MCCV Newsletter August 3, 2018
Keeping Families Connected
August Events - Next Newsletter August 17
August 3-9
Parent Teacher Conferences - EARLY RELEASE DAYS
(Dismissal Times: Kinder at noon, Grades 1-8 at 12:45pm)
August 9
9:00-11:00am, Picture Make-up Day
5:30-6:45pm, PTA Meeting - Library
6:45-7:45pm, Ed Foundation Meeting - Library
August 10
Beach Day - 8:45am to 2:15pm. Pick up at MCCV
August 13
Kindergarten dismissal at 1:30pm begins on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri
(Kinders are dismissed at noon on Wednesdays)
7:00-8:00pm, Friends of Cherry Valley Library Meeting - Library
August 18
1:00-6:00pm, Friends of Cherry Valley Library Pool Party - Thank you Sheldon Family
August 29
Celebrate Reading Day
Future Events
September 5 - Walk-a-Thon
September 14 - PTA BBQ + Ice Cream Social
SCHOOL NEWS
STAFFING
Good news to report! We are now fully staffed, K-8, and are on our way to achieving full staffing for our elective and specialist positions. As you can imagine, filling a part-time specialist position can be tricky, but we are willing to be patient to find just the right fit. While we thought we might be a step closer with hiring a PE teacher, our candidate had an unexpected life change, which made it impossible for him to jump onboard, consistently. Stability is important to our program, so we are in the process of moving forward with another candidate, and hope to have that position filled, soon. Until then, Mr. Ruddell and Mrs. Schlueter will run Zero Hour PE; classroom teachers will run electives and classroom PE until we have confirmation of a successful hire. Stay tuned.
AERIES DATA CONFIRMATION
Petaluma City School’s 2018-19 Aeries Data Confirmation is now open and should be completed by August 10. Laptops are available in the Library so you can set up your parent portal and complete data confirmation.
Please remember to return to your classroom teacher your household income form and your free and reduced lunch application even if you feel you won't qualify or do not want to participate. Just participating in the application process will secure much needed funding for our school.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
If your child has a planned absence from school for 5 or more days during the school year, please request Independent Study. This will allow the school to claim the much needed Average Daily Attendance funds for your student. Independent Study must be requested by the parent at least 5 school days in advance, and completed school work should be returned on the first day back. For more information contact Kathleen Miller at kmiller@petk12.org or call the front office.
BELL SCHEDULE FOR EARLY RELEASE CONFERENCE DAYS
Just a reminder that the school bell rings and school starts promptly for all at 8:20am. During conferences we use the early release schedule, and the following are the release times:
- Kindergarten: 12:00 noon
- Grades 1-8: 12:45pm
*Please make sure your children are supervised during conferences; staff is not available to provide childcare during this time.*
WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL PROGRAMS
CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL
JOIN PTA
We encourage every family to join the PTA annually. The basic membership is $20.00, and you'll receive the handy PTA Membership Directory. Please complete the membership form (see below) or visit http://www.cherryvalleypta.org to join and pay online. It's fast and easy and every dollar you give the PTA turns into wonderful activities and events for all our children and families too. Think: Classroom Supplies, Mentor Reading, Field Trips, Scholarships.
JOIN MCEF
The programs that set us apart from other schools are simply not funded by the district and are possible only through funding by the Mary Collins Education Foundation (MCEF). These programs include Art, Music, Environmental Education, Spanish, Advanced Math, Physical Education, teacher symposiums and professional development. We do not consider these programs "extras;" they are core parts of our curriculum and essential to our charter's mission. To pay for these critical positions, we must raise $100,000 in the 2018-19 school year.
MCEF relies on donations from you and others from our community to fund these programs in their entirety. Please do what you can to help us reach our goal of at least $250 per child per year - or about $20 per month. Any amount is helpful, so if $20 per month is too much, please consider $10 or $5 per month.
JOIN FCVL
Friends of Cherry Valley Library (FCVL), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group that underwrites part of the librarian's salary, all library books, as well as supplies and technology for our school. This school year we are also taking on the responsibility of paying 15 hours per week of the librarian's salary.
We have just kicked off our 2018 FCVL Membership Drive. Donations received during the FCVL membership drive are what keep our shelves full of new books AND our library doors open and properly staffed every school day. Turn your form in today and join Friends of Cherry Valley Library!
