From the Flight Deck
April 2017 Staff Newsletter
From Frank
I sincerely hope this newsletter finds you well after spring break and recharged for the home stretch. I am continually reminded of the fantastic work you do in the service of our students. Primary to this are the strong relationships you develop and nurture with those young people sitting in your classrooms, performing in your artistic venues, riding your buses, dining in your cafeterias, and competing in athletic events. Relationships matter and I am so proud of you for clearly understanding its power. Your advocacy for all your students embodies your servant heart. To reiterate my point, please take a moment to view this short video (about 7 minutes) from a life-long educator.
This is you! Every student deserves a champion and our students and community are blessed to have our schools filled with champions. Please know how much I appreciate all you do!
Operation Give Back
Operation Give Back has welcomed new Executive Director Elaine Hipps. Elaine has over 25 years of experience in the not-for-profit world. The OGB Board of Directors is delighted to have Elaine join them in delivering the mission and vision, “for every student to have the opportunity to mature into their best selves educationally, emotionally, spiritually, socially and professionally”.
As you know, we partner with OGB to support many kids in our Sycamore Family. One of the ways approaching is our ability to support the OGB School Supply Drive. As we near the end of the year and students will be cleaning out desks and lockers, frequently of supplies that may have never been used or opened, OGB would be thrilled to have those supplies donated. This will help stock the supply store for next year. Please look for communications toward the end of the year on how you can help.
Assistant Principal Update
As you may be aware, we are in the process of filling three assistant principal vacancies, one each at EHG, JH and SHS. I am pleased to welcome two leaders to the Sycamore Family and Leadership Team.
Jay Meno, replacing Becky Heisler who resigned in December, will join Mr. Tudor and Miss Tanner as the new assistant principal at EHG. Jay comes to Sycamore from Middletown City Schools where he served as assistant principal.
For our Junior High team, I am honored to welcome George Sturgeon Jr. George replaces Damon Davis who has accepted the Principal position at Reading Middle School. He comes to us from Northwest Local School District where he served as assistant principal.
With the resignation of Derek Richardson, assistant principal at SHS, Mr. Mader has begun the search for the newest member of his leadership team. Derek is departing due to a family relocation. I want to personally and professionally recognize the efforts of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Davis and Mrs. Heisler for their leadership within our family.
Sycamore Jr. High Honor band participants
Sycamore Music Education program recognized as one of the best again!
Choir performs at OMEA
Celebrate Excellence Winner
It is with honor and distinction that we all applaud Joy Nichols, preschool teacher at Maple Dale, for her recognition as Sycamore's Celebrate Excellence Educator of the Year. We were blessed to have close to 40 staff members nominated by parents, students, and colleagues. Joy was selected as representative of the excellence of all our staff. To demonstrate Joy’s passion for teaching, she wrote a note of appreciation to me and in it stated, “Teaching is a journey where the teacher may be the guide but often it is the child who is in the lead and the teacher simply stands in astonishment.” Powerful words from a great educator. Congratulations, Joy!
Retiree Recognition
We are so looking forward to recognizing our retirees at the May 17 Board of Education meeting. Currently, we have 36 staff members who are planning to begin the next phase of their life’s journey. In our next issue, we will communicate the full list. You are welcome to attend the meeting to celebrate our retirees.