Don’t forget, there will be No school next Friday, March 17th: We have a Teacher Professional Development Day
Dear Charter Families,
We had our All-Homeschool Charter night last week and have our Nature Academy Information night coming up. We had a strong turnout with much excitement about the valuable changes we, as a staff, have made for next year’s homeschool elementary and middle school programs. Please read more below for more information and share with your friends who may want a more personalized learning experience with our many social-emotional and educational field excursions that tie learning to real world applications.
ALSO! It is time for us to gather important feedback from our families regarding our Academic, Communication, and Learning Environment.
Completing the survey will take from five to seven minutes. So hopefully you will be willing to help us out! The feedback that you share will provide the Charter and the district, with important information as we plan for the 2023-24 school year. We are hoping for a strong turn out! We had over 80% of our parents respond last year. I am hoping for at least that much this year too!
Click the Link to Participate SLV Charter School Survey The surveys will be available through Friday, March 31st.
Thank you for sharing your children with us.
~Rhonda
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A look into next year: We often make subtle and less subtle changes to the programs that we offer based on the needs we see on how best to support our students and families.
The changes made for this coming year were due to the fact that we be offering Transitional Kindergarten next year as well as the deeper recognition that having a smaller multi-age grade span within our programs is beneficial for the students and teachers for many reasons. We have also determined a better way to have our students in 2-5 grades be able to have both a core ‘homeroom’ class of students in grades 2-5, as well as greater ways to weave in opportunities for us to work with the students in smaller grade level groups throughout the weeks.
Next year, we will have a Tk-1 program taught by our teacher Amanda Bauscher. She was formally teaching at our satellite program in Soquel which will close at the end of the year. Before her time with us, Amanda was a preschool teacher and director. While in this program, children will work with core TK-1 standards while learning to communicate, collaborate, and resolve conflicts at school through Social Emotional Learning activities and emergent curriculum. Amanda uses an innovative global science curriculum in class, integrating Language Arts, Social Studies, and the Arts. Math skills are rooted in real-life experiences and developed through tangible materials, meaningful activities, physical movement, and dance.
Our teachers, Katie and Alex, have already had a parent meeting to answer questions regarding their plans for next year. Each year, they will share an overall theme that will allow them to also work on their current academic focuses in the Sciences and VAPA activities.
We are also excited to share that Amber Walker will be back after a 2 year personal leave, as the teacher for our QHIA program. The program will go back to the initial design of being a 6-8 grade program in one classroom. As the initial designer of the QHIA program, she will bring back all her expertise and excitement in integrating VAPA into the thematic programming. One important change is that the core component will be held in the morning from 9-11:30, with the hour for lunch/arts/PE following, and lab time for Math and Science in the afternoon, ending as before at 2:30.
Marcy will continue with the dynamic CRMS program with the focus on project-based and design thinking activities based on student’s interests as well as Marcy’s awareness of the needs of the students attending. Science-based on real-world application, presentations, and integrating arts will continue.
Our highly flexible high school, CRHS, continues to grow and add events and activities that enrich their programming. CRHS is often not as focused during our All-Homeschool information night as the high school needs are more specific to graduation requirements. If you have a student interested in learning more about the program, please welcome to their CRHS information night scheduled for Wednesday, March 15 at 5:30-6:30pm, in their building on Marion Ave. Coast Redwood HS students have a plethora of choices including, playing sports, participating in the SLVHS Theater/Drama program, dual enrollment opportunities at both SLVHS and Cabrillo College as well as other colleges, a hybrid high school experience, short day (on-campus) schedules (8:30-12:00) with some electives courses offered in the afternoon (12:45-2:00), field trips, small school environment, small classes, opportunities to reinvent ones-self and to build on social/emotional techniques with counseling services and teacher support.
Please share this information with your friends through your various social media sites.
P.S.: All of our programs will continue to have their gardening classes next year!
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Parent Advisory Committee meeting; Tuesday, March 21 at 9:30
We will meet in the Library or on Zoom. We will continue our discussion on programs and planning for next year.
For those who cannot meet in person, you can connect via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting: https://slvusd-org.zoom.us/j/84372991968
These meetings are designed to ensure we have parent input into critical documents that are the backbone of the Charter, as well as supporting the growth and development of the campus activities and culture of the Charter as a whole. Yearly this committee gives input to our Local Control Accountability Plan (includes our school goals and funding) School Safety Plan, Annual Parent Survey, and our 5 year Charter Petition Renewal and Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation review.
