We made it through Week One of state testing—way to go! We’re so proud of our students for showing up, staying focused, and doing their very best. Their hard work and positive attitude truly shine, and we’re cheering them on every step of the way.

Looking ahead, we have Math testing coming up on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. We know our students will continue to give it their all! Please be sure to check below for important testing reminders and helpful tips to support success.

This past week also brought some great moments for our school community! We welcomed special four-legged visitors from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Therapy Dog Unit, bringing smiles and comfort to our students and staff. 🐾 We also practiced school safety with our first tornado drill of the season—thank you to everyone for taking it seriously and staying safe.

And finally, a huge shout out to all who attended our very first Black Student Union meeting on Friday during Flex Bell. We had a great turnout and an inspiring start to what we know will be a powerful and positive student-led space.

Thank you all for continuing to support one another and contribute to the strong, caring community we’re building together. Keep up the amazing work—we’re proud of you!

With gratitude,

Mrs. Schunk, Mr. Meyer, Mrs. Helms

• April 8 & 9: AIR Testing - Math

• April 15 & 16: Testing - AIR Science (8th) & MAP Test (7th)

• April 18: Spring Holiday - No School

• May 2-4: Choir Trip to Chicago

• May 16 & 19: Art Exam

• May 19 & 20: World Language Exam

• May 20 & 21: Math Exam

• May 22: 7th Grade Day

• May 22: 8th Grade Day @ BARC

• May 23: Last Day of Classes & End of 4th Quarter

Thanks for a great first week of AIR testing! Students did a great job being at school with their chromebook charged and ready to do their best!

Next week is Math AIR testing on Tuesday and Wednesday, 4/8 and 4/9. The schedule will remain the same and we ask that any appointments or avoidable conflicts are scheduled after the testing window (10:30am).

The final AIR test is Science on 4/15 and 4/16.

Reminders:

• If a student arrives after 8:20am on a testing day, they will be housed in the cafeteria and will test on a make-up testing day.
• We ask that if you are scheduling appointments on testing days, please do your best to schedule them AFTER testing finishes which is roughly around 10:30am.

We understand that life presents unexpected challenges, and sometimes, students face circumstances that necessitate extended absences from school. We want to clarify our attendance policies and how they apply in these situations.

Legal Requirements and Excessive Absence Letters:

By state law, schools are required to send an "excessive absence" letter when a student accumulates 65 hours of absences, even if those absences are excused and documented. You do not need to contact the school regarding this letter. This is a legal requirement designed to ensure we communicate with families about attendance patterns and offer support when needed.

Special Circumstances and Exceeding 65 Hours of Excused Absence:

We recognize that there are special circumstances where a student may exceed the standard 65 hours of excused absence. These situations might include:

• Extended medical needs: Serious illnesses or injuries requiring prolonged treatment.

• Bereavement: Extended periods of grief and related arrangements.

• Court ordered appearances: Legal proceedings requiring student presence.

• College, Career, and Military Obligations

• Other significant, documented life events: Circumstances that significantly impact a student's ability to attend school.

When special circumstances arise, we work closely with families to ensure our students receive the necessary academic support and resources. Please communicate with your child's administrator if you find your child in this situation.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Hello all!!

If you couldn’t attend last week’s informational meeting about the 8th-grade trip to Washington, DC, no worries! We recorded the session so you can catch up on all the details. There will be another meeting in early August, but in the meantime, feel free to email me with any questions. Looking forward to an unforgettable trip!

If after watching the video, you are interested in signing up your child, please go to the TripU website (https://www.triputours.com/register) and use Trip Code: AVES25DC.

Thanks & go Aves!!

Mr. Rodriguez

***You may need to open the newsletter in a browser to watch the video below

Dear Parents,

The wheels are warming up—and we want your child on board! 🚌💨

Just a friendly reminder that early registration for our memory-making bus adventure is on April 11th! This journey is packed with fun, friendship, and unforgettable moments—we don’t want anyone to miss out!

We’re hitting the road for an experience your child will never forget. From the laughter on the bus to the memories we’ll make along the way, it’s going to be one for the books. 📸

✅Early registration = best pricing!
📆Don’t wait—sign up today!

How do I register my traveler? Go to the TripU website and use Trip Code: AVES25DC

Mr. Rodriguez.

Registration for Sycamore Summer School 2025 will begin on April 1. We will be offering enrichment and credit recovery for students. Click on the grade level to view the associated Summer School

Course Catalog:

• Grades 7-8: June 2-27 at Sycamore Junior High

Registration can be done via Google Forms specific to each grade level beginning April 1. Registration for transportation must be completed by May 16.

