Chartwell School: The Bulldog Bark
Weekly Newsletter for Chartwell Families
March 9, 2023
Severe Weather Alert
A series of significant storms has arrived on the Central Coast and will last through next week. Impacts may be widespread including power outages, flooding, travel delays and difficulties, downed trees, and in some mountainous regions, slope failures.
Please pay attention to your local weather forecast, take precautions when driving, and do not hesitate to stay home if you are concerned about road conditions. Your safety is the priority and we encourage all families to sign-up for emergency alerts in your county to receive updated information relevant to your region.
Chartwell will remain open unless there is a power failure on campus or blocked roads. Instruction will take place in accordance with the number of students and faculty present. We will use our emergency notification system only in the case of school closure. Check your email for any additional updates.
If you choose to stay home, please email Roz Harris at rharris@chartwell.org or call 831-394-3468 and the information will be shared with teachers and administrators. In case of a power outage at campus, use our emergency phone lines at 831-884-4991 or 831-884-4992.
Thank you, reach out with questions or for support, and stay safe.
Looking Forward to 2023-2024!
If any families have questions about the enrollment timeline, please contact Danielle Patterson at dpatterson@charwtell.org.
What's In This Newsletter
If you missed previous issues of the Bulldog Bark, you can find the archives here.
ALL SCHOOL
All Visitors Must Check-In When on Campus
SENG Parent and Caregiver Group Dates & Times
Street Hockey Starting Next Month
Check the Lost and Found - Items Being Donated Next Week
Grandparent and Special Friends Mornings - Submit Addresses
NO SCHOOL NEXT FRIDAY - MARCH 17 (Faculty In-Service Day)
LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
- Chartwell Open Air Market: Friday, March 10
- Free Dress Days!
- Bulldog Wrestling Academy
- MS Field Trip on March 13
- ULS Kickball
- MS Golf
- MS Track & Field
- Join us for the Chartwell Summer Program
- MS/HS Climbing Club
- MS/HS Track and Field Sign-ups
HIGH SCHOOL
- Q4 New Friday Schedule - Please Read
- High School Project Sales Days: March 10
UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST
- AIM Youth for Mental Health Symposium
- Living the Power 9: Understanding Depression + Cultivating a "Right Outlook"
OTHER
- February & March Chartwell Team Birthdays
Upcoming Important Dates
Upcoming
Friday, March 10 - HS Corporations Day - Chartwell Campus/McMahan Hall
Friday, March 10 - CFN Walk - CANCELLED due to weather
Monday, March 13 - MS Field Trip to Mount Hermon
Monday, March 13 - CFN meet-up at Starbucks in Marina at 8:30 am
Friday, March 17 - Reenrollment Contracts Due
Friday, March 17 - No CFN Walk - No Classes
Friday, March 17 - Faculty In-Service Day - No Classes
*Every Monday, the CFN meets at Starbucks in Marina at 8:30 am; every Friday, all parents and caregivers are invited to join a walk from campus, leaving at 8:40 am; check The Bark weekly for updates due to weather.
Looking Ahead
Monday, March 20 - Offers Extended to New Families
Tuesday, March 21 - Community Coffee with Accreditation Committee
Thursday, March 23 - Community Workshop: The Science of Reading, 5:30 pm (Zoom)
Thursday, March 30 - 1st Annual Students vs. Staff Hockey Game
Thursday, March 30 - LMS Free Dress Day
Friday, March 31 - First Day of Spring Break - No Classes
Saturday, April 1 - FRC Robotics Tournament at Seaside High School
Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7 - Spring Break - No Classes
Tuesday, April 18 - LS Field Trip to The Tech Interactive
Thursday, April 20 - HS STEAM Career Day
Friday, April 21 - Grandparents & Special Friends Day
Tuesday, April 25 - ULS Field Trip to The Tech Interactive (Whitman and Morton)
Thursday, April 27 - ULS Field Trip to The Tech Interactive (Sanchez and Warcken)
Thursday, April 27 - LMS Free Dress Day
Monday, May 8 - HS Grandparents & Special Friends Morning
ALL SCHOOL EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please Check-In When On Campus
Thank you for helping us ensure the safety of our community by following this important process.

Lost and Found Items - Claim Them Now
Begins Next Week: SENG Parent/Caregiver Group: Remote Participation Will Be Available
There are still a few spots available to join the SENG Model Parent/Caregiver Group led by Jeff Morton. Joining via Zoom is now an option as well.
What: SENG Model Parent/Caregiver Groups (SMPG) are intended to give parents of gifted learners a forum to share experiences and information. The group will be guided by SMPG Facilitator and Chartwell School’s Learning Profile and 2e Specialist Jeff Morton. These meetings will provide an opportunity to work through the book A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children by James Webb and others in addition to sharing resources and lived experiences.
Cost: Free (The book does cost ~$27 for those who want to have a personal copy of the book, which is recommended; a new edition will be released on April 11 if you want to pre-order and wait).
