Sycamore Park Elementary School

Mrs. Smith’s class is learning about Veteran’s Day while practicing Multiplication and Division with their Color By Number Activity. #thePark

about 2 hours ago, SPES Admin

“Student and teacher sitting together at a table, smiling while working on a colorful worksheet using markers and crayons.

“Three students sitting at a table coloring math activity sheets with pencils and crayons; school supplies and laptops on the table.”

“Two students sitting side by side at a table, coloring U.S. map worksheets with bright crayons and pencils; Chromebooks and water bottles nearby.”

“Student focused on coloring a math worksheet at a desk with school supplies and Chromebooks around.”

Ms. Norton’s 2nd Grade Class has been working hard at work building our paired reading skills! 📚Earlier this year, we took a fun field trip to LuckStone Quarry, where we learned about rocks, minerals, and even saw real dinosaur tracks! 🦖We also mixed a little science and fun by making orange soda floats to investigate the three states of matter! 🧊 Through all the excitement that 2nd grade brings we still make time for our favorite brain breaks to recharge and focus! 🤍✨

1 day ago, James Dugger

“Students sitting at desks in a classroom wearing pajamas and raising cups in celebration, smiling toward the camera.”

“Two students seated at a round table working on a math worksheet with dice patterns printed on it.”

Student sitting on a black carpet with white geometric lines, reading and pointing to text on printed worksheets.”

“Two students sitting on a black carpet with white lines, working together as one points to words on a red paper strip.”

“Two students at a classroom table reading and tracking words with their fingers on a printed literacy worksheet.”

“Two students seated side by side at a classroom desk, reading a phonics worksheet with dice patterns and sight words.”

“Students walking in a line through a large rock quarry under a blue sky with scattered clouds, accompanied by adults in bright green shirts.

“Children and adults walking together in a rock quarry; a student leader in a green shirt and safety workers in hard hats are visible.”

“Students crouching on stone ground making rubbings with crayons over fossil imprints; a sign nearby reads ‘Uneven Surface Please Watch Your Step.’”

“Group of children standing with a teacher near the water at a rock quarry, holding up papers from their fossil rubbing activity.”

Our office and admin team practiced using an AED on Mr. Dugger to make sure that everyone is ready in case of an emergency. We're always working to keep everyone safe at #ThePark!

1 day ago, SPES Admin

A man lies on the floor in a school hallway, appearing to participate in a medical or safety training scenario. Several adults stand or kneel around him observing, including a woman in a “thankful, grateful, blessed” pumpkin-themed shirt and a uniformed officer. A rolling cart with medical supplies and bags is nearby.

A woman wearing glasses and a light sweatshirt stands beside a rolling supply cart, holding medical equipment and speaking as if giving instructions. Behind her is a blue wall with a large panther mascot graphic and a seated officer.

A group of adults stands in a school hallway near the entrance to an office area labeled “The Park.” They appear to be listening to someone speaking, likely as part of a training or demonstration. The tiled floor and open wooden doors frame the group.

Last week, for Election Day, Ms. Stein's Kindergarten class learned about elections and the voting process. The students watched "Duck for President." Then they voted on who they would want to run the class. Turns out, Duck won again! #thePark

2 days ago, SPES Admin

“Students sitting cross-legged on a brown rug, looking toward the camera in a kindergarten classroom with tables and chairs behind them.”

“Student at a front table working on a worksheet with a pencil; open crayon boxes on the table and classmates working in the background.”

“Three students seated at a table, smiling and completing worksheets; a ‘You Belong Here’ sign and storage cabinets are behind them.”

Students at a table completing worksheets with pencil boxes and supplies; the center student smiles toward the camera.”

“Small group of students seated on a rug, smiling up toward the camera in an elementary classroom.”

“Students on the rug cheering and smiling with hands raised, showing excitement during a class activity.”

“Wide shot of the class seated on the rug for circle time; two students are in front near a taped floor square, with tables and shelves around the room.”

“Class gathered on the rug watching a story on a wall-mounted screen; alphabet posters and a row of picture books are visible at the front of the room.”

Sycamore Park counts by 10! There are 3 members of our staff hitting a birthday that ends in a 0 this week.. 30, 40, and 50!

