The Experience Newsmagazine: Special State of the Schools Edition, Spring 2024

A NOTE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

I am proud to share with you the 2023-24 special State of the Schools edition of The Experience Newsmagazine. This year’s State of the Schools is a deep dive into the one-of-a-kind programs, practices and people that help our district stand above the rest. This year we are celebrating everything that makes Mariemont City Schools distinct.

Simply put, what makes us Distinctly Mariemont is a collection of the:

• impact our students and staff have on each other and our community;

• moments that happen in our schools and programs;

• experiences our students and staff have access to; and

• trajectory our alumni are on for life.

In this edition of The Experience, you will see example after example of what makes us Distinctly Mariemont. But the impact, moments, experiences and trajectory we are celebrating didn’t happen on their own. It is a decade’s-worth of dreaming, planning and executing that has gotten us to where we are today.

In 2013, we embarked on a very ambitious journey with the creation of our Destination 2026 strategic plan for the instructional future of our school district. Over the last 10+ years, we have cultivated a learning environment that continuously challenges the status quo and searches for ideas, solutions and strategies to ensure Mariemont City Schools provides the best in education. We dreamed big and then very strategically created programming and practices to bring these dreams to life.

And as a result, we have something in Mariemont City Schools that doesn’t exist anywhere else – it is Distinctly Mariemont

I am so proud of how far we have come in this work, but I know that we still have so much to accomplish ahead of us. There is still a lot we want to do, and our goal through 2026 and beyond is to maintain the excellence that has become synonymous with Mariemont City Schools.

My hope is that as you watch the 2024 State of the Schools video (by scanning the QR code below) and flip through this newsletter, that you are just as impressed by our students and staff as I am every day. The impact, moments, experiences and trajectory of our district are on full display, not only in this State of the Schools program, but also in the daily activities across our four school buildings. Enjoy your glimpse of what makes us Distinctly Mariemont.

Sincerely,

Steven Estepp Superintendent

A NOTE FROM THE TREASURER

Dear Mariemont Community,

Because of the way schools are funded in Ohio, our district is at a pivotal point financially. Ohio law prevents local school taxes from adjusting for inflation or as property values rise. This means revenues stay flat as the rate of wages, materials, and maintenance increase.

Our district has stretched the funding approved in the 2018 operating levy well beyond what was originally expected. This was due in large part to the strategic and thoughtful investment of one-time federal relief dollars and the continual alignment of our resources with our district’s goals.

In the face of rising inflation, the district has managed to keep its budget increase to a modest 3%. However, the district is not immune to the larger impact of inflation. The increasing costs of quality staff, facility upkeep, safety, and other operational needs like transportation and food service impact our budget.

As seen in the graph below, district expenditures are estimated to outpace revenue consistently. The graph also depicts the district’s reliance on its savings (cash balance) until that fund inevitably runs out and the district heads toward a budget shortfall, which is anticipated in the near future.

What is a Cash Balance, and How Does it Work?

Districts are required by state law to maintain a cash balance. The fund acts in many ways like a family’s emergency fund. Mariemont’s fiscal practice is to maintain a fund balance at 25% of expenditures, or about 3-4 months of operating expenses.

Cash balance funds are utilized by districts to cover inflationary increases and balance the budget. It is a bandaid fix because Ohio law prevents school funding from inflationary increases that would keep revenue on pace with the price of goods and services. Inevitably, the cash balance diminishes over time and cannot be replenished without increased revenues or large cuts to programs and services.

Our district is at the point of the school funding cycle where action is required. The Board of Education is considering options to cut programs and services drastically or to request an operating issue in the fall to prepare for the financial cliff proactively and replenish the cash balance before it dips too low. The board has been clear in its discussions thus far that any funding requests would be for the purpose of maintaining current programs, services, and goals.

By the end of June, the board plans to decide whether to place an operating levy on the November ballot or to consider large cuts to programs, experiences, and services.

Feel free to reach out to me at tgolinar@mariemontschools.org with any questions regarding our financial situation.

Sincerely,

Tom Golinar Treasurer, CFO

Mariemont City Schools has a tremendous impact on its students, staff and community. See how the lessons learned in our schools ripple outward, driving positive change throughout the community and world.

