SYCAMORE CANYON SCHOOL
"GOALS AND SCHOOL WIDE VISION" 

     The mission of the Conejo Valley Unified School District is to meet the academic, cultural, social and individual needs of students in order to prepare them to make a meaningful contribution to a democratic society.  The Board of Education believes that the District mission can be best achieved through the uniform application of a standard of higher expectations in all areas for students, district employees, and parents of students. 

     The mission of Sycamore Canyon School is to provide an educational setting that encourages students to reach their full potential academically, socially, physically and emotionally. 

     The Sycamore Canyon School shall establish itself as a premier provider of a quality education that meets the needs of the whole child at all ability levels.  Sycamore Canyon School, in partnership with families and the community, will provide a safe environment that cultivates the fundamental skills of thinking, learning and communicating in order to develop lifelong learners with unlimited potential.

 LISTED BELOW ARE OUR AREAS OF FOCUS FOR 2002/2003: 

1. Develop and establish the rules, roles and relationships that will create the Sycamore Canyon School culture.  Relationships between staff and staff, staff and students and staff and parents.  Also begin to build a community network.
    

2. All staff members will bring focus to the writing curriculum, assessment and process.  Grade level and school-wide assessment portfolios will be developed to create continuity and consistency while insuring students to develop the necessary writing skills across the grade levels.  Provide resources, strategies/techniques and staff development to strength the teaching of writing.
    

3. Look inside any classroom and you will see a mirror of our country. You will find students from multiple cultures, with advanced or limited skills, reservoirs of background experiences or limited experience of the neighborhood only, and/or a variety of learning styles and interests. Our intent is to respond to individual learner needs therefore:

a). Staff development on differentiated instruction is needed so that we can establish classrooms where each child/student is coached in becoming the best educated, most productive person possible.

b). Research and study “Classroom Instruction that Works” Research Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement by R. Marzano, D. Pickering and J. Pollock.

c). Explore, develop and implement assessments to determine individual Student Needs.

THE STUDENT PLEDGE

I understand that education is important to me.  I am the one responsible for my own success. 

*AS A STUDENT, I WILL…

    1.     Show respect for myself and the rights of others.

    2.     Return corrected work to my parent(s).

    3.     Arrive at school on time every day unless I am ill.

    4.     Be responsible for my own behavior.

    5.     Be a cooperative learner.

THE TEACHER PLEDGE:

I understand the importance of a quality education for every student and my role as an educator and positive role model.

*AS A TEACHER, I WILL …

    1.     Create a safe, healthy and positive learning environment.

    2.     Provide a challenging, instructional program which addresses the  individual needs of all students.

    3.     Communicate with parents on a regular basis.

    4.     Assign appropriate homework with clear instructions.

    5.     Encourage students to read daily at school and at home.

 THE PARENT PLEDGE:

I understand that my participation in my child’s education will help his/her achievement and attitude.

*AS A PARENT, I WILL …

1.     Provide a quiet place for my child to study.

2.     Encourage my child to complete his/her homework.

3.     Make sure my child gets an adequate night’s sleep and has a healthy diet.

4.     See to it that my child arrives to school on time every day.

5.     Attend Back-to-School Night, Parent Conferences, Open House and other school events.

6.     Listen to or read with my child for at least 20 minutes every day.

7.     Read all school notices and contact the school when I have questions or concerns.

CHARACTER EDUCATION PLAN

I.          SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER = RESPECT
Respect means … to demonstrate appreciation and consideration for self and others; i.e., follow rules, obey authority, care for property and the environment, display sportsmanship and value other cultures. 

II.         NOVEMBER/DECEMBER = KINDNESS
Kindness means … to demonstrate sympathy, understanding, compassion and consideration for others, i.e., be friendly, helpful, cooperative, and caring.

 III.               JANUARY/FEBRUARY = RESPONSIBILITY
Responsibility means … to demonstrate personal and social accountability; i.e., be trustworthy, dependable, patriotic and use good judgment.

 IV.              MARCH/APRIL = PERSEVERANCE
Perseverance means … adhere to a course of action and demonstrate persistence in striving for a goal;  i.e., be tenacious and possess a work ethic.

V.                 MAY/JUNE = INTEGRITY
Integrity means … to demonstrate honesty, truthfulness and moral courage; i.e., use self-control and discipline, resist peer pressure and be self-reliant.