Milford Exempted Village School District
Eagle eNews
www.milfordschools.org
November 23,  2015
In This Issue
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District Calendar
   

November
 

25-27NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break
December

2Community Forum
6:30-8:30 
MHS Cafe
5MHS Craft Show
9-3:30
17BOE Meeting
MJHS
7 p.m.
18Winter Break Begins
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District to Host Community Forum on December 2
Milford School District is hosting a community forum on Wednesday, December 2, to share information and gather feedback on current issues facing our school district. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Milford High School cafeteria, and will allow time for small group discussion, sharing feedback, and developing action steps. 
 
"Ohio's public schools have seen a significant increase in state mandates and challenges to maintain local control, all while state funding is being reduced throughout the state. Legislators continue to change the rules and create challenges that threaten Ohio's public schools. We need to make our parents aware of these issues and show them how they can make a difference," said Milford Superintendent, Dr. Robert Farrell.
 
According to Dr. Farrell, the following topics will be discussed at the forum:
  • Local control of our schools
  • Unfunded mandates
  • Private charter schools receiving local tax dollars
Dr. Farrell added, "Parent engagement is critical to this grass roots' advocacy movement. We know that when parents become informed and challenge the state on what is best for our children, real changes can happen. Parents fought back against excessive state testing, which resulted in Ohio firing the testing company and reducing the amount of testing required for students."
 
Please consider sharing your time and thoughts on these important issues. If you have any questions about the forum, call the Board of Education office at (513) 831-1314.
Veteran Surprised by High School Diploma Presentation
At the November Board of Education meeting, Dr. Farrell surprised a veteran, Mr. Jack Brady, with a presentation of his Milford High School diploma. Mr. Brady did not graduate from high school due to his service in the army. For the past eight years, Milford School District has a tradition of awarding high school diplomas to veterans who did not earn a diploma because their education was interrupted to serve their country in times of war.

Mr. Brady is a veteran of the Korean War, serving from 1950-52. He first enlisted in the Navy reserves and was then drafted into the Army. After his training was complete, he traveled through Japan to Korea where he joined the 8th Army I-Core, 17th Artillery Unit, as a Sergeant. His role on this advanced front line unit was to maintain all the vehicles used to move the large artillery guns, airplanes, and various people transports.

We were honored to be able to share this accomplishment with Mr. Brady. To read more, go to  goo.gl/JmuRCk.
Director of Special Education Honored
Milford's Director of Special Education, Jennie Berkley, recently won the Faces of Autism Award for Professional Excellence from the Autism Society.  Jennie Berkley has been with the Milford School District for the past 15 years. Prior to this school year, she was also the Director of Milford's Preschool.

Jennie was nominated by Milford parent Jenny Cunningham.  In her letter of nomination, Cunningham shared, "When my son Quinn was just 21 months old he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Quinn started at Milford Preschool the day he turned three. From the moment we walked through the door, we were shown unconditional love and support from the entire staff of Milford Preschool.  Jennie and her team guided us at every twist and turn along the way."

"It is an honor to receive this award on the behalf of the many advocates for not only Autism, but the many disabilities that we serve in our schools," Berkley said.
Lucas and Marques Win Board Election
Five candidates ran for two open seats in the Milford Board of Education race. Congratulations to George Lucas and Debbie Marques who were elected to serve on the Board. Mr. Lucas and Mrs. Marques will begin their four-year terms in January of 2016.
Milford Students Selected to Perform in Honors Ensemble at Carnegie Hall
 
Three Milford High School students, (left to right) Sarah Wingo, Olivia Munro, and Madeline Stewart have been selected for the 2016 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. They will perform during Carnegie Hall's 125th anniversary season in February with the Honors Ensemble. Participation in one of the five Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the world. Sarah Wingo will perform on the clarinet; Olivia Munro, second alto; and Madeline Stewart, first soprano.

According to Morgan Smith, Program Director, "Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing. We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year and have selected nearly 750 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians never forget."
Marching Band Named Semi-Finalists in Bands of America Competition
Marching Band performing The Oracle at Lasalle Competition.
From November 11-14, the Milford High School Marching Band participated in the Bands of America Grand National Championships, held at Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium. The band advanced in the competition and was selected as a semifinalist, which placed them among the top 30 bands in the country!  

While their on field performance was outstanding, what happened off the field demonstrates clearly what being a Milford High School Eagle is all about. The flute section from Hamilton High School left their flutes in Cincinnati and the Milford band lent them their personal flutes so they could perform. Our band was nominated for the Sportsmanship Award for this gesture.
Milford Senior Named Heisman State Finalist
Milford senior Loewen Cavill was selected as a 2015 Wendy's High School Heisman State Finalist.  This leadership award recognizes well-rounded student athletes who excel in learning, performing, and leading in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.
 
