Sycamore Valley Elementary Shark Bites Newsletter |
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Message from Principal Kawahara March 13, 2025 |
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Mrs. O’Malley’s 1st grade class Dear Sycamore Valley Families:
I hope you and your family are well. These past few weeks students have been having fun with shamrocks and leprechauns. From shamrock math facts in 3rd grade to a leprechaun directed draw in Kindergarten, it is wonderful to see how our teachers integrate St. Patrick’s Day fun into their student’s learning.
Keep reading for some upcoming dates to remember, some reminders, April’s Read Aloud, staff appreciation, information about the online auction, and the Student Information form.
Dates to Remember: 03/14 - No School 03/15 - Giveback - Bamville Sports and Collectibles 03/19-03/21 - Conference Days
- AM TK- 8:00-10:30
- PM TK- 9:30-12:00
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All Kinder 8:00-10:30
- ALL 1st-5th Grades 8:00-12:00
03/24-03/30 - Sycamore’s Online Auction
03/26 - 5th Grade Math Placement Test - 1:00pm - MPR 03/31 - 2nd Grade Speak Up & Be Safe Assembly #1 04/03 - Variety Show - 6:00pm - MPR 04/07-04/11 - No School - Spring Break 04/15 - 2nd Grade Speak Up & Be Safe Assembly #2 05/15 - Open House 6pm-7pm March Schedule At A Glance
Reminder: State Testing (CAASPP) from 04/28/2025-05/16/2025: Please make sure your 3rd-5th graders are here for testing!
March Read Aloud: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires March Read Aloud Schedule -Final April Read Aloud:
April’s character trait is Grateful. We will be reading Watercress by Andrea Wang and Spoon by Amy Rosenthal to help us explore the trait. April Read Aloud Schedule-Final Staff Appreciation:
This week was Staff Appreciation Week. We cannot express how much we appreciate all the love! From the doors, the food and the flowers - it has all brightened our days! Thank you for taking the time to celebrate our wonderful staff! |
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Shark Fund Online Auction: The online auction is about to go live! Mark your calendars, as the auction will open Monday March 24th at 9am and close Sunday March 30th at 7pm. We need your participation to make this a success - 100% of the auction proceeds stay here in Sycamore’s Education Fund. We recommend logging in and registering before March 24th, as there are several Sycamore items that will sell out right away. As a reminder, there are two types of items on the site: items you bid on, that stay open through 3/30, and buy it now items like the Sycamore school and Social events (which are all listed under “sycamore” on the site). We are also changing the teacher and staff raffles this year, which will be done entirely online instead of physical forms and checks like in the past.
Lastly - do you still have an item to donate or want to host a social? No problem! We are still accepting items / events - click the “donate” button on the site. Link and QR code below in Shark Fund update Student Information Form:
As we look toward next year it is time for us to start working on class placements. We work hard to build classes that are balanced from every angle. While this form is not required, if you feel there is particular information about the environment that will best support your child, please complete a form. Forms are due by April 2nd.
2025-2026 Student Class Placement form Please keep reading for some upcoming event information, important dates and other PTA/Shark Fund News. Thank you, Patricia Kawahara Principal |
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Important Dates to Remember |
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03/14 - No School
03/15 - Giveback from Bamville @ Blackhawk Plaza 03/19-03/21 - Conference Days - Minimum Schedule - AM TK- 8:00-10:30
- PM TK- 9:30-12:00
- All Kinder 8:00-10:30
- ALL 1st-5th Grades 8:00-12:00
03/20 - Dyslexia Simulation event - 6:00 - 7:30pm - District Office
03/24-03/30 - Online Auction 03/25 - Protecting and Celebrating Our Youth Seminar 03/26 - Sharky Fit Club - 1:00pm
03/26 - 5th Grade Math Placement Test for Middle School 03/31 - 2nd Grade Speak Up & Be Safe Assembly #1
04/02 - Variety Show Dress Rehearsal 1:00 PM in MPR 04/03 - Variety Show 6:00 PM in MPR 04/07 - 04/11 - Spring Break 04/15 - 2nd Grade Speak Up & Be Safe Assembly #2 05/15 - Open House 6:00pm - 7:00pm
05/17 - Truck Time Event - 9:00 am - 1:00pm |
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Classroom Placements for 25/26:
Parents you are welcome to complete the attached form if you believe your child has specific needs.
2025-2026 Student Class Placement form
After spring break, teachers will meet with Principal Kawahara to begin building balanced classes for the 25/26 school year. Parents and students will be notified of teacher and classroom placement on August 12th, 2025. Careful consideration is given to the class placement of each student. The primary factors considered in class placement are:
1. Current year’s teacher assessment of the student’s needs. 2. Input from support staff - resource, speech, school psychologist, reading specialists. 3. Class balance: academic performance, test scores, behavior, and boy/girl ratio.
