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.
March 10-14
Day Program
Snow Trip at the End of March – Bring Supplies
If your student is going to be going on the snow trip at the end of March, please send them back with waterproof or ski clothes: pants, jackets, boots, gloves, and a hat.
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
Program Update from Family Zoom
Katelyn Cook, who oversees the dorm and independent living skills program, shared with family Zoom meeting attendees that students are planning their second transportation project where they plan where they want to go for a day trip and organize the public transportation systems that are needed to get there. That trip is being planned for April and invitations shall be going out to students and families soon. The ILS team is also working on a new venture to provide off-campus ILS training to Meristem day students. This is a pilot project that is currently being offered to two students, but may be expanded later this year.
Dorms Closing on Friday, March 14 at 5pm
It’s time for spring break! Dorms will be closing at 5pm on Friday, March 14, and reopening at 10:30am on Sunday, March 23. ILS Management encourages families to have students practice routines of laundry, cooking, cleaning, and other daily living activities to continue their skill building at home. An email has already been sent to students and families with details.
Transportation Trip Planning Underway
Dorm students are beginning to plan their larger spring transportation trip, happening in April! This is dorm student only event, more details to follow.
Opportunity to Give Back by Planting Trees
Dorm students have the opportunity to give back to the community on March 29 by planting some trees! ILS Management is encouraging families of dorm students to keep talking about the importance of signing up, giving back to the community, and building connections.
Work Skills/TAP
Program Update from Family Zoom
At the last family Zoom meeting, program directors gave updates on their program areas. Eric Steward of TAP and work skills described the work his team of 6-8 people is doing with students including moving those who are interested and ready towards a new, year-long work readiness program. This is designed after Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) programming which helps students explore their interests, gifts, and challenges as they develop work skills and employment plans.
Student Coordinators
Family Support Group Meetings Continue
Family support group meetings continue. Part of each session has been educational with discussions about setting up special needs trusts and conservatorship and caregiver self care. Those presentations are followed by group discussions and support. Meetings are confidential. To join or for more information, contact Shelby Takenouchi at st@meristem.pro. There are two groups, one meets Thursdays and one on Mondays.
Thursday support group meetings are 7:15-8:45 pm, by Zoom only, except as noted. Thursday meetings are held:
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 1:30-3 pm. Monday meetings are held:
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
Josh Starts as New Cafe Program Coordinator
Last week, Josh Dellar was introduced as the new Cafe Program Coordinator. Josh brings a wealth of experience in restaurant management, menu development, and has built a successful consulting business. He is looking forward to growing the Cafe program. Shannon is still at Meristem, and will be taking on a more administrative role within Day Program. Contact Josh at joshd@meristem.pro.
Cafe Introduces New Menu Items
Last week, the Cafe introduced two new menu items: street tacos and a Meristem burger. The street tacos are made with pork al pastor, 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 were a hit last week, the burgers sold out!
Have questions or want to make a reservation? Contact: reservations@meristem.pro, or call 916.768.6390.
Administration
Send RSVPs for Meristem Experience | March 13 & 14
The dates have been set for this year’s family experience, two days of talks and programming to help family members and caregivers get to see up close their students’ experiences at Meristem. The program includes presentations, social activities, and attending classes with your student. It is held the days before Spring Break (which is March 15-22) so family members in town to pick up their students can also attend Meristem Experience events. Please RSVP by replying to the email sent by Salina so that meals and snacks can be prepared.
Thursday, March 13
Appetizers and refreshments
Activity and snacks for day students who may be waiting for their parents (families are encouraged to take their student out to dinner at the end of today’s programming)
Speakers: Rhett Beal, of Van Hulzen Financial Services, specializes in legacy planning for families with special needs children; Matt Harmetz, DDS; Amy Schulz, Sierra College; several speakers from the Self Determination Program.
Friday, March 14:
7:30am – 8:30am Breakfast w/ Erin Schirm (Families only)
8:45am Morning circle
9am First session with your student
10:30am Snack
11am Second session with your student
12:30pm Lunch
1:30pm Third session (Students only)
1:30pm Recreation (Families only)
3pm Afternoon circle
Meristem Monitor Also Available Online
This newsletter is now available online, which means its contents are available at any time (including such things as the school lunch menu, always a lot of interest in that!). This is part of an overall redesign of the Meristem website. One long-range goal is to have an archive of past newsletters online so folks can search past editions. For now, the current newsletter is online. Head to Meristem’s new landing page and hit the “Latest” tab. The Monitor will also continue to be emailed weekly to students, staff, families.
Next Family Zoom Meeting with Erin Will Be Held March 26
Monthly family Zoom meetings with Executive Director Erin Schirm are held the third Wednesday of the month. The next month, however, that falls in the middle of Spring Break. So the next family Zoom meeting will be held the fourth Wednesday, March 26, at 5 pm. Salina will email families a link prior to the meeting. A recording of the meeting is sent in the days that follow it for those who missed. Contact Salinas@meristem.pro with 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, and a Work Skills Program Specialist. Details on careers at Meristem are here.
