News & Notes October 27, 2017
What's Happening at The Academies? 

Oct 27 -- 
Fall Festival!

Oct 30 -- SVA Student Council Meeting 

Nov 2 -- 
SVA Picture Day

Nov 8 -- 5th Grade SCICON Field Trip

Nov 10 -- Holiday *NO SCHOOL*

Nov 16 - 17 -- Conferences *NO SCHOOL*

Nov 20 - 24 -- Fall Break *NO SCHOOL*










Reminder!! 

Plan to show off your costumes at the Fall Festival! NO costumes are allowed at school on Halloween! 

NO candy in lunches, please! 
A Message from Principal Phillips

Hello wonderful families of The Academies,
At the beginning of this month the California Assembly passed Assembly Bill 667 which amended the ways in which schools in California can suspend students.  This new law puts greater demands on schools requiring "other means of correction" prior to the suspension of a student, and letting parents and students on that possible disciplinary track know what those "other means of correction" have been.  The Academies is committed to employing restorative justice practices that were in line with this new law prior to it being written.  We work with all of our students academically and behaviorally.  Taking time to try and figure out the root cause of certain behaviors is a much more time-consuming process, but attempting to change behavior without an understanding of why the behavior occurs is ineffective.  We have chosen to employ the principles of restorative justice because research has shown they are more effective at preventing future behaviors than the traditional means of zero tolerance.  We believe that this sends the right message to all of our students and reinforces that "Love is the forefront of this institution."  I am very happy that some of the things we have been doing all along will now be mandated by the state.  

Mr. Phillips

SVA Student Council Meeting
Monday, October 30
3:30-4:15PM
Room 13


Our coaches are fired up this season and want to give their athletes more time to train and work together as a group even before teams have formed! 

Coach Ontiveros will begin pre-season conditioning for basketball next MOnday, October 30! All students grades 5-8 are  welcome and work out. Participation in pre-season conditioning DOES NOT mean your child has to try out for the team. Students who want to try their hand at basketball without making a commitment to a team are encouraged to give it a shot!  

Workout days are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for the next month and half. Tryouts will follow conditioning, dates TBD. 


Charter Collaboration

Our own Señora Gates-Wai led the effort to start  a collaborative group of Visalia  Spanish  Teachers. Exemplifying the 21st century learning happening at our schools, the group meets once  a month to share ideas and resources
. 

Superintendent Dutton said  "I want to thank Senora Gates-Wai for initiating a collaborative network of elementary  Spanish  teachers.  She has enabled collaboration across organizations so that  Spanish  language instruction for local children can be improved and enhanced.  The benefits of this work will extend to the students of SVA and BOA and even beyond.  Senora Gates-Wai embodies the Vision statement of The Academies and is expanding our impact."

Pictured here are Sra. Viviana and Sra. Gates-Wai with  Spanish teachers from Valley Life Charter and Global Learning Charter schools. 

Attention SVA Parents! 

Please ask your child to check the lost and found for their items. 

Remember to label sweaters, jackets, and lunch pails with your child's name and room number.

All items remaining in lost and found after Parent Teacher Conferences will be donated to the Visalia Rescue Mission!
The Sycamore Leaflet

MS. Chan's Journalism class keeps us up to date with all the happenings at SVA. Check out the latest edition of The Sycamore Leaflet, available for download here. 
KSVA TV

This week's episode of KSVA TV News includes an interview with Civil War Time Travelers. 

Check it out on YouTube, and be sure to subscribe to their channel. 

KSVA TV Season 1, Episode 5
KSVA TV Season 1, Episode 5
Conference Care

There will be no school on conference days, November 16-17. Our After School Program is offering care from 8:00AM - 5:45PM. 

The day will include special activities, crafts, and fun! More info coming soon!

Meals and snacks will not be served, so please be sure to send food for the day with your child. 

Sign up with After School Program staff or in your school's office. 

Half Day: $10 for up to 4.5 hours*
Full Day: $20 for 4.5 or more hours*

*  You may indicate whether your child will attend full or half days but we will charge based on time in and time out.

Families who purchased the Unlimited Flat Rate Plan for after school care incur  no additional charge for these days, but please do sign up if you plan for your child to attend so that we can plan accordingly. 

Expanding Your Horizons


Mrs. Lewis and Ms. de Lemos will take a group of girls to TCOE's  Expanding Your Horizons.   This optional 11/4 event is for girls in 4th-10th grade in order to inspire them to consider education and careers in STEM fields.  All classes heard about the event in class, and interested girls should be bringing required forms home today. Forms are due back to Mrs. Lewis or Ms. Delemos by Friday, September 29.

SVA is Going to Cyberquest!


This year Ms. Chan will be taking students from grades 4-8 to CyberQuest. This TCOE contest, integrates 21st Century research and critical thinking skills with oral and electronic presentations. This year's CyberQuest will happen on Saturday, December 2 from 8:00AM- 3:30PM. We are looking for high-energy parent volunteers to help with this endeavor. Please contact Ms. Chan if you are interested in volunteering:  echan@sycamorevalleyacademy.org. Thanks!





School Breakfast and Lunch 

Did you know that breakfast is available each school morning beginning at  7:45? It is!

You can pay for meals with cash or check (get an envelope in the school office) or online with our payment service  myschoolbucks.com. You will need to register, create an account and provide an ID number for every student you're including. An app is available so you can easily use this service on your smartphone. If you need to access your student's ID number, please call your school's front office. 

School breakfast will be available at both schools before the school day begins. The cost for breakfast is $1.25.  The cost for lunch is $2.00. Applications for free or reduced price lunch will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. 

Menus are always available on our website.  Click here for the October menu. 


Substitute Custodian Needed  
The Academies Charters is seeking a backup daytime custodian. F ingerprint clearance is required. 

Substitute Teachers Needed  
The Academies Charters have an experienced and dedicated teaching staff, but we are always looking to expand our sub list. 

If you or someone you know has the desire to be a substitute teacher at our amazing school, has a bachelor's degree, has passed the CBEST, and is willing to get a substitute credential and fingerprint clearance we would love to grow our team. 

Substitute Instructional Aides Needed 
The Academies Aide Subs minimum requirements are a high school diploma and fingerprint clearance. 

If you are interested please email Shauna Dolin at  sdolin@theacademiescharters.org. 












Next SVA PTO Meeting
 Next BOA PTO Meeting
November 13 November 13
6:00PM
 6:00PM
Round Table Pizza
 Round Table Pizza
Packwood Creek Center
 Mary's Vineyard
4035 S. Mooney Blvd.
 1691 E. Noble Ave.

Community Events



University Prep is holding Information Nights on Thursday, November 2 and Thursday November 9. 

These meetings are for students who are interested in enrolling for either Spring Semester 2018 or Fall Semester 2018.

The enrollment packet will be available to all students on November 1. You can find the UPHS Enrollment Packet at  www.tcoe.org/UPHS.




Know of a community event you'd like to share? Email information and images to Claudia Van Groningen claudiav@sycamorevalleyacademy.org
The Academies CMO| 559.622-3236 | theacademiescharters.org
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