CLICK HERE FOR MEMBERSHIP FORM
PS - This is a wonderful way for grandparents and other friends and family to help support your children and their school!
- The Educational Foundation (can pay salaries + more) Co-Chairs Amy Cohen (amycohen339@gmail.com) and Megan Malone (meg@maloneweb.com). Think: Environmental education, music program, Spanish and middle school electives.
- The PTA (supports non-salary needs on campus) President Jen Stoneman,(jenstoneman@juno.com). Think: Classroom Supplies, Mentor Reading, Field Trips.
- Friends of Cherry Valley Library (supports the library) President Sonia Pai, (spai3@yahoo.com). Think: Librarian's Salary, Library Books, Technology.
These three groups hold community events, coordinate fundraisers, write grants and work tirelessly, all for the benefit of our children. Click here for a one page description of these three organizations.
It would be so wonderful to see some new faces working with each of these organizations. Don't be shy! You don't have to jump in as President! We are looking for brainstormers, worker bees, and helping us plan for the future. Email one of the presidents above and get involved today!
MCCV SPIRIT WEAR IS HERE!!!
Our new Cheetah spirit wear is now available to purchase! Would you like to buy a shirt, hooded or zip sweatshirt for your child? Look for sales in the quad on Wednesday, August 8 at 12:45pm. Will be buying hats if there is enough interest!
BEACH DAY - AUGUST 10
NBCC KINDERGARTEN LUNCH AND PLAY
FRIENDS OF CHERRY VALLEY POOL PARTY - FUNDRAISER
Please join us for a fun afternoon by the pool and help raise money for our school library. Enjoy unlimited food and drinks. Live music by The Receders! Catering by ZESTCuisine, an MCCV family. $50/person. Adults only. Thank you Sheldon Family for hosting again this year.
Click here to email April Derby and sign up now!
Saturday, Aug 18, 2018, 01:00 PM
SHELDON FAMILY POOL, PETALUMA
NEWS FROM THE GARDEN
Welcome new Cherry Valley families! Thank you to all the watering volunteers this summer. The garden weathered the summer and now we are clearing space for some late summer and fall plantings. Encourage your students to share an outdoor experience they had this summer during the next open-garden recess on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (sometime Mondays, too)!
Parents, on your student's respective garden day, please remind them to dress appropriately for being outside and engaging in the project or topic of inquiry. This means closed-toe shoes (all-seasons), hats (if sunny), warm clothes (if cold), rain jacket, etc. Sunscreen and a full water bottle are also encouraged. The garden class schedule per cluster and classroom teacher is as follows:
Tuesday: (morning)
2/3 rotations (Ribeiro/Kavannagh)
Open-garden Morning Recess
4/5 rotations (Pellkofer/Lewis)
Open-garden Lunch Recess
Wednesday: (morning)
Open-garden Morning Recess
Salad Bar Oversight
Open-garden Lunch Recess
Thursday: (morning)
2/3 rotations (Howe/AkersBell)
Open-garden Morning Recess
4/5 rotation (Wicks)
Open-garden Lunch Recess
Friday: (morning)
K/1 rotations (Cozza/Diego)
Open-garden Morning Recess
K/1 rotations (Caudle/McClure)
Open-garden Lunch Recess
If you would like to volunteer for your child's garden rotation, please sign-up with your classroom teacher. Also, if you are a home seed germinator and would be interested in starting a few extras of seasonal fruits and veggies, the garden could use your support.
We have finished our first couple weeks of garden rotations and settled into a routine. In keeping with the school's instructional philosophy of developing life-long learners, my goal this year is to continue supporting each student's self confidence while in the "garden," whether our school garden or any other natural space they occupy. This confidence is vital to independent learning through observation and experience. Everyone in the garden will be expected to conduct themselves based on the 3 R's of the garden program: Respectful, Responsible, and Resourceful.
- Respectful and nurturing of all things in the garden, human and non-human, living and non-living.
- Responsible for our actions and our school expectations.
- Resourceful, by seeing value in the materials and natural systems available in our "garden."
