LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: education

  • Have you been social distancing from Black Americans?

    Have you been social distancing from Black Americans?

    by Eric Armstrong

    Hello Loveland friends – I really hope if you read this first sentence and find the time to read these next several paragraphs. It’s lengthy but I think it’s important.

    Since graduating from Loveland High School in 1998, Eric Armstrong obtained degrees in Chemical Engineering and Spanish from Purdue University. When not working in technical sales; he enjoys traveling the world in his free time.

     

    Systemic racial inequality, prejudice, ‘White Privilege’, are tough topics, powerful words. I imagine white people; are uncomfortable when they hear them, feel defensive when directed towards them, and I think most importantly are confused about what to do about them.

    You see racists are easy to identify and label, they wear hoods, yell slurs, and burn crosses. Racists don’t hide their disdain, they’re proud of it, and most importantly I imagine 90% of White Americans can say unequivocally “I’m not a racist, that’s not me!” “My family raised us to…”, “I have very close ____ friends.” etc…

    Other words, however, are harder to define

    The other words however are harder to define; they are subtle, woven into our nation’s very fabric, everyday behavior, and actions. Unfortunately, our country was built and founded on them. In their most basic forms, even Black Americans can struggle to explain them, it’s often an uneasy feeling or a story, the way you were treated. It’s some simple task that Black Americans worry about that would never cross the mind of a white person.

    A profound ignorance exists in education

    Moreover, IF you as a White American can comprehend the definitions and give examples of these words, then you’d realize 100% of White Americans have existed/participated/enabled them. That’s honestly what is at the core of everything happening today. A profound ignorance exists and the cure is education, open dialogue, and a paradigm shift in how we respond.

    I personally haven’t said much about what’s happened recently about the rash of killings locally here in Indianapolis or across the country. I’ve admittedly deflected and given short PC answers. There are two reasons and they are shared by many Black Americans;

    1) It reopens painful feelings and emotional wounds, and if you’re a Black American who has existed as I have (fairly comfortably) it’s a jarring reminder of what could happen to you and your friends, family, and colleagues.

    2) It’s exhausting. If you know me, I enjoy talking and pushing the boundaries of comfort on many topics. I don’t shy away from talking about race if engaged and I try to keep the conversation light so I’m approachable and those who truly want to understand, learn and change have a safe place to do so. However, for every one of those interactions, there are 20 other conversations, comments, posts, when White American dismiss Black Americans’ experiences as “one-off occurrences” or say “why do you make everything about race. It isn’t always about race.” Or “Well if “______Black American” wasn’t doing _____, _____ wouldn’t have happened.”

    Something different is happening now

    So admittedly, lazily, embarrassingly, I felt like this latest response was going to be the US status quo. People get fake mad, they post “Black Lives Matter” and are upset for a while, some Black Americans protest and march, then in a couple months things/people go back to ‘normal’.

    But I decided to write this because something different is happening. White Americans are out marching too, they’re verbalizing the issues and not just repeating buzz words. Most importantly they’re engaging us. They’re messaging me, texting me and asking me to have conversations. They’re asking me what those confusing words mean to ME, asking what my experience has been.

    A business colleague who I consider a friend sent me this;

    “Weird non-work related question. Would you be interested in coming to our house for dinner in the next two weeks? No need to answer tonight. The bigger human conversation is that our kids need to meet people who don’t look like them.”

    WOW.

    Maybe it WILL be different this time…

    Because if everyone wants to know how we “fix things” how we “make it better”. That’s it in a nutshell. White Americans must willingly have a lot of introspection, ask questions of themselves and Black Americans, and state the following:

    “I acknowledge that though I’m not a racist; I’m ignorant, uninformed, and contributing to prejudice, systemic racism, and white privilege with my inactivity. My posts and words are NOT enough.”

    How do you know you are contributing to this climate?

    What are the questions? How do you know you are contributing to this climate?

    If as a White American you’ve ever posted or said, “Skin color doesn’t matter to me.” or “I don’t see race.” Unless you are actually visually impaired; you’re saying (whether you intend to) I’m not recognizing that because your skin is brown, your experience in this world has been markedly different than mine.

    It must be acknowledged that race is a factor, a variable in a human’s life experience and reactions, questions, interactions, must be adjusted.

    Change your language to take that into account, instead say, “I actively try not to let my inherent biases and ignorances negatively impact how I interact with Black Americans.” SEE COLOR, VALUE DIFFERENCES.

