www.milfordschools.org                                                                           October 2017
National Merit Recognizes Top Students
Congratulations to Milford High School students, Sydnee Smith and Amanda Reinhart, who have been named
 National Merit Semifinalists.  These seniors earned this distinction based upon their score on the PSAT taken during their junior year. Less than 1% of high school seniors in the nation are named semifinalists.

In addition, seniors Brian Wang and 
Grace Ruhlman,  were named as National Merit Commended Students.  Over 1.5 million students participate in the PSAT each year, and this year, less than three percent of those students have been recognized as National Merit Commended Students.  

" We are proud of these scholars for this tremendous accomplishment and their contributions to the academic excellence at Milford High School," shared Josh Kauffman, Milford High School Principal.
New Schools Earn Silver LEED Certification
Charles L. Seipelt and Boyd E. Smith elementary schools have been awarded Silver LEED Certification. Both buildings opened in August 2016.

According to Jeff Johnson, the district's Director of Business and Operations, the new schools have upgraded insulation, high-efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting, environmentally-friendly building materials. In addition, the excess building and shipping materials were recycled. 

"We are proud to earn this certification and build new schools that are energy efficient and save both resources and money for our taxpayers," said Milford Superintendent Nancy House.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. 
First ThoughtExchange Ends October 9
So far, more than 600 people have participated in Milford School District's first ThoughtExchange which will remain open through the end of Monday, October 9. A link was emailed to parents and posted on our website and social media. You can also participate by clicking on
my.thoughtexchange.com/#638993400.

ThoughtExchange is an online learning process that allows the district to reach out to parents, staff, community members, and students on a variety of topics. This process will enable us to hear your thoughts and learn about your priorities.

ThoughtExchange is a three-part process: a nswer open-ended questions;  review ideas from other participants and star the ideas you like best; and l earn what is important to the community as a whole.

The District will be reviewing and compiling the results of this input to share with our school community. There will be more ThoughtExchanges held throughout the school year on a variety of topics.
Milford Teachers Honored at Jennings Fellows
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation recently named 13 teachers in southwest Ohio a "Jennings Fellow." Four of the 13 teachers selected are Milford School District teachers.  They are (left-right): Amy Ossola, 3rd grade teacher at Pattison Elementary; Michelle Thompson, 4th grade teacher at Mulberry Elementary; Jennifer Weiler, 1st grade teacher at Boyd E. Smith Elementary; and Heather Dingus, 3rd grade teacher at Mulberry Elementary.

The highly-regarded distinction honors master teachers in select areas of Ohio each year. Candidates, who have been nominated by their superintendents, participate in the Jennings Educators Institute during the fall. A three-part professional development experience, the Institute encourages and supports teachers as they strive to improve their practice. Upon completing the series, participants can earn the designation "Jennings Fellow" by taking an additional step to immediately apply what they have learned. During the next several months, they design, implement, and document lessons incorporating ideas from the Institute under the guidance of university partners.

Since 1959, the Jennings Foundation has recognized teachers who demonstrate a commitment to further develop their own skills, to take action, and to reflect on those practices with their peers.

"These practices are the hallmarks of excellent teaching," shared Milford Superintendent, Nancy House, "We are incredibly proud that four of the 13 teachers in southwest Ohio are Milford School District teachers."
Milford Teacher Recognized as Warm 98 Teacher of the Week
Mrs. Stefanie Hinners, a kindergarten teacher at Pattison Elementary, was recently featured as the Warm 98 Teacher of the Week. She was nominated by a Pattison parent for being such a caring and loving teacher.

Each week, Warm 98.5 chooses a deserving teacher and then surprises the teacher with a visit to his or her school with gifts from Modern Office Methods; a Westshore Pizza Party for the class; and feature on News 5.

"Students love Mrs. Hinners. They are always so excited to get home to tell their parents all the activities (and learning!) that Mrs. Hinners shared with them that day," said Pattison Principal Mrs. Borger.
Milford Senior to Attend West Point and Play Volleyball
Hard work in the classroom and on the court has paid off for Milford Milford High School senior Lisa Sullivan. She will be continuing her academic and volleyball career at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Lisa's appointment came as a result of seven recommendations, including teachers and U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup. 

The Cincinnati Enquirer ran a great feature on Lisa and her accomplishments. Click here to read the story.
Milford's Career Prep Educator of the Year
On September 20, Mr. Rob Hatfield, Associate Principal of the Milford Success Academy, was recognized by the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce Foundation as Milford's Career Prep Educator of the Year.

"Mr. Hatfield has done a tremendous  job of re-envisioning our Success Academy to ensure it meets the needs of each and every student who attends and that all of our students graduate ready for life," said Milford High School Principal, Josh Kauffman.

Mr. Hatfield has been the Associate Principal of the MHS Success Academy s ince the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year. Prior to that, he was an assistant principal at Glen Este High School for five years. He was also an assistant principal at Little Miami High School.

