Sycamore Sidelines
November 30, 2018
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Greetings Sycamore Family and Friends,
Has anyone recently shared with you about the wonderful nature of Sycamore Elementary? As the “new guy in town,” I have the unique opportunity to observe this elementary school with a fresh perspective. The bulk of my experience at Sycamore, so far, has taken place in the halls, classrooms and cafeteria of the school. By frequently walking the school, I have a first-hand view of the caring practices that occur repeatedly throughout the day. To summarize my experiences and observations so far, I say with confidence that Sycamore Elementary is a high functioning and caring learning community.
The daily procedures required to facilitate the leading and learning of over 500 children is no small feat. These routines must be predictable and purposeful in order to promote safety and efficiency. My friends, this school runs like clock-work. Procedures such as bus routines, class exchange, lunch/recess experiences and school management are well-designed and student centered. Sycamore Elementary is a great place for learners and their learning leaders.
Perhaps the greatest attribute of Sycamore Elementary, that I have personally witnessed, is the kind and caring nature of the staff and students. There is not a minute in the day when care and respect for students and staff is not observable. Acts of kindness, big and small, are common place here. These deeds might include the older one helping the younger one. Or, it might be the person who can assist the person who cannot yet. Kindness is displayed by the teacher who willingly rides the bus home with a student who is having a difficult day. It is witnessed when the assistant sits cross-legged on the floor teaching a group of students or untying a triple knot in a shoestring. Smiles and delicious food are served up by the cafeteria staff. The office team greets every child by name. The kind and caring nature is both genuine and generous.
When observing a learning community, I ask myself two questions. Would I want to spend a week in this school and would I want my own children to spend five years in this learning space? Without hesitation, when I think of Sycamore Elementary, I can honestly answer yes to the first question. I would indeed want to spend a week or more here. My answer for the second question is a resounding, “Why yes I would!” Without hesitation, I would place my own grandchildren in the care and custody of the faculty and staff of Sycamore Elementary.
With respect,
Mike
INDIANA ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
This year, Indiana will be evolving to ILEARN which is an acronym for Indiana’s Learning Evaluation and Readiness Network. ILEARN measures student achievement and growth according to Indiana Academic Standards and will be administered in the spring of 2019 to all accredited Indiana schools. It is the summative accountability assessment for Indiana students assessing the following subjects and grade levels:
· English/Language Arts (Grades 3-8)
· Mathematics (Grades 3-8)
· Science (Grades 4 and 6)
· Social Studies (Grade 5)
· Biology (High School)
The Indiana Department of Education has put together many helpful resources and we encourage families to learn more at: https://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/ilearn-families
In preparation for the new assessment, Avon Schools will administer an assessment (AIRWays) in grades 3-8 and 9-10 English/Language Arts between November 5 and the end of January. This testing administration will give teachers and students an experience similar to the new adaptive format that will occur with ILEARN. While this trial run will not produce parent reports, it will give teachers immediate information on student performance thus far on Indiana Academic Standards and help drive instructional decisions during second semester. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or principal with further questions and check out our new Avon Schools Assessment website at: https://www.avon-schools.org/Page/14483
MRS. WILLIAMS, INSTRUCTIONAL COACH
At Sycamore, a priority is meeting students where they are and moving them forward. How is that possible when there are so many different levels and abilities? Sycamore teachers differentiate. “Differentiation is simply a teacher attending to the learning needs of a particular student or small groups of students, rather than teaching a class as though all individuals in it are basically alike.” Carol Ann Tomlinson.
Teachers use small group instruction to increase student learning. Each group is different and unique because we know that “one size does not fit all.”
NURSE NOTES
The recent cold weather has us all bundled up early this season! With many more weeks of cold Indiana weather ahead, it is important to dress our children accordingly. Warm coats, gloves and hats are vital to keeping them warm while playing outdoors during recess. As a reminder, the students will go outside for daily recess, except during inclement weather, if the temperature with wind chill is below 15 degrees and/or if the playground equipment is in an unsafe condition.
Flu season is here and germs are spreading fast! Please help ensure the health of our students and staff by keeping your child home if they:
- Have a fever >101F. Children should be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medication before attending school.
- Have witnessed vomiting or diarrhea. Children should be free from vomiting or diarrhea for at least 12 hours before attending school.
- Have a condition or illness that is causing symptoms that the student is unable to function in class. Examples include severe headache, continuous cough, persistent stomachache, etc.
Also, if your student is new to Sycamore, please remember to complete the CareDox information that was sent to your provided email address. This new system enables parents to easily communicate important medical information with the school including immunization status, allergies and medications as well as inform parents of any clinic visits that may occur. Communication is key to ensuring a safe and healthy school year!