June 7, 2013 - Sycamore Community Schools

S Y C A M O R E J U N I O R H I G H S C H O O L
W W W . S Y C A M O R E S C H O O L S . O R G June 7, 2013
T h e Nav i g ator
AUGUST
15 Meet The Team Night for Fall
Sports—6:30 p.m.
21 New Student/Family Welcome—
5:30 PM
7th Grade/New Family Orientation—7
PM
22 8th Grade Walk Through
11:00 AM—12:00 PM
27 First Day of School
30 Parent Welcome Coffee
SEPTEMBER
2 Labor Day—No School
3 Picture Day
Open House—6 PM
4 Magazine /Cookie Dough Kick-
Off Day
6 “Reach Out Booklet” Turn In
Day
9 PTO Meeting—9:30 AM
10 Magazine Turn In Day
13 Magazine Turn In Day
17 Magazine Turn In Day
18 Early Release Day—1:35 PM
20 Magazine Turn In Day
27 Interims Sent Home
OCTOBER
2 P.I.E. Breakfast
4 Pep Rally
12 Aviator Flight Fest & 5K
14 PTO Meeting
23 Early Release Day
Fall Sports Award—7;00 PM
25 Teacher Records Day—No
School for Students
30 Report Cards Distributed
Parent/Teacher Conferences—
4:00—7:00 PM
Fall Book Fair Preview
SUMMER WISHES FROM THE DESK
OF THE PRINCIPAL, Brian P. Wallace
Congratulations to the Class of 2017 for an outstanding year! Collectively our 8th grade
class modeled integrity, respect, responsibility and school pride. They left a positive mark at
the Junior High! We wish the class continued success in high school and for years to come.
Many thanks to our school parents for your continued support as we walk this journey together
toward high school. A special thanks to the PTO Executive Board and PTO Presidents,
Rhonda Augustin and McChristy Gould, and all the parents who volunteered their
time throughout the school year. Their time and energy enriched the experiences at the
junior high in so many ways!
We hope you have a great summer and are able to spend quality time together. We look
forward to our new 8th grade students returning in August as our building leaders and our
new 7th graders joining our wonderful SJH family.
Sycamore Junior High
March Madness: The Results
The 2 nd Annual March Madness Pop Tab Tournament has ended at the Sycamore
Junior High! Thirty-two teams were bracketed, and, over the course of 8
weeks, two remained in the pop tab contest! The big match was Tanaka vs. Jarvis/
Craver/Spellman. The winner was Mrs. Jarvis, Mrs. Speelman and Mrs. Craver’s
classes! Those three classes worked together to collect enough gallons of pop tabs to
win the Pop Tab Tournament!
The Sycamore Junior High did an amazing job this year with the tournament!
They collected a total of 499 pounds of pop tabs! That’s a lot of tabs! In fact, the
school collected enough to be the top tab collector amongst the middle schools in the
tri-state!
The school will be awarded a trophy before the end of the school year for
their efforts in trying to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. Now, imagine
if every school in the country could raise these tabs. Imagine how many pop tabs
and money this country could raise! This school has set a great example of how easy
it really is to help out for the community, nation, and the world! The 2 nd Annual Pop
Tab Tournament was sponsored by student council under the leadership of Tanisha
Reeves and Marc Stern.
Article written by Ryan J. Tufts
FINAL REPORT CARDS
Will be mailed on June 7th, 2013

