SCHOOLS
DECEMBER 14, 2011 • CJN-MMA • A5
Editor: Theresa Herron, therron@communitypress.com, 248-7128
ACHIEVEMENTS | NEWS | ACTIVITIES | HONORS
COMMUNITY
PRESS
CommunityPress.com
Milford after-prom needs volunteers By John Seney jseney@communitypress.com
MIAMI TWP. — Planning is under way for Milford High School’s after-prom in May. “It takes a lot of volunteers,” said Lori Berger, vice president of the high school’s PTSA, which sponsors the event. “We need 100 chaperones the night of afterprom.” The after-prom goes on in the early morning hours following the school’s annual prom, scheduled for Saturday, May 19. This will be the 24th year for Milford’s after-prom, which was
established as an alternative to students engaging in risky behavior, Berger said. “There have been no alcoholrelated deaths on prom night in MilLutz ford since afterprom started,” she said. Berger said about150 students attended the first after-prom. Now more than 800 show up. “You do not have to go to the prom to attend the after-prom.” she said. “More kids attend than attend the prom.”
The after-prom is open to juniors and seniors and their invited guests. A ticket is required for admission. “It costs about $20,000 to put on the after-prom,” Berger said. “The tickets pay for about half and fund-raisers and donations pay the rest.” Milford High School Principal Mark Lutz said the PTSA provides a huge benefit for the school by sponsoring and organizing the after-prom. “Proms and graduations are dangerous times for young people with the parties that occur,”
he said. “This gives us a night that is drug and alcohol free.” “It’s a safe place for the kids with a lot of fun activities,” Lutz said. A PTSA committee already is working on the 2012 event and looking for more volunteers. “People are busy. We understand that,” Berger said about the challenge of finding volunteers. “That’s why we want to highlight this event.” The theme of this year’s after prom is “Hollywood.” There will be plenty of games and activities at the event. “We try to keep the kids as en-
tertained as possible,” Berger said. While the regular prom is held off-campus, after-prom organizers decorate the gym, cafeteria and hallways of the high school for the event. “The idea is to transform the school,” Berger said. Berger said parents and the public are invited to view the decorations at the high school the evening before after-prom. “Parents know where their kids are,” Berger said about after-prom. “It keeps them off the street and not getting into trouble.”
OSU/Honda Math Medal earned by CNE’s Faecher By Kellie Geist-May
kmay@communitypress.com
Elizabeth Lambing, right, Emily Kuntz, center, and Grant Fishback examine a map to determine which water wells need to be tested. KELLIE GEIST-MAY/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
CNE students solve water mysteries By Kellie Geist-May kmay@communitypress.com
STONELICK TWP. — Sixthgraders in Laura Carlier’s science class got into character Nov. 15 to help solve two water quality mysteries. The students acted as scientists, doctors and detectives to piece together clues to answer two questions: Why were people in London contracting cholera and why was a small American town suffering from arsenic poisoning? The class was led by Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District Education Coordinator Judy Krebs, who gave the students the background helped them research the answers. Krebs said presenting the water quality information in a fun, engaging format helps the kids grasp the concept of protecting resources. “Ultimately everyone needs to understand the importance of conserving soil and water. Having me in the classroom helps the teachers address the topic and it helps the (Clermont) Soil and Water Conservation District communicate its mission,” Krebs said.
Education Coordinator Judy Krebs talks with Dustin Lykins. KELLIE GEIST-MAY/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
Many of the lessons address how the human element can affect soil and water. For example, in the London cholera scenario, the students discovered the wa-
terborne disease traveled to England with a boat of tradesmen. Krebs has been working with many of these students since kindergarten. CNE invites the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District to the schools multiple times each year to present grade-pertinent soil and water information. They discuss everything from pollution to landslides over the years, Carlier said. The lessons also align with the state’s core standards for each class. “The lessons (Krebs) brings to class are always perfect for each grade. In sixth-grade, she uses the lessons to talk about water quality through the inquiry process. The students have to ask questions and make conclusions, which is something we talk about all year,” Carlier said. “Having those lessons come from someone other than me sometimes keeps the kids enthused.” “This is really an opportunity for them to act like scientists, doctors and detectives. We’re not just drilling vocabulary or working out of the textbook. With her lesson, the sixth-graders have to do the work and come up with the answers,” Carlier said.
