Fall 2012 - Mariemont City Schools

New Technology
With the district’s commitment to technology integration, Mariemont City Schools is rolling
out a lot of new technology-related initiatives this school year.
The new website launched in July, and is a prime source of information for students,
teachers, parents and the community. The school calendar is now in electronic format
only, which ensures that everyone has an up-to-date calendar at all times. Go to www.
mariemontschools.org and click on “Calendar” at the top of the page, or click on “About”
and go to your school of choice to see that school’s individual calendar. There is also a
printable quick view calendar of the school year if you click on “Parents” and then “Annual
calendar – at a glance” in the drop-down menu.
Added to that, each student will bring their own computer or rent a computer device from
the school this year, promoting both enhanced teaching and active, enhanced learning. The
computers are tools the students are using in conjunction with other educational assets,
such as textbooks, group discussion and classroom materials. All of this supplements the
teachers’ classroom instructions and guidance. For more information about one-to-one
technology at Mariemont City Schools, visit www.mariemontschools.org/academics/
Technology.cfm.
Mariemont City Schools is also using Blackboard this year, which is a learning management
system that serves as the platform for learning in each class. This is changing the education
experience for everyone. It creates a safer online environment and a consistent and organized
format for teachers, parents and students. Teachers are able to incorporate all modes of
technology into one course, such as wikis, Google Apps, online textbooks, blogs, videos
and links, and they are able to communicate with an entire group of students at one time.
Parents are able to access grades and course content in one place at any time, giving them a
direct portal to their children’s progress and subject matters. Mariemont City Schools will
have Blackboard completely implemented and utilized in January 2013.
National Merit Scholars
The faculty and staff of Mariemont High School are pleased
to announce that the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
named three students National Merit Semifinalists. Seniors Kit
Carney, Mara Coyan and Sophie Erhardt all scored in the top
one percent of the nearly 1.6 million students who took the
test last fall.
“These young scholars, their families and their teachers are to
be congratulated for this exemplary achievement,” said James
Renner, Ph.D., Mariemont High School principal. “All of us in the Mariemont City Schools
community are very proud of their outstanding accomplishment and wish them the best of luck
as they progress through their senior year.”
Five MHS seniors were named National
Merit Commended Students by the College
Board. From left to right: Alec Ahrens,
Madison Saffin, D.J. Bartlett, Rachel
Nelson and Josh Keyes. Congratulations to
all of you!
3D Workshop
Mariemont High School students Jack Scholtz
and Cole Stewart attended a workshop on 3D
modeling and animation this summer. They
learned to use Blender, which is a 3D computer
graphics software product, to create solid models
and then animate those objects.
Sophie, Mara and Kit are proud examples
of Mariemont High School’s scholarly
achievements.
According to the National Merit Scholarship Organization
website, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of
the 50,000 high scorers, are notified that they have qualified
as Semifinalists. To ensure that academically talented young
people from all parts of the United States are included
in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state
representational basis.
Kit Carney, who is vice president of the leadership council,
participates in school plays and performs with Showstoppers
and chorus, plans on pursuing her college education in the
medical field, and feels honored to be a Semifinalist. “I feel like all of our hard work has paid off,”
said Kit. “It’s exciting and solidly gratifying to receive this recognition.”
Find us on and
www.mariemontschools.org
Mariemont
School District
2 Warrior Way
Cincinnati, Ohio 45227
Phone: 513-272-7500
Fax: 513-527-3436
Mariemont
High School
1 Warrior Way
Cincinnati, Ohio 45227
Phone: 513-272-7600
Fax: 513-527-5991
Mariemont Junior
High School
3847 Southern Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45227
Phone: 513-272-7300
Fax: 513-527-3432
TM
6750 Wooster Pike
Cincinnati, Ohio 45227
Phone: 513-272-7400
Fax: 513-527-3411
Mariemont
Elementary School
Terrace Park
Elementary School
723 Elm Avenue
Terrace Park, Ohio 45174
Phone: 513-272-7700
Fax: 513-831-1249
Board of Education
Bill Flynn | Peggy Braun | Marie Huenefeld | Dee Walter | Ken White
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
2 Warrior Way | Cincinnati, Ohio 45227
Way to Go, Gwyn!
