Local school districts have been working this semester to encourage good student attendance habits while also promoting positive mental health initiatives and other unique activities.
In his Sept. 4 report to the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, Superintendent Chris Schiermeyer noted the District’s Ocean Grove Charter School has seen an increase in enrollment and thanked all who participated in back-to-school activities.
At the same meeting, the San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School newspaper team gave trustees a glimpse into their journalistic endeavors.
The team includes founder Zara King, columnists Iona Gabrielson, Iris Magbag and Karina Vulpius, editor Elia Kadubec, reporters Alice D’Alessio and Bryn Taylor, and the comics team Travis Brodsky, Abe Steak, Ben Fetzer and Cody Kurt.
King said the SLVE Times began as a simple document on a school-provided Chromebook during fourth grade. She’s surprised to see how much it’s grown.
The columnists said they enjoy working on the paper, but added it can be challenging at times. However, they say they’ve learned a lot.
Trustees suggested following up with the middle school to see if there are opportunities there.
Librarian Brandy Escott told the Press Banner they’ve already made progress on this front.
“This is a special group of kids,” she said, in an interview at the elementary school library. “They will, no question, be in here every recess working on the paper…They’re drawing…They’re working on layouts and comics.”
In addition, the board approved a $211,500 contract for the varsity baseball drainage and warning-track install project at San Lorenzo Valley High School unanimously (with Gail Levine absent).
SLVUSD is also contracting with Momentum in Teaching LLC for a reading and writing workshop Nov. 4-7 at Boulder Creek Elementary School for $11,975 (to be paid with Title 1 funds).
As of Sept. 18, SLVUSD noted nearly $7,600 in donations this year—with the Middle School bringing in more than $5,000 in the most recent reporting period.
Fall Landscape for Scotts Valley
During the Sept. 10 meeting, Scotts Valley Unified School District Superintendent Tanya Krause noted the high school’s Back to School Night had a different format this year.
“It got positive reviews. Kudos,” she said, according to meeting minutes. “We have hired a Wellness Coordinator and she has started up at the high school and is working with the team getting ready to launch the Wellness Center in the near future. You will hear more about that at the next Board meeting.”
Sure enough, during their Sept. 24 regularly scheduled meeting, SVUSD trustees heard about the brand new Wellness Center being prepared at the high school that was nearly ready for its grand opening. They learned the program will have three main focus areas—mental health, physical health and substance abuse.
A wellness center is meant to provide prevention and education services, support and empowerment groups and one-to-one support in the form of counseling, crisis intervention and case management, according to the report.
Students will be able to visit Scotts Valley High School’s facility for scheduled appointments, a “brain break” for coping and self care, health information and in crisis situations. They can sign-up for themselves, or refer a friend for assistance.
“What Our Wellness Center Will NOT Be,” read a slide presented at the meeting, which lists, “A place for students to skip class,” “A replacement for SEL in the classroom” and “Successful without staff, student and parent/caregiver input.”
The educators were then introduced to the CV for the coordinator, Jodi Mulder. Mulder has a Master’s in social work from the University of Michigan and has a private practice in Santa Cruz.
Students are being recruited for the Student Wellness Committee and have been partnering with the Hope Squad. This committee will help to develop the space, promote it to students, make recommendations on programs and services, provide feedback to ensure its activities are inclusive to people of all backgrounds and identities on campus, and collaborate with existing clubs.
Staff have formed their own Wellness Team and parents are developing a web presence for the center and already set up a table at Back to School Night.
Meanwhile, Krause has been busy working with the high school’s 25th Anniversary Committee, in advance of the Oct. 19 homecoming event.
The superintendent also reported, Sept. 10, that she’s pretty excited that the Vine Hill childcare facility upgrades are finally being completed.
There are some big dates on the SVUSD calendar: Oct. 12 is the Brook Knoll Fall Festival; Oct. 14 is a day off—thanks to Indigenous People’s Day; Oct. 18 is the Scotts Valley Middle School Dance; Oct. 19 is Homecoming; Oct 24-26 is the SVHS Haunted House; Oct. 25 is Food Truck Friday; and Nov. 1 is a non-student day for all schools.
