SLVUSD Charter News
Vol 1.13 - Week of Feb 12, 2024
From the Principal
Thank you to those who loaned your talented young people to us for the 2024 Charter Play! I was blown away by the professionalism of this show and its performers - well done to director Amber Walker, support staff and cast!
If you weren't able to make the Jan 31st Parent Advisory Council meeting, here are the minutes from the meeting. Two follow ups from the meeting:
1. There's been a request to share all the Google calendars for the SLVUSD Charter School programs so that parents have access and can switch from one calendar to another as needed, and be clear about upcoming events and activities. Please note that not all calendars are 100% up and running yet, but here they are, and you should be able to access these on the website as well:
b) Heartwood Homeschool calendar (being built)
c) Quail Hollow Homeschool calendar
e) Coast Redwood Middle calendar (being built)
f) QHIA calendar (being built)
g) Coast Redwood High calendar
2. Please fill out this survey to let us know your preference regarding the use of Proposition 28 funds for Art/Music programs in our school.
Astrophotography Club: Astrophotography Club will not be meeting on campus on Wednesdays going forward, at least for a while. At this point, all club members have gotten started so they'll just do meet-ups for astronomy events. If any students need extra support, Jamie is happy to arrange a time to provide it!
Just remember, if you have an interested student in 6th - 8th or 9th - 12th grade who would like to participate in the upcoming Rotary Speech Contest (Thurs, Feb 29 - 8:15am in the SLVHS Multipurpose room) please take a look at the info linked here (separate links for the respective contests) and contact aaronebrandt@gmail.com if your student would like to register.
Here's to a great week!
Kerry
News and Announcements
Nature Academy Info Night- Feb 15 - Please spread the word to prospective families!
Thursday, Feb 15, 2024, 06:00 PM
Multi Purpose Room, SLVUSD Charter School
Spirit Day coming up - Thurs, Feb 15 - Twin Day!
Grab a friend or 2 or 3 and dress up the same on Thursday for "Twin Day" - there's a Valentine's Day spin as well, so we're looking for pink and red!
Charter STEAM Expo (Science Fair) 2024 is coming!
Friday, March 1 from 9am - 12pm
Use this link to sign up for the 2024 K-8 Charter STEAM Expo!
Optional participation, but the STEAM Expo gives students an opportunity to develop inventions or conduct research, experiments, or long term projects and proudly share their efforts with others. It is a non-competitive event. The student must be willing to stand by their project and explain what it is about, to two or more adult volunteers who will interview them using a simple set of questions provided to them. Projects may be done individually or in teams of no more than three. The deadline to register is Monday, February 12.
Please click this link for more detailed information.
If you have any questions about the STEAM Expo, please email kparmenter@slvusd.org
Update: Math training sessions for homeschool parents TK-8
We held a well-received Session 1 of our Math training workshops for homeschool parents presented by SVMI (Silicon Valley Math Initiative) on Thurs, 2/8. Parents can attend all four lessons in the series, or sign up for as many as you can make. The timing is worked out so that your students will be in class during the sessions - hopefully that makes it convenient for our homeschool parents! Please note the new times!
You can sign up here!
Dates: Thursdays Feb 8, Mar 7, Apr 18, May 23
Location: Room 12 (portable next to the lower parking lot, behind the D.O.)
(Parents on the day, please sign in at the Charter office when you arrive, and you will be directed to the room.)
- TK-Grade 1 from 9:30 - 10:20am
- Grade 2-5 from 10:30 - 11:20am
- Grade 6-8 from 11:30 - 12:30am
If you've ever wondered how to improve your own math knowledge, and learn some engaging methods for activating your student's mathematical thinking, this is the place for you. SVMI is the organization that provides the math training for SLVUSD teachers, so as the primary teachers for your children, you are the perfect candidates for this training as well.
Looking ahead - save the date!
February is Black History Month!
Mon, Feb 12
- Charter Band Rehearsal - MPR at 5pm
Tues, Feb 13
- Gaga ball pit reserved for elementary programs every Tuesday
Thurs, Feb 15
- Student Council meets at 8:15am in the Library
- Spirit Dress up Day - Twin Day (with a Valentine's spin)
- Dungeons & Dragons Club - Room 26 at 2:15pm
- Nature Academy Info Night - MPR at 6pm
Week of Feb 19 - 23 - NO SCHOOL (February Break)
Mon, Feb 26
- Charter Band Rehearsal - MPR at 5pm
Tues, Feb 27
- Gaga ball pit reserved for elementary programs every Tuesday
- Parent Advisory Council meets 9:15am in the MPR or on Zoom (Agenda to be posted closer to the time)
Thurs, Feb 29
- Rotary Middle and High School Speech contest - 8:15am at SLVHS MPR
- Dungeons & Dragons Club - Room 26 at 2:15pm
Fri, March 1
- End of Trimester 2 (NA)
- SLVUSD Charter STEAM Expo - 9am - 12pm MPR
- Minimum Day (School dismisses 12:05) - Nature Academy. Note: No NA bus going home on this day
Coming up:
March 18 - 30 - Annual LCAP Parent Survey
April 1 - 5 - Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
May 1 - 14 - CAASPP testing Math and ELA (schedule to be shared by program teacher)
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
February Spirit Day is Twin Day with a Valentine's spin! Dress up on Thurs, 2/15 like your friend/friends ("twins" can also mean triplets or quads or multiples of any kind!) We're looking for a sea of pink or red!
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.
Mental Health resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI),
Brightlife Kids, an organization that provides free online support in behavioral coaching for parents, caregivers and students aged 0 - 12.
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.
Please click here for a link to the Panther Athletics website (SLVMS) and here for the Athletics Director's latest newsletter
Wrestling :
Mon-Fri 2:45-4:00 (early out Mondays will begin at 1:45-4:00
Boys' Flag Football:
6th & 8th Mon-Thurs 3:30- 4:45
7th Mon-Thur 3:00-4:15
Girls' Flag Football:
Mon-Thur
3:00-4:15
Volleyball:
Mon-Thur
6th 2:45-4:00
7th 4:00-5:15
8th 5:15-6:30
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