Volume 7, Issue 2
November/December 2021
Greetings,

The holiday season and close of a calendar year is often a good time for reflection. Despite the challenges we’ve all had to navigate these past 12 months, we have much to be grateful for in the Cypress School District. We are blessed with outstanding teachers, staff, and administrators who are committed to meeting the needs of each and every student. We have engaged and supportive families who partner with us to create strong school communities. We have productive working relationships with local leaders who help us leverage outside resources to support a rich and well-rounded educational program. We hope you will spend a few minutes reading more about the many positive things happening in each of our exceptional schools.

On behalf of the Cypress School District and the Board of Trustees, we wish you and your family peace and joy this holiday season!

Sincerely,
Anne Silavs, Superintendent
Arnold Lions Showing Appreciation and Sharing the Love
Students expressed gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. military on Veterans Day. Kindergarten teacher Joy Collins organized care packages that students decorated and filled for the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment stationed in Twentynine Palms. Soldiers also received handwritten letters from students thanking them for their dedicated service.
Student Advisors Wishing King Families a Warm and Toasty Winter
The Student Advisory Committee sponsors many service projects throughout the year to support their school and the local community. During the cold-weather months, they made handwritten cards to wish King families a “warm and toasty winter” and gave each student a pair of cozy gloves that were distributed during the Second Harvest event in December.
Landell Leopards Lifting Spirits this Holiday Season
This holiday season, fifth and sixth graders on Student Council organized a toy drive for Children’s Health of Orange County (CHOC). The goal is to collect more than 200 new and unwrapped gifts for kids unable to spend the holidays at home with their families this year. Students hope in some small way they can lift spirits and bring smiles to the children being treated at CHOC.
Luther Flag Ceremony Nurtures Service Leadership 
Luther's monthly flag ceremony provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the relationship between service and leadership. It begins with the Pledge of Allegiance and continues with singing patriotic songs that remind students of the sacrifices made by those who came before them. The main event is the presentation of student awards for exhibiting important character traits that make Luther strong.
Morris Mustangs Practice Mindfulness 
Students have had many challenges over the past two years. To support them, staff uses a variety of calming strategies such as playing soothing music and ambient sounds in the classroom and leading stretching and deep breathing exercises to help relieve tension. Many rooms have “calming corners” where students can go to destress. When mindful of their feelings, students can make effective choices to calm the body and mind.
Students at Vessels Chip-in to Help Kids
The Vessels Student Council is on a mission to help others in need this holiday season by hosting a toy and sports equipment drive in support of the California Highway Patrol’s CHiPs for Kids program. Gift donations are wrapped and delivered to children in need by uniformed CHP officers. This project provides students an opportunity to help others while developing service-oriented and community-minded young adults.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
Candi Kern - Sandra Lee - Brian Nakamura - Bonnie Peat - Lydia Sondhi, Ph.D.
 
SUPERINTENDENT 
Anne Silavs