Already we have harvested between 30-40 lbs of potatoes (2/3 and 4/5); collected 7 Monarch butterfly caterpillars (open-garden recess); begun nature journalling based on a staff development training with John Muir Laws, nature journaling superhero (4/5); learned about potato eyes and conducted a potato-splitting rooting project (2/3), and explored the wonderful colors of the garden (K/1). See the above picture of a days-old monarch caterpillar resting after its first molt.
See you in the garden!
Best,
Bryce Nahas, Garden Coordinator/Teacher
(provided for by generous donations to the Mary Collins Educational Foundation)
Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley, Petaluma City Schools
GREEN TEAM
Thanks to the hard work of a couple persistent teachers, a dedicated parent, and a supportive new principal, the Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley is now a Ocean Guardian School and recipient of a grant to fund a model rain catchment system on the garden shed. The intent of the Ocean Guardian School program is to increase awareness of and develop student-based solutions to watershed health issues. It is supported by the National Marine Sanctuaries, a group within NOAA.
The Green Team is recruiting volunteers to help with projects, including the Ocean Guardians project, and various events during the school year. The last few years we have focused on waste management goals with the addition of recycled-plastic waste sorting containers in the quad and lodge, a commercial-sized worm composting system in the garden, and elimination of styrofoam trays from the hot-lunch and salad bar service. The Green Team is also responsible for planning the biannual Earth Fest and coordinating the waste reduction strategy for all on- and off-campus school events. Please contact me at bnahas@petk12.org, if you are interested.
Best,
Bryce Nahas, Green Team Staff Liaison
UPCOMING DISTRICT EVENTS
-
Innovations Showcase - February 28, 2019
- PCS Five Minute Film Festival - April 20, 2019
- Butter and Egg Days Parade - April 27, 2019
Click here for more Information
UPCOMING PEF EVENTS
Exciting Things Are Happening at PEF!
Click here to follow us on Facebook
Check out all the latest news below form the Petaluma Educational Foundation!
Our 2017-2018 PEF Impact Grant Brochure has arrived! The updated version clearly demonstrates how this incredible community continues to come together to elevate the educational opportunities for all 13,000+ K-12 students enrolled at our 38 local campuses. This year a total of $238,471 was awarded to support curriculum-based programs. This is the highest amount ever distributed since the program started in 1983! Please let us know if you would like to receive a copy of the new brochure.
Get Your 2018 PEF BASH Event Tickets TODAY!
PEF's Bourbon Street BASH is on Saturday, September 8th. Join us for a night of dinner, dancing to Pride & Joy, Super Silent & Live Auctions plus our Fund the Future paddle raise supporting all 13,000 K-12 students through the PEF Impact Grant Program!
Click Here for a link to our dedicated event website
Pre-Event PEF BASH Online Auction!
Our 2018 BASH Online Auction kicks off on August 16 -30 featuring amazing items for dining, shopping, and services all supporting local students & schools through PEF.Preview some of the items now on our event ticket website listed above.
Bid HIGH! Bid OFTEN! Bid from ANYWHERE!
PEF's ALPHABET SOUP BENEFIT THRIFT STORES
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - DELIVERY & PICK UP SERVICES AVAILABLE!
Support all local K-12 public, private & charter schools in the Petaluma area when you
SHOP - DONATE - VOLUNTEER at our Alphabet Soup Stores in downtown Petaluma.
Visit our Alphabet Soup Clothing Boutique and Alphabet Soup @ Home Stores where your purchases are truly making a difference in our community through the mission of PEF.
Alphabet Soup Clothing Boutique - 217 Western Avenue
Alphabet Soup @ Home Store - 203 Western Avenue
707.778.4818
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
- The Petaluma Music Festival - August 4 - Click here for more information
Please consider volunteering for this very special event. By becoming a
volunteer, you will directly increase the amount donated to our school!
Sign-up to volunteer at: petalumamusicfestival.org/volunteers/
The more volunteers we have from Cherry Valley, the
more money our school gets for music programs.
*When you fill out your shift request, you will have the opportunity to designate your school.*
Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley
Email: aderby@petk12.org
Website: http://www.cherryvalleyschool.org/
Location: 1001 Cherry Street, Petaluma, CA, USA
Phone: (707)778-4740
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/176049169161240/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @MCCherryValley