Sycamore School Magazine / Winter 2018

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WINTER 2018

SYCAMORE NEW GENERATION OF SYCAMORE STUDENTS // SYCAMORE GIFTED SUMMIT // THE ROSIELLO FAMILY


VOLUME 12.2 HEAD OF SCHOOL FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL

03

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

04

LOVE, SYCAMORE STYLE

08

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SERVICE TO SYCAMORE

12

BEN PECAR

DIANE BORGMANN

PRESIDENT

SYCAMORE GIFTED SUMMIT COMPLETING THE FULLFILLING PROMISES CAMPGAIN SYCAMORE PARENT BOOK CLUB DATES NEWS + NOTES SYCAMORE FUND

field of gifted education. I hope you enjoy learning about the national conference for missions for serving gifted learners. As we developed the database of these schools,

and staff members, welcoming new

we realized that we are among the oldest and

kids and families, working on program

most sophisticated independent schools with

development, kicking off the Sycamore

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

missions to serve gifted kids. For the past two

Fund, participating in goal setting and

years we have hosted a national conference

professional development, hosting parent

for folks from these schools, and they have been

GLENNA LYKENS

conferences, hosting our fall Open

phenomenally successful. For many educators

House—but we have also hosted an

around the country, when they think of gifted

ISACS Visiting Team as a step in our

education, they think of Sycamore School! We

third re-accreditation through ISACS.

are no longer a start-up school in Indianapolis

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL JAMIE MACDOUGALL

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS DR. SUSAN KARPICKE

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

just focusing on building a program and I believe Sycamore is entering a new stage of

a facility. We are thriving, and we have

development. We have begun our 34th year

broadened our thinking and our impact!

of existence and look much different than we did in 1985! We teach differently than we

I hope you enjoy reading about our

did in 1985, and kids are different than they

alumni, and I hope you enjoy reading

were in 1985. But we have remained true to

about why people give to Sycamore in all

our mission, and we are still as passionate as

types of ways. Sycamore constantly amazes

ever about educating gifted kids!

me! I appreciate your interest and support.

HOLLY LEE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PATRICK JUDAY

ON THE COVER:

SYCAMORE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

to perform the play “Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock.” A fall Sycamore tradition, the play is about a folktale character often takes the shape of a spider and is considered to be the spirit of all knowledge of

SUNRISE OVER SYCAMORE SCHOOL NOVEMBER, 2018

stories. He is one of the most important characters of West African and Caribbean folklore.

We have evolved into a national leader in the

we do every fall—orienting new faculty

21

First grade students get in line to head to the theater

Sycamore is in a new stage of development.

educators from independent schools with

JENNIFER WILLIAMS

28

You will read about another sure sign that

Not only have we been doing things

HEAD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

22

We really are an adult, sophisticated school!

It’s been a busy fall at Sycamore!

16

18

DEAR SYCAMORE FRIENDS,

classroom, or a host for a career shadow.

LISA HAYNES PRESIDENT

I know how fortunate I am to work with As a sign of Sycamore’s new stage, you will

such an outstanding group of professionals,

read an amazing story about our alumni

trustees, students, and parents. I love every

who have chosen Sycamore for their children!

day of it!

You will read about Sycamore marriages! Now that our oldest alumni are around 40

Onward and upward!

years old, even our relationships with them

Best regards,

are changing. Enrolling second-generation Sycamore kids is really exciting! We also see our alumni giving back to Sycamore through the Sycamore Fund or through involvement

Diane Borgmann

by being a trustee, a resource person in a

Head of School

S YC A M O R E S C H O O L . O R G 02

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VEX ROBOTICS

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS ACCELERATING LEARNING + FUELING INSPIRATION

GYMNASTICS

To aid a child’s well-being in the areas of

“It’s a great way for our kids to get a chance

Dr. Samantha Outcalt, Sycamore School’s

we do, we extend concepts from the

“Students like Creative Writing with

academic, social/emotional development,

to try something new while still being in a

Psychologist, says it is beneficial for kids

classroom as well as offer activities

Professor Watermelon,” she says.

and health and wellness, having a strong

familiar environment with many of their

to have learning experiences that are not

that aren’t in the normal curriculum.

“Professor Watermelon is fun and

after-school program is a large step in

peers,” says Jennifer Williams, Sycamore

academic and aren’t performance oriented.

MATHCOUNTS practices and ‘math-

creative and kids like that you earn and

strengthening those attributes in a child.

School’s Head of Early Childhood and

“Children have an innate curiosity, and

based’ clubs have always been good

spend Melon Money,” she says. “I think

According to a Harvard Family Research

longtime Sycamore Kindergarten teacher.

Sycamore students typically invest greatly

offerings for middle school. Sycamore

some of the activities are popular due

study, afterschool programs can accelerate

“This can ease some anxieties with a

in their learning. After school activities

kids love the challenge.”

to a competition or tournaments being

interest, knowledge, and skill in areas of

new activity. Programs also offer student

give them the space to explore new things

passion. As importantly, in after-school

the chance to go deeper with something

without any pressure of grades. This

At Sycamore, Dusty Burwell has been a

private piano lessons gives the students

programs, a student has the opportunity

they have been exposed to in our own

freedom from the pressure of performance

fixture for more than 20 years. She oversees

a chance to perform in front of family

to be introduced to new, interesting,

curriculum. For example, students may

allows them to let their guard down, to

both the Quest after-school programs, and

and friends and students like the idea of

and challenging subjects.

be exposed to some beginning coding

take more risks, and to be themselves.”

the Quest Summer Camps. She has seen

advancing in levels and the ranking that

the ebbs and flows of what students and

happens in chess and karate.”

ideas in their technology class, but then

04

CHESS

involved in the activity. Funny Bones and

But there may be a simpler reason that

can participate in the after-school coding

Tim Kasper, the Assistant Head of

parents like to do, and there are some things

a parent loves: the right after-school

class to extend and go further with those

Middle School at Sycamore, agrees.

that remain popular programs each year.

program can make for a happier child.

concepts if they are interested.”

“By offering the clubs and activities

“AFTER- SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ARE A GREAT PLACE FOR KIDS TO HAVE A VOICE IN THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCES”

The youngest students at Sycamore have opportunities to participate in after-school

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ONE MORE THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES //There is value to learning CHINESE COOKING CLASS

KARATE

enrichment and there is value to athletic and artistic pursuits, whether at school or out of school. These opportunities help children develop their sense of identity and give them chances to have fun. However, we

activities. Williams says that the most

Socialization, she says, is an advantage

“I think after-school activities are a great

popular Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten

of after school programs, with children

place for kids to have a voice in their

activities are Gymnastics, Tinker Time,

getting to meet others who share their

learning experiences,” Outcalt says.

and Game On!, which is board games

interests and make new friendships.

“My professional recommendation would

kids work cooperatively so they can

A SWEDISH CLINICAL

strengthen social skills and learn to

PSYCHOLOGIST WHO WORKS

work as part of a team? Fun is key here,

WITH KIDS SUGGESTS

Quinn says. After-school programs

“It’s easy to find just about any kid

choosing activities that speak to them.

PARENTS LOOK FOR THREE

shouldn’t look or feel like the school day.

According to Outcalt, Sycamore School

somewhere in the building on any given

The activities will be more meaningful

Psychologist, different extracurricular

evening, “ Kasper says. “There is always

and serve their purpose more effectively

THINGS WHEN CHOOSING

options offer different advantages. “It can

an abundance of enriching activities

when kids can take ownership over this

be helpful for our kids to articulate their

which foster creativity and ingenuity

low-risk choice.” n

goals and what they hope to get out of

going on after school here at Sycamore.”

geared toward young children.

be to put kids in the driver’s seat in

these activities. These goals are likely to

06

HAYLEY QUINN, PSY.D.,

differ from their academic goals, and that

Burwell remains inspired by her memories

is the beauty of enrichment activities. In

of high school and wants to offer students

addition to goals that are more obviously

options they love for their after-hours

focused on personal growth, it is important

time. “In my school district back in the

to remember that taking a break and

day we did not have extracurricular

spending time with friends are very worthy

activities until high school. They were

goals of an after school activity.”

some of the best days of my life.”

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS: PREPARATION: Are there clearly defined objectives for kids? Does the program have a specific focus, perhaps even a lesson or activity plan? Will children progress through specific activities so they can build on skills?

