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
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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
03
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
07
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
09
“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.
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