April 15, 2016
SVA News & Notes
What's Happening at SVA?
 

April 18 -- Staff Development, No School

April 22 -- PTO Jog-a-Thon

May 9-13 -- Staff Appreciation Week

May 14 -- PTO Spring Auction Fundraiser

May 26 -- Open House
We're a California 
Gold Ribbon School

Out of over 6300 elementary schools in the state only 772 schools have been selected to be Gold Ribbon Schools. Just four of the selected schools are in Tulare County, and SVA is one of them! 

This award has replaced the "Distinguished Schools" award you may be familiar and is the California Department of Education's highest recognition for schools which are modeling outstanding practices. 

Our school is recognized for our Gifted Education for All program and we are thrilled! If you'd like to read the description of the model that discuss the awesome work we do here, click this link. 

Hooray for SVA! 

Check out the other Tulare County award recipients. 


A message from PTO: Staff Appreciation Week

With the end of the year fast approaching it is time for us to recognize and appreciate the staff that serves our kids. SVA would not be the same without these amazing people.

We will be showing our gratitude with a variety of events during the week of May 9-13. 

If you are interested in helping with Staff Appreciation Week please contact Suzy Plummer at 303-0160 or suzydenham23@yahoo.com for more information. 
New Video

2016 Hero PBL
2016 Hero PBL
Have you subscribed to SVA's YouTube Channel? We're working on adding more content. Check it out!
Excellence or Bust! 

School and District leaders from around the Valley visited Sycamore Valley Academy for Excellence or Bust, an event we host exclusively for local leaders in the education community, on Friday, April 1 and Friday, April 8. This event gives the community a chance to see what we believe (its principles) and do (its practices). Ms. Dutton shared resources and tools to make these excellent principles and practices accessible to local educators. Check out the event video. 
 CCSA Published a Feature Article on SVA

Here's the link, or read it below. 


HELP WANTED! 

Please help us spread the word that SVA is seeking highly qualified individuals to fill several positions. Share the SVA Staff Recruitment Brochure with someone who might be right for SVA! 

Principal 
With growth on the horizon, Ms. Dutton's dual role of Principal/Superintendent will be divided. Ms. Dutton will become a full time Superintendent, and SVA will gain a new full time Principal beginning July 1. If you know someone who might be the perfect candidate to fill this role at SVA, please send them our way.  View the job posting on EdJoin. 

Substitute Teachers and Instructional Aides 
We pay substitute teachers $116/day. 
Substitute Instructional Aides earn $10.30-14.42/hr (depending on education & experience). Must have Tulare County fingerprint clearance. For more information on qualifications and requirements, contact office@sycamorevalleyacademy.org. 
Save the Date!

SVA PTO will host their annual Spring Auction Fundraiser on May 14 at Pita Kabob Gastropub in downtown Visalia. 

This event is sure to be a great time with great food and great people. 

Look for more info coming soon, including how to get your tickets. 
Save the Date! 

May 26, 6-8PM

Open House &
Spring Performances

Plan to spend the evening at SVA, we'll have dinner available for purchase and plenty to see and do. 
More info coming soon! 

Provide your Input on our Community Survey

California's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) requires schools to solicit stakeholder input in developing their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP). Please take a few moments to complete the brief survey linked here. 
Admissions Info


We have a few seats remaining in our new middle school class next year. If you know someone who is looking for an alternative to the large middle school experience, please share our application for 2016-17 admission, linked here.
2016-17 Academic Calendar 

Check out the calendar for next year so that you and your family can make your summer plans accordingly. 



