Chartwell School: The Bulldog Bark
Weekly Newsletter for Chartwell Families
January 12, 2023
Message to Our Community from Danielle
Dear Chartwell Families:
The last few weeks have challenged our community and disrupted our routines with power outages, severe flooding, evacuation warnings and orders, fallen trees, and more. Our decision to remain open as long as we had power and roadways were clear was to support our students and families and offer a safe and structured place during a chaotic time. Please know your safety is our highest priority at all times and we trust our families to make the decision to come in or stay home and will always support your judgment based on your unique situation.
I want to also commend our educators and staff for their flexibility and adaptability as we worked to hold classes while supporting our colleagues who faced challenges at home or could not make it in due to road closures or other weather-related issues. As one faculty member shared, it was a "Herculean" effort across the board and I am in awe of our community's ability to come together, support one another, and continue to educate and inspire amidst the relentless weather.
If any family was impacted by the storms and needs assistance or support, please do not hesitate to contact me. We have an army of helpers who are standing by to mobilize if needed!
It remains unclear what the next few weeks hold. Please communicate with me or Jodi Amaditz if you have questions, suggestions, or resources that may help us better support our community going forward. We are encouraging families who travel the impacted routes along the Salinas River to stay home again tomorrow (see below) and have included a list of resources gathered over the last week for your reference.
I am grateful for the strength and compassion of our Chartwell community which becomes so evident during challenging times like these. Thank you, stay safe, and reach out if and when help is needed.
In gratitude,
Danielle
Weather Update: Flood Threat Continues
With the continued threat of extensive flooding in the Salinas Valley, there is still the potential that Highway 1 (in both directions), Hwy 156, and Highway 68 could all close if water levels reach anticipated forecasts.
We are recommending that all families, faculty, and staff that travel these routes that cross the river stay home tomorrow, Friday, January 13. As always, any family, student or faculty, and staff member who does not feel comfortable driving in the current conditions should use their best judgment and will be fully supported by the school if you choose to stay home. We do ask that you send an email to Roz Harris at rharris@chartwell.org or call 831-394-3468 by 8:30 am to confirm you are staying home.
Chartwell will be open for our families in unimpacted areas, assuming we continue to have power and roads are accessible.
Thank you for your continued flexibility and resilience during this challenging time. Please let us know if you need any additional support from the school. Contact your division head with any questions.
Katherine Kanaski, Lower Division: kkanaski@chartwell.org
Karla Bell, Middle Division: kbell@chartwell.org
Amanda Zonghi: High School: azonghi@chartwell.org
Important Update About Classes Tomorrow
High School
Students will be watching an educational documentary, with pre- and post-questions. The link and questions will be posted on the Project Period Google Classroom page for students who would like to participate from home.
Middle School
Students will be watching an educational movie, Hidden Figures, with pre- and post- questions. Families are invited to view the movie at home if they would like, but it is not required. We encourage students to continue to read at home daily. Students who have computers at home can work on i-Ready or IXL diagnostics if they are not complete.
Lower School
Lower school students will be watching Our Friend, Martin, and Upper Lower School students will be watching Hidden Figures. Follow-up questions will be shared next week. Families are invited to view the movie at home if they would like, but it is not required.
Please contact your division head with questions.
What's In This Newsletter
If you missed previous issues of the Bulldog Bark, you can find the archives here.
ALL SCHOOL
- Weather Update: Same Guidelines as Today
- No School Monday: Martin Luther King Jr Day
- Family Conferences Sign-up - Wednesday, January 18 - Friday, January 20 - NOON Pick-up Days
- Tonight! Community Workshop: Traits and Challenges of Twice Exceptional Learners - 1/12/23, 5:30 pm via Zoom
LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
- LMS Pizza Program - Pizza Will be Available for Students at School (who are signed up for program)
- MS Shadow Will Be Rescheduled
- MS/HS Climbing Club!
HIGH SCHOOL
- $20 Needed for High School Corporations Project
- Field Experience Will be Rescheduled
- Basketball - See Team Snap
- MS/HS Climbing Club (see article in Lower and Middle School Section)
- Surf Club Coming Soon
OTHER
- January Faculty Birthdays
Upcoming Events
Monday, January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr Day - No Classes
Tuesday, January 17 - Lower School (Ford, Phillips, Rhoads) Field Trip to The Tech Interactive - Check email Monday for confirmation.
