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SPRING 2016

Official Newsmagazine of Mariemont City Schools

Photo by Courtney Dunning

T rad i t i on . Commun i t y . I n n o va t i o n .

The Experience

Focus on:

Students Gaining Valuable

Hands-On Experience

* **Embodying

the Tradition & Spirit of

Serving Others

It’s a great time to be a part of Mariemont City Schools! This school district has never been better positioned for today and for tomorrow. Our staff and students are performing at incredible levels. Thanks to our community’s support, we are equipped with the resources we need to meet the educational needs we face. And our finances are in order, thanks to the mindful leadership of our treasurer, Tom Golinar.

A tradition of offering an exceptional educational experience for the students of our community is well established here. This is why parents choose the Mariemont City School District, and the results speak for themselves. Throughout the year, I have joined the Mariemont Board of Education in recognizing hundreds of our students for their accomplishments, including National Merit Finalists and Commended Students, student athletes who have competed at the state level, our DECA Warriors, Continental Math League winners, talented student artists, Power of the Pen writers, State Science Day participants, and orchestra students who brought home gold from a competition in New York City. We are very fortunate to have so many students strive to reach their fullest potential.

This year, we rolled out Destination 2026, our strategic plan for the instructional future of Mariemont City Schools—the culmination of two years of work to address the changing needs of today’s and tomorrow’s students and how we, as a school district, will respond. It’s work that I am extremely proud of, as it’s what gives us our vision, our focus and drives our work.

In addition to our instructional work, we are also beginning conversations about the facility needs of our soon-to-be 50-year-old high school. Although our maintenance department does a great job with building upkeep, this aging facility is beginning to present more and more challenges. Therefore, in line with the district’s master facilities plan developed in 2008, we have started the initial assessment of the building’s needs with the help of my superintendent’s advisory council and will continue these conversations next school year to develop a long-term plan.

There is so much that sets our district apart from most. We are a community of great pride, especially when it comes to our schools. And with this pride comes a willingness and a commitment to do what it takes to help us bring our vision to life and create the experiences we want for our kids. While we always celebrate our achievements, we are continually looking to the future and challenging our students and staff to be prepared for the next phase of our educational journey.

See you next school year!

Steven EsteppSuperintendent, Mariemont City Schools

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exceptional educational experience

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economically and

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Spring 2016

What a great year we have had at Mariemont City Schools! It’s energizing to see all of the collaborative teaching and inspired learning happening both inside and outside our classrooms. Steven and I both agree that budgets are a statement of priorities. And if you look at our district’s budget, you can see we value sending money to the classroom. Nearly 70 percent of the district budget is spent on classroom instruction; money that allows us to keep our class sizes small, put technology in the hands of our students and employ some of the best teachers in the state.

The Mariemont Board of Education and each and every district employee recognizes the important roles we serve as stewards of our community’s financial resources. We will continue to seek efficiencies, cost avoidance and savings. Last year, alone, we saw $460,000 in savings as a result of this strong fiscal management. We will continue to look for ways to streamline our operations and share services where possible. And we will continue to make sure our voice is heard at the state level to protect and preserve our state funding—something that is increasingly becoming a challenge for school districts like ours.

As a district, we strive to operate efficiently, economically and effectively, and we perform this responsibility each and every day. My commitment is to continue the fiscal management that our community expects. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the treasurer for a school district and community that places such a high value on an excellent educational experience.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Tom GolinarTreasurer, Mariemont City Schools

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.

Check us out!

4 5Spring 2016www.mariemontschools.org 5

From Learning Lab and after-school enrichment at the elementary level to Expeditions at the junior high to the Master Class series at the high school, the district is focused on turning student interest into a passion.

The Master Class series is part of Warriors BEyond, a Destination 2026 initiative that is the district’s flagship program for student opportunities to amplify the traditional curriculum, including new enrichment experiences, travel opportunities, career exploration and service learning.

Zach Schnug, who is leading two of the classes, is excited to get the series underway and see how student involvement and interest determines the direction of the class.

“In terms of best describing the Master Class series, I love the term ‘student-driven curriculum’ because these classes are based on student interest and structured as a class on how to learn rather than exactly what to learn,” said Zach Schnug, district Warriors BEyond coordinator. “There is an essential feeling of ownership that students will hopefully have and cultivate as a result of participating in these classes.”

Beginning in the 2016–17 school year, there will be five classes in the series: Rock Band, Steel Drum Band, Language Learning—Italian, Shark Tank, in which students will develop and pitch business ideas to a panel of judges, and U-Train, which will prepare students to become a certified trainer.