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SYCAMORE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
HONORS TWO OUTSTANDING
STUDENTS WITH KAREN CASE/BECKY WHITE AWARDS
Each year the staff of Sycamore Junior High School recognizes two eighth grade students who exemplify the
qualities of leadership, service, and outstanding character. The Karen Case/Becky White Award honors the memory of
two former students of Sycamore Junior High School. Both of these young women passed away during their eighth
grade year while at the school, and despite ill health, both of them had a positive attitude
and were full of school spirit.
The two eighth grade recipients of this year’s award were Maddie Lane and
Connor Jarrett. Both of these students were quite involved in the life of the junior high
school involving themselves in many areas of sports, music, community service, academic
clubs, and otherwise. In addition, these young people were outstanding academic
students. Congratulations to both of them as they enter Sycamore High School.
Picture: Connor Jarrett, Brian Wallace, and Maddie Lane
GRACE LOUIS and RAY BERLING
RECEIVE ARCHIE GRIFFIN SPORTSMANSHIP
Sycamore Junior High School students Lena Harper and Grant Young have been selected to receive the Ohio High
School Athletic Association’s prestigious Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award. The award, named for two-time Heisman
Trophy winner Archie Griffin, is presented each year to a male and female student who
has been outstanding in efforts to promote sportsmanship in the school and community.
This award encompasses students in grades seven through twelve.
This year’s honorees were presented with their awards at a special awards assembly
in the school auditorium Friday, May 31st. The Archie Griffin Sportsmanship
Award, sponsored by the Ohio High School Athletic Association is designed to promote
sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity. This association strongly supports good sportsmanship
among the youth and adults in our schools and workplaces.
Picture: Lena Harper, Jason Foley, Grant Young
KRISTY STAUFFER MEMORIAL AWARD
RECEIVED BY ISABELLE AUGUSTIN
Kristy Stauffer was a student at Sycamore Junior High School and an active member of the band during her
time there. This young lady passed away while a student at Sycamore Junior High, and her
family has established a memorial award in her name.
This year’s recipient has many of the qualities needed for this prestigious award given
through the music department of Sycamore Junior High School. Isabelle Augustin, an
eigth grader, received this award for the attributes she has which make her an outstanding
asset to the band program of the school. Jeff Bieler, department chairperson of the music
department of Sycamore Schools, and Danny Frank, music teacher, presented this
significant award.
Picture: Isabelle Augustin

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MIKKE DRERUP CREATIVE WRITING AWARD
SYCAMORE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Mikke Drerup was a reading teacher at Sycamore Junior High School for several years and during that time
passed away with cancer. Her family has established fund for students to enter a writing contest each year.
Members of the staff select a piece of writing each year that exemplifies the qualities of leadership that Mikke
Drerup personified.
Pillars of Character were themes throughout the school year, and these qualities were part of the criteria for
the poetry contest.
Esther Pittinger
won this year’s contest
with her
poem “A Journey”.
Runner up award
went to
Elizabeth Bell
for an
“untitled” poem.
SYCAMORE JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN
“WE THE PEOPLE’ COMPETITION
On Friday, May 17 th , 2013, twenty-five Sycamore Junior High students met in Columbus, Ohio for the annual WE
THE PEOPLE Middle School State Competition sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education. While
this program is relatively new to middle school level students, high- schools from around the state have been
competing in mock Congressional Hearings for years at the Statehouse on issues that involve our US Constitution.
This civic education program & competition is nationally acclaimed and helps students understand the history &
principles of our constitutional government, including the institutions that are the foundation of our American
republic. It focuses on the US Constitution/Bill of Rights, and fosters civic competence & responsibility among
secondary students. The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which students “testify” before
a panel of judges to demonstrate their knowledge of constitutional principles within six defined Units. They
are asked to evaluate, defend, and discover the contemporary relevance of historical issues, with four minutes of
prepared notes and six minutes simply from their knowledge gleaned from weeks of research. The program involves
active participation by members of the US House of Representatives, the Senate, district Judges, and
many other legal/business organizations around our state. This year the competition was held at The Ohio State
University.
Working in groups of three to six, the students were divided amongst the six Units to prepare for questions dealing
with a singular aspect of the Constitution. Coordinators & social studies teachers Phillip Hammer and Anne
Morrow could not have been prouder as Sycamore Junior High took home a “Superior” award based on the performance
of all the Units combined, and two Units individually tied for top honors in the “Superior” range: Unit #1’s
respective question category [‘What were the Founders basic ideas about government?’] and Unit #4’s [‘How was
the Constitution used to establish our government?]. All the students worked long & hard. We congratulate them
on a job well done!! They are….Luke Tenbarge, Hajime Minoguchi, Jenna Bao, Natalie Brinkman
Top left to Right: Kiley Hawkins, Jasmine Male, Nadia Alam, Lily
Steward, Lorae Stojanovic, Mr. Hammer
Bottom left to right: Luke Tenbarge, Natalie Brinkman, Jenna Boa,
Hajime Minoguchi
Not pictured: Tasia Meaders, Izzy Augustin, Orchid Wang, Essie
Pittinger, Adam Meller, Danial Dong, Umang Joshi , Luis Del Moral
Lopez, Atit Pathak, Emma Traylor, Clare Knife, Lisa Zhou, Victor Lim,
Brycen Gwyn, Aaron Charney, Ben Charney, Mrs. Morrow.

