​Frequently Asked Questions.

​6th Grade
What happens at orientation?
  • Orientation happens prior to the start of school. You will turn in the school information packet that was mailed home, get your class list, pick up your books (which will stay at home), and take your school pictures. Please bring your checkbook parents as you will be ordering school pictures, PE clothes, yearbooks, ASB memberships, and turning in voluntary school direct donations. You will also receive your tentative schedule without assigned periods.
 Where do I get my full schedule?
  • Your full schedule, with teachers names and classroom numbers, will be available to you to print the night before school starts. Your first period teacher will also give you your full schedule on the first day of school.
 What do I do if I have a problem with my schedule or I want a different class?
  • Students (not parents) need to fill out the blue schedule change request form located in the front office.
 Where do I go my first day of school?
  • Middle school students must enter through the middle school gate, located next to the two story building. If you have an elementary sibling you are dropping off first, you must wait in the elementary shelter area until the elementary bell rings. You can then head up to the middle school campus.
 What if I have an ‘A’ Period?
  • The first day of school you will not attend your ‘A’ period. Please go to your first period class. All ‘A’ periods will begin on the second day of school.
 Can I leave early if I have an ‘A’ Period? 
  • No. You must have a 6th period.
 How will I find my classes on the first day of school?
  • We will have Coyote Peer Program students, administration, and counselors in the middle school courtyard to assist you.
 Why don’t we have lockers?
  • We provide you with two sets of books so you don’t have to bring your books to and from school. One set you keep at home and one set is kept in the classroom. 
Do I have to bring my books to school?
  • No, your teachers will have a copy of your textbooks in the classroom. Spanish is the only exception which you must take to and from school. 
What if I don’t have my books?
  • Please see the middle school librarian, Carrie Donohoe, in Room 50.
What do I do with my backpack?
  • Keep your backpacks/purses/school bags hung outside of class. A supply list (see attachments) will be sent home during the summer.
 When will I be able to go to the restroom?
  • Each teacher will inform you of their restroom policy during class. You can also use the restroom during nutrition, passing periods, and at lunch time. 
Do I need to change into my PE clothes for PE on the first day?
  • No. Your PE teacher will inform you when to change into your PE clothes. 
Where do I go to buy lunch?
  • Lunch can be bought in the building next to the middle school lunch shelters. Money can be placed on ASB cards to purchase lunch.
Can I take both Band or Strings and Chorus?
  • Yes- only if the master schedule permits. If you choose this option, you must take A period PE.
I already know how to play an instrument. Can I sign up for advanced band?
  • Students in 6th grade must sign up for beginning band regardless of their previous music history. Students in 7th or 8th grade who have not taken beginning band but would like to be in advanced band must get the music instructors approval.
Can I take Band or Strings if I have never played an instrument?
  • Yes!
Do I have to own or buy an instrument in order to take Band or Strings?
  • No. The music instructor will notify you where to rent an instrument if you do not wish to purchase one.
How will I choose which instrument to play?
  • The music instructor will help you choose the best fit instrument during the first week of school.
​7th Grade
Can I choose which electives I take as part of the Elective Wheel or which trimester I take them?
  • No. The computer will randomly assign the course, teacher, and trimester for you.
Where do I get my full schedule?
  • Your full schedule, with teachers names and classroom numbers, will be available to you to print the night before school starts. Your first period teacher will also give you your full schedule on the first day of school.
What do I do if I have a problem with my schedule?
  • Students, not parents, need to fill out the blue schedule change request form located in the front office.
What if I have an ‘A’ Period?
  • The first day of school you will not attend your ‘A’ period. Please go to your first period class. All ‘A’ periods will begin on the second day of school.
Can I be an Office Aide, Cross Age Tutor, or Library Aide instead of an Elective?
  • Yes.
If I choose a full year Elective (Strings, Band, Chorus, ASB, Peer Tutor, Office Aide, Library Aide, Cross Age Tutor, Technology) and I want to change in the middle of the year, can I drop?
  • These courses are all full year courses and you are expected to commit for the full year.
Where do I get applications for Coyote Peer Program or ASB?
  • You can get the applications in the front office.
Can I take both Band or Strings and Chorus?
  • Yes- only if the master schedule permits. If you choose this option, you must take A period PE.
I already know how to play an instrument. Can I sign up for advanced band?
  • Students in 6th grade must sign up for beginning band regardless of their previous music history. Students in 7th or 8th grade who have not taken beginning band but would like to be in advanced band must get the music instructors approval.
Can I take Band or Strings if I have never played an instrument?
  • Yes!
Do I have to own an instrument to take band/strings?
  • No. The music instructor will notify you where to rent an instrument if you do not wish to purchase one.
How will I choose which instrument to play?
  • The music instructor will help you choose the best fit instrument during the first week of school.
Who qualifies for automatic placement into honors courses?
  • Students receive all A’s in all three trimesters of Math, English, or Social Science and score at the advanced level on the CVUSD benchmark will be approved for automatic placement for Honors in those subjects.
If I don’t automatically qualify for honors classes, is there another way I can take them?
  • Yes. You may fill out a petition form at the end of the year. Not all petition forms will be approved.
If I take one honors class, do I have to be enrolled in other honors classes?
  • No. Your enrollment in honors classes is based on the achievement in each individual class.
Can I take Honors Science as a 7th grader?
  • No, this class is not available.
What happens if I don’t turn in my registration form?
  • The computer will assign you classes at random from the elective wheel.
If I am aware that I am moving or not returning to Sycamore Canyon School, do I need to fill out a registration form?
  • Yes. We need to know whether or not to keep you on our roster.
Do I have to be a part of the Coyote Peer Program in order to be a Peer Tutor?
  • Yes.
​8th Grade
What are the requirements to be enrolled in Spanish?
  • You must have A’s or B’s in English 7CP or English 7H all three trimesters and no grade lower than a C in all other classes. High School credit is earned and will be reflected in your high school GPA. Last date to drop is at the end of the 1st trimester. At this time, this class may fill and students may have to go on a wait list.
Can I be an Office Aide, Cross Age Tutor, or Library Aide instead of an Elective?
  • Yes.
Can I be a Cross Age Tutor, Office Aide, or a Library Aide and take an Elective Wheel too?
  • No.
Can I leave early if I enroll in an “A” period class?
  • No.
If I choose a full year Elective (Strings, Band, Chorus, ASB, Peer Tutor, Office Aide, Library Aide, Cross Age Tutor, Technology) and I want to change in the middle of the year, can I drop?
  • These courses are all full year courses and you are expected to commit for the full year.
Where do I get applications for Coyote Peer Program or ASB?
  • You can get the applications in the front office.
Can I take both Band or Strings and Chorus?
  • Yes- only if the master schedule permits. If you choose this option, you must take A period PE.
I already know how to play an instrument. Can I sign up for advanced band?
  • Students in 6th grade must sign up for beginning band regardless of their previous music history. Students in 7th or 8th grade who have not taken beginning band but would like to be in advanced band must get the music instructors approval.
Can I take Band or Strings if I have never played an instrument?
  • Yes!
Do I have to own an instrument to take band/strings?
  • No. The music instructor will notify you where to rent an instrument if you do not wish to purchase one.
How will I choose which instrument to play?
  • The music instructor will help you choose the best fit instrument during the first week of school.
Who qualifies for automatic placement into honors courses?
  • All 8th grade students must complete a petition form. Students are not automatically placed in 8th grade. Petitions can be obtained in the counseling office or front office.
If I am aware that I am moving or not returning to Sycamore Canyon School, do I need to fill out a registration form?
  • Yes. We need to know whether or not to keep you on our roster.