ORGANIZATION: How are activities organized? Are they hands-on? Do

SUPERVISION: Are teachers and staff members positive and motivating? Do they interact with the kids and model positive behavior? Quinn says it’s useful for children to spend time with adults outside the home who are

don’t meet these objectives when kids are overscheduled. It can be hard to find the balance when there are so many amazing opportunities in the world and we want to give our kids a taste of it all! However, we must remember the critical value of down time. Unstructured, undirected free time helps our kids develop problemsolving, creative thinking, and executive function skills. We need to be cautious and intentional about not taking away their free time.

not family members. She says good adult role models will help kids develop “self-regulation,” the ability to control

- DR. SAMANTHA OUTCALT SYCAMORE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

behavior and emotions in line with the demands of a given situation. n

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former teachers who still work at Sycamore.

education, and if we can give it to them this

he has worked in the aviation department

“Seeing Mrs. Prince, our art teacher, was

early, why not?”

of General Electric, where he’s a strategic

awesome,” says Erin. JP adds, “David

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND LOWER SCHOOL SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION STUDENTS

sourcing operations leader, securing materials

Fink was a gym teacher when I started at

The school “does a very good job of

Sycamore…. It’s a comforting feeling to know

individualizing the pace of academics

that people believe in the school enough to

and catering to the individual,” while also

Kent says he’s noticed that since Patrick and

spend a long time there.”

“teaching children how to learn and how

Evelyn have started at Sycamore, they’ve been

to think and discover,” Kent says. “All of

more vocal in explaining their surroundings

THE SPAANS/BUTCHER FAMILY

our success has come from learning to ask

and how things work. As a new parent, Celeste

Celeste Spaans and Kent Butcher have

questions, to be confident, to be persistent….

was struck by how the teachers work with the

Sycamore to thank not only for their

Looking back, you realize, I learned all that

preschoolers from their first very day of school,

education but for their own family. These two

there—before I even realized I would need it

instructing them to complete tasks such as storing

members of the Class of 1997 reconnected

and what it was.”

their lunch boxes and washing their hands. “From the get-go, they’re telling them, ‘You can

at Sycamore’s holiday alumni reunion during

LOVE, SYCAMORE STYLE BY LISA HENDRICKSON

to build jet engines.

their senior year in college. Kent was finishing

After graduating from Sycamore, Celeste

do this. Mom doesn’t need to do this for you.’ It’s

up his studies at the U.S. Naval Academy

attended Park Tudor and Kent, North

so subtle, but you realize it means everything in

while Celeste was at Cornell earning a B.S.

Central “We wouldn’t have been able to be as

building very capable, confident people.”

degree in civil engineering and later, an M.S.

successful at those high schools and colleges if

in structural engineering.

we hadn’t gone to Sycamore,” Celeste says.

THE HANSEN FAMILY Erik Hansen, Class of 1997, didn’t know

Sycamore families know that the school instills

master’s degree in social work. Because

the like-mindedness of everyone who’s there

a lifelong love of learning, but for some, it’s

her parents had moved away, she and JP

when it comes to learning.”

also been responsible for true love: the kind

decided to become roommates. At the time,

that leads to marriage, then children, and,

their relationship remained platonic. But

Erin, a licensed clinical social worker who

finally, to a new generation primed for a

about a year later, their longtime friendship

works for Valant, a company that develops

Sycamore education.

blossomed into a romance, and they

software related to behavioral health, agrees.

married five years ago.

“We both had a good experience. In terms of

THE MOORE FAMILY

work ethic and preparedness, it challenged me

Erin Jacob Moore and JP Moore’s

“We were in the same places and grew up

more than any school I went to.”

relationship began as a fourth-grade

with the same values. We’re very much alike

friendship that continued through their

in the way we think because we’ve had similar

Because their preschooler, Evie, “is curious

high school years at Brebeuf Jesuit. The two

experiences. That’s what brought us together

and likes to learn things,” Erin says she and

members of Sycamore’s Class of 1998 kept

in the first place,” says JP, today a CPA and

JP both believed choosing Sycamore was “the

in touch throughout college, when Erin was

director at Katz, Sapper & Miller.

best decision to prepare her for her future.”

He believes that Sycamore “always pushed

Although the school has grown exponentially

me academically. While it was hard when I

in size and in structure since they were

After graduation, Erin returned to

was younger, I definitely got something out of

students, as new parents the couple has

Indianapolis to begin studies toward her

it…. We both appreciate the community and

enjoyed reconnecting with some of their

studying at Tulane University and Miami of Ohio and JP at Hanover College and IUPUI.

08

At the Sycamore reunion, Kent told Celeste

Now a structural engineer, Celeste says math

Kimberly Loser when she was a student at

that he’d come to visit her at Cornell, “and

did not come naturally for her. “I could have

Sycamore. Nonetheless, in a roundabout way,

he actually showed up a month later,” says

very easily said, ‘Math is hard and I don’t

it was Sycamore that brought them together.

Celeste. That visit led to dating, then to a

like it.’ Sycamore helped me stick with it.”

serious relationship, and the two married

She credits her teachers and parents working

Erik, an attorney at Ice Miller, started at the

three years later, in 2008.

together to enable her to discover her own best

school in first grade, the year it moved to its

way to learn math. “I ended up in my career

current location. He continued his studies

because they didn’t let me just ‘not get it.’”

at Brebeuf Jesuit and Indiana University.

Kent believes their shared experiences at Sycamore may indirectly have helped to bring

Kimberly (whose brother John was in

them together as a couple. “Our thought

Kent’s own experience echoes his spouse’s:

Sycamore’s Class of 2000), knew Erik’s sister

processes are similar… We’re very methodical

“Prioritization and understanding how to break

Briana (also Class of 2000), and their parents

and somewhat logical, and I think we

tasks down into bite-sized tasks – that’s very

also were friends.

developed a lot of that at Sycamore.”

foundational to what I learned at Sycamore.” That’s how the two finally connected.

The couple settled in Cincinnati after Kent

He believes those skills have helped him

Both were working in Boston when Erik’s

got out of the Navy, returning to Indianapolis

immeasurably in his career. After earning

mother paid him a visit. While there, she

last year. “We wanted to move back from

a B.S. degree in computer science at the

hosted a dinner for Indianapolis friends living

Cincinnati to be closer to our families,”

U.S. Naval Academy, he spent six years in

in the area. Kimberly, who was working for

Celeste says. They chose their alma mater for

the U.S. Navy, two of them stationed on a

a Boston real estate developer, was on the

their twins, Patrick and Evelyn, who are in

nuclear submarine and later at the shipyards,

invitation list. She and Erik met that evening.

preschool. “What’s more important than their

overhauling subs. For the past eight years

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“AT SYCAMORE, I WAS ABLE TO PURSUE MY OWN POTENTIAL WITHOUT ANY ARBITRARY LIMITATIONS.”

Although they didn’t know each other until

her thoughts: “There are things you do at

then, their educational paths were similar.

Sycamore that you don’t get to do at most

She also attended Brebeuf, then went on to

other schools,” he says, mentioning not only

Bucknell University, where she earned a B.A.

the field trips but also the many guest speakers

degree in English, and Indiana University,

and the rich curriculum.

where she received her MBA. After she and Erik married, they moved to New York, where

His fellow alumni seem to agree. “It’s funny

she worked for Disney and HBO.

how many alumni parents have kids in preschool this year,” he says. “I see many

The couple moved back to Indianapolis in

people I haven’t seen in a while.”

