October 2020
Superintendent’s Update Welcome back to another edition of The Experience: The official newsmagazine of Mariemont City Schools. The first three months of the 2020-21 school year have certainly been different, but through it all, teaching and learning has continued and our students have excelled. As I shared in August, the district has developed and is following a comprehensive RESTART plan this school year that includes a three-tiered instructional model. We are committed to data-driven decision making when deciding which tier to implement. The health and safety of our students and staff will always be our top priority with the goal to also provide academic continuity for our children. In general, the decision is made every two weeks. We recognize the need for consistency and also the importance of looking at trends and patterns over time. Only in extreme circumstances would we shift the tiered instructional model sooner than a two-week increment.
Mariemont City Schools Logo Page 3
We opened the school year in Tier 2, meaning all students in kindergarten, first and second grades reported to the school buildings each day while students in third through twelfth grades alternated between reporting to the school buildings and learning remotely. Continued on page 2
New Academic Wing of Mariemont High School Already Transforming Education
Teaching Through a Pandemic Pages 4-5
The new academic wing of Mariemont High School officially opened with a small ribbon-cutting ceremony in August, marking the beginning of a new era for Mariemont City Schools. Following the ribbon cutting, students and staff were welcomed into their new classrooms and spaces in a series of phase-in days on August 26, 27 and 28. The new building came with much anticipation after a nearly three-year process full of research, planning, community feedback, focus groups, construction meetings, architect renderings and more. Designed to include state-of-the-art features and amenities, the new building is sure to provide extraordinary opportunities for students and staff. Continued on page 6
Work Continues on MHS Facility Project Page 7
Work Smart. Create Experience. Embrace Growth.
Superintendent’s Update
Treasurer’s Update
(continued from front page)
It is hard to believe that we have already reached the second quarter of the 2020-21 school year. With all of the changes to daily school operations, new health safety protocols in all of our buildings and a group of Online Warriors choosing to learn remotely this first semester, the first few months of the year have gone fast!
This decision to open in Tier 2 was made out of an abundance of caution and to provide our students and staff with a more controlled environment to learn the new health safety protocols and procedures for the school year. Following the first two weeks, after careful analysis of COVID-19 data, all of our schools made the switch to Tier 1 with all students in our classrooms each day, which provided more consistency for our students and staff.
Yes, it is true that the COVID-19 pandemic, along with all of its protocols and procedures, have changed some of the routines and traditions we are used to. However, what is also true is that, at Mariemont City Schools, teaching and learning has continued at the highest level.
If Tier 3 is implemented, all students will learn remotely and school buildings will be closed. In addition to the students learning in person this semester, Mariemont City Schools also has about 12% of its students participating in the Online Warriors program, an entirely remote learning option. The students work with Mariemont City School District teachers and curriculum, learning just as they would if they were in traditional classrooms.
Fiscally, the school district received some good news in the form of a BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant. This grant is funded by the Ohio Department of Education CARES Act state activities fund and is focused on helping schools remove barriers to internet connectivity and coordinate connections to state-level resources.
Whatever their schedules look like, I am so proud of our students for their hard work and persistence this school year. Whether they are in school daily, working on a hybrid in-person/remote model or participating in the Online Warriors program, learning in the midst of a global pandemic is not easy. But our students have shown the true spirit of a Warrior and have pushed through this adversity.
As a district, we applied for the BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant and received over $40,000 to expand high-speed wireless internet, allowing for easier access and expanded programming. It is important to note that while COVID-19 has certainly brought challenges, Mariemont City Schools was ahead of the curve in its allocation to technology resources. Because the district had placed an importance on the One-to-One program in recent years, our students and staff were well equipped for the technological demands of learning during a pandemic.
Of course, not to be overlooked is that we also opened the new academic wing of Mariemont High School. I have really enjoyed getting to watch the students and staff take advantage of the new spaces the school provides. The building opens a world of educational possibilities and you can read more about it later in this newsletter.
I want to thank the Mariemont City Schools community for its support and belief in our students and staff. The district’s preparedness for our current educational and technological needs is a direct result of our supportive families and community. Thank you for your collaboration and for working with us to continue providing an excellent education for our students.
Overall, it has been a fantastic beginning to the 2020-2021 school year despite the challenges. I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year has in store as we continue to work smart, create experience and embrace growth.
Tom Golinar Treasurer, CFO
Steven Estepp Superintendent
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District Logo FAQs Q: What led to the Board of Education considering a change to the
district’s logo?
years. Whether in conversations about equity and inclusion in our school district or global and cultural perspectives, the topic of the “Warrior Head” logo often came up.
While the intention may have been to honor Native Americans with the logo, research is clear that, from collective Native American viewpoints, using Native American imagery is not honoring them. In fact, most organizations representing the Native American people have asked for years that teams and schools stop using Native American imagery as mascots/logos.
