We know the conference schedule is a challenging one for families. Thank you for adjusting so everyone could have time for Student-Led Conferences.
Student report cards were mailed on Friday morning. You should receive those next week.
Sycamore Elementary School
Thank you!
Registration for next year's BLAST, Before and After-School Care is THIS FRIDAY, March 28
Registration for next year's BLAST/ASES/ELOP (the before and after-school child-care program) will be opening in March for elementary school sites. Because this is a popular program with limited enrollment, we want all families to be aware of our school's registration window.
Sycamore's registration opens on Friday, March 28th at 9:00am
and closes Monday, March 31st at 6:00pm.
Registration will reopen on May 5th for all school sites.
Available BLAST contracts for the 2025-2026 school year include morning care only, 5 day contracts with AM and PM care and 3 day contracts for AM and PM care.
The ELOP Program at each of our elementary school sites and the ASES Program at Vista del Valle offer a 5 day contract for after school care only. Fees for the 2025-2026 school year can be found on the CUSD website or by viewing the Monthly Tuition Schedule.
Please feel free to contact The Child Development Department at (909) 398-0373 ext 41002 if you need assistance or have any questions.
2025-2026 Registration Information for the After School Program
Share your culture during World Cultures Day
Sycamore will celebrate World Cultures Day during the school day on Wednesday, April 23. On World Cultures Day, adult friends and families share their cultures through songs, stories, photos, clothing, food, crafts, and more! We want to have representation from many diverse groups! We have a number of presenters, but we are looking for more. If you're willing and available to join from 8:15 to 11:30 am on April 23, please consider sharing your culture with our students. Sign up here if you're interested or if you'd like more information.
Smartphone Free Childhood
As families navigate raising kids in the digital age, many feel anxious about the impact of smartphones and social media on children's well-being. Recent studies have highlighted the potential negative effects on mental health, academic performance, and social development. We are interested in forming a support community focused on delaying providing our children with smart phones, as well as discussing ways to manage or limit use if your child already has one. The hope is to work together as like-minded families and create a healthier environment for our children that prioritizes real-world interactions.
This Sunday, March 23, interested Sycamore families will connect for a first informal gathering around this idea. From 1:00 to 3:00 pm, parents and caregivers are encouraged to join at Memorial Park near the corner of Yale and 8th. Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, coffee, as well as your children, if you'd like. Invite friends to join.
You can reach out for more information at mellamochiko@yahoo.com and emilyorr18@gmail.com. If you're interested in joining this community, please fill out the short survey by clicking on this link. Smartphone Free Childhood Community Survey. We look forward to meeting you this Sunday!
Time for the Yearbook!
The yearbook is now on sale! Purchase a yearbook by April 12 to receive the early-bird price of $15 per copy. After April 12, the cost will be $20, so don't delay! As you purchase a copy for your child, you'll notice an option to buy and donate a yearbook for a child. You will also see that there is a fee of $1.99 for purchasing online. If you would rather, you may pay in the school office with cash or a check and avoid this charge. Click here for the online pay site. Our school code is 164860M.
Please donate a picture that captures s fun memory from this year. We'd also love to see a picture of your child practicing one of the goals from their Goal Setting Conferences. Click here to submit your photos.
SYCAMORE IN BLOOM BEGINS NEXT WEEK !!
Spring has Sprung!
Tickets to our May 3rd Adult-Only Spring Soiree will be available starting next week! AND, don’t miss Sign Ups to participate in our incredible community activity known as “BE-LEAFING”
Orders for both begin Monday, March 24th. Watch for order links next week.
Wondering what “BE-LEAFING” is?
The “BE-LEAF in Sycamore” campaign began after the pandemic to spread uplifting messages, celebrate student growth, and raise funds for our school! It was such a success we have continued the fun! This April, volunteers (adults and children welcome) will plant cheerful signs all around town.
Please then join us on May 3rd for an Adult-Only 21+ Spring Soiree “Sycamore In Bloom”
This year we celebrate at the Garner House 5pm - 8:30pm. Come for friendship, delightful food, silent auction, mystery style games, raffles and more.
All funds generated directly support all Sycamore students.
Join Sycamore’s Governance Council!
Our Governance Council is a fantastic way to get involved, make a difference, and support our school community. We’d love to have you! For more information, please reach out to Rachel Forester at: foresterster@gmail.com.
