A V O N C O M M U N I T Y

S C H O O L C O R P O R A T I O N

Sycamore News April 26, 2012 www.avon-schools.org

Michael Springer,

Principal

7878 E CR 100 North

Avon, IN 46123

(317)544-6600 P

(317)544-6601 F

At Sycamore Elementary

School, the staff, students,

parents and community

ensure a safe, inviting envi-

ronment and provide for

the physical, social, emo-

tional and academic growth

for each individual, resulting

in a responsible, productive

citizen.

Kindergarten

Schedule

Lunch 11:00—11:30

Recess 11:30-11:45

1st Grade

Lunch 11:00-11:30

Recess 11:30-11:45

2nd Grade

Lunch 11:30-12:00

Recess 12:00-12:15

3rd Grade

Lunch 12:00-12:30

Recess 12:30-12:45

4th Grade

Lunch 12:30-1:00

Recess 1:00-1:15

Sprinkles...

As difficult as it may be to comprehend that an entire school year has gone by, it cer-

tainly has. It has been a good school year. I am so proud of our students. I could liter-

ally fill every page of this newsletter with examples of significant changes and growth

that have occurred with specific students. As we complete this final month of school,

we will take some time to celebrate all that has occurred this school year. Please pay

close attention to the dates of events listed in this newsletter.

You will recall from previous newsletters that our third grade students participated last

month in a statewide assessment, IREAD-3. Ninety-three percent of Sycamore’s third grade students

passed this assessment. Obviously, 100% is always our ultimate goal, but we are proud of our results

for this first year of this assessment. For the students who did not pass, they will have a second opportu-

nity in June to pass the assessment, and our third grade staff is working hard to ensure that those stu-

dents pass the assessment on this second attempt. I certainly believe that a 100% passing rate is still

attainable.

Also, our third and fourth grade students will be completing the second round of the other statewide

assessment, ISTEP+, next week. Fourth grade will test from approximately 9:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Third grade will test from 10:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Testing will occur Monday through Friday. This

second round of ISTEP+ is completely online and multiple choice. One of the phrases that we use with

our students is that standard tests are not always indications of what you know, but rather what you can

show that you know. So, with this in mind, it is extremely important that you encourage your third or

fourth grade child to take their time during testing. We want students to have the mindset that they are

trying to answer every question correctly. Obviously, not every student is going to accomplish that, but

that is the level of focus that we want to see from them. Your encouragement can really help with this

focus. Also, with our three-day weekend, it is important that students get plenty of sleep this weekend

and eat well. Testing can be somewhat stressful for many students. Being well-rested and having pro-

tein-rich meals can really help to keep students’ energy levels high.

If you were able to attend last month’s all-school art show and the second grade musical, you know that

the arts are also alive and well at Sycamore. Our students did a great job preparing for both events and

we could not have been more proud of them. Great job to all students, and to Mrs. Partlow and Mrs.

Williams.

Finally, some of our third and fourth grade students competed in the annual math bee held at Kingsway

Christian School this past week. Representative students from all of the ACSC elementary schools and

Kingsway Christian School participated in this competition. Based on the percentage of questions an-

swered correctly, Sycamore was crowned the overall school champion. A traveling trophy will be

placed in our front foyer display case until next year’s competition. Individually, congratulations to

Kaushy Gera who placed first among all of the schools’ fourth grade girls, Lauren Fundyk who placed

sixth among fourth grade girls, and Nicholas Purcell who placed sixth among fourth grade boys. Con-

gratulations to all the students for a successful competition.

Thank you for what has been a great school year to this point. Let’s have a great May as we finish this

important work and celebrate the successes and memories that we have had.

Michael J. Springer

Principal

Sycamore Elementary Page 2

Mark Your Calendar!

April 30—May 4 ISTEP May 3 Spirit Day at Orange Leaf

May 3 1st Grade Project Safety Fun Day w/Fire Crew

May 7-11 2nd Grade NWEA

May 11 Incoming Kindergarten Assessment Day

May 14-18 3rd & 4th Grade NWEA

May 18 2nd Grade to Outdoor Learning Center

May 18 4th Grade Girls Night Out—6:00—8:00 p.m.

May 23 4th Grade Visit to AIS

May 24 MAP Red Carpet Event—6:00—8:30 p.m.

