Sycamore Community Schools
August 2018
2018-2019 BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE
Welcome To The Sycamore Family
These appointments are in addition to new administrative changes this summer. Mrs. Kelly Wegener was named the new Director of Curriculum and Mrs. Lisa Zelvy has also joined the District Office team as the new Pupil Support Supervisor. Mrs. Misty Belfrom has replaced Zelvy as assistant principal at Sycamore Junior High. Learn more about these new positions.
We are also welcoming approximately 49 new certificated and classified staff members. Please help us welcome them to the Sycamore Family!
Our Guiding Principles & Priorities
- EMPOWERING: Provide rigorous and relevant learning and growth opportunities for students and staff.
- ACCOUNTABLE: Respect the investment of taxpayers and demonstrate responsible management of resources.
- INNOVATIVE: Sustain a safe and supportive learning environment for every individual.
- INCLUSIVE: Respect the diversity of our community through culturally responsive practices.
- RELATIONSHIP-DRIVEN: Engage all shareholders in ongoing conversations about our students’ future and the future of the district.
Master Facility Planning
Our Master Facility Planning Steering Committee continues to develop several options based on the feedback we received from the community this past Spring. We plan to present these options in the Fall to our staff, students, families, and community for additional input.
Traditionally, these plans are informed by enrollment projections, facility assessments, and operational realities. The Sycamore Schools leadership recognized that a complete master plan should also anticipate the emerging educational needs of its students and staff. This Spring, the district facilitated an Educational Visioning engagement process to understand the shifts occurring in education and determine the impact on the future of our schools. To learn more about the outcomes, click here.
For more information about the entire Master Facility Planning process, visit goav.es/masterfacilityplanning
Sycamore Schools Receives Auditor of State Award
“While a school district’s primary concern is its students, it must also remain accountable to taxpayers,” Auditor Dave Yost said. “Accurate record-keeping is clearly a priority at Sycamore Community Schools and I am proud to present them with this award.”
School Supply Lists
Just a reminder: Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday is Friday, August 3 - Sunday, August 5. School supplies priced at $20 per item or less will be exempt from sales and use tax.
Getting Ready for 5th Grade
Getting Ready for 7th Grade
Bus Route Information
Beginning August 7, you will be able to find your student's bus route information for the 2018-2019 school year inside the Sycamore Community Schools Mobile App! Simply enter your Parent Portal email and password into "Student Info Log-in" to access this information on your smartphone.
You can also check your routes by entering your student ID in on the Transportation page of our website.
Please note: Bus stop information for the 2018-2019 school year will NOT appear until August 7.
On August 14, Sycamore Transportation will be hosting Back To School Bus Day! Our school bus drivers will be conducting dry runs of their routes during their normally scheduled times in the morning and afternoon. This will be a great opportunity for new students and families to familiarize themselves with their drivers and bus stops! Come out and say hello!
Attendance Changes
School Security Spotlight: Reunification Plans
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
In the event of an evacuation, families should report to this location to pick up their student(s).
In an emergency, we will disseminate information through our mass notification system, which includes phone calls, emails, mobile app alerts, as well as the district website and social media. Additionally, we will continue to provide updates through the above avenues as needed.
We are asking parents to verify their emergency contact information is up to date in Final Forms in order to be contacted in case of emergency. If you make any changes to your contact information in Final Forms, please confirm that the changes have been received by your child’s school by calling the front office.
Final Forms
Don't forget to update your student's information on Final Forms! Please look over each form to make sure the information from last year is up-to-date and add your electronic signature.
Free and Reduced Price Meals for 2018-19 School Year
The Child Nutrition Department is accepting Free and Reduced Applications for the 2018-19 school year as of July 1, 2018. Click here to apply online. This application needs to be completed on a computer or Chromebook. Applying online allows for a much quicker response time.
We will also accept paper applications that are located on the sycamore website under Services -> Child Nutrition -> Free & Reduced Price Meals -> Printable Forms (at the bottom of the page).
Reminder: you must fill out an application for free or reduced-price meals EVERY school year. Benefits from the 2017-18 school year will expire on September 26, 2018 if there is no application on file after July 1, 2018. Call the Child Nutrition with any questions (513) 686-1796.
2018-2019 Print Calendars
You can find more up-to-date information on our online calendar at www.sycamoreschools.org or by downloading the Sycamore Community Schools Mobile App.
Follow Us!
You can also follow your schools on Twitter:
Sycamore High School @TheRealMrMader
Sycamore Junior High @SycamoreJrHigh
E.H. Greene Intermediate @EHGreeneSchool
Blue Ash Elementary @BlueAshElem
Maple Dale Elementary @MapleDaleElem
Montgomery Elementary @Montgomery_Elem
Symmes Elementary @SymmesElem
Sycamore Diversity @WeRSycamore
Child Nutrition Services @SycamoreCNS
Human Resources @SycamoreHR