10/21/10

Reginna Blaser said:

Thanks very much! We are so happy with Sycamore! Thanks for the great support especially for a "newbie"!

This is an exerpt from a reply from Gail Scott at Faithway when I asked her to give us a review on Capterra:

"Nancy I would love to do a review - and to be honest, I know all systems have their bugs but I love the program and for the cost of using your system, I feel it was a great choice for our school -"

Sort of what we want to explain to people.

Gail Scott said:

You are a blessing to me! Thanks so much! I love this program and your kindness! Gail Scott

Thu Aug 26 12:46 PM 2010

Mark,

Thank you! �Mark has already contacted me and we're well on our way to finishing up the migration. �It was pretty amazing transitioning from Beth telling me she MIGHT be able to get our immunizations file done in two weeks to having it completed by the end of yesterday. �Now that's "fanatical" service.

Thanks again,

Jeff McWilliams

8/13/10

On August 5, 2:12 PM, Carmen Flores < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it > wrote:

You’re very welcome…they were heartfelt comments.  When I’m done here at LCA, I’ll come work for you @ SE, k?  :)  Seriously, you guys should present at the ACSI Conventions…SE is so much more user-friendly and affordable than the other options we looked at.  And your support compared to our old support at Hunter…ugh. No comparison.

Carmen Flores

Guidance Counselor/UPS Groups Coordinator

Lakeland Christian Academy, Winona Lake IN

SYCAMORE ROCKS!! Mark is the BOMB! Best service ever! Parents, teachers, students, admin...Lakeland Christian Academy loves Sycamore! (Mark, I'll be expecting my tshirt and coffee mug in the mail any day now...you're welcome!) :)

Carmen Conley Flores

Lakeland Christian

On June 30, 2:30 PM, Kari Staples < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it > wrote:

Nancy -

I need to tell you that Mary has been a wonderful help to us!  She is amazing and has been able to answer all of our questions +!!!!!  We cannot thank you enough for the support you have given us and we are excited to be a part of Sycamore!  Now, I am off to send my first support ticket!

Kari Staples

Principal

St. Andrews

Minnesota

Ticket # 20100428-12098Carmen Flores said:

Sycamore Super-Heros to the rescue! :)

You've made my day!

Close this ugly thing with an AMAZIINNNNGGG rating!

~Carmen

Thu Apr 29 12:59 PM 2010

Julie Elliott said:

> Thanks for those suggestions. We'll give those a try. Remember if any schools are looking at Sycamore for next year, we will be happy to give a great testimonial!

The beginning of a new year is always a time of change filled with ideas designed for  improvement. To that end there are some new things you will notice this quarter in our effort to improve. First, we will no longer utilize Orbund as our school information system. We have grown more and more dissatisfied with the performance of Orbund throughout the school year. Beginning this quarter we have partnered with Sycamore Education for our school information system needs. We believe Sycamore is a far superior product that will provide us with a better communication tool for school staff, students, and parents.

We ask for your patience and cooperation as we import all of our data into our new system. We hope to have it functional for students and parents by the beginning of February, in the coming weeks we will provide you with the information needed to use the new system. Once the system becomes functional we will conduct workshops on using Sycamore, if there is an interest by parents to do so.

Mr. Dupre

St. Mary's

Oneil, NE

Testimonials

Julie Elliott - admin

missouri

said:

...Thanks. BTW - I am recommending Sycamore to another school because we are very pleased and I am so thankful that you answer my questions - without admitting you're laughing at ME!

Wed Jan 20 08:44 PM 2010

Tom Hiegel said:

What an outstanding group of techs! You made what could have been a big problem into a simple one.

Wed Jan 13 01:04 PM 2010

From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:08:50 To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Subject: Sioux Falls They like your product so much in Sioux Falls they already named a street after it! :)

Tom Hiegel said:

What an outstanding group of techs! You made what could have been a big problem into a simple one.

Wed Jan 13 01:04 PM 2010

“I am just very impressed with the functionality of the software...the power of this package is truly amazing... we are very happy."