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WHAT HAPPENS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER
As a reminder, when stormy weather is present, the Superintendent's Office initiates the Storm Team to check major roadways and schools for power. This activity generally takes place around 5:00 am prior to the start of school so that parents can be notified in a timely manner via an "All Call" should there be adverse conditions that may impact the ability for schools to be open. The district attempts to make the "All Call" to families by 6:00am whenever possible. The information is also posted to the District website if power and internet are available.
Please make sure that your contact information is kept up to date with your child's school to ensure you are receiving important information from SLVUSD.
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What’s Growing in the Garden:
FC and QHHS K/1 - We had a few minutes of class outside before the rain started so we took the time to find tadpoles in the pond and plant a few nasturtium seeds. As the rain started we headed inside to discuss habitats and the habitats we might find in our garden. Students then spent some time making leaf confetti with a variety of different colored leaves.
CRMS 6th/7th - On this rainy day students took some time to track our weather on campus and to talk about the ways to prevent soil erosion caused by rain. We discussed using a cover crop of a fast growing annual for immediate erosion remediation and using perennials plants, grasses and trees for a long term remedy. We also discussed adding organic matter and using mulch or wattles as another immediate remedy and creating swales for a long term remedy for soil erosion. Students then had a choice of doing 3 indoor activities: 1) making seed bombs using soil erosion seeds, 2) making seed packets for the seeds students harvested last Fall or 3) making leaf confetti. The leaf confetti making was a huge hit!
QHIA 7th - Students continued their studies on landscape design by looking at their garden for textures and patterns within it. Students conducted a texture and pattern collection while also looking for textures that could be added to their garden. Students also worked on flattening and spreading the soil and then spent a little time weeding out grasses and vetch. They ended the class planting snapdragon seedlings and hollyhock seeds.
CRHS - Students started the class with making a blueberry crumble together. While it cooked in the oven students went on a hunt through campus looking for medium sized rocks to create a border around their two Blueberry plants that have been trampled accidently by students. Students then planted a third blueberry bush, added coffee grounds recycled from a local coffee shop and topped it off with composted horse manure. We then turned our attention to our new Sub Pod which is a new worm composting bin that utilizes our native worms to do the composting for us. Students found a good shady spot and dug a large hole in one of our beds to accommodate the Sub Pod. While digging, we found a bunch of mycelium growing in this bed! We normally add a straw mulch as a top dressing to our beds for many reasons but one of them is because straw mulch encourages fast mycelium growth. Mycelium is a gardener's dream to find in their soil as it does so many wonderful things for the plants growing around it! Students will be using their new Sub Pod to experiment how it stands up to our other red wiggler only worm bins. We will let you know the results sometime next year!
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Two District Committee opportunities:
Bond Oversight Committee (Boc) At-Large Member Application:The SLVUSD Bond Oversight Committee currently has an opening for an “at-large” member.
As part of Measure “S” Bond, SLVUSD is required to have a Bond Oversight Committee. The Committee consists of seven members who meet quarterly to review and report on expenditures of bond funds and ensure that money is used only for voter-approved purposes. Committee members must be at least 18 years old and reside within the geographic boundary of the District.
If you would like to be considered for this position on the Bond Oversight Committee, please click on the following application: Bond Oversight Committee Application. If you have additional questions, please contact Laura Spilman, Bond Administrative Assistant, at [email protected] or (831) 335-5386.
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Community Advisory Committee of North Santa Cruz County SELPA: The CAC is an advisory committee to the North Santa Cruz County SELPA Director and Governance Council. The CAC provides input regarding the Local Plan, assisting in parent education, recruiting, information sharing, and parent awareness. Voting members are appointed and approved by the school board of each district. The majority of the voting membership must be comprised of parents of children with disabilities
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Metro Bus Service will be FREE to all Students beginning March 1st
Starting on Wednesday, March 1st, all students in Santa Cruz County can ride the Metro Bus for free.
This Youth Ride Free program will be piloted for one year. HIgh School students will be asked to show a student ID to the driver. Those without one can get a special pass from their school or at the Pacific Station Customer Service window in Downtown Santa Cruz.
The year-long program, set to launch March 1, aims to increase access for riders in grades K-12 and also foster a familiarity with the public transportation system that local authorities are leaning into for future planning opportunities.
"This pilot program is a big step toward reducing barriers in ridership. A key goal for the Youth Ride Free program is to help develop lifelong transit riders, while meeting METRO's overall goal of increasing transit ridership.”
More information regarding the pilot program can be found at https://www.scmtd.com/en/youthcruzfree
The bus routes can be found at https://www.scmtd.com/en/routes.
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Please help support grad night! Many of our CRHS grads attend this event. It is special that our two district high schools have so many ways to engage in activities together and Grad Night is their most important event!