Loewen has made her mark at Milford High School. She played soccer for the past four years and was captain of the team this past season. She has also been a top runner on Milford's track and field team. In addition to her athletic achievements, Loewen is an outstanding student, winning local and state honors in math and history. She is also an exceptional leader and is president of the class of 2016, president of the National Honor Society, and past president of Milford's DECA chapter. Loewen has also earned the Jefferson Award for more than 100 hours of community service.
 
Loewen has worked part time during her high school years; interned with Freeman Heyne, a wealth management firm; and is currently an intern with Siemens Computer Engineering firm in Milford. She was selected for the highly prestigious Proctor and Gamble Resident Scholar Program for minorities and woman interested in engineering. After high school, she plans to pursue a degree in Engineering.
Photography Students Celebrate Beauty and Diversity in Student Body
Milford High School photography students and students in the multiple disabilities classrooms held a collaborative art exhibition of portrait photography on Thursday, November 5, at the Oasis Conference Center in Loveland. Students collaborated to create portraits that celebrated the beauty, abilities, and diversity of the Milford student body. Students also shared short biographies about the partner they photographed. 
 
"It was much more than just a photography project. Instead, our students used photography as a catalyst to understand others," said MHS Photography teacher, Janelle Schunk.

This project was made possible because of generous donations from Milford Schools Foundation and The Oasis Conference Center. 

Click here to read more about the project and see the photos from the exhibit.
Milford Art Program Helps Raise Money for Local Charity
Our art students worked with a local charity to make an impact this holiday season. On November 7, the Trinity United Methodist Church hosted the first "Empty Bowls" dinner in Milford. A total of 400 bowls were produced by Milford High School ceramic students with the guidance of art teacher, Jeff Shepherd. Over 325 tickets sold for the event and $5,000 was raised for Milford Miami Ministry. Thanks to all who came out to support this cause!
Remembrance at the Meadows Raises Funds for Local Park
Thanks to all the community members and businesses who supported our Remembrance at the Meadows event on Saturday, November 14. More than 50 individuals participated in the 5K, including JROTC cadets who ran cadence. There were also 125 student entries in the patriotic art show.  More than $800 was raised to support future improvements to the Spirit of '76 park at Miami Meadows.

Remembrance at the Meadows was a joint effort of Milford High School's DECA students and Miami Township. Milford's student project managers for this event were seniors, Kevin Hansbauer and Zach Lorenz.  

"Kevin and Zach did an amazing job coordinating the activities and working with Miami Township, Spirit of 76 Committee and the community to ensure the day was well received by all who attended," said DECA advisor Terri Rothfuss.

Below is a link to an article about the event that was written by Milford DECA student, Caroline Kerber, who is currently interning at the Clermont Sun.

New Elementary School Construction On Track
Our new elementary schools are on track for the "dry-in" date of December 1. Each school will be under roof with the windows installed by this date.
Here are a few photos taken from each construction site. You can monitor the progress of the new schools through a photo gallery on the district website at: www.milfordschools.org/buildgallery/

Are you or anyone you know looking for a flexible day job? Consider being a substitute teacher for Milford Schools. 

A bachelor's degree is required, but it does not  have to be in education. Although Milford is part of the substitute consortium, you can select to sub just in Milford Schools and choose specific schools within the district.
 
Go to OhioTeachingJobs.org. Apply for job 1234 "Classroom Substitute Teachers for 20+ Districts - Comprehensive Substitute Solutions"

If you have any questions, please contact Diane Hill, administrative assistant, human resources or Nancy House, assistant superintendent of human resources, at (513) 831-1314.
Free Community Swim at MHS Pool
Residents of Milford School District can swim for free at Milford High School's pool during our open swim sessions on Tuesday and Thursday morning in November and December from 7:15-9:15 a.m. There will be no open swim on Thanksgiving Day or over the winter break (December 21-31).

There will also be a family swim session on Saturday, December 12, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Parents must be present for children under 16.

Questions? 
Contact Lois Leavens, 
Community Swim Coordinator, at [email protected] or call the MHS Athletic Office at (513) 576-2208

Mark your calendars for the Milford Athletic Boosters Club's annual Craft Show on Saturday, December 5, at Milford High School, from 9 a.m. to 3 :30 p.m. It is one of the largest craft shows in Southwest, Ohio with more than 350 vendors. Cost of admission is $2 and all proceeds go to the Milford Athletic Boosters.
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