F2F Parents: Remember to Scroll down to see F2F content

Mark your calendar

• September 22: Open House 6:00 -7:00 pm (held virtually this year)

• September 23: PTO General Meeting 12:00pm (held via Zoom)
  

• September 29 and October 1: MAP testing for Virtual Classroom Students

• October 6: School Picture Retake/Makeup Day 8:05am-Noon

• November 20: Parent-Teacher Conferences 8am-3pm; No School for Students

• November 23: Parent-Teacher Evening Conferences 4:30-7:30

New this year: Sycamore Community Schools has established a centralized Sycamore Attendance Line. To report an absence for both face-to-face and virtual students, please call (513) 686-1707 and listen carefully to the prompts to make the appropriate selection for your child's school. We're asking both face-to-face and virtual families to report COVID-related illnesses by calling this line.

When reporting an absence, please include your child's ID number, their name, the reason for their absence, and the duration of the absence. We ask that you please call in before the start of school if possible. Parents will receive an automated attendance phone call if your child is marked as unexcused.

Any virtual student who misses school due to an absence should connect directly with the teacher about any missed work - just as they would if they had a face to face absence from school.

Any additional questions about virtual student attendance at the JH may be directed to Lesli Lally at lallyl@sycamoreschools.org or by calling the school 513.686.1760.

MAP Testing for Gifted Qualification

MAP scores can be one of two data points used together to qualify students as Gifted. In order to qualify for Gifted services at Sycamore, a student must score a qualifying ability score (such as 128 on the CogAT) in addition to one 95th percentile or higher on the 2nd grade or higher MAP. While we will test remotely using our MAP assessment to benchmark all students, NWEA strongly recommends against using any MAP scores from a remote testing environment for high-stakes decisions, such as qualifying for Gifted services.

In order to ensure that all students have the opportunity to qualify for Gifted services, we will offer a separate in-person MAP test on Saturday, Sept 26, for any families of Virtual Classroom students (grades 2-7) who would like their student’s MAP score considered for Gifted identification.

This test will be administered at a safe site (most likely the Kenwood Learning Commons) and all social distancing protocols will be followed. Additionally, this MAP test will occur prior to the remote MAP test to ensure that the first attempt at the test is the score that is used for Gifted ID - just as it is in the F2F model. Families may choose to exempt their student from the remote administration of the MAP assessment on September 29th and/or October 1st if their student takes the test on September 26.

It is important to note that due to the intricacies of both F2F and virtual scheduling, any new qualifiers will start gifted services at the beginning of 2nd semester.

If you are interested in signing your virtual child grades 2-7 up for this optional Saturday testing opportunity, please click here. The deadline to sign your child up for this opportunity is Wednesday, September 23.

If you have any questions, please email Mindy Zellner at zellnerm@sycamoreschools.org.

Sycamore Junior High - Virtual Classroom MAP Testing - FALL 2020

September 29: Reading

October 1: Math

Virtual Classroom Students - Please follow the instructions below to access your virtual MAP Testing. Please open THIS document on the morning of the assessment in order to receive directions as well as the session password provided only on the day of the assessment.

Step 1: Prior to testing, your device must have the updated version of Google Chrome. For instructions on how to do this - please watch this video. Please complete this BEFORE September 29th (day 1 of testing). Instructions for this have also been provided in SMORE. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO COMPLETE PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 29TH!!!

Step 2: At 8:00 AM on both days of testing, please log in to your computer as you do every day.

Step 3: Please go to this LINK - to begin testing. Please close all other tabs (except maybe email for technology issues) in order for the NWEA testing to run efficiently.

Step 4: Please type in one of the following session NAME

September 29: virtualfallreading2020

October 1: virtualfallmath2020

Step 5: On the day of the testing this will be your session password: ______________ (provided on the day of the test at 8:00 AM). Testing will begin as soon as possible.

Step 6: Proceed with testing until completed. Once completed, log out of NWEA site.