2012, and son Ryland was born in 2015. Kimberly, a real estate developer for Trinitas

SECOND GENERATION:

Ventures, says they wanted their son to be in

THE SMITH + HARTZ FAMILIES

“an environment that was going to challenge

The classrooms in which Christine Elliott Smith

him and push him out of his comfort zone in

’92 and Brian Hartz ’93 spent their earliest years

a good way, where he could be among a group

at Sycamore were relatively primitive compared

of diverse, like-minded peers.”

to today’s state-of-the-art facilities. During

EARLY CHILDHOOD CHILDREN OF SYCAMORE GRADS

those first years on the school’s 43rd Street

Her band teacher, Paula Fair, inspired her

Ridgely, who played Snoopy, is now executive

Not long after Brian’s daughter, Beatrice (known

“We didn’t move back to Indianapolis with

campus, some classes were held in trailers. But

love and appreciation of music. Other favorite

producer of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis.)

as Bebe), was born, he and his wife, Monica

the intention of having our kids go to the

although the school’s resources have expanded

memories include Eileen Prince’s art classes,

same schools we did,” adds Erik. “We looked

exponentially through the years, both Chris

the third-grade science trailer, and “doing

At Sycamore, “I was sure that people really

emphasis on students’ emotional and social

at all of the options.” But his involvement

and Brian agree that the fundamentals of a

cartwheels all over the grounds” of the school’s

cared about me,” he says. “I was able to

development has greatly expanded since I

with Sycamore as an alumnus, along with its

Sycamore education haven’t changed.

first campus. She cherishes the close bond she

pursue my own potential without any

was there,” he says, “and this was a deciding

developed with her classmates and still keeps

arbitrary limitations.” He adds, “The focus on

factor for us to send Bebe to Sycamore, when

many resources and his personal knowledge of the individual attention it offers students,

Chris, Class of 1992, was one of ten

in touch with most of them. “We experienced

allowing me to develop as an individual really

there are now many more options for gifted

convinced them that it was the right place for

graduates that year who were members of

something special together,” she says.

put me ahead in the rest of my academic

education in Indianapolis.” He’s pleased that

Ryland, now in preschool.

Sycamore’s inaugural second-grade class. She

career and gave me many of the tools I

the school has a staff psychologist and teachers

needed to set my own path in life.”

who focus on students’ individual needs, helping

spent her high school years at Park Tudor

Today, more than 25 years after her own

“When I went back to tour, I was blown

School, then earned her B.S. Degree in

graduation from the school, Chris relishes

away–and still am–at how much effort they

accounting at Boston College. Now a CPA at

watching her children flourish. The teachers

Brian remained involved in theatre while in

perfectionism that sometimes comes with being

put into different activities,” Kimberly says.

Deloitte, she also serves on Sycamore’s Board

and staff truly “live” the mission of the

high school at Park Tudor. As a Wells Scholar

a gifted student.

“When you’re a student, you take for granted

of Trustees. Chris and her husband, Alex,

school, she says. “As a parent, it’s certainly

at IU, he double-majored in English and

how much effort goes into a daily lesson. Now,

have two children at the school: Annabelle, in

rewarding to see your own children thrive in a

economics. Today he’s the Chief Operating

“It’s just as important to fail as to succeed

when I think what his teachers are doing

Kindergarten, and AJ, in Preschool.

place that was so special to you.”

Officer of TORQworks, an Indianapolis-

sometimes,” he adds. “It felt so great hearing

based company that provides software for

that from everyone I talked to at Sycamore.”

every single day to make sure he has a good experience, it’s amazing.”

10

Deck, began researching schools. “Sycamore’s

them to develop social skills and manage the

It was at Sycamore where Chris first realized

Brian Hartz also started at Sycamore in

workforce development agencies. He continues

she loved to learn. Her experiences in the

the second grade, the year after Chris. He

to be involved in theatre avocationally, having

Brian says Bebe is very happy in her preschool

She fondly remembers the frequent field

school band, where she learned to play the

discovered his love of theatre the following

worked with many local theatres and served as

classroom. “She used to call it ‘Daddy’s school,”

trips she took with her class at Sycamore and

flute, were “life-changing,” she says. “I didn’t

year when he was chosen to play the lead

a former board president of Heartland Actors’

he says. “Now she’s claimed it as her own.” n

realized after leaving “how lucky” she had

realize the impact music would have on my

in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,”

Repertory Theatre (now known as Indianapolis

been to have those opportunities. Erik echoes

life, and it all started in the Sycamore band.”

directed by Ann Maitzen. (His classmate Tom

Shakespeare Company).

11


Both boys attended Brebeuf High School

will stay - and become more recognized as

after graduating from Sycamore, with Nick

being in the forefront of gifted education

eventually heading to Tufts University,

- in the classroom, in the Indianapolis

majoring in mechanical engineering and

community, and nationwide. I have always

quantitative economics before receiving

had an interest in education, and helping

his Master’s Degree from the Stanford

Sycamore is probably the best way to have a

School of Engineering in Engineering

meaningful impact on improving education

and Management Science. He now lives

for gifted kids in Indianapolis.”

in Indianapolis and works for a Chicago

THE ROSIELLO BOYS; CHRIS + NICK

software company, CCC Information

The Rosiellos have recently worked with

Systems, doing computer software research

Sycamore to financially support one of the

and development.

institutions that helped their children, and family, as they matured and grew. They want

SERVICE TO SYCAMORE: MIKE + PATTY ROSIELLO Mike Rosiello knows what is means to serve

We caught up with Rosiello to talk about his

others. The retired attorney, whose two sons

family, leaving a legacy, why his two children

attended Sycamore, has been an integral part

attended Sycamore School, and how those

of Sycamore School’s evolution, serving on

children have gone on to create unique paths

the Board of Trustees for 15 years, including

for themselves.

two terms as President from 2000 to 2003, and from 2015 to 2017. He’s also served on

Neither Nick Rosiello (2001 Sycamore grad)

the Board of Directors of United Way of

nor Chris Rosiello (2002 Sycamore grad)

Indiana and Hope Academy.

followed the law degree path that their father took.

Rosiello, who grew up in Franklin Village, a suburb of Detroit, spent nearly 30 years

“I have no inclination towards mathematics

with the Indianapolis law firm Barnes &

at all, yet both of my sons are in

Thornburg, and that is where met his wife

mathematics-oriented jobs,” Rosiello says.

Patty, from Crown Point, Indiana and a

“(Former Sycamore math teacher) Mrs.

graduate of IU. At the end of November,

Lewis taught them math at Sycamore. I once

Patty and Mike celebrated their 34th

told her that I didn’t know where they got

wedding anniversary.

their math aptitude. It certainly wasn’t from me – it must have been from Mrs. Lewis.”

12

“I really don’t understand what he does,”

to be able to help provide long-term financial

Rosiello laughs, “But I think it involves

support to Sycamore for helping give their

crunching big data.”

children a foundational education and a spirit of compassion.

Chris earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, majoring in

“Patty and I made a planned gift as part

mathematics, and is a public high school

of the last capital campaign,” he says. “We

math teacher at Justice High School in Falls

want to contribute to the long-term success

Church, Virginia.

of Sycamore. Financial gifts, and planned giving in particular, are well-recognized

“It is a high school that has an interesting

methods of support for universities and

and challenging student body,” Rosiello says.

private high schools. I think the same

“It is relatively poor and extremely diverse –

reasoning should apply to financial gifts to

about two-thirds of the students have English

Sycamore. Sycamore is a great school. It

as a second language.” Chris teaches Algebra

provides a superb education to its students.

II, Trigonometry, and AP Statistics.

I believe Sycamore has demonstrated that

“I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT SYCAMORE SCHOOL IS A COMMUNITY ASSET THAT I WANTED TO SUPPORT EVEN WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE NO LONGER THERE.” – MIKE ROSIELLO

gifted education in the lower grades provides As a parent, Rosiello spent plenty of time at

life-long benefits to the students.”

Sycamore and has continued in leadership roles after his children graduated. After taking

A part of the reason Mike and Patty

the helm of the board, he became involved in

want to lend financial support to

conversations about how to make Sycamore a

Sycamore is to help Sycamore enroll

leader in the field of gifted education.

gifted students without regard to financial need. “Sycamore School is a unique and

“I have always thought that Sycamore School

valuable community asset. Financial gifts

is a community asset that I wanted to support

to Sycamore can have more impact than

even when my children were no longer

gifts of the same size to larger institutions

there,” Rosiello says. “I hope the school

like universities. I doubt that my planned

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MORE ABOUT MIKE ROSIELLO // From 2014 through 2018, VISITING THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

SEA CAMP IN KEY WEST, FLORIDA

Rosiello served as an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, teaching pretrial litigation and litigation drafting.

gift to Sycamore would even qualify as a

Mike remembers the days before the children

Chris, we are still close to some of the

mission, and has an unrelenting focus on

rounding error at Columbia or Stanford,”

enrolled at Sycamore. “Patty and I were

parents of their Sycamore classmates.

working to meet the mission. As long as

Mike says. “We want to see Sycamore

looking at schools in the spring of 1992

For example, Helen and Bob Brody host

the school’s parents and leaders keep that

succeed and continue to enrich the lives

because our older son, Nick, was going into

a turducken dinner every December for

mission focus, I know that Sycamore’s

of its students and parents long after we

Kindergarten and Chris would be in Pre-K

parents and classmates from Chris’ class.

future is bright.”

are gone. We think a planned gift is an

that fall. When we took the parent tour, the

This December will be something like the

efficient and effective way of helping to

Sycamore building was much less impressive

twelfth or thirteenth one.

ensure that Sycamore will continue to meet

than it is today,” he says. “Nonetheless, Patty

its mission.”

and I had no difficulty looking beyond the

•••

building, yellow shag carpet and all, to see that Sycamore was the right place for our two boys.