3 days ago, SPES Admin

Three adults staring in an office. they are smiling

Last week in Miss Nellis' 1st Grade classroom, the students participated in Author Day. For 3 weeks, they worked extremely hard on writing a story all about their favorite animal! They completed research, organized the information, and wrote a story to teach about the animal. After writing, illustrating, and revising, they read their stories aloud to the class! #ThePark

6 days ago, SPES Admin

A student wearing a yellow shirt sits in a white rocking chair, reading aloud from a writing notebook. Behind the student is a classroom whiteboard covered with sticky notes displaying letter sounds and word patterns.

A student in a yellow shirt sits in a white rocking chair, showing a drawing of an eagle in front of an American flag. The page is titled “All About Eagles.” Behind the student, colorful classroom charts and letter-sound cards decorate the whiteboard.

A student in a yellow shirt sits in a white rocking chair at the front of the classroom, reading a story to classmates seated on the carpet. The students watch attentively, and a colorful rainbow curtain hangs near the classroom door.

A student wearing a black hoodie sits in a white rocking chair, holding a drawing of a tree and reading from their writing notebook. Letter-sound cards with vowels and digraphs are displayed on the classroom whiteboard.

A student in a black shirt sits in a white rocking chair, reading from a handwriting notebook that includes a colorful drawing of two houses under a blue sky with a sun. The classroom background includes a whiteboard and reading materials

A student in a gray and black patterned sweater reads from a notebook in a white rocking chair. The open page shows a drawing and the title “All About.” Other students are seated nearby, listening to the presentation.

Mrs. Sweeney's students are practicing their fine motor and reading skills during Language Arts centers. They're also working on sharing and taking turns. Due to the rainy weather, we had indoor recess and got to invite some first grade friends to our room to share our toys! #ThePark

7 days ago, SPES Admin

A smiling teacher sits at a round table with two young students during a small-group activity. Each child is holding bright orange pom-poms and sorting them into containers. The classroom background includes a sink, storage cabinets, and colorful learning materials.

A student stands in front of a classroom smartboard, using a stylus to touch an interactive activity featuring an orange tree and letter cards. The display shows uppercase and lowercase letters, and the student is matching them as part of a literacy lesson.

A student participates in a digital learning game projected on a smartboard. The screen shows bright yellow and orange flower-patterned cards used for a matching game. The student is reaching out to touch a card while focusing on the activity.

A young student smiles while standing in front of a smartboard showing a word and picture-matching game. The screen displays cards with words like “pit” and “sip,” along with images representing the words. The student’s reflection is visible on the whiteboard.

Several children move and play during a classroom activity that includes colorful plastic stepping stones arranged in a line on the carpet. The classroom is decorated with a bright rainbow curtain, posters, and shelves of books and supplies, creating a cheerful environment.

Mrs. Wang's small group is working on segmenting and blending CVC words with our magic wands! #ThePark

8 days ago, SPES Admin

Elementary students work together on a phonics activity, using magnetic letters and whiteboards arranged in a circle.

Students sit in a circle on the classroom floor using whiteboards, markers, and small colored chips for a word-building lesson.

Students display the word “not” written on their whiteboards as part of a reading and spelling lesson.

Miss Galia’s class is having fun in Flex Time! 📝📖 They’re strengthening their language arts skills by writing their own stories, drawing and describing creative pumpkins, reading their favorite books, and even learning their favorite new read aloud, Pumpkin Trouble, in sign language!

9 days ago, SPES Admin

A student in a red hoodie sits at a classroom desk holding up handwritten story pages with a smile.

A group of smiling elementary students sit in a circle on a classroom rug, practicing a hand sign together.

A student sits at a desk coloring a pumpkin drawing and writing descriptive details on a worksheet. Backpacks hang on hooks in the background.

A smiling student in a purple shirt and teal shorts sits on a black couch reading a book.

In Ms. McCombs kindergarten class students have been learning about the life cycle of plants. Students were able to take a field trip to Graves Mountain Lodge where they got to not only learn about the life cycle of pumpkins and apples, but also got to pick a pumpkin and apples! Students even got to enjoy seeing baby goats, and going on a hayride! #ThePark

10 days ago, SPES Admin

A young boy wearing noise-reducing headphones kneels to gently pet a small brown and white goat in a sunny outdoor area with grass and fallen leaves.

A teacher helps a group of young students explore natural materials at a wooden picnic table. The children are touching seeds and plant pods while wearing colorful backpacks.

