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Sycamore Leaf
April 24, 2021
Contribute to the Yearbook
Over the next week, we'll be finishing up the all-school yearbook for this year. If you have special pictures you'd might contribute, please upload by Wednesday, April 28, using this link:
https://images.memoryebooks.com/416174948.
We will not be able to use all of them, but we appreciate your help during this unique time. We are especially interested in having pictures of:
- student's at home projects
- student's work on independent learning goals
- student experiences in the CORE and CHAMP programs
If you have not purchased a yearbook yet, you may order until THIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28. The price is now $15 each. Please use this link to purchase. www.memorybook.com/online-pay/parent-pay/ Our school code is 164860.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for responding to last week's parent survey. According to parents, students are very happy to be back, and I can vouch for staff to say we feel the same way! The following are notes to respond to questions and concerns that came from the survey or interactions we've had with families.
- On both the Harvard and Yale side, the curb marked with signage is intended to be used as a white, pick-up and drop-off area. Parents who need to or want to pick up their child at the gate should park elsewhere and walk up. As space opens up along the curb in front of you, please pull forward so we make the most of the space along the curb.
- Staff are attempting to see names posted in each vehicle's windshield (or they'll ask), so that students can be called to the gate then escorted or sent to your vehicle. We hope this is becoming an increasingly expedient process. Names in the window do help!
- On the yellow-Yale gate where many adults walk to pick-up students, we've added a new process. Just as adults line up on the outside of the gate, students will get into line as soon as they see their grown-up. From there, a staff member will match the two. Again, we hope this will allow us to safely and quickly get students and family members together.
- In classrooms, we are also refining the processes for wrapping up lessons, gathering backpacks, getting lunches to students and moving classes to the gates so we can get everyone out to families at 11:00 AM.
- Some asked about the timing of classroom Zooms, whether additional Zooms would be added, and the extent to which students would use technology during the in-person time. While technology is not a primary mode of instruction while students are in person, the iPad may be used for unique projects or those requiring instruction at school and asynchronous time for completion. Teachers' schedules are extremely tight. If you have specific needs or questions about the day's schedule, please ask your child's teacher. As to the length of the day, we are all looking forward to having everyone together in typical fashion. For now, the schedule is designed to provide safe access for two, smaller, in-person cohorts as well as time for whole class connections with students in distance learning.
- There was a question about having doors and windows open, so I want to speak to CUSD's process for promoting safety in classrooms. Our HVAC filters have been upgraded to their highest capability, and we have air purifiers in every classroom. These air purifiers are scaled to clean the air twice each hour and support the safety of the setting even when doors are shut for running the AC or heater. Here's a link to a safety video created by CUSD.
Please feel free to reach out if I have not answered your question, if you need a more personalized response or if you'd like to add a suggestion. Thank you for your support!
Amy Stanger
Activities beyond the classroom
Because our lunch time is shortened slightly in the Phase 2 Hybrid schedule, student clubs will all meet from 12:30 PM-1:00 PM. Students are welcome to enjoy their lunch during club time. The following activities will be available to students this week:
12:30-1:00 Monday: Yoga and Second/Third Grade Book Club
12:30-1:00 Tuesday: Math Clubs and Reading in Spanish
11:30-1:00 Wednesday: S.I.T.T. (Sycamore Interactive Talking Time) for grades 2-6
12:30-1:00 Thursday: K-6 Sign Language Club, upper grade book club and K-6 Lunch Bunch
12:30-1:00 Grades K-6 Lunch Bunch and Crafting Club
All club links are NEW and they are available on the Sycamore Student Canvas page by clicking the club button.
Child Development Program extends the day
Calendar
Saturday, May 1: Sycamore gear orders due (see below)
Monday, May 3 @ 6:00 PM: Equity and Inclusion Committee meeting
Monday, May 3 iReady End of Year Testing Window opens for all students (see below)
Thursday, May 27 Open House: This event cannot be held in person. We will share "Open House" with families in a digital format. More soon.
Get Your Sycamore Gear!
Bike rack options
National ASL Day
April 15 was National American Sign Language Day. Sycamore's Sign-Language Club helped mark the day with a musical video of the group signing together. The video is posted on the Sycamore Student Canvas page under the Sign Language Club button. The Zoom link to Thursday's Sign Language Club is also available on that button. All students are welcome to join Leslie and the club.
Claremont Educational Foundation (CEF) Toyota Raffle
District Advisory Committee on Racial Equity
Summer Programs
As I become aware of community-based programs, I'll share flyers so families can investigate those options. Here are links to two local programs to consider.
The State's final word on testing
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