Rosiello says Sycamore shaped the lives of

The commitment of the faculty and staff to the

his children with lessons that have served

mission of gifted education and to the students

them well and continue to help them as

was palpable. Just looking at the children in the

adults. “I think Nick and Chris gained a lot

halls, we could see – as you can still see today –

of substantive knowledge at Sycamore, and

their joy in being at Sycamore.”

perhaps more importantly, they learned how to learn, which has helped them in all of

It was not only the lives of his children that

their later education and life experiences.

Rosiello says Sycamore impacted, but also

The concern and empathy of the Sycamore

Patty and Mike as parents. He says that

faculty undoubtedly rubbed off on both of

Sycamore was a great experience not just for

them. Both Nick and Chris made lifelong

our sons but for our whole family.

friends at Sycamore – friends they are still

14

close to. I think this was largely due to

“Patty and I always felt enriched by

the open, caring, and inclusive culture at

our participation in of the community

Sycamore, fostered by the faculty and staff.”

of Sycamore parents. Like Nick and

••• Rosiello says working with Sycamore has been a positive and educational experience for him. “I learned so much from (former Head of School) Nyle Kardatzke, (current Head of School) Diane Borgmann, and all of the School’s administrators and faculty. I always felt it likely that I got more from Sycamore than I ever gave.” Rosiello sees a Sycamore of the future that he hopes will have a significant role in Indianapolis and education. “As successful as Sycamore has been, it cannot become complacent. I always said that the school has done so well because Sycamore has a clear mission supported by the entire

//From 1998 through 2012, Rosiello lectured on contracts and sales for the Indianapolis Bar Association Bar Review Course.

//He has served on the faculty And like many parents of graduates who

of the Indiana Continuing Legal

miss the buzz of hallway noise, the happy

Education Forum’s (ICLEF) Trial

chaos of the afternoon pickup line, and the

Advocacy Skills College for more

camaraderie of being a part of a school like

than 15 years.

Sycamore, Mike says he still enjoys going back to visit Sycamore.

//Mike served on the United Way of Indiana Board of Directors for

“I love walking through the halls in the

16 years, and was a member of the

morning. The artwork is so beautiful – just

Board of the Hope Academy for

as it was 25 years ago – and you can still hear

eight years.

the students practicing their music. These are the things that always stuck with me. I

//He made the list of in Best

am so proud of Sycamore – everything the

Lawyers in America from 1998

school and its graduates have accomplished

through 2014; was named one of

over more than 30 years and what Sycamore

the “Indiana Super Lawyers” by

is doing now. I am struck always by how

Indianapolis Monthly Magazine;

happy and animated the students seem.

and was recognized on the Indiana

That’s just how you want children to feel

Super Lawyers list by Super

about school. n

Lawyers magazine. n

community, knows how to meet the

15


planning the first national conference for

the conference. We decided on mid-June,

optimal frequency. Is every year too often?

educators from independent schools with

thinking that attendees would still be in

Should we try a conference during the

missions to serve gifted kids. Our task

“school mode.” We heard, however, from

school year when participants could visit

force consisted of Sycamore teachers and

some east coast and west coast schools that

classrooms as well as attend presentations?

administrators, our Coordinator of Marketing

wanted to participate but were still in session.

We have surveyed the participants from

and Communications, our Psychologist, and

As their school years were wrapping up, they

both of the first two years in order to make

support staff. Amazing things began to happen!

couldn’t free up faculty to attend.

that determination.

and planning. The members of our task force

Our task force reconvened during the

One of the most appreciated times at the

each brought his/her own expertise and

2017-2018 academic year to debrief the

conference has been the reception that we’ve

background experience to bear on this work.

conference and consider how to move

planned for all participants—one time here at

Many of our own faculty offered to present.

ahead. We’d learned a lot in the planning

school and one time at a local establishment.

We issued a call for proposals, to which we had

stages and were ready to offer another

The time to chat informally--individually or in

a gratifying response. Our ideas really began to

exciting opportunity. The major change we

small groups--and share stories, celebrations,

take shape and transform into reality.

implemented was the date. This summer

issues, problems, and solutions has proved to

we decided to have the conference in

be valuable. Often these conversations are

The first “Gifted Summit, Gifted Education

early August in order to avoid schools still

conversations that would only be interesting to

in Independent Schools: Mission Accepted,”

being in session and to possibly hit a time

educators who work in an independent school

occurred June 13-14, 2017. Sixty participants

when faculty are starting to think about

with a mission for gifted learners—the very

came from eleven schools in seven states.

school again and ready to be energized for

reason for the conference!

The program was rich, with presentations

another year.

We chose a date and then started advertising

DR. CATHERINE PANGAN TALKS TO A GROUP DURING ONE OF THE WORKSHOPS AT SYCAMORE.

SYCAMORE GIFTED SUMMIT: AN IMPORTANT AFFINITY GROUP DIANE BORGMANN, HEAD OF SCHOOL, SYCAMORE SCHOOL

As this conference grows and develops, the

learning; math instruction; teaching about

The second iteration of the Gifted Summit,

dates and format may change, as will the topics

the Holocaust; creativity; cross curricular

“Writing the Next Chapter,” took place

and presenters, I’m sure. I believe the concept,

science integration; Google apps; poetry;

August 2-3 this year. This time some coastal

however, is one that will last and continue to

parents of gifted kids; intelligence testing;

participants came who hadn’t been able to

serve this relatively small intersection of sets

As educators of gifted children, we share

that independent school folks are most

the process of identifying schools that fit in

art integration; service learning; faculty

attend last year; however, attendance was a

between the independent school world and

common beliefs, challenges, goals, and

interested in don’t get attention. NAIS is an

this group, because such a list did not exist.

evaluation; differentiation; 3D printing,

little lower. Forty-five participants from seven

the world of gifted education. If you know of

excitement with other educators of gifted

organization composed of only independent

Through a variety of communications and

laser cutting, and podcasting; AP History

schools in five states attended. Again, the

educators who fall into this category, but who

children. As independent school educators,

schools; however, only a small proportion

outreach efforts, we built what we believe

enrichment; identification; and best books

program was robust. Presentations included

don’t know of this conference, please let us

we share common beliefs, challenges, goals,

of those schools exist to serve gifted

to be a fairly comprehensive database

for gifted kids. There was time for socializing,

the following topics: STEM; STEAM;

know. We will happily invite them. In order

and excitement with other educators in

children. My colleagues and I have found

of such schools. There aren’t many of

networking, and focused discussion on

social/emotional learning and the interplay

to preserve the purpose of the conference,

independent schools. We group ourselves

that the most stimulating and challenging

these schools—approximately 65 in the

common areas of interest. Perhaps the best

with academics; the Roeper model of gifted

however, we don’t intend to include public

professionally as members of NAGC

conversations occur when we’re with our

United States. The schools vary in size,

part for those attending was being with folks

education; math differentiation; digital

school educators or independent school

(National Association for Gifted Children)

peer group: educators from independent

location, grade level span, philosophy, and

who completely understood their issues and

portfolios; experiential learning; core values;

educators in schools with a different mission.

and/or NAIS (National Association of

schools with missions to serve gifted children.

program components; however, they are all

interests. The evaluations we received from

descriptive writing; literature for gifted

independent, and they all have missions to

the participants were very positive

kids; twice-exceptional students; hands-on

One of Sycamore’s strategic goals is to be a

serve gifted kids.

and encouraging.

learning in History; and an admissions panel.

leader in the field of gifted education. This

Independent Schools). Those of us who

16

on topics such as: social/emotional

work in independent schools with missions

A few years ago, at Sycamore, we had

to serve gifted children, however, don’t fit

a vision to bring together this group of

perfectly in either organization. NAGC is

educators from independent schools with

In the 2016-2017 academic year, we created

Perhaps the most difficult decision the

Our task now is to determine the optimal

professionally stimulated with like-minded

very public school oriented, and often topics

missions focusing on gifted kids. We began

a task force here at Sycamore to work on

task force wrestled with was when to hold

time of the conference and perhaps the

colleagues, and we make new friends! n

conference helps us fulfill that goal. We are

17


A SIGN AT THE CORNER OF 64TH ST. AND GRANDVIEW AVE. WAS BUILT DURING THE SUMMER OF 2018

COMPLETING THE FULFILLING PROMISE CAMPAIGN One of the final construction pieces of

Juday, Sycamore School’s Chief Financial

Sycamore School’s Fulfilling Promise

Officer, says. “The construction of it was

campaign was installed during the summer

viewed as a first step toward beautifying

of 2018. A new fence now defines the

the grounds with a measure of safety in

campus. Along with the brick and wrought

mind. The idea for a fence was included

iron fence is a prominent sign and the

as we were developing the elements of the

corner of Grandview and 64th.

