Spring: a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be.
- Anonymous
Dear Charter Families,
In this Charter News I will share information about: -revisions to our elementary program days, start and end times for our programs next year, -CAASPP testing, -some of our many end of year events, -special opportunities offered from the county, -special Charter program events, including some of the Nature Academy students’ passion projects..
As the year winds to an end, our teachers continue to plan exciting special events for your children. The CRHS students recently came back from a day at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, CRMS students took a hike through Fall Creek and a tour of the water treatment center in Felton, and are planning their end of year festivities, Fall Creek took a trip to the tidepools and are planning a whale watching trip, QHHS went to Natural Bridges and are planning their authors sharing event. Nature Academy is bust working on the two options for families for their end of year event: Headwaters, or a smorgasbord of local excursions, as well as the semi-annual Renaissance Fair for the 7th-8th grade history finale.
The older students in Nature Academy have many passion projects they are currently working on. Some you will hear more about will be a Spring Dance for our middle schoolers to benefit St. Judes work with Cancer, a Hygiene Drive to support the homeless, a Clothing Drive to support those in need. These students are putting in a lot of their personal time to support community causes and I am happy that we can support their efforts! Special thanks to Ms. Pressley for leading this class project.
In addition, the programs will continue to work in their gardens, take hikes, and the CRMS and QHIA teachers and students are designing a field day for all the middle school students planned for the beginning of May. This event may tie into the Ice Cream Social that one of our Booster Club parents are planning for all students and parents to join together one more time before the year ends.
And let’s not forget that each program creates their own yearbook! -
Additionally, each program has their own unique promotion or graduation to honor their students who are moving on to the next grade level. We are lucky that we are small enough that we can personalize our programs and offer such unique choices in programing for families. I honor each and every teacher on our staff that continues to work from their heart with a dedication that is unparalleled in my mind. Thank you to the parents who also put in their hours to help with these tremendous undertakings.
Thank you for sharing your children with us,
~Rhonda
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CAASPP testing: We are beginning our annual CAASPP testing in our programs, starting next week for CRHS, CRMS, and QHIA. Your teachers will be sharing more specific information regarding which tests and the start times. The state tests are only one measure or a students understanding, they are untimed, and will not count against their grades.
Unfortunately, the State has ramped up the reason we need to have our students take the annual State assessment, with school penalties if we do not have enough students test.
- In addition to the importance of our needing at least 95% of students testing in all school, (which for Charter schools is a already a critical aspect of the charter renewal process) next year, for the first time, students who do not test will now be labeled by the state as having failed it, thus their negative scores will drop the Charter’s overall testing scores.
This is something we have no control over. So, we are asking each of you who has a student of testing age to please help us by having them take the test. - If we do not get at least 95% of our students testing, we will fall into program improvement. - If our overall test scores are lowered, then we fall into another level of school improvement requirements.
Our teachers are very adept at making the testing environment as relaxed as possible for their students. We offer healthy snacks and give plenty of brain and physical breaks. We encourage students to keep a positive open mindset, and think logically as they think through the questions. If you have any questions regarding the testing process for your child, please email or give me a call.
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Change to our on-site days for our new TK-1 hybrid homeschool program next year.
In listening to our parents regarding our schedule for our newly revised elementary hybrid-homeschool programs, we concurred that the benefit for families to have the on-site elementary enrichment on the same days outweighed the benefit of having a less busy environment for the new TK-1 program. Thus, we have changed the days that our TK-1 program will meet next year. They will now meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the same days that the grades 2-5 program will meet. We will stagger the start and end times as we have the programs in the past to help with the drop off and pick up, allowing parents to park and bring their young ones to the classroom door, having a check-in and possible time to chat with fellow parents before you head off for the day.
Start and end times for our programs on-site classes next year:
- CRHS classes will start at 8:30 and end near lunch time, Mon-Thurs, with elective some afternoons, and Fridays for 1-1 meetings and additional time for Independent Study coursework.
- Nature Academy will start each day again at 8:45 so that students who need to can take the bus. End times will vary as it did this year to support minute requirements, bus and excursion needs.
- TK-1 on-site enrichment will start at 9 am, end at 12:00, Tues and Thursdays
- QHIA on-site enrichment will start at 9 am, afternoon lab time will end at 2:30, Mon-Thurs., with Fridays for 1-1 meetings, Independent Study coursework.
- Grades 2-5 on-site enrichment will start at at 9:30, end at 1:30, Tues and Thursdays.
- CRMS on-site enrichment will start at 9:30, end at 2 pm, Wed and Thursdays.
