Sycamore Hills Cougars
Every Cougar GROWS, CONNECTS, and COUNTS!
A Note from Dr. Drinkard
Sycamore Hills Families,
The school year is flying by, and spring is here! When spring weather arrives, we know that kids are eager to get outside and enjoy the warmth and sunshine. We also know that kids (and staff) start to get excited for the upcoming summer months. Sometimes, this excitement can cause unexpected behaviors from students. Our teachers and staff are working hard to help our students stay focused and successful with plenty of reminders and practice of procedures and expectations. We appreciate your support and help with this at home, as well!
As each year goes along, we have many new students and families join our school community. Additionally, even those of us who have been around a while need reminders to help things continue to run efficiently and safely. Because of that, I would like to encourage you to review the "Dismissal, Car Rider Line, and Walkers" section below. I would also like to specifically remind families with car riders of the following safety precautions:
- Please do not drop off your child from the car rider line before 8:30am or before staff are present to monitor students and let them in the building.
- Unless your child is attending a before-school activity, please do not drop off your child in the circle drive at the front of the building.
- Please do not get out of line to go around traffic or drive down the entry lane (right lane) in the morning for drop-off or in the afternoon for pick-up.
- Please turn right when exiting the parking lot. This speeds up the line considerably for everyone.
- Please be aware of other cars at all times. It is helpful to reduce use of cell phones while in the car rider line.
- Remember it is against the law in Missouri to smoke or vape on any school property. Children will not be released to drivers who are suspected to be impaired.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin Drinkard, principal
Cougar Calendar
Wednesday, April 3rd - Cougar Dinner, Red Robin
Thursday, April 4th - Character Assembly, 3:15pm
Saturday, April 6th - 2023 MAP Awards Ceremonies (invitations were sent home in Thursday Folders)
Monday, April 8th - School is in session
Monday, April 8th, to Friday, April 12th - MAP Spirit Week (see flyer below)
Monday, April 8th - Partial Solar Eclipse viewing, 1:40pm-2:00pm (please see information below)
Tuesday, April 9th - 4th Grade Field Trip to George Owens, 9:30am-12:30pm
Friday, April 12th - 5th Grade Field Trip to George Owens - 10:00am-12:30pm
Tuesday, April 16th - PTA Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm
Thursday, April 18th - Kindergarten Enrollment, 5:30-7:00pm
Friday, April 26th - 5th Grade Field Trip to the Kansas City Zoo, 10:00am-1:30pm
Monday, April 29th - School is in session
Lunch Menu
Upcoming Events
Partial Solar Eclipse
On Monday, April 8th, we will participate in viewing the partial solar eclipse. This is an incredible learning opportunity for our students!
Here are some important details about this event:
- Before viewing the eclipse, we will have our students view this video.
- Students in grades Kindergarten through 5th will be given CE and ISO certified safety glasses.
- At 1:40pm, grades 1st through 5th, wearing their safety glasses, will go to the playground. Students will be directed to keep their glasses on at all times while outside during this event.
- Kindergarten, wearing their safety glasses, will sit under the awning on the west side of the building and will not directly view the eclipse. They will, however, observe the environmental effects of the eclipse from a safe viewpoint.
- Pre-K students will not participate in this event.
- All students will re-enter the building at 2:00pm.
- Students whose parents have opted out with the form that was emailed and sent home in Thursday Folders, will remain inside and view a NASA live feed of the eclipse (2024 Total Eclipse (NASA Live Feed))
- Because the eclipse will partially begin at 12:37pm and end at 3:11pm, we will have indoor recess building-wide on Monday afternoon.
- If you would like to join us for this event, we should have plenty of extra safety glasses for parents, as well.
If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. Kevin Drinkard, Sycamore Hills Principal.
School-Based Therapy
DID YOU KNOW? School-based therapy is available to your student at Sycamore Hills Elementary. For the past year, we have partnered with Burrell Youth Services. Burrell works directly with students here at school. The ISD recognizes that our children face numerous challenges in everyday life, which if left untreated, can lead to mental health challenges. Although the need is high for mental health services for kids, the waiting lists for outpatient therapy are long. Through our partnership with Burrell, the barriers of waitlists and transportation to appointments can be alleviated. Additionally, Burrell works directly with Medicaid and private insurance. Please contact Mandee Holeyfield, FSL (mandee_holeyfield@isdschools.org) or Ellen Reesman, school counselor (ellen_reesman@isdschools.org) if you have any questions or are interested in a referral.