Awards Assembly April 29
DE Logo
Next DE Session - 
April 11-22

Destination: Planet Earth

Our planet offers us a place in space with everything we need to survive. Let's explore our home planet in all its wonder. There's no place like home! 
Lunch Menu

Monday -  4/18 No School 
Tuesday - 4/19 Chicken Soft Taco
Wednesday - 4/20 Cheeseburger Sliders
Thursday - 4/21 Macaroni & Cheese
Friday - 4/22 Bean & Cheese Burrito

Engaging Your Children in an Election Year
 

Here at SVA, the learning outcomes for students which we strive to achieve demonstrate the high value we place on civic engagement. We want our students to be: 

  • Inquisitive & Critical Thinkers
  • Virtuous, Courageous & Intelligent Individuals
  • Self-motivated, Life-long Learners
  • Confident Leaders for the 21st Century
  • Creative & Effective Problem Solvers
  • Empowered Citizens in a Democratic Society

What better time to talk about the value of these outcomes than in an election year? We encourage you to engage your children in conversation about the traits that make a great leader and the value of civic engagement. 

From now through Election Day on November 8, 2016 we will share information and ideas for engaging your children in conversation about the upcoming elections. 

We encourage you to start the conversation, to get involved, and to exercise your right to vote.  

Honoring Student Achievement...in Theater! 

Eight SVA scholars participated in the musical Mulan, Jr. on March 18-19 at the Rotary Theater.  These thespians auditioned for roles with the Ruby Slipper Performing Arts Academy in September of 2016 and worked on the musical for six months.  Cast members from SVA include:
Front row:  Roxy Bahr, Kaity de Lemos, Maddie Papanickolas, Back row:  Phillip Papnickolas, Sarah Plummer, Aaliyah Anderson, Niamh O'Donoghue, and Claire Johnson.  Over 200 SVA students were able to attend the special school show of Mulan, Jr. on the morning of March 18th. 


Currently, SVA students Zoe Silva, Diana Padilla, Rebekah Cantelmi, and Caroline Cantelmi are starring in TCOE's spring production of Frog and Toad. SVA Alum Andrew Cantelmi is starring in Movin' Out. Both shows run through this Sunday, April 16. 
Congratulations Everyone! 
Student Placement Information/Request

As we engage in the process of putting classes together, we use numerous factors to ensure balanced classes.  These factors include academic needs, gender, and social relationships and behaviors.  In addition, we know that you, as parents/guardians, have information about your child that can be helpful to us as we prepare class rosters.
 
If you would like to provide information that we should consider during the formation of class rosters, please complete this form and return it to the SVA Front Office no later than Friday, May 6, 2016.  While you may note a teacher preference, placement in a specific teacher's classroom cannot be guaranteed.  Multiple factors are considered in student placement; parent requests are one factor among many. 
 
Parents will be informed of class placement in August.

SVA PTO NEWS
Jog-a-Thon Next Week

Attention Parents!  SVA PTO Jog-a-Thon pledge forms went home with your students earlier this week.  

Remember to encourage your child to gather pledges and return forms and money to school on the day of the event, next Friday April 22. 

Students have the opportunity to earn an array of awesome prizes including raffle prizes which include "Bowling with Benton", complete with limo ride for 15 lucky winners. 

Use this letter to reach out to your contacts in the community for business sponsorships. 
Next PTO Meeting

Monday, 
May 9, 6:00PM

Round Table Pizza
4035 S. Mooney Blvd.
Community Events
SCICON 56th Annual BBQ & Wildflower Festival This Sunday

On Sunday, April 17, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., the Friends of SCICON will be hosting the 56th Annual SCICON Barbecue and Wildflower Festival. 

All students, families and the general public are invited to SCICON for this beautiful event. The wildflowers will be at their peak with hundreds of them in bloom. The SCICON staff will be on hand to lead wildflower hikes, bird watching hikes, and nature hikes. The museum, planetarium, observatory and Tree Nursery will be open all day. Natural resource agencies will staff many different displays. Musical groups from local schools will provide live entertainment. A delicious meal is provided by the Friends of SCICON with a traditional deep pit barbecue. 

There is no charge to attend for the day. Meal prices are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (60 & over) and $5 for children (12 years and under.) For more information, please call the SCICON office at (559) 539-2642. 
This Weekend! 
 This Weekend! 
 

Featuring SVA's own Faye Lewis! 
Sycamore Valley Academy | 559.622.3236 | office@sycamorevalleyacademy.org
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