“Warriors BEyond offers the opportunity for students to join their peers in activities where they share the same interests in a challenging and motivating environment,” said Steven Estepp, superintendent. “I believe that offering a variety of learning experiences will help nurture the love of learning and help students discover their true passions.”

Each Master Class will have a learning coach who will guide and help students gain access to experts in the field. The Master Class series is not teacher-mandated work and it is not graded.

“The Master Class series is part of comprehensive K-12 plan to bring more experiential learning opportunities to our students and help them navigate possible interests and pathways,” said Tricia Buchert, district director of student services. “Our goal as a school district is to give each and every student the chance to lead, reach and explore. And we are grateful for the Mariemont School Foundation’s support in turning this concept into a reality for our high school students.”

Turning Student Interest Into a Passion

This year we honored five retirees, who retired after a collective 154 years with the Mariemont City School District! Congratulations and thank you to Jane Douthit, Judy Dunlap, Ronnie Petru, Julia Lair and Jeff Timmers. These five people have been incredible coworkers, mentors, friends and leaders in our school buildings and in our community. We are grateful for their accomplishments and contributions to the success of our students.

Thank You For Your Years of Service!

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Signing Day: Scholars Today,Leaders Tomorrow On Friday, April 29, Mariemont High School celebrated its annual College Signing Day, a great end-of-the-year tradition in Mariemont City Schools.

May 1 is the deadline by which colleges and universities require that students make a financial deposit in order to hold a spot for the upcoming school year. Per usual, many Mariemont High School seniors were selected to a number of prestigious universities and had to make a tough decision on which was the best fit. Based on the smiles and satisfaction witnessed on April 29, it would appear the members of the class of 2016 made smart choices about the next chapter of their educational journeys.

As part of the morning festivities, the high school counseling staff places a document for each senior on the wall in the Commons, with a picture along with each student’s post-graduation destination—an enjoyable and visible way for students and guests to see the final decisions made by the members of the Class of 2016.

“This public acknowledgment of our seniors’ plans for life after high school not only affirms their hard work and determination, but also serves as an inspiration to our remaining students to stay focused on their educational interests so they too can achieve their post high school goals,” said James Renner, principal at Mariemont High School.

Congratulations to all of our seniors!

Spring 2016

• Belmont University• Butler University• Coastal Carolina University• Cornell University• Depaul University• Duke University• Emerson College• Florida Gulf Coast University• Furman University• Georgia Institute of Technology• Goucher College• Hanover College• Indiana University• Kent State University• Miami University• Ohio University• Ohio Wesleyan University• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology• Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD)• Southern Methodist University• Taylor University• The Ohio State University• Transylvania University• Tulane University• U.S. Army• University of Alabama

• University of Cincinnati• University of Colorado, Boulder• University of Dayton• University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign• University of Kansas• University of Kentucky• University of Michigan• University of Mississippi• University of Mount Union• University of South Carolina• University of Southern California• University of Toledo• University of Virginia• Valparaiso University• Vanderbilt University• Wake Forest University• Wheeling Jesuit University• Wilmington College• Xavier University

www.mariemontschools.org

This year the district began offering several extended learning opportunities for students in kindergarten through 6th grade at Mariemont Elementary and Terrace Park Elementary.

“We believe experiences beyond the normal school day must be part of the larger academic program, and that’s why we have now added exciting after-school enrichment courses for our elementary students through our Warriors BEyond program,” said Steven Estepp, superintendent of Mariemont City Schools.

And in its inaugural year, the after-school enrichment program, which is part of Warriors BEyond, included 66 different courses with 593 participants!

“The Warriors BEyond program has nurtured a love of learning and inspired students to explore new interests. It has been very exciting to see students eager to continue learning after the school bell rings,” said Tami Croll, Mariemont Elementary dean of students and Warriors BEyond coordinator.

“At times, they are having so much fun, I wonder if they realize how much they are learning and growing. It has been extremely rewarding to see our students thrive in the creative and engaging environment of these after-school enrichment classes.”

Parents were able to register online for classes such as Piano Lab, Guitar Stars, Art Enrichment, STEM—Let’s Build It!, Musical Theater, Latin Enrichment, Spanish Enrichment, Mandarin Enrichment, Better Babysitters and Home Alone.

