The Experience - Winter 2015 Newsmagazine for Mariemont City Schools

TM

The Experience

Official Newsmagazine of Mariemont City Schools

Focus on:

preserving & protecting our schools * **

Enriching the Educational Experience WINTER 2015 Tradition. Community. Innovation.

funding our

today, tomorrow

letter from the

superintendent

leaders of scholars of

My focus every day is to make sure that Mariemont City School District students are receiving an excellent education and have outstanding experiences learning and growing.

I am grateful for the support our community showed at the ballot this past November in support of our operating levy. This support brings much-needed operating dollars to our schools. I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful school system and community!

As I am sure you are aware, the state of Ohio is currently working on the development of its biennium budget. This is legislation that we need to watch very closely. At the forefront for all of us is frustration with the continual shift of the tax burden to fund education to local property owners; but, at the same time, we all recognize the need to protect and preserve the well-rounded education that our children receive in the Mariemont City School District.

The burden to fund our schools has gradually been shifting more and more to local taxpayers in the past decade as state dollars have been reduced cumulatively in our school district to the tune of $3.2 million dollars in the last four years alone. And now, we are at risk of losing even more.

I have shared my concerns with state legislators. Additionally, I serve on the legislative committee for the Buckeye Association of School Administrators – a committee that has an important voice in decisions made at the statehouse. We also have legislative experts working on our behalf through various professional organizations with which we partner. If you would like to contact your state representatives, I encourage you to do so as well.

Because, at the end of the day, the funding from our state helps to fund the important academic programming that takes place inside and outside the four walls of our classrooms. Funding to programs like Warriors BEyond and Warriors Change the World, both of which you will read more about in this publication; and Destination 2026, the blueprint that will guide our curricular and academic decisions in the future to keep us standing as one of best school systems in the country.

As always, I appreciate your support of Mariemont City Schools.

Sincerely,

Steven Estepp Superintendent, Mariemont City Schools

2

www.mariemontschools.org

preserving and protecting our schools

Recently, Governor Kasich released his proposed state budget, which would further reduce state funding to the Mariemont City School District by 21% over two years through additional reductions totaling $848,123 – 3% of the school district’s total operating budget. This big cut is largely due to the total elimination of Tangible Personal Property (TPP) tax reimbursement funds, which we have received from the state for years and accounts for nearly $1 million dollars in annual funding that we rely on and that our students deserve. TPP, which was a business tax on inventory, machinery and equipment, was once a direct source of revenue for school districts. The state replaced TPP with a broader based commercial activity tax (CAT), which is levied on business receipts and is collected directly by the state. A portion of this CAT is used to reimburse school districts for losses; however, this would be eliminated under the current budget proposal.

Mr. Estepp and I both agree that the state budget needs to give our schools an increase in per pupil funding to reflect the inflationary costs that we, like every other school district and business, have experienced and to offset the expenses associated with new state mandates. We also need to be held harmless from the loss of TPP tax reimbursement, which is why we have so many people and organizations advocating on our behalf, encouraging state leaders to consider revisions to the state budget proposal to preserve and protect the state funding allocations to our school district.

letter from the

My goal has always been to provide strong fiscal management for Mariemont City Schools. I try to make the district’s financial information as transparent and available as possible, and I encourage you to review our annual financial report and the school district’s five-year financial forecast.

treasurer

I am always grateful for the support our community consistently shows to our school district, and I am humbled by the overwhelming support we saw at the ballot in November. Thank you for your collective vote of confidence.

Unfortunately, the state budget proposal was not a surprise. I have been very clear that we should be bracing ourselves for a significant decrease in state funding – this assumption was built into the operating levy that we passed in November and the current school district budget we are using.

But, this doesn’t make it right.

I am hopeful that our collective voice will persuade our state leaders to protect our funding as they work to finalize the budget before it is signed into law.

