Symmes Elementary Newsletter

• November 8: Dodgeball Competition Day

• November 22: No School, Professional Learning Day

• November 25 - 29: No School, Thanksgiving Break

Symmes Families,

Senate Bill 288, also known as Erin’s Law, mandates annual health education curriculum requirements focused on child sexual abuse, dating violence, and sexual violence prevention. Erin’s Law also allows parents to opt their child out of this learning.

Under the law implemented last school year, all schools must provide annual state-approved, developmentally appropriate instruction on child sexual abuse prevention to students Grades K-6. This instruction aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for their safety and protection.

Sycamore has partnered with Family Services to deliver this instruction to students. You can find a complete review of the K-6 programming, including videos that will be shown, by clicking here. If you have questions about the curriculum you can contact Michael Maresca at mmaresca@fsadayton.org or 937-222-9481. Family Services also provides additional services not included in the curriculum that can be found here.

Students at Symmes, will participate in Erin’s Law education on November 14, 2024, during their specials time.

We recognize that every family is unique, and the educational needs of each student may vary. As a result, the law allows for parents and legal guardians to request that their child be excused from child sexual abuse prevention instruction. If you wish to opt out your child, please complete this opt-out form.

If you have concerns about these requirements, we encourage you to reach out to your local representative and senator to express your concerns directly. Thank you for your understanding, and for working together to ensure the safety and well-being of our students.

-Sycamore Community Schools

Thank you to the men and women that have served and who are currently serving our country.

We wish to extend a special invitation to all veterans or active service members who are family members of Symmes Elementary School students to join us for a Veterans Day Celebration on Monday, November 11, 2024, from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. We will have a light breakfast from 9:30 - 10:00 a.m followed by a school wide assembly from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

We are asking that this year all grade levels wear a different color to represent the branches of the military.

Grade Level Colors

PK - Space Force - Grey

KG - Coast Guard- white

1st - Navy - yellow

2nd - Marines - red

3rd - Air Force - blue

4th - Army - green

If you are a veteran, or an active service member, please complete the form below and submit your response by October 31st so that we may plan for your attendance.

Due to parking and space limitations, we ask that only veterans and active military members attend this celebration. If there are extenuating circumstances please contact Jessica Ralston at ralstonj@sycamoreschools.org.

Thank you for your understanding.

FORM LINK

Thanks so much for taking the time to let our staff know how special they are!

Tomás and the Library Lady

Tomás loves stories and knows all his Papa Grande’s by heart. As the young son of a migrant farm worker, Tomás encounters a librarian in Iowa who introduces him to the wonderful world of books. His imagination takes off as he reads book after book and discovers worlds filled with dinosaurs, tigers, and explorers. Based on the beloved book, which was featured in our 1st grade Wit & Wisdom curriculum, is inspired by a true story that celebrates reading, imagination, and creativity. Both English and Spanish speakers can readily understand this bilingual play.

WHEN: Friday, November 8th at 7:00 pm

WHERE: Blue Ash Recreation Center in the Blue Gym (concessions open at 6:00 pm)

FREE ADMISSION

Starting a new school is overwhelming! The Symmes Ambassadors Welcome Committee would like to help with Parent Mentors. This free program pairs experienced Symmes parents with new families to our school community, to give new parents a person they can text or call with questions. Parent Mentors aren't expected to know everything -- you will receive a lot of support from Symmes Ambassadors.

JOIN US --Whether you are an experienced parent or a new Symmes parent, we need you! We can build a better school community together. Please fill out this form to join our new program!

Makedah King, Welcome Committee Chair

Amy Thornley, Lead Ambassador

Questions? -- syambassadors@sycamoreschools.org

Symmes Spotlight is a program organized by our PTO which brings special recognition to a group of students each week. Volunteers help on Monday mornings for about an hour and conduct brief interviews with selected students in the cafeteria. Symmes Spotlight is a great way to get to know students and other parents. Click on one of the buttons below to sign up. If you are interested in volunteering with Symmes Spotlight but unable to sign up or have questions about the program, please email margaret.mathur@gmail.com. Thank you!

SYMMES STEPPERS is our walking/running program held every good weather Wednesday at lunch recess in the Fall and Spring. Students enjoy walking or running supervised laps around the walking track and get a chance to earn STEPPER FEET as they rack up the miles. We are looking for volunteers to help with the students out on the track each week!

Symmes Steppers will begin on Wednesday, September 11th for Grades K-4.

Principal: Jessica Ralston, ralstonj@sycamoreschools.org

Assistant Principal: India Chambers-Richardson, richardsoni@sycamoreschools.org

Administrative Assistant to the Principal: Alyssa Schmeling, schmelinga@sycamoreschools.org

Administrative Assistant to the Ass't Principal: Heather Shults, shultsh@sycamoreschools.org

School Nurse: Julie Ferron, ferronj@sycamoreschools.org

School Counselor: Beth Hill, hille@sycamoreschools.org

Children's Hospital School-based Therapist: Erica Koe-Krompecher, koe-krompechere@sycamoreschools.org

Attendance Emails: syattendance@sycamoreschools.org

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