SLVUSD Charter News

Hello Charter families!

A heartfelt "thank you" to Amber Walker and her amazing team for another wonderful All-Charter Talent Showcase! We have such a talented bunch of superstars! There will be a video of the performance available soon! Amber also supported the recent "Fashion Teens" event at the Rio Theater where our Charter participants won numerous awards and accolades!

The Schools Integrated Behavioral Health Initiative (SIBHI) fosters the well-being of children, youth, families and staff by increasing inter-agency coordination and supporting the development of a range of behavioral health supports within and connected to schools. Click here for some student support, parent training and advocacy opportunities!

Did you know that our district maintains a "Community Opportunities" website? This is for parents to find information about current local events and opportunities for our students.

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.

Are you looking for a new dishwasher? Consider checking out this Auction for a Bosch dishwasher that we (SLV Charter) inadvertently purchased in a size that didn't fit our new counters in our Culinary Arts Classroom. As such, we are surplussing the brand new dishwasher and would be happy to know it went to a good home! https://www.govdeals.com/en/search?kWord=bosch%20Dishwasher. Bidding starts at $350 ($1,300 value).

You may have noticed in the most recent Press Banner that Santa Cruz County Music Teachers' Association offers an Opportunity Grants program. They provide music scholarships for students whose families cannot afford private lessons.

If interested:

Applications are due May 15, 2025. Students should start early, as a recommendation letter is required.

More information and applications can be found on their website:

https://sccmtac.org/scholarships/#grants

CAASPP testing starts this week for our 11th graders! Wishing them the best of luck - Students, just do your best and that's all we can ask!

The full All-Charter testing schedule is as follows - homeschool parents please note your students are testing on "non enrichment days" as well:

Coast Redwood High (11th grade):

ELA - Mon, Apr 28 and Wed, Apr 30 at 8:30am

Math - Tues, Apr 29 and Thurs, May 1 at 8:30am

Science - Fri, May 2 at 8:30am

Note: 9th and 10th graders will take the NWEA/Map Spring assessments at this time

QHHS (3rd - 5th grade):

3rd grade testing orientation: Wed, April 30 from 10am - 11:30am

ELA - Mon, May 5 and Tues, May 6 at 9:15am

Math - Wed, May 7 and Thurs, May 8 at 9:15am

Science (5th grade only) - Fri, May 9 at 9:15am

Nature Academy (6th - 8th grade):

ELA - 6th grade - Wed, May 7 and Thurs, May 8 - first period

7th grade - Wed, May 7 and Fri, May 9 - first period

8th grade - Wed, May 7 and Fri, May 9 - second period

Math - 6th grade - Wed, May 14 and Fri, May 16 - third period

7th grade -Wed, May 14 and Fri, May 16 - second period

8th grade - Wed, May 14 and Fri, May 16 - first period

Science (8th grade only) - Tues, May 13 - first period

QHIA (6th - 8th grade):

ELA - Mon, May 5 and Tues, May 6 at 9:15am

Math - Wed, May 7 and Thurs, May 8 at 9:15am

Science (8th grade only) - Tues, May 6 at 12:30pm

Coast Redwood Middle (6th - 8th grade):

ELA - Mon, May 5 and Tues, May 6 at 9:30am

Math - Wed, May 7 and Thurs, May 8 at 9:30am

Science (8th grade only) - Fri, May 9 at 9:30am

Make up dates and arrangements will be made as needed.

Attendance and participation in these annual assessments is required. Please contact Kerry if your child is unable to participate, as there is a mandatory process to opt an eligible student out of state testing.

Nature Academy fundraiser - Makers Market at Hallcrest Vineyard in Felton
When: Sunday 5/4 from 10am - 5pm
Where: Hallcrest Vineyard, 379 Felton Empire Road, Felton
* Enjoy shopping the many booths of handmade items, food, and music
* Nature Academy has a booth where we are selling tie-dye t-shirts, handmade greeting cards and masks. Come on by and say hi.

Please read further for some important Charter updates and announcements. Remember to click here to add our Website Calendar to your google calendars to see all Charter events! Your child's teacher will have shared their specific program calendar as well.

Have a wonderful week!

Kerry

kleroux@slvusd.org

T. 831-335-0932

It was a rainy end of Winter and beginning of Spring for 2025! We are just getting back out to the gardens after several rainy day garden activities indoors! All students have been learning about our Pacific Chorus Frogs as their tadpoles are growing in our ponds. We have found many adult frogs in our gardens and there are rumors that they are singing at night on campus!