Here is what a few students had to say about their experiences:

“I really like art, so it is fun for me. I learned how to sew, and I really had no idea I could do that!”— Julia Ackerman (art enrichment)

“I learned how to sing and act at the same time, and I had fun being with my friends.” — Molly Hurt (music theater)

“I really enjoyed that in every single class, we learned something new.”— Lorelei Turan

Nurturing a Love of Learning and Inspiring Students

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MHS had 18 students place in the top ten in their respective categories and 12 students advanced to compete at the international level. DECA is co-curricular to the Mariemont High School of Business Program offered by Great Oaks Career Center.

The 2016 Mariemont High School Prom, themed “Wonderland,” was held April 29 in the Hall of Mirrors at the Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. A great annual tradition and a night to remember!

Amanda McHugh was awarded the district’s 2016 Award of Excellence, and she was also selected as the district’s recipient for the Hamilton County Education Service Center’s “Celebrate Excellence” award, for her dedication to and support of the Mariemont City School District as an intervention specialist.

DECA WarriorsA Night to Remember

Award of Excellence

Terrace Park Elementary students and families did their part to better our planet by celebrating Earth Week. Students worked together to beautify the school’s campus with flowers, played games to learn the roles of Mother Earth and followed a representative from the Cincinnati Nature Center on an interactive demonstration about trees.

The Mariemont Junior High School 7th and 8th grade Power of the Pen teams both placed 2nd out of 41 teams at the regional competition at Wyoming Middle School. The following students will compete at the state level later this month: (7th Grade)—Ana Eversole, Samantha Flerlage, Andrew Foley, Lauren Reynolds (8th Grade)—Ellie Lewis, Erin Kelly, Sarah Werdmann, Chris Wood. Good luck!

Respecting Our Earth Power of the Pen

The district participated in the Youth Frontiers’ Respect Retreat (grade 10), Courage Retreat (grade 7) and Kindness Retreat (grade 5). The goals of these retreats are to enhance social-emotional learning, connect students to classmates & teachers, and challenge students to act with kindness, courage & respect.

Kindness, Courage & Respect

The 2nd Annual Warrior Club Breakfast was a hit! Our Warrior Club members had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of some district highlights, including student performances, presentations and entertainment, while enjoying the company of fellow Club members, district staff and students. The exhibits included drone flying, various expeditions (like Outdoor Survival Skills and Theatre Works), science fair winners, performances by the high school orchestra and from the high school musical “The Secret Garden,” and highlights from the latest Clubhouse newsletter.

Students Shine at Annual Breakfast

Five district elementary students had their science fair projects selected for inclusion in the Ohio Academy of Science State Science Day, including Evan Farrell, Sammy Henkel, Nathan Turner, Zoe Copetas, and Alexandra Purdy. Evan came in 2nd place out of all 6th graders in Ohio, receiving scholarship money and an invitation to the national convention in Washington, D.C., which he will attend later this year.

The Mariemont High School Chamber Ensemble and Concert Orchestra brought back the ‘Gold’ after three days in New York City, where they participated in the New York Heritage Festival at the famed Riverside Church, toured iconic Manhattan sites and experienced the food, entertainment and energy of the city.

Science Innovators & Engineers The Orchestra Wows NYC

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Spring 2016www.mariemontschools.org

For more news stories, visit the school district website!

There is no substitute for the real thing and the real thing is exactly what Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine offers to students in the high school’s Anatomy & Physiology class each year.

“I asked myself: Who would benefit the most from this experience?”, said Glen McClung, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon at Beacon. “The answer is the high school students who are impressionable and still trying to figure out what their future holds. If we can make Mariemont the best school district in the state by offering opportunities like this, then my goal is accomplished.”

Each year, 20 local high schools are selected to participate in the Beacon Bio-Skills Lecture and Lab series. Schools in the Bio-Skills program receive an anatomy lecture led by a Beacon physician, access to the Bio-Skills Cadaver Anatomy Lab and a bird’s eye view in the surgery center to watch a procedure.

“After a personal tour of the center, suiting up in scrubs and participating in two hands-on knee ‘surgeries,’ I’m certain I want to be involved in helping the lives of many through the medical field,” said Lauren Getgey, a senior at Mariemont High School.

Dr. McClung calls Beacon a “one-stop shop” where they offer prevention programs, like boot camps, and bridge programs for those getting back on their feet, literally. Beacon has its own MRI, as well as a clinic and surgical unit. And every surgeon is an expert in an extremely specialized field.

