Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: LECC

  • Paul Motylinski says Monday’s School Board vote on revised levy impact won’t change anything significantly

    Paul Motylinski says Monday’s School Board vote on revised levy impact won’t change anything significantly

    Paul Motylinski lives in the Turnbury subdivision in Symmes Township

    by Paul Motylinski

    How does this change anything significantly? (School Board to vote Monday on revised levy impact)

    There are still several issues that need to be addressed with this request being made of the taxpayers; issues such as reducing the millage, and the short and long term cost risk. Below are issues that need to be closely reviewed, addressed, and considered in order to achieve a millage reduction and a clearer path to this levy passing.

    Why are three buildings needed for grades K-5?

    One building for grades K-5, or two separate buildings; one for grades K-2 and one for grades 3-5 will be less costly to design, construct and maintain than three separate buildings, even if located on the same property. The new facility plan for grades K-5 is not efficient cost-wise. Significant cost savings can be realized by reducing the number of buildings, without sacrificing the safety and delivery of education, and still maintains the same number of grade levels between one or two buildings versus three buildings.

    New or renovated educational facilities are more important than upgraded athletic facilities. The current athletic facilities are more than adequate for now. Priority needs to be focused towards the educational facilities’ needs and not the athletic facilities’ needs.

    What maintenance has occurred at the existing middle school athletic facilities?

    Having been to the athletic facilities at the middle school, it appears to me that maintenance has been largely ignored. Illustration of care needs to be shown towards the existing athletic facilities before asking the taxpayers to fund new; otherwise, history will quickly repeat itself. The existing high school athletic facilities are wonderful in my opinion. The field turf and track surface are brand new at the football stadium, and the baseball and softball fields are more than adequate. There is no need to spend taxpayer dollars unnecessarily.

    The immediate needs pertaining to capital building improvements appear to be the current LECC, LPS, and LES buildings. I have attended several functions at all three buildings and it is obvious that these buildings need to be replaced with new ones. I have much respect for the administration and staff for delivering quality education given the antiquated state of these buildings. Regarding the capital building improvements for the LIS, LMS, and the HS, either place this scope on a future ballot for permanent improvements if upgraded athletic facilities take precedent over updated buildings, or eliminate the entire scope for the upgraded athletic facilities. If safer buildings and delivery of quality education are the priorities, then the scope for upgrades to the athletic facilities is expendable.

    Why risk combining the operation portion of the levy with the permanent improvement portion?

    The Loveland community has largely supported the levies placed on the ballot over the last approximately 20 years. I do not want to hear that services will have to be reduced or eliminated since the entire levy did not pass when a stand-alone operation levy will have a much better chance of passing instead of combining with the permanent improvement portion.

     

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  • Meeting Needs Now and for the Future

    Meeting Needs Now and for the Future

    by Dr. Amy Crouse

    As we launch a new school year at Loveland City Schools, I am particularly grateful to our community, which continues to support and invest in the greater good, especially for our children. Last week, more than 100 community members volunteered to prepare the playground at Loveland Early Childhood Center for our youngest Tigers to enjoy their first recess. And the community’s involvement has been evident throughout the past several years as hundreds of residents provided input in the district’s facility master planning process, where we extensively researched, assessed and vetted the district’s building and infrastructure needs, ultimately developing a plan that will adequately prepare our graduates.

    Dr. Amy Crouse is the Loveland City School District Superintendent

    The message heard from the community was clear: Loveland Schools must continue the positive momentum in academic achievement, yet the aging buildings need renovations and upgrades. With teachers using mobile carts and hallways for instruction and temporary trailer classrooms to absorb our overcrowded classrooms, we must modernize our facilities for our children and our community to have a strong future. The Loveland community expects a high-quality education and the reality is that we need to upgrade and expand science and technology laboratories to prepare students for college and 21st-century careers.

    The plan put forth and adopted unanimously by the Board of Education is cost-effective and unique to Loveland’s current and future needs. The plan:

    • reduces our reliance on trailers as classrooms and mobile carts and hallways for teaching;
    • provides safer and more secure learning environments at all of our schools with secure entrances, camera systems and electronically-activated locks to prevent intrusions;
    • updates and expands offerings of science, technology, engineering and math programs that are increasingly mandatory for colleges and careers.

    The bottom line is, we do a great job of maintaining our buildings and infrastructure, but we are to the point where it’s more costly to maintain than it is to upgrade or, in some cases, rebuild. The district’s facility needs will not go away; they will only increase in cost. There is no zero-cost option and without this levy investment we will need to continue diverting funds from the classroom so that we can make critical fixes in our schools.

