Hearty congratulations to our Student Council VP Reese Schorovsky, 6th Grade Nature Academy, for earning 2nd prize in the Middle School Rotary Speech Contest on 2/29! We are proud of you, Reese!

There are a bunch of "Save the Dates" and events coming up, opportunities for our students to participate in something awesome, so stay with me!

A huge thank you to Katie Parmenter for facilitating a fabulous Charter STEAM Expo on March 1st! We were blown away by the initiative an ingenuity of our scientists and artists and engineers, techies and mathematicians.

In honor of Women's History Month (March), our librarian Mabel Cordero Leatham has put together this resource compilation for homeschool parents wanting to incorporate the stories of amazing women into their core curriculum content this month. Thank you, Mabel!

1. Middle School Spring Dance: We're planning a joint Charter/SLVMS dance for all 6th - 8th graders on Friday, April 12 from 5 - 7pm at the tricampus. (Note the confirmed new date!) There's a $5 ticket price, and students will need a permission slip. More info to come - our fabulous Booster parents, and the Panther Club parents are collaborating to create a magical experience for the students!

2. Please stand by on Mon, March 11 for the link that will be sent via email for the annual LCAP survey, to give us your feedback on how SLVUSD Charter School is doing in various areas of academics and social emotional supports. (The survey runs until Friday, March 29.)

3. There is no school on Friday, March 15 - it's a Professional Development Day for teachers.

4. On March 19 at 2:30pm there will be an Info meeting in the MPR for all Charter students interested in taking part in the Charter Talent Show (scheduled at the PAC for May 3 at 7pm).

5. Please plan to attend the March Parent Advisory Council (Thursday, 3/28 at 9:15am - pls note the change of date) when Superintendent Chris Schiermeyer will be sharing a draft of the next 3 year LCAP and soliciting additional parent input (in addition to the survey input from #2 above).

6. On March 28, we have the Dientes Community Dental folks coming to campus to offer on the spot X-rays, exams, cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatment to students who need them. Forms went home with your child this week and must be returned by Mon, March 18. Those families on Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal would need to provide their number, OR if no insurance, there is a $69 fee that will be billed (or waived if families can't pay).

More Save the Dates are in the body of the newsletter below! Keep reading!

Please consider completing the survey to give input on how to spend our Prop 28 (Art/Music) funds! We have had 35 responses so far and we'd love to hear from you! Input is leaning towards hiring a 40% person, rather than a rotation of different artists. (Note that we would also be able to consider an Art and a Music teacher who switch at semester.)

For 8th graders intending to go to SLV High:

SLV High School Football

Linked here is information for those interested in joining the High School Football team. There is a lot of off season training that starts in the summer, beginning June10th.

Please click on the link if you have an 8th grader interested in football. The contact information for Dave Grant is dgrant@slvusd.org if you have questions after checking out the slides.

Parenting support:

There are a number of new workshops being offered by Triple P in the month of March! Topics cover Setting healthy screen time limits, Teen anxiety, bedtime routines, homework, managing mealtimes, and more! Click here to read more and to sign up!

Here's to a great week!

Kerry

Combining two creative group opportunities, mashing Glee Club with Improv Games. Kids will learn a variety of vocal warm-ups for agility, pitch, tone and flexibility. We will be learning about some musical theory concepts while singing together in a group. They will work on harmonies and also solo singing, utilizing the Beatles mostly, though I will encourage kids to bring their own musical tastes to class. We will be talking about musical ear worms, those songs that get stuck in your head and addressing the concept that words have power and we should be careful both what we say, but also what we listen to.

Improv games will help to keep an open mind and heart to work with what is set before you. We will play these group games to develop resilience, humor and wit. Improv flexes both a creative muscle and also teaches how to be flexible with your ideas. A deep sense of respect for each other and community will be cultivated through our time together.

When? Tuesdays from 2:45-4:30. 2 part class with a short ten minute break. 8 classes with no class during Spring Break

Where? Charter Multi Use Room

Starting date? Info meeting and first Glee/Prov Tuesday, 3/5 at 2:45pm!

Led by Chelsea Leone, mother of Autumn in 5th grade Independent Studies

March is Women's History Month!

Read Across America Week (3/4 - 3/8)

Mon, Mar 4

- Short Day for Nature Academy - dismissal 1:19pm (buses run as usual)

- Charter Band Rehearsal - MPR at 5pm

Tues, Mar 5

- Gaga ball pit reserved for elementary programs every Tuesday

- First GleeProv Club meeting in the MPR at 2:45pm

Wed, Mar 6

- Map Testing begins (round 2) - Reading and Math (6th - 11th grade only)

Thurs, Mar 7

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

- SVMI Homeschool Parent Math training in room 12 - starting at 9:30am

- Spirit Dress up Day - Dress as your Favorite Book Character!

- Dungeons & Dragons Club - Room 26 at 2:15pm

- 3pm deadline for Nature Academy lottery applications

Fri, Mar 8

- Month 9 Attendance is due (Homeschool programs)

- QHIA and CRMS Game/Movie Night - 6:30pm

Sat, Mar 9

- STEAM SC County Expo - 9 - 4pm - Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds

- Wine and Chocolate Fundraiser at Scopazzi's Boulder Creek - 1pm (to support Grad Night 2024)

Mon, Mar 11

- LCAP Parent survey begins - please check your email!

-Charter Band Rehearsal - MPR at 5pm

- Deadline for RSVP-ing to middle/high school Irish Dance Workshop (nashsarcor@gmail.com)

Tues, Mar 12

- Gaga ball pit reserved for elementary programs every Tuesday

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

Wed, Mar 13

- Irish Dance Workshop at the PAC - 3:15 - 5:15 for middle/high schoolers

Thurs, Mar 14

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

- Dungeons & Dragons Club - Room 26 at 2:15pm

- Middle School Spring Dance - SLVMS 5 - 7pm

Fri, Mar 15

- No school - Professional Development Day for SLVUSD teachers

Sun, Mar 17

- Santa Cruz Makers Market - downtown Santa Cruz at 10am

Coming up:

March 18 - 30 - Annual LCAP Parent Survey

March 25, 26 and 27 - QHHS Play performance at 10am at the PAC

March 28 - Dientes comes to Charter

- Parent Advisory Council welcomes Superintendent Chris Schiermeyer to talk LCAP

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

March Spirit Day is Dress as your Favorite Book Character! Dress up on Thurs, 3/7!

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 student is welcome!

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 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!"

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 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).

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. 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 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.
• 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

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