SRCSA: School resumes Monday, Oct. 30

What a relief to return to work at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts. During the weeks that we were uprooted from the family homestead, we endured so much uncertainty. Going back to work helps to reassert routine and normalcy.

Students are scheduled to resume classes on Monday, Oct. 30. According to statistics from Santa Rosa City Schools​, professional cleaning crews worked around-the-clock for a week to decontaminate schools and reopen them after the North Bay fires. The crews cleaned 2 million square feet of surfaces, and changed 3,000 air filters.

Bringing ‘librarian-mindset’ to my work at SRCSA

Someone asked me, “What is the last thing you are really proud of accomplishing?” Most recently I’m proud to bring a “librarian-mindset” to the role of Instructional Materials Technician (IMT) at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts.

Fire Relief Fund for victims of North Bay fires

In response to firestorms that ravaged communities in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa counties, a North Bay Fire Relief Fund has been created by Redwood Credit Union (RCU) Community Fund in partnership with the Press Democrat and California Senator Mike McGuire (District 2, North Bay).

‘The Road Virus’ mobile bookstore

Image credit: The Road Virus on Facebook

I’ve long been intrigued by bookmobiles’ capability to expand a library’s physical reach — and so, The Road Virus was an especially memorable aspect of our stay in Sacramento.

Half of SRCS campuses to reopen next Friday

In the California fires’ aftermath: Classes resume Friday, Oct. 27, at 13 sites, Santa Rosa City Schools. The group of 13 schools serves approximately half of the district’s student population according to an article by Eloísa Ruano González in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

District officials will determine on Monday, the re-opening date for 11 more campuses, among them Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts. This SRCS employee, while eager to get back to work, appreciates that student safety is at the forefront in back-to-school considerations.

During emergencies: Information is essential

Image credit: Nixle

During the past two weeks, I’ve faced an ongoing need for up-to-date and credible information about the California fires. Compounding this issue, I haven’t always been in places that had access to the Internet.

Putting distance between ourselves and fires

Midweek found Jonathan and me, with Starfire, in the Sacramento area. After our evacuation Sunday night from fires in Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino counties, we decided not to remain in the area where we’d resettled once it received an advisory to evacuate.

We knew that an advisory could, too-quickly, become the real thing and increasing our distance made a vital difference — not only for our physical safety, but for psychological peace of mind. Also, by being well away, the air we breathe is much healthier too.

Walking Starfire at Woodland library

As a paralibrarian, I appreciate the uniqueness of a historic Carnegie library, still used for that purpose today -- even if the circumstance behind our visit to Woodland Public Library was to remove ourselves from proximity to fires in Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties.

With Starfire on her harness, the two of us explored the Woodland library exterior before continuing our journey with Jonathan. This writing finds us safely installed at a hotel in Sacramento.

Here’s a description of the Woodland library from its Facebook page:

“Woodland Public Library is the oldest working Carnegie library in California. Built in 1905, the Mission Revival building continues to be an ideal place to pursue interests, learn, attend programs, and socialize, as well as borrow reading, viewing, and listening materials.”

Starfire’s carrier, her special safe space

What a valiant little traveler our sweet cat Starfire has been during recent events. Jonathan and I, with Starfire, had to quickly evacuate during an initial outbreak of fire on Sunday evening, Oct. 8. After that, we moved around while we looked for a safe place to settle — and while being put in a carrier is not Starfire’s favorite thing, she came to accept it as her special safe place during on-the-road uncertainties.

Evacuated, but safe

Jonathan and I were evacuated late Sunday night because of fires in the Sonoma and Napa County areas. Know that our precious cat Starfire is with us, and we are safe.

SRCSA Spirit: Narwhal hoodie with gold trim

Beginning Friday, Oct. 6, every Friday will be “School Colors Day” at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts.
​