Sycamore Scoop
October 11, 2022
Picture Day is Friday
Below is the information for picture day which is this Friday. Students will also be getting a copy of this to bring home. Makeup day will be November 15, which is also the day preschool will have their pictures taken since they are not in school on Fridays.
Days with No School/Virtual Learning Days this Month
October 24--PD Day/No School
October 25--PD day/Virtual Learning Day
First Nine Weeks Achievement Records are Available
The first nine weeks is over. You are able to access your child's progress report on Infinite Campus. We do not send copies of the progress notes home. You must access them on-line. Directions on how to access them are included below.
Additionally, I have included the Standards Based Reporting explanation sheet below. There is an English version, a Nepali version, and a Spanish version.
Heroes in Disguise Parade
On Monday, October 31, students are allowed to dress up in a costume for a parade around the school. Parents are invited to come for the parade which will be held at 10:00AM and then for afternoon kindergarten students ONLY at 1:30 PM.
Parents do not need to sign in at the front office, but instead, line the sidewalk that wraps from the front of the building to the playground area. If the weather doesn't cooperate, we will still have the parade, but it will be inside and parents will not be able to watch.
Due to recess, the afternoon kindergarten students will parade out the front door through Door S. They will not be over near the playground.
A few things to remember:
No Masks
No Weapons, Toy Weapons or anything that looks like a weapon
No costumes of excess size (for example: blow up dinosaur costumes)
No Face Paint
Veteran's Day Celebration
This year Sycamore Creek is planning a Veteran’s Day celebration! Activities will include Music provided by our students, patriotic art projects on display, poetry readings by fourth grade students, and a photo slideshow to honor all former and active military families affiliated with Sycamore Creek Elementary.
The celebration will be Friday, November 11. Seating will begin at 9:45. The program will begin at approximately 10:00. If you, a friend, or family member have served or are currently serving please join us as we thank you for your service.
We need your help! We are asking families if you have an active or military veteran in your family that you would like honored, please send us some photos!
We would appreciate it if these could be sent to us digitally so that we do not need to worry about returning them in a timely manner to the correct student. We know how precious some of those photographs can be. (This can be as easy as taking a picture of the military photo with your phone.)
You can upload these pictures using this link:
https://forms.gle/NdbuQkr5349gdoBv7
Please have all pictures uploaded before October 21, 2022
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Carolyn Gartner
or call the SCE office at: 614-834-6200
We anticipate that this will be a large event, so we cannot have parents/families in attendance. We simply do not have enough space.
Thank you for your help and support!
Carolyn Gartner
Related Arts Music
PLSD Wisely Manages Resources
As you consider the Pickerington Schools bond issue on the Nov. 8 ballot, it is important that we share information about how wisely the district has managed its resources over the past dozen years. Pickerington Schools has not sought levies for operations from the community since August of 2011. During that period of time, the district has consistently carried adequate operating reserves to meet its needs. For the 2020-21 school year, the district spent the 3rd lowest among its comparison peers in expenditure per pupil.
Perhaps even more importantly, the district’s administrative expenditure per pupil is also the 5th lowest among its peer groups, which indicates that we concentrate our expenditures on the programs and activities that impact our students the most.
Further, Pickerington Schools offers a fantastic value compared to its Ohio Department of Education (ODE) similar district grouping. The charts below show the expenditure per equivalent pupil (EPEP) calculated by ODE for the 2020-21 school year. The EPEP weights the enrollment for expenditures for students in certain categories (e.g. special education, gifted, English Learners, etc.). The weights on these learners are added to recognize the additional staffing and other programmatic expenses to meet their needs. The EPEP is then compared to the Performance Index (PI) score on the 2020-21 Ohio School Report card. The district ranks 3rd highest in PI score, and does so by spending the 3rd lowest in the group.
Learn more about the bond issue on our website. Don’t forget that early in-person and absentee voting by mail is open now, and election day is Nov. 8. More information about voting is available on the Vote Ohio website.
Deadline Extended for Technology Protection Plan
The deadline for the Technology Protection Plan has been extended to Oct. 31, 2022. Info about the plan is below and can also be found on the Instructional Technology webpage.
Technology Protection Plan for Grades K-12
Please read below to determine if this plan is needed for you and your child's protection against the cost of damage to the loaned device (Chromebook or iPad) in your care. This plan is available for all students grades K-12 for the 2022-23 school year.
Coverage and Benefit
This annual agreement covers the Chromebook or iPad ("device") loaned to the student against any accidental damage and/or repair costs. This agreement costs $40 per device per school year for a total of $400 worth of repairs, replacement and/or labor costs. Any costs above and beyond $400 will be the responsibility of the parents/guardians/student. The charger is NOT covered and is the sole responsibility of the student/parent. Coverage is 24 hours per day. Damage(s) due to intentional, reckless, willful, wanton and/or malicious conduct is not covered. Lost devices will not be covered by the technology protection plan. Stolen devices will be covered by the technology protection plan as long as the parent/guardian submits to PLSD a filed police report for the stolen device. The PLSD Technology Protection Plan 2022-2023 will cover damage and repairs for loaner devices but will count towards the total allowed for the TPP.
PEF Charity Auction= A Night of Fun, Food, and Philanthropy
Tickets are going fast for this year’s fun-filled Pickerington Education Foundation Charity Auction! The event includes dinner, drinks, entertainment, silent & live auctions, and a Reverse Raffle. It will take place on Saturday, November 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., at the Wigwam Event Center, 10190 Blacklick-Eastern Rd. NW, Pickerington, OH 43147. The event is a truly enjoyable and fun way to support our schools!
Tickets are $60 per person and you can get yours now on the Pickerington Education Foundation webpage.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FUN AND PRIZES: You may opt to purchase a Reverse Raffle Ticket for an additional $50. Got a lucky number? Pick it for a chance to win! Using the 'seat finder' application, pick a number between A1 through A300 for your Reverse Raffle Entry number.
Dinner will be catered by Berwick Manor.
The silent auction includes upscale baskets and themed, decorated trees.
Proceeds from this event provide grants to Pickerington teachers and buildings for a variety of classroom projects. PEF awards over $20,000 each year that goes directly back to support our schools. Founded in 2004, PEF is a permanent public charity as a fund within the Fairfield County Foundation. As a public charity, all contributions to the Foundation will receive the maximum tax deduction allowed by law.
We hope to see you at the PEF Charity Auction!
Self-Portraits for Second Grade in Art
2nd grade artists are finishing their Frida Kahlo self-portraits. We learned about the female artist (perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month), how to draw our faces realistically, and how to mix paint to create our unique skin tones.
3rd Grade Artists Complete Lego Self-Portraits
Third Grade students have worked diligently to add details and personal touches. We've also learned how to blend colored pencils. Great work, artists!
Invention Convention
Invention Convention is being offered this year to SCE students in grades 3-4. This club will meet BEFORE school and will meet every two weeks. See the attachment below for more information.
PTO Updates
Staff Appreciation: Thank you to everyone who donated to help with the teacher dinner last Thursday evening. Shannon Cook you did an amazing job like always!
Trunk or Treat was a huge success this past weekend! Pictures will be posted soon and we hope all of our families had a great time.
APEX Leadership Team: APEX is returning to the building for the 4th year to help with our fall fundraising events. Your donation to the APEX fun run helps us fund all future events this year.
Family Fun Events for October:
Panda Express (Canal Winchester): Enjoy lunch or dinner with the family on Wednesday October 19 and the PTO will receive a donation back to support our ongoing events.
Upcoming Events:
October 31: Apex Fundraiser begins
November 1: Apex Pep Rally