Sylvan Park Paideia Elementary School

Support Our Talented Students as They Turn Poetry into Song and Compete for Top Honors!

In the Fall, the 4^th grade ELA classes did optional poetry submissions for Belmont’s annual Poetry Contest in conjunction with our lessons on poetry. We have (4) Fourth grade students who are finalists in this year’s Belmont Poetry Contest in the 4th-5th grade category. 

Congratulations to our finalists:

• Iris Pua – “My Red Maple Tree”
• Patricia Thomas – “Snowlit”
• Nyah Smith – ” Spring, Spring” (*sings her own song)
• Cherish Cole – ” Happiness”

Belmont recently concluded their songwriting sessions where each finalist got the chance to collaborate with local professional songwriters to turn their poem into a song. Voting is now open to the public. The link to listen to the songs and vote for your favorite in each category (1st-3rd; 4th-5th; 6th-8th)can be found at: https://www.belmont.edu/service-learning/events/family-literacy/poetry-contests/

The poets worked very hard on creating their songs and we want everyone to hear the final product! We also would love our SP students to be able to win 1^st -4^th places.

The winners of the elementary school contests will be announced at Family Literacy Day on Saturday, April 12th. The event is free and runs from 1-4pm at E.S. Rose Park & Easley Center. In addition to the awards ceremony, we will have fun activities to celebrate the joys of reading. You can find more information about this year’s event at https://www.belmont.edu/service-learning/events/family-literacy/

For March we stocked the lounge with a nod the the Emerald Isle.

Our Teachers love this show of appreciation and love.  Thank you for all you do to make this possible!

Beginning March 17, 2025, Sylvan Park Elementary will have a new personal technology policy.

 Any “smart device” (“smart device” is any device that can access the internet, wifi etc.) cannot be on a student’s person while they are on school property. If a student must come to school with a “smart device,” it needs to be placed in their backpack, on school mode/ cellular data off/ device off, until they leave school property. 

NOTE: This applies to PNA as well. 

• 1st Offense: Warning and teacher keeps device until the end of the day and returns to student.
• 2nd Offense: Parent/Guardian Notification and administration keeps device until parents can come to school to pick it up. 
• 3rd Offense: Discipline Referral Code 203 (Using a cell phone, electronic device, or the internet for non-educational purposes or without the permission of the classroom teacher or school administrator. A teacher may withhold a student’s phone from the student for the duration of the instructional time if the student’s phone is a distraction to the class or the student. -TCA Title 49, Chapter 2 and Title 49, Chapter 6.)

Thanks, in advance, for your cooperation and understanding as we further minimize distractions to the educational environment.

The Sylvan Park PTO is looking ahead to another exciting year, and we need you! We’re looking for parents and caregivers who want to get involved, build community, and support our school in meaningful ways for the 2025/26 school year. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there’s a role for you.