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SYCAMORE JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT COMPETE IN
NATIONAL SCIENCE LEAGUE COMPETITION
Again this year, Sycamore Junior High Students participated in the National Science League, which is a competition
test based on student scores in specific content area tests.
In the 7 th grade, top scores were earned by Justin Miller, Luke Tenbarge, Anna Larson, Oliver Garrett, JD
Folz, Bailey Truitt, Victor Lim, Alex Newberg, Rishi Dasgupta.
In the 7 th grade, the student with the highest score on the Earth Science test for Sycamore Junior High School
was Lorae Stojanovic.
The 8 th graders also competed with schools from around the state and country, in the General Science Category.
In the 8 th Grade, high scores were posted by Isabelle Augustin, Kyle Green, Brett Mihlbachler, Henry Sun,
Patrick Tosh, Maddie sykes, Athulya Murali, Esther Pittinger, Zachary Hanus.
The 8 th Grade student with the highest score on the General Science Test for Sycamore Junior High was Andrew
Rines.
The Sycamore Junior High Science Dept. is extremely pleased with the effort and learning of all of the students,
and feel that their performance reflects the high caliber of our students, quality classroom instruction,
encouragement from parents, and continued support from our community.
STUDENT OF WEEK
Each week a 7th and 8th grade student is
chosen to be our “Student of the Week.” It
is an honor, and we want to congratulate
these outstanding students who have received
this award in the final weeks of the
school year.
7TH GRADE
Halle Gordon
Emma Smith
Selena Feng
8TH GRADE
Ayanna Boben
Ethan Abney
Umang Joshi
Moving This Summer….to a new school in or out of the district!
Contact the counseling department by phone, 686-1760, Ext.#2510 or by e-mail, manningt@sycamoreschools.org
to get information about the withdrawal of your son/daughter from the
Junior High. A withdrawal form and an official request for records
from the new school is required to officially remove them
from a Sycamore school.
SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS
The Summer Reading Assignments have been placed on the District Website front page
at www.sycamoreschools.org under “News.” We also have copies at the welcome desk
in the main lobby of the school. Please make sure you have a copy in order to be ready
for next year.

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Each season the coaches nominate a student from their sport to be Athlete of the Week. This is an honor for the student who exhibits
outstanding professionalism and sportsmanship in their particular sport. The Spring Athletes of the Week were as follows:
Athlete Sport Athlete Sport
Jack Creek Boy’s Lacrosse Kevin Sheetz Boy’s Lacrosse
Becca Holdren Girl’s Lacrosse Clare Myers Girl’s Lacrosse
Nathan Estill Baseball Sara Adler Softball
Josh Nickol Boy’s Tennis Nikhil Sekar Boy’s Tennis
RJ Barnes Track Julie You Track
Congratulations to all these outstanding athletes. Thank you for being part of the junior high athletic program.
A local facility will be performing Pre-participation
Sport’s Physicals for next year.
Remember, physicals are good for one full calendar
year only and are mandatory for the first day of
tryouts. Please plan ahead so your child does not
miss any opportunities to make the team. Please
find below a place that will be giving physicals this
summer. During the summer is the best time to get
a physical to avoid interruptions in your sports participation.
You can also find this information on our
website under “Junior High Athletics.”
Summer vacations are just around the corner. If
your child plans to participate or try out for fall
sport, please plan to be in town in August. Tryout
dates and times have been set and publicized before
spring break and they are mandatory. I apologize
for any inconvenience this may have on your
summer plans and appreciate your support of Sycamore
Athletics. Please check the website under
Seasonal Programs for the complete list for the
2013-14 athletics seasons.

