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Next fall, Cypress Academy will become Cypress School of the Arts.
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Cypress Academy to become arts school
Former sixth grade-only school to be renamed Cypress School of the Arts
February 29, 2008 - 8:30PM
Staff Writer
Cypress Academy will become the Hesperia Unified School District's first choice school next school year.
The current sixth-grade only school will serve students from kindergarten through sixth grade and add an arts-based focus to the standard curriculum. The school will also get a name change, becoming Cypress School of the Arts when it opens in August 2008.
"We're not trying to be better," Principal Scott Sheffield said Thursday, "We're trying to be different. We're just trying to give parents an option, a different option than we have now."
The school is expected to serve 780 students, with first preference being given to students in the area around Hesperia Junior High School.
"If you're in our school from kindergarten through sixth grade, you will learn to play the piano, read and speak Spanish and have a working knowledge of a selected curriculum."
The school will teach students piano using electronic keyboards and teach Spanish using the commercially available Rosetta Stone software, among other means.
"We're going to do what is called Meet the Masters, which is an art history program," Sheffield said. "They're going to be exposed to the fine arts."
The school will also have a band program.
"It's an all-around, well-rounded curriculum."
In addition to changes in the curriculum, the Cypress academy will also undergo some changes.
"On my wall, I have the [original K-6 plan]. Basically, all that's required to convert us over is the addition of the K-compound," Sheffield said. The compound is a kindergarten building, featuring restrooms directly accessible from the classrooms, and a smaller enclosed playground.
"It'll be done in December, but that's why we're [using] the 12 classrooms directly adjacent to us at Hesperia Junior for the 6th grade classrooms."
The changes at Cypress will also affect other area schools: Mesquite Trails Elementary School will become a K-6 school, instead of a K-5 school, starting in August 2008 and Mission Crest Elementary School will become a K-6 school in January 2009, once three additional classrooms are built at the school's new campus.
Expanding Cypress Academy to Cypress School of the Arts will cost the HUSD $4,136,384, according to a staff report presented to the school board on Monday and the additional modular classrooms at Mission Crest will cost $1,274,654. Both expenditures will come from the district's facilities budget.
"We have not advertised, we have not said one word, but we have received our 15th call to be put on an interest list," Sheffield said.
There will be informational meetings about the Cypress School of the Arts on March 10, 12, 25, 27 and 29 at the school, which is located at 10365 Cypress Avenue. Call 949-2596 for more information.
Beau Yarbrough can be reached at 956-7108 or at beau@hesperiastar.com.
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Reader's comments
| I am going to enroll my daughter in Cypress next year. I think having a choice school for Hesperia is absolutely wonderful. I look forward in being part of a school with parent participation. I think the more parents are envolved in their children's education the more likely our children will grow to be well rounded and educated adults. I hope that other parents will take this opportunity to become more involved with their children's education if not at the new choice school then at their current school. I truly believe that education starts at home and teachers are there to help build a guide for parents to help educate their child. In the long term, it is up to the child's parents to make sure that your child is a productive human being in their emotional well-being to their educational well-being. We had them and now it is our job to do right by them. FOr me the choice school is the first step in many future steps to help make my child the best person he and she can be in the future. I fully except the responsibility that their education and over all well-being is my primary job in life and everything else is secondary. Good luck to all the parents and your children. Let's help each other to create a better tomorrow, reguardless of which school you choose for your child! |
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| signing up! - Mar 18, 2008 01:56:04 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I am very interested in my childl attending this school. My son excels in art and has private piano lessons. I would love for him to attend a school that will develop those talents even more so. |
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| April Hamilton - Mar 14, 2008 10:10:53 AM | Remove Comment |
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| I am considering sending my kids here. The only thing that is stopping me is the teaching staff. If the teachers I want my kids to have are going to go over, then I will move my kids. But if my teachers are staying at our home school, then so will my kids. After all, I believe that the teachers are really what makes the difference. I don't really care if my kids learn spanish. I wish they would teach other languages and stop catering to all the illegals here. If they wanted it to be a language school, they should teach more than one language choice. German, French, Chinese, etc. |
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| considering - Mar 08, 2008 07:43:54 AM | Remove Comment |
