Celebrating Our 4th Grade Poets: Finalists in Belmont’s Annual Poetry ContestFourth Grade Finalists

Support Our Talented Students as They Turn Poetry into Song and Compete for Top Honors!

In the Fall, the 4th grade ELA classes did optional poetry submissions for Belmont’s annual Poetry Contest in conjunction with our lessons on poetry. We have (4) Fourth grade students who are finalists in this year’s Belmont Poetry Contest in the 4th-5th grade category. 

Congratulations to our finalists:

  • Iris Pua – “My Red Maple Tree”
  • Patricia Thomas – “Snowlit”
  • Nyah Smith – ” Spring, Spring” (*sings her own song)
  • Cherish Cole – ” Happiness”

Belmont recently concluded their songwriting sessions where each finalist got the chance to collaborate with local professional songwriters to turn their poem into a song. Voting is now open to the public. The link to listen to the songs and vote for your favorite in each category (1st-3rd; 4th-5th; 6th-8th)can be found at: https://www.belmont.edu/service-learning/events/family-literacy/poetry-contests/

The poets worked very hard on creating their songs and we want everyone to hear the final product! We also would love our SP students to be able to win 1st -4th places.

The winners of the elementary school contests will be announced at Family Literacy Day on Saturday, April 12th. The event is free and runs from 1-4pm at E.S. Rose Park & Easley Center. In addition to the awards ceremony, we will have fun activities to celebrate the joys of reading. You can find more information about this year’s event at https://www.belmont.edu/service-learning/events/family-literacy/

New Personal Technology Policy at Sylvan Park Elementary: What Families Need to Know Starting March 17

Beginning March 17, 2025, Sylvan Park Elementary will have a new personal technology policy.

 Any “smart device” (“smart device” is any device that can access the internet, wifi etc.) cannot be on a student’s person while they are on school property. If a student must come to school with a “smart device,” it needs to be placed in their backpack, on school mode/ cellular data off/ device off, until they leave school property. 

NOTE: This applies to PNA as well. 

  • 1st Offense: Warning and teacher keeps device until the end of the day and returns to student.
  • 2nd Offense: Parent/Guardian Notification and administration keeps device until parents can come to school to pick it up. 
  • 3rd Offense: Discipline Referral Code 203 (Using a cell phone, electronic device, or the internet for non-educational purposes or without the permission of the classroom teacher or school administrator. A teacher may withhold a student’s phone from the student for the duration of the instructional time if the student’s phone is a distraction to the class or the student. -TCA Title 49, Chapter 2 and Title 49, Chapter 6.)

Thanks, in advance, for your cooperation and understanding as we further minimize distractions to the educational environment.

Sylvan Park Book Week: March 17th – 21st

Parents, mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable Book Week!

Get ready for a week of fun, creativity, and a love for reading as we celebrate Sylvan Park Book Week! Each day, students can participate in exciting activities that bring books to life. Mark your calendars and join in on the fun!

Monday, March 17th – “Lucky to Read Day!” 🍀

We’re so lucky to have books! Show your love for reading by wearing green to celebrate the joy of stories.

Tuesday, March 18th – “March Madness for Books!” 🎩

We’re crazy about reading! Wear a crazy hat to show off your book love in style.

Wednesday, March 19th – “Books Put a Spring in Our Step!” 👟

Books make us happy! Wear bright colors and your favorite sneakers to celebrate the energy and joy of reading.

Thursday, March 20th – “Cozy Up with a Book” 📖

It’s time to get comfy! Wear your pajamas to school and settle in for some D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) time.

Friday, March 21st – “Book Character Parade!” 🎭📚

Bring your favorite book and dress up as a character from it! We’ll parade around the track at 8:15 AM for families to see.

This is a week full of reading, fun, and school spirit, so encourage your child to participate each day! We can’t wait to see all the creative outfits and celebrate the magic of books together.

📢 Parents, mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable Book Week!

Join the PTO: Make a Difference at Sylvan Park!

Our next PTO Interest Meeting is on March 5th at 8:15 AM in the school library

The Sylvan Park PTO is looking ahead to another exciting year, and we need you! We’re looking for parents and caregivers who want to get involved, build community, and support our school in meaningful ways for the 2025/26 school year. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there’s a role for you.

We still have a few key positions open and would love your help in filling them! If you or someone you know might be a great fit, consider stepping into one of the below roles.

If you’re interested or have someone in mind, reach out! Our next PTO Interest Meeting is on March 5th at 8:15 AM in the school library—come learn more and see how you can get involved.

Volunteer chair

Calling all high-energy, in-the-know, social butterflies! 🎉

Love being part of the action? This is the perfect role for enthusiastic go-getters who want to make a big impact—no school-day availability needed! 🙌 Join us at fun monthly meetings and help bring amazing PTO events to life. From rallying volunteers to organizing sign-ups, you’ll be at the heart of making school events unforgettable! 💡✨

💥 What you’ll do:
✅ Create & manage volunteer sign-ups
✅ Staff volunteer tables & connect with parents
✅ Work with teachers to support school events
✅ Coordinate babysitting for PTO meetings

If you’re all about teamwork, community, and bringing people together, we’d love to have you! 


