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March 11, 2020
Highlights this week:
  • Treats for Teachers Thursday
  • Diversity Committee Survey
  • Science Expo CANCELLED
  • Coronavirus Guidance
  • Latin American Night March 26th
  • Mayan Letter Exchange
  • Manage Cafeteria Account Online
* Please email news submissions by noon on Sunday each week, or earlier. The next deadline is March 22. Please submit any images in jpg or png format.

Treats for Teachers

Let's show our Sylvan Park staff some love by filling the lounge with special treats. Sign up here to participate. Please drop items off in the staff lounge on Thursday morning, March 12. If you need to drop things earlier in the week, please clearly label them Teacher Appreciation and leave them in the front office. Thank you!

Diversity Committee Survey

We want to hear from YOU. Please fill out this short demographic survey, which will help us understand the needs of our diverse community. You will also have the opportunity to let us know if we can highlight your family on our Diversity bulletin board! The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete. Sylvan Park Paideia Diversity Survey for Parents

Cancelled: Science Expo

Coronavirus Guidance

Nashville is the latest city to have a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19). This is a cause for concern, vigilance, and science-based instruction - not panic.

MNPS has been working closely with Metro Public Health Department (MPHD), which follows guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Center (CDC) and the State Health Department to monitor the situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

We want to emphasize important ways to be safe and prevent illness from spreading. Below is a list of common-sense ways to stop the spread of germs and sickness. ALL teachers will be reviewing the following information students today and throughout the week. Parents, please talk with your children about these tips as well:
  • Any child who is sick at school should be sent home.
  • Teach your students to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub. (Video: https://youtu.be/d914EnpU4Fo)
  • Teach students to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of your elbow.
  • Teach your children to stay away from people who are sick.
  • People who are sick should stay home from work or school until they are better.
District staff are formulating contingency plans in the event schools are required to close for an extended period of time. We will continue to work with MPHD and monitor the situation.

Below are resources available for staff, students and families. Although some of the resources address the flu, the same protective measures should be taken for COVID-19. Routine good cleaning and disinfecting daily is critical.

Latin American Night

Join us for Sylvan Park's Latin American Night featuring student art, performances and an optional dinner raising funds for a pediatric clinic in Guatemala. Read below or click here for additional details and to purchase tickets.

Mayan Letter Exchange

Students in grades 3 and 4 are taking part in a letter exchange with Mayan children in the Palajunoj Valley of Guatemala as part of our month of activities associated with Latin American Night. With help from Señora Poole, Sylvan Park students wrote these letters in Spanish and will receive letters from the Guatemalan students in late March. Latin American Night will benefit the Primeros Pasos clinic, which serves children and their families in the Palajunoj Valley.

Thank You Volunteers

Sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the call to action at Park Avenue on Friday! Below are photos of donations and an after picture of what your efforts helped make possible for our neighbors.

2020 Census Affects School Funding

Efforts are underway to conduct the 2020 census in order to have a count of the population living in the United States. The federal government has designated Census Day as April 1; when completing the census, respondents will have to note where they are living on April 1. Before April 2020, households will receive information packets and invitations to participate via mail.

Families are encouraged to fill out and submit the census information. The census can be submitted online, via phone, or mail. It is also crucial to note that information identifying individuals is not supposed to be shared with other government agencies.

The population counts from the census determine the poverty level of our district, which is a factor in our Title I allocation. For children who are not counted in our district, our allocations could be impacted for the next 10 years! It is critical that as many households in Nashville as possible submit the forms.

Manage Cafeteria Account Online

Did you know that you can pay your students' cafeteria balance, reload their accounts, and track their cafeteria spending online? Click here to get started. Setup takes less than 5 minutes!

Lost & Found by Music Room

The Lost & Found has moved! Due to the fire marshal inspection, the Lost & Found is now located outside the music room just down the hall from the cafeteria.

Science Lab Signup

Make volunteering in Science lab your New Year's resolution! Choose a time to volunteer with your child's class, or with a class that fits in your schedule. Thank you Dr. Miller and all parents who volunteer time to help make these labs possible!

Upcoming Events

Amazing Twins puppet show - Tuesday, March 10
Half-day - Friday, March 13
Spring Break - March 14-22
Latin American Night - Thursday, March 26 5:30-7:00

Hillsboro Cluster News

HHS Arts Expo

Get Involved in West End Middle!
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Thank You Sponsors

Submissions for the newsletter: please submit any school-related news, photos or announcements by each Sunday at noon in order to get it in the following Tuesday's newsletter.

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