Ensure safety of self and students

Provide engaging, standards-based digitized curriculum both F2F and Virtually

Remain prepared to adapt

This Week:

• Friday, March 5: Interim period Quarter 3
• Monday, March 8: Independent Learning Day

Mark Your Calendar:

• March 15-19: Spring Break
• April 7: General PTO Meeting

• AIR Testing: April 14 & 15 - ELA; April 21 & 22 - MATH; April 29 - 8th Gr Science

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.

We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that the district will be shifting to an Independent Learning Day on March 8 for all students in both learning models. The purpose of creating such a day is to proactively mitigate the potential for high staff absenteeism after their vaccinations this weekend.

The Independent Learning Day means face-to-face students will not be attending school in person and virtual students will not be meeting with their virtual teachers. All students in both models will be provided with activities in advance to complete independently at home without live teacher instruction. These activities will provide practice, reinforcement, and/or enrichment of current learning.

Our Junior High teachers will provide clear assignment descriptions in their Weekly Learning Guides by Monday morning at 8:00am. Keep in mind, these assignments will be structured such that students should be able to complete them on Monday on their own. We understand that this shift may be an inconvenience for some families and our administration and our teachers are sensitive to the challenges our families face in this pandemic. If your child has any difficulty completing his/her assignments on Monday, please reach out to the teacher, who will handle these issues with compassion and grace.

We appreciate your understanding while we work to get our staff vaccinated.

This Friday marks the mid-point of the third quarter. We encourage all parents to check their child's progress and grades in Parent Portal. You may reference this document which walks you through how to access Parent Portal.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULING UPDATE

The high school counselors enjoyed meeting the Class of 2025 last week! The counselors had individual meetings with all face-to-face and virtual student.

Any questions or changes should be directed to Mrs. Mitchell (A-K) and Mr. Millett (L-Z).

Counselors for the Class of 2025

Mrs. Rose Mitchell (A-K)

Phone: 686-1770 ext. 3054

mitchellr@sycamoreschools.org

Mr. Mark Millett (L-Z)

Phone: 686-1770 ext. 3014

millettm@sycamoreschools.org

Scheduling Update:

The counselors are continuing to help update student course selections for their 8th-grade year. Student Course Verification sheets will be distributed after Spring Break.

Students can contact their counselor with any questions.

Mr. Brenner A-G brennerb@sycamoreschools.org

Mrs. Suter L-Z suterk@sycamoreschools.org

Mrs. Morris Virtual Students morrisra@sycamoreschools.org

This school year has looked very different for all of us! Nonetheless, the PTO is still actively supporting the students and staff at the junior high. The JH PBIS program is one of the ways that we continue to be involved. PBIS is the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Program that encourages our students to Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be a Problem Solver, and to Be Respectful. This is a program that is active in all Sycamore schools. During a typical school year, our students are able to earn rewards for demonstrating these positive behaviors. Due to Covid restrictions, our teachers have had to modify the typical reward system. In order to support these changes, the PTO has provided our virtual LA, Math, Science and History teachers each with 3 - $5 Amazon Gift Cards to be mailed to virtual students who have demonstrated exceptional engagement and positive behaviors throughout the remainder of the school year. In addition, the PTO will also help provide PBIS incentives for our face-to-face students in the near future. Stay tuned for more details!

SJHS News Crew Video Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9vrBl5kKJXhJL9nL5xl5Ag

SJHS TV Communications: http://display.sycamoreschools.org/display/18

Time is running out! Get your 2021 SJHS Yearbook TODAY

2020-21 will be a year like no other, the SJHS Yearbook Club is committed to documenting it for YOU! Order your yearbook today before it is too late. The cost is $35 per copy.

Click HERE to order your 2021 Yearbook

Are you a F2F or virtual student who has photos of JH students you would like to submit? Click HERE or email to Mrs. Speelman. We want to represent ALL students in this year's historic yearbook.