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| The 6th grade only schools cater to ONLY 6th graders, this is a single group. The choice school, will not cater to a single group, they will operate as a grade integrated school. Yes some will not be able to attend and those who live in the area are closer and will not have the same issues as others who live further away. But how is this any different than any other school, schools are built in the community they serve with the intent that those kids who live in the area attend the local school. The ONLY difference is that this school will have a different curriculum and be based on choice rather than geographic lines. If you look at other schools of choice, they do not get MORE funding per pupil they just spend the money differently AND raise funds to buy band instruments etc. You want a band, organize the community school PTA and do some fund raising. This is another case of sour grapes creping in. To BE A PARENT, my point exactly. When parents make a choice and a commitment to send thier kids to a choice school they improve the qaulity of education, would you not agree that YOUR child would have a better learning environment in a school that is attended by children who's parents are supportive and play and active roll in educating thier children? If you have not sat in your childs classes this year you are not involved enough and if you have, what did you think of that one or two kids that occupied all the teachers time because they were so disruptive? Teachers mean well and really do try to provide an education to ALL students but all too often one or two kids demand thier attention and steel from the other kids in the class. I'm not elitist, I just don't want some one elses darling little future felon to take away my childs education. |
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| LBO - Mar 07, 2008 02:26:58 PM | Remove Comment |
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| That simply is not true. There will be busing for at least the first year if you live within the super boundary. |
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| not true - Mar 06, 2008 04:27:38 PM | Remove Comment |
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| This is going to be a CHOICE SCHOOL and NO BUSSES will be provided. ONLY PARENTS WHO CHOOSE TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN ATTEND WILL! Not all children that are in the surrounding areas will go. All the children at the feeder schools have first choice, then it opens up to the rest of the district. But no busses will go to or from this school at all. |
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| to some questions - Mar 06, 2008 11:14:56 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Great, here we are facing over 5 million dollars in budget cuts and we're opening another expensive pet project of the board. I'm not against Magnet schools but we didn't need to rush into this one. One more year would not have hurt this district or it's students. Instead it's going to cost even more because we need to build more portables to house the displaced 6th graders at Mission Crest. I feel sorry for Scott Sheffield, as a Principal, his position is at the will of the board and of course he's not going to argue with their wishes. This board doesn't have the best interest of the kids at heart. After all, Hardy Black called the kids that don't attend the Choice School, the DREGS. Check out the School board video on the district website. |
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| Hesperia Employee - Mar 06, 2008 08:36:35 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Where did you get the idea that there would be no busing for the choice school? If you live within the super boundary you will have bus service. If you want band programs at your child's school become an advocate for that program. Don't deny those of us who want something different for our kids that choice. |
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| some questions - Mar 05, 2008 10:20:31 AM | Remove Comment |
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| LBO, with your elitist out look on the schools in the area, you should probably just home school your child. There have been felons who graduated from Serrano to Silverado, to Hesperia, and Hesperia Christian. The school you attend is not the main factor in a kids life that drives him to be a felon. Parents are, or lack of. |
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| Be a Parent - Mar 05, 2008 08:59:52 AM | Remove Comment |
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| A reason for closing the 6th grade academies as stated by the board was to not cater to a single group of students. With enrollment preference being given to those who live by the school and those who can provide transportation the board is catering to a select group of students. Fact is, even at full capacity of 780, the board will be catering to an even smaller group of students than the 6th graders. What about the band program? The school is going to have a band program and my question is will all the other K-6 schools in the district have the SAME band program? Probably not and that sounds like the board is catering to a very select group of students. |
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| Band for My Kid Too - Mar 05, 2008 08:53:55 AM | Remove Comment |
