The Experience: Fall 2016

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The Experience

Official Newsmagazine of Mariemont City Schools

FALL 2016

Focus on:

Fostering Inspiration & Passion ***

Considering Long-Term Options For The High School

Tradition. Community. Innovation.

a new school year is a

new opportunity for us to meet

letter from the

A new school year is a new opportunity for us to meet and exceed the expectations of our parents and community members to best meet the needs of the students who walk through our doors every day. Please know that each and every staff member has a strong commitment to creating a great experience for our students, our parents, our community and each other—what we refer to as the “Mariemont Experience.”

We want our students to have a well-rounded educational experience as deeply committed members of the community and world. This is the foundation of Destination 2026—to create opportunities for our students to explore the knowledge, skills and experiences to compete globally and succeed consistently in tomorrow’s world.

This year, like all years, will present new opportunities, challenges and success stories. It’s what makes our work so fun. We don’t have to look far to see the world we live in today is very different from just a few years ago— and just as this world that our students will live and work in is ever changing and evolving, our school district must also change and evolve if we want to ensure our students are ready for tomorrow. And this is why the work we have defined in Destination 2026 is so important and continues to serve as the compass and vision for our instructional program.

A big priority for us this year is to begin dialogue about our high school facility. It was eight years ago that, together, our community and district culminated years of analysis, research and conversation to finalize the district’s Facilities Master Plan, which, of course, culminated in the construction and renovation of three beautiful, functional and modern school buildings. And in the 2009 report, it was noted that the needs with the Mariemont High School building should be reassessed in the future… and the future is now! We address more of the high school facilities process in this newsletter, but I want to reiterate it here that the input from our community is crucial as we begin to navigate this process.

community

A Mariemont City School District tradition is to operate with great fiscal responsibility and offer exceptional value to our community. We all know that strong fiscal stewardship is essential to make the opportunities we offer our students and staff happen, and this is always a focus.

This is why the conversations about the future of Mariemont High School are so important. Believe it or not, our current high school facility will soon be 50 years old! Repair and maintenance costs are growing, and at some point, the age and design of a building also begins to interfere with the education, technology and safety needs of today. We are to that point. Planning now will help to minimize costs into the future..

As we plan, we will make sure to involve our community in each decision.

Afterall, these school buildings belong to you—the community. We are simply the caretakers of the incredible tradition that is Mariemont City Schools.

This partnership between the community and the district is critically important to the success of the district, and I am grateful that we have such a supportive community. Hopefully you saw in our Quality Profile, which we delivered to each district home last month, that this solid partnership does positively affect home values. Mariemont City Schools was recently ranked 10th in the country as a school district that commands top premium for home values!

I look forward to continuing this successful partnership with you into the future. As always, I appreciate your support of our outstanding school district!

Tom Golinar Treasurer, Mariemont City Schools

I look forward to what the rest of this school year will bring for us. We will continue to focus on creating the best experience for our students, giving them the chance to explore interests, find passions and dig deeper into the school curriculum.

Respectfully,

Listen to the ConnectME Podcast!

Steven Estepp Superintendent, Mariemont City Schools

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between the school &

letter from the

With another successful year at Mariemont City Schools underway, we have already accomplished great things in academics, outreach and athletics. It’s sure to be another banner year!

partnership

treasurer

superintendent

& exceed expectations

the important

www.mariemontschools.org

Do you have a few minutes on your way to or from work or school, at the gym or while you’re preparing dinner? Listen to the ConnectME podcast! This podcast goes in depth on the topics that are important to our school district and to our community. You can find the podcast on Soundcloud and iTunes.

Fall 2016

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Facilities Master Plan Looking at a Long-Term Plan for our High School Eight years ago, together our community and

district culminated years of analysis, research and conversation on the district’s Facilities Master Plan, building and renovating three beautiful,

yrutneC ts12 seitilicaF And now

functional and modern school buildings. And in the 2009 report, it was noted that the needs with the Mariemont High School building should be

and the future

reassessed in the future…

• The size and layout of the high school make The Mariemont City School District has a implementation of present-day and future long history of taking excellent care of all curriculum needs and teaching techniques as school facilities. Preventative maintenance, outlined in Destination 2026 very challenging, accessibility issues and environmental if not impossible. Average classroom size at the responsiveness are an integral part of this high complete school is 672 square feet (compared to the High School Facility Master Plan history. As2018 the result of a 5.28 mil bond recommended 950–1,200 square feet) limiting of Education decision ontohigh facility opportunities useschool modern furniture, vary issue passed in May 2010, theBoard school district makes final configuration and promote student renovated and/or constructedReport threecommunity facilities, feedbackclassroom to Board of Education movement. which opened in September 2012: Mariemont

is now!