Technology issues during testing - please email jhmedia@sycamoreschools.org - this email will only be operational during testing.

• In your email please include the following:

• Name (first and last)

• Student ID

• Specific nature of the problem you are experiencing

• Phone number in which you can be reached

• Please monitor your email for a response

They have also provided the information below to help virtual families with common questions. You may also check out their tutorial video which can be found HERE.

How do I update my Chromebook?

1. Turn on your Chromebook.

2. Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi.

3. At the bottom right, select the time.

4. Select Settings .

5. At the bottom of the left panel, select About Chrome OS.

6. Under "Google Chrome OS," you'll find which version of the Chrome operating system your Chromebook uses.

7. Select Check for updates.

8. If your Chromebook finds a software update, it will start to download automatically.

Do Chromebooks Update Automatically?

Yes. However, they need to be turned on and connected/logged in. That said, I wouldn't want you to try to do MAP testing with a Chromebook that hasn't been turned on in 2 months and then wait for the device to update/spin and reboot while applying updates.

What's a good practice for keeping my Chromebook OS updated?

It is recommended that students/teachers should perform an update check manually (as shown in steps 1-8) every 2-3 weeks. This allows your device to be on the latest software. In turn, you will see better performance.

What if the device is still not responding? You can do a Powerwash

Just like our home equipment, sometimes devices are so far behind in operating system updates that it takes more than a reboot to fix the situation.

In that situation, you or the student can do a Powerwash. Follow the steps below:

1. Sign out of your Chromebook.

2. Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r.

3. Select Restart.

4. In the box that appears, select Powerwash Continue.

5. You will be asked to Enterprise enroll the device and you sign in with your Google Account. Then you will be prompted to sign in again.

A frequent question that our Instructional Technology staff has heard is related to "pinning" the teacher during a Google Classroom. This would allow the student to select the teacher as the view that will be larger on their screen, as opposed to the teacher's view to be the same smaller size as the other students in class. See below for how to!

Pin a Participant or Speaker

As people are speaking, the active speaker will show on the screen.

You can click Pin in a participant's thumbnail image to pin them to the top of the list. One of the challenges you may encounter is that you cannot see what the presenter is sharing. If this happens, it’s simply because they are not the active person on your screen. You will need to “pin” the presenter on the screen.

Follow These Step:

1. Click the People icon in the top right corner

2. Click on the participant you want to pin

3. Click the down arrow and select the pin icon

This will keep the presenter pinned only on your screen.

Welcome back to school. We hope you will be settling into a new rhythm and routine with the return of learning. We know this year poses new and unusual challenges, and sometimes kids will need additional support. While learning from your home, the services we provide to support social and emotional health will still be accessible to your child.

Our school counselors can provide guidance for struggles that are anticipated to be short term. Your child’s counselor is based on their home school, and in some cases, also their last name or grade level. Should your child encounter day to day struggles and need some extra support with topics such as friendships, feeling overwhelmed, or feelings of sadness, our school counselors are here to offer guidance.

When those feelings become more pervasive or interfere with daily living, our school-based therapists from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital are here to serve as well. Parents, teachers, and school counselors can make student referrals for service. Students can also self refer for services. Students and families needing services can cover therapy visits through private insurance, Medicaid, or private pay options. Assistance may be available for families experiencing financial difficulty. Ultimately, the decision to move forward with therapeutic services is up to the family.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital offers medication management services to families engaged in school-based therapy. Medication management services are delivered by an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). The APRN will continue to serve students in the school-based program at Sycamore in 2020-2021. At this time, face to face and telehealth appointments are available. If parents are interested in engaging with medication management services, parents can schedule appointments directly through their building therapist. To receive these services, students must be active clients of the school-based therapist.

To discuss services available or with questions regarding services, Lisa Zelvy, Pupil Services Supervisor, can be reached at (513) 686-1700 or zelvyl@sycamoreschools.org.

If your student had pictures taken on September 2nd... YOUR PHOTOS ARE READY!