A group of elementary students listen attentively to a farmer speaking inside a rustic barn. The children are wearing backpacks and jackets, gathered in front of wooden farm equipment.

Two young girls stand side by side outdoors in a grassy field holding large paper drawings of seeds and sprouts. The sky is bright blue with apple trees in the background.

Here is the Sycamore Park Title 1 newsletter for November!

11 days ago, SPES Admin

🎉 Spirit Days Fun in Mrs. Anderson’s Class! 🎉
Our students had a blast celebrating Spirit Days — from costume day to pajama day and everything in between! 💙🧡
We’re so proud of their school spirit, creativity, and those big smiles that brighten our halls every day. 🥰
#MrsAndersonsClass #SchoolSpirit #PantherPride #ElementaryFun #LearningAndLaughing #ThePark

11 days ago, SPES Admin

Top Left: A group of children in various costumes (including a princess, a ladybug, and perhaps a superhero or pirate) are posing with an adult, who is also dressed up, near a window and an American flag. Top Center/Right: A larger group of children in costumes and pajamas, along with a few adults, are standing and sitting together in the classroom. Some children are wearing Halloween-themed outfits (like a ghost print dress). Bottom Left: A smaller group of children in costumes (including a witch's hat) are posing with two adults near a whiteboard or bulletin board. Bottom Center/Right: A few children, some wearing t-shirts with positive messages, are posing with an adult in the foreground who is taking a selfie, and another adult to the right, in front of a calendar display showing the months of the year.

📢 Important Update for Virginia SNAP Recipients

Virginia will temporarily issue state-funded food assistance on a weekly basis to households’ existing EBT cards while federal SNAP benefits are delayed.

These state funds, called the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program, will:
✅ Use the same EBT cards and beneficiaries as SNAP
✅ Deliver about ¼ of monthly benefits each week
✅ Begin issuing benefits on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in November

For questions or the latest updates, visit DSS.Virginia.gov
or contact your local Department of Social Services office.

12 days ago, Culpeper County Public Schools

Graphic titled “Virginia Acts to Protect SNAP Recipients.” It announces that Governor Glenn Youngkin has launched the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program to provide state-funded food assistance amid a federal shutdown. The program uses the same EBT cards and beneficiaries as SNAP, is funded by Virginia’s budget surplus, and delivers about one-quarter of monthly benefits each week—$37.5 million weekly statewide. Benefits are issued Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in November. The chart lists new VENA payment dates for SNAP groups: Group 1 – Monday, November 3; Group 2 – Wednesday, November 5; Group 3 – Friday, November 7. The graphic also notes that updates and FAQs are available at DSS.Virginia.gov and reminds recipients to keep their EBT cards secure using the ConnectEBT app.

Good evening Sycamore Park Parents! Just a quick reminder for tomorrow. . .

H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N COSTUME RULES

1. No Masks or anything that covers the face

2. Nothing that obstructs movement or sitting

3. Nothing gory involving blood

4. No props (i.e. swords, wands, brooms)

Thanks!

16 days ago, James Dugger

First grade recently took a trip to Maple Tree Farm. Students went through a corn maze, went on a hayride and enjoyed a puppet show about the life cycle of a pumpkin. We also had lots of time to play outside and enjoy the beautiful day! #ThePark

16 days ago, SPES Admin

A close-up photo of three young boys sitting together on a green bench, likely on a wagon or ride. They are all smiling at the camera, and the boy in the middle is holding up two fingers in a peace sign.

A wide shot of a large group of children actively playing and crawling on a vast, black rope net playground structure under a clear blue sky.

A smiling young girl with long blonde hair, wearing a blue t-shirt and pink pants, is sitting on a blue wooden cart or toy wagon while a young boy is standing behind it.

A group of children playing on a large, black rope net structure outdoors on a sunny day. The girl in the foreground, wearing a bright blue shirt, is smiling with her tongue out as she walks across the net, with a white barn visible in the background.

Two young girls sitting on a hay bale inside an open-air wagon or trailer. The girl on the right is smiling at the camera, and other children are visible in the background, also sitting on hay.

A group of children and an adult man sitting on hay bales inside a metal-framed wagon on a sunny day. A pond or lake and grassy field are visible in the background.