“We have access to cadavers and these incredible facilities, and my goal is to get all of this out into the community, into the hands of the students who are considering going into the healthcare industry in any capacity. We hope this program opens their eyes.”

For many of the students who participated in the program, it has. “At first I was a little uneasy about working with cadavers, but once we started working on them with the surgeons, it quickly became the coolest field trip I’ve ever taken,” said Aaron Urevick, high school student. “I got to perform an arthroscopic knee surgery that was the exact same one I had to undergo a couple years ago. It was an incredible experience from beginning to end.”

Dr. McClung has four kids at Terrace Park Elementary and loves Terrace Park because “it’s a community. I feel safe and I feel like my kids are safe. The teachers are top rate; I can’t say enough about how incredible I feel the school is. I am thoroughly impressed that a public school can have such an amazing cast of individuals guiding our students. They’re broadening the kids’ minds by offering so much in so many areas. My nine-year-old children are learning Mandarin and they already know Spanish. My son is taking guitar. And it’s amazing to be in a community where you can just call someone up for help. It’s a different world. It would be great to have this approach to learning and to community everywhere.”

10 www.mariemontschools.org Spring 2016

The entire student and staff population of Mariemont Junior High School participated in the inaugural Junior High Day of Service, volunteering at Stepping Stones, Master Provision, The Giving Fields of Freestore Foodbank, Bethany House, Our Daily Bread, Crayons to Computers, Mercy St. Theresa, MEAC, Matthew 25 and Gorman Farms.

“We felt this was a great opportunity for students and teachers to participate in a community service activity together,” said Amy Skinner, MJHS school counselor. “This is important because, at this age, kids are becoming more aware of the world outside of themselves and want to contribute.”

As a building, this year the junior high has focused on five character traits: kindness, respect, empathy, courage and generosity, and this day embodied all of those traits perfectly. The belief is that days like this can foster a sense of community as well as civic responsibility.

Students read through a menu of options and chose an opportunity that matched their interests—from serving food, to working in a garden, to preparing a summer camp, to organizing donated school supplies, to visiting with residents of a nursing home.

“I think community service affects a community as a whole because when the community works together, it brings everyone together,” said Annie Doran, who spent the day at Mercy St. Theresa. “This experience gave me a different insight to how much the little things count. I learned that small gestures mean a lot, so I should always be kind.”

Most students expressed appreciation, humility and astonishment that they could make such a difference.

“All of the small work we did helped many people and it made me realize how big of an impact I can make on the lives of others,” said Megan Betts, who volunteered in the Freestore Foodbank Giving Fields.

Other students felt empowered, knowing how much can be accomplished by working together, regardless of age.

“The students worked all day at their site and the feedback we received about our students was amazing. ‘Kind,’ ‘helpful,’ ‘fun,’ ‘hardworking’ and ‘selfless’ were all words the community organizers used to describe our volunteers,” said Molly Connaughton, MJHS principal. “I know I was not alone in feeling inspired by the respect and commitment our students displayed. This was truly another opportunity to make connections beyond the traditional curriculum while embodying the district’s tradition and spirit of serving others.”

Embodying the District’s Tradition and Spirit of Serving Others

Mariemont High School Students Gain Valuable Hands-On Experience

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At Mariemont City Schools, our community often extends beyond the school district communities. We want our students to be global learners and leaders, who understand that each of us, in our own way, can really help change the world and make a positive impact.

Which is how it came to be that 451 cards and letters were sent to servicemen and women overseas during the holidays, written by students and both of our elementary schools and some Terrace Park families. Spearheaded by Barbara Wilson, Terrace Park Elementary administrative assistant, and in collaboration with her nephew, Petty Officer Adam Ciuccio, military people on five bases in the Middle East and Spain received letters of encouragement and hope from this side of the ocean.

Petty Officer Ciuccio was in Jebel Ali, near Dubai in the Middle East, when he received the letters. “My favorite thing about receiving the letters was knowing that people back home were thinking about me. I felt incredibly happy when I received them. It was especially meaningful because I remember writing letters to the military when I was

little, so it was really touching to be on the receiving end.”

Recently, when Petty Officer Ciuccio was home on leave, he visited Terrace Park Elementary to thank the students for sending their joy and sentiment overseas. He answered the students’ questions, ate lunch with them, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

Adam joined the Navy because “both of my grandpas were in the Navy. But I mainly chose the Navy because my Uncle Steve was in the Navy on a submarine. He was a great role model to me when I was growing up.”

