-Summer Science Camp, New Bus Stop, Talent Show

May 27, 2016
SVA News & Notes
What's Happening at SVA?

May 30 -- Memorial Day Holiday, No School

May 31 -- Talent Show

June 1 -- 8th Grade Graduation

June 3 -- Last Day of School! Minimum Day, 12:15 Dismissal
Color Day at SVA Celebrates Character Strengths

SVA celebrated character on Student Council's Color Day. Using the Periodic Table of Character Strengths, students and staff selected areas of strength that define their individual character and dressed in the color which represents that strength. 

Emelia Rasner chose blue for bravery and Fern Moore chose orange for leadership. Fern recognizes that she is leader in her classroom and Emelia says she's brave because she is not afraid of spiders! 
Sarah Plummer and Austraya Guerrero share the strength of enthusiasm. Both girls demonstrated that strength as they rehearsed for next week's talent show. Sarah says she's enthusiastic about school, especially math! 
Gold Ribbon School Award Ceremony

Last night, Principal/Superintendent Ruth Dutton, Instructional Coach Jennifer Denham, and Board Chair Rachele Berglund Bailey attended the CA Gold Ribbon Schools Award ceremony. The three SVA superstars accepted the honor from State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, on behalf of the entire school community. 
State Budget Update
 
On May 13, 2016, Governor Jerry Brown released the May Revision to his budget proposal for the 2016-17 fiscal year. The May Revision is the final update to economic assumptions and revenue estimates before the 2016-17 budget is approved in June. 

Governor Brown included $20 million in startup funds for charter schools in his proposal. Despite significant efforts by the charter school community, both budget subcommittees rejected the Governor's request for these funds. 
 
On Monday, May 23, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance rejected the $20 million in start-up funds for charter schools in the Governor's proposed budget. At the beginning of the hearing, Committee Chair Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) announced that Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) was being replaced by Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). Only the Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-South Gate) has the power to replace members of a committee. We believe the Speaker replaced Assemblymember Irwin solely because she was the potential swing vote in support of the start-up funds for charter schools.

Charter advocates are continuing to work on this issue. We'll keep you posted if we learn of any developments. 
2016-17 Bus Information

To better serve our SVA families, we are changing our routes and adding a new stop to our student transportation service for next year. 

NEW 2016-17 Bus Routes:
Route 1- Houston, Fairview, Crestwood
Route 2- Four Creeks, Mineral King, Royal Oaks

Schedules for pickup and drop off will be posted on our website once they are finalized. Please check for updates over the summer. 

Also new for next year, families using our bus service must attend a mandatory transportation information meeting at SVA. More info coming soon. 

Seats on our busses are limited and are assigned on a first come, first served basis. A new bus service request form must be completed for each student who will ride the bus. Look for this form in your inbox next week.
Parent Satisfaction Survey

You should have received an email from Ms. Dutton yesterday that contained a link to our annual parent satisfaction survey. We've received 32 responses so far. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey this weekend. We'd love to hear from everyone! 
Elective Selection

All students entering grades 5-8 next year must complete an Elective Selection Form by 11:59PM TODAY Friday, May 27. 

SVA Magazine

Check out the latest issue of the student produced SVA Magazine. 

This magazine is written, edited, published, and distributed solely by SVA students. 
Since 1990, Camp Invention has taken summer fun and transformed it from ordinary to extraordinary! 

Local educators lead a week of hands-on activities created especially for 1st-6th graders. Children will spend their time constructing and personalizing a DIY solar-powered cricket with a unique habitat and taking apart electronics to assemble something new. Lessons explore connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation. 

Camp will run July 25-29, 9:00AM - 3:30PM each day. 

Visit www.campinvention.org or call 800.968.4332 for information and to sign your student up! Any additional questions may be directed towards Mrs. Padilla at spadilla@sycamorevalleyacademy.org.