Click on the button below to get started. The event Code is FE40620

VIEW AND ORDER PHOTOS HERE
http://click.e.jostens.com/

Virtual Fall Picture Day - Tuesday, October 6, 2020

If you missed your picture day or want your picture retaken,

you are welcome to come in anytime between 8:05 AM - 12:00 PM

Students ONLY should arrive ready to have their picture taken and should enter the gymnasium through Door #13 -just past the black gate. Upon entry, students will have their temperature taken. Once students have taken their picture they will exit door number 14 which is at the back corner of the building. Parents, please wait in your vehicle for your students as we cannot allow any parent into the building.

YEARBOOK INCLUSION

If your child is unable to participate in any of the scheduled picture days and wants to be included in the JH Yearbook, please email a photo to Melissa Speelman at SpeelmanM@sycamoreschools.org.

• General Supply List
  
• Teacher-Specific Supply List
• Bell Schedule
  
• Healthy Back to School Family FAQ
  
• Special Education, Gifted, ESOL FAQ
  
• Final Forms
• Parent Portal

Mark your calendar:

• September 22: Open House 6:00 -7:00pm (held virtually this year)

• September 23: PTO General Meeting NOON (held via Zoom)

• October 6: School Picture Retake/Makeup Day 8:05am-9:30am
  
• November 20: Parent-Teacher Conferences 8am-3pm; No School for Students
  
• November 23: Parent-Teacher Evening Conferences 4:30-7:30
  

In the event of an emergency where an evacuation of the school building is necessary, students will be transported to safety at Sycamore Community Schools’ reunification site:

Blue Ash Recreation Center 4433 Cooper Rd. Blue Ash, OH 45242

Detailed information can be found on the district website under Reunification Plans.

For more information on safety & security at Sycamore Schools, visit the district Safety & Security web page.

New this year: Sycamore Community Schools has established a centralized Sycamore Attendance Line. To report an absence for both face-to-face and virtual students, please call (513) 686-1707 and listen carefully to the prompts to make the appropriate selection for your child's school. We're asking both face-to-face and virtual families to report COVID-related illnesses by calling this line.

When reporting an absence, please include your child's ID number, their name, the reason for their absence, and the duration of the absence. We ask that you please call in before the start of school if possible. Parents will receive an automated attendance phone call if your child is marked as unexcused.

Any student who misses school due to an absence should connect directly with the teacher about any missed work.

Any additional questions about virtual student attendance at the JH may be directed to Lesli Lally at lallyl@sycamoreschools.org or by calling the school 513.686.1760.

Please help us keep our school day distraction free by reinforcing this rule with your child. Students should NOT text parents during the school day. If your child needs to contact you, he/she should ask to use one of the telephones in the classroom or in the main office. If you need to contact your student, please call the main office at 686-1760 and we will get a message to your child or have him/her return your call from the office.

In the event of illness, students should follow the protocol laid out in our Student/Parent Handbook:

Dismissal Due to Illness

• A student who becomes ill during school hours must report to the school nurse.

• Permission will be granted only after a parent/guardian has been contacted.

• No student is to leave the building without authorization.

This protocol is especially important as our nurse adheres to COVID-related reporting requirements. Thank you for your cooperation!

Please refer to the following guidelines for MEDICATION DROP-OFF for the 2020-21 School Year.

-Parents are strongly encouraged to email Mrs. Bonham at (bonhama@sycamoreschools.org) or contact by telephone at 686-1763 to arrange for medication drop off.

- All medication must be clearly labeled, in the original packaging, and accompanied by a signed medication permission form.

- Prescription medication should be counted and the amount should be written on a note. Over the counter medication (Tylenol, Benadryl, aspirin, inhalers, etc) does not need to be counted. Please place all medication (and pill count) in a plastic bag.

-After arrangements have been made for medication drop off, parents will be instructed to call the School Nurse office (686-1763) upon arrival to the school. Mrs.Bonham will meet the parent/guardian at the front of the building at Door #2. Mrs.Bonham (and the health aide) will perform a pill count of the medication and contact the parent with any questions.

