The Sylvan Sunday Swoop

Greetings Sylvan Blue Jay Families!

As we move into Week 5, we are focusing on the balance of rigor with relationships. At Sylvan, we believe that strong connections with students build the trust and confidence needed for learning, while high expectations challenge them to reach their full potential. One without the other is incomplete—but together, they create the kind of learning environment where children feel both cared for and capable.

This week, we are encouraging students to rise to challenges while knowing their teachers are right beside them with encouragement and support. At home, you can help by celebrating your child’s efforts, reminding them that mistakes are part of learning, and encouraging them to keep trying even when work feels difficult. With relationships and rigor working hand in hand, we are truly Building Greatness in every Blue Jay.

🚀Together, let’s keep “Building Greatness” this week—one positive choice, one encouraging word, one step forward at a time.

With appreciation,
Mrs. Hamilton
Principal, Sylvan Elementary
Building Greatness—Every Student, Every Day

#HeartsandMindsTogether

#BlueJaysBuildGreatness

What is Capturing Kids’ Hearts?

Capturing Kids’ Hearts is a research-based program that helps schools build strong, trusting relationships between students and adults. It focuses on teaching social-emotional skills like communication, responsibility, and problem-solving so that students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.

How We’re Using It at Sylvan This Year

At Sylvan Elementary, we are implementing Capturing Kids’ Hearts across classrooms to strengthen our culture and support student success. This year, you’ll see it in action through:

• Greetings at the door – Every student is personally greeted by their teacher each morning to start the day with connection.

• Social Contracts – Classes work together to create agreements about how they will treat themselves and each other, building accountability and respect.

• Positive communication – Staff and students are practicing encouraging words, active listening, and problem-solving strategies.

• The EXCEL Model – Teachers are using Engage, Xplore, Communicate, Empower, and Launch to structure lessons and interactions in ways that build both hearts and minds.

By weaving Capturing Kids’ Hearts into our daily routines, we are helping Blue Jays not only grow academically but also develop the character and confidence needed to “Build Greatness.”

Click the attachments below to check out the first newsletter that went out to families last week!

• Fall Title I Family Night 5-7 pm
• Harper Belles Coffee Truck 7-9 am

• National School Parent Group Day
• PTA Family Movie Night on the Ballfield @ 7:30 pm

September 27th- Sylvan High School Alumni Reunion

October 2nd- National Custodian Day

October 9th- Teacher Workday, No School for Students

Welcome Back Bus Parents,

Please see the attached letter below from the Transportation Department for all Bus Riders. Please have your child at the bus stop 10 minutes early to be safe. If your child is in kindergarten a parent will need to escort them to and from the bus stop. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 336-376-3350.

We are always looking for people that are willing to drive a bus for Sylvan Elementary. It is a very rewarding opportunity to work with our children. Contact the school if you or anyone you know may be interested in supporting our community.

All students at Sylvan Elementary have the option to receive free Breakfast and Lunch.

Enrollment is open for our 25-26 Afterschool Program. Please click the link below to register!

ENROLLMENT FORM

Payment Link:

http://osp.osmsinc.com/abs

All applicants must complete the online application/enrollment form.

Morning Hours - 6:30am - 7:30am $35 per month

Afternoon Hours - 2:30pm - 5:30pm $207 per month

Both Morning and Afternoon - $230 per month

Part-time (or up to 10 visits per month) $115 per month

Reminders:

• School begins at 7:50 a.m. for ALL students Pre-K-5. If you arrive after 7:50, you must park and walk in with your students to sign them in before they can go to class.
• School ends at 2:35 p.m.
• If you are signing your students out early (before 2:00 p.m.), you must go inside the front office and check them out. If you arrive early, but after 2:00 p.m., to sign your child out, you must wait until the dismissal announcements are made at 2:00 p.m. We appreciate your cooperation with this matter!
• If you need to change your child's afternoon transportation, please complete the Google Form linked here by 1:00 pm. Teachers cannot check and respond to messages and emails throughout the day when they are teaching. Please do not expect an immediate response from your child's teacher during instructional hours. Office hours for teachers begin after 3:00 p.m.
• Families may come to eat lunch with your students. Please reach out to your child's teacher 24 hours in advance to let them know you are coming so they can plan for seating. Remember: NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK MAY BE BROUGHT IN (in advertised packaging). Upon arrival, please sign in at the front office and get a visitor's tag.
• During the afternoon dismissal, all parents/guardians picking up in the car rider line, must have their student's assigned yellow number card visible on the dash or in the window. If you do not have a car rider tag, you will need to park in the overflow lot across the street and come in with your ID to get your student. This is a safety precaution to ensure that ALL students are going home with someone who has permission to pick them up. No passing is allowed in the car rider line. The safety of our Blue Jays is a priority.
• Please note: Traffic turning left into the car rider line cannot block the oncoming traffic on Sylvan Rd. per the Highway Patrol. Please utilize the overflow parking circle to turn around so that you can turn right into the car rider line drop-off.

We no longer accept transportation changes via phone, email or Class Dojo. All transportation changes must be communicated on the google form linked here. You can also scan the QR code to access the form. Keep in mind that if you child is riding home with another child, this change must be communicated by BOTH parents/guardians. All transportation changes must be communicated on this form no later than 1:00 pm.

Families, please use the linked form OR scan the QR code to indicate the preferred name for your student. For instance, if your student is named Daniel and you prefer for them to be called Danny, indicate that on the linked form. This is in accordance with North Carolina State Law (S.L. 2023-106; Senate Bill 49) Section 115C-76.45.(5). If you completed this last year, you do not need to do it again.

If you need to submit a note or doctor's note for your student's absence, please use the form linked here. Please note, per board policy, notes must be submitted within 2 school days of the absences. Sylvan will not accept notes after 7 days (1 week).

Click the attachment below to access the 25-26 Sylvan Student-Parent Handbook

Please know that we take every incident reported seriously and we investigate to the fullest extent possible. Sylvan does not tolerate inappropriate behaviors of any kind. We are also including the link to the District’s Code of Conduct here. While each of you are familiar with our school handbooks, we wanted to make sure you had access to the District’s Code of Conduct that guides our decisions with consequences. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our administrative team.