Hello Charter families!

Our biweekly newsletter is way late this time - sorry about that! But it's still chock-full of important information and upcoming event dates, so read on! May is upon us and there are now only 25 school days left of the 23-24 school year!

Congratulations to 10th grader Paloma Herranen, who submitted the winning logo design for the Coast Redwood High School T-shirt design competition - way to go, Paloma!

CAASPP testing has begun! Thank you for supporting your student to stay healthy and rested as they take part in this annual assessment. The scores don't count agains their grades, of course, but we do want students to take the testing seriously, as the scores reflect on our school and have an impact on our overall school improvement initiatives. Please click here for the testing schedule.

The last class of our SVMI Parent Math Training series for the year is on Tuesday, May 7 - please note it's a Tuesday this month! If you haven't joined us yet, I hope you will consider it! Tracy is an excellent trainer and feedback from parents has been very positive - you'll learn so many helpful tools and tricks to supporting your student's ongoing Math skill development. Please sign up here if you would like to attend. Here are the times:

TK-1 parents: 9:30 - 10:20 (Room 12)

2 - 5 parents: 10:30 - 11:20 (Room 12)

6 - 8 parents: 11:30 - 12:30 (Room 12)

The Charter School Kitchen Lab is getting an upgrade!

This work is being done through a special collaboration between the District and some amazong parents who are donating their time as professional builders and contractors, with a plan to finish by the end of summer. While the work cannot be done by everyone, we can still use help!

• We will have certain days that we could use extra hands for holding materials or painting so professional and unprofessional help is appreciated.
• We would like to offer lunch and beverages on the weekend days the team is working. (The exact schedule is not finalized.)
• We also will need some various kitchen supplies once we are ready to restock. (End of July or beginning of August)

Please fill out this form and select the areas you are interested in helping below and more specifics and details will come as they are finalized. Thank you for your interest and participation!

Now some news from the Nature Academy Parent Council:

Boulder Creek 1st Friday
Nature Academy is going to be in downtown Boulder Creek on Friday 5/3 from 5:00pm - 8:00pm for Fiesta de Mayo selling tie dye t-shirts and handmade masks the students made earlier in the year.
Please spread the word on social media with #firstfridaybouldercreek, postcard at this link.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15TmB_VmDUBYxV0d-B8X-_s2kxagRLSBe/view?usp=sharing

Laundry Survey
In honor of Earth Day Nature Academy is doing a laundry survey and with the results will be doing an ongoing affiliate program to help raise funds. Please fill out their survey by 5/24 to help them choose which affiliate program will get the most use and as a result raise the most funds. Thanks from the NAPC.
https://forms.gle/uHPfdPpVsNYBnmyd7

Mother's Day See's Candy Sale
Nature Academy has two store fronts for you to choose from for your See's Candy needs this Mother's Day (Sunday, May 12). The first link closes 5/12 and the second is open till the end of 2024. If you don't find the kind of candy you are looking for at either store they both sell $25 See's gift cards. Treat your mother or yourself and help us raise funds at the same time.
Mother's Day store front:
https://www.yumraising.com/secure/natureapc_napc__mothers_day3/RacWoo4962/candy
All Year store front:
https://www.yumraising.com/secure/natureapc_napc__all_year4/RacWoo4962/candy

Resources from Mabel, our fabulous librarian for May's Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - click here.

Please note: No D&D Club this week (May 2) OR next week, May 9.

An unfortunate Charter Band note that our wonderful band director, Nathan Gonzalez, is out on medical leave for the rest of the year, and so sadly our band events have been cancelled (Felton Farmer's Market performance, and our part in the May 22 Art & Music festival.) We thank Nathan so very much for making it possible for us to have an extracurricular band program at Charter this year. I hope to announce some news on the future Music/Band/Art program topic very soon!

Don't forget to ake a look at the busy month of May's upcoming dates and events below, as well as our first day of school for 2024-25 and first day of in-person classes for our homeschool programs!

Here's to a great week!