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COUNSELING INFORMATION
Although the guidance department will be closed this summer, our counselors will have access to email. Please feel free to email
your counselor at the addresses below with any questions. They will make every effort to answer your questions in a timely manner.
The guidance department will officially re-open for appointments on August 10 at 8 A.M.
Have a happy and safe summer!
Ben Brenner A-G brennerb@sycamoreschools.org
Katie Rouse H-N rousek@sycamoreschools.org
Jessica Ruggiero O-Z ruggieroj@sycamoreschools.org
Next year’s 7th and 8th grade schedules will be mailed in mid August.
OHIO ACHIEVEMENT TEST SCORES
The Ohio Achievement Test scores will be sent to parents in a separate mailing over the summer months.
NEWS FROM THE NURSE
If your child has been identified as having a significant health condition (i.e. asthma, diabetes, seizure disorder,
food/insect allergy, etc.), we ask that you notify the school nurse any time you are enrolling him/her in a school sponsored
extracurricular activity, if there is significant potential that emergency care might be required. She will train
coaches or coordinators to respond appropriately.
Also remember to introduce your child to his/her activity bus driver so the driver can be personally familiar with the child
and his/her condition.
Thank you for your cooperation in this important health matter.
TDAP IMMUNIZATION REQUIRED FOR ALL 7TH GRADERS
Just a reminder, all students entering the 7 th grade are required to provide proof of receiving the Tdap
(Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) immunization prior to the start of the school year, 2013. Ohio law allows
a 14 day period for compliance after the start of school. If proof of Tdap has not been provided by 9/13/2013
the student will be excluded from school. If you have any questions regarding this immunization, please contact
your Primary Care Physician or visit the Sycamoreschools.org web site for more information.

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Sycamore JH Choirs do it again!
On May 17, 296 Sycamore JH students, parents and staff members traveled to the Gateway
to the West, St. Louis, Missouri. Chorale, 8 th Grade Treble Tones and Concert Choir
headed to the Music in the Parks Competition to show our Sycamore singing pride! The
group arrived at the City Museum to enjoy the ladders, the chutes, the slides - all at a fast forward
pace! A totally FUN experience, especially after riding buses for 6 hours!
A Cardinals game as well as a trip into the St. Louis Arch were also highlights
of the weekend. Superior and Excellent trophies were brought
back to Cooper Road along with many new friendships and MANY great
memories!
THANKS to all of our Sycamore choir parents for their ongoing support
of these great singers! You are the BEST!
GET OUT YOUR CALENDARS! It’s TIME!
SJH GROWN UP CHOIR REHEARSALS TO BEGIN AGAIN!
Do you love to sing? Do you love to meet new people?
Do you want to experience what the kids of SJH choirs experience?
Come join us! No experience necessary! Bring a friend!
Monday, September 16, 2013
7:15-7:55 a.m. Room 105
If you’re on time, you may get a prize!
Please bring a pencil or pen with you.
PLEASE PARK IN THE REAR OF THE BUILDING
NEAR THE TENNIS COURTS OR AT PIPKIN’S!
IF YOU PARK BY THE STADIUM, THE BUSES WILL RUN YOU OVER!!!
TENNIS COURT SIDE ONLY, PLEASE!
SEE YOU THERE!
GARTNER AND O’RIELLEY

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Bring Your Own Device
2013-2014
For information regarding the BYOD program
Sycamore Community Schools will be launching
in the Fall, please go to
http://www.sycamoreschools.org/Aviator
Launch.html
This website has the powerpoint as well as a
video of the presentation used at the informational
meetings held this past spring. There is
also a copy of a Parent Guide for Grades 7-12.
More information on the BYOD program and
how to register the devices will be distributed with the student’s schedule
mid-August, 2013.
Another parent informational meeting is planned for September. A specific
date will be determined.

