As mentioned in an email earlier this week, we have had an uptick in COVID cases both at Sycamore and across the CUSD community. We are very grateful to families for their communication and support regarding illness and concerns. At this time, we are asking parents to strongly encourage their children to follow best practices for safety. Masking continues to be a very important strategy, and though it is no longer a county requirement, wearing masks indoors and out can make a difference for our students and staff. While unmasked for eating, we will remind students to give greater distance between friends, as well. During hot weather, being outside for lessons can be less comfortable. When indoors, we'll be using air conditioning with MERV filters and our additional air filtration systems. Parents, we ask that you monitor for symptoms and test when symptoms are present. We are happy to provide a COVID rapid test, should you need one. These are difficult days to stay home, but it is imperative that students do so if they are not feeling well for any reason. Thank you for your help!

Sixth graders will have their pool party on Monday. Please watch for notes from your child's teacher regarding details of the day. Please apply sunscreen at home and send additional sunscreen with your child so they can reapply during the day.

On the last day of school, we will have a 9:00am kickball game between sixth graders and staff/family members. Parents of sixth graders can join. At 10:30am, family members are welcome to join us in the center courtyard for our Sixth Grade Send-Off. This ceremony honors our sixth graders as individuals and important members of our school community. We will finish by noon. As visitors for these events, family members will need to sign-in at the school office. Since it is an entirely outdoor event, we will not be checking for vaccination status, only that everyone is feeling well.

Zooey Yang included a poem called "Summer" in her Publishing House book, This Morning I... SUMMER

Pools splashing,

Rivers dancing,

Popsicles by the pool -

Make sure you don’t drool!

Polar bears getting hot,

And you’re buying lemonade a lot.

Zooey's words have us drooling not only for popsicles but for the slower pace of summer. With this healthy break just around the corner, I wanted to suggest ways families can find a summer balance that provides rest and inspires continued learning.

Consider scheduling regular trips to the library and ensure you have books your child can read themselves as well as more challenging books or audiobooks you can enjoy together. Do the same for yourself...and model reading for pleasure. Gather supplies to make creative writing a part of your child's activity each week, and encourage the practice of math skills they've learned this year with activities and games. Focus on time for hands-on, creative and interactive play. Set aside time for board games with friends and family. Find a balance for screen time and be careful to monitor for safe and comfortable online interactions. Set up playdates, and get outside whenever you can!

Some families ask how to practice academic skills over the summer. For those students who are enrolled as of June 17, students will have continued access to the iReady app until August 14 when the program is paused to reset for the coming school year. iReady allows students to practice ELA and math skills on a personalized learning path. This program is designed for use up to 45 minutes per week; Completing one to two lessons, two to three times each week is adequate. If you are looking for off-line practice, ask your teacher. We may be able to supply practice to review the skills from this year's English Language Arts standards.

Most of all, enjoy your summer time as a family. Watch for communication from the school mid-summer. At that time, we'll update you regarding our plans for the start of the year. We wish you all a restful and safe break.

Just because school is out for the summer, does not mean we can't hang out together! Sycamore families are invited to participate in many fun, family-friendly activities. Parents have put together a Sycamore Summer Calendar - please click here. The link will provide you with dates and info for picnics, park meetups, beach days, board game evenings, movies and casual hang outs around town. Please keep referring back to this link over the summer. Parents can update it as new activities pop up. If you have an activity idea - please email sycamoregovernance@gmail.com or send a message on the Sycamore Families social media pages.

Several Governance Committees have already started planning and prepping for next year. If you would like to help out and be more involved, please use this form and let us know what your interests are. Many hands make light work and we would love to include you!

Please consider volunteering in our new garden. We're looking for a few families who'll visit from time to time and tidy things up. Make it extra fun by signing up with a fellow Sycamore family. Click here to sign up and for more information

On behalf of the entire Governance Council I would like to say thank you to every single person who volunteered and donated to Sycamore this year. Whether you helped chalk new student names last Aug, hauled hundreds of pounds of mulch, helped a teacher or child in the classroom, shared your citrus fruit, helped fund OSS, wore your Syc Gear or baked cookies together - we are so grateful to YOU ALL! I look forward to returning as your Sycamore Facilitator next year and can't wait to meet more and more families. Slowly we are rebuilding our Sycamore community together and we hope you have a super summer! See you soon! - Sarah Rockne

Another way to stay connected is by following our parent-led Sycamore Governance Social Media Pages and Groups. IG@sycamorefamilies & FB@Sycamore Families. Our FB "Sycamore Elementary Community Connection Group" is open for any member to post questions and share resources. Please be sure to follow/like/share our posts so Sycamore pops up in your feed!

Click here to find us -

https://www.facebook.com/sycamorefamily/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/265088660979865/?ref=share_group_link