Exciting Garden News

• A composting experiment and root viewing is happening in the MPR. Vote for what you think will compost first: potato, cucumber, watermelon, paper, or bread?
• Milkweed plants will be planted around campus on Earth Day and the rest will be gifted to students and families!

In the Food Garden (Coast Redwood High)

• Students started planting an indigenous companion planting method called the Three Sisters, starting with Blue Hopi corn. Students complemented their planting by preparing traditional blue corn tortillas. Our first carrot harvest marked a milestone in the season. We celebrated with the preparation of a sesame carrot salad. Students also started their sweet potato slips and planted potatoes. We constructed five wooden frames to be used for creating concrete stepping stones, which will enhance accessibility throughout the garden pathways. Students also potted-up their milkweed seedlings into larger pots.

In the Tea Garden (Middle School programs)

• 6th graders continued their weather tracking, learning about why soil erosion occurs and ways of prevention. They were also able to get out to the garden one sunny day to turn on their garden drip system checking to ensure there were no leaks.
• 7th graders are still working on their campus beautification projects with CRMS planting succulents and QHIA planting thornless blackberries. Students are discussing how to plant more sunflowers this year.
• 8th graders completed their Spring worm bin and compost checks. They also started a composting experiment in the MPR. We discussed ways we waste food and how we can work towards less food waste in our own lives and on campus. Students planted native wild strawberries.

In the Learning Garden (Elementary programs)

• Heartwood students have been learning about habitats in ponds, on the ground, under things, and in trees. They studied bird nests and created a real life bird nest in their garden.
• 2nd graders checked in on their growing experiment. They determined that the plant that got water, food, sunlight, and soil grew the best overall. They also learned about plant nutrients and fed their plants with all purpose organic fertilizer, composted manure, and worm castings.
• 3rd graders learned about the four types of insect mouth parts and how they are specialized. They scavenged in the garden looking for insects learning the difference between a beneficial insect and a pest.
• 4th grade students learned about transplanting flowers into the garden and how seeds disperse.
• 5th graders helped set up a composting experiment in the MPR and have been checking out what kind of insects hang out in the compost bins.

• The Kindness Rock Project has been completed! QHIA students have installed kindness rocks in all 3 gardens! Be sure to take a rock when you need one!
• Triangle Beautification Project: For various reasons this project has been put on hold until next year.
• Nature Academy Elective Class - NA students have finished painting bricks and have installed a new bed in front of the Tea Garden. It looks amazing! Students will be planting more flowers in this area soon!
• Monarch Project: High School students with the help of NA 6th graders have grown over 100 milkweed plants to help save our Western monarch population. These plants will be planted around campus on earth Day and the rest will be gifted to any charter families who want one. Check out more information about monarchs here: Xerces.org

More Garden Photos

• Here: Spring Garden Photos

Thank you for your ongoing garden support, and remember—Be kind!

You will find all these events and more on the google calendar shared by your Program teacher and on the Website calendar.

May is Asian American, Jewish American, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and also Mental Health Awareness Month! Homeschool parents, watch your program newsletters for a link to some teaching resources from our fabulous librarian!

Mon April 28 - Fri, May 2 - Staff Appreciation Week

Mon, Apr 28 - CRHS begins CAASPP testing

- Charter Boosters providing lunch in room 15 for Charter staff!

Tues, Apr 29 - 11:30am Lego in the Library

- Charter Boosters providing lunch in room 15 for Charter staff!

- Gaga ball pit reserved at lunch for Elementary

- Charter Open House at 5:30pm (MPR)

Wed, Apr 30 - 3rd grade testing orientation 10am - 11:30am

- GSA meets weekly in room 19 at lunch

- Charter Boosters providing lunch in room 15 for Charter staff!

Thurs, May 1 - School Bus Drivers' Day

- Student Council meets at 8am in the Library

- Charter Boosters providing lunch in room 15 for Charter staff!

- Chess Club meets at 12:15 under the shade structure

- BCE Open House - 5:30pm

Fri, May 2 - National Lunch Hero Day

Sat. May 3 - County Math Context

Mon, May 5 -CAASPP testing for 3rd - 8th grade begins - click here for schedule

Tues, May 6 - Teacher Appreciation Day!

- 11:30am Lego in the Library

- Gaga ball pit reserved at lunch for Elementary

Wed, May 7 - GSA meets weekly in room 19 at lunch

Thurs, May 8 - Colors of the Earth Dress Up Day!

- Student Council meets at 8am in the Library

-SVMI Parent Math Training in room 12 - Sign up here!

