Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District hosted a virtual meeting today to share the reopening plans for the 2020-2021 school year for students in grades PK-6.
Superintendent, Dr. Amy Crouse, Loveland Early Childhood Center Principal Jesse Kohls, Loveland Primary School Principal Kevin Fancher, Garth Carlier the Principal of Loveland Intermediate School, and Andrea Conner Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning spoke during the meeting.
Yesterday the District hosted a similar virtual meeting for grades 7-12 and you view that meeting HERE.
Superintendent, Dr. Amy Crouse, High School Principal Peggy Johnson, Middle School Principal David Knapp, and Andrea Conner Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning spoke during the meeting.
Tomorrow they will host the same style virtual meeting for grades PK-6. You can watch tomorrow’s meeting on YouTube HERE. The meeting will be “live” between 11:30 AM and 1 PM. Thursday’s meeting will stream at https://youtu.be/-0z4eb_teFU.
Williamsburg, Ohio – Clermont County has taken another step in its effort to lessen harmful algal blooms (HABs) at Harsha Lake: Designing a system to capture storm water rich with fertilizer nutrients that feed the blooms.
The Board of County Commissioners on July 18 approved a two-year, $42,400 contract with Sustainable Streams of Louisville to design a passive wetland system in Williamsburg for Harsha Lake source water protection.
Boating on Harsh Lake
According to the Centers for Disease Control, HABs are the rapid growth of cyanobacteria that can cause harm to animals, people, and the local ecology. A HAB can look like foam, scum, or mats on the surface of the water and can be different colors. Particularly large HABs can result in beach closures and prevent recreational use.
Hannah Lubbers, Director, Clermont County Office of Environmental Quality (Photo Provided)
“Wetlands have a natural ability to remove nutrients from surface water,” said Hannah Lubbers, Director, Clermont County Office of Environmental Quality. “Our study of a small scale constructed wetland in Jackson Township indicated they can be a cost effective method of reducing nutrient pollution.”
Installation of wetlands, in combination with other agricultural and urban best management practices (BMPs), is part of the sourcewater and watershed protection programs being implemented by the East Fork Water Quality Cooperative (EFWC).
Partners of the cooperative, including Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District, the County Commissioners, and the USEPA, aggressively pursue grant funding to improve local water quality and to date have directed over $2.25-million dollars to the watershed, including $215,500 set aside for construction of the wetland in Williamsburg. The EFWC partners also combine agency resources and technical services to advance watershed efforts.
“Harsha Lake is a valuable resource for county residents and we are working hard to preserve that resource,” Lubbers said. “The Williamsburg project will provide invaluable water quality data and information to aid watershed efforts across the region and Ohio.”
About William H. Harsha Lake
Located on the East Fork of the Little Miami River in central Clermont County, William H. Harsha Lake and East Fork State Park offer outstanding boating, hiking, hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor recreation activities. William H. Harsha Lake is a multipurpose project for flood reduction, water supply, recreation, and wildlife habitat. Originally called East Fork Lake, the dam and lake were renamed in 1981 to honor retired congressman William H. Harsha. Mr. Harsha was elected to Congress in 1960 and served until his retirement in 1981. He was instrumental in getting the funding appropriated to construct the project. MORE
Join us next week on July 30 for this powerful panel of business leaders who pivoted to make smart and impactful business decisions during the height of the pandemic shutdown.
A Panel Discussion from Regional Business Leaders who took bold steps to pivot during the beginning of the pandemic.
Coronavirus has made it critical for businesses to shift their business models and get creative. See how these regional business leaders pivoted their business to increase profits, impact their communities, and continue to see the benefits of those decisions.
Panel Facilitated by Jack Peters, Executive Director of Advisor Development, Horter Investment Management.
Please note that masks and social distancing are required at this event.
Panel sponsored by FocusCFO and LMRCA. Drink ticket and giveaways included.
Meet the Panelists:
David Kennedy
David has been the Loveland City Manager for six years, after serving as the Village Administrator of New Richmond Ohio for twenty five years. His education includes a Bachelor Degree in Urban Planning form Miami University (Oxford) and a Master’s Degree in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati. He was born and raised on the west side of Cincinnati and has been married to Mary Jo for 30 years. They have two Children, Anna and Jacob.
Patrick Thompson
Nurtur Salon began in 2006 at their current Lane Avenue location with less than 15 employees and a dream. Patrick Thompson, owner of Nurtur Salon as well as several Aveda Institutes (most notably Aveda Institute of Columbus) had a vision to deliver an unparalleled experience in a comfortable, non-judgmental environment. Nurtur Salon still strives (and excels) at this cultural mission to this day, even with three salon locations and 100 employees. In 2012 Nurtur expanded from their original Upper Arlington location into a second location in the Grandview community with enormous success. In October 2015, Nurtur expanded into a third location in the Brewery District. In addition to this growth, Nurtur is proud to celebrate its tenth consecutive years as one of Salon Today Magazine’s Top 200 Salons. This speaks to their dedication to Nurtur’s team, guests, and community. With business growing at all their locations and their reputation in the beauty industry going strong, Nurtur has set their sights on a goal to open more salons in Columbus!
