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Superintendent’s Update

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And while simply holding in-person classes and creating the Online Warriors program is enough reason to celebrate, our staff didn’t stop there. The Mariemont Experience is such an integral part of each school year and we made it our mission to protect as many experiences as possible. The students only get one shot at each year and we didn’t want them missing out on pinnacle activities or events.

The sixth grade students at both Mariemont Elementary School and Terrace Park Elementary School were able to participate in a modifi ed Camp Kern, which is a key piece of our Warriors BEyond Program for students in their fi nal year of elementary school. While at camp, the students were able to live out the history they had been learning in class while also meeting future classmates and having fun outside of their school buildings.

Additionally, many events such as athletic competitions and music concerts were able to take place, and thanks to the technology of livestreaming, we were able to share with friends and family near and far and allow our community to participate in the Mariemont Experience with us, despite attendance limitations.

We also were thrilled to be able to off er our regular Warriors BEyond programming to students in the spring, with students in all grades getting a turn with some hands-on, experiential learning. Explorations and Expeditions returned to the elementary schools and junior high, respectively, while the high school successfully orchestrated a two-day Intersession for students in grades 9-11.

When our students think back on the 2020-21 school year, I hope they remember the experiences they had despite the circumstances. I know I will forever be grateful to the students and staff for making it such a great year.

I hope you all have a safe and healthy summer break, I look forward to seeing everyone again in the fall!

Steven Estepp Superintendent What a great school year we had at Mariemont City Schools! I was so impressed all year with the commitment and dedication of our teachers, staff , students and families to make this year as smooth as possible given the circumstances. Nobody will ever forget the year of COVID-19 and I am so proud of Mariemont City Schools for continuing to educate our students in a safe and healthy manner.

We mentioned in the special State of the Schools edition of The Experience Newsmagazine that the school district had received several grants and one-time federal CARES funding to off -set the expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds helped to cover health and safety supplies and additional staffi ng expenses and expand technology infrastructure on school campuses.

Since the spring, the district has received another one-time allotment from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan Relief Fund Grant (ESSER II). Across the country, ARP ESSER II is providing nearly $122 billion to states and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students. Locally, the district is receiving $1,454,385.

These one-time funds are restricted in their use but will allow us to initiate the Jumpstart program, providing extra support for students and families throughout the summer and next school year to ensure all of our students are on track for success.

Additionally, this summer the school district will be replacing the fi eld turf at Kusel Stadium. Artifi cial turf in stadiums needs to be replaced about every 10 years to maintain a safe playing surface for the athletes. The Kusel stadium turf replacement is being funded by a combination of facility rental fees, a Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Safety Grant, the turf reserve fund and private donations. We are happy to be able to provide our student athletes with an upgraded and safe fi eld to continue their athletic pursuits.

I am defi nitely looking forward to the 2021-22 school year and all the success it will bring our students and staff . And as always, you can count on us to continue to advocate on behalf of our community and provide strong fi scal management for our schools.

Tom Golinar Treasurer, CFO

The Mariemont City School District Award of Excellence is awarded annually to an individual who exemplifi es dedication to and support of Mariemont City Schools. Mariemont Junior High School counselor Amy Skinner is the recipient of the 2020-21 Award of Excellence.

Mrs. Skinner has dedicated 22 years of her life to Mariemont Junior High School, fi rst as a special education teacher and then as a counselor.

She makes a point to know each student in the school building by name and is a comforting wave or a socially-distanced high fi ve for kids when they pass her in the hallways. Her offi ce is an inviting place for any student in any circumstance, whether they need advice, discipline, comfort, courage or just a little bit of love. Mrs. Skinner is all of these things for the junior high students.

Her many nominators repeatedly called her the “backbone”, “heartbeat” and “glue” of Mariemont Junior High School. Thank you to Mrs. Skinner for her tireless service to both students and colleagues. The impact she has each and every day is truly undeniable, we are so thankful to have her at Mariemont Junior High School.

Nancy Eigel-Miller Named 2021 Friend of the School Award Recipient

In 2016, the Mariemont City School District launched the Marie Huenefeld Friend of the School award to recognize individuals in the community who make signifi cant contributions to the school district with their time, service and/or expertise to create a better experience for students. At the May Board of Education meeting, Nancy Eigel-Miller was offi cially recognized as the 2021 recipient of the Marie Huenefeld Friend of the School award.

Nancy Eigel-Miller is the founder and executive director of the 1N5 Organization, which works to prevent suicide by erasing the stigma of mental illness and promoting optimal mental wellness. Nancy founded the James W. Miller Memorial Fund in 2010 after losing her husband, Jim, to suicide in 2008. She spent her career in the marketing and market research arena but felt compelled to foster education about mental health crisis among our youth population. Her mission is to normalize conversation about mental illness, especially among the area’s youth.

Additionally, she champions the annual Warrior Run Race for Life, an event that brings together people from all over Cincinnati to raise funds and awareness for mental health programming.

As a district community member residing in Mariemont, Nancy partnered with Mariemont City Schools to help grow the Warrior Run and provide funding for our schools and mental health programming. The partnership has resulted in donations of approximately $100,000 over the past seven years as well as guidance that has led to other community partnerships such as MindPeace and Child Focus, Inc. MCSD mental health programs like the signs of suicide program, sources of strength peer-to-peer program, mindfulness practice, GoNoodle, research study opportunities and many guest speakers that have been presented to students and families have all been supported by 1N5 and the funds raised through the Warrior Run.

As any school district can attest to, mental health needs of our students have increased signifi cantly over the past 10 years and the district was searching for a new approach to meet these needs. Nancy Eigel-Miller has been a guiding force for this work and her dedication and partnership with the Mariemont City School District has made, and is continuing to make, a lasting diff erence in the lives of our students, staff and parents.