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 31-April 4
Day Program
Snow Trip Delayed to April 7
Snow and rain delayed the snow trip to the mountains. In order to ensure staff driving students have safe road conditions, it’s been delayed to April 7. Students who’ve already signed up for the trip will have emails sent with updated information. Waivers have been sent to parents of conserved students, please send these back as soon as possible.
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
Dorm students are beginning to plan their larger spring transportation trip, happening in April! This is dorm student only event, more details to follow.
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, 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 bathroom. It will be preceded by an on-campus pre-party 3:30-5 pm 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. More details to follow but RSVPs are requested by April 11. Email, ilsm@meristem.pro for confirmation of attendance.
See the flyer for more information
Work Skills/TAP
Herbal Arts Internship CSA Subscription Boxes Ready for Delivery
Get ready for another round of handcrafted goods from Meristem’s own Herbal Arts program, with various anti-inflammatory items, including a warming Fire Cider, Massage Oil, and Mushroom Soup Stock. This is the Spring box for the four-box subscription program. Meristem interns, under the direction of herbal arts professional and Meristem instructor Amy Branum, have been preparing these items for the last several weeks. They’ve recently completed packaging them and loading box for delivery, which is probably later this week. This is a great program to support as funding goes to the self-supporting effort and to the pay of Meristem student interns. It’s also a great gift to give! (Mother’s Day anyone?) You can sign up for individual boxes or for the rest of the year-round subscription (three boxes remaining, one in summer, fall, and winter). More information about the program and to sign up for a single box or subscription is here.
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 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:
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.
Development & Philanthropy
Taste & Transform Spring Fundraiser Event | Sunday, April 27
This is a kickoff for the Big Day of Giving (details follow below). It is an on-campus, casual event of wine, beer, food tastings to bring people on campus, raise funds, and promote the Big Day of Giving. This event will be ticketed and details are still being finalized. It will be open to the public and to students. Vendors interested in offering tastes of their products are being sought. Contact Zoe Fishman, Development Director, at zoef@meristem.pro. if you are interested in being a sponsor, or know of a business that would be a good food or beverage vendor.
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 promote 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
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 Wednesday, April 16
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, April 16, 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.
