Valentine Candy Grams Coming Soon!

The Sylvan Park PTO is hosting our annual Valentine’s Day Candy Grams fundraiser. All proceeds will be donated to teachers for classroom use.

Candygrams are $1. There is no limit to how many you may buy for friends. They will be handed out on Valentine’s Day.

Candy Grams will be sold before and after school (out front) the week before Valentine’s, February 7th-11th. Friday the 11th is the last day to purchase!

Your homeroom teacher will also send home a sheet of candygrams with instructions if you’d like to fill them out at home and return the sheet and money to your teacher.

We’re also emailing all parents a copy of the candygrams printable with instructions. Just print, fill out, and return them with your money to your teacher.

New Picnic Tables Have Arrived

Because of your generous Fun Run donations, we were able to purchase 6 new 8′ picnic tables for our school. Some will be placed under the new shade structure that will be delivered soon. Thank you for the part you played in making this possible!

Diversity Night

We had a wonderful, valuable dialogue with Dr. Tamika Hudson at Diversity Night on January 18. Dr. Hudson facilitated an interactive session regarding the value of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging for school age children and learning environments. She highlighted the relationship between a sense of belonging and the promotion of academic success. The event was outstanding and well worth your time! Watch it here.

Diversity Night TONIGHT!

Please join us tonight at 6:00 p.m. for this wonderful opportunity to hear from Dr. Tamika Hudson! Zoom link here.

Harmony Mural School-wide Seminar

We kicked off the second semester with our third school-wide seminar!  Last week, students looked at the Harmony mural by artist Ty Christian and discussed the values of acceptance, diversity, equality, relationships, harmony, and community.  We discussed how we can create a harmonious school and classroom environment.  Students in all grades responded to the seminar by writing and/or drawing how they can accept peoples’ similarities and differences.  Ask your child about this engaging learning experience!  Also, if you would like to check out the mural, it is located in the Germantown neighborhood.  

Some post-seminar responses from students

After School Clubs Updates/Tennis & Robotics Openings

  • All participating students will be dismissed directly to their club.
  • Pick up for Marathon Kids and Tennis will be at the playground gates.
  • Pick up for Robotics and Yoga will be on the back sidewalk outside the PNA doors.
  • There are still a few spots available for Wednesday afternoon Tennis Club. Find more info here.
  • There are still a few spots available for Wednesday afternoon Robotics Club. Sign up here using code SYL1.26.22 to register.

Marathon Kids After School Club

WHAT IS IT? Marathon Kids is a weekly walking/running training program that starts the first week of February. The kids train to run the Kids Rock Race on Saturday, April 23. *Marathon Kids is a RUNNING CLUB. Be sure that your student is prepared to RUN during club hours.*

WHEN? Tuesdays 3-4p February 1- April 26
OR Wednesdays 3-4p February 2 – April 27

HOW MANY KIDS? Max of 40 K – 4 th students per club day. Once the max is hit, we will start a waiting list.
COST? $25, includes t-shirt and end-of-season party on April 26 or April 27. Scholarships are available.

COACHES? Tuesdays: Parent Coaches Tony White, Sarah Norberg, and Monika Whittenburg and Teacher Coach Rebecca Kokubun

Wednesdays: Parent Coaches Avery and Carlos Girón and Teacher Coach Bridgette Doucet
VOLUNTEERING? The parent/guardian of each Marathon Kid must volunteer at least once during the season.
OTHER OPTIONAL Marathon Kids can opt to participate in two races during our club season.
FEES Dinky Dash (part of the Richland Creek Run) in April in Sylvan Park; date TBD; $10 fee

Kids Rock Race on Sat. April 23 (Titans Stadium), $15 fee
Registration starts on Thursday, Jan 13 at 7:45 – 8:10 in the front of the school by the office.
Registration continues on Friday, Jan 14 at 7:45a or when all spots are filled.
Contact coaches: spmarathonkids@gmail.com

Yoga After School Club

Life can be stressful and change can be challenging at any age. We’re on a mission to make sure that kids have access to healthy coping skills that can help them manage stress and emotionally self-regulate, any time and anywhere! So let’s come together for a weekly kids yoga club full of active, playful movement to reset our energy, calming breath to melt stress away, and mindful activities to practice focus and present-moment awareness. Your kids will love the yoga poses, energetic games, fitness challenges, and moments of connection. You’ll love the introduction to yoga philosophy and skills that they can access and grow their entire life. 

Teacher Appreciation Update

The Teacher Appreciation Committee welcomed back our beloved staff with a bagel breakfast yesterday. We are always grateful for the chance to let them know how much we love them!

Our February Stock the Lounge drop off date is February 4. Sign up here to provide special treats for our Sylvan Park staff.

Diversity Night PTO Meeting next Tuesday, January 18

Please join us for our monthly PTO meeting on Tuesday, January 18 at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Tamika Hudson, leader of diversity, equity and inclusion at Vanderbilt, will lead our Diversity Night discussion. Join the Zoom meeting here.

No School on Monday

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there will be no school next Monday, January 17.

After School Clubs Info Goes Out Tomorrow

Keep your eyes peeled for a special edition newsletter tomorrow with all the info you need about after school clubs, including yoga, robotics, tennis, and Marathon Kids.