And we all know how important great role models are in the lives of children.

“When I visited the elementary school, I felt a sense of pride and I was very humbled,” said Adam. “I thought it was amazing that all of these kids looked up to me and my fellow military men and women, when I just see myself as an average 21 year old, doing my job.”

Sending Love to Those Who Protect & Serve

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As always, we encourage all alumni to stay in touch! The best way to do so is by emailing info@mariemontschoolfoundation.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.

HeyAlumni!

Social MediaThe district regularly uses social media outlets to disseminate information as well as post pictures and announcements.

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.

Did you tweet about your child’s Warrior Change

the World project? Or what about the college to

which your teenager just got accepted? Include

#MariemontExperience or @MariemontSchool in your

post or tweet if you’re posting a feel-good story about

your or a loved one’s involvement with the Mariemont

City School District. We’d love to track these highlights

and include them in future publications!

@MariemontSchool Mariemont City Schools

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Upcoming EventsPlease reference the district website calendarfor more dates and activities.

MayMay 29: MHS Baccalaureate (2pm, Mariemont Bell Tower) May 29: MHS Graduation (7pm, Kusel Stadium)

JuneJune 1: Last Day of SchoolJune 20: Mariemont Board of Education meeting (7pm, Mariemont Elementary)

JulyJuly 18: Mariemont BOE meeting (8am, Board Office)July 26: MJHS & MHS Athletic Physicals (6:15pm, MHS Commons)

AugustAugust 11: Freshman Orientation (9:30–1pm, MHS)August 11: MJHS Orientation, Grade 8 (10–11am) & Grade 7 (noon–1pm)August 11: New Family Welcome Night (6:30pm, Mariemont Elementary)August 12: Kindergarten Popsicle Night (6:45pm, Terrace Park Elementary)August 15: Kindergarten Parent Into Night (7pm, Mariemont Elementary & Terrace Park Elementary)August 16: New Family Welcome Night (6:30pm, Terrace Park Elementary)August 17: First Day of School for Students August 18: Parent Info Night (grades 3–4: 6:30pm; grades 5–6: 7:30pm, Mariemont Elementary)

Spring 2016

August 18: Parent Info Night (grades 1–3: 6:30pm; grades 4–6: 7:30pm, Terrace Park Elementary)August 22: 6th Grade Camp Kern WeekAugust 23: Parent Info Night (grades 1–2: 6:30pm, Mariemont Elementary)August 25: MJHS Parent Open House (7pm, MJHS)August 29: MHS Open House (7pm, MHS)

SeptemberSeptember 2: MHS Hall of Fame Induction (6:30pm, Kusel Stadium)September 5: Labor Day, No SchoolSeptember 12: Mariemont BOE meeting (7pm, Mariemont Elementary)September 22: Pow Wow (8pm, Terrace Park Log Cabin)September 23: Mariemont Elementary Walk-A-Thon (Kusel Stadium)September 30: Mariemont Academy for Staff, No School for Students

OctoberOctober 7: Homecoming Parade (5:30pm, Mariemont Elementary parking lot)October 10: Mariemont BOE meeting (7pm, Mariemont Elementary)October 11: MHS Conference Sign-up (Online, 9am)October 14: Mariemont Academy for Staff, No School for StudentsOctober 18: Elementary Conference Sign-up (Online, 9am)October 21: PumpkinFest (5:30–8pm, Terrace Park)October 21: End of 1st Quarter, all district early dismissalOctober 25: MJHS Conference Sign-up (Online, 9am)October 28: Report Cards Available Online

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Mariemont City School DistrictSuperintendent: Steven Estepp2 Warrior WayCincinnati, Ohio 45227Phone: 513-272-7500Fax: 513-527-3436 Mariemont High SchoolPrincipal: James Renner, PhD1 Warrior WayCincinnati, Ohio 45227Phone: 513-272-7600Fax: 513-527-5991

Mariemont Junior High SchoolPrincipal: Molly Connaughton3847 Southern AvenueCincinnati, Ohio 45227Phone: 513-272-7300 Mariemont Elementary SchoolPrincipal: Ericka Simmons6750 Wooster PikeCincinnati, Ohio 45227Phone: 513-272-7400Fax: 513-527-3411

Terrace Park Elementary School Principal: Linda Lee723 Elm AvenueTerrace Park, Ohio 45174Phone: 513-272-7700Fax: 513-831-1249

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Board of EducationBill FlynnMike GaburoNan DillKelli NevilleKen White