Conduct community survey – we want your input!

Elementary, Terrace Park Elementary and • Rooms, meeting spaces and furniture are very fixed, little to no flexibility for student Host community forums – we wantleaving your input!

Mariemont Junior High School.

and staff collaboration, multi-purpose use of

Report solution options to Board of Education

spaces and small or large group gatherings. The Recently, the Mariemont Board of Education Conduct design workshops auditorium is outdated and performing arts areas reviewed costs totaling almost a half million lack adequate rehearsal space.

Create has Building Team dollars for recent repairs the district had to • The security allowed by the current space is make at the high school facility; the Board also Report final assessment to Board of Education 2017 limited because of the layout of the high school, looked at the projected costs of repairs that which includes multiple entrances/exits, no Create Futures Team will be needed in the near future to keep the vestibule at the main entrance and a one-way in/ Community building safe and functioning Create to meet student Facility Taskforce 2016 one-way out traffic pattern. and staff needs. In response to this information, • Although not all areas of the high school the Board directed Superintendent Estepp are with in need of repair and/or updating, School Chats Superintendent Esteppthe to develop a multi-year facility engagement infrastructure needs of the high school facility are to start the conversation! process for the purpose of creating a master many; aging systems, roofs, wiring and plumbing facility plan for Mariemont High School. This September are noticeable and in need of repair and/or 21, 8:30am replacement. plan will guide decisions regarding needed at Mariemont Elementary repairs, upgrades and/or replacement of the September 28,initial 7:30am With these findings, the engagement high school facility. at Terrace Park Elementary process to develop a master plan now continues over the next two years, and there The process officially began in the fall of 2015 will be many opportunities to be involved and with the start of the “assessment phase—part provide input. The entire process will be open I” and continued over a nine-month period, and transparent. After all, it is up to all of us culminating in June 2016. The purpose to be involved in analyzing and assessing the of this phase was to compile historical future options for the high school. data on the existing high school facility; develop a projected cost summary of needed Please check our website often, read the improvements and repairs; conduct site visits ConnectME blog, watch the Mariemont of newly constructed/renovated facilities; Minute and listen to the ConnectME podcast and create an initial summary of high school hosted on Soundcloud to stay informed of the facility strengths and weaknesses. Nearly 15 many opportunities to provide input. community members, Board members and school district administrators participated in this work.

To view the complete initial assessment, please see the report on the district website’s Facilities Project page. The findings from the initial assessment can be summarized with four overarching themes:

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THE ANN UAL S TAT E O F THE SCHOOLS A D DRE W

SS ednesday , January 18 @ 7pm in the M A R IE MON T H IG H SC HO OL A U DIT OR IU M. T h is is a g reat way to get more info rmation! www.mariemontschools.org

is the time Mariemont Elementary to talk about Completed won dnAthe future of emit eht siMariemont tnemelE tnomeiraM tTerrace uob aElementary klat otHighyraSchool!

Park

fCompleted o erutuf eht IdetelpmoC tnomeiraM !loohcS hgiH yratnemelE kraP ecarreT CompletedI detelpmoC Mariemont Junior High School

n the coming school year, we will begin a community-based and very open process through which we will reassess and discuss what our next steps at the high school might be.

There will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to be a part of this process – community input is critical to the process.

In the meantime, the timeline below will guide our work and conversations.

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detelpmoC

2018

Conduct community survey – we want your input!

Host community forums – we want your input!

Report solution options to Board of Education Conduct design workshops Create Building Team

2017

Report final assessment to Board of Education Create Futures Team

2016

Fall 2016

Create Community Facility Taskforce

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The Important Work of the Futures Team & Community Facility Task Force As the district begins to consider longterm options for Mariemont High School, community input is critical to the success of the process. Superintendent Steven Estepp and Treasurer Tom Golinar recently hosted school chats, soliciting feedback and questions in an open format from all who attended. Community members, staff members and parents are already involved in the facilities project as members of the Community Facility Task Force and the Futures Team. Collectively, both committees consist of nearly 50 people.

