Symmes Elementary School
Newsletter
September 18, 2020
Mark your Calendar!
- September 22 and September 23: MAP testing for Face to Face students
- September 29 and October 1: MAP testing for Virtual Classroom students (see below for more information)
- October 27: Picture Day
Symmes Families,
As we shared with you earlier this week, Principal Anne Van Kirk is taking a leave of absence for non-COVID 19 health reasons. Mrs. Van Kirk is doing well at home and is thankful for all of the support. She wanted to share the following with you:
Attendance
If your child is going to be ABSENT, LATE, or LEAVE EARLY you must do one of the following:
- Send a note to school with your student
- Email your child's teacher and syattendance@sycamoreschools.org
- Call the attendance line (513-686-1707)
Virtual Classroom Students
If your child is going to be ABSENT, LATE, or LEAVE EARLY you must:
- Email your child's teacher
- Call the attendance line (513-686-1707)
MAP testing for Virtual Classroom Students
Virtual Reading MAP tests for grades 1-8 will be on Tuesday, September 29.
Virtual Math MAP tests for grade 1-8 will be on Thursday, October 1.
Virtual MAP Makeups 1-8 will be on Friday, October 2.
The parent company of MAP does not advise their remote administration to be used for high stakes decisions. Due to this, there will be an in person MAP option for families who would like their virtual student to take the MAP in person to see if they qualify for gifted instruction. In person MAP testing will be offered on Saturday, September 26. Students who elect to take the MAP assessment in person will not have to take it again virtually on the respective test day(s). Additional details and sign up opportunities will come soon but we wanted you to know the dates.
Do you walk your student home from school?
Please note that this option is ONLY AVAILABLE to families who are walking home from school. Students are not allowed to walk home without a parent or guardian
REMINDER:
TECHNOLOGY HELP FOR VIRTUAL CLASSROOM STUDENTS
Pictures of your Virtual Classroom!
SHS Homecoming looks quite a bit different this year, with no fans at the game and no parade. But that doesn't mean we can't celebrate, Sycamore! Join us next week for Homecoming Spirit Week, both at home and in all of our schools! Share your spirited photos on social media using the hashtag #AvesHomecoming.
Join the PTO!
Who can become a member?
Any parent or guardian of a current Symmes Elementary Student (virtual and face-to-face learners), or any current Symmes Elementary Staff Member. Please fill out one the forms below to become a registered PTO member.
How much does it cost to become a member?
There is no mandatory cost involved in membership.
How can I help?
Due to the circumstances facing the entire District during the 2020-21 school year, the Symmes PTO will not be organizing any formal fundraising activities during the first semester. The PTO will still be working hard to support all of our virtual and face to face students, staff and families. Many teachers have faced additional costs this year, so please consider supporting the PTO if you are able. All four elementary schools are contributing to the virtual teachers as well.
Online membership form
Paper membership form (print and mail)
Thank you.
Symmes Elementary PTO
Yearbooks from 2019-2020
Current Virtual Classroom students: If you purchased a yearbook LAST YEAR and did not pick it up during the Virtual Classroom materials pick up, please come to the Symmes office and we will give it to you.
School Fees
Parents, don't forget to pay your child's academic fees for the 2020-21 school year (and any outstanding balances, if applicable). You pay the academic fee through Parent Portal on our website.
SCHOOL PICTURE INFORMATION
This year, we will be partnering with Jostens for our school photography services. You will be seeing emails from Jostens sent through Sycamore periodically which will detail the dates and procedures for picture taking and ordering. Pictures will be mailed directly to your home. Jostens will also be our service provider for yearbook information. More information on picture day will be coming soon.
Warrior Run
Sycamore High School’s speak up AVES student group invites you to join our team for the annual 1N5 Warrior Run. This year’s event is a virtual “choose your own path” event that encourages participants to complete a 5K - YOUR WAY! The challenge runs from September 26 through October 10. Registration proceeds support the work of 1N5, our community partner, committed to mental health education across the state, city and our district. Sponsorship funds raised come directly back to Sycamore Schools to support mental health programming. Additionally, if Sycamore High School can win the high school challenge, they earn additional funds and opportunities to support mental health at Sycamore High School, and most of all, bragging rights! Visit our team page for more information and register or donate today!
SCHool LUNCH INFORMATION
USDA and ODE passed a new waiver for all schools that participate in School Nutrition Programs. As of today, Sycamore Schools is now able to serve breakfast and lunch to all students for FREE until the waiver expires on December 31st (or until the allotted program funds are no longer available—whichever comes first.)
This does not change anything in the process of receiving breakfast or lunch at school for your Sycamore student other than that if a student makes a reimbursable school meal they will not be charged. A student has to take 3 components and one HAS to be ½ cup of fruit or vegetable for their meal to be considered reimbursable. Click on the links below for more information by learning model:
Virtual Learning- Free Meal Information
Face-to-Face- Free Meal Information
Change in Pre-Ordering Meals
The Child Nutrition Department has made a change to the pre-ordering deadline for Elementary students. Families now only need to order by Noon the day before, rather than a week at a time. This is to better serve our parents and students.
Please note: You can order up to 2 weeks in advance. If choosing to do this, please understand that if you ordered a meal for your student and they are present at school they need to take the meal that was ordered.
Thank you for being patient with this new program and way of providing meals to students in the safest way possible. The Child Nutrition Department is doing everything possible to fix any issues that are found in a timely manner.
Continue to send questions and concerns to warrenk@sycamoreschools.org or by calling the office at (513) 686-1796.
Reporting Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Incidences
In an ongoing effort to provide a safe learning environment, Sycamore is requesting parents, students, and staff inform administration of any perceived incidences of harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
Per the Sycamore Board of Education policy JFCF, harassment, intimidation, and bullying are defined as any provoked and intentional written, verbal, electronic or physical act that a student has exhibited toward another particular student more than once and the behavior both:
causes mental or physical harm to the other student; and
is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student.
To view the complete policy, visit www.sycamoreschools.org, under the Board of Education tab, scroll down to “Policies”, search for policy “JFCF”.
Sycamore will do everything possible to address any complaints of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. We encourage students, staff, parents, and community members to report this type of behavior to the district if help is needed to solve a problem.
To report an incident of harassment, intimidation, and bullying,
Go to the website, www.sycamoreschools.org
Under the tab “Forms”, scroll down until you see the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Incident Reporting Form for the individual schools.
Fill the form on-line and submit it electronically.
Hard copies of this form are available in each of the schools.
Complete the hard copy of the report form and turn it into the building principal.
The building principal or designee will promptly investigate all reported incidences.
It is difficult to investigate reported incidences that are anonymously submitted. However, every effort will be made to maintain the confidentiality of the reporter. Deliberate false reporting of harassment, intimidation, and bullying is prohibited.
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