The Meristem Monitor is a listing of activities and news items occurring at Meristem. This newsletter is a student-centered effort (with a parent advisor) to help students, staff, and parents stay updated on and involved in the Meristem community. For items to be listed or questions and comments, please contact Laura-Lynne Powell at lauralynne.powell@gmail.com, or Taylor Oide, Meristem Marketing Coordinator, at tayloro@meristem.pro.

April 7-11

Day Program

Snow Trip was a Success

On Monday, students enjoyed snowball fights, inner tube sleds down slopes, and a cold, crisp day at Soda Springs Mountain Resort!

Annual Softball Tournament at Napa Veterans Home

The annual softball tournament between residents and friends of veterans at the California Veterans Home in Yountville will be held Friday, April 25. This is a fun annual outing where Meristem students play residents from the home. Most years, a local news outlet comes out and does a story on the event. Students can sign up at the bulletin board on campus starting on Wednesday, April 2. Lunch and transportation will be provided, students will leave campus at 9am and return by 3:15pm.

We Need Your Help in the Garden

Get some free hours and want to get your hands dirty? Come help us for an hour or two in the Garden. Contact Twyla at twylat@meristem.pro to learn more and schedule your visit.

ILS/Dorm Program

Transportation Trip Planning Underway

Dorms students are planning their spring transportation trip for April 26. The spring trip is determined by students who are demonstrating their time management and planning skills to present to their peers to select a place. This is a dorm-student only event and will not be overnight. Contact Katelyn Cook with questions at katelync@meristem.pro.

Prom for Day and Dorm Students on May 9

The annual Enchanted Prom for special needs teens and young adults will be held this year on Friday, May 9. This event is sponsored by Bayside Church in Granite Bay, and includes red carpet entrance, dancing and is an opportunity for students to dress up for the evening. Day students will be able to dress at the Meristem Bed & Breakfast, or in individual bathrooms. It will be preceded by an on-campus pre-party 3:30-5pm at Town Hall. Departure for the prom (8191 Sierra College Blvd.) is at 5 pm. Event is 6-9 pm. Day students must have their own ride back to campus or home. RSVPs are requested by April 11. Email ILSM@meristem.pro for confirmation of attendance.

See the flyer for more information.

Student Coordinators

Family Support Group Meetings Continue

Thursday support group meetings are 7:15-8:45 pm, by Zoom only, except as noted. Thursday meetings are held:
April 17
May 1
May 15, 6-7:30 p.m. *note the time change

Monday meetings are a hybrid option with some Zoom participants and some in person. They are ALWAYS held 1:30-3 pm. Monday meetings are held:
April 21
May 5
May 19

Student Coordinator Helpline

A reminder that students and parents should use their SC as their primary contact and utilize the SC helpline if a quick response is needed (or to report absences, etc.) Perhaps text BOTH your SC and the helpline to be sure your message is received. The SC help line is 916.546.9422.

Cafe Updates

Cafe Introduces New Menu Items

The Cafe recently introduced two new menu items: street tacos and a Meristem burger. The street tacos are made with different kinds of meat each week and served salsa verde, house pickled escabeche, and are served with chips and salsa. The Meristem burger is a beef chuck, brisket, short rib patty with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, gluten-free bun, and Meristem spread. Both of these items have been a hit!

Have questions or want to make a reservation? Contact: reservations@meristem.pro, or call 916.768.6390.

Development & Philanthropy

Join Meristem, Family, and Friends for Taste & Transform

This is a kickoff event for the Big Day of Giving. It is an on-campus, casual day of wine, beer, food tastings to bring people to Meristem, raise funds, and promote Big Day of Giving. This event will be ticketed, and will be open to the public and to students. Event includes live music, yard games, and an interactive exhibit. Vendors interested in offering tastes of their products are being sought. Contact: Zoe Fishman, zoef@meristem.pro.

Purchase tickets here.

Big Day of Giving is May 1

This is a way for families and friends of Meristem, as well as staff and students themselves, to support Meristem and prompte into the community what is being offered at Meristem. Big Day of Giving is a regional fundraising challenge that supports local non-profits. The main event is Thursday May 1, but early giving can begin April 17. Information about how to do that will be on the website shortly. Contact: Zoe, zoef@meristem.pro if you’re interested in learning how to participate this year.

Administration

Highlight of the Recent March Family Zoom Meeting with Erin

The last family Zoom meeting with Erin brought up a number of topics including:

  • Erin urged families to encourage their students to try new things: go on outings, attend functions, volunteer, and said that ILS students are being encouraged to do so as well.
  • Friends of Meristem are reminded that the program is open to enrollment and there are no waiting lists. Enrollment is open for the Day program, Work Skills program, and ILS/Dorm program.
  • Meristem staff has been in meetings with the UC Davis MIND Institute about a pilot study the organization may consider holding that could involved Meristem students in a study on approaching work skills.
  • Family discussion that followed Erin’s presentation included the possibility of creating a family network and volunteers pledged to work on establishing an email group to allow families to stay in touch and updated on being a part of the Meristem community.

