The Experience Newsmagazine: August 2020

August 2020

Superintendent’s Update Welcome to the first edition of The Experience: The official newsmagazine of the Mariemont City School District for 2020-21 and welcome back to another school year for the Mariemont City School District! The start of a new school year is always an exciting time. And although this year is no exception, added to this excitement is the reality that things will be very different when our students and staff open the year.

Over the last five months, we have all watched as the world turned upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic. Back in March we dealt with closing our school buildings with little notice, and while it was certainly a challenge, I could not have been more proud of our students, staff and community for rallying together (virtually, of course) to get the job done.

Mission BEyond Page 3

While we were all at home, teaching and learning continued as best it could, despite the circumstances. We asked our students and staff to teach and learn in new and inventive ways, and that is exactly what they did!

Continued on page 2

Congratulations Class of 2020!

While we could not be together for traditional end-of-year festivities, the Mariemont City School District still found a way to honor and celebrate the Mariemont High School graduating Class of 2020. The class participated in the first-ever virtual graduation ceremony which can still be viewed and treasured as a keepsake on the district’s YouTube page.

One at a time, each member of the Class of 2020 was able participate in all the traditional elements of a graduation ceremony, including a walk down the track at Kusel Stadium, receiving their diploma, turning their tassel and tossing their graduation cap. These individual graduation recognitions were then combined into one Mariemont High School Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony video.

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Mariemont City Schools RESTART Plan Page 4-5

MHS Facility Project Update Page 6-7

Work Smart. Create Experience. Embrace Growth.

Superintendent’s Update

Treasurer’s Update

(continued from front page)

Since March, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily life across the globe and forced schools, businesses and individuals to manage a new reality. While teaching and learning under the new guidelines and protocols caused by the health crisis are not ideal, I have enjoyed watching the Mariemont City Schools staff and students excel during these circumstances.

Now the task in front of us is even greater. Our RESTART Task Force, made up of administrators and staff members from across the district, worked tirelessly starting in March to plan and prepare for the start of the 2020-21 school year. Parents, guardians, members of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, Community Finance Committee and Board of Education offered valuable feedback about the restart of school through surveys, meetings and suggestions through our website. This input, combined with the guidance of state and local officials, served as the backbone for the development of the RESTART Plan.

Our district is committed to maintaining the continuity of services as best as possible with the ultimate goal of both academic recovery and the health and safety of students and staff as we begin the 2020-21 school year. Whether this happens as a full class, on a hybrid model of instruction or from a virtual platform, I am confident that the Mariemont experience we have all come to expect will continue.

I am extremely proud of the final product our team created and think it is a very well-researched and vetted plan that will allow us to keep our schools and learning community as safe as possible during the ongoing worldwide health crisis.

Our number one priority is to provide an outstanding academic experience for our students while keeping every member of the Mariemont City School District safe and healthy in the new school year.

As far as finances are concerned, our district, like every other throughout the state of Ohio, received a cut in state funding as a result of the pandemic. For Mariemont City Schools, the total was $422,157 for the fiscal year which ended on June 30, 2020. This represents a 15% reduction in the state funding we were expecting and had budgeted for in the 2019-2020 school year. In response to this significant reduction, a few adjustments in staffing were necessary for the upcoming school year.

I believe this plan, with its procedures, guidelines, protocols and expectations, in conjunction with our partnerships with local and state health officials, is the best course of action for our district.

You can find more information about the 2019-2020 remote learning program and the 2020-2021 Mariemont City Schools RESTART Plan later in this newsletter.

Any reduction in staffing is significant for our district as each position is highly valued. My hope is that additional reductions will not be necessary, however this will ultimately be determined by the amount of state funding cuts we see in the next year or two.

Additionally, you will find the latest update on the Mariemont High School facility project as we open the new academic wing of the building. The opening of the building is a true celebration that we wish we could enjoy with the entire Mariemont City Schools community that made this state-ofthe-art learning environment possible. We cannot wait for the day when we’re able to open the doors and allow everyone inside. Until then, you can find pictures of the building in this newsletter and I encourage you to check out the latest Hard Hat Update videos on the district website and YouTube page.

Earlier this spring we virtually released the annual Mariemont City Schools Financial Annual Report which outlines the district’s financial status, our accountability to the taxpayers, our strong fiscal stewardship and more. I encourage you to head to the district website and read the document to inform yourself on the finances of our school district.

There is certainly a lot happening throughout Mariemont City Schools right now. To stay informed on the latest daily updates and news, be sure to follow the district on our social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

I want to thank the Mariemont City School community for your support of our staff and students. Collaboration with our community is what truly creates the excellent value of our schools.

Thank you for reading the first edition of The Experience.

I look forward to working with you all as we open the 2020-21 school year!

I am excited to partner with you for another school year in the Mariemont City School District!