Last school year, Milford School District received a three-year grant through the   KnowledgeWorks Foundation to   support the redesign of the Success Academy which serves at-risk students who face challenges in completing high school. Mr. Hatfield has led the r edesign to transition from a primarily online program to a blended learning approach with an increase in teacher/student contact and additional academic supports, as well as, enhance the social emotional resources.
The Real Ride Supports Success Academy
On September 29, five cyclists who left the West Coast in the beginning of August arrived at the Milford Success Academy. The team is part of The Real Ride, cycling from Seattle to Boston to benefit schools that serve students who have gone off track in their educational experience.
 
For three months, these riders have been cycling across the United States via an unconventional route - a combination of dirt roads, trails, forest tracks, wooded paths, and country roads. Their coast-to-coast ride will benefit five alternative high schools in large cities along their route. So far, through sponsors and donors they have raised $50,000. They're logging the journey at their blog, realride.org, where people can donate to their cause of helping at-risk students.
 
Associate Principal Rob Hatfield said, "We are so grateful that the Real Ride chose our school to benefit from their ride.  Moreover, we appreciate the light they are shedding on our important mission of serving kids who have gone off track."
 
During their visit, Real Riders shared lunch with Milford staff and students and toured the Success Academy . Recent Milford graduates spoke to the group about their experiences and how the Success Academy gave them the support they needed to graduate from high school. Two current students also shared their experiences about the guidance and support the Success Academy has given them to get back on track and earn the credits they need to graduate from high school.
   
The group rides an average of 65 miles a day on gravel, resting every tenth day. Some days they ride up to 100 miles. From Milford, the riders are continuing on to Boston, and will stop at schools serving at-risk students.
Calling All Veterans
Every November, in honor of Veteran's Day, the Milford Board of Education recognizes Milford graduates who have served in the military. It has been a long-standing tradition for Milford to present honorary diplomas to veterans who did not complete high school because of their military service. This year, Mr. Gary Knepp, Board President, will also be giving a special presentation about Milford graduates who served in World War I. 

If you have information on a Milford graduate who served in World War I or know of a veteran who did not receive their high school diploma because of his or her service to our country, please call the Board of Education Office at (513) 831-1314 or email  terry@milfordschools.org by November 10.

Milford's Annual Homecoming Parade and Game 
Milford's annual homecoming parade and football game will be held on Friday, October 13. Please join the entire Milford High School community as we come together to celebrate Homecoming 2017.

Festivities kick off at 5:45 p.m. with the start the of the parade which will begin at the campus of Live Oaks and make its way to Eagle Stadium. Families are encouraged to line the parade route and join in the excitement! Click here for the parade route.

T he varsity football game will kick o ff at 7:00 p.m. in Eagle Stadium against Withrow High School.
Marching Band & Color Guard Recognized
The Eagles Marching Band and Color Guard competed in the Ryle High School Competition on September 23. Milford's Band placed 3rd overall and the Color Guard was recognized as Best Overall Color Guard at the competition.

The Eagles will participate in the Bands of America Regional  Competition on October 7 in  Dayton.
Milford's Star Grads to be Honored
Milford Schools Foundation will hosts its annual "Night of the Stars" on Friday, November 3. 
The Foundation recently announced the 2017 class of Distinguished Alumni to be honored at this year's Night of the Stars:

 

Joseph Fitzwater (Class of 1942)

Kitty Johnson (Class of 1963)

Jim Douglas (Class of 1974)

Chuck Ingram (Class of 1978)

Whitney Williams Brady (Class of 1986)

Donald Jamey Mills (Class of 1990)

Aaron Strait (Class of 2011)

 

Night of the Start will be held at R.S.V.P. on Wards Corner Road in Loveland. You can purchase tickets under the "Donation" button at the Foundation's website at www.milfordschoolsfoundation.org.

The Milford Schools Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organization established to support the academic programs, services, and capital improvement projects of the Milford Exempted Village School District. The Foundation awards teacher grants, college scholarships, and funds educational field trips for Milford students.
October Community Swim Sessions
Milford School District residents can swim for free during weekly community swim sessions at the Milford High School pool. During October, the pool will be open every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7:20-9:20 a.m. Weekend family swim sessions have also been added on Sunday, October 15 and Sunday, October 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

A consent form must be signed prior to swimming and any swimmer under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian complete a form. All swimmers under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Students age 16 or older may swim without an adult, however, they must have a completed and signed waiver by a parent/guardian.

Questions? Email Lois Leavens, swim coordinator, at leavens_l@milfordschools.org .

Calendar Check 
October

13 End of 1st Quarter 
Homecoming Parade and Game
19 Milford Board of Education meeting
Mulberry Elementary
7 p.m.
November

7 Election Day
Teacher Inservice 
NO SCHOOL for students
22-24 Thanksgiving Break
NO SCHOOL
       
To view a complete calendar with district and individual school events, click here.
Thank you for subscribing to the Eagle eNews, Milford School District's electronic newsletter. The Eagle eNews is also emailed to all parents and guardians. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to submit news items to  news@milfordschools.org.  
Milford Exempted Village School District | (513) 831-1314 | www.milfordschools.org
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