SLVUSD Charter News
Vol 1.12 - Week of Jan 29, 2024
From the Principal
The newsletter for these following two weeks is rather late, so thank you for your patience!
We have a Santa Cruz County Junior Spelling Bee Champion! Kheiron Guin (7th grade, QHIA) will go through to the State competition in May! Congratulations also to Emerson Brunner (5th grade, QHHS), who took third place in the elementary division! We are so proud of both students!
Last time I shared the contact info and resources for families on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and this week I'm sharing info about Brightlife Kids, an organization that provides free online support in behavioral coaching for parents, caregivers and students aged 0 - 12.
In the next couple weeks your student will be taking the Healthy Kids Survey, a survey that goes out each year, usually to selected grade levels, to gather input on how students are feeling about school, and gauging whether they have access to the social emotional supports they need. Please encourage your student to participate, since we will be administering it to grade levels 3 - 12.
LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) input is going to be requested from parents soon too! It's about that time to start looking ahead at planning for the upcoming school year and beyond. Please calendar the March Parent Advisory Council meeting on March 26 at 9:15am (MPR) when Superintendent Chris Schiermeyer will be coming in person to talk to our parents and gather input on school improvement issues that are important to you. I'll be presenting the mid-year LCAP review for 2023's plan at the February 7th Board meeting.
Our 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
https://forms.gle/yb3f71Mb2ZCRG71C8
This is a great time to consider participating in our Annual Charter STEAM Expo which will be held on the Quail Hollow Campus on Friday, March 1st. While optional, 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. Please read the attached packet for more information. The deadline to register is Friday, February 2nd. (Students will get more info from their teachers too!)
Please click this link for more detailed information.
If you have any questions about the STEAM Expo, please email kparmenter@slvusd.org
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 - time TBA) 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 and weekend ahead!
Kerry
News and Announcements
February is Black History Month - a message from our Libriarian
The Library will have a display in February which will offer our community books on African American history, heritage and culture. Since the theme of this year's Black History Month is African Americans and the Arts, the Library space will also highlight various Black artists that have made significant contributions to the visual, literary and performing arts in the United States.
Following are some useful links for our staff and families :
- Origins of Black History Month and theme information
- PBS Kids resource for parents
- The Learning for Justice website includes classroom resources like lesson plans, student texts and tasks, and teaching strategies
- Lesson plans on Black History Month (PBS) (topics include Civics and Social Studies, Arts & Culture, STEM )
- National Education Association website with K-12 Lessons and Resources
- Resources for Teachers, including many primary source materials from the National Archives and more
Finally, I am very inspired by Lonnie G. Bunch III, the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the first African American (and first historian) to serve as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. He is AMAZING!
He wrote this piece some time ago (2011) and I return to it often :
Knowing the Past Opens the Door to the Future
~ Mabel ~
Charter Play: The Jungle Book: Welcome to the Jungle!
Today and tomorrow our students have the pleasure of attending day time student-only performances of the OUTSTANDING Charter musical, The Jungle Book, Welcome to the Jungle! directed by the amazing Amber Walker, and assisted by Chelsea Leone and Mahri Walker. Today's performance was attended by our homeschool programs, and tomorrow Nature Academy will take the bus to the tri-campus for the 10:30am performance. Coast Redwood High students who signed up will be attending too - unfortunately if you didn't sign up there are no seats available for the 10:30am show!
I highly recommend families still try to get a ticket at the door of this sold out show for an upcoming evening or matinee performance - there are sometimes tickets available that people have not been able to use and you could get lucky!
Dates, times, location:
Thurs, Feb 1 - 7pm (PAC)
Fri, Feb 2 - 7pm (PAC)
Sat, Feb 3 - 7pm (PAC)
Sun, Feb 4 - 2pm (PAC)
Math training sessions for homeschool parents TK-8
Parents of students in any of our TK-8 homeschool programs are invited to attend a series of 4 Math training workshops presented by SVMI (Silicon Valley Math Initiative). You can come to all four, 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 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 9:00 to 9:50
- Grade 2-5 from 10:00 to 10:50
- Grade 6-8 from 11 to noon
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.
Charter Info Nights - Feb 8 and 15 - Please spread the word to prospective families!
Thursday, Feb 8, 2024, 06:00 PM
Multi Purpose Room, SLVUSD Charter School
All-Homeschool Info Night
Thursday, February 8 at 6pm - Charter MPR
Nature Academy Info Night
Thursday, Feb 15 at 6pm - Charter MPR
Looking ahead - save the date!
February is Black History Month!
Thurs, Feb 1
- Charter Play "The Jungle Book: Welcome to the Jungle" - 7pm (PAC)
Fri, Feb 2 -
- Nature Academy students attend the Charter Play - 10:30am at the PAC (bus)
- Charter Play "The Jungle Book: Welcome to the Jungle" - 7pm (PAC)
Sat, Feb 3 -
- Charter Play "The Jungle Book: Welcome to the Jungle" - 7pm (PAC)
Sun, Feb 4 -
- Charter Play "The Jungle Book: Welcome to the Jungle" - 2pm (PAC)
Mon, Feb 5 -
- Charter Band Rehearsals begin again - MPR at 5pm
Wed, Feb 7 -
- Astrophotography Club begins again - Library at 2:15pm
Thurs, Feb 8
- Dungeons & Dragons Club begins again - Room 26 at 2:15pm
Fri, Feb 9-
- Capture the Flag - All Charter Homeschool event
- Month 9 Attendance is due (homeschools)
Coming up:
Nature Academy Info Night for prosepctive enrollees - 6pm on Thurs, Feb 15
February Break: Mon 2/19 - Fri 2/23 - NO SCHOOL
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
Student Council meets every Thursday in the Library from 8:15 - 8:45am. Any student is welcome!
Watch this space for Spirit Day information for February!
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)
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