Sycamore Leaf

March 12, 2022

Calendar

March 14

6:00 PM virtual presentation, "Parenting Outside the Lines"

March 15

6:00 PM Sixth Grade Parent Zoom Meeting

March 16-25

Student-led Conferences: 1:00 dismissal daily for grades 1-6 (regular dismissal time for Kindergarten). Each family signs up for a conference with their teacher.

March 21

The In-N-Out Truck comes to Sycamore for an evening fundraiser (see below).

Student-Led Conferences start Wednesday!

From Wednesday, March 16 to Friday, March 25, we will have Student-led Conferences. During these meetings, students, their grown-ups and teachers will reflect on and celebrate student growth so far this year. We've lots to celebrate, and it's time well spent to do that together. As a school, we will dismiss students at 1:00 PM daily from March 16 to March 25 to make time for these meetings. Please make arrangements to pick up your child at 1:00 PM each day. Your child's teacher will provide directions for setting up an online conference for you and your child. Thank you!

Principal's Message

This week, we'll begin adjusting our COVID procedures. Though indoor mask wearing is still recommended, it will no longer be required in CUSD schools. This allows families to advise their children to wear or not wear masks during the school day. This week, some of our students have had questions. Will teachers wear masks? What if my friend is wearing a mask, but I'm not? Please talk through this transition with your child. If you believe the mask is no longer essential for your child, but your child is unsure, consider sending them with a mask in their backpack or on their arm. That way, they have an ability to be flexible while they adjust.


Students will likely notice a good amount of mask wearing by adults. That said, we are eager to be able to smile with one another again. We're also glad to be able to support students with valuable facial cues for reading and spelling. Above all, staff will support students who are most comfortable wearing a mask and those who will be lifting them.


At morning drop-off, you'll notice we're no longer asking students all the health screening questions. We will continue to greet students at the gates and depend on parents to ensure students are well before they come to school.


Upper grade students enjoyed meeting for their first student club last Friday! Students who were interested in being a part of our upper grade Green Team joined in the courtyard to discuss short and long-term plans for our garden and school sustainability practices. Forty-nine students joined in the meeting! I was thrilled by their energy and interest for supporting our school and their fellow students. Upper graders will begin meeting for the track team soon.


I'll keep you posted on additional changes as we move forward. To read more about the decisions on masking, please see the District's website and review Dr. Wilson's letter emailed to families on Friday, March 4.

Information Night for Sixth Grade Families

Sixth grade families will meet virtually this Tuesday, March 15 at 6:00 PM to discuss and prepare special activities for this year's sixth grade class. Join us as we talk about Outdoor Science School, the 6th Grade Memory Book, Comprehensive Health Instruction and our special end-of-year traditions. A Zoom link will be emailed to 6th grade families.

Virtual Presentation: "Parenting Outside the Lines" by Meghan Leahy

On Monday evening, March 14, Mehan Leahy, certified parent coach and author of "Parenting Outside the Lines" will help us learn more about how children connect to their caregivers, and how we can facilitate ease, cooperation and joy by understanding these connections. The discussion regarding how the common strategies of consequences, punishment and praise don't work. Register here.

Monday, March 21st at 6pm just got exciting! In-N-Out is coming to Sycamore!

Get ready for a casual evening of burgers, friends, music and board games!

On Monday, March 21st the In-N-Out Truck is making a stop at our school! Meals will be served on the blacktop from 6-7pm.

  • Click here to order In-N-OUT Meal tickets.
  • Tickets are $5/meal and include a Hamburger or Cheeseburger, Chips and Drink. (Plain or Grilled Cheese request available onsite.)
  • Tickets are available NOW thru March 17th but not available for purchase at the event. We encourage you to use the order form, or stop by Memorial Park for a pop up ticket sale after school on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

What to bring to the event?