Harold L., Administrator

You are the "unseen" heroes in keeping our school family communicating and working together for the good of the students.  Thank you for your dedication to excellence.

Tony R. Administrator

missouri

Howard Lichty said: Thanks so much...and yes...I fixed a number of the other classes that had similar but much smaller issues (# of days.)...please proceed!

I wanted to write you even before we had this minor crisis...I am just very impressed with the functionality of the software...of course I was coming from having no SIS before so everything is amazing...the power of this package is truly amazing...I am really excited of the potential I see for our school. Integrating many teachers to one report card has always been a nightmare...the ability to do a narrative report...per subject...we used to do all this manually...wow...its a delight...I look past our little attendance issue(which was our fault) and am truly grateful...

I recommend your software to many people...because I am truly happy with it...yes there are things I wish might be a bit different...but overall...we are very happy.

Thanks again

Mr. Lichty, Principal, CCS

You guys, your service, and the Sycamore System is awesome!   I love it.  My teachers love it.  My families love it.  If you ever need an enthusiastic advocate, give me a holler.

Darron Arlt

November 2009

Re: We use Sycamore Education and LOVE it!!

Posted by Terryleigh on 3/30/09

This is our first year with a software management program and we

love Sycamore! The cost is .60 a child/month... VERY reasonable!

We use the on line grading program, the pictures, news articles,

pass-a-note from teachers & parents, etc. etc. etc. This

program still has so much that we have not even used yet!

AWESOME technical support!

Great program for a GREAT price!

Michelle Macintosh said:

Thank You so much for your speedy response and taking care of this for us. We are at a work day at our ESU & just had to rub it in to those using Powerschool what a great support system you offer!!! Kudos!

From a small school lead in Korea:

"Thanks so much for your patience.. I have been very impressed with your service and support already and we aren't actually customers yet. I have no doubt that we would be completely satisfied with the response time of your support staff if we choose your software."

Our admin and office staff are unanimous in desiring to change from RenWeb to Sycamore.

Ron L, Admin

We want to thank you for the many areas where Sycamore Education has increased our ability to interact with teachers, parents and students.  This system is much more user-friendly over our previous system in many ways.  And we really appreciate how prompt the IT people are answering the support tickets.

Ann  Admin. Secretary

Brenda Monahan said:

Thanks so much! I really love using this system...you are always quick to reply and helpful! I hope you continue to have lots of success...I continue to recommend you to other principals.

Brenda M., Principal

Your System Rocks!  I love it!

-Rob L. Principal

We wholeheartedly recommend Sycamore Education.  You will find, as we have, that they are very customer-oriented, and work as partners with you.

-Francine S. Technology Director

The support and service we receive is phenomenal!  I have several ways to ask questions and they are always answered promptly.  It would be hard to be without it now.

-Lynne B., Administrator

Missouri

As we finish our first year with Sycamore, I just want to thank you for all your help. You get the Patience Award as you work with us (and others) to learn the system. If you lived a little closer, I'd bring you some cookies. :-)

-Kris A., Administrator

connecticut

Thanks so much! Once again, you guys surprise me at the speed at which you implement suggestions!  Fri Jun 06 08:24 AM 2008.

-Tonya N., Administrator

georgia

I login to Sycamore Education every day.  It's made it easy to stay connected to the school.  Now I always know how my kids are doing, and I can easily communicate with their teachers.  I love it!

-Anna S., mother of 5 students

We went live with our families in July and have been

receiving GREAT comments from our parents....I can't say enough

positives about the support service from Sycamore! Even more

important is the COST - and we CAN afford it on our budget :)

-Lee Ann, Principal

We just went with Sycamore and are very impressed...We are one of their first international schools. Since we are oveseas we have had to ask for modifications for our situation - country fields, time zones, etc. and they have been great about making the needed adjustments.

-Tim S, IT

Germany

I appreciate the time you and other Sycamore team members have spent with us.  My administrators have been very impressed with the response time and the accessibility of your employees.

Rachel D. Principal

-----------------

The following is an email that a prospective client sent to David Mueller, a current client, asking for information about Sycamore.  As you'll discover in Mr. Mueller's response, he is familiar with Schoolminder.  He would be a good person to talk to about Sycamore/SchoolMinder.

