If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.
- Maya Angelou
Dear families,
We had a special event for our students in grades K-8 who wanted to attend last Friday, February, 12. Three seniors from Notre Dame High School in San Jose. They took their passions of art, science, and care of the ocean and wrote a picture book about ocean acidification.
It was very inspiring! Their presentation via zoom was very accessible to our students in grades 2-8, and based on their comments through chat, the students were engaged and curious. The girls had so much to share within so many various aspects; writing, drawing, publishing, the ocean, acidity, community activism...a little bit to support so many students' potential interests! They even drew a picture on the spot for us to demonstrate the technique.
The Charter programs aim to encourage the various strengths in all our students and help them to step up to make a difference as citizen scholars. This presentation was s great example of how students can make a difference if they share their voice for the benefit of the greater good.
Their book is called, Sheldon, Your Shell and can be found on Amazon All of their proceeds go to Save or Shores to help protect our local ocean habitat. We have copies to borrow if you would prefer. Please ask your teachers if you would like to borrow a copy.
Don’t forget to review your teachers' emails each week! They are working so hard to keep your students engaged and learning at their best, but we need your help too.
Please read on for dates for Robin’s and my Zoom meetings. This Wednesday, Feb 17th at 10:30, join me for Reflections on Homeschooling Parents love to hear from other parents as well, and so I hope for a strong number of various homeschooling attendees.
Also coming up are our annual Charter Information Nights in March. Please share the information with anybody you may know who is interested in enrolling with us next year.
Due to a slower than expected move on the construction, we have decided to postpone the Town Hall meeting regarding the Charter consolidation onto the Quail Hollow site. Stay tuned for further information as the construction at Quail Hollow moves further along.
And please continue to read the emails from Dr. Bruton regarding the steps toward expanding our on-site opportunities for students and the steps required to fully open schools back up.
All the Best,
~Rhonda
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From Dr. Bruton: Safe Reopening/Expanding on-site services.
Currently, school staff are being vaccinated or will be scheduled to be vaccinated in preparation for in-person classes. Returning to in-person classes will proceed in phases as school staff are adequately immunized. Specific dates for reopening each grade level will be determined based on the completion of state guidelines, and the vaccination and immunization timeline for staff.
The SLVUSD district administration and SLV Teachers Association and SEIU continue to work together to prepare for schools and classrooms to reopen. Districts in Santa Cruz County are predicted to begin reopening in mid-March and early April. Preschool, kindergarten, and special education groups will most likely be the first started and will be followed by other elementary grade levels. Middle and high schools will follow as health conditions allow but will continue to offer as many in-person services as possible. More detailed information and specific dates will be provided as soon as they are available.
Thank you for your patience and support for staff and students.
Dr. Laurie Bruton
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Parent Advisory Committee: Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, March 9th at 10:30am.
Join Zoom Meeting https://slvusd-org.zoom.us/j/86865665362
We will continue to focus on our LCAP; Local Control and Accountability Plan as well as plans for supporting the outside area of our Quail Hollow school site and Library needs. It is important that our Charter parents are informed of the reports and processes that our Charter is held accountable to. Please attend this meeting if you are wanting to step up for a more active role in the growth of your student’s Charter school.
Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings, however, please remember that it is important to have a consistent group of parents to represent each program in the Charter. This Committee helps advise on various Charter annual activities, reports, including the budget and Charter renewal. They then report out in their various program parent meetings and gather additional information from the parents in the programs.
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Zoom opportunity: Reflections on Homeschooling. 10:30 am Every 1st and 3rd
Our last session had to be canceled due to the evacuation and lack of power. Please attend our next one, this Wednesday, February 3. Last time we met the discussion was more about the writing process. This time, I’d like to share more about math..unless there is another topic that others would prefer.
This will be a time to discuss critical questions on your minds and various learning strategies for all age groups. The idea may have been initiated for those new to the homeschool process, but based on my 30 + years of experience, I know that this forum will be a great opportunity for more veteran homeschoolers as well. I’d love to hear the voices of old and new on these Wednesday Zoom times.
Please join me. This Wednesday, February 17 at 10:30
Join Zoom Meeting
Reflections on Homeschooling: 10:30 Every other Wed of each Month
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R & R Coffee Chat Check-in for parents:
This is an open zoom meeting invitation for Charter parents to join Rhonda Schlosser, our Charter Administrator and Robin Bates, our Mental Health Specialist. This meeting is open to all to spend time with us, brainstorm issues, listen to your challenges and successes, and offer support in our road ahead together.
Join R&R Zoom meeting: March 2,18
We look forward to “sharing coffee” and conversation with you!
