Sycamore Leaf
February 20, 2021
Important News
Over the coming weeks, District staff will provide greater detail about the reopening plans. If you haven't already, visit the following link to see the new Phase II hybrid schedules. https://www.cusd.claremont.edu/phase2operations. District staff will provide an overview of the reopening plan as a part of the School Board meeting on the evening of March 4. Following, I'll be offering meetings and materials to outline our site's safety protocols, schedules for instruction, procedures for drop-off/pick-up, and information on cohorts and childcare.
As we move toward the possibility of reopening in a hybrid model, your communication and flexibility are greatly appreciated. We look forward to a safe return for students and staff, whenever that may be, and the additional benefits in-person learning offers students.
Thank you,
Amy Stanger
Turn on the Talent Show
It's show time! The Virtual Talent Show is Sunday, February 21. Pop some popcorn and gather the family for what is sure to be an inspiring show of student creativity, courage and talent. We've 38 acts this year. The acts include magic tricks, dance, musical performances, and novel displays that shine in this virtual format. BRAVO, performers!!
Our show will be virtual via Flipgrid. Flipgrid is an app available on your student's school iPad or at flipgrid.com. To view the acts, open the Flipgrid app or go to flipgrid.com and enter this join code: 26490d28. Select “Join with Google” using your student's Google account info (the same username and password used to sign in for Canvas…). Extended family members may enter at flipgrid.com, enter the join code 26490d28, scroll down to click on blue text "Guest Password" and enter: SycTalent2021. The show will open at noon and run until Sunday, Februrary 28.
Calendar
Sunday, February 21 at 12:00 PM: Virtual Talent Show on Flipgrid (see directions above)
Wednesday, February 24 from 4:00PM-8:30 PM: Pizza Night at Pizza N'Such
Monday, March 1 at 6:00 PM: Equity and Inclusion Committee Meeting
March 9 and 10 (afternoons): materials pick-up
Wednesday, March 10 at 6:00 PM: Governance Council Meeting
Activities beyond the classroom
The following activities will be available to students this week.
All links are available on the Sycamore Student Canvas page.
12:00-12:30 Monday: Lunchtime Yoga
12:30-1:00 Monday: Grades 2-3 Book Club
112:00-1:00 Tuesday: Upper Grade Math Club
12:30-1:00 Tuesday: Grades 2-3 Math Club
12:30-1:00 Tuesday: Grades K-1 Club
1:00-1:30 Tuesday: K-6 Picture Book Reading in Spanish
11:00-11:30 Wednesday: Crafting Club with Lis DesCombes (NEW!)
11:30-12:00 Wednesday Recess (NEW!)
12:00-12:30 Wednesday: Equity and Inclusion Club
12:00-12:30 Thursday: K-6 Sign Language Club
12:30-1:00 Thursday: Grade 4-6 Book Club
12:00-12:30 Friday: Grades 1-6 Student Leadership
12:30-1:00 Friday: Grades K-6 Lunch Bunch (select the Elementary Chill Out button)
Publishing House Authors and Volunteers
We thoroughly enjoyed last week's speaker, Naomi Howard. Over the next several weeks, we'll welcome others to our PH Speaker Series.
Mar 3rd - Liz Thomas (Professional Hiker & Author)
Mar 17th - Lina Patel (Writer & Actress)
Mar 24th - Kreffan Bunker (Writer and former Sycamore student)
Students who have signed up as this year's Publishing House authors will have PH author support time Tuesdays/Thursdays from 12:30-2:30pm on Zoom, during WIN (What I Need time). The Zoom link for WIN time is on the Sycamore Students Canvas page.
Governance Council Representatives
Sycamore's Governance Council allows community members to participate in shared decision-making for our school. The group serves both as our School Site Council (SSC) and our Parent Faculty Association (PFA). It monitors the school's plan for academic and whole-child goals, fosters school spirit and connection through social activities, and supports staff, students and our school through fundraising.
Everyone is considered a part of the Governance Community, and each spring we elect members to leadership positions. Governance Council is led by our Facilitator, Co-Facilitator, and Past-Facilitator and supported by an elected secretary and treasurer. The group functions through committees led by elected representatives. Staff members select members as representatives for Curriculum and Assessment, Safety and Facilities, Classified Staff, Certificated Staff, and Personnel committees. Parents and community members are elected to lead Spirit, Volunteers, Equity and Inclusion, Ways and Means, Sustainability, and Technology committees.
If you would like to hear more about Governance, be a part of a committee or take on a leadership role in Governance Council, contact Sarah Rockne at sarah_rockne@yahoo.com. We are developing our slate for elected members now.
*Monthly Governance meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month. Zoom links to those meetings are included in the Leaf. We hope you'll join us.
Pizza Night this Wednesday
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is an afterschool program for girls in grades 3-5. Interactive lessons and running activities help participants develop friendships, physical abilities and life skills. Registration is open at www.gotrla.org for the virtual program starting March 16. Please see the flyer for details. Girls on the Run is not affiliated with CUSD but contact information is available on the flyer.
Art lessons on the way
We are thrilled to be adding two new staff members to our Sycamore group! Jac Tardie and Luis Vera will be providing weekly virtual art lessons for our students through the end of the year. These lessons will be shared via links for student use during asynchronous times of the day. We hope to formally introduce Jac and Luis to our students through a virtual lunch and greet in the coming weeks. More soon!
Our upper grade students will be benefiting from virtual ARTstART lessons through a partnership with Claremont Museum of Art and Project Director Rich Deely. This multi-generational program trains CHS students as docents who bring activities and the collections of local art galleries to the students of Claremont.
Contact Information
Tina Hensley, Office Manager thensley@cusd.claremont.edu
Norma Perez, Attendance and Health Assistant nperez@cusd.claremont.edu
Email: astanger@cusd.claremont.edu
Website: http://sycamore.cusd.claremont.edu
Location: 225 West 8th Street, Claremont, CA, USA
Phone: (909)398-0324