Respectfully,

Tom Golinar Treasurer, Mariemont City Schools Winter 2015

3

State of the Schools Address

An Evening of Parent & Community Engagement to Showcase the Warrior Spirit If you were not able to attend the district’s 5th Annual State of the Schools Address in January, when we came together as a school district to celebrate last year’s successes while looking forward to our future, we’ve got you covered.

Below are some of the highlights from the address. You can also go to the district website > About > State of the Schools to watch the address in its entirety.

There are themes that really define who we are as a school district and where we are headed for the future:  Our community values a well-rounded education. We value excellence in arts, athletics and academics, and the work of our school district reflects this.  We want to make sure that our school district is — without question — one of the very best of all public and private schools in Ohio and beyond.

 Learning is happening everywhere, and the results of our students are outstanding.

On top of covering a lot of business and financial topics, Superintendent Steven Estepp recognized outstanding teachers and students; the Mariemont High School chamber ensemble orchestra sounded like a professional group; Mariemont High School student Josh Cook did an amazing job speaking in both Spanish and Mandarin; and the first grade class gave an adorable performance.

“Our challenge, while we navigate the future, is to ensure our students are ready, and that we do all of what we plan to do while maintaining our excellence,” said Mr. Estepp in his address. “Please know that, as a school district, our commitment to you is to do just that; and hopefully, with the innovative work I have shared with you tonight, you feel comfortable that we do have our hands on the wheel of this roller coaster of a ride that education everywhere is currently on.”

 Thanks to conservative fiscal operations and the support of our community, our schools are in solid financial shape. This means that our schools can focus on education and academics.

4

www.mariemontschools.org

Our challenge, while we navigate the future, is to ensure our students are ready, and that we do all of what we plan to do while maintaining our excellence.� –Steven Estepp, Superintendent

Child Find Policy Mariemont City Schools Child Find Policy requires that all children below twentytwo (22) years of age residing within the district, who have a disability, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services are identified, located and evaluated in accordance with all federal regulations and state standards.

For children, birth through age two, a disability means that a child has a behavior, cognition, communication, physical development, sensory development and/ or social or emotional development deficit.

For children ages three through five years of age, a disability means that a child has a documented deficit in one or more of the following areas: communication skills,

Winter 2015

hearing abilities, motor functioning, social-emotional/behavior functioning or vision abilities. For school-age students, a disability means a person having one or more conditions such as autism, developmental handicap, hearing handicap, multi-handicap, orthopedically and or other health handicap, emotional/behavior handicap, specific learning disability, traumatic brain injury or visual handicap.

If you are aware of a child who you think may have a disability, please contact Tricia Buchert, director of student services at 513272-7519.

5

Warriors BEyond

satisfactio n when “k ids anticip they won ate that ’t like a pa rticular bo genre and ok or then they do ” bu looking fo t she is al rward to so “unstructu in her retir red time” ement, do in g things lik spending e time with her grandc and her ch hildren ildren, an 2 War ri or d having tim Way | C in do some ci nn at i, e to photogra O hi o 45 phy, biking a 22wonderful culminating activity for the Introduced at the State of the Schools address, eading an 7 , tr av eling, d freelanc e writing. students of the eighth grade.”

Warriors BEyond will be the Mariemont City Cheryl ha s been inst rumental velopmen in the School District’s flagship program for student t and im plementa ting prog tion of a ram thopportunities at is the ex Also, the Mariemont City School District offered beyond the traditional high scho emplar ols in our re gi on es Renner, ,” said Dr.in grades kindergarten through will be represented at the Global Leaders curriculum principal of Mariem h School. onare t “Teach12.