Shoe boxes collected for needy For the past several years, St. Andrew-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School families have participated in Operation Christmas Child, an international effort to provide children in povertystricken countries with shoe boxes containing necessities and treats. The Rev. Rob Waller blessed the shoe boxes Nov.18 at the Seton campus and a group of volunteers delivered 205 boxes to a local drop-off center.
The Rev. Rob Waller blessed shoe boxes Nov. 18. Shown with some boxes are, from left, Marley Smith, Etta Henson, Madison Corbett, Waller, Christian Threm, Emily Fridley and Chris Mollaun. PROVIDED
STONELICK TWP. — Clermont Northeastern senior Taylor Faecher is hoping to study engineering at The Ohio State University next year and he has a card up his sleeve - Faecher received a 2011 Honda-OSU Math Medal. The medal was given to 226 seniors in Ohio this year. “It’s a wonderful honor that, out of all the students, my teacher nominated me and I was chosen,” Faecher said. “It’s amazing.” The recognition comes with a pewter math medal, certificate and $100 Barnes & Noble gift card. Faecher also will be eligible for a $3,000 renewal scholarship to OSU if he is accepted into the engineering program. Faecher said winning the math medal helped him realize that engineering is what he wants to study, especially since the awards breakfast included a tour of GE. “I’ve always understood math and I’m really enjoy physics this year … but seeing GE was awesome. The technology people are creating is amazing and I think that’s what I’d like to do,” he said. “I like OSU because of the research funding. They have students who are doing real research as undergrads. I want to be able to be a part of something like that.” Math teacher Megan Yeager nominated Faecher, 17, for the recognition. She said it’s not just his academics, but his personality and drive that made Faecher a good choice.
CNE senior Taylor Faecher his teacher Megan Yeager. KELLIE GEIST-MAY/FOR THE COMMUNITY PRESS
“He’s such a strong math student. He works really hard and it shows,” she said. “I’m just really proud of Taylor and I think it’s cool he’s more interested in engineering after winning the math medal. He’ll make a great engineer - or a great whatever he decides to be,” Yeager said. When he’s not in class at CNE, Faecher is taking college courses at UC Clermont. He also plays varsity soccer and has been the team’s captain for two years. On the sidelines, you can find him in the mascot costume at CNE basketball games, as the leader of the Rocket Rowdies student section, or volunteering with the National Honor Society. He’s also involved at his church, Owensville United Methodist. He is the son of Connie and Shelby Krebs.
Milford schools save using cooperative agreements By John Seney jseney@communitypress.com
MIAMI TWP. — Milford schools are saving thousands of dollars through cooperative purchasing agreements and shared services with other districts. Jeff Johnson, operations manager, told school board members Nov. 17 the district has saved $200,000 by purchasing Internet and technology services through the Hamilton/Clermont Cooperative Association. “It’s a huge savings by coming together with other school districts,” he said. Membership in a health consortium has allowed the district to save $810,000 in health insurance costs, Johnson said. In the winter, the school district buys salt from Miami Township at a reduced price of $60 a
ton. “We use it to treat the parking lots,” he said. Other cooperative agreements allow the district to save on food and custodial serJohnson vices. “We’re looking for other areas where we can cooperate and save money,” Johnson said. “We can use every bit of it,” said board member George Lucas. Board member Andrea Brady pointed out the district is sharing a food service director with the Wyoming school district. By using former Treasurer Randy Seymour as a consultant, the district also is saving money, Brady said.