The Cypress Village Forecast

Monday, 11/22/2021
Front Office Hours:  7:30am - 3:30pm

Tuesday, 11/23/2021
Minimum Day
Front Office Hours:  7:30am - 2:30pm
Upper Grade Music

Wednesday, 11/24/2021
No School

Thursday, 11/25/2021
No School

Friday, 11/26/2021
No School

Updated School Calendar
Please CLICK HERE for the updated school calendar.

ACE Class Monitor Needed
We need your help! Looking to become more involved in our school and support an amazing program? We are looking for an IPSF ACE class monitor to assist students in locating their class after school, connect with our IPSF instructors, and ensure that all students are picked up by their guardian at the end of the class. For more information and to volunteer, contact Evan Sickles at esickles@ipsf.net. Volunteers also get a discount on future classes!

IPSF ACE Program - Registration Open
Looking for activities to keep your child engaged and learning while having fun after the school day? IPSF’s ACE program is offered in cooperation with the Irvine Unified School District to provide opportunities for students to pursue their passions and discover new interests through hands-on and online learning. Irvine Public Schools Foundation ACE (Afterschool Classroom Enrichment) program is now registering for in-person classes that begin the week of November 29, 2021. For more information, go to ipsf.net/afterschool. CLICK HERE for PDF of flyer.

Run for a Claus
​​Looking to make some fun memories with family and friends? This is definitely a memorable event! You can run the in-person event on December 11th at the University of California/Irvine(UCI) or run the virtual edition anywhere you want during the month of December! It’s not just in the OC, it’s NATIONWIDE! Get your friends to register with you. The more the merrier! CLICK HERE to register.

Shop See's, Support Our School
We're thrilled to announce that See's Candies has become our latest community partner! From November 1 - December 15, shop the Cypress Village PTA See's Storefront and a percentage of your purchases will be donated back to the school. To get started, click HERE

Holiday Toy Drive
The Spark of Love Holiday Toy Drive is the largest toy drive in the nation, taking place during the holiday season each year. Orange County Fire Authority, along with our partners at KWAVE, collect new and unwrapped toys, games, and sports gear that are distributed to almost 100 non-profit organizations in Orange County supporting children and teens in need. Almost 10 million toys have been donated since the Spark of Love Holiday Toy Drive was first launched nearly thirty years ago! CLICK HERE for more information.

Parent Volunteers
Given the continuing reduction in COVID-19 cases in the city of Irvine and within IUSD, along with a desire to move toward more normal routines, we will begin allowing opportunities for parents to volunteer at school during school hours.  We will have parent volunteers running the Book Fair from November 15 - 19th. Classroom volunteers will start November 29th and I will communicate any volunteering opportunities. In order to support student safety and follow appropriate procedures, the following actions are required before a parent may visit or volunteer.  Our office has gone through some transition with staff being promoted to other positions in the district and new staff being hired. Because of this, we ask that you complete the below process before November 29th. The process will require you to come into the office to present your ID and COVID vaccination card (only once).

1. Volunteers must be vaccinated and present proof of vaccination for COVID-19 as well as present a valid state­ issued driver’s license, ID, or a current passport to our office staff, which will be scanned into the Raptor sex offender background check system. It is important to note that Raptor only scans the visitor's name, date of birth, and photo for comparison with the county, state, and national database of registered sex offenders. Additional data from the driver's license is not gathered nor is the system connected to any other system such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. Therefore, no other information on the ID is scanned by the Raptor system and no information is shared with any outside agency. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit. After the initial review of vaccination status and background scanning has taken place, a visitor or volunteer only needs to sign-in on one of the computers in the office and wear the printed badge. 
2. Volunteers must follow all site level volunteering practices.
3. Volunteers must wear approved masks at all times inside school facilities.
4. Volunteers must agree to the COVID-19 Symptom Free Attestations. By entering the school campus, all visitors are attesting to the following:

• “I am not experiencing any of the following symptoms associated with COVID-19: temperature of 100.4 (feeling feverish) or with chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.”
• “In the past two weeks, I have not had close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.  This could include a person that has been tested for COVID-19 (because of possible infection) and is waiting for test results.”

Volunteers must have a completed volunteer application. Volunteers are required to pre-register online from home in the Raptor Volunteer registration system. If a parent renewed their application during data confirmation for this school year, they do not need to apply again.