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Fees For The 2013-2014 School Year
Student Academic fees - $40 per student for 2013-2014 school year. Students participating in
the federal free and reduced price lunch program will receive a waiver of student academic
fees. Students entering the district after the beginning of the second semester will be charged a
fee of $20 and no fee to those beginning after the start of 4 th quarter.
Extracurricular fees - (HS & JH) - $75 per sport for participation in junior high and high
school athletics and $75 for the following performing arts programs: high school marching
band (includes winter drum line/guard and flag corps), junior high drama, high school drama,
SHAG, chamber orchestra and jazz band. Students participating in the federal free and reduced
price lunch program will receive a waiver of extracurricular fees.
CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES
2013-2014
The following student breakfast and lunch prices for 2013-2014 school
year were Board approved at last night’s Board meeting. The only increases
are $.25 to Edwin H. Greene breakfast and secondary breakfast.
Breakfast:
Elementary Breakfast $1.25
Edwin H. Greene Breakfast $1.50
Secondary Breakfast $1.75
Reduced – Price Breakfast $ .30
Lunch:
Elementary & Edwin H. Greene Lunch $2.50
Edwin H. Greene Super Lunch $3.00
Secondary Lunch $3.00
Secondary “Deluxe Lunch” $3.50
High School – Aviator Special $4.00
Reduced – Price Lunch $ .40
Milk $ .50

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Thank you to all who helped the PTO in any way this year. Especially the office
staff and administration for all they do!
Lisa Tosh for making summer book orders available. What a great convenience!
Nermine Banke and the parents who helped at Winton Hills field day and the teacher
appreciation luncheon
8 th Grade Beach Bash Celebration Party Committee Chairs
Angela Radakovich
Angi Marks
Jada Hill
Mary Biegger
Julie Ferron
Rhonda Augustin
Suzanne Van Den Brink Elizabeth Kays
Bryna Miller
Lisa Tosh
who led a large group of parent volunteers without whom the party would have not
succeeded! The party went very well with over 200 in attendance for the mini carnival!
The kids enjoyed music, games, treats, prizes, inflatables, getting photos and
watching their 4th grade videos. Thanks again to the many parents who worked together
to make this event a great success. Fun was had by all!
SJH supporters who shopped at Kroger between 02/01/2013 and 04/30/2013 have
contributed to your $134.78 total donation. Please add your contribution by going to
Kroger.com and choosing Sycamore Junior High PTO for your Kroger card benefits.
For Your Information
The JH PTO has a new great way to get you information when you need it. If you have not received
the constant contact informational emails and would like them please send your email
address to jhpto@sycamoreschools.org, and we will add your contact.

