June 2021
Superintendent’s Update I am happy to be back with another edition of The Experience: The Official Newsmagazine of Mariemont City Schools. It is hard to believe that another school year has come and gone, and while it was certainly a different year, it was still a successful one full of working smart, creating experiences and embracing growth. As a school district, we have accomplished so much this school year – beginning with maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff. In the face of a global pandemic, we were able to have our students in classrooms the entire year with no evidence of COVID-19 transmission from school. Yes, we had new protocols and procedures, and a lot of our small-group instruction and collaboration had to be put on hold, but our teaching and learning continued at the high level we have all come to expect.
Annual End of Year Awards Page 3
We also launched the Online Warriors program to provide a full virtual option for students unable and/or uncomfortable being in person this school year. It is no easy feat to pull off a virtual school while continuing to teach in person, and all of the credit goes to our talented teachers and administrators who dedicated themselves to working in new and different ways. I am proud of our staff for meeting needs of all of our students this year. Continued on page 2
Mariemont City Schools Branding Kit Pages 4-5
Mariemont High School Facility Project Nears Completion On May 30, 2019, the Mariemont City School District broke ground on the Mariemont High School facility project with a community-wide event celebrating the start of much-needed upgrades and renovations to the district’s high school. Now, two years later, the district readies itself for the final milestone, a community-wide open house to celebrate the completion of the project. In the two years since that groundbreaking event, the school has undergone a total transformation, and we now have a state-of-the-art facility giving students and staff every opportunity to work smart, create experiences and embrace growth. Continued on page 7
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 Page 6
Work Smart. Create Experience. Embrace Growth.
Superintendent’s Update
Treasurer’s Update
(continued from front page) 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.
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 modified Camp Kern, which is a key piece of our Warriors BEyond Program for students in their final 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.
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 staffing 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.
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 offer 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.
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 field turf at Kusel Stadium. Artificial 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 field to continue their athletic pursuits.
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!
I am definitely 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 fiscal management for our schools.
Steven Estepp Superintendent
Tom Golinar Treasurer, CFO
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Amy Skinner Named 2020-21 Award of Excellence Recipient The Mariemont City School District Award of Excellence is awarded annually to an individual who exemplifies 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, first 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 five for kids when they pass her in the hallways. Her office 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.
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.
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 significant 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 officially recognized as the 2021 recipient of the Marie Huenefeld Friend of the School award.
As any school district can attest to, mental health needs of our students have increased significantly 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 difference in the lives of our students, staff and parents.
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, 3
District Partners with Local Designer, Community Groups to Create District Branding Kit Similar to most colleges and universities, the Mariemont City School District branding kit is versatile and offers options for a variety of uses and settings that a single mark could not. These separate images can each stand alone as branding components of the school district and also share coalescing elements running throughout.
Mariemont City Schools has worked diligently over the last eight months to create a comprehensive branding kit. The district partnered with local designer Tom Gilmore who generously volunteered his time and expertise to lead this work and design the future of the Mariemont City School District. The end result is uniquely Mariemont City Schools.
Guided by the community-selected themes of honor, courage and excellence, the district marks represent what it means to be a Mariemont Warrior. The new Mariemont City Schools branding kit offers a mark for everyone and every occasion.
“I am so grateful to have such talented people in our community who are willing to dedicate their time and energy to help us design the logo of the future,” said Mariemont City Schools superintendent Steven Estepp. “This branding kit is a result of hundreds of hours of work by our staff, students and community. I am proud of what we were collectively able to create to represent the best of our district.”
For more information on the logo process and to see the work that went into the branding kit, visit the District Logo page of the district website.
Designed through a comprehensive process with multiple opportunities for stakeholder feedback, this branding kit was approved by consensus of the district’s staff logo project team, a high school student focus group, a community committee and the Board of Education.
The Warrior helmet mascot is a bold protector that can symbolically be worn by all warriors.
The Mariemont crest has its place as an academic seal or on a team jersey and is a bold reminder of a what a warrior exemplifies – Honor, Courage and Excellence.
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The M in motion is simple and bold, yet uniquely Mariemont.
Formal and academic, Mariemont City Schools typeface and the block M represent the excellence, professionalism and tradition our district is known for in the region and beyond.
The four diamonds, whether used alone as a secondary mark or as part of another element, represent our school district’s four communities – Columbia Township, Fairfax, Mariemont and Terrace Park.
Shop the Look! The branding kit is now available in the Mariemont City Schools spirit shop. Scan the QR code to begin shopping.
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Congratulations to the Mariemont High School Class of 2021!
Where can you find the Class of 2021?
On May 30, 2021, Mariemont High School presented 129 seniors to the Board of Education for commencement ceremonies. Mariemont City Schools is proud of the Class of 2021 and wishes them well in their futures after high school.
American University Antioch College Baylor University Bowling Green State University Capital University Centre College Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cleveland Institute of Music College of Wooster Emerson College Furman University Heidelberg University Hood College Indiana University Mauer School of Law Jacksonville University Lipscomb University Loyola University Chicago Miami University Michigan State University Mount Saint Joseph University Northeastern University Ohio University Purdue University Savannah College of Art & Design Sewanee The University of the South Texas Christian University The Ohio State University Tusculum University University of Alabama University of Cincinnati University of Cincinnati Blue Ash University of Dayton University of Denver University of Florida University of Georgia University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Pittsburgh University of South Carolina University of Tennessee University of Wisconsin Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University West Virginia University Xavier University
The Class of 2021…
Submitted 635 total college applications
Earned a combined $13 million in scholarships
Was accepted to 119 different institutions 6
Mariemont High School Facility Project Nears Completion (continued from front page) “Four or five years ago, it became evident that the high school building was prohibiting us from providing the best education possible for our students” said Mariemont High School principal Dr. James Renner. “The difference between then and now is astounding. We now have the technology and infrastructure for our students to collaborate, explore new career fields, take new classes and really grow as students and as people.” The academic wing of the high school building opened its doors in the fall of 2020 and immediately began to transform teaching and learning. The newly renovated space features 24 spacious classrooms, nine science and technology labs, eight small group rooms, five collaboration areas, an open multipurpose community commons and modern safety and technology features. Construction on the arts and athletic wings of the building, which will open in the fall of 2021, features a completely renovated auditorium with a scene shop and dressing rooms, performing arts rehearsal spaces, upgraded athletics locker rooms and an expanded training room. As Phase 3 of the MHS facility project comes to an end, stay tuned to the district’s Hard Hat Update videos on the district’s YouTube page and website for the latest information.
SAVE THE DATE! Mariemont High School Community Open House Sunday, August 22, 2021 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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We are finally able to open our doors to parents and the community! Stop by the school anytime between 2-4 p.m. to tour the building and see the upgrades from the MHS facility project.
Congratulations Mariemont High School girls and boys lacrosse 2021 OHSAA DII State Champions!
2 Warrior Way | Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 www.mariemontschools.org
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