With heightened awareness and education around these issues and the conversations had over the years on the topic, the Board of Education decided that now was the appropriate time to consider a change.
A: The Board of Education has been discussing this topic for many School District Begins Next Phase of New Logo Development After extensive research, discussion and public input, the Mariemont City School District Board of Education voted in September to remove the Native American “Warrior Head” image as the school district and athletic logo. This decision reflects a desire to respect and honor the perspective of indigenous people. The Warriors name and traditional colors of blue and gold will remain unchanged. Those wanting information on the research considered, along with community feedback submitted, can find it on the school district’s website at www. mariemontschools.org/DistrictLogo. Now, the district moves to the next phase, which will include a process to phase out the Native American “Warrior Head” and identify and develop a new logo. More details will be announced soon along with opportunities for community feedback and input. To stay informed about the latest news and information regarding the Mariemont City Schools logo, head to the district’s website.
Q: Why did the Board of Education vote to eliminate the use of the
Native American “Warrior Head” logo?
and individually reviewed research on the appropriateness of using Native American imagery as a district and athletic logo and reviewed feedback and input from the community. After thoughtful consideration, Board members voted unanimously to remove the “Warrior Head” logo, a decision that reflects a desire to respect and honor the perspective of indigenous people.
A: The Mariemont City Schools Board of Education both collectively
Q: Are the schools also getting rid of the Warriors nickname and colors? A: No. Mariemont City Schools will keep its Warriors name and
traditional colors of blue and gold.
Q: Is there a timeline for removal of the Warrior Head logo throughout
the district?
the use of the current logo will take time. The logo on some items will likely be removed immediately while a phased approach is likely for other items.
A: This timeline is currently being developed and considered. Eliminating Q: Will students still be able to wear spirit wear that includes the
current Warrior Head imagery?
however, production of new spirit wear that includes the “Warrior Head” logo will cease.
A: Yes. Students may continue wearing spirit wear they currently own; Q: When will a new logo be created? A: This timeline and process is currently being developed and
considered. Once a plan is in place, there will be opportunities for parents, students, staff and community members to provide feedback. The latest information about the district logo will always be available at www.mariemontschools.org/districtlogo.
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Teaching Through a Pandemic Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, much has changed across the globe. But one thing has remained the same: teaching and learning need to continue for our students.
rethink student collaboration and projects, and also teach new health safety protocols. But no matter the task at hand, the Mariemont Experience continues on.
Since March of 2020, Mariemont City Schools has faced a daunting challenge: how do we keep all students, staff and the community safe and healthy while also providing the educational continuity needed to advance our learners? It is certainly not an easy task but the Mariemont City Schools teachers have been up for the challenge.
Below you will hear from seven teachers, from all four of our buildings, and hear a bit of their “teaching through a pandemic” experience in their own words. You will see what has changed about teaching this year, what is different in their own classrooms and what they have learned since March. But most importantly, you will see the heart and the true Warrior Spirit of our teachers. Thank you to all of the Mariemont City Schools staff for persevering through this challenging time and keeping the wellbeing of our students as their top priority!
For the past seven months, our teachers and staff have had to alter their normal ways of doing things and change the course of their teaching methods. Staff have spent the beginning of the 2020-21 school year balancing in-person and remote learning, often simultaneously. They have had to
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“There is less movement, so it is more interactive on the devices. You are trying to get inside the heads of the remote students. How can you teach them without stressing them out? What is an appropriate amount of work? How can I see that they learned quickly and effectively? My classroom was very collaborative before the pandemic. I liked the energy and noise. I liked the feel of the busy, energetic classroom. It is much quieter now. I am adjusting. Flexible may be the key word for all of this.”
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“Teaching science has really changed! Instead of groups of students doing lab activities together, I have been doing a lot of demonstrations. The nice thing is that it has created some amazing class discussions. The main thing that teaching during a pandemic has taught me is that most of the little things don’t matter. My focus this year has been on making my students feel safe - physically, emotionally, and mentally.” Mariem
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“The biggest difference for me as an educator is teaching from a variety of spaces. We currently don’t use my music classroom, but I travel by cart to each classroom for music instruction. I have learned that flexibility is key to serve our students in the best possible way during this time. Also, I have grown to appreciate even more so the relationships I have with my hundreds of learners.”
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“What felt disappointing initially, not being able to have students share and work together, became a challenge that I encouraged us all to problem solve. How can we let other students know that we appreciate their work? How can we show respect by following the distancing and hygiene rules? It’s actually a great opportunity to help us all learn how to pivot and find solutions that help us not just make the best of a situation but thrive.”
Terrace Park
“I have been reminded how lucky I am to teach in such an incredibly supportive district! Our children are so resilient and our parents are as helpful as always! I am having lots of fun getting to know kids on a completely different level. They love showing me their rooms, their animals, their family. It’s a great new adventure!”