Mariemont Elementary second grader Gwyn Virgin is only eight
years old, but she has made a difference in the lives of many
children. According to Gwyn, she has collected “five thousand
million tabs” for Ronald McDonald House. In reality, Gwyn has
collected about seven gallon milk jugs of tabs since kindergarten,
when teacher Trish Short first told her class about giving back and
the Ronald McDonald House pop tab collection program. “I don’t
know how much it costs to turn the tabs into money, but I know
whatever it is will help,” said Gwyn. Gwyn’s mom, Sarah, is happy
that Gwyn is helping children whose parents can’t afford to stay
close to their children while they’re in the hospital. Gwyn collects the tabs from her mom’s
work, her grandparents’ house and her after-school care center. Gwyn said her goal is to help
kids get better and has no plans of quitting her tab collections. Thank you, Gwyn, for showing us
that role models come in all ages!
Hans Hinebaugh started his own
charity focused on providing
food for local homeless children.
TM
Kicking Hunger
Hans Hinebaugh is a varsity football player…and soccer player…
and diver…and tennis player…and track runner. It is even
possible that he will beat the current letter record, on track for 19
varsity letters by the time he graduates (the current record is 16.)
He is on leadership council at Mariemont High School and is a
member of a regional youth leadership group. Hans is looking to
colleges like Northwestern, Columbia, Notre Dame and Yale for
film, marketing or law. Or maybe all three. He is smart, driven
and making a difference. This junior Mariemont High School
student has created the charity program “Kicking Hunger” with
the premise that for each field goal he makes, local businesses and families will donate
money to City Gospel Mission. He currently has businesses like Graeters, Kroger, Lackney
Dentist and Pomegranate & Lime on board. “I started kicking in 8th grade and could kick
45-yard field goals within months,” said Hans. “I can only think that talent comes from
God and this is my way of paying it forward.” Hans is focusing on hunger partly because
of his experiences at a mission trip to Mexico this past summer, where they helped build
play sets, construct kitchens and fix roofs, but also played with the kids and talked religion
with the local families. “It’s important that before you talk to people about God, that they’re
not hungry,” said Hans, which is why his program gives its collections for children at a
local food pantry. Hans plans on reflecting on what worked and what didn’t this year and
expanding the program to other kickers in the CHL next year.
Official Newsletter of Mariemont City Schools
FALL 2012
Gwyn Virgin and Trish Short
showcase the latest collection
of tabs for Ronald McDonald
House.
Camp Kern
Upcoming Events
Please reference the district website calendar for more dates and activities.
www.mariemontschools.org
The campers participated in activities
focused on teamwork, confidence and
outdoor education.
Bravery, support and adventure at 6th
grade camp.
148 Mariemont City School students
attended 6th grade camp at Camp
Kern in September, with 76 seniors
providing leadership and guidance.
October 12 ME Walk-a-thon (at MHS)
October 19 TPE Pumpkin Fest (5:30pm)
October 20 Alum Association golf scramble at the
Ridge Club at Losantiville Country Club (1pm)
October 31 Halloween parade TPE (1pm) and ME (2pm)
ME Walk-a-thon
November 3 Boosters 4th annual mattress sale fundraiser MHS (10am-5pm)
November 9 MJHS fall dance
November 14 State of the Schools address MJHS dining room (7:30am)
November 15-17: MHS Fall play
November 20 Parent/grandparent day TPE & ME (8:30am)
November 20 Fundraiser for Melanoma awareness. Clermont Northeastern
High School with boys’ JV basketball at 4:30pm, girls’ varsity
at 6pm and boys’ varsity at 7:30pm. Raffles to raise funds and
awareness in the battle against Melanoma.
November 30 Holiday fair MHS (5pm)
December 3 8th Grade Parents College Information Program,
7:00 pm at MJHS Library
December 6 MHS Holiday concert (7pm)
December 20 Last day of fall quarter
January 2, 2013 School resumes

Message from the Superintendent
We’ve had a great start to the 2012-2013 school year, and we have countless people to thank
for a seamless transition from summer to school, from modulars to state-of-the-art school
buildings, from idea to implementation. Our new school buildings are brimming with
innovation, excitement and individualized education. Thank you for supporting the youth
of our community with this monumental construction project.
Bullying prevention is a paramount concern for all involved with our school district, and
during this school year we will be bringing even more attention to this important topic. We
will be surveying all students in October and November; and parents, students and staff
will be working together to implement new strategies and improve current strategies so our
schools continue to be safe and nurturing environments for all students.
This year, we have rolled out one-to-one technology in the classroom for grades 2-12, using
computer devices as tools in conjunction with other educational assets. We need to ensure
that our scholars of today are wholly prepared to be the leaders of tomorrow. Our students,
parents and staff are successfully transitioning to this educational advancement, which
provides more individualization of instruction in order to more fully meet the needs of all
students.
