Milford Exempted Village School District
Eagle eNews
www.milfordschools.org
November 2014
In This Issue
Veterans to be Recognized
Seipelt School of Honor
Athletic/Activities Achievers
Drama Presents Miracle Worker
Bringing Science to Life
Photo Exhibit Showcases True Beauty
Alumni Honored
REDO Day Makes Impact
Community Swim Schedule

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   November
20Board of Education Meeting
Veteran's Recognition
Milford HS
7 p.m.

26-28NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break
December
4End of 2nd Quarter
19NO SCHOOL 
Inservice Day for Teachers
22-Jan. 4Holiday Break


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Calling All Veterans

Board to Award Diplomas & Recognize Service

Milford School District will continue its tradition of honoring veterans at its November Board of Education meeting. The Board will award high school diplomas to veterans who did not earn a diploma because their education was interrupted to serve their country in times of war. It is the seventh year that the district has awarded diplomas to veterans.

 

In addition to presenting diplomas, all area veterans are invited to attend the November Board meeting for recognition of their years of service. Veterans are welcome to come in uniform. There will be a short program at the beginning of the meeting with patriotic music and a presentation of certificates. The Board meets on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at Milford High School, One Eagle Way, at 7 p.m.

 

Representatives from each of Milford's schools from preschool through high school will be at the meeting to present troop boxes and donations for postage to a representative from Troop Box Ministries. Pictured is one of our preschoolers filling the troop boxes. Throughout November, each school will also be honoring veterans through a variety of breakfasts, lunches and musical programs in the individual buildings.

 

If you are a veteran or know of a veteran who did not earn his or her diploma because of being in the armed service, please contact the Milford Board of Education Office, at 831-1314, by Friday, November 14, 2014. Veterans who will be attending for the recognition should also RSVP to Terry Kruszynski at [email protected] or by calling (513) 831-1314.

Seipelt Receives More Recognition

Seipelt does it again! In September, the school was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. On November 10-11, Seipelt Principal Sarah Greb will be in Washington, D.C. to receive this honor. Now, the Ohio Department of Education has named Charles L Seipelt Elementary School a High Performing School of Honor for the first year, based on its 2013-2014 Ohio School Report Card data on student reading and math performance.

 

"We have high expectations for all our students, but know that we need to supply the necessary means and interventions to help ensure their success." Greb said. "It takes a commitment from the teachers, parents, and students themselves to make this happen."

 

The Schools of Honor program looks at schools with a high percentage of students from economically disadvantaged homes and tracks the performance of all students in these areas for the five most recent years. It spotlights schools that have shown sustained progress in student performance by all students over that time period.

 

The letter of commendation read, "By showing consistent progress in raising math and reading skills for all student groups, you have proved that administrators, teachers and families who have high expectations and provide continual support can enable students from all backgrounds to achieve academically. Together, you are opening up a world of opportunities for your students and building a wonderful legacy for your community." 

 

ODE will be sending Seipelt a High Progress School of Honor banner to display in the building.

Activities & Athletic Achievers

Milford High School Marching Band continues to shine in competition! At Western Brown High School on November 1, they won Best Music, Best Visual, Best General Effect, Best Auxilliary and Best Percussion. Milford also earned 1st place in the Open Class and was named GRAND CHAMPION! 

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Milford football had a big victory over Loveland on October 31 to make the Eagles 5-5 on the season and earn the Miami Township "Victory Bell." 


 
Pictured are the seniors posing with the "Victory Bell." The Milford and Loveland Athletic Departments, in conjunction with the Miami Township Trustees, are proud to continue the tradition of the "Battle of Miami Township" with the annual football game between the Milford Eagles and Loveland Tigers.  

MHS Drama Presents Miracle Worker

Milford High School Drama Department is excited about their first show of the year...The Miracle Worker, a play about Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan.



Performances:
November 13, 14, and 15 
at 7:30 p.m. 
in the High School Auditorium. Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults.

If you would like to reserve tickets ahead of time, email  [email protected].
Science Comes to Life for Pattison Students

Milford students are getting their hands dirty while bringing science to life. DeAnn O'Toole, a 4th Grade Math and Science teacher at Pattison Elementary, gathered her parents, students and community volunteers for an archaeological dig at Valley View Nature Preserve on Friday, October 17.

 

"I don't want my students to stand on the sidelines when it comes to science. I want them to jump in and get their hands dirty. I encourage them to try new things, and not be afraid to make mistakes," O'Toole shared.

O'Toole is currently working towards her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM Concentration at the University of Cincinnati. This past summer, she received a scholarship to attend the University of Cincinnati's Center for Field Studies in Miami Whitewater Forest. One of her courses was a biology course called Interdisciplinary Field Experiences. Each week, the class went into the field with a different kind of scientist. One week they learned about archaeology and went on a real dig, which inspired her to apply it to her own classroom. On her class dig at Valley View, students found a rock with some fossils in it, and some un-fossilized arm bones likely from a winged animal.