Campus Master Plan and was considered a way to add a security feature to the school

18

“There had been talk about a fence around

grounds and also to show how Sycamore has

Sycamore School for some time,” Patrick

established a footprint in the neighborhood.”

A highly visible piece of the project was

“We made a decision to not pursue gates,”

Built over the summer and finished before

the installation of the illuminated brick

Juday says. “Inclusiveness always plays

school started in the fall, the only glitch

sign on the northwest corner of the

prominently in any decision to install gates.”

came early in the permit process. The old,

campus. “The sign was most definitely

ranch-style house that sat on the corner

an important part of the project,” Juday

During the early talks about the

for many years before it was leveled in

says. “It was nearly as important as the

importance of keeping our school grounds

2015 meant that the corner property was

fence, to prominently identify the school

marked, Juday says there was significant

still zoned as residential. Juday said that

grounds to vehicular traffic on 64th and

discussion about how to make the campus

once the property was properly rezoned,

Grandview with a sign that they have

safer for our students and for visitors.

construction ran smoothly. The sign was

arrived at Sycamore School.”

installed. Lights were added. The fence “As a school, we have a responsibility for

went up, and it continued the evolution

Head of Sycamore School, Diane Borgmann

the safety and security of students, faculty

of the school that began soon after it was

says, “We have a good relationship with our

and staff, parents, and anyone else visiting

purchased from Washington Township 22

neighbors. They always view enhancements

the campus,” he says. “We use the corner

years ago. As Sycamore continues to evolve,

to our campus positively and are glad

lot many times a week during our Physical

so does the land that the school sits on. n

Sycamore is in their neighborhood. We

Education programs, and the fence prevents

wanted to make sure that the fence isn’t a

balls from rolling and students from running

barrier to our accessibility.”

onto Grandview and 64th Street.”

19


LLAMAS VISIT SYCAMORE SCHOOL

SYCAMORE’S 4 TH GRADE BAND

MAKING NOISE AT THE SPIRIT WEEK ASSEMBLY

SYCAMORE PARENT BOOK CLUB DATES, BOOKS COMING UP IN 2019 The 2018-19 Sycamore Parent Book Club will meet two times in 2019 year to discuss books relevant to the social and emotional development of gifted learners. All book discussions will be held in the Quest room at Sycamore on Fridays, at 8:30-9:30am. Coffee and breakfast snacks will be served.

KAZOO BAND AT SPIRIT WEEK

EIGHT GRADERS FORM A HUMAN TUNNEL

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25TH

FRIDAY, APRIL 19TH

THE OPPOSITE OF WORRY:

SMART BUT SCATTERED:

THE PLAYFUL PARENTING

THE REVOLUTIONARY EXECUTIVE

APPROACH TO CHILDHOOD

SKILLS APPROACH TO HELPING

ANXIETIES AND FEARS

KIDS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL

BY LAWRENCE J. COHEN

BY PEG DAWSON & RICHARD GUARE

All kids experience worries of one kind or

Don’t let the name fool you - this book is

another and sensitive, hyper-aware gifted

not about ADHD. It is helpful for parents

kids often have a bit of anxiety bubbling

of all gifted kids who already know that

beneath the surface. This user-friendly

giftedness comes along with asynchronous

book walks parents through childhood/

development and executive skills often

adolescent fears of all kinds and how to

need a bit more scaffolding.

help coach our kids through this experience. The books are available in the Sycamore library for parents to check out. n

20

21


SYCAMORE NEWS + NOTES

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR

SPELL BOWL TEAM SECOND

SEMIFINALISTS ANNOUNCED

IN STATE AFTER REGIONAL

Thirteen members of our 2015 graduating

CHAMPIONSHIP

class of 36 have been named National Merit

The 6/7/8th grade Spell Bowl team

Scholar Semifinalists. That is more than one-

participated in the Junior Division regional

third of our graduating class of 36.

contest on November 3 at Clay Middle School and ended up with an impressive score of

AARON CHAI

60 points, earning first place for the class 4

ALEX GU

group. They moved on to the State contest

ARAYAN GUPTA

on November 10, where they finished second

SOUMYA GUPTA

in the state. Sycamore was only two points

BRENDAN HURLEY

behind #1 ranked St. Roch’s. Perfect rounds

GRACE LEE

were created by Emily Hackwelder, Rohan

ETHAN PIPER

Shah, and Oliver Seifert while nearly-perfect

SOPHIE POLLACK-MILGATE

rounds were created by Ria Tandra and Abby

QUINCEY PYATT

Cheng. At Regionals, Shah, Aditi Dey, and

JAYANTH TATIKONDA

Abby Cheng each had perfect rounds at,

ANDREW WU

spelling every one of their words correctly.

JAMES YIN

Other team members include Nate Liang,

MICHELLE YIN

n

VEX ROBOTICS TEAM CAPTURES TITLE

Jason Shay, Meera Mahidhara, Bridget Bodey, and Nigel Cronin. n

SYCAMORE GRAD EARNS HONORS AT UNIVERSITY

SYCAMORE GRAD EARNS

VEX TEAM EARNS

a strong Engineering Notebook, and

PIANO EXCELLENCE:

HIGH SCHOOL

TWO WINS ON JEOPARDY

NOVEMBER TITLE

for their sportsmanship and dedication

SYCAMORE STUDENTS

Congratulations to University High School

Sycamore grad Tori Campbell (‘02) won two

On November 3, the 8th Grade VEX IQ

shown throughout the day. With the

EARN AWARDS

freshman Vishnu Iyer (Sycamore class of

episodes of “Jeopardy” in shows that aired in

win, the team nailed down a bid to the

ADITI DEY

2018) on winning a Presidential Volunteer

late October. Campbell, an associate in the real

Service Award. Vishnu accumulated more

estate department of Chicago law firm Seyfarth

Tournament. In a day where Sycamore

than 100 hours of service working at a local

Shaw, had a two-day win total of $21,799. n

fielded seven teams in a strong 36-team

senior facility. n

22

team earned the top prize - the Excellence Award - at the Klondike Middle School

event, the 8th grade VEX team edged

SYCAMORE FIRST GRADER

out Sycamore’s 7th grade team and two

CONGRATULATIONS

PRESENTS POP TABS IN CINCY

Zionsville Middle School squads to claim

TO THE ILNICKI’S!

Ann Catherine Comer, a 1st grade student at

the top prize.

Congratulations to 1st grade teaching

Sycamore School, presented the pop tabs that

assistant Rachel Ilnicki and her husband.