The Mariemont City School District wants to exceed State and National expectations,
and guarantee that it is delivering the kind of educational excellence that our community
expects. We will be reaching out to you throughout the school year to help us define and
measure quality, giving us input on the benchmarks you deem important to our school
district.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools. Please enjoy these beautiful fall
days, and take time to attend a school event and support our students as they grow in life,
experience and Warrior pride.
Paul Imhoff
513-272-7500, pimhoff@mariemontcityschools.org
Welcome New Teachers!
Mariemont City Schools welcomed over a dozen new teachers this
year. Below we introduce you to Kelly Anders, Spanish teacher at
Mariemont Junior High School and Mariemont High School.
Kelly Anders teaches Intro to Spanish and Spanish I at the junior
high and Spanish I at the high school, and she coaches the junior
high girls’ volleyball team. From the classroom to the court, Kelly
is exciting enthusiasm from the students with whom she interacts.
She received degrees from both University of Cincinnati and Xavier
University, but it was her experience at a TPRS (Teaching Proficiency
through Reading and Storytelling) conference in 2011 that changed her curriculum goals.
Now Kelly focuses on teaching the students how to have a conversation and think in
Spanish. The first day of school she asked them to fill out a survey so she could make the
students the focus of stories in her lessons. “Isn’t the point of a language to learn and speak
it?” asked Kelly. “Now the kids volunteer to be a part of the lessons and are getting more
creative with the language. They participate and want to make up their own stories.” By the
end of the school year, the students will have learned all of the required Spanish, and more
– a confidence to converse and create thoughts in Spanish. Welcome Ms. Anders! We are
happy to have you as part of the team!
Say Hi to a Veteran Teacher
Priscilla Elzey has been teaching at Mariemont Junior High School since 1984. “I enjoy
the kids and enjoy being with them,” said Ms. Elzey. “It’s not about the subject matter, it’s
all about the kids.” Priscilla teaches Language Arts to both 7th and 8th grade students;
language arts includes reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary
and oral communication. This year, the 7th grade students are
reading “Our Town”, the three-act play by American playwright
Thornton Wilder. After reading and discussing the play, they will
be required to write their own plays, each with an individual
theme and decade. One of Priscilla’s favorite times of the year
is when the 8th grade students discover Shakespeare’s play, “A
Midsummer’s Night Dream.” “The students are so apprehensive
about reading Shakespeare, but then they love it,” Said Priscilla.
The high school PTO then treats the students to a performance
of the play by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Priscilla
feels supported by the faculty, staff and community, which is a big part of the reason why
she’s stayed with the district for nearly 28 years. “We don’t have a weak link here,” said
Priscilla. “We are all surrounded by support, which is why the kids feel so comfortable
here. I always feel good coming to school and I always feel good leaving.”
Thank you, Ms. Elzey, for your decades of dedication to our students!
Thank You!
The Mariemont School District has so many generous sponsors, volunteers and friends.
In this edition, the Mariemont Elementary PTO would like to thank the following 2012
Walk-a-Thon corporate sponsors. Thank you all for everything you do for our students.
Cutting Edge Selections, Inc. Edward J. Wnek, DDS
Fields Research
Havel’s Inc.
Mariemont Eye Care
Mariemont Veterinary Clinic
Turner Construction
For the Birds
Terrace Park Elementary School is a-flutter with birds! Or at least bird intrigue. A group
of eight 4th grade students have made it their mission to create a bird sanctuary in the
Terrace Park Elementary reading garden. “We started our bird club because we like birds,”
said member Wyatt Lemey. “We like how much variety there is, and how colorful they
are, and the way they fly.” The students were hooked last year, when a house finch built
a nest on the school modular, right outside the window from where the students were
learning. The students watched the bird, and began to
research other birds and talk about birds at lunch and for
class presentations. They did a project at the end of school
about birds, and they all feel like they know a lot about the
Ohio birds but they want to expand their knowledge. A
couple of the members even talked about one day wanting
to do a Big Year, an informal competition among birders
to see who can see or hear the largest number of species
of birds within a single calendar year. Over the summer
the club raised over $500 through bake, lemonade and
art sales for the bird sanctuary. The first piece of the bird
Local birders (from right to left): Nolan Michaelson,
Philip Forbes, Luke Laite, James
McGrory, Wyatt Lemey, Jon Michael Senes,
Nick Jones, Ben Rouse
sanctuary that will be placed in the garden is a perfectly selected bird feeder, which the
club will purchase with the donations it has received. The club has also incorporated local
flowers and a birdbath into the plans. “Mrs. (Linda) Lee said yes to everything but the tree
house,” said member Luke Laite. “We kind of went overboard with asking for that.”