Teacher appreciation chair

Calling all creative planners & appreciation enthusiasts! 🌟

Want to be a hero to our amazing teachers & staff? This role is all about spreading joy and making sure our educators feel valued all year long! 🎉 If you love being in the school building, organizing fun surprises, and hearing tons of thank yous, this is for you! ❤️

💡 What you’ll do:
🍎 Stock the lounge with snacks & drinks each month 🥤🍪
🍎 Organize meals & treats throughout the year (First Day, Holiday Lunch, Teacher Appreciation Week & more!) 🍽️💝
🍎 Work your creative magic—or follow past plans to keep it simple! 🎨📋

Join us and help make our teachers feel extra special! 💕


Fundraising co-chair

Love organizing, strategizing, and making a big impact? This is the perfect role for detail pros, night owls, and email wizards who thrive on keeping things running smoothly! ✨ No cold calls, no pressure—just guidance and support for our amazing fundraising event leads.

📌 What you’ll do:
🔹 Oversee and support fundraising events throughout the year
🔹 Explore fresh ideas to boost our current efforts 💡
🔹 Check in with event leads, offering guidance when needed 🤝
🔹 Help make fundraising seamless and successful!

This is a high-impact role—perfect for anyone who loves keeping things organized from behind the scenes.

Sounds Spirit Night: Apr 27. Support The Sounds and Sylvan Park.

Nashville Sounds

$5 of every ticket purchased will be donated to the Sylvan Park PTO.

Join your Sylvan Park friends & families to watch the Nashville Sounds take on the Durham Bulls at First Horizon Park! Spirit Wear encouraged! 

Memphis Redbirds vs. Nashville Sounds

Apr 27, 2025 2:05 PM CDT
First Horizon Park
19 Junior Gilliam Way, Nashville, TN 37219, US

Gates open at 1:05PM. First pitch is at 2:05PM!

Know Before You Go:

  • First Horizon Park operates as a CASHLESS facility, including ticket offices, concession stands, and retail stores. 
  • A clear bag policy will be in place for all events, limiting contact between staff and guests. The clear bag policy permits bags no larger than 12” x 12” x 6” in size. Exceptions include diaper bags, medical bags, and small handheld clutches and purses sized no larger than 5″ x 9″. All bags are subject to security inspection and screening.

School-wide Seminar for “Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem”

During the month of November, students participated in our second school-wide seminar using the book, Change Sings:  A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman.  The values and ideas for this seminar were change, tolerance, courage, and dreams.  Students discussed what change they want to be and see for our world.  For the post-seminar writing activity, students completed the sentence, Change is… on a tissue paper square.  The squares were put together to create stained glass windows and hung in the front of our school.  Stop by and check out our display showing what change is to our students!  A BIG thank you to Amy Thompson for creating the stained-glass displays!  

Trunk or Treat Pics, Congrats to the 5th Grade Best Trunk Winners!

Thanks to everyone who joined us in the Sylvan Park parking lot on Thursday 10/24 for Trunk or Treat. We had sooo many fabulously designed Trunks…. but the most popsicle sticks went to the 5th Grade Nashville Soccer Club themed trunk… GGGGGGOOOOOOOOOAAAALLL!!!

Much thanks to Hecklin Dental for sponsoring this year’s Trunk or Treat.

Enhance Creativity at Sylvan Park: Art Class Wish List

Art room wish list

As you gear up for the start of a new school year, remember it’s not just about notebooks and pencils—our art classes need your support too! Help make art more engaging and fun for your children by supporting our amazing Art teacher, Ms. Williams. By purchasing items from her Amazon wishlist, you’re not just stocking up our art room; you’re ensuring that our students have all the creative tools they need to thrive.

Each contribution also supports our “Kindness in Art” program, where students earn points for kindness towards themselves, each other, and their creative environment. Points lead to a “Free Art Day,” filled with special activities and extra supplies!

🌟 Please take a moment to check out and contribute to the SP Art Class Wish List. Let’s keep art vibrant and alive at Sylvan Park!

Earn Money for Sylvan Park While You Shop at Publix

Public partners - apple and pencil

Support Sylvan Park with Publix Partners.

Publix Partners helps you support your favorite school every time you shop. Publix donates a portion of your eligible purchases to the school of your choice.*

Families – earn money for Sylvan Park when you shop at Publix! You must have a free Publix account linked to our school to participate. Connect your account to:


Sylvan Park Paideia Elementary School PTA

Tip: When you register for an account, be sure to use your actual phone number. Each time you check out at Publix, you must enter your phone number into the credit card machine to link your purchase to Sylvan Park. Try to remember to do this when you shop!

OR Link up your profile with the Publix App.

To link your Publix account to Sylvan Park:

  1. Log in.
  2. Click “your account icon in the upper right corner
  3. On your account page scroll to “My Publix Partner”
  4. Search for and select Sylvan Park Paideia Elementary School PTA

Add Your Voice: Should High School Start Later?

alarm clock

We are a caring group of parents from various MNPS clusters who want to revive the conversation and action around starting Nashville Public High Schools later. We have the earliest high school start times in the nation. Most high schools in Nashville open their doors at 6:45am and start school at 7:05am.

There is a vast amount of research that shows that teenage mental and physical health, grades, sleep quality, learning ability, attendance, and even behavior improve when high schools start later. 

We have created this survey to get a sense of what other parents feel about this issue. We plan on sharing the results of this informal survey with the school board later this spring.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to tell us what you think, and whether you would like to join this initiative.

Background info & links:

Alive’s FREE Youth Group Grief Support

Alive’s FREE Youth Group is for any child or teen in Middle Tennessee ages 4-17 who have experienced the death of someone significant.

Alive’s FREE Youth Group is for any child or teen in Middle Tennessee ages 4-17 who have experienced the death of someone significant.

Each session includes dinner, grief education, games, and activities that allow youth to cope with loss, while connecting with peers in similar circumstances.

Youth Group Meets:
January 30 – March 26, 2024 (no session March 12 due to Spring Break)
On Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

GriefSupport@AliveHospice.org | 615-963-4732