Mrs. Shull’s class collected throughout the

Team members include Alyssa Effland,

Their baby, Grayson James Ilnicki (7 lbs, 6

2017-18 school year for the Cincinnati Ronald

Isabel Hargrove, Josh Irizarry, Alissa

oz., 21 inches), was born October 17. n

McDonald House. Ann Catherine was excited

Weigand, and Owen Williams. The team

to present the tabs. She and her family stayed

was lauded by the judges for consistent

in the house for a few days in December. n

performance across all competitions,

State Championship held at Lucas Oil Stadium in March. In the teamwork portion of the event, teaming with other schools, all five middle school level teams made the finals and finished in the top 10. The 7th grade team, made up of Mary Cudworth, Cooper Grabow, Erik Haggstrom, Oliver Seifert, and Kate Weigand, showed remarkable improvement from last year

Dey, a Sycamore 7th grader, finished in first place in three categories (Sonatina, American Songbook, and States of the Union) in the Junior age group at the 2018 Young Hoosier State Piano Competition. She also earned second place in the Jazz, Blues & Boogie category. Aditi was also honored for her 5th year as a Young Hoosier Piano Performer, where she earned first places each year in different categories. n

and steady consistency on Saturday to qualify and finish in a tie for third. n

23


STUDENTS SURROUNDED BY ITEMS COLLECTED DURING FOOD DRIVE

MORE THAN 7,000 ITEMS WENT TO THE CROOKED CREEK FOOD PANTRY

ANNE CATHERINE COMER

JASON SHAYE

SYCAMORE SCHOOL BECOMES

volunteered in the Indianapolis community

NEW IMPD OFFICERS AT

PROSPECTIVE PARENT OPEN

ANANSI RETURNS FOR A STAGE

Shaye, a 6th grader, was a finalist

THE SITE OF A TV COMMERCIAL

to make a positive impact with an issue you

SYCAMORE FOR 2018-19

HOUSE ATTENDANCE UP

PERFORMANCE

and earned first place on the last day

Ross Simpson, a longtime and well respected

For the 2018-19 school year, Sycamore has a

The October Prospective Parent

In early November, the Sycamore 1st

of competition in the 2018 Young

video producer/director and husband

new crew of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police

Admissions Open house was a rousing

graders renewed their tradition of

Hoosier State Piano Competition in the

of middle school teacher Beth Simpson,

Department officers who patrol the outside

success. Open house attendance made a

performing the stage version of “Anansi

International Juniors Category. n

oversaw the production of a pair of statewide

of the building, and are inside during special

59 percent jump compared to the 2017

and the Moss Covered Rock” in the

events. The group of IMPD officers will

event, with 43 families learning more

Theatre. Find more pics on the Sycamore

provide security for our events throughout the

about Sycamore from teachers, students,

School Facebook page. n

year. There are five different officers who will

and staff who were at the school to

share these duties: Scott, Fred, Chris, Tom,

welcome our visitors. n

commercials (one filmed here, and one at The

JUSTIN WARREN Warren, a Sycamore 3rd grader, won first place for Primary American Songbook in the 2018 Young Hoosier State Piano Competition. His older sister Hanna Warren (7th grade) also made it to the finals for the

Oaks) that were part of the Secretary of State’s initiative designed to encourage people to vote in November. Once again, Sycamore School was an Indianapolis voting site this year. n

NEW “SYCAMORE SERVES”

Bach and American songbook category for

COMMITTEE PROVIDES

her age group. n

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE Sycamore Serves is a new SSA committee

SPIRIT WEEK COLLECTS RECORD AMOUNT OF FOOD At the end of the annual Spirit Week festivities this fall, Sycamore families had donated more than 7,000 food items. The school presented the items to the Crooked Creek Food Pantry during our Spirit Week assembly. n

whose purpose is to help provide opportunities for our school community to offer their time and talents to help serve and make a difference in the community outside of Sycamore School. A visible, tangible, and easy-to-access way to get involved with Sycamore Serves is through

care about? How about the larger national or international community? Have you helped people? Animals? The environment. Jot down an idea or share an experience, inspiring others to do the same and perhaps inspiring a conversation or a new interest in serving to assist in our community. The Sycamore Serves Committee is open to all. n

BOX TOPS FOR BENCHES

and Mike. We encourage you to introduce

AND MORE

yourselves to these officers and we look

Third grade students will be collecting Box Tops for Education throughout the 2018-19 school year. Each box top is worth 10 cents, so the money can add up quickly. The classes are hoping to buy benches for the outdoor lab next year. The rest of the money will go to a charity/organization that the third-grade class will choose. There are collection boxes in every Early Childhood and Lower School classroom and the front

forward to a great relationship. n

NEW BOYS BASKETBALL COACH

ISACS TEAM VISITS SYCAMORE The Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS - a membership

Steve Malichi is the new Sycamore Head

organization of more than 235 independent

Boys Basketball Coach. Steve, from

schools from 13 states of the Midwest

Connersville, is the son of the longtime

ITALIAN OPERA

region) had a team of 10 administrators

coach at Connersville High School.

and faculty from other ISACS schools here

Sycamore students, Jordan Pecar (8) and

Steve played basketball at Connersville

September 23-26 to talk with every employee

Cooper Grabow (7), were in the cast of

and MacMurray College in Jacksonville,

and meet with representatives from each

the Indianapolis Opera’s production of G

IL before graduating from Indiana

constituent group as Sycamore went through

Puccini’s “La Boheme” at the Tarkington

University. He was also part of the

an accreditation process that happens on a

Center for the Performing Arts in September.

Indiana Fever practice squad, helping

seven year cycle. Current parents were able

Pecar, who performed in “South Pacific” last

prepare the team for their WNBA season.

to share their feedback about Sycamore with

year, and Grabow were part of the cast of

He currently is a basketball instructional

members of the visiting team. They left with

trainer in Indianapolis. n

glowing reviews and a few suggestions to

TWO STUDENTS IN

the new whiteboard which has been installed

office. (Box Tops can be found on many

Puccini’s immortal love story set in Paris. (It’s

in the Middle School hallway just outside

General Mills products.) n

sung all in Italian! - with English subtitles.) n

the Bhatia Technology Lab. Have you

24

JUSTIN WARREN

help take Sycamore into the next decade as a leader in Gifted Education. n

25


SPEECH AND DEBATE

CONGRATULATIONS TO

NORTH CENTRAL MUSICIANS

TREMONT TRADITION

TEAM STARTED; EARNS WIN

UNDEFEATED TENNIS TEAM

PERFORM AT SYCAMORE

5th graders this fall made their annual trek

Boys Tennis finished the 2018 season

The North Central Wind Ensemble and

to Tremont in the Great Smoky Mountains

The Sycamore Speech and Debate Team

undefeated. A banner is being made to

Jazz Ensemble presented their annual

for a week of trail hiking, nature, team-

earned an overall team win in early

hang in the gym.

concert for all students in October in the

building, and camaraderie. n

IN FIRST EVENT

November as they participated in their first meet. The team has 60+ members, and 13 students competed in the first event for coach Beth Simpson. Sycamore, along with two other schools (Orchard School and Emma Donnan Middle School), has started the Hoosier Middle School Debate League, and the three schools met for the first event.

Sycamore gym. It is always a fun and

FALL STAR AWARD WINNERS BOYS TENNIS: JONATHAN YANG GIRLS TENNIS: KARA WANG 5/6 VOLLEYBALL: KATIE KAPLAN 7/8 VOLLEYBALL: MEERA MAHIDHARA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: SOPHIE FARNUM BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: COLE DANGLER 5/6 SOCCER: HANNAH SNIDERMAN 7/8 SOCCER: ALISSA WEIGAND

n

SPEAKER AWARDS: 1ST: OLIVIA HEGE 4TH: BENJAMIN POLLACK-MILGATE 6TH: BRIDGET BODEY 7TH: MICHAEL FRYBURG 10TH: KARL WANG 11TH: INDIA ZAIDI 12TH: KAVYA CHHEDA 13TH: PORTER KANDEL

SYCAMORE SPORTS: XC ENDS SEASON AT LEAGUE MEET At the season-ending IISL Meet in October at North Central High School, the Sycamore School girls’ cross country team captured a second-place trophy in a field of 12 teams. They were led by top 10 finishes from Annabel Hermacinski (6th)

TEAM AWARDS:

and Chloe Kaplan (8th). This marks the

2ND: MICHAEL FRYBURG, PORTER KANDEL,

second consecutive year that the Sycamore

AND MATTHEW PAPP

4TH: BENJAMIN POLLACK-MILGATE

AND KARL WANG

5TH: BRIDGET BODEY AND OLIVIA HEGE

girls team has grabbed the second-place conference trophy. The Sycamore boys’ team narrowly missed third place in a squeaker, finishing fourth, led by two

OVERALL CHAMPION: SYCAMORE

n

top-five finishers - Dan Muhkin (4th) and

educational concert for our students and

ELEMENTARY SPELL BOWL

for the high school students. The 45-minute

TEAM EARNS

performance and featured a number of

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

our Sycamore alumni including: Julia Mann, Emily Schwartz, Naeman Khatib, Henley Lynch, Richard Nargang, Connor Granlund, and Jayanth Tatikonda. n

SYCAMORE SCHOOL NIGHT WITH THE INDIANA PACERS

Sycamore School earned a state championship in the elementary division of the state Spell Bowl competition in November, topping 83 teams that were competing in Sycamore’s division. Sycamore had two teams competing this year because of the large interest from students, and