 

"I hope the experience will help them be humbled by the vastness of science and all that it encompasses while recognizing the importance of their role in it," O'Toole said.

 

O'Toole was recently awarded grant money from the UC Center for Field Studies to take 50 of her science students to its outdoor classroom, a renovated farm, roughly 20 miles northwest of UC's Uptown Campus on November 7.

 

"I am passionate about the Center for Field Studies and for teaching kids science (and math) through inquiry," O'Toole said. "We'll be collecting and indexing benthic macroinvertebrates from a nearby stream. It's exciting to see how this has all come full circle!" 

Photo Students Partner with Multiple Disabilities Class to Showcase Beauty

Internationally-acclaimed fashion photographer Rick Guidotti began focusing his lens on the beauty of those who have genetic, physical, and behavioral differences, which has inspired others to reinterpret the meaning of beauty. Guidotti shared his work and message with Milford High School photography students in September.

 

To further extend Guidotti's message into the high school curriculum, a Photography I class partnered with Milford High School's multiple disabilities classrooms. Through this connection, the photography students learned about the technical aspects of portrait photography and explored the idea of real beauty. A celebration of beauty photo exhibition featuring all of the portraits and reflections on each student was held at Keiser Photography in Old Milford on October 23. Enthusiastic parents, students and community members filled the studio.

 

Pictured above is a photo by Erika House of Kyle Wiegand. To see a gallery of photos from the exhibit, please click here.

Milford Schools Foundation Recognize Nine Distinguished Alumni

 

Nine outstanding Milford High School graduates were recognized for their achievements at a special weekend of celebrations beginning on Friday, October 31.


The Milford Schools Foundation hosted two special events to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's honorees. Members of this year's class of distinguished alumni are: Dow Rogers, class of 1941; Walker (Eugene) Fesmire, class of 1947; John Cooper, class of 1966; Melissa (Noakes) Borger, class of 1981; Joe Cadle, class of 1981; David Shepherd, class of 1981; Tom Watson, class of 1983; Sarah Elizabeth (Curry) Rathel, class of 2001; Katie Broecker, class of 2000 (posthumous award).

 

Five of the honorees presented at a seniors-only assembly at Milford High School on Friday, October 31, where they shared their thoughts on how Milford schools impacted their lives and their advice for success after high school.

 

Honoree Joe Cadle told the students that Milford High School affords them all they need to be successful in college and that the journey is unpredictable. He added, "So many success stories have yet to happen. Build leverage on the things you have learned, but disassociate yourself from limiting stereotypes you or others have assigned to you."

 

Honoree Melissa Borger added, "It's important to always make connections with others. Set your goals and accomplish these goals with a positive attitude."

 

On Saturday, November 1, the honorees were officially recognized at the Night of the Stars event at RSVP Center in Loveland. The sold-out event featured a silent auction, dessert auction and more.

 

Thanks to the Milford Schools Foundation for their support of our district through this fundraiser. Recognizing our alumni and bringing them back to share their experiences with our seniors was such a memorable and inspirational experience for our students.  

 

To read the background and accomplishments of each of this year's honorees, please click here.

REDO Day Makes Positive Impact 

For the second year in a row, Milford High School students had a chance for a "ReDo."

 

ReDo stands for Respect Everyone Despite Odds, an all-day event held on October 23, in which 200 Milford High School students and adult participants are guided through a series of experiential learning processes. The program is designed to unite members of the school and community to carry forth the message of respect and caring for all. Adult volunteers participated in all activities and facilitated small group discussion.


"REDO Day is an impressive program because through activities, words and actions, students are able to deeply empathize with their classmates and recognize the importance of being genuine," shared Kirstie Rheinheimer, MHS English Teacher, who facilitated a small group.

 

"What's so impactful is that in the room for those 6 hours, students see what kind of a place Milford High School could be--genuine, accepting, and encouraging--and it challenges them to be an agent for positive change as they go back to school for the rest of the year," she added.

 

At the end of the day, students were asked to develop a "Take Action Plan" to help them move forward with positive behaviors that both give and get respect.

 

Rheinheimer is also advising a club this year called M.A.D. which stands for Make a Difference. It's a student-led group whose goal is to promote positive values in the school. It's a great follow up to REDO day and all high school students are welcome join and help make a difference.

Open Swim Runs Through December

Milford Exempted Village School District is once again opening its pool to the community for open swim sessions. The fall session of adult lap/open swim will be held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at Milford High School, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., through December 18, 2014. Please note: open swim will not be offered on November 27 because school is closed. If the school is closed for any reason, including weather-related issues, the open swim will not be held.  

 

As in the past, each swimmer will be required to register and complete a waiver of liability form prior to swimming and can do so at pool the first time swimming.

 

For more information, contact Lois Leavens, Community Swim Coordinator, Milford High School at [email protected].