Dear Sir, Madam:

We received information in the mail regarding Sycamore Education on-line service for schools.  This looks like a system that may work for our school. Sycamore Education provided us with your email address to inquire about your satisfaction and dissatisfaction regarding their product.. We are seeking input from users of this product.

Presently, we use a program called School-Minder. If you have used School-Minder and you can provide a comparison for us, that would also be a great help. We realize your time is precious  however, if you have a moment to respond to our email message we would be so ever grateful.

Thank you,

Gail

---------------

Gail,

I am pleased to give a positive report on Sycamore Education. I have been involved in the transition from School Minder to Sycamore at two different schools and at both elementary and high school.

About three years ago in Omaha, NE, I was serving as Executive Director of a multi-site K-12 Lutheran school association. We had two elementary schools and a jr/sr high school with about 430 students and about 50 staff. We had been using School Minder since 1998. I am very familiar with the product, both its good features and its pitfalls. Our primary issues with School Minder were lack of flexibility, ongoing cost and poor support.

We investigated Sycamore and made the switch over a summer. Then we implemented a phase in of the product with the staff and the parents over the first several months of the school year. One implementation procedure that we found successful was to bring several key parents on board as "test" individuals to help the teachers get used to the system. The communication piece in Sycamore is a gem. The Pass-A-Note and Blast-A-Note features are wonderful, as well as the ability to see who has read a sent Pass-A-Note. The ability to have your email directed to Sycamore is also very helpful. Our elementary teachers in Omaha, quickly adapted to the attendance and lunch count procedures. They found it took less time than previous methods. Also, the online grading system worked great. Our teachers loved the ability to log into the system from home and enter grades, update assignments and work on their parent notes page. In Omaha, we only used the system with our elementary grades, because of where Sycamore was in its developmental stage for high school features. Glenn and the team at Sycamore are very responsive to the needs of their clients. Their response to issues and suggested changes is wonderful.

In the summer of 2007 I moved to Austin, TX to work with a Lutheran High School. We made the transition to Sycamore this fall. The only reason I was able to implement Sycamore was because of all the upgrades that had happened over the last three years that made the system work better for high schools. They have improved the transcript and report card features.

In both school systems we had some difficulty with staff who had time management challenges. Depending on the level you plan to implement Sycamore for grades, assignments and news will affect the teachers. Some of the same ones who are challenged with following processes and procedures will still have the same issues with Sycamore. The thing that I have found in both cities is that once you make this change and teachers and parents start using it, there is a positive feeling about the school and the staff that keep up with the grades and posting of assignments. The teachers who do not keep up with grades and assignments will generate complaints from the parents in their rooms. This is a reality that you should discuss on the front end. Sycamore brings on a change for the whole staff. Everyone must make the change. Most will take to it like a duck to water and a slim few will struggle and need administrative assistance.

Our high school students have been given their own passwords and can log in and review their grades. The students can also send Pass-A-Notes to the teachers.

My assistant principal who has been in charge of the implementation, loves Sycamore. She raves about its ease of use compared to School Minder. The Sycamore team will help in the migration of date from School Minder to Sycamore. This is one place where School Minder creates issues for you. Not all information can be exported and so some had to be re-entered into the system. I would say that about 90% of all our data moved over with minor difficulties. The other 10% had to be reentered. This seemed a small price to pay for the improved efficiency that came with Sycamore.

My advice: GO FOR IT! YOU WILL LOVE IT!

--

God bless your day!

David W. Mueller

Concordia Academy

Executive Director

Office: 512-248-2547

Fax: 512-469clients love Sycamore Education......yoTest

Testimonials

Our clients LOVE Sycamore Education.  And why not....we offer a comprehensive online school administration and student information system at a price that's amazingly affordable.  We also have the best support in the industry.  

But don't take our word for it....