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“We, the students and staff, are truly in this together. As teachers, we like having answers for our students. However, teachers are learning how to Zoom, the most efficient way to clean desks, and the best format to communicate while masked with the students. We have not been afraid to admit that, as teachers, we will make mistakes. We are embracing learning from and with the students.”
Junior High rs Mariemont line Warrio son and On Arts, in-per
“Some of the specific changes that I’ve made are creating notes that are more interactive. I want to allow students an authentic learning experience and have their discussions drive their learning. Still, providing opportunities for inquiry and problem solving takes a bit more time and the interactive notes that drop and drag provide a good review and maximize our time to learn.” Jerem
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New Academic Wing of Mariemont High School Already Transforming Education (continued from front page) A simple walk through the halls of Mariemont High School during a typical school day demonstrates all the new academic wing has to offer. Students are able to spread out throughout the building, which is now more important than ever in the age of COVID-19 and social distancing. The numerous collaboration spaces, small group work meeting rooms, and gathering spaces, such as the Class of 2020 Community Forum and the Hub, provide students and staff with ample room to learn and grow.
“The space in the new building is amazing” said high school physics teacher Jeff Radloff. “The flexibility of the space is a true asset. In September, the physics class was able to do an experiment studying motion using computer and motion detectors which require students to spread out. Students were able to use the open spaces in the classroom, the collaboration spaces and the adjacent hallway space.”
on projects. I can’t tell you how valuable that is during the pandemic. We are able to have students working together while keeping safe social distance from one another and it is giving us the opportunity to continue providing a world-class education in a safe manner.”
The new academic wing also proved helpful during the annual physics egg drop. The project, which has previously been held outside, was able to move indoors this year thanks to the two-story Hub. The new gathering area provided the perfect location for students to drop their eggs off the second-story balcony into the commons area where others had the perfect vantage point to watch the action. “Already this school year we are seeing just how important these new spaces are around the school” said Mariemont High School principal Dr. Jim Renner. “We used to have students cramped in the hallways to try and work together and now we have multiple spaces where they can collaborate and work 6
Mariemont High School remains closed to visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic but the district is looking forward to opening the building to the community when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, you can find a virtual tour of the new academic wing on the district’s YouTube page.
The Work Continues on the Mariemont High School Facility Project While the academic wing of Mariemont High School is open for business, the work continues in the next phase of the Mariemont High School Facility Project. The focus now shifts to the back half of the building where the school’s arts wing and athletics spaces will undergo a renovation. Mariemont High School will see a completely renovated auditorium as well as a back of house, scene shop and dressing rooms. New performing arts rehearsal spaces will also come to life to give the band, orchestra and chorus their own rooms. In the athletics wing, locker rooms will see an upgrade and the training room will expand to allow for more space in an often-congested area. The Phase 3 work of the MHS Facility Project is expected to be complete by the end of the summer of 2021. For more information on the progress, find the latest Hard Hat Update videos on the district’s website or YouTube channel.
Mariemont City Schools ‘Works Smart’ with New Computerized Maintenance Management System Mariemont City Schools has partnered with FMX for a new Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). FMX solutions are purpose-built for K-12 educational organizations and allows Mariemont City Schools to better organize and manage its maintenance needs. The new CMMS will help the district manage work orders, plan preventative maintenance, manage assets, schedule events, and anticipate needed capital improvements. It enables a streamlined process, increased asset productivity and turns actionable insights into meaningful results. “Now that we have all four of our school buildings up to date, we can finally be out of a reactive mode when it comes to maintenance and be proactive in the work” said superintendent Steven Estepp. “This new tool will be an incredible asset in helping us maintain our community’s investment in its schools.” Mariemont City Schools will implement the Computerized Maintenance Management System within all four buildings to respond to maintenance requests and manage the maintenance assets, among other features.
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Child Find Policy Mariemont City Schools Child Find Policy requires that all children below twenty-two (22) years of age residing within the district who have a disability, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services are identified, located and evaluated in accordance with all federal and state standards. For children birth through age two, a disability means that a child has a behavior, cognition, communication, physical development, sensory development and/or social or emotional development deficit. For children ages three through five years of age, a disability means that a child has a documented deficit in one of more of the following areas: communication skills, hearing abilities, motor function, social-emotional behavior functioning or vision abilities. For school-aged students, a disability means a person having one or more conditions such as autism, developmental handicap, hearing handicap, multi-handicap, orthopedic and/or other handicap, emotional/behavioral handicap, specific learning disability, traumatic brain injury or visual handicap. If you are aware of a child who you think may have a disability, please contact Linda Lee, Special Education Supervisor, at 513-272-7517.
2 Warrior Way | Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 www.mariemontschools.org
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