Summit, an annual summit where students four overarching pillars that ers likeThere Cheryl fer are on e of the pr imary reasthe Mariemon from all over the world gather to discuss and define Warriors BEyond offerings: on s t High Sc hool has uously re been activities, service learning, travel cognizenrichment solve modern day, global issues. At this year’s ed as one of gh school the s in the ci ty, the stat summit, students will study innovation and experiences and career opportunities. e nation. e Cheryl is a tremendo this school us the future of education, gaining insight into commun Get upd ity and nce, both awill tes have profesThrough a n sionally an this program,m different education systems as they travel students the d ore info ly, will be d felt by man r mation y.” throughout Europe. At the culminating opportunity to explore interests, find passions a

Enriching the Educational Experience Through Warriors BEyond WAR

RIOR CL

UB

ww

t

w.macurriculum. conference in Switzerland, students will and dig deeper into the school riemont sc ols .orghow technology and globalization examine This year, the district will implement the first ho are changing the academic landscape with Sir two new experiences within the Warriors Ken Robinson, one of the world’s foremost BEyond program. thought leaders on creativity and innovation.

Mariemont High School juniors Will Hobart Through a partnership with EF Tours, and Lindsey Harden and high school teacher, district 8th grade students will now have the Julie Bell, were selected as ambassadors for opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to our school district. see firsthand all that they have learned in 8th grade US History. We have 89 students and “The Warriors BEyond program speaks nine staff members are going. volumes for the innovation that defines and will continue to define our school district,” “I am thrilled that we are able to offer this said Steven Estepp, superintendent. “This is hands-on, experiential learning opportunity the important work we must do as a school to students,” said Molly Connaughton, system if we are going to keep our students Mariemont Junior High School principal. competitive with their peers around the “This trip not only has a natural connection globe.” and extension to the curriculum, but is

6

on when “kids anticipate that t like a particular book or then they do” but she is also orward to “unstructured time” irement, doing things like 2 Warrior Way | Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 Don and Peggy Keyes have lived in Mariemont for time with her grandchildren almost 40 years and have been strong advocates for the hildren, and having time to community and school system throughout that time.

Both of their sons attended school in the Mariemont City School District. Their photography, biking, traveling,son Todd found out about the Warrior Club benefits and thought it would be a great birthday gift for both of them because of their love for the community. Their nd freelance writing.

WARRIOR CLUB

grandchildren currently attend Mariemont City Schools, so they will enjoy attending various athletic and arts events for free using their Warrior Club cards!

as been instrumental in the ent and implementation of a rogram that is the exemplar chools in our region,” said Dr. THE nner, principal of Mariemont Mark Yo ool. “Teachers like Cheryl Calend ur ar re one of the primary reasons Januar y 13 WINTER 5th Annua 2014 emont High School has been Address | l State of the School 7pm | MJH s S February 26 usly recognized as one of the Note fr o Night of Si m th Superin 7pm | MH nging Choir Conce rt S tenden e schools in the city, the state February 28 tupdates and Annual C Get Exclusive to Warrior Club members, ar 4pm | Mar nival programming that we ation. Cheryl is aThetremendous iemont El Clubhouse provides you with do for our current March 4 insider news and stories about our atementary Strings Ex students. more information his school community and travaganza school district and the people and Orchestra C programs that make it special. We Mariemon oncert | 7pm ce, both professionally and Thank you for everything that you t Elementa have also included upcoming dates ry March 5 do for our Mariemont City Schools, for some” special school events – I Band Bash y, will be felt by hope many. and please enjoy our inaugural C on cert 7pm to see

CLUBHO

USE

www.mariemontschool

you at some of these, especially the Warrior Club breakfast on March 25. As I have stated before, without you we would not be able to provide the excellent academic and extracurricular

*

Commu

Warrior Club

| MHS gy m March 10 Sports Stag 20th Cen Fundraiser | 6pm tury Thea ter in Oak March 20 ley -2 MHS Spri 2: ng Music al Times va ry | MHS

edition of The Clubhouse!

Respectfully, Steven Estepp

n it y .

For more scho the calenda ol events, please vi sit r on

Save th

e Da

the district 2 5 | 8 :0te for the W website. a 0 am | M JH S | rrior Club B reakfast D e ta il s to ! co m e T rad

M a rc h

it io n . In nova

ti o n .