Pete DeLois
Pete DeLois is a family man through and through. When he opened Recreations Outlet in 1989, it was with the intention of bringing joy to the families in his community. For the past 30 years, Pete and his team at Rec Outlet have been hard at working building fun all over Ohio and the surrounding areas. By specializing in only the highest quality wooden swing sets, top of the line basketball goals, and the safest trampolines on the market, customers know they can trust the expertise of the Rec Outlet team.
Pete graduated from Kent State University in 1983 with a degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to opening Recreations Outlet, he owned Invisible Fence of Cincinnati and Columbus from 1983 to 1995. He loves baseball, racquetball, and all things food, but his passion will always be for his family.
Loveland, Ohio – Have you happened to see a gigantic swan floating down the Little Miami River? Well, I am here to tell you that it wasn’t just your imagination! On Saturday afternoon Symmes Township Resident, Nick Dyson, shared with us some photos that showed himself and his family and friends floating down the Little Miami in a huge inflatable swan. Dyson shared his “swan story” with us so that those who frequent the State and National Wild and Scenic, the Little Miami River, and our famous Loveland Bike Trail would be sure to look out for the swan all the way from the Amazon!
“My friend Brian Rogers is the director of student ministries at Northstar Community Church, and he initially bought the swan on Amazon to use with his students and volunteer leaders in the retention pond that was going to be made with all of the construction going on at Northstar/The Care Center,” Dyson explained, “However, in the final renovation there ended up not being a retention pond at all, so he took the swan out for its inaugural float about a month ago on the Little Miami with all of his volunteer youth leaders. He then busted it out a second time to use this past Saturday the 25th with both of our families, including their exchange student from China. We put the swan in the river at the Monkey Bar in Foster and got out about 2-1/2 miles downstream at the Deerfield Township river access on Shore Drive. There are only a few spots on the river where the river access is wide enough to put the Swan in the water because it is so huge,” Dyson said.
Dyson provided us with some incredible photos of the “swan-filled” afternoon so that we could share the story and photos with the Loveland community! We want to thank you Nick for sharing your story and some really fun photos with us! Check out Dyson’s photos below!
We believe we always have some important news to share with you about our community.
And sometimes like today – this very fun and Lovelandesque photo that really depicts our resort town – the Staycation Resort of Southwest Ohio.
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We recognize not everyone can do so at this time, however, we are like so many other small local businesses with reduced revenue and bills to pay that we cannot ignore.
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Cassie, Donna, Mihaela, Claire, David, and the Frog.
You might want to wait to do your back to school shopping!
by Cassie Mattia
Ohio’s favorite Back to School Holiday is only a couple of weeks away! Ohio will open up its Sales Tax Holiday on Friday, August 7 beginning at 12 AM and will end on Sunday, August 9 at 11:59 PM.
Loveland Magazine compiled a list of items below that will be exempt from sales and use tax during the Sales Tax Holiday:
An item of clothing priced at $75 or less
An item of school supplies priced at $20 or less
An item of school instructional material priced at $20 or less
Items used in a trade or business are not exempt under the sales tax holiday
Although COVID-19 is more present than ever businesses will be allowed to promote “Back to School” sales as there has been no restriction placed on advertising for Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday.
Have questions about Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday? Below we included the most frequently asked questions so that you will be prepared on August 7th! Click on the question in blue to view the answer!
If you have any additional questions regarding this information, contact the Ohio Department of Taxes at 1-800-304-3211, or you may contact them through e-mail.
Loveland, Ohio – Over the last several months’ life as we know it has been changing and evolving, including the lives of the Loveland High School Student-Athletes. Coaches, Parents, and Spectators have been waiting patiently to see if and when the Fall 2020-2021 sports seasons will begin and what the stipulations will be due to the rampant COVID-19 Pandemic.
On Wednesday, July 22nd, Bob Goldring, the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s (OHSAA) Interim Executive Director, issued updated guidelines and “COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations.”
In the new guidelines, Goldring and the OHSAA team emphasized that participation in school activities is voluntary. Goldring and the OHSAA team stated that every individual will need to evaluate the risk versus the benefits of athletics participation.
“Those immunocompromised students and staff, or those who live with family members with elevated health concerns, should evaluate associated risks of participation and may choose not to participate,” OHSAA said.
