their strong emotions, like anger (Pathways). If interested in 1:1 sessions, please contact First 5 of Santa Cruz: https://www.first5scc.org/contact