A group of elementary-aged children sitting on wooden benches outdoors, attentively watching an adult (a woman in a red plaid shirt) standing near a small wooden puppet stage. Several pumpkins are placed around the stage.

In room 3, Ms. Tracey and Ms. Fallon have been busy helping students build their social skills through imaginative play in our water table and kitchen area. Our students have also been making progress with learning how to use sensory items such as bubbles, spin toys, and bean table, to regulate their emotions. #ThePark

18 days ago, SPES Admin

A young boy with braided hair and a white polo shirt stands in a brightly decorated room, holding a light-up bubble wand. He is surrounded by floating bubbles. In the foreground is a sensory bin filled with small items and grains. The room has soft lighting, patterned rugs, and eclectic wall tapestries.

Two children are standing at a counter area in a dimly lit room with purple neon accents. A boy in a blue shirt is near the sink, and a girl in a pink shirt is interacting with a blue and yellow multi-tiered water/sand play table that has a waterfall feature.

Two girls with braided hair stand side-by-side, playing with a toy kitchen set. They are facing a small, light blue play refrigerator with magnets and a play stove/sink area. A purple neon sign that says "good vibes" hangs on the wall above the play area.

A young boy wearing a green t-shirt is leaning over a large white sensory bin, which is filled with mixed grains, small toys, and brightly colored objects. He is kneeling on a blue balance board. The room is decorated with a comfortable-looking couch, large cushions, and a colorful rug, suggesting a calm or sensory-friendly space.

: A young boy with a dark t-shirt sits on a small wooden stool, smiling directly at the camera while holding a large yellow-green mug. He is next to a dollhouse playset on a small white table. The room has a window in the background and soft, natural lighting.

Mrs. Arend's class of second graders are off to a great start! We have been building our Class Family relationships and helping each other become better readers, writers, and mathematicians. But best of all, we are learning ways to show kindness to others. Lincoln is helping Dylan read a book to the class at the end of the school day. Avery is showing us her artwork she painted while taking an Art Class last summer. Harim, Ashley, and Eliany are showing how nice their handwriting is as they learn to spell words with short vowels. And Rena is proud of her big brother for doing a great job on the morning news "SPTV!" I can't wait to see what my "sweet sixteen" students do next!

19 days ago, SPES Admin

Two young boys are sitting side-by-side in a reading corner. One boy, wearing a white shirt, is seated on a red chair while the other, wearing a black shirt, is in a wooden rocking chair. They are both looking down at a picture book, sharing a moment of reading. Another girl sits on the floor to the right, looking up at them. Classroom decorations, a wall calendar, and a sound chart are visible in the background.

A young girl with blonde hair, wearing a pink top, sits in a dark wooden rocking chair reading a book out loud to a small group of four other students. The listeners are sitting attentively on the patterned black and white rug in front of her. The background shows a cozy classroom corner with a colorful book display on shelves, decorations, and a whiteboard listing classroom rewards.

Three elementary-aged students are sitting at a dark brown table, proudly holding up individual whiteboards. Each whiteboard has handwritten letters and words: "a e i o u" on the top line, and a combination of words like "must bend best" written below. The students are looking directly at the camera, with a classroom setting visible behind them, including a rug, other students, and desks.

A young girl with a bright smile, wearing a pink cardigan, stands in front of a white screen displaying a muted blue and green image of two boys sitting in chairs, possibly from a video or presentation. She is standing behind a low shelf filled with books, a globe, and other classroom materials. The screen has a sign underneath that says "Ask Then Tell."

Last week Mr. Birch was searching for new teachers for #The Park and Culpeper County Public Schools. He visited the beautiful campus of Slippery Rock in Pennsylvania. #SRU #SPES #EVHS #CCPS

20 days ago, SPES Admin

Three adults (two men and one woman) standing behind a table with a banner for "Culpeper County Public Schools" at an indoor event or convention.

A man leaning casually on large, green and white letters spelling "SRU" (Slippery Rock University) in a modern indoor lobby with a marble-like wall.

A view of the Slippery Rock University campus on a sunny day with a cloudy sky, showing a curved road, students walking on a walkway, and a truck driving past. Fall foliage is visible in the background.

A stone and green sign for "Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania" surrounded by landscaping and rocks, on a sunny day with clouds.

A close-up, cropped view of a brick building with large white letters spelling out "SRU Slippery Rock University". A fire hydrant and the edge of a grassy field are visible below.