Tom Golinar Treasurer, CFO

Steven Estepp Superindendent 2

Spring 2020 Remote Learning Program Recap On March 12, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine announced the extended school building closure of all schools in the state of Ohio because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued spread. In accordance with this direction, Mariemont City Schools building doors were all closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

While the physical school buildings were closed, the Mariemont City School District was committed to maintaining the continuity of services as best as possible for all district students, staff and families. The Remote Learning Program launched on Monday, March 30, 2020, with student services including lunch delivery, mental health and counseling services and nursing support all continuing.

Throughout the duration of the Remote Learning Program, district staff worked tirelessly to find new ways of teaching virtually, students adapted and engaged with their teachers and families partnered with the district to continue providing quality education. Overall, the district was prepared to implement virtual learning because the community had the vision to invest in the school district. This allowed for the students and staff to be equipped with the technology needed to teach and learn virtually and keep the instruction consistent.

Blasting off to Mission Beyond In the spring of 2020, to close out the Remote Learning Program, Mariemont City Schools launched Mission BEyond, a new branch of the award-winning Warriors BEyond program designed to engage students in fun, hands-on learning opportunities.

Students in grades K-8 participated in nine days of “missions� which combined academics, fun, hands-on learning and creative activities developed by teachers, administrators and other prominent community members. Throughout the nine days, these students combined for a total of 5,631 mission video submissions, which had 102,633 total views for 1,273 hours of shared learning.

High school students spent their Mission BEyond time participating in a variety of modules and activities geared toward college and career explorations and personal development and branding.

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Congratulations Class of 2020! (continued from front page) The Mariemont City School District would like to again applaud the MHS Class of 2020 for the bravery and strength it showed in the face of true adversity. As you embark on your new adventures, do so confidently, knowing the entire Mariemont City Schools community is behind you.

#RESTARTMariemont In late July, The Mariemont City School District shared its comprehensive RESTART Plan, which includes three main parts: (1) Academic recovery strategies; (2) Health safety protocols; and (3) Instructional models. Each page of the RESTART Plan (which you can find in full on the RESTART page of the school district’s website) is full of detailed information about how we will operate our schools for the foreseeable future as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

No Community or organization is immune to the risks associated with COVID-19 nor can any community or organization guarantee an environment free of COVID-19. The guidelines, practices and protocols outlined in the Mariemont City Schools RESTART Plan recognize these realities. While much effort and care have gone into creating these safety measures and the same care and effort will go into implementing them, it will require all members of the Mariemont City Schools community – students, staff, parents and visitors – to take personal responsibility for adhering to them and acting in a manner that protects their health and safety and demonstrates respect and consideration for those around them.

Below you will find the RESTART Snapshot. Be sure to read the entire RESTART Plan on the school district’s website.

RESTART SNAPSHOT

Students will participate in assigned “phase in” days on August 26, 27 & 28. The first day of school for all students will be on Monday, August 31, 2020.

Excess furniture, equipment and supplies will be removed from classrooms and academic spaces to maximize social distance between students and staff while at school.

Staff, students and visitors will be required to wear facial coverings in school buildings.

Instruction for students will operate on a three tiered model responsive to Hamilton County’s assigned COVID-19 risk level, local COVID-19 conditions and the latest health guidance. The district will offer an online option for students who cannot or choose not to return to the school building at the start of the new school year.

The district has established a RESTART https://www. mariemontschools.org/restart webpage on the district’s website for the latest information and updates about COVID-19 and its impact on the school district.

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Only staff and students will be permitted in classrooms and the academic areas of school buildings.

Students and staff will be expected to perform a personal health check prior to arriving to school each day. District staff will check the temperature of staff and students each morning as they enter the school building.

Students and staff will be required to wear cloth facial coverings while on school buses.

#WARRIOR WARRIORPLEDGE We can’t do this alone. Every member of the Mariemont City School District Community must pledge to do his or her part to follow health safety protocols, be safe and look out for each other if we want the 2020-2021 school year to be a success.

TAKE THE PLEDGE @ https://www.mariemontschools.org/warriorpledge.aspx

# MAINTAIN SOCIAL # DISTANCING

PERFORM PERSONAL HEALTH CHECKS AND STAY HOME WHEN SICK

# WASH YOUR HANDS # FREQUENTLY WEAR A FACIAL COVERING

To promote the academic recovery and prepare students for the next level of their learning, Mariemont City Schools will:

1

Identify and respond to gaps in instruction and learning during the 4th quarter of the 2019-2020 school year because of the extended closure of school buildings.

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Distribute iPads to K-4 students prior to the start of the school year for students to use online platforms and software for reading and mathematics practice and review.

3

Hold “screening days” prior to the start of the school year for students in grades K-3.

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Implement “phase-in” days during the first few days of the school year for students in grades K-12 for a review of safety protocols and procedures, assessment, small group instruction and relationship building.

