Cougar News
April 13th - April 17th, 2026
CAASPP State Testing Begins on Monday 4/13/26
Preparing for CAASPP
Reminders: Please encourage our young scholars to:
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Get a good night sleep
- And encourage your children to do their best.
- Good Luck Cougars!
Sylvan Class Electives for 2026-2027 School Year
We are excited to share that Sylvan Middle School will be expanding our elective offerings for the upcoming 26-27 school year! These new opportunities are designed to continue to engage students, spark creativity, and provide meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that connect to their interests and future goals.
This expansion is made possible in part through Proposition 28, a California initiative that provides dedicated funding to support both arts and music education in schools. This funding allows us to enhance and grow programs in areas such as visual and performing arts, ensuring that all students have access to enriching, creative learning experiences as part of their school day.
At Sylvan, we believe that student voice matters. As part of this process, we invited our students to share their interests and provide input on the types of electives they would be most excited to take through an interest evaluation survey. We are proud to share that the new offerings reflect their interests as we continue to find ways to make our elective program engaging, relevant, and student-centered.
In addition, we are thrilled to announce that Sylvan Middle School has been selected as a pilot site for a new middle school CTE (Career Technical Education) elective program. This innovative course will give students the opportunity to explore career pathways through hands-on, real-world learning experiences. Even more exciting, this program is aligned with our local high schools including; Mesa Verde, San Juan, Del Campo, and Casa Roble High Schools. This opportunity will help our continued efforts to provide students with career exploration and exposure. Sylvan is the first middle school in our district to launch this pilot, and we are incredibly proud to lead the way!
Here’s a look at the electives offerings students can look forward to next year:
Beginning Band
Advanced Band
Piano
Drama (new offering!)
Art
Advanced Art
Industrial Technology
CTE Exploration (new offering!)
Ceramics (new offering!)
Industrial Technology
Media
AVID
Student Government
Leadership
Office Assistant
We can’t wait to see our students explore these new opportunities, discover their interests, and continue to grow both academically and creatively.
Articulation Night for INCOMING 6th Graders (Currently in 5th Grade)
Thursday April 16, 2026 from 5:00pm-6:30pm in the MP room
Sign-Up for Classes
On Behalf of the Sylvan Administration- Nicole Latimer- Principal, Gary Coartney and Pat Rubey- Vice Principals
We are excited to announce and promote our Articulation Night at Sylvan Middle School on
Thursday, April 16 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM in the MP Room. Students attending Sylvan next year have received course selections forms from their current schools. Please fill out the course selection form before the meeting. There will be additional forms if needed. There will be a presentation at 5:00pm and then you and your students will get to meet the electives teachers as well as other teachers and staff from Sylvan.
Look forward to seeing you there.
CELEBRATING OUR 8TH GRADERS
8TH GRADE SLIDESHOW DUE MAY 1ST, 2026
It’s time to begin putting together our 8th grade slideshow. We want all 8th grade students to have representation in the slideshow. We are now collecting photos! These photos will be used during the Promotion Ceremony in June.
Each student may submit one childhood picture and one middle school picture with friends.
Photos are due by Friday, May 1 2026.
Please use your child’s name as the subject line for your photos and send them to:
Don't let your student get left out!
MEChA CLUB IS MONDAY APRIL 20TH
SIGN-UP FOR THE 26-27 AVID PROGRAM
The AVID application form is available below for students who are interested in joining the program for the 26-27 school year. Click on the link below. If you have additional questions please email Ms. Goode. riley.goode@sanjuan.edu
Best,
TRACK & FIELD PRACTICE MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 2:45-4:00
TRACK AND FIELD SCHEDULE
4/9/26 @ CASA ROBLES
4/16/26 @ CASA ROBLES
4/23/26 @ MESA VERDE
4/30/26 @ BELLA VISTA
TIMES ARE TBD
BOYS BASKETBALL
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF
MORNING DROP-OFF AND AFTERSCHOOL PICK-UP
This is a friendly reminder when dropping-off or picking-up your students to please:
1. Do not drop-off or pick-up students along the side of the road on Auburn. Also we have been asked by the businesses in the Starbucks parking lot to please do not drop-off or pick-up your students there as well.
Thank you.
HOMEWORK CLUB EVERYDAY AFTER SCHOOL
MATH CLUB
MATH CLUB EVERY MORNING AT 7:00AM
Math Club is open to students that want support with 6th-8th grade math. The front gate will open at 7:00am just for those students. Students will still be served breakfast starting at 7:25am and the campus will continue to fully open at 7:40am.
Thanks.
Front Gates Open at 7:25 am Every Morning for Breakfast
Due to a loss of critical Title 1 funding this past year, the front gate will not open until 7:25 am. Please DO NOT DROP OFF YOUR STUDENT(S) BEFORE 7:25 am. There will be no adult supervision for your child/children. This is new this year, due to a loss of funding that previously paid for supervision during early student drop-off. Students will be permitted on campus for breakfast service beginning at 7:25 am.
THE SYLVAN REPORT
MEDIA CLASS IS NOW LIVE!
Media class is now broadcasting live on Media YouTube Channel. Please stay informed and check out the incredible work our student and Ms. Taylor do everyday at Sylvan!
Here is the link:
LIVE SCHOOL
LIVE SCHOOL UPDATES!
Live School information goes out every Thursday. This information includes weekly updates, merits/demerits, teacher comments, classroom information, including tardies, bathroom passes, and more, when provided by teachers.
SACRAMENTO PUBLIC LIBRARY
REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR HELMET
KEEP OUR STUDENT'S SAFE. WEAR A HELMET.
Helmets must be worn for bikes and scooters of all kinds.
E-Scooters are not allowed, and riders must have a driver's license regardless of speed.
ATTENDANCE
Cell Phone Policy
Parents, please review the district cell phone policy with your student. It is in the Sylvan Middle School student planner and will also be reviewed in class by teachers and administrators during the beginning of the school year. Cell phones use is not permitted during instructional time and specified events. Thank you.
As a general rule, cell phones may only be used:
- Before and After School
- During Passing Periods
- During Lunch
Dress Code Policy
Parents, please review the district dress code policy with your student. It is in the Sylvan Middle School student planner and will also be reviewed in class by teachers and administrators during the beginning of the school year. Please click on the PDF link above to see the district poster of the dress code policy. Thank you.
Bridges After School Program
Bridges is still accepting applications for the after-school program at Sylvan Middle School. Please go to the front office for applications and additional information.
Sylvan's Website
Parent Portal
A LOOK AHEAD
EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
- CAASPP Testing April 13 - May 15, 2026.
- 5TH Grade Articulation Night, Thursday April 16, 2026, from 5:00-6:30pm in the MP Room.
COUGAR NEWS
DELIVERED NOW ON FRIDAYS
Every Friday Evening at 5:00pm you will receive the Cougar News. It will keep you in the know about what is happening at Sylvan.