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| I have taught in this district for a long time and I agree with Teacher. It's too bad that some view our students as future felons or drop outs. All of us work to keep that from happening to any of our students. All students deserve the same chance to succeed regardless of their background or what their parents are able to contribute to their education. Yes, a lot should fall on the parents' shoulders, but the reality of our society is that many parents don't care. So we teachers are left to take up the slack. Many of the reasons this new board gave for getting rid of sixth grade academies applies to reasons NOT to have choice schools. If not ALL students can have it, why should any? |
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| valuable students - Mar 04, 2008 06:43:25 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Teacher, you say the students learn from mixing with one another, and I tend to agree. If this is truely your point of view then you must also support the elimination of 6th grade only schools as they do not allow mixing accross the ages. The schools of choice simply provide an alternative educational format that many find more desirable. There are no unanswered questions with regard to schools of choice, only answers that people don't like. Every child that attends is expected to achieve a higher standard of excelence. Some will be unable to attend but one thing is assured, those who are attending are there because the parents chose to place them there. That simple fact alone will empower the teachers to teach more effectively. To the person who urged me to relocatate so that i may find a school without future fellons and drop outs. What high school would you send you kids to, Hesperia High where there is a waiting list to drop out the rate is so high or Sultana where no mention of drop out rate has been made? Given a choice we would avoid circumstances that put extra challenges in front of our kids. |
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| LBO - Mar 04, 2008 10:20:15 AM | Remove Comment |
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| We have great kids here. I've taught them for over 20 years, and I'm sad to see the attitude of some that don't want their children to mix together. We learn from each other, so I'm sad to see this attitude from anyone in our town. |
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| Teacher - Mar 04, 2008 07:13:48 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Maybe LBO should move to a place where there aren't any FUTURE DROP OUTS or FELONS IN TRAINING. |
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| relocate - Mar 03, 2008 07:56:16 PM | Remove Comment |
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| The problem with creating choice schools is who gets to attend? Will it be only the neighborhood kids? What if they already know Spanish and don't want to play an instrument or sing? What if a student from the other end of town really wants to attend but his parents cannot transport him? There are too many unanswered questions. |
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| all students - Mar 03, 2008 07:48:41 PM | Remove Comment |
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| The choice is there. ALL students have the choice but some will have to make an effort. I currently drive my kids to a school of choice in another district. Driving my child to a HUSD school will not be any different. We all have the choice to make a difference in our childrens education by asking for more schools of choice and searching out the schools that offer BETTER education options. I welcome the time when I have a choice to enroll my kids in a school that is not over run by FELLONS IN TRAINING and FUTURE DROP OUTS. |
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| LBO - Mar 03, 2008 12:51:01 PM | Remove Comment |
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| How can it be a choice when not all parents get that choice? It will only be open to HJH surrounding residents. It has previously been discussed that bussing will also NOT be provided. So really, only those kids who live by the school and who's parents can provide transportation have a choice. Sounds to me like the new school board IS cattering to a select group of students, its just not the 6th graders anymore. |
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| Hypocrites - Mar 03, 2008 11:03:39 AM | Remove Comment |
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| My point is, the 'less fortunate' children do not have the right to hold my kids back. They do, however, have the same opportunity to attend a choice school. When do we start the campout to enroll? |
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| LBO - Mar 03, 2008 09:30:38 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Finally Hesperia is going to have a school of choice. CHOICE being the operative word. When parents make the actvie choice to place thier children into a particular school they also make the commitment to participate in thier childrens education. This means they check homework and ask questions etc. In my experience this is what makes the difference. I really resent the parents of those kids who hold back the rest of the class because they are either disruptive or require the teacher to first teach them english THEN the curriculum. The choice schools give me a place to educate my kids, if the parents of the disruptive or non-english speaking kids want them to attend the choice schools they will have to make the choice and make the commitment. |
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| LBO - Mar 03, 2008 09:27:51 AM | Remove Comment |
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| They get the same kind of education that they are getting now. Go figure. |
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| think about it - Mar 02, 2008 03:49:36 PM | Remove Comment |
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