TURNING CARE INTO CONNECTION

In the heart of our junior high curriculum lies a unique elective course that goes beyond textbooks and traditional learning methods. “Warriors Give Back” is an inspiring journey for students to explore the world of philanthropy, instilling in them the values of empathy, compassion and the power of making a positive impact in their community.

Throughout the quarter-long course, students delve into the importance of philanthropy and discover their own passions by exploring various issues and causes. This hands-on experience empowers them to identify the pressing matters that resonate with their hearts, encouraging a sense of responsibility towards making a difference in the world.

One distinctive aspect of the Warriors Give Back course is its practical application. Students pair with local non-profit organizations, allowing them to witness firsthand the incredible work these organizations do to address societal challenges. The students learn about the organization’s mission and how it makes a positive difference in our community. The culmination of their efforts is a presentation to the class, where each student advocates for their chosen non-profit.

The course concludes with a remarkable initiativea class-wide vote to determine which non-profit

will be awarded a $1,000 grant, graciously donated by Magnified Giving (another local non-profit focused on educating teenagers in philanthropy). The experience provides a tangible way for our young Warriors to comprehend the impact they can make on real-world causes, fostering a sense of responsibility and commitment to the well-being of others. At the conclusion of the second quarter, two local organizations, Mary Magdalen House and La Soupe Cincinnati, were announced as the 2024 grant recipients.

Through this course and beyond, Mariemont City Schools aspires to cultivate a generation of leaders who carry the torch of philanthropy into the future, leaving an indelible mark on our neighborhoods and the world around them.

DID YOU KNOW?

All Mariemont High School students must complete 40 hours of community service between the end of their sophomore year and before the first Monday in May of their senior year as part of the MHS graduation requirements.

STUDENT CAMPAIGNS LEAVE LASTING IMPACT

Warriors BEwell is a collection of our efforts to make the mental health of our students an even greater emphasis in Mariemont City Schools. It utilizes a robust catalog of programs and services, community partnerships and evidenced-based research to best promote the health of our students.

Sources of Strength is a student-driven organization that harnesses the power and influence of peer leader voice for a strength-based approach to mental health promotion. Students in both Mariemont High School and Mariemont Junior High School lead regular campaigns to spread messages of hope, help and strength into their school communities.

2023-24

SOURCES OF STRENGTH BY THE NUMBERS

69

total students from MHS and MJHS

12

total staff members from MHS and MJHS

8

total Sources of Strength campaigns orchestrated so far during the 2023-2024 school year

A Mariemont City Schools education is filled with countless pivotal moments when the Warrior spirit shines through. It’s the discoveries. It’s the moments of quiet reflection. It’s the roars of collective victory.

KINDNESS COUNTS

At Mariemont City Schools, our instructional vision states that students will be deeply committed members of the community and world, and both Mariemont Elementary School and Terrace Park Elementary School have found an impactful way to do this through the annual Great Kindness Challenge. This week-long program each January is a positive and proactive bullying prevention initiative for schools across the globe that is designed to create a culture of kindness throughout the school.

Each school receives checklists for students to complete during the week, encouraging kind actions such as inviting a new friend to play, thanking someone who has helped them, recycling trash and smiling at others. Students at both ME and TPE spend the week focusing on these tasks and spreading kindness throughout their school buildings.

“The Great Kindness Challenge is a fun way to encourage positive behaviors in our district’s youngest learners,” said Mariemont Elementary principal Ericka Simmons. “We focus on kindness all year long, but this week in particular really allows our students and staff to connect with one another and create really special moments together.”

DID YOU KNOW?

2024 MCSD Great Kindness Challenge Stats

837 student participants from ME and TPE

Over

10,000 total acts of kindness performed

Special moments are happening every day in Mariemont City Schools. We asked some staff members to share some of their favorite moments, big or small, from this school year.

“I love when a friend gets so excited about reading that the first thing they want to do in the morning is read me a book they’ve been working on!”

Courtney Miller | Kindergarten Teacher | Mariemont Elementary School

“It is incredible to see sixth grade math students become the teacher while collaborating with younger grade levels to make connections between current and future learning!”