School Building Dedication Ceremonies
On Sunday, September 9, Mariemont Junior High School, Mariemont Elementary School
and Terrace Park Elementary School celebrated the official opening of new school buildings.
“Just as the building process was a collaboration, the dedication ceremonies involved the
participation of community members, the Board of Education, construction representatives,
volunteers, students and staff, and village officials,” said Paul Imhoff, superintendent of
Mariemont City Schools. “I know the new building, and all of the educational advancements
and achievements that will occur within the school walls, will exemplify our motto ‘Scholars
TM
Mariemont Elementary school students
perform “The Future Begins With Us”
by Teresa Jennings.
Turner Construction’s Denny Humbel
presents the key to Mariemont Junior
High School to Board of Education
president Bill Flynn.
of Today. Leaders of Tomorrow.’” Over 1,000 people were in attendance, including many
community members. Former Mariemont Board of Education members Dave Moreton,
Davey Moreton and Jo Lakeman attended and were recognized. Boy Scout troops opened
the ceremony with colors at each ceremony, and students sang the national anthem. Each
school held a drawing during the first week of school to choose the student that would
receive the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Seventh grader Natalie Therrien at
Mariemont Junior High, sixth grader Macy Bruner at Mariemont Elementary, and third
grader Henry Buck at Terrace Park all cut the ribbon. After the ribbon cutting at each
ceremony, the buildings were open to the public to tour.
Community Fitness
Mariemont City Schools offers fitness events to the public, from access to the weight room
to aquatics programs to men’s basketball games. Visit the school News and Events page on
the school website for more information or to print and fill out the necessary form.
Froggy’s Fundraiser
Froggy’s Car Wash, located at 7489 Wooster Pike, will
donate 50 cents from each car wash to Mariemont City
Schools during the month of October. Froggy’s likes to give
back to the community, with no additional cost to the car
wash’s patrons. Froggy’s will also be opening Blue Café this winter at the same address,
where you can buy soups, sandwiches, pastries and coffee. Visit Froggy’s in October to
support Mariemont City Schools!
Kroger Rewards Program
Please take five minutes to register your Kroger Plus Card in the Kroger Community
Rewards Program and you will be helping the MHS PTO earn funds all year!
The program has changed from past years; you only need to register once per year, and there
are no cards to reload or carry. Detailed instructions for enrolling in the program can be
found at www.krogercommunityrewards.com.
With only 60 families participating in the KCR Program for May through July, the MHS
PTO received a check for $2349. Please help us double that amount! Thank you!
STEM Club
Mariemont High School science teacher, Elizabeth Briggs, and
digital video teacher, David Valentine, recently attended a workshop
at Purdue that focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering
and mathematics) skills and knowledge related to making an
electric guitar. Both teachers built an electric guitar during the
workshop, and they are currently starting a STEM club at the high
school that will use project-based learning focused around STEM
knowledge and skills doing a variety of projects, such as creating
rain barrels, engineering design contests, robotics creations and
competitions and, of course, electric guitar building.
Kathy Ryan, principal Linda Lee and
Board member, Dee Walter, look on as
Henry Buck cuts the ribbon at Terrace
Park Elementary School.
David Valentine inspects his work.
Back to School!
Veterans Dedication
Mikayla Lansman-Konrad and Emily
Jones enjoy classes and hanging out
in the new building on the first day of
school.
Kids enjoy the new playground equipment
at the new school building on the first day of
school at Terrace Park Elementary.
First day excitement at Mariemont
Elementary.
New School Year. New Building.
New locker combination.
Mariemont Junior
High School displays a
plaque outside the new
school building by the
American flag, in honor
of the spirit, courage and
perseverance of all U.S.
veterans.
Message from the Treasurer
This is the time of year when Ohio public schools are required to submit an updated fiveyear
financial forecast to the Ohio Department of Education. At its peak in 2002, state
funding provided 23% of the district’s budget. Currently, that number has dropped to 13%.
In an effort to offset the loss of this state funding, the district has made reductions in the
budget over the last five years of approximately $3,000,000, which is close to 15% of our
current budget. As we move forward, we continue our commitment to be efficient with
our financial resources while providing an ample variety of scholastic and extracurricular
opportunities for our students.