We believe Sycamore is a far superior product that will provide us with a better communication tool for school staff, students, and parents.
 Walter D., Principal, Nebraska

Thanks very much! We are so happy with Sycamore! Thanks for the great support especially for a "newbie"!
Regina B., Tennessee

 You are a blessing to me! Thanks so much! I love this program and your kindness!
Gail S., Principal, Mississippi 

Now that's "fanatical" service.  Thanks again.
Jeff M., Technology Coordinator, Maryland

SE is so much more user-friendly and affordable than the other options we looked at.  And your support compared to our old support…ugh. No comparison. 
Carmen F., Indiana

We cannot thank you enough for the support you have given us and we are excited to be a part of Sycamore!  
Kari S., Principal, Minnesota

I am recommending Sycamore to another school because we are very pleased and I am so thankful that you answer my questions - without admitting you're laughing at ME!
Julie E., Administrator, Missouri

What an outstanding group of techs! You made what could have been a big problem into a simple one.
Tom H., Technical Teacher, Nebraska 

They like your product so much in Sioux Falls they already named a street after it! :)
Anonymous, South Dakota

I am just very impressed with the functionality of the software...the power of this package is truly amazing... we are very happy.
Harold L., Administrator, Canada

You are the "unseen" heroes in keeping our school family communicating and working together for the good of the students.  Thank you for your dedication to excellence.
Tony R., Administrator, Missouri

You guys, your service, and the Sycamore System are awesome!   I love it.  My teachers love it.  My families love it.  If you ever need an enthusiastic advocate, give me a holler.  
Darron A., Principal, Nebraska

SYCAMORE ROCKS!!  Best service ever!  Parents, teachers, students, admin...Lakeland Christian Academy loves Sycamore! 
Carmen F., Indiana

Thank you so much for your speedy response and taking care of this for us. We are at a work day at our ESU & just had to rub it in to those using Powerschool what a great support system you offer!!! Kudos!  
Michelle M., Teacher, Nebraska 

Our admin and office staff are unanimous in desiring to change from our old system to Sycamore.
Ron L., Administrator, Kansas

We want to thank you for the many areas where Sycamore Education has increased our ability to interact with teachers, parents and students.  This system is much more user-friendly over our previous system in many ways.  And we really appreciate how prompt the IT people are answering the support tickets. 
Ann, Administrative Secretary

Thanks so much! I really love using this system...you are always quick to reply and helpful! I hope you continue to have lots of success...I continue to recommend you to other principals
Brenda M., Principal, Mississippi

Your System Rocks!  I love it!
Rob L., Principal, Nebraska

We wholeheartedly recommend Sycamore Education.  You will find, as we have, that they are very customer-oriented, and work as partners with you.
Francine S., Technology Director, Missouri

The support and service we receive is phenomenal!  I have several ways to ask questions and they are always answered promptly.  It would be hard to be without it now
Lynne B., Administrator, Missouri

As we finish our first year with Sycamore, I just want to thank you for all your help. You get the Patience Award as you work with us (and others) to learn the system. If you lived a little closer, I'd bring you some cookies. :-)
Kris A., Administrator, Connecticut

Thanks so much! Once again, you guys surprise me with the speed at which you implement suggestions!
Tonya N., Administrator, Georgia

I login to Sycamore Education every day.  It's made it easy to stay connected to the school.  Now I always know how my kids are doing, and I can easily communicate with their teachers.  I love it!
Anna S., mother of 5 students

We went live with our families in July and have been receiving GREAT comments from our parents....I can't say enough positives about the support service from Sycamore! Even more important is the COST - and we CAN afford it on our budget. 
Lee Ann C., Principal, Pennsylvania

We just went with Sycamore and are very impressed...We are one of their first international schools. Since we are overseas we have had to ask for modifications for our situation - country fields, time zones, etc. - and they have been great about making the needed adjustments.
Tim S., Headmaster,  Germany

I appreciate the time you and other Sycamore team members have spent with us.  My administrators have been very impressed with the response time and the accessibility of your employees. 
Rachel D., Principal, Georgia

Sycamore Super-Heros to the rescue! :)  You've made my day!
Carmen F., Indiana

My advice: GO FOR IT! YOU WILL LOVE IT!-- God bless your day!
David M., Executive Director, Texas