12/22/14

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a Warrior Club member? You must be age 55 or older and reside in the school district, with no children attending school in the Mariemont City School District. Our Warrior Club members obtain free admission to all regular season district home sporting events and arts performances and are invited to special events, like the Warrior Club

Winter 2015

9:31 AM

breakfast on March 25. Members will also receive a subscription to the Warrior Club newsletter, which includes updates, stories and insider information about the school district. Club membership is free.

To find out more information visit the district website at www.mariemontschools.org > About > Warrior Club or call 513-272-7500.

7

Check Us Out! 8

Leadership Quality of the Month

Proposal for Cancer

Mariemont High School focuses on leadership qualities to help students understand what it takes to become a leader. Each month, one leadership quality is highlighted and teachers nominate students who have shown this quality during the month. For the month of February, the leadership quality was courage. The three students that were selected were Morgan King, Hadley George & Lizzy Geary.

The Mariemont Elementary S teams spent an afternoon at Medical Center’s Genetics Lab. Sullivan and Jackson Hacias c develop a patch made of skin ce identify cancer cells and then trig Their project proposal was sub Teacher Association’s Toshiba Ex

New Voices

National Merit Scho

Mariemont High School participated in “New Voices,” a collaborative photography project for our photography, video & journalism students. The students worked with the US Bank Boys & Girls Club of Cincinnati, with the teen youth of Avondale.

During this nine-week long project our students met with teens from Avondale every Wednesday after school.

Five Mariemont High School Merit Semifinalists. Seniors Chri Steven Hassey, Katie Gaburo an top 1% of the nearly 1.6 millio 2013. Graham McCarthy was al academic promise as a Comme the high academic standards on

Everybody Counts

Retreats

Everybody Counts is dedicated to the empowerment and independence of people with disabilities, and a big part of that is educating everyone about disabilities and impairments.

Terrace Park Elementary School students learned about different disabilities, such as learning differences, motor impairments, chronic conditions and visual impairments, and discussing ways we can all be more accepting of each other.

We participate in a Kindness Re Retreat in the 7th grade, and, sta in the 10th grade. Hosted by You on empowering students and ch other in every hallway, lunch lin

www.mariemontschools.org

r Research

Swim Team Goes to State

School 6th grade ExploraVision Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Ella Waltz, Alyssa Bach, Olivia created a futuristic proposal to ells that have been engineered to gger an attack on the cancer cells. bmitted to the National Science xploraVision contest.

Thirteen swim team student-athletes competed at the High School State Swimming Tournament.

MHS’s swimming & diving program had a record-breaking season, as the girls swim team placed 2nd in the Ohio Division II state meet.

Go Warriors!

olars

Hour of Code

students were named National istopher Benson, Addison Shelley, nd Andrew Grissom scored in the on students who took the test in lso recognized for his outstanding ended Student, meaning he met the qualifying test.

This year, all MJHS students joined students all over the world for an Hour of Code during Computer Science Education Week. The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries.

Visitors from China

etreat in the 5th grade, a Courage arting this year, a Respect Retreat uth Frontiers, these retreats focus hanging the way kids treat each ne, classroom and life situation.

Mariemont High School hosted two visitors from Liuzhou, China.

As part of the Cincinnati Sister City Exchange, in partnership with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Chen Yan Yi and Huang Yan Fei gave presentations about life in China and Chinese culture.

For more news stories, visit the school district website!

Winter 2015

9

The Best Thing We’ve Ever Done

In the spirit of our Destination 2026 work, principals were challenged to create “ignition initiatives” this year — a push to think differently and develop unique experiences for students. Our elementary school principals chose to expand an ongoing project called “Warriors Change the World” in which both the students’ academic minds and their compassionate hearts are called to action.