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Congratulation Golden Apple Recipients for 2012-13
Presented To Position Nominated By
Sandra Adams Language Arts Teacher Erin McElroy/Nicole Crone
Kelly Abbas Math Teacher Adhiti Chundur/Yasmine Gauidera
Thomas Bemmes Math Teacher Skylar & Randi Ziegler
Christina Borer Science Teacher Caroline Karbowski
Leslie Burklow Power of the Pen Anonymous
James DeJoy Physical Education Caroline Karbowski
Allison Ely Language Arts Teacher Megan Hart/Bradley Greenberger
Rose Endreola Special Educ. Teacher Joey & Kate Furlough/ Jim Walker
Jason Foley Physical Education Teacher Jimmy Lane
Danny Frank Band Teacher Tasia Meader/Esther Pittinger
Meridith Hromadka Spanish Teacher Kate Van DenBrink
Linda Gartner Choir Teacher Nicole Crone/Sophie & Kim Kramer/Maddie Lane
Bryan Jones Science Teacher Danny, John and Sharon Wasniewski/Niucole Crone
Jodi Kinasewitz Special Education Teacher Joey & Kate Furlong/Jim Walker
Janice Kirschner Administrative Assistant Sophie & Kim Kramer
Anne Morrow Social Studies Teacher Luis Del Moral
Kylie Parks Theater Director Maddie Lane
Katie Rouse Counselor Sklyer & Randi Ziegler/Sierra Smith
Michelle Reece Power of the Pen Anonymous
Stefany Reedy Social Studies Teacher Erin McElroy/Nicole Crone
Jessica Ruggiero Counselor Sklyer & Randi Ziegler/Sierra Smith
Karen Salmen Science Teacher Danny, John & Sharon Wasniewski/Nicole Crone
Rick Shomo Social Studies Teacher Sarah, Dale & Rachel Home
Rebecca Soto Spanish Teacher Sofia Ramos
Mark Stern Language Arts Teacher Morgan, Tami & Brad Comerford
Lynn Stubblebine Art Teacher Caroline Karbowski
Cheryl Tallman Math Teacher Sophie & Kim Kramer
Kiyoshi Tanaka Math Teacher Allie Brown/Morgan Comerford/Nicole Crone/Allison Flavin
Teresa Testerman Language Arts Teacher Maria Daniel
Samantha Wuchter Music Teacher Skyler & Randi Ziegler

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2013-2014 School Year Help Wanted
We need committee chairs for the following positions next year. Please contact McCristy Gould
or Ann Margolis at jhpto@sycamoreschools.org if interested.
Staff Appreciation: Organize events throughout the year to show the teachers how much they appreciated.
One event is during teacher appreciation week in May.
Communications: Keep the membership informed of activities through sending constant contact, posting
on the website and the layout of the newsletter.
1 st Day Coffee: Co-ordinate the refreshments for the parent get together on the 1 st day of school.
Picture Day Volunteer Coordinator: Coordinate volunteers for fall and spring picture days.
New Family Welcome Hosts: Co Chairs: Provide and set up the diner for the new families to the JH
before the 7th grade orientation in August. Send invitations to the new families.
Flight Fest: Sponsorship, Auction
SJH PTO 2013-2014
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President Ann Margolis 794-0094 ann.margolis@yahoo.com
McCristy Gould 247-0958 jorysdad1@aol.com
VP Student Programs Suzanne Van Den Brink 469-7968 vdbgolf@yahoo.com
VP Parent & Staff Eileen Wilson 985-9757 ejwilson97@cinci.rr.com
VP Ways & Means Stephanie Janssen 460-1841 stfrjan@gmail.com
Treasurer Shelia Kidd 245-8392 mackenziekidd@hotmail.com
Recording Secretary Molly Polasky 793-8237 lpolasky@cinci.rr.com
Corresponding Secretary Susan Karbowski 469-7909 susankarbowski@fuse.net
Hospitality: Coordinate and serve cookies and lemonade at Open House in August and at 6th grade
orientation in the spring.
PIE Breakfast: Pride in Excellent (PIE) Awards are given at a breakfast that you set up and clean up.
Set up is done the day before. Work with Theresa Manning the guidance councilor’s secretary. They are
given approximately once a month.
Book Fair Co-Chair: Will work with a co-chair, Patty Banzhaf, in organizing the fall and spring Book
fair. The position would be to organize volunteers and general support.
Sister School: Coordinates activates with our sister school Winton Hills including finding volunteers for
their field day in the spring
NECC Representative: Attends the meetings and reports at the general meeting
Market Day: Coordinate with High School and Greene School Market Day chairs. Place phone call reminders
to those who ordered for pickup. Coordinate volunteers for pickup.

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MAGAZINE DRIVE COMING— September 4th, 2013
This is a reminder to save all of your magazine renewals for our annual magazine drive. This is a
school sponsored fundraiser (not a PTO fundraiser) which provides funds for all of our clubs and extracurricular
activities.