Questions? Contact Melissa Speelman

speelmanm@sycamoreschools.org

Please turn in your required immunization paperwork to nurse Amy Bonham ASAP at jhimmunization@sycamoreschools.org.

In Ohio, the following vaccines are required by law:

7th-grade students must show proof that they have received (1) dose of Tdap, and (1) dose of MCV4 . This requirement must be met NO LATER THAN THE 14th day of attendance at school for the 2020-21 school year.

If you have questions, please email Amy at bonhama@sycamoreschools.org or call 686-1763.

• General Supply List
  
• Teacher-Specific Supply List
• Bell Schedule
  
• 2-Hour Delay Bell Schedule
• Healthy Back to School Family FAQ
  
• Special Education, Gifted, ESOL FAQ
  
• Final Forms
• Parent Portal
• 2020-2021 SJH Student-Parent Handbook
• 2021-2022 Course Planner 8th Grade

This Week:

• March 5: Interim period Quarter 3
• March 8: Independent Learning Day

Mark Your Calendar:

• March 15-19: Spring Break

Future Testing Dates

• Spring MAP - Virtual Dates are TBD

Remember: If you have questions, our team is here! Please reach out to our Administrator or Counselor for Virtual Classroom Students.

Assistant Principal Molly Bernosky bernoskym@sycamoreschools.org

Counselor Rachel Morris morrisra@sycamoreschools.org

Remember - If your child has tech issues in the virtual classroom, please call 686-1793 or email helpdesk@sycamoreschools.org. Please leave a message if you do not get an answer and they will respond ASAP!

Dear Sycamore Families,

Please read this letter from our District Office about AIR Testing for Virtual Classroom Students.

Because the State of Ohio has not made concessions for remote administration of the AIR test for virtual classroom learners, we must conduct these tests in person for ALL students. We are in the preliminary stages of preparing for this in-person testing for virtual learners. On these testing days, we will need to carefully follow all COVID safety protocols and be able to streamline the testing process for your child. We also need accurate documentation of each student who will test.

On the mornings of April 14, 15, 21, 22 and 29, Sycamore Junior High will be administering the AIR tests to all students.

Virtual students will arrive at the building between 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Tests will be administered beginning at 8:45 a.m. Parents should pick up their child between approximately 11:00 -11:30 a.m. The test schedule is as follows:

April 14 & 15 - ELA

April 21 & 22 - MATH

April 29 - 8th Gr Science (no test for 7th grade)

What if my child is enrolled in Algebra 1 or Geometry?

They would take the AIR test in those subjects on the AIR testing days. The End of Course Exam, conducted in May, is a different test, and similar to a Final Exam.

Please help us by completing the AIR TESTING FOR VIRTUAL STUDENTS SURVEY by Monday, March 8th. If you have already responded, you do not need to respond again. If you have multiple students, you may complete the survey twice. We will be sending specific information about testing as we solidify our testing plan.

Thank you for your assistance and prompt survey responses.

Clayton Lavercombe

Assistant Principal

lavercombec@sycamoreschools.org

This Week:

• March 5: Interim period Quarter 3
• March 8: Independent Learning Day

Mark Your Calendar:

• March 15-19: Spring Break

Future Testing Dates:

• AIR: April 14, 15, 21, 22, 29
• Spring MAP for F2F - May 12 & 13
  

When will students take the AIR assessments?

Sycamore Junior High will administer the AIR assessments on April 14, 15, 21, 22 and 29.

How can you help?

Please mark these dates on your calendars and make every effort not to schedule your child for appointments or vacation days. Thank you for your cooperation!!

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

Detailed information can be found on the district website under Reunification Plans.

For more information on safety & security at Sycamore Schools, visit the district Safety & Security web page.

Email: jhadmin@sycamoreschools.org
Website: www.sycamoreschools.org/sycamorejh
Location: 5757 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Phone: 5136861760
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SycamoreJuniorHighPTO/
Twitter: @sycamorejrhigh