Rebekah Schuholz | Sixth Grade Teacher | Terrace Park Elementary School

“My students really shine when they feel connected and can showcase their learning.”

Heidi Lehman | Intervention Specialist Mariemont Elementary School

“I love it when my students are able to make connections from current events and relate it to our content in social studies!”

Nick Carlson | Social Studies Teacher | Mariemont Junior High School

“It is always fun to see how kids respond to their computer science programs working successfully, especially after they have overcome a number of bugs in early iterations!”

Steve Phelps | Computer Science and Math Teacher/Math and Digital Coach Mariemont High School

“I love it when students take the big leap of ownership in music! Being a musician is SO similar to being a member of a team. You can’t wait for someone to do your role in the group. You have to take that leap of jumping in and be willing to struggle to get better. But once you do, so many opportunities in music and elsewhere start opening up!”

Jimmy Galloway | Band Director | Mariemont City Schools

We take pride in the unique opportunities and immersive experiences offered to our students. It’s the engaging lessons in our classrooms and powerful initiatives that make the Mariemont City Schools journey so distinct. The Mariemont Experience is unlike any other, and it is evident both in and out of the classrooms.

Mariemont City Schools ranked #1 in Hamilton County, #1 in the region and #7 in the state for overall academic achievement*

All four Mariemont City Schools buildings ranked in the Top-10 of the region and the top 2% of the state (out of 3,203 schools) for overall academic achievement*

The Mariemont City School District has consistently scored much higher on the ACT than state and national averages

Mariemont City Schools ranked in the top 10% of the state for year over year student improvement*

Mariemont City Schools ranked #1 in the region for gifted opportunities and performance*

Mariemont High School offers 22 Advanced Placement Courses, developed to give students an introduction to college-level courses and earn college credit before even graduating high school.

88% of MHS students who took an AP exam in 2023 earned college credit by scoring a 3 or higher 10

MHS AP courses had an exam passage rate of 100% in 2023 (2-D Art and Design, Chemistry, Computer Science A, English Literature, Environmental Science, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, Research, Seminar, World History)

Mariemont City Schools ranked #1 in the region and #5 in the state for early literacy achievement*

*Source: Ohio Department of Education, 2023 Ohio State Test results

Seven Mariemont High School students earned the prestigious title of National Merit Scholar after scoring in the top 5% of the 1.6 million high school juniors who took the test last spring. Suzy Becksfort, Hadley Dickinson, Clara Hampton, Ellie Urshel, Gavin Van Scoy and Leah Wilson all earned National Merit Commended honors while Caleb Ching was named a National Merit Semifinalist and a National Hispanic Recognition Award honoree. Ching will continue on in the competition in the hopes of earning one of 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth a combined $37 million.

MISSION BEYOND

Mission BEyond is the newest addition to the Warriors BEyond umbrella and is geared towards students in kindergarten through fourth grades. Mission BEyond seeks to expand on a subject the students are learning in class in a fun and engaging manner. Some of the most recent missions for our youngest learners include live interactions with penguins, Rainforest Fun and an American Revolutionary War experience, with more Missions planned this spring.

WHAT’S NEW WITH WARRIORS BEYOND?

The Warriors BEyond program is the most prominent display of Distinctly Mariemont moments. This experiential learning initiative encompasses all grade levels and offers each student in our district the opportunity to learn new skills, gain new interests and explore new passions with hands-on, immersive learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. While Warriors BEyond has been transforming education in the district for over a decade, its programs continue to evolve and grow to offer the best possible experiences to students. See some of our exciting updates below.

The Expeditions program at Mariemont Junior High School got a makeover for the 2023-24 school year. This year, seventh and eighth grade students engage in day-long, applicationfocused programming including a Service Connect, Curriculum Connect, Career Connect and Passion Connect.

Intersession is a three-day immersive learning opportunity for Mariemont High School students. Later this spring, freshmen sophomores and juniors will participate in either a teacher-led course, a college exploration or a one-of-a-kind Experienceship. During this year’s Intersession, course offerings will expand to include Cultural Cuisine, Healthcare Heroes, Ideas to Investment and Trials, Triumphs and Townhalls.