Attendance Challenge
All students with 95% attendance or better will go into a drawing for this Nintendo Switch!
Check out our attendance challenge below!
Donate to Help our School!
Donate to the Sycamore Hills Benevolence Fund
Donate to the Sycamore Hills Activities Fund
Homework
K - Sounds and Numbers
1st - Reading Folders; Word List
2nd - 80 minutes reading per week
3rd - 100 minutes reading per week
4th - 125 minutes reading per week
5th - 150 minutes reading per week
Dismissal, Car Rider Line, and Walkers
Dismissal
If you need to change your child’s normal way of dismissing, please notify our office before 3:00pm so we have time to communicate changes to teachers.
If you need to pick up your child during the day, please do so before 4:00pm. After 4:00pm, we ask that you go through the car rider line and do not go to the office. Our office is very busy at that time.
Car Riders
If you plan to drop off or pick up your child through the car rider line, please refer to the guidelines and map in the Car Riders and Dismissal Procedures document. This document contains information that applies to all Pre-Kindergarten through 5th-grade students.
There are many moving parts to our dismissal practices, and we thank you for your patience in the beginning of the year as new families adapt to these processes. We expect the Car Rider Line to move slowly at first, but speed up as the year goes. The line will move much faster if everyone honors the posted “Right Turn Only” and “No Left Turn” signs as they turn onto 39th Street.
Walkers
We will release walkers from three designated areas depending on which way they walk home. Please review this document regarding parent pick-up areas for walkers.
Breakfast and Lunch
Pricing for Student Breakfasts and Lunches
Student breakfast - full price $1.80
Student breakfast - reduced price $0.30
Student lunch - full price $2.85
Student lunch - reduced price $0.40
You can use myschoolbucks.com to put money in your child’s account for breakfasts and lunches.
We encourage all families to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch application, which can be found on the district website, isdschools.org.
If sending a lunch from home, please remember that soda/pop is not allowed in the school cafeteria.
If you would like to come to school to eat lunch with your child, please call our office at 816.521.5465 to reserve a day and time. We have limited space, and this is a popular activity for our families.
While we welcome families to come to school to eat lunch with their own children, we cannot allow families to eat lunch with children who are not their own, such as friends of their children.
Community Partners
Family Literacy and Math Choice Boards
Volunteer Opportunities
You can find more information here: https://www.isdschools.org/visiting-volunteering-in-the-isd/
From our Family-School Liaison
Hello Sycamore HIlls Cougars!
If you do not know me, I am Mrs. Mandee (Mandee Holeyfield). I am the building Family School Liaison or FSL My role at school is to help families overcome obstacles in their lives. Services may include Case Management, Referral for Employment, Counseling, Medical Services, and Community Resources. It may also include Food Stability, Clothing resources, and school communication and involvement. Please contact me at school if you have any questions or need services.
Sycamore Hills is also a very giving place, many families like to make donations. If you have lightly used clothing or would like to donate meals or hygiene items please send them in to school.
Bullying Policy S-185-S
Hazel Health
Independence School District has partnered with Hazel Health to offer same day Urgent Care visits with a pediatric provider at school or at home.
On-demand health services are provided using telehealth in the nurse’s office or at your home if your student is sent home sick. These visits address many challenges with urgent care, including:
Medical treatment: Conditions like stomach aches, headaches, sprained ankles, asthma concerns, head lice, rashes and many other conditions that often interfere with your child’s learning
Medication: Prescriptions are written for you to pick up at the pharmacy or over-the-counter medication is provided at school when appropriate
Coordination: Hazel providers work with the school nurse and/or your family physician to help your child return to school safely and get the care they need quickly
This is an optional service that carries no cost to families.
Parents, in order to help students, we need your help! Please complete the following so we know your family’s preferences.
Visit my.hazel.co/isdschools to learn more about Hazel Health.
While on the website, complete the consent form to ensure your child has access to care when it is needed OR opt-out if you would prefer not to use this service.
Family Literacy Information and Activities
Parent Literacy Flier
Links
Our Priorities
Every Cougar Grows
- foster student growth through data-driven responses to students’ needs
- improve our practices through continuous collaboration
Every Cougar Connects
- support students’ social, emotional, academic, and behavioral needs
- make Sycamore Hills a safe place to work and learn for all members of the school community
Every Cougar Counts
- maximize the school experience for all members of the school community
- celebrate our staff and students
Sycamore Hills Elementary School
Email: kevin_drinkard@isdschools.org
Website: isdschools.org
Location: 15208 East 39th Street South, Independence, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 521-5465