4. Physical, medical, emotional and social development of the child. 5. Parent information regarding student’s specific needs.
This form is not required, however if you believe your child has specific needs and/or excels in a particular type of classroom environment that the staff should consider when placing him/her, you are welcome to complete and return the attached form. Please do not request specific teachers. Letters that state a specific teacher’s name or that try to describe a specific teacher will not be considered. This form is due to the school office no later than April 02, 2025. |
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Reminder:
If you need to drop-off items for your child or their teacher, Please call the school office when you arrive at the main gate. (925) 855-2800 |
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Attendance Line Please call the attendance line to report your child's absence:
925-855-2898
AR 5113 States that all absences which are not cleared within two days after a student's return to school shall be recorded as unexcused (CUT). |
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Help us raise $50K during our Shark Fund Online Auction! We’re planning for our biggest fundraiser of the year - the Shark Fund Online Auction, March 24-30, 2025!
The online auction is about to go live! Mark your calendars, as the auction will open Monday March 24th at 9am and close Sunday March 30th at 7pm. We need your participation to make this a success - 100% of the auction proceeds stay here in Sycamore’s Education Fund.
We recommend logging in and registering before March 24th, as there are several Sycamore items that will sell out right away. As a reminder, there are two types of items on the site: items you bid on, that stay open through March 30th and buy it now items like the Sycamore school and Social Events (which are all listed under “sycamore” on the site). We are also changing the teacher and staff raffles this year, which will be done entirely online instead of physical forms and checks like in the past.
Lastly - do you still have an item to donate or want to host a social? No problem! We are still accepting items / events - click the “donate” button on the site.
https://event.auctria.com/21d217c1-fc8f-4337-a1eb-2ebaed3a5b80/ |
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Thank you to everyone who attended our first ever Sycamore PTA Family STEAM Enrichment Night on Friday. It was a fun-filled night of hands-on exploring and creating. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Science Fair and to those who won awards for Creativity, Presentation, and Most Unexpected Results. We would like to give a special shoutout to all of the volunteers that made the event possible.
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Click here for the Spiritwear Sale
Shark Spirit Clothing Sale - Spring Sale - Save 20% Sitewide!
The Sycamore Valley Spring Sale has begun, featuring 20% savings across the entire site! Shop for tees, hoodies and jackets, including over 25 new designs! Shop Now!
In addition, all orders over $75 will receive free shipping. Shop Now!
Store Link: https://1stplace. FREE SHIPPING $75+ |
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Protecting and Celebrating Our Youth A not-to-miss event to learn about prescription drug and fentanyl safety, prevention strategies, and be empowered with resources.
When: Tuesday, March 25th, 5:30 - 7:00 PM Where: SRVUSD Board Rooms, 699 Old Orchard Drive, Danville
Register: bit.ly/NCAPDAforYouth Bonus Activity: 7-7:30pm
Overdose rescue training and distribution of FREE Naloxone overdose rescue kits. |
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Truck Time 2025 – Tickets on Sale Now! Turn imagination into real life! This fun, interactive, outdoor family festival encourages children (and their adults) to explore the trucks and vehicles they see around them all the time, and maybe some they've never seen before.
Saturday, May 17th, 9:00 am to 1:00pm Parking lot of 2700 Camino Ramon, San Ramon
Visit TruckTimeSanRamon.org for additional details and to pre-purchase tickets. Tickets are $7 per person (age 1 and over), if purchased before May 16th, or $10 at the door on the event day.
SPECIAL TICKET DEAL for SRVUSD Families and Friends: Family 4-Pack is available for $20 before May 16, 2025. This event is presented by the Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/San Ramon. It benefits the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, the San Ramon Historic Foundation, the Dougherty Valley/San Ramon Rotary Club, and its Foundation. |
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Sharky Fit Club -
Ready to start your child’s journey to become fit for life? We started Sharky Fit Club on Wednesdays after Dippin Dots in MPR! Sharky Fit Club will be a 20 min overlook of Danville Gymnastics program combining strength and coordination of the athlete with the elegance of dancing. We will practice yoga poses, dance steps, tumbling such as forward/backward rolls, and sometimes (depending on attendance) handstands, cartwheels, walkovers & more! All levels welcome. Kids will become stronger in core, improving flexibility, muscle tone, coordination & balance.
Please bring a yoga mat to use in the MPR.
Permission Slip attached. Future Classes: March 26 More dates will be announced soon.