Robin’s Consistent Meetings: In addition to classroom support and 1-1 sessions, Robin is holding regular group support meetings. For more information, contact Robin Bates,LMFT [email protected]
- 2x times monthly - R & R coffee parent meeting
- Thursdays at 12 - support group for parents with CZU home loss
- Thursdays at 3 - support group for highschool students - "The Unwind"
- Tuesdays at 12- home loss support group for middle schoolers
Parents' Support Group for Home Loss
Thursdays at noon
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88247283608
Hi families. I'm learning first-hand that losing a home is a major major loss. The experience of grief can be unexpected and overwhelming at times. I created this group for us to come together to support each other, share our struggles and successes in hope that we don't feel alone in this long process of healing.
Coast Redwood High School Students, you are invited to...
The Unwind
45-minute zoom group with Robin Bates
Join any week! Thursdays at 3 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83350602277
We will take some time to check-in, explore mental health topics,
support, and unwind together in a weekly group for 6 weeks. This is not a psychotherapy group, but simply a place to check-in, unwind, learn and connect with the counselor and your peers. I hope to see you all there!
Support for Middle School students
who’ve lost their homes in the CZU Lightning Fire
Tuesdays from 12-12:45, starting Nov 10th
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89535971446
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From the Santa Cruz County Office of Education:
Santa Cruz COE TK-6 Family Night Series:
The Santa Cruz COE is offering monthly Family Nights from January through May for students TK - 6 and their families.
Please note that when you register, you will receive the Zoom link. Here is the Spanish Flyer, English Flyer, the Registration Form, and more about our Family Night Series on our Distance Learning website.
Hope you can join us!
Kevin Drinkard, Math Coordinator
Santa Cruz County Office of Education
831.466.5821
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NAMI Basics is a free, 6-week education program for parents and family caregivers of youth (11-17) who are experiencing mental health challenges or who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. This course is a highly recommended resource for parents who are looking for information and support for themselves and for their children who experience challenging behaviors and/or moods. The curriculum focuses on facts about mental health and how best to support children at home, at school, and when they're getting medical care.
The course is taught by a trained team with lived experience—they know what family caregivers go through, because they've been there themselves, and are compassionate to unique challenges.
Parents/Caregivers to register now at:
https://www.namiscc.org/nami-basics.html
Or by contacting our office at:
(831)-824-0406 or [email protected]
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CRISIS MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
In Case of Immediate Emergency Dial 9-1-1
Santa Cruz County 24-Hour Suicide Crisis Line- 1-877-663-5433 (ONE LIFE)
Santa Cruz County 24-Hour Crisis Line- 1-800-952-2335. Immediate crisis support to assess for hospitalization in a psychiatric crisis.
NAMI Santa Cruz County Help Line- 831-427-8020 x7 For individuals and family members affected by mental illness interested in learning more about local resources and navigating the mental health care system. Leave a message and receive a call back within 24 hours.
National 24-Hour Disaster Distress Helpline- 1-800-985-5990 Free counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters (COVID-19 included).
Santa Cruz County 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline- 1-888-900-4232
Santa Cruz County 24-Hour Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line-1-877-505-3299
Suicide Prevention Services of the Central Coast
https://fsa-cc.org/suicide-prevention-service 831-459-9373
Crisis Text Line-Text 741-741 for 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support
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What to do in a Mental Health Crisis
If you are thinking about harming yourself or attempting suicide, tell someone who can help right away: Call your doctor’s office, 911 for emergency services, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be connected to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you.
Ask a family member or friend to help you make these calls or take you to the hospital. If You Have a Family Member or Friend in a Crisis: If you have a family member or friend who is suicidal, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get the person to seek help immediately from an emergency room, physician, or mental health professional. Take seriously any comments about suicide or wishing to die.
Even if you do not believe your family member or friend will actually attempt suicide, the person is clearly in distress and can benefit from your help in receiving mental health treatment. If you are not in imminent danger but need immediate crisis support call: (800) 952-2335 / (24-hours a day for Santa Cruz County residents to assess for hospitalization in a psychiatric crisis.)
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Charter Office Contact Information: The Charter office is open Monday through Friday from 8am-4pm. To reduce COVID19 exposure we ask that parents call or email the office before physically coming to the office in order to make arrangements to make contact with us in person. We will have a pick-up/drop-off box outside our office for parents to pick up/drop off items that need to be returned to office staff. Our office phone numbers are 335-0932 or 336-5167. You may also email us at [email protected] or [email protected]
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping us keep office staff healthy and safe during this time so that we can continue to support our families.
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Dates to Remember:
- February 15th, Monday: No school: Holiday
- March 12th, Friday: No school: Professional Development for Teachers
- April 5th-9th: No school: Spring Break
- May 31, Monday: No School; Holiday
Contacts
Administrator: Rhonda Schlosser: [email protected]
Administrative Assistant: Danelle Matteson: [email protected]
Registrar: Janet Hendricks [email protected]
Mental Health Counselor: Robin Bates [email protected]
HS Academic Counselor: Mary Zilge [email protected]