DE Logo
Minimum Day Care 
Last Day of School


SVA After School Programs is offering care for SVA students on Friday, June 3 (in lieu of KB and DE). Care is offered from minimum day dismissal to 5:45.  The fee is $10.  

An afternoon snack is provided, but hot lunch is not offered; students must bring their own lunch and any additional snacks. Our theme for the afternoon is SUPERHERO CINEMA!  Students will:
  • Make their own hero props
  • Compete in popcorn tosses
  • Draw comic strips
  • Unwind with a showing of "the Incredibles"
Pre-registration is required by Monday, May 30 in order to participate.  Families already registered with after school programs can enroll through the event registration tab in their customer portal.  (Access your portal here.)  Families who have not yet registered must first do so by clicking on "Sign Up for Programs" at the ASP Program page of the SVA website.  Once you have registered, access the portal link above, enter the email you registered with, and click "forgot password" to get started.
 
Please contact klewis@sycamorevalleyacademy.org with any questions.
SVA's 4th Annual Student Talent Show

This fun Student Council event is not to missed! Two shows, Tuesday morning, May 31 in the cafeteria. 

Contact Jennifer Denham with questions, jdenham@sycamorevalleyacademy.org
Graduation Information

We have a special evening planned for our 2016 graduates. We have moved the event to the Wyndham Hotel located at 9000 W. Plaza Drive. The ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30PM on Wednesday, June 1. 
A dessert reception will follow.  

The occasion is special, but not formal. Regular guidelines for appropriate dress as stated in the SVA Family Handbook must be observed. Appropriate attire for graduating boys is a long sleeved dress shirt and tie and dress slacks. Appropriate attire for girls is a nice dress or a skirt/slacks and blouse.  Shoes must not have a heel over 1 inch. No spaghetti straps, miniskirts, t-shirts, or low-cut tops are allowed. If you have a question about a specific item of clothing, please bring the item or a photograph of the item to the office for Ms. Dutton's approval prior to the event. 

Questions about graduation may be directed to Claudia Van Groningen. 

Middle School Admissions Info

Our innovative student-centered middle school program is growing for the 2016-17 year. Currently, there are only a couple of openings remaining for new students. 

We'll have new elective options available next year, along with other exciting changes such as daily PE and Spanish. 

If you know someone who is looking for an excellent option and a small family-like middle school experience, please share our application for admission, linked here, and our recent email that includes detailed information about our program, linked here. 
Get out the Vote! 

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.  

Presidential Hopeful Visits Visalia This Weekend

Our region is getting the attention of Presidential hopefuls on the campaign trail leading up to the June 7 primary elections. 

Following Bill Clinton's visit to Visalia last week and Donald Trump's event in Fresno today, Senator Bernie Sanders will visit Visalia (and Fresno) on Sunday. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to engage your children in the political process. Involving your child in the election conversation helps them develop into 
empowered, able citizens in a democratic society. 

If you'd like to share information about other political events and opportunities to engage our community in the political process, please emailclaudiav@sycamorevalleyacademy.org. 

What's for Lunch?

Mon 5/30 Holiday NO SCHOOL
Tues 5/31 Chicken Soft Taco
Wed 6/1 Cheeseburger Sliders
Thurs 6/2 Macaroni & Cheese 
Fri 6/3 Bean & Cheese Burrito

Next PTO Meeting


PTO will begin meeting again in August. Have a great summer! 

Round Table Pizza
4035 S. Mooney Blvd. 

2016-17 Academic Calendar

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

Honoring Student Achievement

We accept nominations for student recognition on an ongoing basis, so be sure to let us know when something great happens! If you would like to nominate a student for their extra curricular accomplishments, complete this form. 
Free National Park Access for 4th Graders

The National Park Service is providing FREE access to all National Parks to all 4th graders in the U.S. 

Visit the Every Kid in a Park website to learn more and to get your free pass to America's natural wonders and historic sites.  
Sycamore Valley Academy | 559.622.3236 | office@sycamorevalleyacademy.org
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