Through the initiative, some of the elementary grades further developed their existing community service work; such is true with the kindergarten class. Part of the social studies curriculum in kindergarten focuses on exploring family, friendships and community; therefore, kindergartners’ contributions to “changing the world” is focused on developing relationships with the residents of Mercy St. Teresa.

kindergarten teacher Jane Concannon had been decorating the room doors at Mercy St. Theresa every December with student-created artwork for years. A few years ago, the rest of the kindergarten classes jumped in and started making valentines for the residents. Now all of six of the district kindergarten classes go to Mercy St. Theresa around Valentine’s Day to deliver their valentines and sing old favorites, like Daisy (Bicycle Built for Two), You Are My Sunshine, Take Me Out To the Ball Game, and Let Me Call You Sweetheart.

One of the kindergarten teachers overheard one resident tell another, “I am going to hang these valentines up and I may never take them down!”

“As the residents sang along, smiled and held tight to their valentines, we knew we would be coming back every Valentine’s Day!” said Missy Fields, kindergarten teacher at Mariemont Elementary School. “When Warriors Change the World began to take form, Mercy Saint Theresa seemed like a natural fit. We have seen our students grow more comfortable with each visit, and they love doing the projects. We truly hope to be making a change for both our students and the residents.”

So far the kindergarten classes visited on Grandparents Day to perform their “Turkey Song” and in December the students made door decorations for the residents. Their plan is to make a spring project to share with their new friends.

Retired 10

Said one student, “This was the best thing we’ve ever done.” www.mariemontschools.org

Maker Mondays: Do You Want to Know How to Make…

By: Hunter Thiers “We have a unique situation in that we are really small, and yet we offer a lot of amazing opportunities. One of the things I’ve noticed is we have all of these really bright students with cool ideas but really busy school schedules. One thing I think Maker Space can do is provide flexibility for big thinkers,” said Mrs. Colpi.

In recent years, Maker Spaces have been appearing in many libraries. Mariemont High School librarian Emily Colpi was inspired to start something similar at Mariemont High School.

“Libraries of all kinds are re-thinking what the space can look like now that they no longer need to be the warehouse for books. One of the ways we have been inspired is that MakerSpaces are gathering places for minds and creativity.

Now the library is not only the place where you get the stuff, but it can be the place where you make the stuff,” says Colpi.

The two goals Mrs. Colpi has for Maker Monday are hands-on learning and collaboration. She feels that these types of learning are the most helpful to students, especially with such a structured school day.

Winter 2015

Some of Maker Monday’s projects include working with the 3D printer, sewing tech gloves, creating stop action animation and making the library stairs into a big piano.

Maker Monday will also be bringing in more professional speakers to discuss topics of interest with the students.

“I very much appreciate the information and skills taught during Maker Mondays, and the access to tools and technologies I would not have otherwise,” said Logan Urbanski, Mariemont High School student.

You can access Ms. Thier’s full article in The Warpath, the high school’s student-run publication, at www.warpathonline.org.

11

Building a Well in Africa

The Mariemont Junior High School 7th grade class found an impactful way to incorporate learning with compassion while thinking globally. In Tom Amlung’s science class, the students study geology, ground water, its quality and the importance of clean and safe drinking water. As part of the unit, they also discuss why safe drinking water is scarce worldwide.

“In an effort to help students reach beyond their borders, I proposed the idea of creating our own Warrior Water Project, in which students would be helping to bring safe drinking water to communities across Africa,” said Mr. Amlung.

As part of The Water Project, which is an organization working to provide clean, safe drinking water to the nearly 1 billion people who suffer needlessly without it in the developing world, the students were challenged to make water their only beverage for two weeks; track the money that would have gone toward other beverages; give it their very best to reach the goal of $23 each; and bring in their savings at the end of the challenge.

12

The students set a $3,000 goal and have raised $1,061.95 for the Warrior Water Project. This money helps to sponsor the building of a wellhead in Africa. Added to that, The Water Project will inform the students of the exact latitude and longitude of the water well.