- Chess Club meets at 12:15 under the shade structure

Fri, May 9 - Month 11 paperwork due - all homeschool programs

-- All Charter Movie Night 6pm (donations benefiting all programs)

For planning further ahead:

Wed, May 21 - District Music Festival at Roaring Camp.- 4pm

Thurs, May 22 - Last Enrichment day for homeschool programs

• Heartwood Homeschool Year End Celebration - 9am
• Quail Hollow Homeschool 5th Grade Celebration - 10am

Tues - Fri, May 27 - 30 - Nature Academy excursion

Wed, May 28 - QHIA 8th Grade Advancement - 9:30am

Tues, June 3 - CRMS 8th Grade Advancement - 10:30am

- Month 12 paperwork due for homeschools

Wed, June 4 - Nature Academy 8th Grade Advancement - 12:30pm

- Volunteer Tea - 1:30pm

Thurs, June 5 - CRHS Graduation - 10am

- Last day of school!

Thurs, Aug 7 - First day of school 2025-26

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Nature Academy parents, don't forget to check the Nature Academy Google Calendar to be sure which bell schedule we're on each day! (You can also click here if you are not a Google Calendar subscriber)

• A1 Mondays are 1:19pm dismissal at Nature Academy
• A2 Mondays are 2:05pm dismissal at Nature Academy
• A3 Mondays are 3:00pm dismissal at the tricampus
• 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;
• Excursion Days (dates not all finalized) - times are individual to the excursion, but typically 3pm dismissal

Registration just opened for the Summer Junior Sheriff's Academy. It will be held at SLVHS. Incoming 6th and 7th graders are encouraged to apply. Here is the link to sign up!

Hello Charter students!

My name is Zasha Sterling, and I am an 8th grader at QHIA, working on an art project called Scrapbook. I’m hoping you can help me with it!

Every week for five weeks, starting Monday, April 21, I will email anyone who signs up for this project an Artist’s Prompt. There will be 5 prompts in total, and you will have a week to complete each prompt by sending me a piece of art work. Prompts will only be released the week of, and not in advance, so you won’t know what’s coming until you receive the email prompt.

You can use any medium: clay, woodcarving, spoken word art, crafting, digital art, painting, drawing, you name it!

After you’re done, you will send me your creation in the form of either a picture you’ve taken, a PNG file, or a digital link to your art. My email address is 29zsterling@slvusd.org. l will put each piece into a slideshow that will be shared with all of SLV Charter.

This is not a competition; it’s a collaboration. No-one will be judged or ridiculed (made fun of) for what they draw or make. This project is for anyone who likes to draw or do art, no matter your age or experience.

At the end of the 5 weeks, before we go on summer break, we will have a giant digital scrapbook containing everyone’s art!

My goal is to create a safe space for artists of all ages and skill levels to share their work, and I highly encourage anyone who likes to draw to sign up.

There is currently a sign up sheet in the Library at lunch. You will need to give your full name, your age, teacher’s name, and your school email address. Please note that your name will be put next to your art in the Slideshow UNLESS you indicate on the sign up form that you wish to remain anonymous.

The prompts will be emailed to you on each successive Sunday night.

Note: You are not required to do all five prompts! You can sign up any time before Thursday of that week, to get the Sunday email.

From Superintendent Chris Schiermeyer: "Providing a safe place for students to learn and grow is one of the most important responsibilities of our school system. All San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District schools have a School Safety Plan in place. Drill procedures for emergencies and disasters are regularly practiced at each school.

Starting the 2024-2025 school year, we have changed our countywide codes for emergency drills in collaboration with law enforcement and the fire departments. Our new codes are as follows: Evacuation, Reverse Evacuation, Hall Check, and Lockdown. Please see the Standard Command Emergency Response Poster for more details on these types of drills that will be practiced at our school sites as required by law.

Along with school staff, your family plays a critical role in preventing and responding to school emergencies. The information posted on the Emergency Information website page is intended to provide parents/guardians with the steps you can take “before”, “during”, and “after” an emergency. Please note the emergency information has been revised to be in alignment with the newly adopted codes. Please take a moment to review this information."

SLV Charter will be starting our monthly/quarterly evacuation drills (elementary/secondary) shortly. Please be sure to sign in to get a visitor sticker if you're coming on campus so that if you're on site for a drill we can account for you. Please contact me if you have any questions!

3rd through 9th grade parents, please continue to encourage daily keyboarding practice with Touch Type Read Spell, the "award winning multi-sensory course that teaches typing, reading and spelling" aimed at students from elementary to high school. We are now requiring all students to spend a minimum of 1 hour a week or longer. This program license lasts until May of 2025, and after completion of all 24 levels* (approx. one year), your child should show a substantial improvement in keyboarding fluency. 24 levels over one year equates to 15 modules per week. If you did not receive your welcome email with login details, please contact your child's teacher or email me!