(All programs will have added field outings and excursions that will add and/or possibly change their weekly schedule at times through the year. Fridays are oftentimes the day for special Charter events and excursions. Teachers will continue to keep parents informed via their weekly emails.)
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Coast Redwood High School's Info Night Rescheduled: Open House is rescheduled for: Tuesday, April 25. (5:30-6:30pm) 305 Marion Ave, Ben Lomond, 95055
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SAVE THE DATE (5/17): SLV Music Boosters will be hosting our Second Annual SLV Music & Art Festival at Roaring Camp Railroads on May 17, 2023. This event features students grades 5-12 and includes band, choir, and art. The gate opens at 4:00 and performances begin at 5:00. We hope you will attend this community event and enjoy a fun night out with performances from each of the talented school music ensembles, a student art display, 6 food trucks, and a silent auction. The festival is free for everyone, but donations will be accepted to raise money for future field trips, music, instruments, and instrument accessories.
If you are able to donate an auction item or provide cash sponsorship to our silent auction, please fill out our silent auction donation form.
SLVHS and Coast Redwood Grad Night event: The SLV Grad Night committee has been actively planning for the end of year SLV Grad Night, a safe and sober event. Tickets are now available on the website http://slvgradnight.com/. This covers both SLV and Coast Redwoods schools.Early bird tickets are $80 until April 16th. Starting April 17th, ticket pricing will be $90.
The organizing committee is looking for additional junior or sophomore parents who like to get involved to learn about running a Grad Night event, and participating in the event itself. Please reach out to one of the leads, shown on the SLV grad night web page.
Please help support grad night! Many of our CRHS grads attend this event with their friends at SLVHS. 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
Sees Candy Fundraiser!
This is your final chance to support our long-standing tradition of a safe and sober grad night event by purchasing chocolate! Please join us in giving our seniors a sweet send-off after graduation. Think Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, etc. Show your appreciation! Sees candy makes great gifts, or buy yourself a little something special. All items ship direct to you, a $70 order gets free shipping. Gift cards are also available.
Use our link below to order until May 31
https://www.yumraising.com/secure/slvhsgn_sweet_gifts_for_grads85/AmyArr8048/candy
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Science Fair Recognition: Congratulations to our own Alex Smith for being recognized and receiving an award from the Santa Cruz County Science Fair for building a model mass driver for space transport Great Work Alex!
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Parent Advisory Committee meeting; Tuesday, April 18 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/82390917298
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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County Opportunities
Eyeglasses and Eye Exams: Please contact our District Nurse, Kelly McWaid at [email protected] if you'd like information on how students who have financial needs in SC county may qualify for free eye exams and/or new or replacement glasses.
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Summer CyberCamp: We're excited to announce the return of our annual summer CyberCamps. We'd love your assistance spreading the word about this unique opportunity.
- 2023 Summer CyberCamp registration is now OPEN
- These are FREE week-long camps, in-person at Cabrillo in Aptos
- Ideal CyberCampers are current 8th-12th graders and community college students with basic computer skills and little to no cybersecurity experience
- Awesome way for students to learn about cybersecurity and connect to computer science in a relaxed environment
- Great experience to include on college admission essays!
- Includes Cabrillo and UCSC campus tours
- Details:
- Introductory Camp is June 12–16
- Intermediate Camp is June 19–23
- We recommend students taking Intermediate Camp first take Intro Camp
- An optional Virtual Advance CyberCamp is also available for those who wish to continue further
- Both camps run Monday–Friday from 9am–3pm
- Lunch, snacks and all computer equipment is provided
Summer CyberCamp Flier - English
Summer CyberCamp Flier - Spanish
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Narcan Distribution Clinic The County Office of Education, SafeRX, Inspire and Cabrillo are partnering to distribute Naloxone (Narcan) for free!
Parents, guardians and youth are invited to pick up free doses of Narcan, a life-saving tool that can reverse an opioid overdose.
The free, drive-thru distribution clinic is scheduled for 12-4 p.m. April 22 at Cabrillo College in Parking Lot R. Attendees can also receive information about how to talk to youth about opioids and other drugs and get connected with local resources.
Please see the attached flyers in both English and Spanish. For more information, visit the SafeRX website.
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Board of Trustee Meetings The next School Board meeting will be on Wednesday, May 3rd at 6:00 pm at 325 Marion Avenue, Ben Lomond, CA 95005.
For more detailed information, please check out the district website SLV School Board Meetings
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Metro Bus Service: 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. 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. Please contact our office if our student needs a temporary photo ID from us.
The year-long program 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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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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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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2023-2024 SLVUSD School Calendar: The 2023-2024 SLVUSD School Calendar It 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.)
- 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