    If as a White American you’ve called something ‘ghetto’ or used the word as an adjective to associate things with Black Americans. I compare it with how people use the word ‘gay’ to describe something they dislike.

    Or you’ve said “_____ doesn’t act black” or “_____ isn’t really even black.” Your words mean you believe they exhibit positive characteristics ascribed to White Americans.

    Other behavior

    How about these? You have many black friends and co-workers… right? Have you been to their homes or invited them to yours? Do you vacation with them? Have these conversations with them?

    It may not be how you treat those Black American friends and colleagues. How do you interact with the Black Americans who are strangers? Do you strike up conversations? Do you avoid sitting by them, cross the street, wait for the next elevator…?

    I have seen a lot of this world and our country and I’ve been invited into the homes of strangers internationally and never to the homes of some of my ‘friends’ here in the US.

    My Christian friends; do you attend diverse church services? What does your congregation look like? God valued/preaches inclusion and diversity but why is the church segregated?

    How about the neighborhood where you live? Any Black neighbors? Do your kids have Black American classmates? Do Black American kids play with your kids at your home and vice versa? If you say “No, there just aren’t Black Americans where I live. I live there because it’s safe and has good schools.” Well if there are no Black Americans there; are they in the underperforming schools and unsafe neighborhoods? The separate but equal ones?

    You have to ask why is that?

    If you asked your kids who are three Black Americans they know? Are they all celebrities/athletes? Do you go to businesses, concerts, read books, and see movies by Black Americans? You have to ask why is that? Who/what experiences are you exposing yourself and family to or limiting them from becoming educated about?

    Racist people are not the problem – I call it arms length prejudice

    Again, the racist people are not the problem. We know where they stand and what they believe. It’s the tolerant White Americans, the ones that have casually existed with Black Americans. I call it arms length prejudice. You have been fine with Black people having equal rights as long as it doesn’t change your world, come into your neighborhood, school, or church. As long as it doesn’t date your sons and daughters.

    Have you been social distancing from Black Americans?

    Have you been social distancing from Black Americans? You have to ask yourself have you been perpetuating that arm’s length distance whether subconsciously or consciously? Do you want things to change? Do you really care about the Black friend(s) or those Black strangers that you post black squares and Black lives matter hashtags about? It’s going to take more than posts and rhetoric. If you care about Black Americans but stand by while prejudiced comments are being spoken or ‘posted’ then it won’t change.

    If it’s tolerated by our leaders and business owners as them just “speaking their mind” or “telling it how it is” then you are supporting their harmful rhetoric.

    Our young humans

    Many of you are currently raising the young humans who will determine how Black Americans are treated in the next 20 to 40 years and beyond. If you change their experiences and relationships with Black Americans you will change the behaviors and outcomes. Posts, black squares, and words are fantastic; education, action, and follow up are better.

    It’s time for conversations

    Marching and demonstrating serves only to keep the issue in front of people’s minds. The actual work is done right here with us having the conversations and listening. Calling people out, calling yourself out. A lot of people want to be healthy, but don’t want to exercise. I see the same behavior with race. A lot of White Americans want the conversations about race to stop, for the problems to go away, but they don’t want to do the hard work to get us there.

    A lot of people want to be healthy, but don’t want to exercise.

    It’s time for these conversations. For White Americans to ask your friends of color about the first time they were called the n-word or were pulled over/followed for no reason?

    These conversations that must be had between Blacks and Whites are going to be uncomfortable they’re going bring upon Whites feelings of guilt and shame and often times Blacks may be embarrassed or angry, not at you, about their struggle; but it’s an important step in healing and understanding.

    Conversations can start today

    Lastly, both Blacks and Whites must understand that changing a behavior takes a long time. Some people estimate it takes 10,000 hours of doing a task to master it. How many hours have you and your children spent discussing, interacting, and educating yourself about Black Americans? Black Americans, how many conversations have you opened yourself up to with White Americans? This is not going to happen overnight…but the conversations can start today.

    I LOVE YOU ALL & GOD BLESS

    Eric Armstrong graduated from Loveland High School in 1998

    FRONT PAGE STORIES

  • [Video] Pay to Play/Participate fee increases and next levy discussed by BOE

    [Video] Pay to Play/Participate fee increases and next levy discussed by BOE

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland School District Board of Education met via Zoom/YouTube on Tuesday, June 2 to revisit the 2020-21 Commitments to the District Vision, the Portrait of a Tiger, the five-year financial forecast, and levy cycle scenarios. They also discussed possible Pay to Play/Participate fee increases.

