April 8th, 2026
World Math Day
We are thrilled to announce an incredible achievement by our 3rd grade Combined Math Pathway students from Sycamore Creek and Pickerington Elementary Schools!
In this year’s Mathletics World Math Day competition, our students placed 6th in the nation and 12th in the world—an outstanding accomplishment on a global stage.
World Math Day is an international online competition where students from around the world compete in live math challenges, solving problems in real time to demonstrate their mathematical fluency, accuracy, and speed. Thousands of students participate, making this a truly competitive global event.
Even more impressive, many of our students were unable to complete all of the challenges within the allotted time, making this achievement even more remarkable.
This success is a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and determination. We are so proud of the effort, focus, and enthusiasm they demonstrated throughout the competition.
Congratulations to our amazing young mathematicians—we celebrate you and your success!
The 4th Grade MathPlus students here at Sycamore combined with my MathPlus students at Violet came in 1st in the country and 3rd in the world!!
Help with a Community Participation Initiative
If you would like to help, you can register here.
Attention: Kindergarten Parents/Guardians
KINDERGARTEN ONLY - Mark Your Calendars – Last Day of Classes: May 20, 2026
GET READY FOR SUMMER!
Students’ last day of classes will be Wednesday, May 20.
*Tussing Elementary School’s kindergarten program is not impacted by these moves and will adhere to the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar with the last day of classes being May 22.
Teachers and staff will use May 21–22 to pack classrooms for moves to the new Diley Middle School and Kindergarten Center.
We can’t wait to see everyone at the new buildings in August!
POPPS (Parents on Positivity Patrol)
BECOME a PoPPs!
Parents on Positivity Patrol
Become a PoPP!
Parents on Positivity Patrol (PoPP) is a volunteer program that brings more caring adults into our schools to support students and staff. Parent volunteers play a vital role in education—not only as valuable resources for teachers but also as role models who show students that school is important and worth their time and effort.
Through PoPP, parents have the opportunity to actively engage in the schools their children attend, fostering a strong sense of community. By spreading encouragement and building positive relationships, PoPP volunteers help create a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
Join PoPP today and be a catalyst for change. Together, we’ll shape a brighter future—one uplifting interaction at a time.
Ready to make a difference? Sign up today by following the link or scanning the QR code!
Sycamore Creek Third Grade Spring Concert and Love our Languages Event
OST Preparation
Testing season is just around the corner, and we are so proud of the hard work our students have put in this year! With the Ohio State Tests kicking off the first week of April, we want to partner with you to ensure every student feels confident, prepared, and ready to shine.
While these assessments are just one way to measure growth, we know that a little extra support at home goes a long way in reducing "testing jitters." Here are a few proactive tips to help your family navigate the upcoming weeks with ease:
Tips for a Successful Testing Season
The Power of Rest: A consistent bedtime is a game-changer. Aim for a full 8–10 hours of sleep so your student wakes up refreshed and focused.
Fuel for the Brain: A protein-rich breakfast provides the sustained energy needed for concentration. Whether at home or at school, a healthy start makes a huge difference!
Attendance Matters: Try to avoid scheduling appointments during testing mornings. Being in the classroom with their peers helps students stay in their routine and feel more comfortable.
Additional Tips By Grade Band
Team Tressel Fitness Challenge
The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge will run through May 2nd. Please continue to work through the workbook with your child as they work toward their goals. This is totally optional, but we are hoping to recognize as many students as possible for completing the challenge.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jack Haas.
If your child has completed the Team Tressel Challenge, please complete and sign the certification form in the back of the workbook so they can receive a certificate. This form can be turned into your child's homeroom teacher.
Sycamore Creek Media Center
Please help SCE congratulate 4th graders Doaa C. and Olivia B. on completing "The Million Word Challenge!" Both students read many books to achieve the accomplishment this year, with some favorites being "The Wild Robot" and "The Secret Library." Check out Sycamore Creek Elementary Mrs. T's Media Center Facebook Page for more library news!!
SAVE THE DATE!
BOGO Book Fair coming May 11 - 15th and the library will be in need of volunteers! Plan ahead to help set up the fair, work during or tear down. All help is much appreciated! Please fill out and submit the Level 1 volunteer form below if you haven't already! And watch in the coming weeks for the sign up sheet!
PTO News!
Staff Appreciation week is coming up! During May 4th-8th, we get an entire week to spoil our wonderful staff. We can’t pull off an amazing week without the help of our amazing school community. Watch for volunteer and donation sign ups coming soon.
Mark your calendars- Spring Flower Sale pick up will be Monday, May 11th. More information to come, including a volunteer sign up!
Counselor's Corner
No additional direct information from our School Counselor, Ms. Rizek for this week.
As OST testing approaches next week, please help your child be prepared by ensuring they get a good night’s rest and eat a healthy breakfast each morning. Your support at home plays an important role in their success, and we truly appreciate your partnership with our teachers. Thank you for working with us to support your child’s learning and well-being.
Instructional Coach
Greetings Families,
Hopefully everyone enjoyed spring break. We have about six more weeks left in the 2025 - 2026 school year. Here are some upcoming curriculum events:
OST - Ohio State Testing
OST Reading/ELA April 14 - 15 (3rd grade)
OST Reading/ELA April 16 - 17 (4th grade)
OST Math April 27 -28 (4th grade)
OST Math April 29- 30 (4th grade)
Here is a link to practice past released test questions from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Development.
Sign in as a guest and browse the reading or math sections.
Encourage your child to do his or her best and “show what they know.”
For grades Kindergarten through 4th grade, continue to read with your child. Ask them questions about what they are reading.
Here are two links that provide some family literacy ideas.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or to your child’s teacher.
All the Best,
Mrs. Horsford
K-4 Instructional Coach
Sycamore Creek and Violet Elementary
Clinic News
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, please be on the lookout for end-of-year reminders regarding the pickup of medications and/or medical supplies from the clinic. All items must be picked up on or before the last day of school, as any remaining medications or supplies will be disposed of. Additional information will be shared in May.
Here is a link to the April Clinic Newsletter. Check It Out!
2025/26 SCHOOL CALENDAR
PLSD 2025-2026 District Calendar - click here
Districtwide Activities Calendar
Upcoming events and important dates are listed in the Districtwide Google Events Calendar, which is synced with individual building, program and athletic team calendars. Once inside the district wide calendar, to display the events of a particular building, team, program or activity, you will need to check the specific corresponding color-coded box(es) from the list on the left-hand side.
Pickerington Schools partners with the City of Pickerington and Yodel to bring you the Pickerington Community Calendar!
Visit this link to view all Pickerington Schools activities included on the calendar and don’t forget to “favorite” our Pickerington Schools schedule! Once favorited, Pickerington Schools' events will be front and center on your calendar, enabling you to see what’s coming up.
Upcoming Dates/Special Reminders
Please call the Sycamore Creek Elementary Attendance line at 614-834-6201 to leave a voice-mail message to report an absence for your child. Our secretaries check messages throughout the day.
If you have a doctor's note that you need to share with the school to document an absence, please email it to:
April 14th and 15th
*3rd Grade OST Testing (ELA)
April 16th and 17th
*4th Grade OST Testing (ELA)
April 27th and 28th
*4th Grade OST Testing (Math)
April 29th and 30th
*3rd Grade OST Testing (Math)
May 4th-8th (I Ready Reading Testing)
*Please reach out to your child's teacher regarding specific days/times if you have upcoming appointments
May 11th-15th (I Ready Math Testing)
*Please reach out to your child's teacher regarding specific days/times if you have upcoming appointments
May 19th
*Fun Day!
May 22nd
*Last Day of School!