• 5-8 Summer School Registration

• Transportation Form

Josh Q. - Josh exemplifies what coaches look for in a student athlete: a role model both in the classroom and on the playing field. - Mr. Stern

Caroline S. - Her work ethic is top-notch and I am beyond proud of her. I am confident that Caroline will go on to do great things in her future. Keep up the good work, Caroline! - Mrs. Abbas-Lee

Esmee F. - Esmee is an excellent student who has continously worked hard all year with 110% effort. She sets goals for herself and creates a plan to acheive them. - Mrs. Adams

Drayden A. - He has worked so hard on his writing assignments- he's got talent as an author! He is an excellent self-advocate and always has a smile on his face. He is an awesome member of our ELA community.- Mrs. Alleman

As we look ahead to the second semester, we want to remind everyone about the exciting 7th and 8th Grade Day events at the end of the year! These events are a great way for students to celebrate all their hard work and have a blast with their friends. Here's a quick preview:

What is 7th Grade Day?
Students will spend the day playing games, watching movies, hanging out with friends, enjoying outdoor activities on the field, and much more! It’s a fun and relaxing day full of excitement.

What is 8th Grade Day?
8th graders will head to Blue Ash Rec for a day of swimming, playing games, hanging out with friends, grilling out, enjoying shaved ice, and so much more! It’s the perfect way to mark the end of middle school before moving on to high school.

These events are highly anticipated by our students, and we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to join in on the fun. To attend these special days, students must meet the following expectations: (this was shared with all students on the first day of school and in the newsletter)

• No expulsions during the school year.
• No suspensions in the second semester.
• No more than one F in the 4th quarter (we will do weekly status checks).
• 10 or more staff managed referrals for defiance, disrespect, insubordination or safety 4th quarter will also lead to the lose of the event
• Behavior the week of the event can also lead to lose of the event

We want all students to have a positive and fun experience, so let’s work together to meet these expectations and make the most of the rest of the year! If your child loses eligibility they will remain at school in a supervised room for the duration of the event. If your child does not come to school that day they will be marked absence according to regular attendance policies.

Hey 7th, 8th and 9th graders!

Are you interested in becoming a STEM Youth (K-6) Leader at the Symmes Elementary Camp Invention program this summer?

What: What does a youth Leader-in-Training do? They learn STEM and leadership skills to guide K-6 youth in hands-on invention challenges and also receive activities to complete at home.

Check this information out and/or register @Leader-in-Training) or

(https://www.invent.org/programs/leaders-in-training)

When: Camp runs daily, the week of June 2nd - June 6th, from 9 am to 3 pm!

Where: Symmes Elementary School

Cost: $175

Questions? Any questions? Email Mrs. Jarvis, Sycamore Junior High's Leader-in-Training mentor, at jarvisk@sycamoreschools.org.

Go Authentic STEM/ STEAM Education!

The 2025 SJHS Yearbook is on sale NOW!

The SJHS Yearbook Club is committed to documenting this school year for YOU! Order your yearbook today. The cost is $35/copy.

Click HERE to order your 2025 Yearbook.

http://buythesycamorejuniorhighyearbook.com

Interested in joining the Yearbook Club? Membership is still open! Click HERE to enroll in the Yearbook Canvas Page. Fill out the Google form to join.

Do you have photos you would like to submit to the Yearbook Club? Click HERE and find the “Submit Photos Here” button ! We want to represent ALL students in this year's historic yearbook. You will need to access the shared Google folder from a student account.

*Please note, the confirmation email comes from: Milestone Yearbooks Last year we had some duplicate orders because it was difficult for people to locate their confirmation.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Melissa Speelman

speelmanm@sycamoreschools.org

Did you know that Sycamore Junior High has its very own video announcements? Our talented News Crew students works hard to produce daily videos that every student watches in class. This is one of the best ways for students and families to stay updated on everything happening at the Junior High! Make sure to follow our channel and watch the videos to stay in the loop: https://youtube.com/@aviatorairways_sjhsnewscrew145?feature=shared

Households are encouraged to apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits via Payschools Central. Paper copies of the application can be obtained at the Sycamore District Office building, in the office of your student's school, or on the Sycamore Schools website.

For more information on Free & Reduce Meals please check out the Sycamore Schools Website.

"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!"

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.

Email: SchunkJ@sycamoreschools.org
Website: www.sycamoreschools.org
Location: 5757 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Phone: 5136861760