    View the five-year forecast HERE.

    During the live District broadcast of the meeting, possible new operating levy scenarios were discussed by the Board and staff, but the documents they were reading from were not available to the public.

    The documents can now be view here because of a public record request made by Loveland Magazine.

    To view these documents (seen below the video) as a larger image and in a correct visual orientation, you can “Right Click” each to open in a new tab. You can also view the document file here as the .pdf the District provided. Levy Scenarios

    Treasurer Kevin Hawley presents the different levy scenarios at the 53:54 minute mark of the video.

    Possible Pay to Play/Participate fee increases is discussed at the 30:21 minute mark of the video.

     

    To view the Treasure’s discussion of the Five Year Forecast at the May 28 Board of Education meeting watch the video below.

    If you believe the time and effort involved in reporting this type of news is valuable to your life as a resident of the Loveland community, please support and reward our efforts.

    Your reward is knowing you are helping keep your fellow residents informed about the Loveland Schools, a subject of incalculable interest to you as a taxpayer, our teachers, and of course our children.

    Checks can be sent to Loveland Magazine:

    Loveland Magazine

    243 Wall Street

    Loveland, Ohio 45140

  • Loveland Primary says goodbye and congrats to students at drive-through celebration

    Loveland Primary says goodbye and congrats to students at drive-through celebration

    David Miller is the Editor and Publisher of Loveland Magazine

     

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Last Thursday was the last day of school for children and staff at the Loveland Primary School and the traditional goodbye was much like any other year because of the cheering and tearing.

    Usually the teachers and staff line up as buses and parents drive the children away to begin their summer break, but on Thursday afternoon parents drove their children to the school campus and to the back parking lot where teachers and staff had formed a chute to be driven through so everyone could wave and shout their goodbyes. One family even rode bicycles through the middle.

    One young man navigated the waves in a speed boat.

    There were many homemade signs and decorations, bubbles blowing, and music blasting.

    Click on any picture to see a larger view or click on the first one and keep on clicking to see them all.

    I apologize that it was just not possible to capture the faces of every child that was there that day.

  • [VIDEO ARCHIVE] May 28, 2020 Loveland Board of Education Business Meeting

    [VIDEO ARCHIVE] May 28, 2020 Loveland Board of Education Business Meeting

    Loveland, Ohio – LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV captured the Zoom/Youtube meeting of the Loveland School Board on Thursday because the District prohibits further viewing immediately after the end of their meetings. The public can only view their on-line meetings as they take place.

    Loveland Magazine captures the video and publishes it so it is archived and can be watched at the public’s leisure. You can watch Part 1 through 4 of the videos and read the meeting agenda below.

    If you believe the time and effort involved in reporting this type of news is valuable to your life as a resident of the Loveland community, please support and reward our efforts. This story alone required 8 hours and expensive equipment to produce. 623 people have viewed the video on our Facebook Page so we feel our effort adds value to the community. DO YOU?
    Your reward is knowing you are helping keep your fellow residents informed about the Loveland Schools, a subject of incalculable interest to you as a taxpayer, our teachers, and of course our children.

    AGENDA

    (Items in blue indicate a link for supporting documents)

    1. Opening Items

    1.1 Adoption of Board Agenda

    1.2 Welcoming of Guests

    1.3 Pledge of Allegiance

    1.4 Oath of Office

    2. Board Discussion Topics

    2.1 Board Meetings

    3. Board Resolutions

    3.1 Elect Vice President of the Loveland Board of Education for 2020

    3.2 Appoint Members to Planning Commission
        • Donel Autin
        • Daniel Colletto
        • Bradley Combs
        • Susan Craig
        • Kelley Deer
        • Bradley Goldie
        • Tara Hamilton
        • Matthew Hammer
        • Jeff Hawk
        • Leah Jewell
        • Jill Jones
        • Kevin Kimnach
        • Alvin Kressler
        • Craig Lewis
        • Nathan Libby
        • Lynn Mangan
        • Kirk McCracken
        • Lisa Moorhead
        • Lynn Oury
        • Lisa Saletta
        • Michael Shiverski
        • Alexander Topala
        • Lindsey Willmann
        • Warren Winning
        • Natasha Young
    4. Recognition
    5. Board Reports