Wednesday, January 18 - Friday, January 20 - Family Teacher Conferences - NOON dismissal
Saturday, January 21 - FTC Robotics Tournaments (Sunnyvale)
Tuesday, January 24 - Chartwell High School Overview (Zoom) - 5:30 pm; RSVP to info@chartwell.org
Thursday, January 26 - Community Coffee - New Year Check-In with Jodi Amaditz and Danielle Patterson, 8:30 am, McMahan Hall
ALL SCHOOL EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
No School Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Traits and Challenges of Twice Exceptional Learners - January 12, 5:30 pm
Join Learning Profile and 2e Specialist Jeff Morton for an informative and engaging exploration of the characteristics of 2e learners and the common barriers to learning they face. Participants will gain insight into the experiences of 2e learners and be presented strategies and resources to better help these students meet their potential.
This free workshop is open to the public and is being presented via Zoom. See link below to join TODAY at 5:30 pm.
LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
MS Shadow Day 1/12 To Be Rescheduled
Lower School Field Trip - January 17, 2023 (Weather Permitting - Check Email Monday)
Please check your email on Monday for a confirmation or cancellation of the trip based on the current weather forecast.
Lower School Field Trip - January 17, 2023
Next week, the lower school homerooms (Ford, Phillips, and Rhoads) will be going on a field trip to The Tech Interactive! Here are some important details to prepare for the trip:
Drop-off and pick-up times remain similar to a normal day. The bus will leave at 9:00 am.
Pack a lunch and water bottle labeled with your child’s name.
Bring a jacket in case of cold weather.
Masks are highly recommended on the bus and while at The Tech Interactive but are not required.
Please do NOT bring iPads, books, stuffed animals, or other items on the trip.
If you have any questions about the field trip, please email Dr. Varajic at svarajic@chartwell.org.
LS/ULS Intramural League 2022-23
Our first intramural basketball game for Lower and Upper Lower School students is on January 17 during lunch beginning at 12:25 pm. Games are 10 minutes long.
The goal is to have fun, learn new skills, compete amongst peers, and gain valuable experience in a team-oriented environment.
The game schedule:
January 17 - First game/scrimmage
January 31 - Practice and competitions
February 1 - Game/scrimmage
February 2 - Game/Scrimmage
February 14 -Game/scrimmage
February 15 - Game/scrimmage
February 28-March 2 - Playoffs & Championship
Intro to Chartwell High School Zoom Presentation
MS/HS Chartwell Climbing Club 2023
The Chartwell Climbing Club is open to all middle and high school students. Contact Elizabeth Darovic at edarovic@chartwell.org with questions or to sign-up.
- The program is an 8-week commitment - January 23-March 24, 2023; Commitment forms are required to join: Each climber is expected to complete the entire 8-week program.
- Meets Wednesdays and Fridays after school at Sanctuary Climbing and Fitness
- All skill levels are welcomed
- The gym fee (membership) is included for all Chartwell climbing club members.
- Waivers are required by the gym; check sanctuary.com for more information and the waiver form.
- Approximately 10 students to 2 teachers/advisors ratio per skill group
The goal of the Chartwell rock climbing club is to introduce our students to the fundamentals of rock climbing. During our 8-week rock climbing program, students will eventually learn the proper fundamentals of rock climbing and they will be able to compete amongst themselves. Small teams of students will compete against each other in fun competitions.
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
HS Field Experience Will Be Rescheduled
Please watch for an updated soon with information about a new date.
$20 Needed for High School Corporations Project
All high school students should bring $20 cash to school this week to kick off their "Corporations" project. Each student-run corporation will have a chance to earn their funds back, plus profits. If sending $20 to school for your student is a burden on your family, please send a confidential email to Katia in the business office at kstornetta@chartwell.org and she will supply the cash to your student discreetly.
When students buy into their businesses, it creates a greater sense of ownership. Thank you for supporting this project!
High School Basketball
- Thursday, January 19: Silver Team North Valley Baptist - 5:30 pm
- Friday, January 27: Silver Team North Valley Baptist - 5:30 pm
Be sure to check Team Snap for updates and changes.
** HS Surf Club Starts in February 2023. Watch for More Information.**
January Faculty & Staff Birthdays
Anthony Garcia - January 8
Kristen Bogue - January 13
Stacy Meheen - January 17
Jack Riley - January 18
Amanda King -January 19
Tayler Rutter - January 21
Jesse Vickers - January 21
Rory Patterson - January 29
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