From the Flight Deck
September 2017 Staff Newsletter
From Frank
On behalf of the entire Sycamore Community, please accept my warmest appreciation for beginning the year in such a positive fashion. The resounding sentiment throughout our neighborhoods is one of excitement for the new school year and appreciation to the many that made the opening so strong. We talk frequently about the importance of great first impressions. You accomplished that and so much more in the first few weeks of school. Our students have hope and our families have confidence for a successful school year. Thank You!! As was my practice last year, I will provide periodic updates to the Sycamore Faculty on issues of importance to the district and our communities. Thank you again for a great start.
Board of Education Election and Candidates
In the November election, there are three seats open for our Board of Education. Jean Staubach has chosen not to seek re-election after 20 years of dedicated service to the Board. Current Board President Diane Adamec and John Mercurio, current member, are running for re-election. Three other candidates have filed to run and they are David Evans, Nick Frankowski, and Paaras Parker.
There are specific guidelines in place that govern what can and cannot occur during a campaign; especially on school grounds. If you will remember, I sent these same guidelines out during last November’s levy campaign. They are as follows:
Employees will not provide verbal or nonverbal (tee-shirts, buttons, etc.) support of candidates/campaigns or issues during the school day.
Except at the PTO-sponsored candidate forum, no campaign materials or items (brochures, buttons, stickers, etc.) may be distributed at any school or school events (sporting events, PTO meetings or events, booster/advocate meetings, homecoming parade, etc.).
Candidates running for election may participate in the homecoming parade. However, no literature, buttons, stickers, etc., may be distributed during the parade.
No campaign signs will be placed on school property. Signs on a vehicle are exempt if the individual is using the vehicle.
No candidate/campaign presentations may be made to Sycamore staff members or administrators during school hours or during school events.
The district website, newsletters, and e-mail will not be used to distribute campaign literature.
Candidates or ballot issues campaign ads are not permitted to be placed in the student newspaper.
Campaign ads may be placed in programs for school events if permitted by the event’s sponsoring organization.
Please take a moment to review and call with questions. Thank you.
Final Forms Staff Information
As you are aware, we are asking staff to complete three forms through our Final Forms electronic system. These forms are Responsible Use Principles for Technology, Emergency Medical Authorization (EMA) Form and Health History and Medical Profile Form. We have received a couple of questions regarding the Health History form; specifically is this a HIPPA Issue and who actually sees this information. First, only the building principal and school nurse will see this form, and it is designed to provide important information to emergency responders in the event of a medical emergency. With regards to the HIPPA issue, if you are uncomfortable disclosing this information on the Health History form, you may simply leave it blank. Please remember the Responsible Use Principles and the EMA form must be completed and submitted.
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Best Workplace
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Master Facility Planning
The district is beginning Phase II of our Master Facility Planning. Phase I involved completing a thorough analysis of the conditions of all of our buildings. This resulted in three levels of recommended action. Tier I involves those most crucial items that need attention as soon as possible. We are already working on those. Tier 2 involves those items that need to be monitored and would need attention in the next five years. Tier 3 involves long range renovation and/or replacement of and within our buildings. Phase II of our planning will now involve the educational visioning part of our process in which we engage with our community and staff about the connection between our educational programming and delivery plans with our facilities. This process could take a year or so with the conclusion resulting in building options for Sycamore. Currently, a core group of district leaders is in the process of selecting an architectural firm to assist us with Phase II. Exciting times and much more to come.
Continuing Contract Reminder
Applying for a continuing contract requires the employee to meet one of the four categories below:
1. Hold a professional (8 yr), permanent or life certificate and have taught for at least three of the last five years in Sycamore.
2. Hold a professional (five year) license, have a Master’s degree and have taught for at least three of the last five years in Sycamore.
3. Hold a professional (five year) license, complete thirty (30) semester hours of coursework in the area of licensure or in an area related to the teaching field since initial issuance of the Professional (five year) license and have taught for at least three of the last five years in Sycamore.
4. Held a continuing contract elsewhere and taught at least two years at Sycamore.
Superintendent Listening Sessions
I am looking forward to spending time with building and department staff again to provide you updates and take your questions as part of my Superintendent Listening Sessions. These are voluntary sessions for staff. The schedule for the sessions coming up shortly are as follows:
- Blue Ash Elementary, October 2
- Maple Dale Elementary, October 3
- Montgomery Elementary, October 9
- Symmes Elementary, October 10
- Child Nutrition Services, October 13
- Sycamore Junior High, October 18
- E.H. Greene Intermediate, October 20
- Transportation, October 23
- Sycamore High School, October 24
- Maintenance, October 27