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.
February 3-7
Day Program
Donations Welcomed for Trip to Snow Country
Shea Smith, director of the Day Program, is making plans to take students to the Lake Tahoe area for a day in the snow. She is asking if anyone has fun in the snow kinds of equipment they could donate for the trip such as sleds, discs, inner-tubes. (No skis or cross country equipment will be needed.) Also, the program could use unused or outgrown ski pants for men and for women, snow boots, gloves, and coats. Send these items in a bag with your student and have them drop the bags off in Shea’s office, across from the Cafe.
Magic the Gathering Club Continues
Meristem Evening EDH, a Magic The Gathering club, meets on Mondays from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Casual play is held until about 5 p.m. and then gameplay runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
ILS/Dorm Program
Meristem to Host a Valentine’s Day Dance
Meristem will be hosting a dance on Valentines Day, Friday, February 14.
From ILS Director Katelyn: “Dear Students and Families, Come for an evening filled with music, dancing, and snacks – it’s sure to be a heart-felt time (pun intended)! We’re opening up this event for day students to join in the fun! You’ll dance your hearts out, enjoy some tasty treats, and have a wonderful time with friends and staff. RSVP by February 7th (which means let us know if you are or are not coming) so we can prepare enough space and snacks!” Please RSVP only via the email that Katelyn sent out to students and families.
Important Info:
Drop-off: 5 pm at the front of campus
Pick-up: 8 pm at the front of campus (please inform a staff member when you leave at any time); pick up no later than 8:15 pm
Snack Options will include gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free options. Please be sure to check labels if you have dietary restrictions.
Students Only: If you’d like to suggest a song, please do so with this link.
TAP/Work Skills
Internships Back Up and Running in the New Semester
Meristem is now in full stride with the internship program. Currently there are 17 interns: Nine in Cafe, four in Herbal Arts, two in Landscaping, and two 2 more interns on-call to work in the Bed and Breakfast.
Additionally, Meristem’s partnership with the Sacramento Rivercats is set to move forward to hire students again this season. So far nine students have committed to working at the concession stand. With the Oakland A’s moving to the River Cats stadium this season, there may be expanded opportunities for internships. More on that later.
Student Coordinators
Family Support Group Meetings Updated Calendar
Family support group meetings continue and we want to take an opportunity to clarify the schedule, which we may have written here incorrectly.
Thursday Support Group Meetings are usually held 7:15-8:45pm by Zoom only, except on dates noted below. The Thursday meeting schedule is as follows:
Feb. 6
Feb. 20
March 6
March 20
April 3, 6-7:30 p.m. *note the time change
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 1:30-3pm. The Monday meeting schedule is as follows:
Feb. 10
Feb. 24
March 10
March 24
April 7
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
Student Perspective on the Cafe’s Soft Opening Last Week
The Cafe had its soft reopening last Friday, serving dishes like melon soup with pork meatballs and tomato soup, among other dishes and desserts. The Cafe was full, and is still undergoing changes from the remodeling. The tomato soup was garnished with pesto, parmesan, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, with some bread on the side, gluten free now, like all the items on the new menu. The wintermelon soup was made with melons from Meristem’s own garden, along with rice noodles, pork meatballs, and green onions.
Student Perspective on the Cafe’s Soft Opening Last Week
In order to make the Cafe the best experience for our customers, we will be postponing our grand opening until late winter/early spring. We can’t wait to serve you as best as we can! Have questions? Email them to reservations@meristem.pro, or call us at 916.768.6390. We would be happy to answer any questions that you have.
Administration
Mark Your Calendars for the Meristem Experience Event March 13 &14
The dates have been set for this year’s parent experience, with two days of talks and programming to help parents get to see their students’ experiences up close at Meristem. The program includes attending classes with your student. It is held the days before Spring Break (March 15-22) so that parents who are in town to pick up their students can also attend the Meristem Experience events. More details on this to follow.
Meristem Wins $9,000 Grant
Erin announced to parents on the Zoom meeting last week that he had a second chance to present to potential donors at the Sacramento Venture Philanthropy and won the top prize of $9,000. It is money that may be going to relocating storage sheds that are better able to withstand break-in efforts and perhaps to restart Meristem’s bike program, which ended when the bikes were stolen.
Norton Hall Flooded Over Break
On Christmas Day, administrative offices in Norton Hall were damaged by flooding that occurred when the sprinklers blew and flooded the entire building. Offices have moved to one of the dorm buildings for the time building as repairs are being made.
Family Survey is Being Resent
At the end of the school year last month, a survey was emailed that seeks to find out more from parents and family members. It was a busy time, so Erin will be resending the survey and asks that parents and family members take the time to fill it out and submit it. Information will be used to grow and improve Meristem’s programming.
Next Parent Zoom Meeting with Erin is Wednesday, February 19
Monthly parent Zoom meetings with Executive Director Erin Schirm are held the third Wednesday of the month. The next one will be on Wednesday, February 19, at 5 p.m. Salina will email families a link prior to the meeting. Contact Salina at salinas@meristem.pro if there are any questions.
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. Details on careers at Meristem are here.
