Dear Hidden Valley Families,

This note is being crafted on Thursday evening, rather than providing a letter with up to date information regarding school (which you will receive from the district office), I have some thoughts to share with you.

With the uncertainty of COVID 19, anxiety is high for many. Sometimes (oftentimes!) in life things happen that we have no control over. But how we respond to situations is in our control. No matter what we find ourselves going through, here's hoping we can show kids what it looks like to go through it well. To hold fast to what is true and good, to hold on to and help each other, to take care of ourselves and each other.

Our actions are telling our kids what to do when faced with an uncertain threat. Remember this when you are walking down the grocery store aisle and see someone grab the last package of toilet paper when their cart already has 3 packages in it.  Do not let your worries tell your children to panic, be fearful, reactionary or self-interested. Show them reason, rationality, open mindedness and altruism. Assume that people are doing their best, it will keep us from thinking negatively of others and helps us focus on our own responses and doing our own ‘best’.

Remember to take care of yourself.  Hug your children, exercise, do art, read a book, write in a journal, do whatever it is that you need to center yourself so that you are healthy, strong, and mindful during the days ahead.  Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and an effort to seek truth, facts, and knowledge.

Clean hands. Open hearts. Best intentions.  

Thanks for all the ways you're already doing it.

Our children will remember our responses to this more than anything else, let’s give them reason to thank us for it.
 
In education together,
Kristi Fish

UPDATES ON UPCOMING EVENTS 
At this time, all future events have been cancelled or postponed in light of the COVID-19 virus. We are closely monitoring this rapidly changing situation and hope we hope to have more information soon.

Sadly we will not be able to go forward with the performances of Dear Edwina Jr, Hidden Valley's play, this weekend. We understand that the cast worked tirelessly and put forth great effort toward what would have been an amazing performance. YES was able to film the last two dress rehearsals using a professional videographer and that video will be distributed to the families. We are extremely proud of our students who have demonstrated great flexibility and resilience. Any ticketholders will be contacted regarding refunds.

High School Musical and Battle of the Bands are postponed until further notice.

THANK YOU for your understanding and your patience!

YES ONLINE AUCTION 
The auction is open through March 19!

Place your bid at https://yestherossvalleyschoolsf.schoolauction.net/auction2020/ 

GIVE BACK TO YES IS STILL HAPPENING!
Support YES and support our local businesses!

TUESDAYS - Iron Springs in Fairfax will donate 10% of your bill to YES every Tuesday in March. This month we celebrate ART!

FRIDAYS - Fridays are for froyo! YOLO in San Anselmo will donate 10% of your froyo tab to YES every Friday in March.

UPDATES ON UPCOMING EVENTS 
Battle of the Bands: At this time, the event has been postponed in light of the COVID-19 virus. We are monitoring the situation and hope we will be able to reschedule soon. 

SUPPORT YES
The YES Foundation funds art, music, theater, poetry, and more at all five RVSD schools. Annual monetary donations from families comprise the majority of our fundraising efforts. Please support YES! 

Dear Families,

We hope you and yours are safe and healthy in these uncertain times.  As you receive this, you will have learned that schools are likely closing and our students will be home.  We know these are challenging times for everyone involved. We are challenged because we will be missing your students - we have been asked, as an outside provider of services, to cancel our school meetings until further notice.  We will be thinking of all of the impact the Coronavirus has on our world and we are already thinking of ways we can support our C4C community and the greater community as we all adjust to a new environment. Please feel free to send ideas our way.  

OUR current updates to programming:

• All C4C meetings are canceled effective immediately and until further notice.

• Our volunteer calendar:  We are in constant contact with our non-profit partners.  Some are canceling volunteer opportunities (and we will cancel those on our sign up calendar).  Other non-profits still need our help (for example, the SF-Marin Food Bank and Mill Street). Please use your own discretion when signing up to volunteer.  Please let us know if you are canceling (info@children4change.org). We are working on developing ways in which families can help our non-profit partners from home.  You will hear more from us next week!

• Our planned Earth Day activities, as of now, will be cut back (we won’t have access to the students for planning) and/or canceled. 

• As of now, The Story of Plastic movie listed below remains on schedule but PLEASE check the ticketing website for updates. 

• We have made the difficult decision to cancel our 5th Annual C4C Challenge.  The Town of San Anselmo notified us that they are canceling activities, including our access to the downtown area in late April.  In an abundance of caution and in an effort to flatten the curve, we will cancel this, our largest community builder and fundraiser.  Please stay tuned for ways in which you can support us moving forward.

• Our hope is that by the end of July, our world has returned to a semblance of normalcy, so we continue to plan C4C Camp for Good (see below).

We appreciate our community’s resilience, care, understanding, perseverance and dedication to making a positive impact in their world - particularly in these trying times. 

TIP OF THE WEEK (acknowledging ingredients are very hard to come by):
DIY HAND SANITIZER

Combine:
* 3/4 cup rubbing alcohol
* 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
* 10 drops essential oil

ET VOILA!

Refill an old bottle and use liberally!

Save the Date:  The Story of Plastic - March 29, 2020 - 4:15 p.m. Children for Change is thrilled to once again be partnering with California Film Institute Education to show a movie that will move our collective understanding around Climate Change.  The producer and C4C students and others will be on a panel afterwards - please join us! Get your tickets early – our last movie (2040) sold out well before the date! 

C4C Camp for Good:  July 27-31, 2020 for Rising 3rd-6th Graders:  
WHAT?  A packed week of taking action with a summertime vibe. Just like our core programs, our summertime goal is to make change fun and to foster a love of civic engagement. 

WHO? Change-makers entering Grades 3rd - 6th in Fall 2020. 

WHEN? July 27 – July 31, 2020  9:00 am – 3:00 pm  SIGN UP HERE.

Join the Movement: Change for Good.
www.children4change.org

• After-School Trip Sharing- find travel companions to sports, rehearsals, classes, after-school care, camps...any kids activities! Carpooling takes extra cars off the road.
• Look, look, look and LOOK- we seem to remember to look left and right and left again but did you know you should also look behind?  Tell your kids so they can learn something new.