Kerry

Pick up your prize in the office tomorrow!

ELEMENTARY

1st place: Olivia Krotkov (5th)

"Yum! Donuts!" Dog's humans say. Dog loves donuts! He reaches for the last one. . . "Donut eat me!" she exclaims. "Let's be friends instead!" "Sweet!"

2nd place: Jane Whipple (2nd)

Once upon a time, there were two stars, Shoebob and Selena. Selena stole Shoebob's chocolate cookies. And that was the start of STAR WARS!

3rd place: Seb Lutter (4th)

Johnny bought a dog. He mistreated him, so his dog stole his wallet and bought a new owner that fed and pet him well.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

1st place: Lovina Wildermuth Reyes (6th)

Stagefright

She had never felt so small. She longed to be recognized, but fear was in her way. "Next." She stepped up to the stage.

2nd place: Katie Matessa (6th)

I heard little tiny footsteps making their way up my bed. I knew something wasn't right. One purr and I know I'll be trapped.

3rd place: Norah Kenney (7th)

"Get below decks!" Waves crashed over the ship's rail. The salty air whipped around viciously. The ship wobbled and tossed yet more victims overboard.

HIGH SCHOOL

1st place: Liliana Brodsky (9th)

"She is straight," they tell me after class. My heart, my soul -- it shatters with these three words. But it is oddly a relief.

The 3rd annual SLV Music & Art Festival is an outdoor, community event that features performances by: SLVHS choir and bands, the SLVMS band, and the SLV Community Band! There is an art show and sale (by donation) put on by the SLVHS Art Department! There will be multiple food trucks and also silent and live auctions that support the SLV Music Boosters. Please come and celebrate community while supporting our growing student musicians and artists!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month & Mental Health Awareness Month

Thurs, May 2

- Spirit Dress Up Day: Dress Like a Teacher Day!

- Student Council meets at 8:15am in the Library

- Lego in the Library! 12 - 1:15pm

- Mandatory Charter Talent Show dress rehearsal - 3 - 5:30pm, PAC

- BCE Open House 5pm

Fri, May 3

- Month 11 Attendance due

- Charter Talent Show - 7pm, PAC

Sat, May 4

- County Math Competition - 8:45am at Aptos High

Mon, May 6

- Start of STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK MAY 6 - 10

Tues, May 7

- Day 1 of CRHS Outdoor Adventure

- Parent Math trainings by SVMI from 9:30 - 1pm (Room 12)

- Gaga ball pit reserved for elementary programs every Tuesday

- GleeProv Club meets in the MPR at 2:45pm

Wed, May 8

- Day 2 of CRHS Outdoor Adventure

Thurs, May 9

- Day 3 of CRHS Outdoor Adventure

- Student Council meets in the Library at 8:15am

- Lego in the Library! 12 - 1:15pm

Fri, May 10

- All Charter Field Day 12:30 - 2pm

- Ice Cream Social, courtesy of SLVUSD Booster Club and Marianne's Ice cream - 2 - 3pm

Sat, May 11

- Santa Cruz County Student Author Fair - Del Mar Elementary - 10am - 3pm

Coming up:

May 1 - 30 - CAASPP testing Math and ELA (schedule to be shared by program teacher)

May 17 - All Charter Homeschool Skate Day

May 18 - Goodwill Truck is parked at SLVHS for donations

May 22 - 4 - 8pm - SLV Music and Art Festival at Roaring Camp

May 20 - Last enrichment day, QHIA

May 20 - 24 - NA 7/8 Overnight trip

May 20 - 25 - NA 6 Overnight trip

May 21 - Parent Advisory Council meeting (final) 9:15am - MPR

May 21 - Last enrichment day, QHHS and Heartwood

May 21 - 23 - CRMS campout (May 23 last day of enrichment)

May 22 - Heartwood End of Year Celebration - 9:30am

May 22 - SLV Art and Music Festival - Roaring Camp 4pm

May 23 - Last in-person class CRHS

May 23 - QHHS Promotion Ceremony - 10am

May 27 - No school - Memorial Day observed

May 28 - June 6 - CRHS and Homeschool program conference weeks

May 29 - 9:30am - QHIA 8th grade Advancement - Bear Creek Rec.