May 25 Special Activities Day (check your classroom

newsletter)

May 28 Memorial Day—No School

May 30 Kindergarten Celebration—10:00 a.m.

May 30 Awards Program—2:15 p.m.

May 30 4th Grade Farewell Party—3:30—5:30 p.m. at Sycamore

May 31 Field Day

May 31 STUDENT LAST DAY!

Music Notes

Attention, singers and dancers entering fifth grade:

Avon’s Summer Show Choir Camp is for you! This is an exciting new opportunity to be

introduced to show choir through learning, rehearsing, and performing some of your

favorite popular songs! All incoming 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students may attend.

Sing, dance, and perform your way through two weeks of fun!

Monday-Friday, June 4-15

Avon Middle School North

9:00am-11:00 Daily

$75 due with registration by May 25

Contact Ms. DeWeese for more information!

smdeweese@avon-schools.org

Students in third and fourth grades:

The Indianapolis Children’s Choir will hold a summer music camp on June 11-16 and

July 30-August 3rd on the Butler University campus. Kids will learn, laugh and sing

together in a vigorous, fast-paced environment. If you love to sing, visit: icchoir.org,

or call 317-940-9640, or contact Mrs. Williams (544-6600).

Sycamore Elementary Page 3

ATTENTION, CURRENT KINDERGARTEN PARENTS CUB SCOUT SPRING SIGN-UP

Does your boy like the outdoors, crafts, and spending time with friends? Then Cub Scouts may be for

him! Come to the Cub Scout Sign-up night for more information about the Cub Scout Programs!

Cub Scout Spring Sign-up

May 16, 2012

7-8 p.m.

Sycamore Cafeteria

For more information, please contact either Pack 306’s Cubmaster, Mike Williams, at 271-5635 or Pack 306’s Committee

Chair, Mark Clark, at 272-4569.

Best regards ...and yours in Scouting!

Sycamore Elementary Page 4

PTO News

Sycamore Elementary Page 5

Throughout the year, students

have been discussing their

futures and how they can

O.W.N. them. During the April

convocation, six former

Sycamore students, now

students at Avon Middle School

North, visited and gave our

students advice on growing up,

making good choices, and how

to plan for the future. Kaylee Kerr, Alex Samons, Nina McGrew

Leah Bode, Nick Epperson, Bryce Lenz

Whatever your child’s future ambitions, the Sycamore

staff is focused on encouraging good study habits, teach-

ing life skills, and setting high expectations! We know

they can achieve their dreams!

Sycamore staff members listed their childhood dreams,

colleges, and aspirations for the students.

Counselor Corner

By Mrs. Altman

Sycamore Elementary Page 6

Sycamore Elementary Page 7

Flyers regarding community

activities, etc. can now be

found on Avon’s webpage. Go

to www.avon-schools.org and

click on the “flyer” tab at

the top. These types of fly-

ers are no longer being sent

home through the schools.

Flyers are being added daily,

so please check this area

frequently.

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES

Please make all transportation changes prior to 2:00 p.m. Also, when writing a note for a

change in transportation, please remember to include your childs first and last name,

teacher name, and the date. Thank you for your help.

COMING SOON!

Join us for Sycamore’s Lunch Bunch. The Lunch Bunch is for

2011-2012 Kindergarten through 2nd grade students. We will

meet on June 19th and July 12th from 11:00—12:00 in the bus

parking. You’ll bring a lunch, blanket and your favorite book and

enjoy an hour with some of the teachers and your classmates.

Look for more information in your classroom newsletters as we

get closer to summer vacation.

Sycamore on the News!

On Wednesday, May 2, Syca-

more will be featured on the

Fox 59 10:00 p.m. news. Syca-

more will be part of a special

report on weather safety in

school. Be sure to tune in and

check us out!

Sycamore Elementary Page 8

The Sycamore Elementary PTO wants you!!

There are several open positions for the 2012-2013 school year that we

need your help to fill.

Available Positions:

Treasurer

Secretary

Helping Hands Coordinator for Volunteers

Helping Hands Coordinator for Donations

Fundraising Director

Corporate Promotions Director

Activities Director

4th Grade Farewell Party Chair

Teacher Appreciation Chair

Please send your interest to Kerri Browder at kzbrowder@yahoo.com by

April 30th