    Strong schools mean a strong community, and I encourage everyone to make sure our schools are as strong as possible by joining us over the next couple of months at community conversations. Please see www.lovelandschools.org for all scheduled events. There will be a presentation at Loveland High School on September 12 at 7 p.m. where residents can learn more about the November 5th ballot issue and why it’s needed now. And, as always, please feel free to contact me directly with questions.

    In service to our Tigers.


  • Loveland Early Childhood Center Earns Top Rating From the Ohio Department of Education

    Loveland Early Childhood Center Earns Top Rating From the Ohio Department of Education

    LECC receives five-star “Step Up To Quality” rating for its preschool program

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC) has once again earned the five-star Step Up To Quality rating. The award is presented in recognition of meeting the quality standards and exceeding the health and safety regulations established by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).

    LECC Principal Jesse Kohls

    “It is very exciting that LECC has maintained the highest Step Up To Quality ranking possible, recognizing all the effort that goes into running a top-notch preschool program,” said LECC Principal Jesse Kohls. “I am very proud of our preschool staff members who go above and beyond to create an engaging and enriching experience for our youngest students every day.”

    All Ohio Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Preschool Special Education (PSE) programs funded by the ODE are mandated to participate in the Step Up To Quality system. In order to maintain their state funding, they must achieve a ranking of at least “3.” They must also administer and report early learning assessments.

  • Loveland High School Receives an A on State Report Card

    Loveland High School Receives an A on State Report Card

    Overall, Loveland City School District received a B

    Loveland, Ohio – On September 13, the Ohio Department of Education released its annual report cards for public school districts across the state and Loveland High School was listed as one of six high schools in the Greater Cincinnati area to receive an A, the highest grade a school can obtain.

    Dr. Amy Crouse

    “I am so proud of the work we’re doing in all of our classrooms for all of our students, although I believe we will always have room for growth and improvement,” said Dr. Amy Crouse, superintendent. “Even though we know the state report card is just one tool of accountability based on one standardized test, it is validation that we are on the right track in preparing students for tomorrow, today.”

    The report card grades, A through F, are based on other sub-grades in areas such as Achievement, Progress, Graduation Rate and Gap Closing. For the first time, the state also released an overall district-level grade summing up how districts performed in this year’s report cards. Loveland City School District received a B. In Hamilton County, four school districts received an A, five received a B, and the 13 remaining districts received a grade of C or lower.

    “We know the state report card can provide us with useful information, although we have to keep in mind that its data offers just one snapshot of the very complex work we do every day in our classrooms,” said Crouse. “As a school district committed to high achievement and continuous growth, we monitor, analyze and factor in multiple data points when we consider the educational experience we strive to provide in our schools.”

    Later this month, the Loveland City School District will also release their own “Quality Profile”, which offers a look at the performance of district students and staff, using multiple measures and data points. The Quality Profile is supported by the Alliance for High Quality Education, an education consortium that works to improve educational opportunities for students and represent member districts on matters of educational policy and funding.

    “Our Quality Profile includes measures beyond the test scores that make up the state report card and seeks to show the complete picture of the total value our schools provide to our students, staff and community,” said Crouse. “While we will continue to celebrate our successes, we will never ignore the areas that present opportunities for progress. Ultimately, our goal is that every Tiger student is empowered to learn, grow and embody our core values of care, respect and responsibility.”

    Community School Closure Family Frequently Asked Questions

    State Report Card District Overview

    District Grade B

    Achievement

    The Achievement Component represents whether student performance on state tests met established thresholds and how well students performed on tests overall. A new indicator measures chronic absenteeism.
    B – Component Grade
    Progress
    The Progress component looks closely at the growth that all students are making based on their past performances.
    B – Component Grade
    Gap Closing
    The Gap Closing component shows how well schools are meeting the performance expectations for our most vulnerable students in English language arts, math, graduation and English language proficiency.
    A – Component Grade

    Graduation Rate

    The Graduation Rate component looks at the percent of students who are successfully finishing high school with a diploma in four or five years.
    A – Component Grade

    Improving At-Risk K-3 Readers

    This component looks at how successful the school is at improving at-risk K-3 readers.
    C – Component Grade

    Prepared for Success

    Whether training in a technical field or preparing for work or college, the Prepared for Success component looks at how well prepared Ohio’s students are for all future opportunities.

    LCSD 2018-19 Expectations

    Click the image below to learn more about the 2018-19 Loveland City School District expectations.

    Welcome to All About Kids We invite you to come visit one of our convenient locations, talk to our staff and teachers and learn why.