    5.6 Principal Reports

    LEEC  LES  LMS  LPS  LIS  LHS
    6. Discussion Topic

    6.1 Superintendent Update

    7. Superintendent Resolutions

    7.1 Approve Board Policies

    8. Presentation

    8.1 Five Year Forecast

    9. Treasurer Resolutions

    9.3 Approve financial reports, payment of invoices, board member expenses, transfers, investment of funds, and appropriation adjustments

    9.4 Approval of transfer from general fund to “Turf Field Replacement” fund 018-9117 (Motion to authorize the Treasurer to transfer $20,000.00 from the general fund to the “Turf Field Replacement” fund 018-9117.)

    9.5 Approval of contract with HCESC

    9.6 Approval of contract with WCESC

    9.7 Approval of Treasurer Items 9.1 – 9.6

    10. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

    10.2 Approve Resolution to Initiate Procedures under Ohio Law for the Retirement and Reemployment of Dara Hudson as a part time French and Spanish Teacher for the 2020-2021 School Year

    Dara Hudson May 28 2020 HR Pre Resolution Rehire Retiree.pdf (140 KB)Dara Hudson Loveland (Retire Rehire Mtr) Release and Waiver Agmt GTS 102317 .pdf (171 KB)Dara Hudson May 28 2020 HR Exhibit A Rehire Retiree.pdf (132 KB)
    11. Executive Session

    11.1 Enter into Executive Session to review negotiations with public employees concerning compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment.

    12. Meeting Closing
    12.1 Adjournment
    If you believe the time and effort involved in reporting this type of news is valuable to your life as a resident of the Loveland community, please support and reward our efforts. This story alone required 8 hours and expensive equipment to produce.
    Your reward is knowing you are helping keep your fellow residents informed about the Loveland Schools, a subject of incalculable interest to you as a taxpayer, our teachers, and of course our children.


    Checks can be sent to Loveland Magazine:

    Loveland Magazine

    243 Wall Street

    Loveland, Ohio 45140

  • I grew up with White Privilege in Loveland in the 80’s and 90’s

    I grew up with White Privilege in Loveland in the 80’s and 90’s

    As I reflect on what I can do as white woman in America to change our society, I am overwhelmed with doubt and uncertainty.

    by Trinity Mahan Walsh

    I grew up with White Privilege that I didn’t even know I had. Growing up in Loveland in the 80’s and 90’s, it was a pretty white town. I went to Loveland Schools for 13 years, with maybe 3-5 classmates of color. It never seemed weird to me, but I did notice. We really didn’t talk about race in my house. Not because we were afraid to talk about it or my parents are bad people (they are loving and wonderful), but it just wasn’t anything we “needed” to consider. White privilege.

    Trinity Mahan Walsh grew up in Loveland, Ohio, graduated LHS in 1994, and is now a Guidance Counselor at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

    I often thought about what it was like for my black classmates to live in Loveland. To be a very, very small minority in our school and town. It wasn’t until I was in high school, I had my first real black friend. Yep… HIGH SCHOOL! I wasn’t as brave as I am now to ask the question, “How do you feel living here?” I am sure it was hard, but I am grateful for her seeing me as “safe” and accepting. I wanted to be her friend because she is awesome and not because she is black.

    I’ve always considered myself to be accepting of everyone and the least racist person around. As I reflect on my friend choices over the years, I must have known early on who had the same types of life views as me, as I am still friends with several of those people today. But still, my circle of friends doesn’t include too many people of color. I’d like to believe that this isn’t a choice, it’s just how my life is, but now as I really think about it, it is a choice.

    I live in a predominantly white community and work at a predominately white school. Searching out friends of color to say that I have diverse friends seems disingenuous. I don’t avoid it, my life is such that I very rarely travel in circles where my diversity factor could even be expanded.

    Why did I move to a town much like where I grew up? Comfort. Is that bad to say? I don’t think so. We all want to live where we are comfortable. Does it help expand our understanding of each other as human beings? Not necessarily, but we can choose to find other ways to make sure we do find ways to understand each other. 

    I don’t mind if I look “stupid” because I can guarantee that these white faced teenagers have the same questions as me.

    Trinity Mahan Walsh and fellow educator Elise Carter

    One of the greatest blessings in my life has been my friendship with Elise Carter. You guessed it… she’s black. She and I have the most frank and honest conversations about what it’s like to be a person of color, especially working in a predominately white school.