🍪 5th Grade Gets Tectonic with Oreos! 🌍
Mrs. Feld’s class had a sweet time learning about plate tectonics! Using Oreos, students explored how Earth’s plates move and interact at different boundaries—spreading apart, sliding past each other, and colliding. The creamy filling helped simulate the Earth’s mantle, while cookie halves became the tectonic plates. It was a hands-on (and tasty!) way to visualize geological processes. Learning has never been so delicious!

21 days ago, James Dugger

A young girl with long, curly dark hair and braces is smiling brightly at the camera while seated at a desk. She is wearing a grey sweatshirt and writing on a worksheet next to an Oreo cookie with a black pen. Other students are visible in the background of the classroom.

A close-up shot of a student's hands writing on a worksheet titled "Cookie Plate Tectonics Activity" with a yellow pencil. Two cream-filled cookie halves are resting on a brown paper towel on a wooden desk. The worksheet outlines different types of plate boundaries: convergent, divergent, and transform, using the cookie parts as models.

A young girl in a sparkly gold top is seated at a wooden desk in a classroom, focused on a worksheet and writing with a pencil. Two Oreo cookies are visible on a brown paper towel next to her. The worksheet appears to be titled "Cookie Plate Tectonics Activity." Another student wearing a baseball cap is working at a desk behind her.

A group of approximately six elementary school students are seated at two long tables pushed together in a classroom, all engaged in an activity that involves Oreo cookies and worksheets, which they are writing on with pencils. Water bottles and laptops are also on the tables.

A young girl with long, dark hair wearing a pink and white sweatshirt with a smiling face graphic is seated at a table, looking up and smiling at the camera. A partially eaten cookie is on a paper towel on the table in front of her. The classroom background includes colorful decorations and signs.

A close-up shot of a partially dissected Oreo cookie on a brown paper towel, with the cream filling split in half. A worksheet titled "Oreo Plate Tectonics Activity" with handwritten notes and diagrams of cookies is visible next to a black laptop and a clear water bottle.

✨ Mr. Norman’s 5th Grade Crew Explores the American Revolution! ✨

Mr. Norman’s fifth graders visited Yowell Meadow Park to experience life during the American Revolutionary War through hands-on learning and exploration.

Students learned about life on the farm and in early settlements, religious practices, practiced candle making, explored medical treatments of the 1700s, and discussed the contributions of people of color during the Revolution. They also tried surveying, wrote secret messages with invisible ink, and even took the oath of the Culpeper Minutemen, pledging to fight for Virginia in exchange for pay and land.

It was an inspiring day of discovery, teamwork, and living history!

#MrNormansClass #5thGradeAdventures #HistoryComesAlive #ThePark #AmericanRevolution #LearningBeyondTheClassroom

22 days ago, SPES Admin

Two smiling children, a girl in a green varsity jacket and a boy in a blue Spider-Man hoodie, stand in front of a bright yellow flag with a coiled snake and the motto "Don't Tread on Me" (the Culpeper Minute-Men flag), holding small pieces of paper.

A reenactor, partially visible, helps a young girl in a green and black varsity jacket handle a small, round object over a heating element on a table, possibly demonstrating a historical cooking or craft method. IMG_9899.jpg: A historical reenactor in a tricorn hat and brown vest is speaking to a group of children sitting on the grass, holding up laminated pictures to illustrate his talk. IMG_9894.jpg: A female historical reenactor in a long white dress and a dark green cloak speaks to a group of children sitting on the grass. Other reenactors and tents are visible in the background.

A historical reenactor in a brown vest and tricorn hat, holding laminated pictures or maps, speaks to a group of children sitting on the grass.

A young boy in a blue Spider-Man hoodie is being helped by an adult to handle a piece of aluminum foil over a small black slow cooker on a table, likely participating in a historical activity or demonstration.

A historical reenactor in a bright red British-style military coat, white breeches, and a tricorn hat is standing on a grassy field, speaking to a boy in a blue hoodie and tan pants.

A hand holds a small piece of paper with a handwritten name "Mr. Norman" and a printed oath below: "take this oath to serve Virginia honestly and faithfully against all its enemies or opposers whatsoever; and to observe and obey the orders of the Generals and officers set over me to the best of my skill and understanding. Ordered by the 3rd Virginia Convention Culpeper Minute Battalion."