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Communication and Social Media

Instant Communication System

Positive outreach and interaction are essential elements of a thriving school district. With that in mind, Sycamore Community Schools uses an instant communication system that enables district and school administrators to record a voice message, schedule the message delivery time, and deliver the message via a telephone call or email to parents.

When schools are delayed or closed, the district will place a detailed announcement on the district website, www.sycamoreschools.org. In addition, Sycamore parents/guardians will receive a voice message at the home phone and mobile phone associated with their contact information in our student database system. If a parent/guardian would like to change or remove their contact number, please call the building or send an email to helpdesk@sycamoreschools.org with your request.

Social Media

Sycamore Community Schools uses social media to assist in communicating district information with parents, students, and community members. While the district will continue to communicate in traditional ways (website, newsletters, etc.), social media provides a platform for individuals to learn more about the district through exclusive content, videos, a showcase of events, two-way communication, and much more.

The integration of social media into the district’s communication plan is the result of months of careful planning with input from staff, parents, students, and businesses and school districts that use social media. The district also developed social media guidelines to help individuals understand, from a wide range of perspectives, proper participation in social media. Students are expected to adhere to these guidelines, the district’s Internet/Network Acceptable Use Policy for Students, and the Student Code of Conduct. Questions regarding district social media platforms should be directed to the Community Relations Director at 513-686-1706.

District social media platforms:

Individuals wishing to launch a social media platform on behalf of the district, a school, or a school/district organization/club/team should obtain permission from the district’s Community Relations Director.

Photos And Media

The district knows and understands the desire of a proud parent to videotape or photograph memorable school events and share those photos with friends and family members. However, families are reminded that not everyone wants to be in pictures or videos. Sycamore Community Schools will respect the rights of those parents who have requested that their children not be included in publicity efforts, website posting, videos, and photographs for various reasons. Thus, the district respectfully requests that parents obtain approval from their school principal prior to posting photos and videos on the internet and social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.

The Community Relations Director is responsible for submitting district information or story ideas to the media and creating social media channels on behalf of the district. Individuals who wish to release a photo or news item to the media and those who want to start a social media channel for the district or a school should contact the Community Relations Director at 513-686-1706.

Fundraisers

In order to be sensitive to our families, we limit our fundraisers to those necessary to provide support to school related and Sycamore Junior High extracurricular expenses. All fundraisers require administrative approval. PTO sponsors additional opportunities to raise money such as Kroger cards, Box Tops, and Pipkin's receipt program to benefit specific project needs during the year.

Phones

There is a phone that students may use at the front desk. The phone may be used during lunch and after school. A pass is required to use the phone during school hours. Only emergency messages from parents will be delivered to students. With so many students and teachers at the junior high, it is extremely time consuming and difficult to deliver messages. Please refrain from calling with a message unless it is an emergency.

Distribution of Materials

The District recognizes that students and employees have the right to express themselves on school property. This protection includes the right to distribute, at a reasonable time and place and in a reasonable manner, non-school-sponsored material. In order to protect First Amendment rights, while at the same time preserving the integrity of the educational objectives and responsibilities of the District, the following requirements apply to the distribution of non-school-sponsored material on school property and at school activities. For more information see board policy KJA and IGDB.

Prior Approval Required

Individuals or groups not affiliated with the District, who desire to distribute materials to the members of the school community, must first receive approval of such materials through the Superintendent/designee.

Students and staff members who desire to distribute materials to members of the school community must first receive approval from the building principal and when in doubt the Superintendent.

Types of Material Restrictions

Materials must be approved if they fall under one of the following categories:

  • Publications of services, special events, public meetings or other items of interest to students or parents/guardians;
  • Distribution of promotional materials of a commercial nature to students or parents/guardians;
  • Paid advertisements on District property, including but not limited to billboard advertisements;
  • Paid advertisements on or in school-sponsored publications, yearbooks, announcements and other school communications;
  • Products and materials donated by commercial enterprises for use in the classroom, as long as they serve an educational purpose and do not unduly promote any commercial activity or products.

Manner and Mode of Distribution

The Superintendent/designee may approve the use of District time, personnel and resources in the distribution of materials if the materials are of an educational nature. The Superintendent will not, however, approve the use of District time, personnel or District resources for distribution if the materials are not of an educational nature and/or considered to be conducting business by soliciting participation, campaigning for membership or registering participants.

The building principals designate appropriate times, locations and means for which distribution of non-school-sponsored materials is appropriate. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.

Distribution with or without District involvement does not mean to imply sponsorship or support for that which the materials endorse. The District takes no responsibility for problems arising between the sponsoring individual or group and the student or staff member who accepts the materials.

Limitations on Content

Non-school literature is not distributed on District property if:

  • The materials are obscene, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate for the age and maturity of the audience;
  • The materials endorse actions endangering the health or safety of students;
  • The distribution of such materials would violate the intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other rights of another person;
  • The materials contain defamatory statements about public figures or others;
  • The materials advocate imminent lawless or disruptive action and are likely to incite or produce such action;
  • The materials are hate literature or similar publications that scurrilously attack ethnic, religious or racial groups; contain content aimed at creating hostility and violence and the materials would materially and substantially interfere with school activities or the rights of others;
  • There is reasonable cause to believe that distribution of the non-school literature would result in material and substantial interference with school activities or the rights of others.

Campaign Materials

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 or ballot issue campaign ads are not permitted to be placed in the student newspaper. The district website, newsletters and e-mail will not be used to distribute campaign literature. Further, campaign signs are prohibited from being placed on school property.

Failure to comply with this policy regarding distribution of non-school literature shall result in appropriate administrative action, including but not limited to confiscation of nonconforming materials and/or suspension of use of District facilities. Appropriate law enforcement officials may be called if a person refuses to comply with this policy or fails to leave the premises when asked.

Parent Communication

Parent Portal is a portion of the Sycamore Community Schools website that allows parents to:

  • Access report card grades and test scores
  • Access parent resources/web links

For information on creating a Parent Portal account, visit the district website (www.sycamoreschools.org), please call the building, or send an email to helpdesk@sycamoreschools.org with your request.

Problem-Solving Support

Parents are encouraged to address any questions or concerns with the adult staff most directly involved with their concern, (i.e. grading, detentions, etc.) to find a workable solution. Should a student still have concerns after working directly with a teacher/staff member, they are encouraged to seek out the assistance of their school counselor. Parents are encouraged to follow the same guidelines prior to contacting school administration.

School Closings and Delays Due to Inclement Weather

School closings and delays are based on concern for the safety of students, parents and employees, and most school closings occur during winter months. During inclement weather, Sycamore Community Schools will typically operate as follows:

School is Closed for the Day:

  • Before and after school programs will not operate
  • All after-school activities will be canceled, unless otherwise notified.

School Opening is Delayed:

  • All schools and buses will run on a 2-hour delay
  • Dismissal times will remain the same for all grades, except Preschool and Head Start
  • Morning Preschool classes will be cancelled
  • Afternoon Preschool classes will operate as usual
  • Morning kindergarten will be cancelled
  • Afternoon kindergarten classes will begin at 12:50 p.m. and end at 3:45 p.m.
  • Latchkey operates under a 90-minute delay

If schools are delayed or closed, the district will inform all media and place an announcement on the district website (www.sycamoreschools.org), the district Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sycamoreschools) and the district Twitter account (@sycamoreschools).

When schools are delayed or closed, the district will place a detailed announcement on the district website. In addition, Sycamore parents/guardians will receive a voice message at their home and mobile phone numbers listed in our student database. To update contact information, please call the building or send an email to helpdesk@sycamoreschools.org.

 

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