  • You and your family!
  • A picnic blanket
  • A family board game to play with your family!.
  • Option to Donate a Game: Perhaps you also have a game or two you are ready to donate. We will have a table available for "pass it on games". Donation games must have all pieces and be in good condition. Teachers will first be given an opportunity to add to their classrooms and any additional board games will be donated to a local non-profit.
  • No other concessions available the night of this event - the event is designed to be simple and casual - just enjoy being on the other side of the gate. We missed you all!

**Families may choose to pick up dinner and enjoy off campus if they feel more comfortable, or have a scheduling conflict. While on campus, please follow all school guidelines. Parents must stay with their children. This is not a drop-off event. Use of playground equipment must be monitored by a student's grown-up. No staff supervision is available.

SCRIP Raffle - Win a Sycamore WATER BOTTLE!

How do you enter? It's easy - use the SCRIP RaiseRight app on your smartphone and purchase a gift card! Use your card for groceries, gas, clothing, sports items and more. The minimum purchase for the raffle is $50!

TO ENTER the SCRIP RAFFLE -

🍁Download the RaiseRight app onto your smartphone.

🍁Select “Join a Program”

🍁Enter Sycamore’s enrollment code - AEFE49A43L158

🍁Create your account

🍁Follow the instructions in the app to start earning for our school.

🍁Purchase a card!

🍁You automatically are entered into our March 18th raffle, with a minimum $50 purchase.

Yearbook Orders

It's time to start ordering yearbooks!

Visit https://www.memorybook.com/online-pay/parent-pay/ and use our school code 164860 then click on the link below "Sycamore." Purchase your child's book for $15.00 by April 2. If you have any questions, please contact Tina Hensley via email at thensley@cusd.claremont.edu.

Thank you.

Claremont Educational Foundation Car Raffle

The Claremont Educational Foundation (CEF) supports Claremont students with funding for art and music instruction, technology and teacher-generated curricular grants. Last year, Sycamore received over $12,000 in support of art and music instruction. You can further the work of CEF and Sycamore by participating in CEF's annual car raffle. Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. For each ticket sold, Sycamore will receive $7. The owner of the winning ticket will receive their choice of a Buick Encore, Chevrolet Equinox, or a GMC Terrain, vehicles donated by local dealerships. Tickets are available in the school office. Feel free to email Tina at thensley@cusd.claremont.edu to arrange for pickup.

Save the Date - Friday, April 29

Mark your calendar and save the date for a Sycamore Family Fun Night on Friday, April 29th! Bring the kids and celebrate the soft opening of our new outdoor garden area. More details coming your way as the plans unfold. Stay tuned!
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Mt. Sac Math and Science Day for upper graders

We received notice that Mt. Sac will host the Dr. Deborah Boroch Discovery Day on Saturday, April 23 from 8am-2pm. Fifth to seventh graders and their parents are welcome to join for a full day of math and science activities. Registration is open and space is limited!

More information and registration at:

https://www.mtsac.edu/msd/

For questions email:

cshannon@mtsac.edu

El Roble Cheer

6th and 7th graders can show their El Roble school spirit by trying out for El Roble Cheer. See the attached flyer for details on the upcoming parent information Zoom, cheer clinics and cheer tryouts. Go Panthers!

Health Update

Please ask your child how they are feeling before leaving for school, and keep your student at home if any symptoms are present. Use our 24 hour attendance line, 909-398-0325, to contact Norma or email her using our NEW ATTENDANCE email at SYC_Attendance@cusd.claremont.edu.


As mentioned in Dr. Wilson's weekly update, our regular PCR testing will follow a new scheule. Sycamore will no longer be a weekly testing site; options are listed below. If this is your first time attending one of a testing sites, see the link below to access a one-time testing form.

Student testing link

Adult testing link


CUSD's Weekly Testing Sites this week-*timing has changed

Monday: at El Roble from 2:00-4:00 PM

Tuesday: at Vista del Valle Elementary from 2:45-3:45 PM

Wednesday: at Sumner-Danbury Elementary from 1:00-2:00 PM

Thursday: at Taylor Hall, just above CHS from 3:30-4:30 PM*


Testing can also be obtained through one of the resources below or your physician: