The Navigator Newsletter
Sycamore Junior High Family Communication
March 29, 2024
Aviators,
We hope your Spring break brought relaxation, fun, and a lot of laughter. We heard about family vacations, sports practices, and fun with friends. We hope you all are still enjoying your last few days off. However, we're beyond excited to see you back in school on Monday! We're going to have a great time reconnecting and sharing our spring break stories.
Just a few reminders as you're preparing to come back. We'll be entering Q4 and this will be an opportunity to start the quarter fresh. Students will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning and growth on the upcoming AIR tests. These are required state tests in Math, English, and 8th Grade Science. Please take note of our testing schedules and ensure your child's attendance on those days. Also any early dismissals should take place following testing.
As always, reach out if you need support or have any questions. We're look forward to connecting and partnering with you. It takes a village and we're so happy to be a part of yours!
See you soon,
-- Mrs. Schunk, Mr. Cole, Mr. Meyer
Mark your Calendar
April 5th: 3rd Quarter Report Cards Posted
April 8th: Professional Development Day- No School
April 10-11: AIR Testing- English Language Arts
April 16-17: AIR Testing- Math
April 22: Professional Learning Day- No School
April 24: AIR Testing- Science 8th grade only
May 3-5: Choir trip to Chicago
Air Testing at the Junior High will be in mid-April and we are asking families to ensure student attendance on these days (see below). Students who are absent on an AIR testing day will have the opportunity to make up the test, but only within a short window of time and will miss class time to do so.
ELA AIR testing: April 10, 11
Math AIR testing: APril 16, 17
Science AIR testing (8th only): April 24
Counselor's Corner Update
Scheduling Update for Rising 8th (current 7th):
Student course verification sheets for the 2024-2025 have been posted in My eBackpack. Please take a moment to review your child’s course selections. If any changes need to be made, please contact your child’s counselor.
In addition, any Course Adjustment Request (CAR) forms are due no later than April 5th. These forms only apply to Honors level courses. If you want to change from an Honors course to a traditional course or change an elective course, no form is needed and you can email that request to your child’s counselor. If needed, the form can be found here, and is also available on the District website: Junior High → Counseling → Course Adjustment
Sincerely,
SJHS Counseling Team
SJH Counselors:
Mr. Brenner (Last Names A-G)
Mrs. Suter (Last Names H-N)
Mrs. Morris (Last Names O-Z, ESOL)
Spring Wardrobe Check: Ensuring Comfortable and Confident Growth for Your Child
As the seasons change and our students grow, it's important to remember that their clothing needs might be evolving too! With warmer weather approaching, those shorts and shirts from last year might be feeling a bit smaller. Ensuring your children have clothes that fit well is not just about comfort, but also about supporting their growth and development. Here's a gentle nudge to check your child's wardrobe and see if they need some new shorts, shirts, or other essentials in a new size. It's amazing how quickly kids outgrow their clothes, isn't it? Let's make sure they're ready to tackle each day comfortably and confidently.
Follow Us on Facebook!
"Stay connected and in the know with all the exciting happenings at Sycamore Junior High School! Follow us on Facebook for the latest updates, events, and highlights of what is going on during our school day. Don't miss the fun - check out our Facebook page today!"
Mikke Drerup Poetry Contest
Every year Sycamore Junior High School students are invited to enter the Mikke Drerup Poetry Contest. This contest honors the memory of former teacher, Mikke Drerup, who passed away from cancer many years ago. Poems entered in the contest should honor her positive spirit-the theme should be uplifting and inspiring. For more information about the contest, please join the Mikke Drerup Google Classroom. The code is gsgmlzu. Deadline for the contest is Friday, April, 26th.
Student of the Week
Congratulations to our Students of the Week for showing the PBIS value of Being Responsible!
Madeline nominated by Ms. Scott
Shae nominated by Mrs. Schlager
Katie nominated by Mrs. Schaaf
Fasting Room for students observing Ramadan
As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, observed by our Muslim community from approximately March 10th to April 9th, it's essential to understand the significance of this period for some of our students. During Ramadan, some students may choose to fast from dawn until dusk, abstaining from both food and water. This practice is central to their faith and involves late-night prayers and early morning meals before dawn. As a result, our Muslim students may experience fatigue, hunger, and thirst during classes, particularly in the late afternoon. To support our students during this time, we will be offering an alternative location for those who wish to observe their fasting during lunchtime. If your child would like to report to a different location during lunch, please ask them to report to room 2152 during their lunch period and sign-in. They are welcome to bring a Chromebook or other school work with them. This ensures that they can comfortably fulfill their religious obligations while still participating in school activities.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we strive to accommodate the diverse needs of our student body during this special time. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. Wishing a blessed Ramadan to all who observe.
PBIS Raffle
We have an awesome raffle coming to the Junior High! Hang on to those First Class Tickets for a chance to be one of our lucky winners. Students can earn First Class Tickets by demonstrating positive behaviors throughout the school day. We’ll be giving away a variety of items, including gift cards, Stanley cups, electronics, and even a brand new bike.
Check out all the prizes in the art hallway display case. Thank you to all of our generous donors for making this fun opportunity possible.
BE SAFE. BE RESPONSIBLE. BE A PROBLEM SOLVER. BE RESPECTFUL.
Lucy won the Subway gift card
Meyer, Ben, Tania, and Emma won Ice cream Sundaes with Mrs. Schunk
Ilya won the Drone
Caleb won the Buckabee's Brownies
PTO News
Interested in joining the JH Fundraiser Committee Chair?
The JH Fundraiser Committee is looking for a couple of good Chairs! The Committee is in need of a Prize Chair and a Sponsorship Chair. The positions can be done solo or grab a friend and be Co-Chairs. The fundraiser date is TBD, but it will be in the fall. If interested, please contact Victoria Margroum at jhpto@sycamoreschools.org.
Would you like to join the JH PTO Executive Board
Interested in serving on the JH PTO Executive Board next year? If so, reach out to Debbie Flinchpaugh-Kirby at jhptocoordsecr@sycamoreschools.org.
AVES HANGAR
Aves Athletics🏆
Child Nutrition Updates
Sycamore Ambassadors
Speak Up/Save Lives
By calling or testing the statewide hotline
844-SAFEROH
844-723-3764
you can report anything that is suspicious or endangering you, your friends or school.
Sycamore Junior High School
Email: SchunkJ@sycamoreschools.org
Website: www.sycamoreschools.org
Location: 5757 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Phone: 5136861760