    She has opened my eyes to issues that I didn’t know existed… not because I chose to look the other way, but as a part of my white privilege I never had to consider. And, what I consider to be the most powerful part of our friendship is that we OPENLY talk about race issues.

    At the high school where we work, she and I often have very honest and frank conversations in front of students. I don’t mind if I look “stupid” because I can guarantee that these white faced teenagers have the same questions as me. And, like I was in high school with my friend, they are too ashamed and scared to ask the questions. So I will ask for them.

    I want them to see that she and I can have real conversations about what it’s like to be a person of color in America. She will be the first to tell the students, “I am not a spokesperson for the black community, but I will give you my perspective.” Probably one of the most powerful conversations we can have with the students is to tell them, it’s OK to call her black. She IS black! “Guys, you can call me black. I know I am! Are you offended when I call you white?” This is a common phrase from her. 

    One of the most heartbreaking conversations that we have ever had is about “the talk.”

    One of the most heartbreaking conversations that we have ever had is about “the talk.” As we started that conversation, I honestly and truly thought we were having a totally different conversation. I couldn’t understand why she was talking to me about giving her then 5-year-old son “the talk.”

    As a mother of white boys “the talk” is about sex.

    As a mother of black boys “the talk” is VERY different. It was never something I had ever thought about; I didn’t have to. And if you are like me, and are still wondering what “the talk” is, ask yourself these questions: Do I have to warn my son about the way he approaches a white woman? Do I have to warn my son that when he is running, it might appear that he is not just getting exercise? Do I have to warn my son that when he is 16 and gets pulled over for going a few miles over the speed limit, the situation can turn ugly very, very quickly? Do I have to warn my son that when he is hanging out with his white friends and things get rowdy, he might be the one blamed for anything that might go wrong?

    And this list goes on and on. 

    I want to break into tears when I think about anyone ever wanting to harm her son just because of the color of his skin. It hurts me to my core. He is kind, loving, inquisitive, and hilarious – just the same as any other 7-year-old boy. And it isn’t just her son, but every mother’s black son.

    If you’re a dumb white girl with white privilege like me, start asking questions.

    I am grateful every day that she is willing to be my friend and continues to educate this white girl about the reality of the world. If you’re a dumb white girl with white privilege like me, start asking questions. IT IS OK! We can only get better as a society when we start asking each other what it’s like to be them. You may not be able to relate personally, but you certainly can try and understand. 

    I am trying, and when I don’t hit the mark, I hope that someone calls me out on it.

    I wasn’t raised to be racist or not racist. And now recognizing that white privilege, I am trying to make some different choices in raising my children with open and honest conversations about the world we live in. I am trying, and when I don’t hit the mark, I hope that someone calls me out on it. 

    You may judge what is happening with riots in your own personal way. You don’t have to agree with what is happening around our country, but just consider the why.

    As I reflect on what I can do as white woman in America to change our society, I am overwhelmed with doubt and uncertainty. What I know I can do is to keep having those open and frank conversations with Elise and with our students. I am an educator, and that is my gift. This is one way that I can use it. You don’t need to be a trained educator though to have these conversations, too.

    I’ll leave you with this one last thought…

    I’ll leave you with this one last thought… do not surround yourselves with people only like you. Your face-to-face personal interactions, but even easier on social media. I am “friends” with so many different types of people with so many different perspectives on the world on social media. I actively choose to not de-friend people who have sometimes very different views than me. Yes, sometimes what they post makes me mad – raging mad – but I cannot grow as a person if I do not read what they are saying, consider it, and then come to my own conclusion. The greatest gift we can give each other is agreeing to disagree, but at the same time agree to just be good and loving humans. 

    If you need some more perspective on the issue of “the talk,” take a few minutes to read this powerful article:

    When My Beautiful Black Boy Grows from Cute to a Threat

  • [Video] LHS’s Class of 2020 Celebrated in a Moving Assembly Through Loveland!

    [Video] LHS’s Class of 2020 Celebrated in a Moving Assembly Through Loveland!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Many High School Seniors across Ohio didn’t get the graduation they had in mind this year, so several High Schools are now taking the initiative to honor their Seniors through virtual graduation ceremonies or moving assemblies through the town in which the High School is located. Loveland High  Seniors recently celebrated with a moving assembly that took place on Friday, May 22nd at 7 PM.