  • LECC, LPS & LES Loveland Winter Art Show

    LECC, LPS & LES Loveland Winter Art Show

    Student-artists from LECC, LPS and LES created work that was on display for the community at Loveland Art Studios on Main in December 2017.

    Loveland, Ohio – Student-artists at Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC), Loveland Primary School (LPS) and Loveland Elementary School (LES) took center stage in December at Loveland Art Studios on Main for the second annual Loveland Winter Art Show.

    “It was a huge turnout of students, families and community members,” said LES Art Teacher Jeff Flaig who helped organize the exhibit along with LECC Art Teacher John Hentz and LPS Art Teacher Kayla McClary. “My favorite part of the event is always seeing student artwork displayed from floor to ceiling and how amazing and colorful everything looks. Seeing students and parents light up at the sight of the work makes the whole event worthwhile.

    “We also want to give a special thanks to Shawn Custis for welcoming our schools and community into his building for this event. It’s amazing to see student work displayed in this professional art environment.” 

    Paxton’s Grill

  • Loveland teacher Shannon Jones named Jennings Fellow

    Loveland teacher Shannon Jones named Jennings Fellow

    Kindergarten teacher Shannon Jones one of 13 in state of Ohio honored with distinction

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC) Kindergarten Teacher Shannon Jones has been named a 2017 Jennings Fellow by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. Of the thousands of public school teachers in Ohio, Jones was one of 13 teachers selected for the honor, which was presented at The University of Cincinnati.

    Loveland Interim Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse presented Loveland Early Childhood Center Teacher Shannon Jones with her Jennings Fellow award surrounded by students from her class.

    This 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. Participants earn the designation “Jennings Fellow” by showing application of what they have learned.

    “Shannon Jones has never passed on a single opportunity to attend any sort of workshop, class, or professional development opportunity that is offered; that is a direct consequence of how driven she is to provide her students and their families with the best kindergarten experience possible,” said LECC Principal Kyle Bush. “She is a natural leader among her peers and in our school – always looking for ways to make our school, and by extension her own classroom, a better place to learn, grow, and be challenged.”

    “Since 1959, the Jennings Foundation has recognized teachers who set an example by pursuing and implementing excellent teaching practices,” said Dr. Daniel Keenan, executive director, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. “We honor the Jennings Fellows because they demonstrate a commitment to further develop their own skills, to take action, and to reflect on those practices with their peers. This is what excellence is all about.”

    The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation was founded in 1959 to provide a means for greater accomplishment on the part of Ohio’s teachers and students. The Foundation awards grants to teachers, public school districts, and tax-exempt organizations that assist public elementary and secondary schools in Ohio and focuses its efforts on two themes: excellent teaching and deep learning.

    For more information, please visiting the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation website: www.mhif.org.

    513-683-1052
    215 Loveland-Madeira Rd
    Loveland, Ohio 45140

  • Tigers teamed with Matthew 25: Ministries to help hurricane relief

    Tigers teamed with Matthew 25: Ministries to help hurricane relief

    Loveland Elementary School students with supplies the Kindness Committee helped to collect for the district’s hurricane relief efforts.

    Every building district-wide collected donations to send south

    Loveland, Ohio – From a coin drive at Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC) to thousands of items donated at Loveland Primary School (LPS), Loveland Elementary School (LES), Loveland Intermediate School (LIS), Loveland Middle School (LMS) and Loveland High School (LHS) – Tigers answered the call for help for hurricane survivors by joining together to support a collection drive for Matthew 25: Ministries.

    “I want to personally recognize one of our high school students – Kailey Packer – for organizing the effort, and coordinating with all of the buildings in the district,” said LHS Principal Peggy Johnson. LHS had two truckloads of more than 500 baby items to deliver to Matthew 25.

    LECC raised nearly $350 dollars, LPS collected 10 large bins full of supplies, LES needed 10 flatbed carts to load up their donations, and LIS and LMS combined collected more than 2,700 personal care items. LMS Principal Chuck Ogdan promoted the effort through Twitter, using a photograph of his own donation purchase to motivate LMS students to also help.

    Loveland Middle School Principal Chuck Ogdan supported the hurricane relief collection drive through social media by posting his own donation purchase on Twitter to help motivate students.

    “Lead by example,” said Ogdan. “Social media can be a powerful tool to let students know you do more than talk the talk. This was a really important show of support for our neighbors who were devastated by the hurricanes, and a good teaching opportunity to show students a real-life example of Tiger Care – which is one of our district goals.”

    “As always, our students and their families showed Loveland cares,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse. “I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this Tiger Family.”

    Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab

    Loveland chiropractor Douglas Portmann, DC at Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab is one of the best chiropractors in the Loveland area.