Love is the whole thing. We are only the pieces. ~Rumi
Dear Charter Families,
Happenings: We have had several events at the Quail Hollow Site that are worth mentioning as they show how the students are enjoying themselves and supporting the efforts of building a school where students can feel a part of a community who cares for each other.
K-8 programs building community: It is so nice to see the benefits of a K-8 campus coming to fruition. The benefits students realize from being a member of their school community include increased trust to take academic risks, decreased behavior issues, and a feeling of ownership of their environment and learning. Inclusion fosters a culture of respect and belonging. It also provides the opportunity to learn about and accept individual differences, improving friendships, confidence, and self-image.
- Student Council Students are planning additional spirit days throughout the rest of the year as well as one or two larger events. A big thank you to teachers Rosie Hope and Alex Leovic for supporting this opportunity for our middle school student leaders.
- Gaga Ball. With the encouragement of Fall Creek teacher, Alex Leovic and the students in Rosie Hope’s Nature Academy class, we purchased a gaga ball pit. Some of Ms. Hope’s students helped to build the pit with Mr. Leovic and ever since it has been a big hit for students of all ages; K-8. We see students playing before school, during breaks, lunch, and after school. It has been amazing to see kids of all ages playing together. We placed it in what used to be hard sand but is now loose, so if you notice your child is coming home with dusted clothes and skin, you now know why. Big kudos to our 7th and 8th graders who are showing physical constraint and playing so respectfully with our younger elementary students.
- Science Fair: Our Science Fair is a bit unique in that we open it up to allow students to share their science interests through an experiment, research topic, or demonstration to their peers. It is a voluntary opportunity and all participants are interviewed by peers and adults about what interested them to most on their topic. Once again, this year we had some amazing presentations: a few planning to go on to the County Fair. For me, however, the most amazing element to see is the elementary and middle school students interacting with each other. Seeing younger students explaining to curious middle schoolers, and middle schoolers explaining to younger students is what it’s all about!
- Other leadership and communication skills in action: Ocean Guardian and Gardening actions in building a zero-waste site through recycling and reusing materials, 6th gr and K-5 buddies, learning leadership with Robin Bates, class project of eliminating invasive plants on site
CRHS re-implementing their Meeting of the Tribes. Once a month on Tuesdays, the teachers will gather their grade level "tribes" together, revisit our CRHS norms/life skills, and discuss our thoughts about our media footprint, positive energy, human character, and making CRHS better each day.
Please read on for info about -CAASPP testing, -information nights, -PAC updates (including LCAP presentation) - talking to students about the war in Ukraine.
We are grateful for you and your students. Thank you for being with us this year and for all that you do for your children and their friends.
~Rhonda
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Parent Advisory Committee: Our next meeting will be: Tuesday, March 15th at 10:30. We will meet in the Charter Library as well as Zoom.
My apologies for not being able to maintain the Zoom portion of the LCAP meeting with Chris Scheirmeyer at the last meeting. Here is a link to the presentation that was shared.
Thank you to the parents who attend these meetings. These meetings are designed to ensure we have parent input into critical documents that are the backbone of the Charter. Yearly this committee gives input to our Local Control Accountability Plan (includes our school goals and funding) School Safety Plan, Annual Parent Survey, as well as our 5 year Charter Petition Renewal and Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation review.
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Next year’s school calendar is out! 2022-23 SLVUSD District School Calendar
As you see, next school year will be starting and ending a bit earlier than this year. Take not for those who are planning summer trips.
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Planning for Next Year
Information Nights: March 8th and 15th. Flyers can be found on our website. Charter Information Nights Please help spread the word to friends and acquaintances that may be interested. I also had Drew Penner from the Press Banner interview me about the Charter programs. His article mentions the information nights as well. SLV Charter Info Nights Upcoming, Unfortunately, he forgot to add our Coast Redwood High School Program as one of our programs, so don’t forget our Hybrid Independent Study option for high school students who may want more flexibility in their daily high school schedule.
Intent to Return Forms: You should have received an Intent to Return from our Admin Office last week. We are asking you to return it by March 7th. Returning them before our Information Nights helps to ensure your spot in our programs before we receive applications from new students. It also helps me determine our staffing needs as I plan for next year. After our Info Nights, Program openings will be filled from our waitlist or via the lottery process. The information night for Nature Academy initiates our application and lottery process. The same goes for the QHIA program. Siblings not currently enrolled in Charter must also complete a pre-enrollment application and intake form. Thank you for your quick support in returning these to your teachers or our office.
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Addressing a tough subject: We are all managing trauma in one form or another due to a variety of reasons that don't seem to be ending soon. Managing trauma in the classrooms, homes (and within ourselves) has become a part of our norm.
When it comes to your children, our students, we are committed to doing all that we can to support their mental health and sense of safety as we help them along their academic path. It can be a tough balance, especially with the added layers that social media contributes to their web of social communication.
The war crisis in Ukraine has added to the potential anxiety that children may be feeling. Teachers' responsibility is to teach to the content areas. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may come up in a class, we may hear students talking about it among their friends ‘between classes’. I want you to know that it is not our plan to emphasize the topic during classes. When it comes up our focus will be to let students know we are hearing them and to help them create a level of calm and to know that they are safe.
These articles reference Common Sense Media, child development specialists, Child Mind Institute; meaning they are based on reputable sources. I link them here only for your convenience if you are interested.
War, Crisis, Tragedy: How to talk with kids when the news is scary - How to talk to children about war: An age-by-age guide - How to Talk to Kids About Ukraine
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CAASPP Testing You may be hearing about the required State testing from your teachers. This will be the first year since the Pandemic and Distance Learning that students will be required to take the test. The tests will be shorter in length than in previous years. We are firming up our schedule for each grade and test but in general, programs will begin testing at the end of April through May.