To protect the health and safety of the Mariemont City Schools community, Mariemont City Schools will:

Expect all Mariemont City School District 1

students and staff to assume personal

responsibility to protect themselves and others.

2

Implement recommended health safety practices and protocols.

3

Enact health safety changes in physical spaces and school buses.

4

Provide instructional and learning options for students and staff.

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Engage our stakeholders with consistent and timely communication and clear guidance.

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Anticipate and plan for contingencies.

The Mariemont City School District is committed to both academic recovery and the health and safety of students and staff to start the 2020-2021 school year.

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Mariemont High School Opens its Doors

Over three years after the Mariemont City School District began to revisit the comprehensive Master Facilities Plan, the newly renovated academic wing of Mariemont High School is opening its doors. The updated building will welcome students and staff to open the 2020-2021 school year, completing Phase 2 of construction on its original schedule.

In the spring of 2017, through careful research and evaluation, it was decided that the nearly 50-year-old Mariemont High School building was no longer suitable to provide the type of modern education that our students need in order to be prepared for today’s world.

Over the next two years, hundreds of community members participated in open house events, community forums and facility teams to provide input and opinions on the direction of the project.

Using the 2012 Master Facilities Plan and the Destination 2026 strategic plan as guides, the team of MSA Architects, Turner Construction, JS Held Owners Representatives and district representatives was able to plan for a school that would meet the educational needs of our students now and for years to come.

“We are very excited about the possibilities of the new academic wing of Mariemont High School” said MHS principal Dr. Jim Renner. “I believe wholeheartedly that this updated

building will greatly serve our students and allow for them to be more prepared to enter the next phase of their lives once they leave us at MHS. While we won’t be able to fully utilize all spaces for the foreseeable future as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, this space will eventually allow for more collaboration, deeper understanding through technology and important gathering spaces. I cannot wait for the day when we can open the building and invite our community to see firsthand the school we have all worked so hard for.”

When the building officially opens its doors at the start of the 2020-21 school year, it will features 24 new classrooms, nine science and technology labs, eight small group rooms, five collaboration areas, an open multipurpose community commons and state of the art safety and technology features.

“The opening of the new Mariemont High School is a very important milestone for our school district” said Mariemont City Schools superintendent Steven Estepp.

“This building is a direct representation of the hundreds of people who have helped us get to this point over the last three years. I am grateful for the community for its continued support of our school district, students and staff.”

While the building will not be open for visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can find a virtual tour of the new academic wing on the district’s YouTube page.

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District Announces

“The Mariemont High School Class of 2020 Community Forum” In New Building

In light of the COVID-19 health crisis that closed the school buildings for the final three months of the 2019-20 school year, the Mariemont City School District will be honoring the Mariemont High School graduating Class of 2020 with a special tribute inside the new Mariemont High School building.

In addition to bearing the “Class of 2020” name, the Community Forum will feature a special display that tells the story of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the school district and the sacrifices the Class of 2020 had to make as a result. The display will include the names and portraits of each member of the Class of 2020 as a way to thank them for their strength and dignity in the midst of unprecedented challenges and circumstances.

When the new academic wing of MHS opens this fall, it will prominently feature the “Mariemont High School Class of 2020 Community Forum”, a large gathering area just inside the main entrance. The space will be named in honor and recognition of the young men and women of the Class of 2020 – a class that had perhaps the most unique senior year in the history of Mariemont High School.

“The district wanted to do something to acknowledge and remember this special class which left its mark on Mariemont High School and graduated during a time that is sure to be a key chapter in the history of our district, community and country”

“I can’t think of a better way to recognize and remember this graduating class,” said Mariemont High School principal Dr. Jim Renner. “The Community Forum will be a special place in our new building and now these outstanding students will be fondly remembered by all who walk through it.”

said Superintendent Steven Estepp.

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Upcoming 2020 Dates August

September

24 Mariemont Academy for Staff 24 Virtual Kindergarten Parent

Information Night 25 Teacher Work Day 25 ME Virtual Meet the Teachers 26 Phase-In Day No. 1

(Last Names A-H) 27 Phase-In Day No. 2

(Last Names I-Q) 27 ME Virtual Parent Information

Night (Grades 5-6) 27 TPE Virtual Parent Information Night 28 Phase-In Day No. 3

(Last Names R-Z)

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3 7 10

11 11 14 17 21

ME Virtual Parent Information Night (Grades 1-4) MJHS Virtual Open House Labor Day, No School MHS Virtual College Planning for Senior Parents Meeting ME Kindness Kickoff TPE Kindness Kickoff Board of Education Meeting MHS Virtual Open House MHS Virtual College Financial Aid Planning Meeting

*Events, dates, times and location are all subject to change as a result of the latest health and safety guidelines regarding COVID-19. Please see the most up-to-date calendar on the district website to check the status of any event.

2 Warrior Way | Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 www.mariemontschools.org

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