LTUSD Newsletter
January 23, 2023
Video Chat with the Superintendent: Snow Days
Hi LTUSD friends and families,
I hope you are enjoying the new format for the District Newsletter. We decided to add a new section and titled it “Video Chats with the Superintendent”. We plan on talking about relevant topics for friends and families of LTUSD in 60 to 90 second videos clips. Our first topic is “Snow Days”, since we have had so much snow in the last few weeks. It was nice to get a break from the snow and see the sun this weekend!
Recent snowstorms have impacted our community in many ways. The picture on the right shows CalTrans digging out Carson Spur and represents both the challenges and the joys of living in the Sierra Nevada mountains. While our community, our lake, and our forests need snow to thrive, the challenges of digging out can take a toll.
In this newsletter, I included an article from our partners at Barton Health written by Kelly Vial, FNP titled “Digging Out Emotionally”. Ms. Vial offers tips on how to manage the stress of too much snow.
Our Board was very busy earlier this month. On January 12, they held an informative Board meeting where members of the Kindness Club from Lake Tahoe Environmental Services Magnet School presented information about the Club. Following the January 12th meeting, the Board held a Retreat and confirmed their desire to recognize each student's individuality and support student’s growth, desires, and dreams.
Be safe and enjoy the beauty of our wonderful playground!
Teresa
Kindness Club Presentation
Lake Tahoe Environmental Services Magnet School - Kindness Club Presentation
Members of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Services Magnet School's Kindness Club presented information about the school's Kindness Club during January 12, 2023 School Board meeting. They dressed as superheroes and did an excellent job! The mission of the Club is to help create a safe welcoming environment for all students and it is a great success. First row left to right: Joel Dameral, Olive Offenbacher, Makenna Martinez, Emma Dross, Camille Martinez, Rylee Fiel, Frany Thorne, and Maggie Fowle. Second row left to right: Trustee Reilly, President Mansfield, Trustee Turnbull, Trustee Kemper, and Trustee Hetherton.
IN THE SCHOOLS:
January 27, 28, and 29 Sound of Music Performances
Please join us and bring the whole family for the true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers. Performances are Friday and Saturday, January 27 & 28 at 7:00 and Sunday, January 29 at 2:00.
February 12 and March 19, 2023
Special Needs Community Night - Tube Tahoe
February 13-16, 2023 TASK Challenge Days
Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids (TASK) and the South Lake Tahoe High School are recruiting adult volunteers to help with 4 Challenge Days at the High School in February.
.https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949A5AA22A6FDC34-challenge
Upcoming Spring sports season physicals.
We have many openings that include the Director of Facilities and Transportation, Executive Secretary, School Secretary, Coaches, Cafeteria Supervisor, Custodians, Instructional Assistants, Substitute Teachers, Substitute Bus Drivers, and more! Good pay, full-time jobs with full benefits packages, great people in a fun atmosphere. Apply at the District Office or online at edjoin.org.
January 26, 2023 LTCC - Free Art Reception
Two new art exhibits are coming to Lake Tahoe Community College this January, with a free Artists Reception being held for both on Thursday, January 26 from 5pm-7pm. All are welcome to explore both!
In the Haldan Art Gallery located in the Roberta Mason library building will be Michelle Sweeney’s “Wildland” show, containing a mix of watercolors, artifacts, photography and audio to tell the story about life and living with wildland fire in the Upper Truckee watershed area.
In the Foyer Gallery located in the Fine Arts building will be Hannah Fridholm’s “Passed Recollection” show featuring her creative and unique ceramics work.
Artist talks by both will be held at 5:30pm and 6:30pm respectively on Jan. 26, and light refreshments will be available at both exhibits.
LTUSD COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
Barton Mental Heath - Digging Out Emotionally
We’ve weathered an intense series of storms; a seemingly endless cycle of too much wind, rain, and snow.
And while winter is known as a tough time of year, this year has felt especially challenging. From power outages to snow cancellations to days of rain and flooding to higher food prices and service delays … it’s okay to say, things feel hard right now. They are hard.
It’s normal to feel tired and overwhelmed. It’s normal to feel like you can’t fathom another day of snow removal. It’s normal to Zillow houses in Maui and dream about a warmer place to live.
Importantly though, you must also remember to keep taking care of yourself.
Do something you enjoy, check in with friends and family, take a hot bath. Try a meditation app or a gratitude tracker. Or if that feels unattainable — go back to the basics — eat well, drink water, and get some sleep.
Coping with stress in a positive way is known as resilience. Some people are naturally more resilient than others, but if you aren't as hardy as you'd like to be, you can develop skills to become more resilient:
- - Connect - build strong, positive relationships with loved ones, friends, and neighbors.
- - Set a goal each day - do something that gives you a sense of accomplishment.
- - Learn from experience - think of how you've coped with hardships in the past.
- - Harness hope - you can't change the past, but you can always look toward the future.
- - Be proactive - figure out what needs to be done, make a plan, and take action.
- - Take care of yourself - focus on eating whole, nutrient-rich foods, drinking plenty of water, and prioritizing sleep.
Winter is not over, but we do have a much needed break in front of us. Take the time to pat yourself on the back and regroup — we can do hard things and learn from and weather these storms.
Kelly Vial is a Family Nurse Practitioner with Barton Family Medicine. For information, including support and local resources regarding mental health, visit English Version or Spanish Version.
It’s OK to ask for help - Care Solace
Care Solace connects students, staff, and their families to care. At no cost to you, Care Solace will quickly and confidentially find available mental health and substance use providers matched to your needs. Find the right help at the right time. Read more…
Effective, evidence-based nutrition education for youth, adults, seniors, and families offering a comprehensive, preventative approach to health. Classes offered primarily in Spanish and English
Glazed Squash Recipe
Staffed with family engagement, literacy and health specialists, work to strengthen families and reduce isolation and stress. They can help with resource referrals and various social services applications as well. EDC Hub5 also maintains a Facebook group where it shares resources, information, parenting advice and activities. www.facebook.com/CommunityHub5/ or the Hub5 Website.
If your family, your neighbors, or anyone you know is in need of food, assistance is available! Links to information about all Central Sierra food banks, WIC agencies, school meal sites, senior meals, how to sign up for CalFresh/food stamps, food safety, home cooking, home-based activities for families, and more are available on our website.
NIXLE Parent Group Texting Network
Want to stay informed on important drug trends, local resources, and helpful information to keep your kids safe? Join the South Tahoe Parent Group Texting Network - Simply text “TASK” to 888777 to Register.