Once again, Sycamore has partnered with

Sycamore’s second team finished 4th overall

the Indiana Pacers for the 3rd annual

in the state. “I understand the sacrifice that

Sycamore School Night at the Indiana

was made to learn 750 words and also to

Pacers. On Friday, February 22 vs.

arrive early at school on the mornings of

New Orleans at 7:00pm, specially priced

practice,” 2nd grade teacher and Spell Bowl

tickets will be available in three different

coach Deb Stewart says. “I am very proud

sections (Club level, lower balcony, and

of all of the students. My goal for Spell

upper balcony) for Sycamore families and

Bowl has never been about winning state

friends. A portion of the ticket proceeds

championships. Instead, it has been about

comes back to Sycamore School.

the journey, on teamwork, the friendships

TICKETS:

HTTPS://PACERS.FORMSTACK.COM/FORMS/ SYCAMORE19

n

formed or strengthened throughout the Spell Bowl season, and developing the ability for students to clearly communicate through writing.” n

Nik Muhkin (5th). The twins also ended the season tied for the new school record in cross country, each with a personal best time of 10:31. n

26

27


SYCAMORE FUND 2017-2018 SYCAMORE CIRCLE: $10,000 OR MORE Brian Tabor and Dawn Brooks John and Jennifer Hur Daniel and Christine Mytelka Ruth Pryor Richard and Jamie Schulte Hale Stuart and Rachel Simon VISIONARY: $5,000 TO $9,999 Lisa Haynes Michael and Beth Irizarry Robert Metzger Jeremy and Wendy Reymer Jeff Whorley HEAD OF SCHOOL CIRCLE: $2,500 TO $4,999 Randy and Pamela Cross Thomas Dorantes and Sunah Kim Dorantes Michael Eaton and Dohee Kim Stephen and Jane Hartsock Rob and Cory Martinson Joe and Angela Nacinovich Shankar Narayanan and Brinda Murty Ben Pecar and Leslie Thompson Philip and Courtney Pryor Franklin Sequeira and Deeya Brooks Gianvito Salerno and Christina Santangelo-Salerno Rob Siwiec and Christine Santori Andrew and Melissa Smith Abe and Nadya Swidan Syed-Adeel Zaidi and Areeba Kara LEADER: $1,000 TO $2,499 Mark and Meg Alberts Robert and Diane Borgmann Neil and Lisa Brierley Bryan and Virginia Burney Pamela Carter John and Emily Collins Brian and Julie Cunningham Xiangning Deng and Hongyi Duan Debashish and Soma Dey Ted and Anneliese Ebersole Parag and Sangeeta Garhyan David and Anita Haggstrom