“I’m hoping we come up with a good solution to the problems the high school is facing. The facility has issues, and it’s very important that we take care of this building,” said Dan Dockery, Fairfax resident and member of the Futures Team. “I feel fortunate to live in this district. The thing about the school district is that it’s the tie that binds us together, and I’m finding that this is increasingly true. We need to make sure that trend continues.”

The purpose of the Community Facility Task Force is to identify key findings to complete a formal facility assessment of our high school building that will guide the district in identifying the best solutions to meet the needs of the students and community in the future.

This committee is reviewing demographic and enrollment studies, current site and land assessments and a revised third-party facility and site assessment and cost analysis.

The purpose of the Futures Team is to develop a formal report on current and future trends in high schools across the country. This committee 6

is researching high school programmatic and curricular trends as well as high school facility construction trends. The members of the committee will also participate in site visits, looking at trends at other high schools facilities.

“I volunteered to be a part of this process as a parent, resident and teacher. We moved here because I love our schools and I believe in our schools,” said Marissa Szabo, Mariemont High School teacher. “I’m hoping to help figure out what will be most effective and innovative for our students and teachers in the classroom. We need spaces that are more functional for today’s learners.”

The goal for both committees is to report their final assessments to the Mariemont Board of Education in January 2017. The district will then create a Building Team, which will be charged with narrowing down the focus to a few plausible facilities options, enabling the district to solicit extensive community input.

“Our community puts education first, and we have incredible support because of it,” said Dr. James Renner, Mariemont High School principal. “I hope the process brings about designs, ideas and trends that we will help us develop a long-term solution for our high school.”

Child Find Policy Mariemont City Schools Child Find Policy requires that all children below twenty-two (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, 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 513-272-7519.

Social Media The district regularly uses social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook to disseminate information as well as post pictures and announcements. Feel free to share your posts or tweets with us by including #MariemontExperience or @MariemontSchool in the post. We love hearing your stories about your involvement with the Mariemont City School District!

@MariemontSchool

Mariemont City Schools

MariemontSchools

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

Fall 2016

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Go Warriors!

Hands-On Science

National Merit Scholars

In the Mariemont spirit of tradition, the community gathered for the annual bonfire Pow Wow before the Indian Hill football game. Beat the Hill! Go Warriors!

COSI On Wheels is the traveling outreach program of COSI Columbus that engages our students with a dynamic opening assembly and fun, hands-on science activities. This year we learned about weather and district students had a blast engaging in education in such an interactive way!

This year, we recognize 10 National Merit Scholars at Mariemont High School. Congratulations to (left to right) Gordon Goodwin, Neil Findley, Cohen Bailey, Michael Reber, Eli Bales, Amanda Lewis, Jack Mathis, Erin Cash, Nina Willis and Emily Ferguson!

Homecoming!

Distinguished Alumni

6th Grade Camp

A day full of great traditions at Mariemont City Schools!

Homecoming is always unforgettable—from the pep rally to the parade to the game and everything in between. Everything about this day IS Mariemont City Schools. Congratulations to the junior class for your winning float!

Congratulations to the recipients of the Mariemont School Foundation’s 4th Annual Distinguished Alumni Award: Ted A. Beattie, class of 1963, President and CEO, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium; Marie Huenefeld, class of 1959, former longstanding Mariemont Board of Education member and community volunteer; and James Monroe III, class of 1973, founder and CEO of the Thermo Companies.

Mariemont Elementary and Terrace Park Elementary 6th grade students enjoyed a week-long, hands-on outdoor education experience at Camp Kern—from role-playing leaders and members of a Native American tribe to interactive learning through the Living History stations in the forest.

Walk-a-Thon

Mariemont Academy

Chatting with the Community

Mariemont Elementary students had a blast at the Walk-aThon, an active and fun-filled all-school event that focuses on kindness, wellness and health.

Photo Courtesy of Paola Biro

51 district staff members led 45 courses for their peers during optional summer professional development, in which staff collaborated with their peers, interacted with experts and brainstormed more ways to engage students.

Superintendent Steven Estepp and Treasurer Tom Golinar hosted two school chats in September as an open and transparent way to answer questions and talk about topics the community is interested in.

Check Us Out!

Photo Courtesy of Paola Biro

For more news stories, visit the school district website!

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www.mariemontschools.org

Fall 2016

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“Explorations gives students the ability to try different sporting activities they may never get a chance to try in a fun, learning environment.”