    During the 2020 LHS Senior Class Moving Assembly each Senior’s “quaranTEAM” drove through previously selected Loveland neighborhoods so that the community could not only celebrate the Seniors but also wish them luck with their future endeavors! The moving assembly began at LHS, while of course keeping in mind Ohio’s social distancing requirements, and proceeded using 1 pre-planned 52 minutes route with 4 sections through all of Loveland. Below is the route the LHS “quaranTEAM’s” took last Friday!

    The Entire Route Map

    Loveland was covered in orange and black as many LHS Seniors wearing their cap and gown and their “quaranTEAM” paraded throughout the community in their decorated cars! LHS’s Seniors were encouraged to be creative when decorating their cars so many vehicles included the grad’s name on the window followed by something “Loveland” inspired, military flags, or the college the grad would be attending in the Fall. As the procession made its way through Loveland several Seniors and their teams “laid” on the horns and cranked their radios in celebration of the class of 2020!

    Loveland Magazine was lucky enough to capture the 2020 LHS Seniors in action during the entirety of their moving assembly last Friday as it crossed the Loveland Bike Trail in Historic Loveland! Join us in congratulating LHS’s class of 2020 by enjoying the moving assembly video below!

  • “My Voice, My Choice”student recognition for creating a culture of kindness at Loveland

    “My Voice, My Choice”student recognition for creating a culture of kindness at Loveland

    Loveland, Ohio – “My Voice, My Choice” is a Loveland District student recognition program where teachers and staff nominate students who, “contribute to a more compassionate culture at their school through their good deeds and kind words.” The program is focused on creating a positive school climate by encouraging students to “stand up for their peers” in both words and actions. It is an anti-bullying initiative.

    The honorees are typically brought to half-court or the 50-yard line at a varsity basketball or football game so they can be given a certificate and be held in high esteem before a large crowd.

    This Spring, because of all of the many COVID 19 changes in the practices of the District, the awards were announced at last night’s “Zoom/YouTube” Board meeting when a video that was produced by high school counselor and Chair of the program Jamie Gordon was “Zoomed” for people who had tuned in to watch the meeting.

    Because the meeting was only available to viewers in “real-time” while the meeting was taking place, Loveland Magazine brings it to you so the students and their parents can now watch it at their leisure and share it with friends and family. The District deletes their meeting videos as soon as they are adjourned.

    During the meeting there was also discussion about the students before and after the video was shown. That discussion is also now available because LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV captured the meeting and it is now archived. You can watch the entire Board meeting HERE on our Facebook Page or see just the “My Voice, My Choice” discussion at 1:08 minute of our video.

  • Update: Loveland “All About Art” Summer Art Camp

    Update: Loveland “All About Art” Summer Art Camp

    by Kim Richardson

    Greetings to our Loveland “All About Art” Summer Art Camp families, past and present. We hope this article finds you and your family safe and healthy during this unprecedented time. Although we are sad to cancel art camp this year, we look forward to holding camp next summer in 2021 with the same “Spaced Out” theme we had planned to use this year.

    Kim Richardson is an”All About Art” Summer Camp Art Instructor and Loveland Parent

    The Loveland “All About Art” Summer Art Camp, which is sponsored by the Loveland Elementary PTA, has been holding art camps every summer since 2005, serving Loveland area school children in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Several talented certified art educators with years of classroom teaching experience have helped run this camp over the last 15 years. And next summer… Jennifer Drydyk, Aly Mardin, and myself will be teaching art camp. 

    Art projects and art adventures center on a new theme each year. Our art camp is a great way for young artists to extend their artistic learning into the summer months by enjoying visually enriching adventures and experiences as they explore the many intriguing aspects of art through sculpture, painting, drawing, mixed-media, printmaking, video, and so much more!  

    NEW for NEXT SUMMER’S ART CAMP

    Next year we are going to open up art camp to 9th graders for one year only. These students are part of the current 8th grade class who are missing out on their last year of eligibility for this year’s summer art camp. Parents-if you are interested in getting your K-8th grade child on a waiting list for next summer, please email Jennifer Drydyk at jdrydyk@mac.com.

    A chair design project

    Although the camp is sponsored by the Loveland Elementary PTA, the camp is available for all children regardless of the child’s school district. However, Loveland City School children will have priority registration.

    Until we meet again, please stay safe, healthy, and artistically creative! We look forward to seeing you next summer in 2021.