May 31 - Month 12 Attendance due

May 31 - 8th grade Dance (joint SLVMS/SLVUSD Charter dance) - details TBA

May 31 - 10am - CRHS Graduation - Fall Creek amphitheater

June 1 and 2 - 9am - Redwood Mountain Fair

June 4 - 10:30am - CRMS 8th Grade Advancement - Natural Bridges Beach

June 6 - Month 13 Attendance due

June 6 - 10:30am - Nature Academy 8th Grade Advancement, QH Field

June 6 - 12:05pm - Last day of school, minimum day dismissal time for all programs

June 7 - 8pm - Senior Grad Night at SLVHS

Aug 8 - First day of School (NA); Homeschool independent study/academics begin

Aug 19 - CRHS in person classes resume

Aug 27 - Homeschool program (Heartwood, QHHS, CRMS, QHIA) in person enrichment classes begin

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

It's Dress Like a Teacher Day on Thursday, May 2!

Don't forget Student Council is collecting Izze cans for a school fundraiser! Please encourage your student to place their empty Izze cans in the bins provided around the campus - if the pull tabs are still on we get more in return!

Student Council meets every Thursday in the Library from 8:15 - 8:45am. Any Charter student is welcome!

Prior to 7th grade entry California law, Health and Safety Code 120325-129375 requires that your 6th grader must receive a Tdap booster vaccine. By law, schools are required to collect vaccines information, monitor immunizations, and enforce vaccine requirements for school.

Additionally, the California Health and Safety Code requires the District to notify parents of the recommendation that pupils are fully immunized against human papillomavirus (HPV) before admission or advancement to the eighth-grade level of any private or public elementary or secondary school.

HPV vaccines can be given starting at age 9 years. Talk with your healthcare provider or school nurse if you have additional questions.

Jo Boaler and her team at Stanford University are presenting a professional development sessions in which they will share new math research, teaching materials and teaching advice. The new workshop is called “Number Sense Workshop for Educators (Grades 2-5)” and there are three date/format choices available. Click below for more information on this training covering a pivotal, essential topic for this student age group:

• April 30, May 9 & May 23: (series of 3 live online sessions, 3:30-5:30 pm PDT)
• May 2: (live online, 8:30 am-3:00 pm PDT)
• August 20-21: (2 days in person at Stanford)

(There is a fee for workshops. To inquire about a scholarship, please send an email to: pdinfo@youcubed.org.)

If you’re interested in following our Instagram account, showcasing news and events from SLVUSD Charter School, here is the info:

“I'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!"

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.

Mental Health resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - with a link to their March newseltter

Brightlife Kids, an organization that provides free online support in behavioral coaching for parents, caregivers and students aged 0 - 12.

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.

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.

Ø 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.

Ø 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.

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.

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.

Please click here for a link to the Panther Athletics website (SLVMS) and here and here for the Athletics Director's latest week 3 and 4 March newsletters - Week 4 has the info on upcoming Spring Sports tryouts.

Please click here for a link to the Cougar Athletics website (SLVHS).

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.

• All SLVUSD students are eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch through the cafeteria. Breakfast can be picked up any time from 8:15am - 8:45am, no order needed. Lunch must be ordered online*.
• Meals are be served from our Multi-use Room in the central area of the campus
• Lunch times vary per program, but generally happen in the 11:50 - 12:30 window
• Elementary students will have lunch cards (kept in the MPR).
• Secondary students will need to key in their student ID on a keypad




• Please be 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!)
• Please click here for important ordering information
• Link to SLV Student Nutrition Services website

• Please 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 child’s 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.

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.

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

Email: kleroux@slvusd.org
Website: charter.slvusd.org
Phone: (831) 336-5167