“This project helped students reach out beyond their own four walls and challenged them to make a difference in our global community. Our students gave to others by giving up and using that to change lives across the world,” said Mr. Amlung. “I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish, and I believe participation in this project made important changes in the hearts and minds of our students!”

If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.thewaterproject.org/community/ profile/thomas-amlung.

The district regularly uses social media outlets to disseminate information as well as post pictures and announcements. Below are the links to the social media pages for Mariemont City Schools:

@MariemontSchool

Mariemont City Schools

You can also follow Superintendent Steven Estepp on Twitter (@Estepp), Instagram (SEstepp) or on his blog on the district website.

The district also has an app, available to Apple and Android users. The app is called “Mariemont CSD” and the district uses push notifications to announce any urgent news, so please click “OK” when prompted about push notifications for our app.

ange ior Ch to r r a W child’s college t your t the u u o o b lude b a a t t twee d? Inc e wha e t r u p o e O y c c ? a u’r Did project st got eet if yo e’s ld ju w r t o r r o W e g t s on the po eena your t rience in your our or a loved rict. t y e which is p t x D u ol montE od story abo ity Scho them in C #Marie t o n g o la fee clude ariem posting nt with the M hlights and in ig e h involvem to track these ve We’d lo lications! ub future p

Hey ! i n m u Al Winter 2015

As always, we encourage all alumni to stay in touch! The best way to do so is by emailing mhsalumni@mariemontschools.org with your name and current contact information, along with any news you would like to share.

In addition, you can sign up for the district newsletter on the homepage of the district website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Social Media

13

Upcoming Events Please reference the district website calendar for more dates and activities.

March March 20-22: MHS Spring Musical “Singing in the Rain�

March 27:

End of 3rd Quarter, Early Dismissal

March 30April 3:

Spring Break

April April 6:

No School for Students

April 18:

FAB Affair (7pm, Indian Hill Winter Club)

April 21:

oard of Education Meeting B (7pm, Mariemont Elementary School Cafeteria)

14

www.mariemontschools.org

Warriors

RULE!

May

May 1-2:

MJHS Play “Murder by Indecision” (MHS)

May 4-8:

Staff Appreciation Week

May 5:

4th Grade Try-It Night (4-7pm, MHS)

May 12:

Open House & Art Show (7pm, Mariemont Elementary School)

May 13: Open House, Art Show & Book Fair (7pm, Terrace Park Elementary School) May 15-17:

6th Grade Play “Cinderella” (Mariemont Elementary School)

Check us out!

Want the inside scoop? Catch the Mariemont Minute! Released monthly, each video segment focuses on something new or innovative happening in the district. Hosted on Warrior Watch, the district’s YouTube-like platform, you can access these short, informative videos via the district homepage.

Winter 2015

15

1 Warrior Way Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 Phone: 513-272-7600 Fax: 513-527-5991

Mariemont Junior High School Principal: Molly Connaughton 3847 Southern Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 Phone: 513-272-7300

Mariemont Elementary School Principal: Ericka Simmons 6750 Wooster Pike Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 Phone: 513-272-7400 Fax: 513-527-3411

Terrace Park Elementary School Principal: Linda Lee 723 Elm Avenue Terrace Park, Ohio 45174 Phone: 513-272-7700 Fax: 513-831-1249

TM

To get the latest updates, “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@MariemontSchool).

Mariemont High School Principal: James Renner, PhD

2 Warrior Way | Cincinnati, Ohio 45227

2 Warrior Way Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 Phone: 513-272-7500 Fax: 513-527-3436

Visit the district homepage to subscribe to district news, view the latest Mariemont Minute video or read the superintendent’s blog.

Mariemont City School District Superintendent: Steven Estepp

and

Bill Flynn Mike Gaburo Marie Huenefeld Dee Walter Ken White

Find us on

Board of Education

www.mariemontschools.org

SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION