Sycamore Canyon School K-8
4601 Via Rio, Newbury Park, CA 91320  805-498-1573 - Fax: 805-498-0385 - ATTENDANCE 805-498-0324
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First Day of School Info

Back-to-School Considerations


Dear Sycamore Canyon Families,

As school begins, parents and students are experiencing a wide variety of emotions:

  • Anxiety and Sadness
    • Students: Will I like my new teacher? Will my teacher like me? Will I have friends? Will I understand what my teacher wants me to do? I’m going to miss my parents!
    • Parents: Will my child have a good school year? I’m going to miss my kids! The house will be so quiet without them. Schedules!
  • Excitement and Elation
    • Students: I finally get to see my friends every day! I love learning new things! Recess!
    • Parents: I finally get some peace and quiet around the house! After I clean something it will stay that way for a few hours! 

As parents, our primary concerns are for our children’s emotional and physical safety, high quality education, and happiness. The good news is that here at school, our concerns are the same!

So much of what shapes students’ experiences is their interactions with others. What would our school community be like if every family, student, and staff member was absolutely committed to making the 2012-13 school year GREAT…not only for themselves, but for everyone around them, as well? The Sycamore Canyon Mission statement lists “excellence in…citizenship” as one of qualities we want to foster. The Core Values describes our intention to “encourage students in their development of honesty, courage, humility, justice, compassion, leadership, service, and respect…” This is a wonderful list of character qualities that define “excellence in citizenship.” As I look at the list in light of the various emotions of students, parents, teachers, and school staff may be experiencing now, I believe consistent discussion, encouragement and exercise of even just two character qualities could have a wonderful impact on everyone’s school experience.

As we begin this year, take some time to discuss just two of the qualities with your students:

  • COMPASSION 
    • Defined for School Context: Considering the feelings of others and doing what we can to make things better for them. 
    • What it looks like: helping to others; being considerate and kind; volunteering time, effort, answers in class; helping friends solve problems; being part of solutions…not problems
  • RESPECT
    • Defined for School Context: Treating other people, their feelings and belongings as we would want our own treated.
    • What it looks like: speaking to everyone with kindness and patience; using words to build others up; keeping my hands, feet, etc. to myself; taking responsibility for my choices; showing appreciation through words (thank you) and actions 

I realize many of you already are talking about good character qualities with your families. I just want to encourage you to focus on these – compassion and respect – as we begin the 2012-13 school year! ☺

We are looking forward to starting on a positive foot as we partner together to foster excellence in citizenship in our students and community!

The first of school is fast approaching so here is some essential and useful information:

Class Lists
Class lists will be posted on Tuesday, August 28, at 5:00 PM. They will available to view on Wednesday morning prior to school starting at the front of the school and by the Elementaty lunch shelter (next to childcare).

Our incoming Kindergarten students will receive their teacher/class assignment by mail one week before school starts and will have an Open House on Tuesday, August 28 from 10:15AM - 11:15AM in the student's classroom.

Middle grades students will learn their schedule at the August 22 Orientation in our gym. If you have any questions or need to discuss course requests, please contact our middle grades counselor, Lori Woodley at 805/498-1573, x108.

Middle Grade Orientation
Orientation will take place on Wednesday, August 22. The 8th grade session runs from 8:30 am until 9:30 am. The 7th grade session runs from 11:00 am until 12:00 noon. Our 6th graders will attend their session from 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm. Picture ID photos will be taken. Students in grades 6-8 will receive their class schedule, PE clothes and locks, ASB Cards, and math resources. Some of these items were prepaid in Spring. We will have lists. We suggest that you bring your checkbook. Parents will be able to join our PTSA during these sessions, as well. Please support our school as we embark on a new, successful year.

K-5 Orientation
The K-5 Orientation will be on Thursday, August 23 from 6:30PM to 7:30PM in the MPR. Parents can learn about after school enrichment programs, band and choir programs, the lunch program, after school child care provided by CVUSD, how to join the PTSA, how to sign-up to the school directory, order spirit wear, meet other parents, and much more.

School Supplies
New backpacks (excluding Kindergarten), personal supplies, and lunch boxes need to be labeled with your child’s complete name. Speaking of labeling, don't forget to label everything: jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters. A complete school supply list is posted on our website. Copies are available in our office.

FYI - Target, Staples, and Office Depot have copies of our school supply list posted for your convenience.

Click here for more information on school supplies.

First Day of School
On Wednesday, August 29, classes begin for all K-8 students. Elementary students start school at 8:15, and middle school students begin Period I at 8:45 a.m. 

Because the parking lots will be incredibly crowded, we are asking parents to park on adjacent streets in non-restricted zones. Think safety! Working together, we can minimize our frustrations in the parking lot and insure a safe environment for our children. Thank you for your cooperation.

Welcome Coffee/Tea
Our PTSA will be hosting a Welcome Coffee/Tea on Friday, August 31, from 8:30 am until 9:30 am in the Multipurpose Room next to the office. Do come say hello and enjoy some treats. Mr. Eby and other school staff and PTSA leadership will join you. All parents, K-8, are welcome.

Lunch Costs
Hot lunches will be available in the cafeterias for our students. Lunches brought from home should be clearly labeled. Parents bringing forgotten lunches should drop them off at the office. (To minimize disruptions, please do not drop them at the classroom.) Morning lunch orders/counts will be completed in your student’s elementary classroom. Do not go to the cafeteria before school to do so. Issues with lunch cards and monies owed will be handled by our Cafeteria Manager, Mrs. Allie Hanson.

Middle grades students have a terrific menu full of choices available to them. 

Click here for more information about Food Services.

Assignment Notebooks
This year we will continue with our School Planner assignment notebooks for students in grades 3-8. These planners will be distributed to elementary students in their classrooms on the first day of school. Middle school students will receive their planners at our MS Orientation on Wednesday, August 22. We believe having a common assignment notebook better assists us to teach stronger study habits, and include a timely venue for parent/teacher communication. You will notice that they also incorporate the Sycamore Canyon School student information: commonly asked questions about policies, procedures, and standards for behavior. Please make sure that your child writes her or his name on the inside cover!

School Visitors
Student safety is a prime concern for all of us. We require all visitors to the campus to sign in at the front office, and request a visitor’s badge -- even people with appointments with our middle school counselors and teachers. It will help identify “visitors” on our campus, help us better monitor our school site, and give the office a list of adults on campus in case of emergency or we need to “track you down.” All perimeter gates will be locked daily after the start of school, and again reopen just prior to dismissal.

Click here for more information about Parking and Directions.

Attendance
Your child’s learning, well being, and safety is a concern to all of us. If your child will not be in school the following day, please call 498-0324 and leave a message on the answering machine. If we do not hear from you by 9:30 the day of the absence, we will be calling to account for your child and the status of the absence. Absences of five or more days can be accommodated (and school work provided) through an independent study contract arranged in advance (K-5 only). You can contact your child’s teacher, or the school office. Students arriving to school/classes after the 8:15 - Elementary, and 8:45 Middle Grades must check in at the main office and receive a tardy slip (excused or unexcused) before heading to class.

Click here for more information about Attendance.

School Year Calendar
The Weekly Bulletin, will be sent to parents via an email distribution and linked to our Website. A current detailed calendar will be included in our quarterly newsletter, "The Breeze."

Click here to view the current calendar.

Other
Our school produces a quarterly newsletter -- The Breeze, and weekly bulletin. Our PTSA, staff and Mr. Eby utilize these tools to keep you informed. Emails will announce the new editions.
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