“I never had a chance to participate in an art class until recently when I was helping in Miss Rupe's art exploration class. Now I am working on the first art project of my life.

With the knowledge I am learning with the students, I am making a puppy sculpture and I am so excited about it!”

– Bill Jenike, physical education teacher

– Fanghong Yu, Mandarin teacher

Fostering Inspiration & Passion in Elementary Students

The Explorations program is part of Warriors BEyond initiative, the district’s flagship program for student opportunities offered beyond the traditional curriculum, including new enrichment experiences, travel opportunities, career exploration and service learning. Launched this school year, all district 5th and 6th grade students begin each week with a 90-minute, interest-based course that takes place on Mondays for one quarter.

“Prior to the Explorations program, students in kindergarten through sixth grade had a very similar ‘specials’ experience,” said Linda Lee, principal at Terrace Park Elementary. “We wanted to create developmentally appropriate opportunities for our 5th and 6th grade students that were hands on, ungraded and focused on giving students the opportunity to learn more about topics that intrigue them.”

With the district’s instructional vision and Destination 2026 in mind, the goal of Explorations is to create a 5th and 6th grade schedule that stimulates student interests and fosters inspiration and passion.

“I like Explorations because I want to be an architect one day,” said Max Mershon, student at Mariemont Elementary. “Design Squad is helping me learn more about it.”

Lillian Hoel likes the Musical Theatre explorations course because “you get to step into someone else’s shoes.” And Maggie McCoy likes Center Stage because “you can be yourself and do what you like.”

The students participate in wellness explorations, arts explorations and learning beyond explorations throughout the year. Last spring, students selected four options from each category, from courses such as Your Pet in Soft Sculpture, Kids That Code, Golf, Robotics and Programming, and Popular Sports, and each student’s Explorations schedule was built individually.

“Explorations has been a wonderful addition to our instructional program. Giving kids the opportunity to pursue their interests fosters creativity and a passion for learning,” said Tami Croll, Mariemont Elementary dean of students and Warriors BEyond coordinator. “I love seeing our 5th and 6th grade students so eager to start the week, with something to look forward to on Monday mornings.”

“Explorations provides students with the tools and time to explore a subject they may have never had the opportunity to explore.”

– Patti Saxton, digital learning coach

"I was really worried that 90 minutes would be too much time for students at this age, but when the students are given a topic they are passionate about and the tools to explore that topic the time just flies!"

– Liz McGahey, district choral director

“Having a 90-minute block of time enables the students to experience the feeling of working in a studio. It encourages experimentation and creativity.”

– Shelley Komrska, art teacher

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www.mariemontschools.org

Fall 2016

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Bringing the Community Together to Support an Amazing Person & Cause

Solving Real-World Projects With Science & Math to run in a race. In the “Medical Detectives” quarter of the “Gateway to Technology” course at the junior high, the students dissect a sheep brain, diagnose mystery diseases in patients and use DNA to solve a “murder mystery.”

By: Anna Stahling, Mariemont High School student with Athletic Director Tom Nerl, one Friday home football game was themed a white out.

Cheerleaders sported the Graham G-Force t-shirts, and the Warrior football team wore white jerseys in support. Everyone arrived to the game in their white Graham G-Force shirts to support the cause The Mariemont National Honor Society chapter was challenged with raising money and building a team for the ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS, an annual community service event the chapter participates in each year. This year, there was even more heart behind the cause because the district community has been personally affected by ALS—a very well-respected and loved man, Graham Harden, was recently diagnosed with ALS. He has made such an impact in our community through coaching recreational and school lacrosse teams, and has such an undying passion for our high school and town. A team name was born: Graham’s G-Force.

As the community learned about the chapter’s cause, the team grew to over 450 people.

The team set a goal of $1,500 in donations, which seemed a reach at first, but things quickly changed once the community got involved. The chapter sold t-shirts to the school district and community to fundraise for our team and the cause. Coordinating

In the end, the Mariemont National Honor Society chapter’s team raised $28,944 in donations. Of all the teams at the Cincinnati walk, G-Force raised the largest donation and had the most people registered on the team.

All of this happened because of an amazing community coming together to support an amazing man and cause.

“It personally touched my heart that our community has been so supportive of our cause with helping hands and donations. I was astonished at the sea of white G-Force shirts surrounding me in the crowd. Being a part of this community that cares so deeply for our cause and each other was an experience I am so grateful for and will never forget.”