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Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 Student Participation: All students at the designated grade levels are required to participate with the following exceptions: -Students who participate in the alternate assessments. -ELA only—English learners who are in their first 12 months of attending a school in the United States. Content and Format: The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, which are delivered by computer, consist of two sections: a computer adaptive test and a performance task (PT) based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for ELA and mathematics. The computer-adaptive section includes a range of item types, such as selected response, constructed response, table, fill-in, graphing, and so forth. The PTs are extended activities that measure a student’s ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards—a key component of college and career readiness.
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California Science Test (CAST) in grades 5, 8, and once in high school. Student Participation: The CAST is required for all students in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade ten, eleven, or twelve) unless their IEP indicates assessment with an alternate test. The CAST includes stand-alone or discrete items and PTs. The discrete item types consist of selected response, constructed response, table, fill-in, graphing, and so forth. The PTs measure a student’s ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards through extended activities.
- The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for students in California schools is the FITNESSGRAM®. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting life-long habits of regular physical activity. Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test. The test has six parts that show a level of fitness that offer a degree of defense against diseases that come from inactivity. The test results can be used by students, teachers, and parents. The PFT - CalEdFacts page provides a more detailed overview of the test.
Charter Library Help needed: If you are interested in volunteering in the library, please contact Clara Elliott at [email protected]. Help is needed bar-coding, entering books into our system, and shelving. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Here is a link to the library to give you a little taste of what is being developed: https://bit.ly/3yCnPlY
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WASC Information: Visit postponed. Due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak and spread, the upcoming accreditation visit to SLVUSD Charter School will be moved to the Fall of 2022. In order to accommodate this change, the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) has extended the accreditation status of SLVUSD Charter School, through June 30, 2023.
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COVID-19 Testing Information: The District provides testing in partnership with Inspire Diagnostics. By registering your student(s) with Inspire Diagnostics, your student(s) can test for weekly screening or for exposures as necessary. When your student(s) participates in this weekly screening and/or exposure testing, he/she is eligible to remain in school during a "modified" quarantine.
To register your student(s), please click on INSPIRE DIAGNOSTICS REGISTRATION.
If you prefer that your student(s) only participate in exposure testing, please contact Kelly McWaid at [email protected] or your site principal. If your student is currently registered and you would like to make adjustments or corrections to the registration, please contact Inspire Diagnostics at [email protected].
The Inspire Diagnostics Testing Dates and Times at Quail Hollow are Monday & Thursday 10:45 am - 11:45 am
We appreciate and rely on your continued support in:
- Daily screening by parents of their students, as well as staff screening protocols.
- Staying home if your student has any signs of illness. (Symptoms include: fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste/smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea/vomiting, and/or diarrhea.)
- Reporting to us at the Charter office if your student is symptomatic and/or has had any exposures to a positive COVID-19 case in your household. [email protected] attendance line, 336-5167 office number, 335-0932
- For more information, you may access the California Department of Public Health website.
From our Charter VAPA Booster parents: All Charter Play Update
Due to many obstacles related to Covid protocols, the All Charter Play will, unfortunately, need to be canceled this year. There have been lengthy discussions between the district theater teachers, including Amber Walker, the Charter Theater Booster Club, and Rhonda, that have led to this decision. Amongst the many, the primary obstacle is the large K-12 cast. Historically, the All Charter Play has had a cast of 70-90 performers from all charter programs, which is just too large a group with current Covid restrictions. To hold auditions and cut any performers in order to reach a smaller cast size goes against the spirit, culture, and legacy of our wonderful All Charter play. We look forward and are hopeful that this tradition can return during the 22-23 school year. In the meantime, we are optimistic regarding the All Charter Talent Show in May.
Sincerely, Your Charter Theater Booster Club, Amber Walker, and Rhonda Schlosser
All Charter Talent Show: Friday, May 20, at 7pm Coordinator: To Be Determined
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Charter Parent Volunteers: The registration process for volunteers is as follows:
New Volunteer: You will be required to pick up and fill out the volunteer paperwork from your school site and obtain a signature from the school site administrator. Once complete, please bring your signed paperwork to the Human Resources Office. You will also be required to provide verification of a full COVID-19 vaccination* and a current TB result.
Returning Volunteer: You will be required to provide verification of a full COVID-19 vaccination. This documentation can be provided to your child's school site. The school site will forward proof of vaccination to the Human Resources Office. You may also bring the proof of COVID-19 vaccination* documentation directly to the Human Resources Office.
*Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required regardless of where the volunteers are on campus, inside or outside.
Registration packets are available in our Charter Administration Office.
The Human Resources Office hours will accept 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.
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Employment Opportunities at SLVUSD: Are you looking for part-time or full-time work? Interested in joining the SLVUSD Team? We have several job opportunities. You can review SLVUSD job opportunities at www.edjoin.org/slvusd.
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Community Opportunities:
The district has transitioned the Community Opportunities site to the new platform that Google will continue to support. Here is the LINK to the website...
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Dates to Remember:
- Friday, March 4: End of second trimester
- Friday, March 18: No School, Professional Development day for staff
- April 4-8: Spring Break
- Monday, May 30: District Holiday, Memorial Day
- Tuesday, June 7: Last day of school for students
Key Contacts
Administrator: Rhonda Schlosser: [email protected]
Administrative Assistant: Danelle Matteson: [email protected]
Registrar: Janet Hendricks [email protected]
Mental Health Counselor: Robin Bates [email protected]
Resource Specialist: Melanie Entner[email protected]
HS Academic Counselor: Mary Zilge [email protected]