28

Paul Helft and Melissa Cavaghan

Alex and Ashleigh Rexford

John and Betsy Coutant

Norman and Rinda Harvey

Yale and Carol Martin

Tim and Cami Hovda

D’Anna Saul

Ryan and Jenny Cox

Ponnamma Hasanadka

Maurer Family Foundation

Patrick and Krenta Juday

Jeff Seifert and Hong Liu-Seifert

Phyllis Crawford

Robert and Nancy Havlik

Michael and Janie Maurer

John and Susan Karpicke

Neal Steinbart and Kay Pashos

Justin and Olivia Cronin

Tucker and Mary Hawkins

Edward and Patricia McGruder

David and Kathy Kroeger

Gary Thompson and Leigh Harris

Terrye Davidson

Linda Hayes

Brent and Cathy McIntosh

Eric and Holly Lee

Nancy Thompson

Amy DeRosa

Scott and Janice Hayes

Doug and Cindy McKay

Ilya and Olga Lipkovich

Gary and Kim Warren

Jane DiMarzio

Lee Hege

Mark Medley

Joseph and Susan Loftus

Leon Xu

Robert and Jaclyn Doke

Daniel and Erin Hellman

Gabe Mervis

Michael and Glenna Lykens

Guangsheng Yang and Ruihua Cheng

Judith Dorantes

Lori Henderson

Josh and Lynn Mervis

Dipen and Sumi Maun

Mark and B.J. Drewes

Marcus and Jennifer Hendry

Zoe Mervis

George and Courtney Mohler

David Dunn

Emma Hermacinski

Linda Mihm

Scott and Denise Murray

FRIEND: $1 TO $499

Allison Earnhardt

Jay and Cara Hermacinski

Michael and Amy Miltenberger

Lily Pai

Rex Burton and Jessica Addington

Jeff Eastman

Dan and Debbie Hillenburg

Claire Moeller

Roland and Catherine Pangan

Aanchal Agarwal

Lawrence and Marlene Eastman

Simon and Kim Hillier

Spencer and Brittany Moffatt

Jim and Lacy Pearson

John and Fran Amer

Dennis and Nancy Eaton

Thomas and Mia Hindman

Matthew and Emilie Molter

Chris and Lara Pesavento

Tiffany Applegate

Jim and Doris Eck

T.J. Hindman

Javad Momayez and Xiaoling Xuei

Bruce Pfeffer and Amy Kressel

Ted and Marissa Argus

Ed and Jane Edson

Larry and Julie Hobbs

William and Ann Moreau

Libby Royer

Mattew and Christie Baines

George Efta and Carol Mooney

Randy and Becky Horton

Maris Morgan

Thomas Schroeder and Julia Hipps

Brent and Katie Baker

Jerry Eiserman and Tammy Monson

Allan and Janet Hribar

Pete and Betsy Morse

Kevin and Ninotchka Sigua

Ganesan and Raji Bala

Martin and Janine Erlenbaugh

Betty Huck

Bryce Mosey and Thomas Keith

Alex and Christine Smith

David and Sharon Baldwin

John and Joyce Ertel

Raenosa Hudnell

Charles and Suzanne Murray

Ally-Khan and Najwa Somani

Robert and Christine Baldwin

Mike and Betty Fayer

Chong-Cha and Dorothy Hur

Patrick Murray and Suzette Solomon

Dimitrios Stefanidis and Anastasiadou Paraskevi

Khaled Bassyouny and Nora Eldin

David Fink

John and Maeleen Hurley

Ria Narayanan

Andrew and Sumi Swearingen

Terry Baumer and Patricia Gabig

Jonathan and Jill Fiur

Michael and Barbara Hutchings

Richard Nargang

Nathan and Amanda Swingley

Jonathan and Sonal Bazeley

Natalie Fiur

Vishnu Iyer

Anya Neumeister

Jack and Laurie Tanselle

John and Allison Bentel

Kevin Fortner and Christine Efta

Jeff and Sherry Jamison

Doug and Kristie Neumeister

Fred and Marla Thompson

Steve and Pamela Benz

Larry and Lynn France

James and Marilyn Jeray

Soad and Abdullatif Nimr

Trent and Laura Tormoehlen

Evelyn Berry

James and Cindy Freudenberg

Joanna Jockish

Michelle Oldham

Bernie and Erin Wang

Rhea Bhatia

Dave and Ann Frick

Tom and Madonna Jones

Richard and Jan Osborne

Jian Wang

David Bishop

Keith and Carolann Fulk

David and Annette Kandel

John Ottensmann and Jan Neuenschwander

David Wintermeyer

James Bishop and Lyudmila Aslanyan

Maria Fulton

Tommy Kaplan

Jared and Samantha Outcalt

Jie Zhang and Yun Wang

Cassandra Blaufuss

Steve and Doris Fulwider

Prasad and Sarala Kareti

Merlin Outcalt

Samuel and Shannon Bloomquist

Dave and Joan Gall

Tim and Jennifer Kasper

Roger and Robin Outcalt

SUPPORTER: $500 TO $999

Max Bott

John and Lauren George

Guy and Lynn Keyes

Donald and Carolyn Palmer

Thomas and Jennifer Berger

John and Marilyn Boxell

Mark and Cindy George

Matthew and Melissa Keyes

Emeline Papp

William and Joyce Boncosky

Kevin and Melissa Branigan

Donald and Linda Gigliotti

Saad and Sarah Khairi

Joseph and Susan Papp

Patrick and Jennifer Cauley

Philip and Barbara Brooks

Ann Glazer

Naeman Khatib

Thomas and Kim Papp

Jim and Linda Gange

Mary Lou Brown

Jessica Godfrey

Daniel and Katrina Kirkendall

Sahvan Patel

Yi Gu and Min Xiao

Brad and Laura Brueckmann

Robert and Diane Grabhorn

Jeramy and Catherine Kirkendall

Naomi Patterson

Elizabeth Hagerman

Ann Burgess

Rick and Candi Granlund

Don and Grace Kite

Mark and Linda Patzke

Jeffrey Hagerman and Gianna Scappucci

Melissa Burke

Robert and Ellen Grant

Alan and Beth Ann Klotz

Debbie Peed

Edward Hellman and Laura Reuter

Jerry and Sarah Burton

Paul and Janice Greco

Marty Knight

Doug and Lynn Pels

Manish Jain and Shiroo Parshad

Dusty Burwell

Larry Green

Jack and Betty Krebs

Ramkumar Perumanam and Annapoorni

Martin and Patty Jischke

Paul and Mary Caldwell

Austin and Christine Greene

Michael Kulpa and Susan Deidrich

Krishnamoorthy

Michael and Abigail Klemsz

Hetty Carmack

Tom and Melyssa Greer

Judith LaFourest

Jerry and Helen Pesavento

Suthat Liangpunsakul and Attaya Suvannasankha

Joseph and Kata Carter

Jill Grossman

Alexandra Lange

Mathew Philipose

Randy and Cindy Loser

Stephen and Kathie Carter

Alexander Gu

Jerry and Tina Lehr

Tom and Teri Podgorski

Xiongbin Lu and Xinna Zhang

Varun Chheda

Stephen Hackwelder

Mabel Leonard

Edward and Sara Pollack

Dwight and Lisa Lueck

Elise Childress

David and Barbara Hagerman

Danyce Letkewicz

Ronald and Fran Porter

Raja Mahidhara and Geetha Rao

John and Mary Ann Childress

Andrew Haggstrom

Irene Liang

Ronald and Michele Porter

Howard and Susie Maxwell

Danny and Bridget Clark

Carl and Carol Hansen

John and Leah Lickliter

Michael and Susan Powell

John and Susan McNett

Julie Clawson

Jim and Juanita Harger

Todd and Joez Lickliter

Frank and Marianne Price

Christopher and Seema Mernitz

Phil and Sandi Cleaver

Christopher and Wendy Harlow

Brian Liu

Irwin and Eileen Prince

Jim and Judith Mills

Catherine Conder

Tim and Erica Harrison

David and Mary Mann

Jeff and Kimberly Pursch

Justin and Julie Moeller

Michael and Kathleen Conway

David and Catherine Harsha

Karen Mann

Valerie Purvin

Rob and Amy Nichols

John and Maria Cote

Jim and Linda Hartz

Carol Mannon

Gail and Nina Ratcliff

29


John and Joan Rau

Adam Taylor

Daniel Hargrove and Jennifer Thompson

Timothy and Deborah Reidy

Bill and Janet Taylor

Christopher and Wendy Harlow

Leroy and Janette Richins

John and Marcy Taylor

Kehaulan Haydoni and Robin Denman

Phil and Dianne Ridings

Joanne Tharp

Jeff and Sharon Hearn

Richard and Laurie Riggle

Bill and Mary Tierney

Ben and Rachel Ilnicki

Larry and Armanda Risk

Carol Toft

Charles and Nadine Kahi

Putnam and Eileen Robbins

Loick Trampont

Thomas and Linda Kaplan

Jerry and Sarah Roland

Paul and Annie Trampont

Leslie Katz

Jerome and Marjorie Rothstein

William and Aasha Trowbridge

Nathan Keith

Sue Rudavsky

Tom and Maria Truesdale

Saad and Sarah Khairi

Dennis and Joy Rudnick

Paul and Marjo Valliere

Karl and Beth Koehler

Vito and Benedetta Salerno

Dale Varble and Pamela Pangan-Varble

Sandy and Cindy Lange

Robert Sanborn

Kunwar and Karen Vohra

Eric and Holly Lee

David and Cathy Santori

Bill and Susan Warren

Harold and Jessica Lee

Mark and Kathy Schloer

Jay and Rori Watson

Jamie MacDougall and Heather Givans

David and Jane Schuth

William Welge and Kathy Willowoode

Greg and Megan Maurer

Jeremy and Carley Schutz

Sam and Jane Wendel

Dipen and Sumi Maun

Sanford and Dee Schwartz

Mark and Kathy Wenzel

Clement and Kellie McDonald

Wayne and Tami Sears

Kit and Jennifer Williams

Terrence and Monique McWilliams

Maggie Seifert

Thomas and Freddie Williams

Josh and Lynn Mervis

Kristen Senetar

Olivia Williamson

Michael and Julie Mervis

Ellie Sheffield

Ruel and Cynthia Williamson

Steve and Ruth Moll

Susan Shuber

Steve Wolf and Pam Westermann

Ramana Moorthy and Shailaja Valluri

Jeannie Shull

Kune Wong and Ka Lee

Peter and Betsy Morse

Roxann Silvius

Clay Wright

Troy Payner and Cara Peggs

Charles and Beth Simpson

Yi Xie and Qian Shaye

Benjamin Pecar and Leslie Thompson

Prem Singh

Naidi Xu and Xiaoqing Chen

Howard and Deborah Pollack-Milgate

Zdzislaw and Maria Siwiec

Jeff and Lori Yesh

Jeff and Aileen Puno

Dennis and Jane Smith

Xiao-Ming Yin and XiaoYun Chen

Michael and Patty Rosiello

Jim Smith and Nora Doherty

Tony and Shae Young

Nick Rosiello

Justin and Madeleine Smith

Karolena Zhou

David and Julie Sheffield

Robert and Beth Smith

Lei Zhou and Jenny Xie

William and Karen Shirrell

Mark and Jennifer Sniderman

30

B

ank home again®

EAST CARMEL

Hazel Dell and 131st

DOWNTOWN

Micah and Lily Simpson

Paul and Susan Sniderman

DONORS STILL CONTRIBUTING

Andrew and Melissa Smith

Charles and Barbara Solomon

TO FULFILLING PROMISE CAMPAIGN

William and Julie Szolek-Van Valkenburgh

Sara Spalding

Jason and Tami Beheler

Shih and Alyssa Wei

Miguel Spalding-Price

Steve and Pamela Benz

Scott and Sharon Weigand

Nick and Tiffany Stahl

Sumeet and Sumeeta Bhatia

Taylor Whitaker

Cory Steele

Al and Kristin Bodey

Aaron and Jean Wright

Fred and Helen Stehman

Bill and Lisa Boncosky

Tony and Shae Young

Robert and Susan Stephens

Robert and Helen Brody

Bill and Deb Stewart

Mary Lou Brown

Don Stuart and Constance Matts

Ric and Karen Chandler

Zhiqiang Sun and Tao Lu

Manish Chheda and Seema Dedhiya

James and Tracy Swearingen

Brett Clements

Lee and Chrissy Sweigart

Toby and Jennifer Cole

Jannell Swindell

Dan and Laura Conder

Joyce Szolek

Ben and Kate Copeland

Evelyn Tabor

Mark and Denise Cudworth

Robert and Cathy Tabor

Michael Eaton and Dohee Kim

David and Stella Talkington

Kathy Demeter

Letina Tandy

John Farrar

Siroos and Paula Tamaddoni

Paula French

Jerry Tanselle

Matthew Giffin

Mary Kate Tanselle

Brad and Stephanie Grabow

Thomas Tanselle

Scott and Shannon Guenthner

n

CARMEL

107 North Pennsylvania Street

East Carmel Drive Near Keystone Ave.

NORTHWEST

GEIST/FISHERS

Ditch Road and 84th Street

Olio Road at 116th Street

THE ONEAMERICA TOWER

WEST CARMEL/ZIONSVILLE 106th and North Michigan Road

One American Square

WESTFIELD/CARMEL

MERIDIAN-KESSLER

49th and Pennsylvania Street

East 146th Street at Cool Creek Commons

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WESTCLAY®

Towne Road near 131st Street

320 North Meridian Street

GREENWOOD

CASTLETON

West Smith Valley Road and SR 135

Bash Road and East 82nd Street

ON THE BACK COVER: Sycamore 3rd grader Nina Shaye is pictured with the three pieces of artwork that won 1st and 2nd place awards from the 2018 Indiana State Fair Youth Art competitions (1-3 grades). It was her first time showing artwork at the Indiana State Fair.

261-9000 ©2016 The National Bank of Indianapolis

www.nbofi.com

Member FDIC

05


Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage

1750 West 64th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260

PAID

Permit NO.984 Indianapolis, IN

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED www.sycamoreschool.org 317.202.2500

SYCAMORE


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