From the Principal
Thank you to our amazing middle school parents who came together under the leadership of Julie Chapin to host a safe and super fun Charter Middle School Halloween Dance and Game Night on Friday - it was a great evening, with great music, games, lights, food and general community atmosphere - it was a cold night but you wouldn't have known it from the happy, dancing faces!
A few updates for these next two weeks:
A note from Nathan Gonzalez, our band director: We are consolidating our Beginner and Advanced Band into one: Charter Band rehearsals are now Mondays at 5pm - no more beginner band.
The All Charter Play is soon to be under way! If you registered your student by the deadline (Oct 27) please make sure you've filled out the All Charter Play Participation Form 23-24. (If you did not receive a Student Participation Form, or need an additional copy, please use the above link to print out a paper copy and send it with your student on their first audition day. One form per student, please! Auditions begin this week at 2:45pm on Thurs and Fri (Nov 2 and 3), and continue Mon through Wed next week. Please direct any questions to Amber Walker: awalker@slvusd.org
A request from our Student Nutrition Department: Please ask your student to fill out breakfast survey so we can be sure to serve our students the best we can for this important meal of the day.
Our first Charter Parent Advisory Council took place on Tuesday, Oct 24 - thank you to all who came! Here are the meeting minutes if you were unable to attend. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, Nov 28 at 9:15am in the library. All are welcome!
And an appeal to our Nature Academy parents from all those who need to access the parking lot at pick up time, but don't need to wait in line for pick up (because we're parking, or making the loop safely instead of doing a dangerous u-turn at the top of the driveway), please wait over to the right and let cars pass by on the left. Thank you!
Here's to a great week ahead!
Kerry
Halloween at SLVUSD Charter School
We are looking forward to celebrating Halloween in our own way in all the programs on Tuesday, Oct 31. Please look for specific information from your program teacher/s. Costumes are optional on that day, and students are reminded that since we are a TK-12 program, we follow these guidelines:
- Costumes should be in good taste and safely constructed so that they do not interfere with activities.
- Gruesome costumes, including those with fake blood or fake wounds are not appropriate for our school.
- Weapons (including fakes) are not permitted.
- Full coverage face masks, skateboards and roller blades are not allowed as part of costumes.
- Please do not let your child bring candy to school for lunch.
- For parents wanting to watch the elementary Halloween Costume Parade, we start in the quad at 10am. Parent volunteers with cleared paperwork will set up activity tables in the quad for right after the parade. (Lunch to be served as usual at 11:50am out of the MPR.)
- Nature Academy is participating in Skate Day at the Roller Palladium
- Flashmob Dance directed by Amber Walker: 12 noon in the quad (note: Heartwood, QHHS, QHIA, CRHS participants)
Also: 8pm in the street in front of 405 Riverside Ave. Ben Lomond
Paint n Sip party
Come support the Nature Academy and SLV Theater Boosters and have a ton of fun at the next Paint and Sip Fundraiser, Saturday November 11th at Armitage Wines in Scotts Valley from 1 - 4pm.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets, or email Trevor's mom Beth! elilbradford@gmail.com
Hope to see you there! All Charter parents welcome!
(Guided painting. Create your own masterpiece. No experience necessary!)
Looking ahead - save the date!
Month of November: Native American Heritage Month
Mon, Oct 30- Note E Day dismissal at 2:05pm for Nature Academy
- Astrophotography Club meets at 2:15pm in the Library
- SLV All-Charter Band rehearsal - 5pm in the Multi Purpose Room
Tues, Oct 31 - Halloween!
- Elementary Costume Parade - 10am followed by parent-volunteer-led activity tables
- Dance Flash Mob - 12 noon - QH Quad
- Ga-ga Ball pit reserved for elementary programs every Tuesday lunch time
Wed, Nov 1 - No School (Professional Development Day)
Thurs, Nov 2 - Student Council meets at 8:15am in the Library
- Dungeons and Dragons Club meeting - 2 - 4pm - Alex's room
- All Charter Play auditions from 2:45pm in the MPR
Fri, Nov 3 - All Charter Play auditions from 2:45pm in the MPR
Sun, Nov 5 - End of Daylight Savings! Clocks "Fall Back" by one hour!
Mon, Nov 6 -All Charter Play auditions from 2:45pm in the MPR
SLV All-Charter Band rehearsal - 5pm in the Multi Purpose Room
Tues, Nov 7- 9:30 - 11:30am Picture Retake Day for CRHS 9:30 - 11:30 (CRHS)
Ga-ga Ball pit reserved for elementary programs every Tuesday lunch time
-All Charter Play auditions from 2:45pm in the MPR
Wed, Nov 8 - All Charter Play auditions from 2:45pm in the MPR
Thurs, Nov 9 - Picture Retake Day for TK - 8 - in the District Office Board Room 9:30 - 11am
- Student Council - 8:15 - 8:45am - Library
- Dungeons & Dragons Club meeting - Alex's room - 2-4pm
Fri, Nov 10 - No School (Veteran's Day holiday)
Coming up:
Dress up Spirit Day (theme TBA): Nov 16
Pinewood Derby Day: Nov 17
Thanksgiving Break: Nov 20 - 24
Winter Craft Faire: Dec 1
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 2:05;
- Minimum Days dismiss at 12:05;
- Short Mondays dismiss at 1:19pm
- Excursion Days (dates not all finalized) - times are individual to the excursion
Student Council Update from Teacher Alex
Congratulations to our new President Lizzy Hultin (QHIA) and Vice President Reese Schorovsky (NA)! Officers will be confirmed and announced at the next Student Council meeting.
Student Council meets every Thursday in the Library from 8:15 - 8:45am. Any student is welcome!
Community opportunities
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.
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!
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.
Volunteer information
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.
Transportation
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.
Athletics information (middle school)
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.
Click here for the updated newsletter from middle school Athletic Director Lupita Alaniz
Please click here for a link to the Panther Athletics website (SLVMS).
Please click here for a link to the Cougar Athletics website (SLVHS).
Parking lot safety
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.
Nutrition services
- 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
After school childcare
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
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