Classroom Interruptions
The Cypress Village staff makes a concerted effort to establish a learning environment that is conducive to the development of good study habits and uninterrupted academic learning time. We seek your cooperation and assistance in this effort.  Lately, we have had an increase in situations where parents are dropping off lunches, instruments, and homework in the office with the expectation that the office staff contacts the teacher during instructional time to request that the teacher send the child up to the office to pick up the item that was left on the table or deliver those items to their child before the time they are needed.  Please understand that we do not have the office staff resources to provide that service on a daily basis, nor can we interrupt the classrooms to accommodate these requests. It is the responsibility of the child to check the drop-off table if they are expecting an item or lunch to be delivered and to take steps to remember their lunch, instruments, or work before leaving for school. As parents, you can help us by:

1. Sending the teacher a note or email should you need to pick up your child early. This will allow the teacher time to have your child prepared for pick up.
2. Avoid calling school and leaving messages for your child, unless it is an emergency. The telephone is made available to students only for emergencies.
3. Establishing a system that helps eliminate forgotten lunches, homework, money, musical instruments, etc. Parents bringing forgotten items to school should place them on the table located in front of the MPR. Children are encouraged to check this table for forgotten items throughout the day.

Family Resources - As every family needs help from time to time, here is a list of resources available in our community.

• Free/Reduced School Lunch is available for income-eligible families: You can apply here confidentially. About one in five IUSD families receive this service. While meals are free for everyone this year, applying annually provides other benefits to families (certain assessments are complimentary) and additional funding for the district.
• Childcare is available through Rainbow Rising and Kids Club. Rainbow Rising is located on campus in the three buildings adjacent to our kindergarten playground. Hours are from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. They can be reached by calling (949) 333-1488. Kids Club is located at the Cypress Village Community Center. If you would like additional information, including fees, please call 949-724-6190. To receive information regarding other Irvine childcare facilities, you may call the City of Irvine Child Care Coordination Office at 949-724-6632.
• School Supplies may be provided if your child needs school supplies for work at home. Please contact our office. Additionally, there are few instances when public schools can charge a fee. Should a school expense(s) arise that is a challenge, please contact your child’s teacher. 
  • The Assistance League of Irvine & Operation School Bell also provides school clothes, supplies, and household needs to families in need.
• Mental Health Services available to families and students are listed below. For additional needs, assistance, or support, please contact our Elementary Resource Counselor, Mrs. Abri at sorayaabri@iusd.org.
  • IUSD's Family Resource Center encompasses several free programs to support mental health both in and out of school including counseling, parenting education classes, and resource linkage. 
  • Care Solace is a no-cost program that helps connect families to mental health professionals by identifying qualified providers, connecting with the providers on behalf of families, helping schedule appointments, etc. Our Elementary Resource Counselor, Rebecca Chung, can help facilitate the referral process.
  • Family Health Children’s Clinic provides medical services (physical exams, dental, immunizations, etc.) at no cost to eligible Medi-Cal and uninsured children.
  • Families Forward provides transitional housing, grocery assistance, counseling, and more to those in need.
  • Orange County One-Stop Center provides job-seeking assistance.
  • 2-1-1 Orange County Toll-free number to connect families to local resources in Orange County- available 24/7 by phone or online. 
  • The Center for Humane Technology provides digital well-being guidelines for families to help parents navigate the safe usage of technology at home and in school.

Live Weekly CHOC Mental Health Presentations
The Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) is showcasing free weekly live webinar presentations that feature CHOC expert clinicians speaking on various pediatric mental health topics. CLICK HERE to see a menu of their presentation options and a link to register. We highly encourage families as this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss! 

IPSF: Ignite Potential 
REGISTER FOR AFTERSCHOOL CLASSES! 
IPSF’s ACE program is offering a wide variety of interactive, online classes after school for students in grades 1-6. This ACE Online session features classes to expand students’ minds and creativity, including Billionaires Club, Public Speaking, Chess, and a selection of coding and STEAM classes. In-person afterschool enrichment classes are also offered at select school campuses throughout IUSD. Register today! www.ipsf.net/afterschool

SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR YOUR CHILD
All students deserve to have access to educational opportunities that help them discover how they will make their mark on the world. At Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF), we believe in nurturing the spark of curiosity within each child to grow and discover their unique gifts, talents, and passions.

Donations to IPSF from parents like you make a difference by creating the educational opportunities our children need now more than ever. www.ipsf.net/eef2021

FUN & SAVINGS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! 
Check out our Fall 2021 Flyer Booklet for savings from our partners including Crean Lutheran High School, ModernBrain, SoCal Elite Sports Inc., and much more!
https://ipsf.net/flyer-booklet/#flyer-booklet

PTA Website: CLICK HERE
PLEDGE DRIVE
We have opted to extend our Pledge Drive in the hopes that we will be able to grant our students the Extreme Science Virtual Assembly Prize!  We are at 65% to our target of $40,000!  And we definitely need your help.  To pledge visit www.cypressvillagepta.org and login and visit the pledge and membership store.

YOGURTLAND TUESDAYS: Yogurtland is back every Tuesday at 2:15 and 2:37pm Dismissal. Their NEW location starting September 14, will be in the back courtyard on the blacktop. Come cool down with some yummy flavors!

EARN AND LEARN! Shopping, dining or spending some time at the MarketPlace? SAVE THOSE RECEIPTS! Upload them to www.shopandlog.com/TMP. Remember to put it as the school Cypress Village Elementary!  Your receipts earn the school cash! It’s that easy!