"Based on the average completion time, a student using TTRS for one hour per week should complete approximately 744 modules in a year. The main TTRS Course consists of 24 levels, with 31 modules in each level, totaling 744 modules. On average, students complete the entire course in about 12 months when dedicating one hour per week to the program.

It's important to note that individual progress may vary, and some learners might complete the course faster if they spend more than an hour per week on TTRS."

Parents of students in TK - 9th grade! Have you struggled when helping your child with Math? We are once again offering a once-monthly Thursday morning Math training for parents, presented by an awesome instructor from the Silicon Valley Math Initiative (SVMI). Please sign up here for one or all of the sessions on offer - they will build on one another over the course of the year. (Note there is a new tab for 2nd semester at the bottom of the spreadsheet.)

6th - 9th parents come from 9:15 - 10:15am

2nd - 5th parents come from 10:30 - 11:20am

TK - 1st parents come from 11:30 - 12:20pm

Remaining Dates: Apr 17, May 8

Parents can now sign out loaner Chromebooks through the library for their students to use at home, starting tomorrow, Tues 8/20 and every Tues-Thurs according to the times below:

Charter Library

Tues, Wed, Thurs

8:30-9:30am or 2:15-3pm

Students can’t sign out a Chromebook without a parent; it requires a parent's signature. If there’s a problem, parents can email Mabel at CHlibrary@slvusd.org to make arrangements.

Students should not be bringing a personal laptop to school unless it’s part of an IEP. All teachers have class sets of chromebooks for students to use if it's required as part of the lesson.

If your child is in 6 - 12th grade, your teacher most likely uses Schoology to record assignment and test scores.

How a parent logs into Schoology:

1. Get your parent access code from your teacher or administrator.
2. When you have your parent access code, go to app.schoology.com/register.php.
3. Click the “Parent” button below the “Instructor” and “Student” buttons” in the “Sign Up for Schoology” section.
4. Enter the access code you received, and click Continue.
5. Enter your name and email (not the student’s) and choose a password.

Refer to the Parent Schoology Handbook to learn more.

Attendance matters!

Our attendance rate improved last year - thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting good attendance! Students need to participate consistently, whether it be in a homeschool program, where work completion counts as 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.)

Volunteer application hours - PLEASE NOTE: The Charter Office and SLVUSD Human Resources Office hours will process volunteer registrations at the following times:

Tuesdays from 7:00-11:00 am

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 (within the last 4 years). If you don't know whether your TB is current, check with the Charter office. If you are turning in updated TB info, you can bring it to the Charter office or directly to the Human Resources Office.

• 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 no longer needs to be ordered online. Our lunch lady will bring enough hot lunches for everyone who wants one, but should these run out we will have healthy cold alternatives available (salads, sandwiches, etc.)
• 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

Although a meal application is not necessary for your child to receive free meals during the 2024-2025 school year, households are asked 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.

• Link to SLV Student Nutrition Services website

If your child takes the bus to or from school, please remember you will need to purchase a bus pass.

ALL Nature Academy students have to be registered to take bus transportation on A1 days to the tricampus. (No need to pay.) Registration form link.

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. Rides will be denied if students are not registered.)

Please click here to access the Transportation web page for any other information you need.

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.

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!"

Charter students are eligible to try out to play in all sports at SLVMS and SLVHS. Please keep an eye on the respective websites so your child is aware of the tryout schedule for each season's sports. We will also share that information as we receive it.

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)

Click here for a list of the tryout dates for 24-25

Fall Sports (August - October)

Boys Soccer

Girls Basketball

Cross Country (No cuts)

Winter I Sports (October - December)

Girls Soccer

Boys Basketball

Winter II Sports (January-March)

Girls Volleyball

Wrestling (no cuts)

Flag Football

Spring Sports (March- May)

Girls Softball
Boys Volleyball
Golf

Track and Field (no cuts)

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

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.

And also from the Santa Cruz Public Libraries:

SCPL are particularly excited to offer a new resource from Brainfuse called CollegeNow, which offers support with college applications, essays and more. This is in addition to HelpNow live tutoring.

Please click here for a press release containing comprehensive information on the many resources SCPL offers to all students. SCPL looks forward to welcoming your students to any of their 10 branches, Annex and Bookmobile during this new school year!

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.

Please click here for a link to a flier from the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz, containing a number of useful resources for families. CAB's mission is to "partner with the community to eliminate poverty and create social change through advocacy and social service. "

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