From the Flight Deck
May 2018 Staff Newsletter
From Frank
Happy Summer Sycamore:
Well, we did it. We completed, in a very successful fashion, another school year. Our students will exit our buildings this week having experienced the excellence that is Sycamore Schools and its outstanding faculty. Regardless of your role, your goals of service to students, families and each other permeated all you did throughout this year. Our mission clearly states that we will “provide challenging, inspiring, and engaging educational experiences to equip students with critical skills that promote the intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth needed to be highly successful in college and careers and to be productive citizens.”
As I reflect on the 2017 - 18 school year, several things come to my mind in support of our mission:
You STRIVED to be a better version of yourself by looking to grow in your professional practices. Regardless of your position, you looked for opportunities to enhance those important skills needed for your work with our learners.
You AFFIRMED your students and colleagues with which you worked on a daily basis to ensure they were recognized for their efforts.
You PARTNERED with the families of the students you served to create a shared ownership for student success.
You COLLABORATED with colleagues to share collective wisdom on best practices on behalf of our students.
You CHALLENGED the status quo realizing that by always doing the same thing, in the same way, is not in the best interest of our students and district.
Finally, you SERVED students first because you clearly understand that students should be and are the focus of all that we do.
Please know, that the Sycamore Family is incredibly special because of the collective heart and passion of its members. Please know it is an honor to serve with you in our vision to “.... empower learners to reach their full potential..”
Please take time this summer to enjoy your family, rest, relax and recharge. You have certainly earned it. I am proud to call Sycamore my home, my school, and you my colleagues. Thank you for all you do! Go Aves. #SycamoreStrong
Payroll Update
Get ready for Summer Break!
With summer break starting soon, please take a moment to help us get your payroll information to you by:
Checking the address on your May 25th direct deposit statement. If it is incorrect, forward updates to Haley Rust at rusth@sycamoreschools.org.
Consider changing your direct deposit statement delivery from snail mail to e-mail! Your direct deposit statement can be delivered to your personal and/or work email addresses the day before payday. Forward the email address(es) for delivery to Haley Rust at rusth@sycamoreschools.org .
Other reminders:
Contact the payroll department if you change bank accounts. If you don’t, your payroll will be delayed until funds are returned from the incorrect bank to the district. This typically takes a few days.
Moving? Forward your new address to the payroll department.
Check your school email address periodically for important district updates.
Reminder: Payroll Change
Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, your salary will be paid in 24 installments instead of 26. Paydays are scheduled on the 5th and 20th of each month instead of every other Friday. If these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, payday will occur the Friday before. For example, October 20, 2018 is a Saturday, so payday will be Friday, October 19. Additional details about the change were included in the April Staff newsletter. The new schedule will begin based on your job classification. See the implementation schedule below:Coming Soon!
This August, the payroll department will issue each employee a statement outlining salary and benefits earned through your employment with Sycamore during the 2017-18 school year. More information to come!
Construction Projects for Summer 2018
Sycamore High School - 2nd floor science labs
Sycamore High School - Synnovation Lab (formerly Little Theatre)
Sycamore Jr. High Stadium - new turf and replacement track
All Buildings - yearly paving and roofing maintenance
AVES Summer Theatre - Coming in July!
Teacher of the Week!
Warm 98.5 Teacher of the Week.
Yvette teaches Kindergarten at Maple Dale Elementary.
Again!
2018 Retirees get Grand Send-off
Revised School Calendars
The Board of Education approved revised calendars for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years at the May 2 Board meeting. In developing the calendars for both years, it was determined that work days for Certified Staff would fall one day short of the 185 contract days due to our Spring Vacation Day. In collaboration with SEA representation, an additional Teacher Work Day has been placed on both calendars after Memorial Day (May 28, 2019, and May 26, 2020). We will forego our 10% absentee rate limitation on this day for those wishing to utilize one of their personal days on these additional Teacher Work Days. Click here to see the revised calendars.
See you in August!
8/14 - Teacher Work Day
8/15 - First day for Preschool, Gr. 1-9, Gr. 12 and those new to the district in Gr. 10-11
8/16 - First day for students in Gr. 10 - 11
8/17 - First day for Kindergarten