– Anna Stahling

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Project Lead the Way is a world-class program the district has spent a long time working to bring to Mariemont Junior High School and Mariemont High School, and starting this year it is part of the curriculum offerings at both schools.

Students in the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses use the same 3D design and modeling software and engineering design used by most college engineering programs and the world’s leading companies.

“My favorite thing about teaching these classes is that they answer the common question of ‘When will I ever use this?’ that teachers so often get from students in math and science classes,” said Kristin Etnier, district PLTW teacher. “Students solve real-world projects and engage in activities to learn science and math. I hope students leave these classes with an excitement for learning STEM topics and a new-found understanding of practical uses for science and math.”

For example, in Introduction to Engineering Design at the high school, students recently learned how to use Autodesk Inventor Software to make 3D models. During the “Automation and Robotics” quarter of the “Gateway to Technology” course at the junior high, students learn to build mechanisms and create a “dragster” car and use computer programming Fall 2016

“This class just seemed like it would be fun because you get to think differently than most classes and build things,” said Jack Wilder, MHS senior. “With math, there is usually one way to solve a problem and with this, there are several ways and you can see how other people’s brains work and how we can work together.” His classmate agreed.

“I wanted hands-on experience with my major, which will hopefully be computer engineering,” said Cam’ron Smith, MHS senior. “This class requires a different way of thinking and using different aspect of your brain to solve problems.”

Another hopeful engineer felt compelled to take the class for similar reasons.

“I want to be an engineer and this class was a great opportunity to understand what the field is all about,” said Wesley Adams, MHS freshman.

“Instead of conceptualizing everything you get to put it to the test.”

Most of the students seemed to want to take the classes for the hands-on experience and opportunity to collaborate with their peers.

“These courses empower our students to step into the role of an engineer, adopt a problem-solving mindset and make the leap from dreamers to doers,” said Steven Estepp, superintendent.

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

February

November

February 13:

Mariemont BOE meeting (7pm, Mariemont Elementary)

February 17:

Mariemont Academy (no school for students)

November 7:

Mariemont BOE meeting (7pm, Mariemont Elementary)

February 20:

Presidents’ Day (no school)

November 17–19:

MHS Fall Play “12 Angry Jurors” (various times—check

February 23:

Night of Singing Choir Concert (7pm, MHS)

district site, MHS)

February 28:

Strings Extravaganza Orchestra Concert, grades 5–12

November 22:

Parent/Grandparent Day (9am, Mariemont Elementary

(7pm, Mariemont Elementary)

& Terrace Park Elementary)

November 23–27:

Thanksgiving Break (no school)

December

March March 11:

7th Annual FAB Affair (7pm, Great American Ball Park)

March 13:

Mariemont BOE meeting (7pm, Mariemont Elementary)

December 2:

Holiday Fair (5pm, MHS Gym)

March 16:

Kindergarten Registration Night (6:30pm, Mariemont

December 12:

Mariemont Board of Education meeting (7pm,

Elementary & Terrace Park Elementary)

Mariemont Elementary)

March 22:

3rd Annual Warrior Club Breakfast (7:30am, location TBD)

Dec. 17–Jan. 2:

Winter Break (no school)

March 24:

End of 3rd Quarter (early dismissal)

Mar. 25–Apr. 2:

Spring Break (no school)

January January 9:

Mariemont BOE meeting (7pm, Mariemont Elementary)

April

January 18:

MLK Day (no school)

April 10:

Mariemont BOE meeting (7pm, Mariemont Elementary)

January 12:

End of 2nd Quarter (early dismissal)

April 14:

No school

January 13:

Mariemont Academy (no school for students)

April 17:

Mariemont Academy (no school for students)

January 18:

State of the Schools Address (7pm, MHS)

April 28:

MHS Prom (8pm, Cincinnati Netherland Plaza,

January 19:

Life and Leadership Speaker Series: Patrick O’Connor

Hall of Mirrors)

(7pm, ME auditorium, parents & students in grades 5–10)

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www.mariemontschools.org

Fall 2016

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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

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

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, check out the ConnectME podcast, and read ConnectME, the official blog of Mariemont City Schools.

Mariemont City School District Superintendent: Steven Estepp

and

Bill Flynn Mike Gaburo Nan Dill Kelli Neville Ken White

Find us on

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www.mariemontschools.org

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