Next Family Zoom Meeting with Erin Will Be Held Wednesday, April 16

The next family Zoom meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 16, at 5 pm. Salina will email families a link prior to the meeting. And a recording of the meeting is sent in the days that follow it for those who missed. Contact: Salinas@meristem.pro

Job Openings

The following job opportunities are available at Meristem: Independent Living Instructor, three positions: one the week day shift and two the weekend shift, and a Work Skills Program Specialist. Details on careers at Meristem are here.

Student Lunch Menu

Monday. April 7
Snack: Oatmeal Berries
Lunch: Pork Chili | Rice | Salad

Tuesday, April 8 “Taco Tuesday”
Snack: Baked Apples
Lunch: Chicken Al Pastor | Rice | Beans | Salad

Wednesday, April 9
Snack: Cookie Dough Hummus w/ Apples
Lunch: Lemon Herb Chicken | Potatoes | Salad

Thursday, April 10
Snack: Roasted Potatoes w/ Secret Dip
Lunch: African Pork Stew | Rice | Salad

Friday, April 11
Snack: Yogurt | Granola | Berries
Lunch: Re-Runs | Salad

On-Campus Events

  • Cafe is reopen and serving meals on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30am-1:30pm
  • Family support group meetings are held every other Thursday, at 7:15 p.m., and every other Monday at 1:30 p.m.; next meetings are April 10 and April 21.
  • RSVPs due April 11 for Enchanted Prom on May 9.
  • Next Family Zoom meeting with Erin is Wednesday, April 16.
  • Softball tournament between Meristem students and residents & friends of the state veterans home in Napa is April 25.
  • Taste and Transform, an on-campus food and wine tasting event, is April 27.
  • Big Day of Giving fundraising day is Thursday, May 1; early giving begins April 17.
  • Enchanted Prom, sponsored by Bayside Church in Granite Bay, is May 9.
  • Next break is Summer break from May 26-30
  • Magic the Gathering tournaments on Mondays at 3:30-7:30pm in Town Hall, open to the public.

Meristem’s full year Program Calendar is here.

Miscellaneous Events & Resources

Self-Determination Orientation
The California Department of Developmental Services and the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities is partnering to provide a statewide orientation and training for participants and families interested in the Self-Determination Program (SDP). This is an online, two-hour program. Next program dates are April 14 at 10 a.m. and April 24 at noon. Details are here.

April is Autism Acceptance Month in California
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a proclamation earlier this month that declare April 2025 as Autism Acceptance Month. The document describes that one in 22 children in California are diagnosed on the spectrum and the state’s 21 regional centers serve more than 194,000 autistic Californians. The proclamation describes that the state’s Health and Human Services Agency has released a Master Plan for Developmental Services, recommendations to help the rapidly increasing regional center caseload and describing a vision for how the state supports its residents who have disabilities. The proclamation is here.

CalABLE Webinars
CalABLE, California’s tax-advantaged savings program for people with disabilities, has a series of webinars with helpful information on a number of topics. Recent ones were on Special Needs Trusts and the CalABLE savings accounts. Slides from that webinar are here. A list of the 2024 webinars are here. Slides for the 2025 webinars are here.

Herbal Arts Classes for the Public
Herbal Arts instructor Amy Branum is hosting a series of classes on Herbal Arts as part of her School of Botanical Studies. Classes include an introductory series that will be held on Meristem’s campus on weekends beginning March 22. Classes are:

Grassroots (in person): An in-person class to introduce the foundations of herbal medicine. Classes include teas, introduction to plant identification, herbs for stress, introduction to flower essences, etc. Held 8 Saturdays beginning March 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost and registration is here.

Flower Essence Immersion: Meets twice a month beginning April 1. Class meets online twice a month. There is an additional option to take an in-person flower essence-making class to make flower essence within the natural habitat. Details here.

Spring Medicine Making: Begins May 31 and meets Saturdays for five weeks. Hands-on work wildcrafting and making medicines. Class harvests plants and process them together to make tinctures, syrups, oils, extracts, etc. Held on the Meristem campus. Registration and details here.

Stage Right Productions to Perform in the Meristem Theater
Stage Right Productions, a local non-profit theater company, has chosen Meristem as the venue for their next production. Bothered and Bewildered recently wrapped up. The group’s next show, the classic Broadway fable Guys and Dolls, runs June 19-July 6, at Meristem. Details and tickets are here.

Gentle Yoga
YogaSix in Land Park is a yoga studio that has been approved as a social/recreation vendor with Alta California Regional Center and offers one-hour gentle yoga sessions specifically designed to be accessible and adapted. Class focus includes breathing techniques, exercise, and mindfulness. The class is Saturdays 12 p.m.-1 p.m. at 4700 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento. To enroll, call 916.502.4152.

Fair Oaks Farmers’ Market
This nearby Farmers’ Market is held every Tuesday, 9 am to 2 pm, year-round, rain or shine. Location is Fair Oaks Park, 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks.

Midtown Farmers’ Market
This year-round farmers’ market has been voted the best in the state and features more than 200 vendors. Booths offer artisan creations, prepared foods, baked goods, flowers, local wines, and of course lots of fresh fruits and vegetables from area growers. It runs 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays and covers several blocks with arts and crafts and good eats starting at 1050 20th St. More information here.