THROUGH THE DECADES, WE ARE DISTINCTLY MARIEMONT

The Distinctly Mariemont story is a collection of over 1,600 individual narratives. Each student and staff member contributes to the uniqueness of our school district. But what truly makes Mariemont City Schools distinct is that our story extends well beyond high school graduation. Ours is also a story of our alumni who have ventured out into the world. It is a testimony of students’ future success, and how our schools have facilitated their trajectory.

The Mariemont Experience has been the foundation for our students for years. It is evident in the ways our students and alumni apply their Mariemont educational experiences in that lifelong pursuit of knowledge and personal growth and the courageous desire to impact the world around them. The success and achievement that follows is just as remarkable; in other words, it is Distinctly Mariemont.

Lauren Getgey, Class of 2016 Lawyer

Upon graduation from Mariemont, I went to the University of Dayton. There, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, was a part of the Honors Program, joined a sorority, worked at the Writing Center, and traveled abroad to Madrid, Spain, for a semester where I studied the Spanish culture and language. I virtually graduated from Dayton in 2020 (in light of the COVID-19 pandemic) with a focus in pre-law.

I then studied and took the Law School Admission Test and was accepted into Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. I moved up to Columbus and took classes about various types of law for three years. In May of 2023, I graduated summa cum laude from Capital University and received a job offer to work as a Commercial Litigation associate attorney for Dinsmore and Shohl in downtown Cincinnati. In July 2023, I took and passed the Ohio Bar Exam and have been a practicing lawyer for a few months now.

Well-Rounded Experience

Mariemont taught me the importance of being a hard-working, resilient, compassionate, and well-rounded individual. My experiences as a both student and athlete at Mariemont laid the fundamental building blocks that have helped me succeed in my academic, professional, and personal life thus far and will continue to help me grow as an individual in the future.

YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN

Anyone who has lived or worked in Columbia Township, Fairfax, Mariemont or Terrace Park knows what a special place our school community is. And it is most evident when our graduates go out into the world to learn and grow, and then choose to return to make their mark in their hometowns.

Mariemont City Schools is proud to have 26 MHS graduates back in our district as staff members, helping to educate the next generation of Warriors.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Mariemont High School Class of 2023:

Submitted a total of 613 college applications

Earned over $15 million in scholarship dollars

PREPARING THE TRAJECTORY

Before our alumni can make a lasting impact on the world, they need a well-rounded education, including information on their future career options. Mariemont City Schools believes that career education should be a part of students’ educational experiences beginning in kindergarten and continuing through high school graduation. Below you will find age-appropriate conversation starters to open a dialogue about career education with your student.

INTRODUCTION

KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FOURTH GRADE

Ask your student about the after school enrichment opportunities that may help them discover new interests.

EXPLORATION

FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE

Ask your student about digital identity and how their online presence may impact future employment.

DISCOVERY

SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE

Ask your student about which elective courses are allowing them to explore new interests and skills.

PREPARATION

NINTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE

Ask your student about the college representative visits they have attended or plan to attend.

Grace Amlung, Class of 2019; Kim Arp, Class of 1982; Julie Crawford, Class of 1978; Janine Cutcher, Class of 1994; Shannon DeCamp, Class of 1982; Missy Fields, Class of 1982; Kelli Flanigan, Class of 2001; Mike Hanley, Class of 2000; Dana Kauffman, Class of 1980; Peggy Kersker, Class of 1973; Kristin Keyes, Class of 2019; Julie Koehler, Class of 1995; Emma Krusling, Class of 2017; Lee Lowery, Class of 1989; Kevin Maness, Class of 1989; Tyler Martin, Class of 2003; Erin Pate, Class of 1999; Jim Renner, Class of 1980; Beth Rich-Blumer, Class of 2007; Amy Simmons, Class of 2006; Jane Smith, Class of 2012; Dustin Treftz, Class of 1998; Joe Veeneman, Class of 2017; Coleen Vogelgesang, Class of 1979; David Wainscott, Class of 1981; Merrell Welage, Class of 2016.

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