Claremont’s Earth Day Celebration
Claremont will be celebrating Earth Day on Sunday, April 27 at Shelton Park from 8:30am-1pm. If you’re interested in helping plan a children’s activity booth, please contact Sycamore Sustainability coordinator Elise Ferree (eferree@natsci.claremont.edu).
Opportunities for Learning: Equity and Inclusion
El Roble’s Equity and Inclusion Committee is offering a Restorative Practices workshop on March 24 Because the workshop falls on the evening of our monthly E&I meeting, our group has decided to encourage everyone to join the El Roble meeting instead! Please register to attend. All are welcome, including parents of current 6th graders.
2025-2026 Student Registration Now Open
It's time to register for next year's TK and Kindergarten classes. Parents of current TK students DO NOT need to re-enroll their child for kindergarten as current students will automatically roll over as students for the 2025-2026 school year. New students DO need to register. If you're enrolling a kindergarten-aged child who's new to Sycamore, complete the registration online. You will need to use a computer or tablet; you cannot do it from your cell phone. If you have any questions, or need assistance with an intradistrict or interdistrict transfer, please contact Zoila in the Student Services Department, 909-398-0609, ext. 75003.
We love it!
If you've seen the new "bench" in the Redwood Grove, you know just how beautiful it is. It's even better with kids adorning it. Such a sweet gift to our school, from Sycamore Alumni and artist, Vince Skelly.
Young students enjoyed exploring the nooks and textures of the bench created by Vince Skelly.
Such a beautiful piece! It cradles the quiet reader and invites groups for imaginative play.
CALLING ALL BOOKS!
Hello Sycamore Families,
Please support the book drive for Little Libraries!
For my 8th Grade MYP Inter-baccalaureate Program Project, I would like to collect books in order to restock local “Little Library” book boxes and hopefully a few book boxes in the Pasadena/ Altadena area with popular, age appropriate books that elementary and middle school aged kids would enjoy - especially those who lost their home libraries in the recent fires! If I save enough I would love to install a new Little Library in Altadena.
Many of our local book boxes often are left empty or with no books for kids. Please consider donating any books you or your children no longer need or have duplicates of, or, take a look at the link below to purchase new or used books online for the drive!
I will be at the park this Wednesday, March 12th collecting books 📚 but a donation box will be outside the front office at Sycamore all week as well!
Thank you so much for your support!!
Madison Muhammad (Sycamore Graduate, 2023)
Celebrating School Nutrition Professionals
School nutrition professionals in California serve over 4 million children daily and prepare more than 750 million lunches annually. Their work goes far beyond providing meals—they create welcoming, positive environments where students feel cared for and supported. This is certainly true for our Cafeteria Manager, Nora Romero, and her assistant, Miguel Diaz. These unsung heroes deserve recognition for their dedication, commitment, and impact on healthier futures for our children. Students may show their appreciation by submitting one entry only to recognize staff in the Nourish to Flourish competition using one of the following methods:
Art: Visual art (drawing, painting, or digital media) showcasing school nutrition professionals or the importance of healthy meals. Poetry: Poems reflecting themes like nutrition, gratitude, or the work of the school nutrition team. Short Story: Stories highlighting the life of nutrition staff, an inspiring moment, or the impact of healthy eating. Anywhere between 100 to 600 words.
Judges will select 12 winners (1 per category per grade group), and winners will be notified by email in April 2025.
Submission Details: Deadline: March 28, 2025, by 11:59 PM (PST). Format: PDF or JPG for uploads. Google Form: Submit Here Technical Support: Email southerncsna@gmail.com
Where to find more information
Check out these helpful links for information about Sycamore School and Sycamore Governance Community!
Sycamore Community Hub - CheddarUp
The Sycamore Community Hub is your one stop shop for event tickets, gear, meeting agendas and more! Make sure you bookmark the page and use that link. You CANNOT access the main Sycamore Community Hub by logging into your CheddarUp account, you will need to click directly on the link or scan a QR code!
Follow Sycamore Governance on Instagram here!
School Contact Info
Amy Stanger, Principal, astanger@cusd.claremont.edu
Jeena Trexler-Sousa, Office Manager, jtrexlersousa@cusd.claremont.edu
Health and Attendance, Monique Loera, Syc_Attendance@cusd.claremont.edu
Website: https://sycamore.cusd.claremont.edu/o/ses
Location: 225 West 8th Street, Claremont, CA
Phone: (909) 398-0324