The OHSAA Executive Director’s Office, the Office’s Official Board of Directors, the Ohio Joint Advisory Committee on Sports Medicine, and the National Federation of State High School Associations, joined forces to help write an updated “COVID-19 Return to Play” document. The document includes recommendations on how member schools can consider approaching the many components of “opening up” sports with the objective of commencing the fall sports seasons on August 1.
“The recommendations within this document for the resumption of the varsity, non-varsity and 7th-8th grade interscholastic athletic seasons and participation opportunities have been made with the health, safety, and well-being of all student-athletes in mind,” the OHSAA document said.
Below are some of the topics the OHSAA document covers:
Game Day Face Masks/Coverings
Sidelines and Benches
Game Day Venue Restrictions and Spectators
COVID-19 Pre-Participation Screening
Failed Screening or Positive COVID-19 Test Action Plan
Positive Test – Action Plan
If You Had Close Contact With an Infected Person
Contest-Day Screening Procedures
Game Day Event Staff
Concessions
Athletic Training Room and Locker Rooms
Travel Considerations The following items are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
The following is the complete document from OHSAA stating the “COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations” that was issued on Wednesday, July 22nd.
For more of the latest updates on the OHSAA and Loveland High School Sports stay tuned to the Sports 411 With Me, Cassie Mattia!
Here is how the Great Oaks campuses will open in the Fall.
Please note: The following information applies only to high school students at Great Oaks campuses.
Our community, and the world, continues to adapt to the ongoing pandemic. In all that we do at Great Oaks, the safety and health of our students, staff and visitors is our highest priority. Whenever students, staff and visitors are together in a Great Oaks building, we expect that social distancing (at a minimum of 6 feet) is practiced, face coverings will be worn by all, and the buildings and equipment will be frequently cleaned and sanitized. We also encourage such healthy personal habits as regular hand-washing.
The following information reflects the most recent planning; information can change if circumstances change.
Update July 20, 2020
Academic classes will be held online
In order to maximize the amount of hands-on, career-technical education available to students, all in-person classes will be in the career lab with the career-technical instructor. English, mathematics, social studies, and science classes will be held remotely. Students will spend all day two days per week in their career-technical program.
As part of this schedule, students will have time to meet individually with academic instructors while on campus, which will support their online learning. It also means that the same group of students will stay in the same room—their career lab—for the full day, reducing the number of times per day needed to sanitize rooms as we would if students changed classes for multiple periods daily.
Students will attend the campus on Mondays and Thursdays as part of the A group, or Tuesdays and Fridays as part of the B group. During the remaining three days, students will work remotely on academic work and other homework, with Wednesday set aside for one-on-one remote assistance.
This schedule will run for the first quarter, until October 16.
On whether schools will open on the date planned, Dr. Crouse said,
“It’s sort of a dance there on whether we will be able to do that fully at first or whether we have to roll into that.”
Loveland, Ohio – With a unanimous vote this afternoon in a Special Meeting the Loveland School Board gave authorization to the administration to sign a proposal from LJB Inc. for “Pandemic Preparedness and Planning” services.
LJB will provide the services for a “lump sum fee” of $66,250.
The “terms of the contract” were not available for the Board and after questions from Eileen Washburn about them, Superindent Dr. Amy Crouse said she did not understand the question. After further discussion by Washburn who asked about a cancellation clause and other things in a typical contract, Board President Dr. Kathy Lorenz pointed them to a sentence in the proposal that said, “A formal professional services agreement will be sent for your review and signature upon receipt of this Authorization.”
Kevin Dougherty said it would be standard to negotiate terms. Crouse said she doesn’t currently have it, “But I can provide that to you.”
Dr. Crouse said that after the first week of the study, which will be of the Elementary School, there may be a need to have further discussion about whether classes can begin as scheduled.
The complete study will take four weeks and will begin on Monday, July 27.
At a previous Special Meeting on Wednesday, July 15, with a unanimous vote, the Loveland Board of Education approved a reopening plan for the Loveland City School District for the 2020-2021 school year. Preschool, kindergarten, and 1st through 12th grades will attend 5 days per week at “full capacity” (no “all-day” kindergarten) with the option of choosing to attend school online.
The first day of instruction for all students is scheduled to be Wednesday, August 26.
Michele Pettit asked if after the study of the Elementary building was complete would the opening of instruction go as planned or would there have to be a delay.
Crouse answered, “It’s sort of a dance there on whether we will be able to do that fully at first or whether we have to roll into that.”
Crouse also talked about the unknowns of COVID 19 spread in the community.
Crouse told the Board that it is likely that there will be times throughout the year that they will not be able to provide in-person learning, and the study will provide guidance for that.
Loveland Magazine will up-date this story when the “Terms” of the contract are known.
In unanimous vote Loveland Board of Education approves reopening plan
Join us next week on July 30 for this powerful panel of business leaders who pivoted to make smart and impactful business decisions during the height of the pandemic shutdown.
by Cassie Mattia
