SLVUSD Charter News

Hello Charter families!

We are just a few days from starting our new school year, so an early "Welcome Back" to our returning families, and a sincere "Welcome" to our new enrollees and their families! We are looking forward to a wonderful year!

You should all have received a calendar invitation inviting you to add the Google calendar for your child's Charter program to your own calendar. Please let your teacher know if you have not received this. In addition, I shared the school-wide "Website" calendar that contains information about school-wide events coming up. (We are waiting on Attendance Period dates, so those aren't in yet.)

Parents of students in 6th - 8th 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 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.

TK-1 parents come from 9:30 - 10:20am

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

6 - 8 parents come from 11:30 - 12:30pm

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 encouraging 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 12 modules this time next year, your child should show a substantial improvement in keyboarding fluency. If you did not receive your welcome email with login details, please email me!

Just a reminder that 1st graders in our Heartwood Homeschool will dismiss at 1:30pm this year and not 12:15pm. Our first graders will also be getting a lunch recess under this new bell schedule. This later end time, specific to 1st graders, is to allow for a smaller group academic focus on literacy and math development.

Nature Academy parents: School starts at 8:35am this year (7 mins earlier). First bell will be at 8:30am, which is also when the last bus drop off happens. Please click here for the bell schedule for the year, including the "exception" dates that have different dismissal times.

Please click here for the overall SLVUSD Charter Program beginning and end times for 2024-25.

A reminder to ALL families that we need you to complete your Online Registration for the 2024-25 school year. You would have received an email from the district (subject "Online Registration") with a special snapcode that you will need to sign in to PowerSchool. If you haven't received it, please check your spam folder and then email Janet (jhendricks@slvusd.org) and she can send out another email. (Note that Powerschool only sends one email if there's a 2-parent family. The first person listed in PS gets the email.)

This requirement to register applies whether your student was at Charter or not last year.

Please also watch for the paperwork requiring your signature which will be distributed by your child's teacher: the Master Agreement for homeschool and independent study, and the Participation Agreement for Nature Academy. We also ask parents and students to sign the Student Handbook which will be given out in the first week of school (week of August 19 for CRHS and week of August 27 for TK-8 homeschool programs).

Can't wait to see everyone - here's to an unforgettable year!

Kerry

kleroux@slvusd.org

T. 831-335-0932

Click here to read about the efforts of the Native Animal Rescue organization and the work they have been doing to save the Brown Pelicans of Monterey and Santa Cruz County. Parent volunteer Clara Elliot and her two Charter students Eli and Alex have been volunteering along with their mom and lending their energy to this worthy cause - well done, boys!

We are so thrilled with the progress made on our Culinary Arts lab this summer. Led by the tireless and amazing volunteer coordinator Megan Turk, a team of talented construction professionals - who luckily for us happen to be parents in our charter program - volunteered their time and expertise to help bring this project to completion in time for our students' return. We are so incredibly grateful for their support and hard work! We look forward to an exciting line-up of cooking classes for our students this year! (Progress pic is from earlier this week - we are almost ready for move-in day!)

Over the summer, talented artist (and Charter parent) Jennifer Wildermuth-Reyes painted a nature-themed Sensory Walk on our elementary quad, for our students to use for recalibrating, de-escalating, regulating, or just having a fun and active guided walk with their friends! Recognizing big emotions and being able to "walk them off" rather than acting out is a life skill we can all continue to practice - thank you to Jennifer for this beautiful opportunity to focus on wellness!

We are excited to announce the following new hires for 2024-25! Welcome to Charter!

Kristina Fernandez is our new Academic Counselor one day a week at Coast Redwood High.

Laura Rochelle is our new Mental Health Specialist three days a week serving all-Charter.

Megan Zeitler is our new elementary Reading Specialist serving 1st through 5th grade.

Grant Bryant is our new Instructional Assistant serving students in both general and Special education.

Amber Young is not new to us, but we are thrilled to announce that she is joining us full time this year as our Health Care Assistant.

Parents! All students who ride the bus are going to need to have a form on file with the Transportation Department. This includes Nature Academy students who will ride the bus to the tri-campus for Hike days, students who bus to after school sports, etc. Here is a link to the form - please fill it out at your earliest opportunity. (No charge for transportation that is required during the school day.)

Here is a link to the Transportation website for more information.

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.

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

Thurs, Aug 8

- First day of School (NA) - Nature Academy student start time is now 8:35am. First bell goes 8:30am.

- Homeschool independent study/academics begin

- Principal's Coffee (all parents welcome) - 8:30am in the QH quad

Mandatory Parent Orientation meetings on Thursday, 8/8:

- Nature Academy Parent Council meets with any "uncleared" NA parents or parents not attending Beach Day - at Principal's Coffee - 8:30 - 9:00am

- Heartwood Homeschool orientation - 9am - 10am

- QHHS orientation - 10am - 11:30am

- QHIA orientation - 12pm - 1pm

Mandatory Student Orientation meetings on Thursday, 8/8

- CRHS orientations

9am - 10:30am (for 11th/12th) - note STUDENTS only

11am - 12:30pm (for 9th/10th) - note STUDENTS only

Fri, Aug 9

- CRHS student orientation day 2 - 9am to 12pm (Students only)

- Charter Homeschool Programs Beach Day - 10am at Twin Lakes Beach

- Nature Academy Beach Day - 11am at Natural Bridges Beach

Mon, Aug 12

- CRHS student orientation day 3 - 9am to 12pm (Students only)

- CRMS orientation 10 - 12pm

Mon, Aug 19 - CRHS in person classes resume

Tues, Aug 20 - Charter Back to School Night 5:30pm

Wed, Aug 21 - CRHS Picture Day (other program picture days coming up in Sept and Oct.)

Tues, Aug 27 - Homeschool programs (Heartwood, QHHS, QHIA) in person enrichment classes begin

Wed, Aug 28 - CRMS in person enrichment classes begin

Fri, Aug 30 - No School (Professional Development Day)

Mon, Sept 2 - No School (Labor Day)

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

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. 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.

• 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)

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.

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.

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