Please help support fundraising for the best party ever by dining out and shopping:
- Monday, March 13 - Red Pearl Restaurant in Boulder Creek. This will be an all day dine-out fundraiser. https://www.redpearlonline.com, (831) 338-9800
- Monday, March 20th – Malone’s Scotts Valley - 15% goes to SLV Grad night all day!
- Thursday, April 6th – Faultline. Mention SLV Grad Night to get 5% of your purchase donated.
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See’s Candy for a safe and sober Grad Night 2023:
Please support our CRHS and SLVHS graduating seniors by ordering your Springtime and Easter treats through our online store until 3/24. Beautifully boxed selections and gift cards are available! Free shipping for orders of $70 or more.
https://www.yumraising.com/secure/slvhsgn_spring_for_grads5/AmyArr8048/
Free online live tutoring available. Students can now have 24-hour access to various resources, including live 1:1 tutors. This is a fantastic resource for our students and families. Here is the link to check it out:
https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=6BE9380D&ss=&r=
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Earned Income Tax Credit Information Act Communication:
Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov.
You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov. ___________________________________________________________________________
Student Nutrition Services: FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
- All SLVUSD students are eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch through the cafeteria.
- Complete the Free/Reduced Lunch Application at https://family.titank12.com/
- Although a meal application is not necessary to receive free meals during the 2022-2023 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 8:00-8:30
- Lunch will be served as followed:
- Mondays: 11:45-12:15
- Tuesdays, Thursdays and a few Mondays 12:10 - 12:40
- Wednesdays: 12:00-12:30
- Fridays: 11:50-12:20
- CRHS students can order lunch and they can pick it up from the Charter multi-use room.
- More details are coming from our Student Nutrition department. SLV Student Nutrition Services.
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Student Absences: REMINDER
For Nature Academy families, everyday that your child is absent from school you need to call our attendance line at 831-336-8527 to report their absence. Please leave your child's name, your name, and the reason for the absence.
For Homeschool families if your child will be absent from enrichment classes please contact your teacher of record to report their absence.
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GENERAL COVID NOTIFICATION: 2022-2023 COVID-19 GENERAL NOTIFICATION
We are still hearing of students and families who are getting various strands of COVID. While it is certainly much less, and less severe in general, the possibility of getting it is still a possibility. This information is still relevant.
This notice is to inform you that Santa Cruz County has dropped to a lower status as it relates to COVID-19. While the County COVID rates may go up and down there is still a higher exposure potential in a school setting. Due to the potential of being exposed to someone with COVID-19 (both in and out of school), we encourage ALL students to follow the actions below to protect one another:
- CDPH recommends that students wear a mask while in indoor settings to protect themselves and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. High-quality masks with a good fit and filtration provide the best protection.
- If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, stay home, email your school site’s Health Office and get tested. You may pick up home test kits from any school site or the District Office. In addition, students can be tested at one of our Inspire testing locations.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, isolate at home and notify your students’ school site Health Office right away.
This general notification will be sent each time in this Charter News in lieu of providing individual exposure notifications for COVID-19. Note that infections diagnosed in students and school staff are not necessarily the result of exposure at school, and when safety protocols are followed in schools, COVID-19 transmission remains more likely to occur outside of school settings.
Thank you for considering this important information. We consider the health and wellbeing of our community a priority. Additional information can be found at 2022-2023 SLVUSD Students: General Protocol for Symptoms and Positive Test Results.
-Health Office Contact Information Charter – [email protected]
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2023-2024 SLVUSD School Calendar: The 2023-2024 SLVUSD School Calendar is posted to the Charter website SLVUSD 23-24 calendar
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Dates to Remember: (Please refer to your program’s newsletter for greater detail regarding dates and details specific to your program’s Field Trips and class events.)
- Tuesday, March 14, 2023: Information Night - Nature Academy, 6-7pm
- Friday, March 17, 2023: No School-Teacher Professional Development Day
- Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7, 2023: Spring Break
- CAASPP Testing Dates (maybe subject to slight changes)
- Monday, April 17-Friday, April 21, 2023: Coast Redwood HS, Coast Redwood MS and Quail Hollow Integrated Arts
- Monday, April 24- Friday, April 28, 2023: Coast Redwood HS, Fall Creek Homeschool and Quail Hollow Homeschool
- Monday, May 1- Friday, May 5, 2023: Coast Redwood HS and Nature Academy
- Monday, May 8 - Friday, May 12, 2023: Nature Academy
- Monday, May 15 - Friday, May 19, 2023: Nature Academy
- Monday, May 29, 2023: District Holiday
- Thursday, June 1, 2023: Last day of school