Important Charter Renewal/New Charter Info, Order SVA Hoodies, Last Day for Mixed Bag Orders! 

September 16, 2016
SVA News & Notes
What's Happening at SVA?  

Sept. 23 -- Student Council Elections

Oct. 3 -- NO SCHOOL 
*STAFF DEVELOPMENT*

Oct. 6 -- VUSD Special Board Meeting for SVA/BOA Charters

Oct. 10 -- PTO Meeting 

Oct. 11 -- VUSD Board Decision Hearing

Oct. 28 -- Fall Festival *SAVE THE DATE*


Charter Renewal and Approval Updates

Please Plan to Attend Our Charter Hearings

On Thursday, October 6 at 6:00PM, in a special meeting, the VUSD Board will review and discuss approval of the charter for Blue Oak Academy and renewal of Sycamore Valley Academy's charter. Our charters are the sole agenda item this evening and VUSD staff will be sharing their recommendation regarding how their Board should vote - to approve or deny these charter petitions.  The VUSD Board will not vote on the charters October 6, but may engage our staff if they have any questions regarding our petitions.  The decision hearing for both charters will occur at a regular meeting of the VUSD Board on Tuesday, October 11. This meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:00PM. 

California Education Code Section 47605(b) limits the reasons a District can deny a charter petition. Read the full text of the law here: 

In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools pursuant to this section, the chartering authority shall be guided by the intent of the Legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that the establishment of charter schools should be encouraged. The governing board of the school district shall grant a charter for the operation of a school under this part if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice. The governing board of the school district shall not deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school unless it makes written factual findings, specific to the particular petition, setting forth specific facts to support one or more of the following findings:
 
(1)  The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.

(2)  The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.

(3)  The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).  [This is met with either 50% of projected year 1 student enrollment represented by parent signatures OR 50% of projected year 1 teaching staff represented in teacher signatures.]

(4)  The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (d).

(5)  The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of [the 15 required elements, elements A-O].

(6)  The petition does not contain a declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code.

Superintendent Dutton is confident that neither Sycamore Valley Academy nor Blue Oak Academy can be accurately described by the above findings.


We want to pack that board room again, so please plan to join us for these importa nt events. We will meet right outside the front doors of VUSD's District Office, 5000 W. Cypress, 15 minutes prior to the start of these meetings.



Thursday, October 6 @ 6:00PM
Meet outside 5000 W. Cypress @ 5:45PM
Hear VUSD staff recommendations  and their Board's discussion.
Tuesday, October 11 @ 7:00PM
Meet outside 5000 W. Cypress @ 6:45PM
Hear the VUSD Board's decision 
Order Mixed Bags Online 

Paper orders are due today and you can still shop online right now! 

Order Your SVA Hoodies NOW! 

We're taking advance orders for SVA sweatshirts. Please print the order form attached here and return it with payment to your child's teacher or the front office by Friday, September 30. Orders of in-stock items will be sent home with students on Friday, October 7. Backordered items will be sent home the week of October 24-28. 

Hard copies of the order form will be sent home with students. 

Check out our awesome new grey zip hoodies available in sizes Youth S - Adult XL



 Green pullover hoodies are available in all sizes 
Youth XS-Adult XL


Student Council Elections

  • Applications are available now in the front office. 
  • Campaigns will run September 19-23. 
  • Election Day is September 23.

The Race is On!

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. 

Raise a future voter by teaching children about the importance of making their voices heard. Tell them that despite the struggle to extend the vote to all American citizens over 18, only 58 percent of U.S. citizens age 18 and over voted in the 2012 presidential election. 
Explain that because a surprising number of elections are determined by small margins, it's important for all eligible voters to participate at the local and national level.

We encourage you to start the conversation, to get involved, and to exercise your right to vote.

Lunch Menu
 
Monday, 9/19 - Mini Turkey Corn Dogs
Tuesday, 9/20 - Turkey & Gravy
Wednesday, 9/21 - Chicken Burger
Thursday, 9/22   - Cheesy Chicken Burrito 
Friday, 9/23 - Cheese Pizza

Click here to download the September Lunch Menu 
Substitute Teachers Needed

Sycamore Valley Academy has an experienced and dedicated teaching staff, but our substitute list is short.  

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 expand our team.  

If you are interested please email Shauna Dolin at  sdolin@sycamorevalleyacademy.org
Next PTO Meeting


Monday, October 10
6:00PM

Round Table Pizza
4035 S. Mooney Blvd. 

Community Events
HAPPENING TONIGHT:



Sycamore Valley Academy | 559.622.3236 | office@sycamorevalleyacademy.org
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