Dear Sycamore Families,

I want to make sure that you are aware of the immunization requirements for the seventh grade class. In Ohio, the following vaccines are required by law:

7th-grade students must show proof that they have received (1) dose of Tdap, and (1) dose of MCV4 . This requirement must be met NO LATER THAN THE 14th day of attendance at school for the 2020-21 school year. If your student is participating in Online classes please

turn the shot record at your earliest convenience and/or before returning to face to face.

I realize that it might be challenging to access your child’s healthcare provider at this time. I strongly encourage you to check with your physician to verify that your child is up-to-date on immunizations now and to schedule an appointment as early as possible if your child’s vaccine status needs to be updated. If your child is up-to-date with vaccines, please ask for an immunization summary. If you have accessibility to an online portal with the physician I encourage you to look there as well. You may send a photocopy of the record via email or have the healthcare provider fax a copy to me. Please contact me if you are experiencing any difficulties in obtaining the vaccine.

For more information about Ohio’s required school vaccinations and waiver options, please refer to the following links: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/Immunization/Required-Vaccines-Child-Care-School/Required-Vaccines-Child-Care-School

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3313.671

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Amy Bonham, RN, BSN, MA

School Nurse

Sycamore Junior High School

jhimmunization@sycamoreschools.org

Phone: 513-686-1763 Fax: 513-7926192

Local health departments in the area:

Hamilton County Public Health Department 513-946-7800

Sharonville Public Health Department 513-563-1722

Springdale Public Health Department 513-346-5725

The following procedure is only in the event a student must be quarantined due to COVID-19. All other illnesses and absences will be handled according to our normal absence/makeup policy. Please reference page 26 of the Student/Parent Handbook.

What Happens in F2F Daily Instruction?

All F2F lessons are digitized through blackboard. Students use the blackboard platform that includes all parts of the lesson, assessments, and supplemental materials on a daily basis. While in F2F status, the lesson, including the direct instruction portion of the lessons will be F2F. Video portions of the lesson will only be used if a child needs to access the lessons from home. Video recording will not be used daily in F2F status for direct instruction.

What Happens if a Student is Quarantined at Home?

If a child needs to be quarantined at home, he/she can access the lesson and all materials complete with a video of the direct instruction portion of lessons. It will take one school day for the video portion of the direct instruction to be available. The video may or may not be the child’s teacher. The lesson, however, will be the same, as teachers are conducting lessons in unison.

A child can work at his/her own pace throughout quarantine and when he/she feels well enough. While in quarantine, a student does not access Blackboard Collaborate (the video conferencing tool). He/she will use the weekly learning guide and the recorded video lesson.

As always, if a student needs assistance, he/she should reach out to the teacher via email to schedule a time to get help.

Governor Mike DeWine put a new health order in place that requires schools to have a system in place for reporting COVID-19 cases. If your child is diagnosed with COVID-19, please contact our school nurse, Amy Bonham directly at 513-686-1763. Amy will then take all of the needed information from you as she is then required to contact our local health department. Amy is in the building Monday - Friday. Your child may not return to school until he/she is cleared by a doctor or the health department.

In addition, schools will be required to report the number of positive cases when they occur. Per the Governor’s health order, this information will be posted on our website and parents will be notified by email.

If your child arrives at school and displays symptoms, our nurse will follow district protocol for isolating and reviewing symptoms.

As always, the health and safety of our students and staff are a top priority. Thank you for your continued support.

We also want to discourage students from bringing valuable items to school, including iPods or other expensive Bluetooth earbuds. While every student will need headphones or earbuds for class we ask that you only send basic ones for your student to use during the school day.

• General Supply List
  
• Teacher-Specific Supply List
• Bell Schedule
  
• Healthy Back to School Family FAQ
  
• Special Education, Gifted, ESOL FAQ
  
• Final Forms
• Parent Portal