FOREST HILLS
JOURNAL
Your Community Press newspaper serving Anderson Township, California, Mount Washington, Newtown
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2013
Students promote tweet thoughts
BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS
By Forrest Sellers
fsellers@communitypress.com
Anderson High School teens Leila Fox, left, and Carlie Yersky have developed a Twitter site called “ATown Compliments.” They developed the site as a way to send positive messages to classmates and teachers. FORREST SELLERS/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
ATown Compliments has followers not only from Anderson High School, but Turpin High School and other area schools. Turpin students created a similar site called “Turpin Compliments.” Fox and Yersky said a school in Tex-
as has even contacted them asking for suggestions. “This is the perfect medium for something like this,” said Yersky. “It’s an open network. “If we can promote kindness we’ve met our goal.”
Paddling away on the river By Lisa Wakeland lwakeland@communitypress.com
It’s one of the biggest events of its kind in the Midwest and the Ohio River Paddlefest returns to Coney Island amusement park June 20-22. Thousands of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards will make the 8.2-mile trek down the Ohio River from Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township, to the public landing at Yeatman’s Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way. During the Saturday races, which begin around 7:15 a.m. Saturday, June 22, there is no motorized boat and barge traffic on the river. “It’s very unique and a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Paddlefest Director Teresa Lubic. “How often do you get to paddle on the Ohio River?” But Paddlefest weekend isn’t all about cruising down the river and includes a special kids event Thursday, June 20, and a music festival Friday, June 21.
Teacher has reservations about new gym waiver By Forrest Sellers
fsellers@communitypress.com
ANDERSON TWP. — Two Anderson High School teens have created an alternative to negative tweets on the social media site Twitter. Junior Leila Fox and graduating senior Carlie Yersky have developed a Twitter site called “ATown Compliments.” As its name suggests ATown Compliments is geared toward sending positive messages. It’s a way to use social media as a positive tool, said Yersky, who was invited to speak on social media during Anderson’s recent graduation ceremony. Fox said she became frustrated by the number of anonymous tweets people were sending that involved bullying. Bullying was something both Fox and Yersky said they had experienced in the past. “Our thought was what if people were sent compliments instead,” said Fox. They started ATown Compliments in November and since then have sent nearly 1,400 tweets and have close to 1,000 followers. “When we compliment someone we hope it makes their day brighter,” said Yersky. It is hoped people reciprocate by performing acts of kindness of their own, she said.
The Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo, which is 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, includes more than 50 presenters in four separate villages this year, said Ali Menke, expo coordinator. The Let’s Move area is full of handson nutrition and exercise presentations. Let’s Explore is focused on animals and nature, Menke said, with the Cincinnati Zoo and Newport Aquarium bringing animals. Another village, Let’s Be Green, features environmentally friendly activities, and Let’s Splash is all water activities. Menke said that station has gives kids a chance to paddle across Coney Island’s Lake Como and learn about other water sports and adventures. Except for the Queen City Clipper, which will offer rides down the Ohio River Thursday for $2 per person, all the Kids Expo activities are free. “We want them to learn everything there is about the outdoors and safety while having fun,” Menke said. See PADDLE, Page A2
FOOD
RELIEF
Thriftway’s slaw recipe remains in Rita’s recipe “hall of fame.” Full story, B3
McNicholas High School is revisiting a play from earlier this year to raise money for Oklahoma tornado relief efforts. Full story, A2
Zachary Oehler holds up his catfish, with the help of volunteer Paul Dusing, which he caught during a recent Paddlefest Kids Expo at Coney Island. FILE PHOTO
ANDERSON TWP. — A physical education teacher at Nagel Middle School has concerns about a recently approved waiver. During its May meeting the Forest Hills school board approved a waiver which will allow students who have completed two full seasons of interscholastic athletics, marching band or cheerleading to be excused from the high school physical education graduation requirement. The waiver, which can be used by students in grades 9 through 12, will be implemented in the 2013-2014 school year. Scott Peters, a health and physical education team leader at Nagel, expressed his concerns to Jackson the board during the meeting. Peters said the activities permitted by the waiver do not necessarily compare to those in the traditional physical education curriculum. He said the waiver is also somewhat vague in regard to meeting certain requirements. Peters said more input should have been sought from some of the health and physical education teachers before adopting the waiver. “Give all parties a chance to respond,” he said. Natasha Adams, the new director of instructional services for the district, said Ohio has permitted this waiver for more than a decade. “Many districts in our area have adopted similar policies,” she said. Ellie Preston, secondary program coordinator for the district, said the waiver provides “students with as many opportunities as possible.” Superintendent Dallas Jackson said the feedback he has received regarding the waiver has been positive. Jackson said a reason the district adopted the waiver was that with so many different classes available a number of students were taking physical education courses in the summer. Jackson said by taking the physical education courses in the summer the students were able to take some of these other courses and still meet state requirements. Board member Julie Bissinger said an effort should be made to “actively engage” the physical education teachers as it proceeds with the waiver. Board member Tracy Huebner agreed. “We are approving this, but it will be monitored over time,” she said. “We have a lot of work ahead of us to make it successful.”
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