For more information, contact Deniz Ozek at deniz.c.ozek@gmail.com |
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In-person Dyslexia Simulation -
An Interactive Event for Families & Staff
The SRV Council of PTAs' Exceptional Education Committee is hosting an in-person, interactive workshop that will help individuals gain a better understanding of and empathy for children and adults with dyslexia. Leaders of Decoding Dyslexia CA’s Tri-Valley Dyslexia Support Group will facilitate the experience. Thursday, March 20, 2025
6:00 to 7:30pm in the Board Room at the San Ramon Valley Unified School District Education Center - 699 Old Orchard Rd., Danville, CA 94526
Please REGISTER to attend so that we have enough materials for everyone and can plan accordingly.
Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that makes learning to read, spell and write difficult. Participants will be guided through a series of exercises that simulate how those with dyslexia experience reading, writing and processing information in the classroom.
The experience is designed for adults, but families with older children may wish to participate together. Guests from other school districts are welcome! |
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BOOK CLUB: 3rd-5th and 1st-2nd
BOOK CLUB 3rd-5th grade
The next book club meeting is on Wednesday, March 19th, from 12-1pm in the library. Please note that this falls during conference week with minimum days, so the book club will be at 12 noon (instead of the usual 1pm). We will be discussing the books The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead, and Ferris by Kate DiCamillo. For any questions, please contact Jyoti (rekhij@gmail.com).
BOOK CLUB 1st-2nd grade
Thank you to all those that participated and helped in the first book club meeting for 1st and 2nd graders! The next book club meeting for 1st and 2nd graders will be Tuesday, April 15th at 2:30-3:30pm in the school library. The books to read will be announced soon. For any questions, please contact Raj (rajiedeol@gmail.com).
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS:
The book list is now available for Battle of the Books! Please contact Nida Qadeer nuq101@gmail.com for the book list and any questions about the program. STEAM ART: Signups for November-May STEAM Art classes have gone out. For any questions, please contact Kristina ( kristinabuskirk@gmail.com). Due to the large response to this class, new student sign ups are now closed for the year. MATH OLYMPIAD:
We have completed all 5 contests for the year. Congratulations to Karthik J. for top score in Contest 4 and to Saanvi L., Jaden G., and Atharva A. for top score in Contest 5!
WORDMASTERS:
Our Wordmasters 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th graders recently completed the 2nd Challenge. 2 down, 1 to go! Congratulations to 2nd/3rd graders Skylah T. (perfect score!), Luke S., Vihaan K., Kyle Z. and 4th/5th Graders Karthik J., Lauren E., Griffin R., Daniel K., Lohith H. for the highest scores on Challenge 2.
Challenge Set 3 will be distributed around February 24 and our students will take Challenge 3 between March 28 and April 18. For any questions, please email Kathryn Rapp, Wordmasters Coordinator, at kathryn.montilla@gmail.com.
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND:
Our talented team of 3rd/4th/5th graders -- Karthik J., Richard L., Zoe L., Warren C., Satvik C., Derek W., Anirudh J. -- won 2nd place in the Northern California Regional Tournament that took place last weekend in Sacramento! The team has been working together since last October, exemplifying remarkable creativity and teamwork. Congratulations and good luck to the team as they move on to compete at the State finals on March 8th!!
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Be A Mentor: Volunteer Clearance - Reminder We ask all of our parents/guardians to register w/ Be A Mentor for level #1 - general volunteer. This clearance will allow you to be on campus and/or in the classroom with the children.
Here is the link to sign up. Be A Mentor Click on the New Volunteers Apply Now on the bottom right side of the page. A TB test is a new requirement. The risk assessment form is to be completed by your doctor. You will need to upload, to your Be A Mentor account, either the completed risk assessment form or the negative TB test result form from your doctor.
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Giveback:
Mention Sycamore Elementary on Saturday, March 15 for a 15% giveback for our school. Bamville Sports and Collectibles
Located in: Blackhawk Plaza
Address: 3461 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Danville, CA 94506
Phone: (408) 597-7127 |
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| Dippin’ Dot Calendar:
Mar. 26 |
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Dippin Dot Pre-pay Punch Cards are Back!
Punch cards can be purchased for $25.00.
Prepay for 5 Dippin' Dots, get one free Save time in line No need to bring money to school Families can share one card 100% of proceeds benefit your students at Sycamore |
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Thank you to the PTA and generous families for hosting Staff Appreciation Week. Our staff is grateful for the breakfast, lunches and beverages and luncheon that were brought throughout the week. |
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School Site Council Update
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School Site Council Meeting Date to be Determined |
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Please refer to Peach Jar for after school enrichment opportunities that are offered for Sycamore students. Sycamore Valley Peach Jar |
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With the change of weather our lost and found is growing!! Take a look at the Rack and in the Yellow Bin.
You may be surprised and find a sweatshirt / jacket / or sweater that you did not know was left behind.
Please make sure that your child's name is marked on their clothing. Smaller Lost & Found items are in the Office.
Water Bottles and Lunch Boxes are on the shelf in the MPR. |
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(925) 855-2800 |
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