When: The group will meet for eight (8) weeks on Wednesdays from 5-6:30 on campus. Meeting dates are March 15, 22, and 29; April 12, 19, and 26; and May 3 and 10.
Where: The group will meet at Chartwell School, room TBA. Joining by Zoom is also an option.
There is still room for additional participants. For more information or to register for the group, contact Jeff Morton at jmorton@chartwell.org.
Street Hockey Club
Surfing Club
Surf club is possibly postponed for next week due to the upcoming weather conditions. Melissa Kelly and Coach P will provide updates via TeamSnap.
The Surf Club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 pm. Open to all grades. Contact Melissa Kelly at mkelly@chartwell.org if interested in joining.
Invitations Going Out Next Week: Grandparents and Special Friends Mornings
Grandparents and Special Friends Morning
Lower and Middle School
Friday, April 21
Grandparents and Special Friends Morning
High School
Monday, May 8
LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
TOMORROW: Friday, March 10 - ON CAMPUS 8:45-9:45 am - COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE
High school students have been hard at work planning, starting, and operating their own corporations as part of Project Period 3. On Friday, March 10, they will be hosting an Open Air Market on the Chartwell Campus!
Lower and middle school students will have a chance to shop at the marketplace. Items range in cost from $1 - $20. Parents and caregivers are welcome to shop too! Please consider letting your student bring some cash to school that day. Many of the goods that the high schoolers are producing will be desirable to our younger students. Thank you for your support!
Here are the participating corporations:
- Creative Co: Plushies, resin keychains
- Oceana Scents: Bath bombs, bath bombs with toys, bath salts
- MVM: Painted water soakers in the shapes of marine animals
- Toy Store’e: 3D printed toys
- Wholesome Hair: Homemade hair products
- Red Corp: Candles
- Chain Inc: Coasters, key chains, Chartwell custom-designed trading cards
- Hidden Gems of Monterey: Key chains, jewelry
MS Field Trip - March 13 - It's On!
The field trip to Mount Hermon on Monday, March 13 is still on! Communication will be sent again Sunday evening regarding weather conditions that may impact the field trip.
Please contact Karla Bell, assistant director of the middle school at kbell@chartwell.org with any questions.
Free Dress Days Announced!
2nd Annual Bulldog Wrestling Academy
Next Thursday, March 16, is the final day of Coach Reggie's ULS wrestling academy. If you would like to come and celebrate the wrestling athletes, please join us in McMahan Hall between 3:30-4:30 pm.
MS Golf Update: Check Team Snap Due to Weather
There have been many changes to the golf practice and match schedule due to the weather. Please keep an eye on TeamSnap for all golf schedule updates.
MS Track & Field: Weather Update
Due to weather, we will be starting practices next Thursday, March 16 from 3:30-4:30 pm at the Monterey Peninsula track. Please be sure to join TeamSnap to keep up to date with any future schedule changes.
ULS Kickball Season
April 10 - April 14: First week
April 24 - April 28: Second week
May 8 - May 12: Third week
May 22 - May 25: Last week
There's Still Time: Join Us for a Summer of Fun and Learning!
Chartwell School’s Summer CORE Program is academically focused and open to students Grades 1-8 who would benefit from specialized instruction or would like to maintain progress achieved over the preceding academic year. Designed to reinforce and build upon each student’s literacy, math and STEAM skills, the program offers hands-on activities that spark the imagination and curiosity. Students are active and socially engaged throughout the day.
2023 PROGRAM DATES
June 14 - Orientation
June 15 - Program Begins
June 19 - No Classes
July 4 - No Classes
July 14 - Last Day
Our goal is to guide children toward becoming healthy, curious, and confident learners. And, for students planning to attend Chartwell in the fall, the summer program is also a great way to become acquainted with our faculty, other students, and our expansive campus. This head start on academic and social learning ensures a smooth and successful transition in the fall.
Students rotate between Literacy Skills, Math Skills, and a STEAM/Makers curriculum:
- Literacy Skills: Students develop reading skills, reading comprehension skills, writing, organizational skills, and study skills.
- Math Skills: Students work on reviewing math concepts and growing their skills and proficiency.
- STEAM/Makers Program: Students practice principles of science through technology, engineering, art, and mathematics while answering an essential question using a hands-on and project-based-learning model.
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
High School Project Sales Days: March 10
Friday, March 10 - ON CAMPUS 8:45-9:45 am - COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE
Hang out after drop-off and peruse the goods our students have carefully produced! Lower and middle school students will have a chance to shop at this time as well. If you cannot stop by, please consider letting your student bring some cash to school that day. Many of the goods that the high schoolers are producing will be desirable to our younger students. Thank you for your support!
High School Schedule Information: Quarter 4 Fridays from April 14 - May 19
CHS is planning off-campus service work hours for Fridays in our fourth quarter (April & May). Students will choose from a variety of interesting opportunities at various non-profit organizations and will serve at the selected organization each Friday. The options range in location from Moss Landing to Salinas to Monterey, and there will be one on-campus service work opportunity as well.
