This past week marked the 70^th Skyline College Free Drive-Thru Community Market! At this most recent weekly grocery distribution event we served 987 families (down from 1,015 families from the previous week).  We are now officially the largest grocery distribution partner of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, which means that we are currently distributing more groceries than any other site in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties!

Our distribution is a collaboration between the SparkPoint program, Public Safety and Facilities teams, but we couldn’t do it without the consistent support of student and community volunteers. Volunteer support is crucial to provide this support to our community and we are still seeking volunteers each week! If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up through the Second Harvest Food Bank website.

Be advised: Lot C and Lot F will continue to be closed in order to host the Skyline College Free Community Market.

Every week each household or family receives almost 50 lbs. of groceries, including milk, eggs, pasta, rice, fresh produce, canned goods and dry goods, as well as a protein item (ham, chicken, turkey, etc.).  Second Harvest Food Bank calculates that over 2.9 million pounds of groceries have been distributed since our program started in September 2020 and that we have offset over $5.3 million in grocery costs for the most at-risk members of our local community. A special thanks goes to SMCCCD employees from SparkPoint, Public Safety, and Facilities, as well as the wonderful volunteers who make this event possible every week.

This event is held at Skyline College every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. and has been extended through May 2022. All staff, volunteers and participants adhere to all COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols at all times.

• Only drive-thru pickups will be served
• All participants must remain in their cars at all times and wear a mask
• Open to students and the community
• No I.D required to pick up food
• Please call (650) 738-7970 for weather and air quality closure updates
• Please use Skyline Blvd. entrance (turn left and enter Lot C)

If you have any questions please email us at skylinesparkpoint@smccd.edu.

Article by Chad Thompson

Counseling 101: Preparation for College for International Students has returned for the first time in two years! The course was originally developed to help new international students transition smoothly into college life by providing an introductory overview of the higher education system and the major selection and career exploration processes as they relate to developing educational goals. Students learn about Skyline College’s educational programs and services, academic survival skills and awareness of personal development, as well as additional tools and information for successful navigation at Skyline College.

The two-day class was a full house with a total of 34 students enrolled. Course instructor and International Student Counselor Carlos Romero commented, “This is the best counseling class I have ever taught! The students are very engaged!” During the class, students learned about the U.S. higher education system, American classroom expectations and immigration regulations as an F-1 international student. Additionally, the students were introduced to the idea of student equity. Allen Ocampo, Program Services Coordinator for the Office of Student Equity and Support, facilitated the conversation as a guest speaker. Not only were the students introduced to the notion of equity, but the dialogue also helped them open up and feel more comfortable with one another. A student from Colombia said, “I feel good. I am normally shy but I was able to open up (during the small group discussion)”. Another student from Myanmar noted, “I don’t feel alone anymore”. Hearing such students’ comments, Allen reminded the students how “we are more connected than we think we are.”

The course provided an excellent opportunity for new international students to make friends and build a community at Skyline College. The International Students Program (ISP) provides services and programs for international students as well as for the entire Skyline College community. If you are interested in learning more about future ISP programs and events, contact ISP office at skyinternational@smccd.edu.

Article and photo by Chikako Walker

Workshop: Managing Stress in Higher Ed During a Pandemic

February 8, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

April 26, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Take a breather and learn how and why to manage your stress.  Counseling, EOPS/CARE, CalWORKS, the Guardian Scholars Program, the DREAM Center, and the Student Equity and Support Programs Division (SESP) have partnered to offer you a two-part workshop with activities and exercises ranging from interactive to reflective to help you tune into yourself and manage your stress better.

The workshops will be offered in a hybrid modality, hosted in the Intercultural Center (Building 4, Room 4-240) and simultaneously on Zoom.  All students and faculty/staff are welcome to join!

Please click on the links below to register for the online Zoom sessions:

Feb 8 @ 12PM-1PM

April 26 12PM-1PM

Please contact Karmann Robbins if you have questions; otherwise, we hope to see you there!

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS & PROCEDURES

SMCCCD’s COVID-19 protocols and procedures align with the health and safety standards set by the San Mateo County Health Department. Staff and faculty should not establish additional standards beyond those prescribed by our COVID-19 Program Prevention Plan.

 

UPDATED DIRECTIVES FOR COVID-19  ISOLATION/EXPOSURE/QUARANTINE PROCEDURES

The health guidance for exposure self-assessment procedures and isolation directives have been modified as of January 31st. Key updates include:

• If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive, follow self-assessment guidance for exposure. Reporting to the COVID-19 Health Officer is not necessary.
• Isolation directed individuals can be released at 5 days if:
  • A negative antigen test is achieved and reported to COVID-19 Health Officer, and
  • Confirmation of resolved or improved symptom and no fever for 24 hours without fever reducing medication
• Isolation directed individuals are automatically released at 10 days when:
  • Completion of isolation timeframe is achieved, and
  • Symptoms have resolved or improved and no fever for 24 hours without fever reducing medication
  • COVID-19 test not required

To help explain the impact of these changes on the District’s processes, the District’s COVID-19 Health Officer, Ray Hernandez, shares updates about the District’s Isolation/Exposure/Quarantine Decision Tree in this video. You can also read the latest changes by clicking here.

The Centers for Disease Control and San Mateo County Health strongly recommend (but do not require) COVID-19 booster vaccinations to increase effectiveness of normal waning immunity over time. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19.

 

Where can you get your booster shot?

• Your medical provider
• College of San Mateo Vaccination Clinic (next clinic date is Feb. 22)
• Your local CVS Pharmacy

You can also visit MyTurn to get a full list of booster/vaccination providers.

For the most up-to-date information, visit https://smccd.edu/return-to-campus/employees.php