    Click to learn more about the Loveland Elementary PTA and how you can support them.

    Like and Follow the Loveland Elementary PTA on Facebook

    The Loveland Elementary PTA exists because…

    They go beyond books & budgets

    School fees and district budgets only go so far. Through our members and volunteers, we organize, fund and put on many of the activities and events our kids get to experience when they aren’t in class, so they develop a love of learning and have fun at the same time.

    Engaging our kids takes more than activities and assemblies. And we all agree, Loveland Tiger Teachers and staff are the best! So we also provide funds to each of them for use to add classroom supplies, school necessities and curriculum enhancements. Last year we were able to give over $24,000 to our teachers and staff.

    They go full S.T.E.A.M. ahead

    This year at LPS and LES, our kids will have a chance to ‘MAKE’ learning fun in the new technology enabled Maker-spaces at each school thanks to funds provided from the LEPTA!

     

    They make every day great

    From the day each new school year begins, the LEPTA is there to inspire our kids love of fun and learning. We help our teachers and staff bring subjects to life and engage every child in new ways.
    Each year, the funds we raise through the LEPTA FUNdraisers help us provide the following

    • Author visits
    • COSI on Wheels
    • Field Trips:
      • Zoo
      • Green Acres
      • Parky’s Farm
      • And more…
    • Kona Ice Truck
    • Roy G. Biv
    • Science Day
    • Career Day
    • Track and field day
    • Roller Skating day
  • Good Morning America features Loveland school bus drivers

    Good Morning America features Loveland school bus drivers

    Loveland, Ohio – The aerial video greeting from Loveland school bus drivers to the Class of 2020 shot by Loveland High School art and photography teacher Jim Barrett has been featured by ABC News Internet Ventures and GMA.

    GMA said the school bus drivers at Loveland City Schools in Ohio honored students in an “epic way.”

    Watch below or Click Here View Video on GMA

    The original publishing of the video by the Loveland Schools came with this message from the District Transportation Department:

    Congratulations to Loveland High School class of 2020! On behalf of Loveland Transportation, we salute you for achieving a very important milestone! Stand tall and be proud of yourselves.

    “Some of us have been around long enough to transport these kids since Kindergarten and some of us have only been working with the district for a few years, but the one thing we all have in common is the love for our students. This is a huge accomplishment and anyway we can show them some love, we will do it. So here’s to the Class of 2020.  Your bus drivers are proud of all of you.”
    – Jennifer Bloom Bowman

    “Being a school bus driver is not just a job, it’s an adventure ! The love for our students is unconditional and each one will always hold a special place in our hearts. Every story, every hug, every laugh and every tear with them are memories and sometimes even lessons. To the kids of the past, the present and the future, this is for you!” – Michele Winter

    Thank you to the following bus drivers for helping make this project happen:

    Lisa Moorhead
    Michele Winter
    Jennifer Bloom Bowman
    Tara Patterson Hollandsworth
    Kelli Czachor Ramsey
    Lori Schultz-Stulz
    Lindsay Centers

  • A video message from LHS Senior William Heard about his $socks4homeless2020 sock drive

    A video message from LHS Senior William Heard about his $socks4homeless2020 sock drive

    Loveland, Ohio – Instead of having a graduation party, Loveland High School Senior William Heard decided, “that because of the virus” he should hold a sock drive to lift the spirits of those who have few material possessions.

    For the graduation year of 2020, William would like to collect 2,020 pairs of new socks, or more, by the time he turns 18.

    I want to do this in an effort to help those who are homeless and less fortunate than us. Due to all of the depression and fear surrounding the community in times like these, I want to be able to be a light in someone’s life by providing something to them that is so simple, yet very necessary.

     

    Hello!

    I just wanted to give a quick update about the sock drive so far. I have currently received from the Loveland community 307 pairs of socks and $1,203 in monetary donations, of which I used to purchase 1,356 pairs of socks and I

    cassie mattia,

    The deadline to bring socks/donations is on June 11 and I plan on delivering socks between Monday, June 15 and Saturday, June 20. Thank you so much for helping push the word out!

    Sincerely,
    William Heard

    William is accepting money donations through Paypal, Venmo, and Cashapp (all of which are listed below), as well as setting up a drop-off point at his house, 1205 W Main Street, Loveland, OH 45140.

    Venmo

    Paypal

    Cashapp: $socks4homeless2020