Please note these Fridays are school days and attendance is expected. Excusal from these Fridays will require written excusal from caregivers and/or possibly a doctor's notes. Families will drop-off and pick-up at the organizations. Families in carpools may want to discuss choices with their students to ensure that all students in a carpool choose the same location, or choose an organization that is closer to home.
Our organizations will be: Meals on Wheels (Monterey), Last Chance Mercantile (Marina), Dorothy's Kitchen (Salinas), SPCA of Monterey County (Salinas/68), First Tee of Monterey County (Salinas), Asilomar State Beach (Pacific Grove), Elkhorn Slough Foundation (Moss Landing to Las Lomas), Chartwell School (Seaside). We are grateful to these organizations for their willingness to welcome our students, and many thanks to the Chartwell families that helped us connect with this organizations!
HS Track and Field
A meet and greet is scheduled for Friday, March 10 during lunch. We will meet on the field to solidify the roster and share important information and details. Please contact Coach Regan or Coach Patterson to sign up or for more details.
The first practice is on Thursday, March 16 from 3:30-5:30 pm at Monterey Peninsula College. Athletes will meet MPC head track coach/athletes and review of facility and equipment.
Due to the upcoming weather conditions practice is canceled for Monday, March 13 - Wednesday March 15.
Practice: Mondays-Thursdays during lunch and after school (3:30-5:30 pm at Monterey Peninsula College)
Upcoming Events in the Community
Living the Power 9: Understanding Depression + Cultivating a "Right Outlook"
The evening will focus on how adopting Blue Zones ‘Power 9’ principles can help mitigate some of these issues, while increasing overall health, longevity and true happiness.
This event is supported by The Blue Zones Project, Salinas Valley Health, Taylor Farms, and Montage Health.
Thursday, March 16
5:00 - 6:30 pm
SVMC Primecare
5 Lower Ragsdale
Ryan Ranch, Monterey
Dr. Jacobson is psychiatry specialist and has practiced for 44 years at the Behavioral Health Services of CHOMP and served as Medical Director there for 25 years. He is also the husband of Chartwell faculty member Nina Phillips!
AIM Youth Mental Health Symposium - Save the Dates!
A life-changing symposium you won’t want to miss: On April 19 – 21, 2023, AIM Youth Mental Health will gather world-renowned researchers, best-selling authors, youth experts, parents, clinicians, educators, first responders, and community members to protect the mental health and safety of our children.
This year’s AIM Youth Mental Health Symposium will be held at the Monterey Conference Center in beautiful Old Town Monterey, California. Chartwell is proud to be a sponsor of this event and Amanda Zonghi, assistant director of the high school, will be presenting at the symposium.
RESOURCES
March Faculty & Staff Birthdays
March
Karla Bell - March 8
Amanda Chace - March 10
Diane Sunseri - March 18
Topher Mueller - March 24
Katie Whitman - March 24
Sarah Chavez - March 25
Genee Cahill - March 30
Maryn Sanchez - March 31
Local Emergency Resources
Monterey County Emergency Alerts and Resources
Residents of Monterey County can text their ZIP code to 888-777 to opt-in for emergency alerts and warnings. Information will be sent via email and text message. You can also sign up for 'Alert Monterey County' to receive alerts on your landline. You can register on the county's website here.
Winter Storm Emergency Preparedness and Resources
San Benito County Emergency Alerts and Resources
San Benito County residents can receive urgent alerts by signing up for the community notification system CodeRED. The county uses the system to send important messages about evacuations, floods, and more. You can sign up here.
San Benito Emergency Preparedness and Resources
Santa Cruz County Emergency Alerts and Resources
Santa Cruz County also uses the CodeRED emergency alert system. The website can be found here.
Questions?
If you have questions for us, please contact one of the following Chartwell Team Members:
Head of School, Danielle Patterson: dpatterson@chartwell.org
Director of Teaching and Learning, Jodi Amaditz: jamaditz@chartwell.org
Assistant Director of Lower School, Katherine Kanaski: kkanaski@chartwell.org
Assistant Director of Middle School, Karla Bell: kbell@chartwell.org
Assistant Director of the High School, Amanda Zonghi: azonghi@chartwell.org
Director of STEAM and EdTech, Sandra Varajic: svarajic@chartwell.org
Director of Student Support: Billy Swift bswift@chartwell.org
Director of Campus Management and Safety, John Langrill: jlangrill@chartwell.org
Director of Advancement and Communications, Elena Mueller: emueller@chartwell.org
Director of Human Development and Wellness, Batya Fields: bfields@chartwell.org
Director of Athletics: Rory Patterson rpatterson@chartwell.org
Business Office: Katia Stornetta kstornetta@chartwell.org
Technical Support: techsupport@chartwell.org