Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Tag: loveland middle school

Summer break means getting important work done at Loveland City Schools

by Dr. Amy Crouse, Loveland City School District Superintendent

The days leading up to end-of-school are always busy and full of excitement, and I’m often asked if I look forward to summer vacation. The truth is, while the work over the summer changes, it doesn’t slow down much; it simply means I’m given a couple months to work with my fellow administrators and staff to make our district even better for our Tigers when they return for the new school year in August.

This summer we will focus on Building Tiger Nation, continuing to refine our options for the most affordable way to fund the facility master plan adopted by the Loveland Board of Education in April. The master plan addresses the needs outlined in the building assessments and includes the enhancements described as priorities by our community through the many meetings and focus groups we’ve held over the past year.

Although we are excited about the plan and moving it forward, it’s critical that we thoroughly vet all funding options as the cost of the master plan will affect our taxpayers. We will use the summer months to be diligent in this work – our commitment is to leave no stone unturned until we create the most advantageous funding structure. To this end, we have added two board meetings in late July so we can still make the ballot filing deadlines set by the Board of Elections for a November vote. The meetings are scheduled for Monday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m. and Friday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m., and will be open to the public.

We will also “deep clean” the buildings after another busy year of activities. As they do every summer, the maintenance staff will be hard at work making repairs and getting our buildings ready for the new school year. While they do an amazing job with the upkeep, our facilities have reached the point where the cost to maintain over the next 10 years will exceed the cost to upgrade and renovate or, in some cases, rebuild. We appreciate the extensive involvement of our community over the past year as we developed a facility master plan that provides solutions for the many issues with our buildings that stand in the way of providing the best possible experience for our Tigers.

On the academic end of our preparations, we will begin to incorporate the themes of the Portrait of a Tiger into our action plans for 2019-20 and beyond. Each school’s improvement plan has been updated and will be implemented to achieve our goals for growth, care and innovation, which are all aligned with the Portrait. Regarding the education at Loveland, all decisions will be focused on how to ensure that every Tiger has the experiences identified as essential by more than 800 students, staff, parents and other community members in the process of creating the Portrait of a Tiger.

Last, but certainly not least, teachers and staff will continue to improve their craft by taking classes, participating and leading book studies, and attending and presenting at professional workshops throughout the summer. Our administrative team will complete a long list of interviews with the intention to hire only the best new teachers and staff to serve our students. We look forward to fresh perspectives that align with our mission and contribute to the work we do every day.

I will greatly miss the students over the summer, but welcome the opportunity to take a step back, reflect and plan to bring them even better experiences in the fall. I wish you all a safe summer, making many happy memories.

In service to our Tigers,

Dr. Amy Crouse, Loveland City School District Superintendent

Jun 19, 2019
Former Loveland grad shares her journey from athletic trainer to signing book deal

Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio

Loveland, Ohio – Laurie Stroup Smith joined the Loveland Magazine team for her first exclusive on-camera interview after signing a 3 book contract with Vinspire Publishing. She grew up in Loveland and graduated Loveland High School in 1994. She writes Amish and Contemporary Romance stories.

Stroup Smith was a former athletic trainer at Turpin High School for a number of years before she discovered her writing talent. In LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV ’s one on one interview with Laurie Stroup Smith, we take a look at just what inspired her to start writing and what other local published author mentored her along the way!

Click below to watch Loveland Magazine TV’s sit down with Laurie Stroup Smith!

Want to know more about Laurie? Visit her website https://lauriestroupsmith.com/ or her Facebook page at Laurie Stroup Smith, Writer, and Laurie Stroup Smith on Pinterest

Jun 7, 2019
Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse congratulates the 2019 graduating Class of Loveland High School

Jun 7, 2019
Powell’s just rocked the 2nd Run Like a Tiger 5K!

Loveland, Ohio – The Powell’s just rocked the 2nd Run Like a Tiger 5K on Saturday, April 20 held at the Loveland Bike Trail! Mom, Kandice got 1st place Adult, and Shannon and Charity received the Parent/Child Team 1st Place medal. They all got PR’s as well.

Congrats to all the Loveland Tigers that came out to race! All proceeds go to the Loveland Middle/Intermediate Schools PTSA to further support mental and emotional health programs.

You can see photos from the race at the Run Like a Tiger Facebook page.

Did you know you can train with the Powell’s for free, two times a week in Loveland? They also give mindset coaching, and advice for fitness and food/ supplemental nutrition at those events. Follow @riseupspartans and check the event tab for more details.

May 13, 2019
Loveland Middle School raises more than $5,000 to help cure cancer

The Loveland Middle School Student Council pulled off a successful “Pennies for Patients” fund raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through a range of activities in March, including raffles, a half-court shot competition, Hawaiian lei and snack sales, and the culminating “pie-a-teacher” event on the last day of the campaign.

These businesses that contributed to the successful campaign

The Works

Golden Corral

Buffalo Wild Wings

Coney Island

Shooters Sports Grill

Dunkin Donuts

Flipdaddy’s

Maggiano’s

Thunderdome Restaurant Group (Currito, The Eagle, Bakersfield, Krueger)

Loveland Sweets

Nada

Movie theaters: Kenwood, Esquire, Mariemont and Eastgate

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Loveland, Ohio – Throughout the month of March, the Loveland Middle School (LMS) Student Council ran its annual “Pennies for Patients” campaign to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“We are so proud to have met and even exceeded of our goal of raising $5,000 this year,” said Katie Rose, teacher who runs the LMS Student Council with her colleague Trisha Pitcher. “The students arranged a variety of fundraising activities during the campaign and wrote letters to businesses asking for contributions. The response by the business community in and around Loveland was overwhelming, and we received dozens of gift card donations and items for our raffles.”

On the last day of school before spring break, the students celebrated reaching their campaign goal with one of their favorite fundraising activities – “pie-a-teacher.”

“Tickets for the pie-a-teacher event are best sellers throughout the campaign,” said Rose. “It’s one of many activities during the month, but always seems to be especially fun for our students!”

May 1, 2019
Loveland Students Ruthie Timman and Lilly Rohling chosen as Artists for Cincinnati Zoo’s Rain Barrel Art Benefit Auction

Lilly Rohling (on the left) and Rachel Noe, both members of the Loveland High School Art Club, worked together to paint Lilly’s winning design on a plan rain barrel.

Loveland, Ohio – Ruthie Timman, eighth grader at Loveland Middle School, and Lilly Rohling, sophomore at Loveland High School, have earned the honor of contributing their designed rain barrels for the 7^thAnnual Rain Barrel Art Benefit Auction, held as part of “Party for the Planet” at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Ruthie Timman (on the right) involved family, friends, her science teacher Catherine Rudisell, and classmates as she worked on her rain barrel project. Here she is with her friend A.J. Dahlquist.

“I entered the contest because I love art and wanted to see if mine was good enough to make it through, and it did,” said Ruthie, who liked the idea that it would also benefit the zoo and help save local water. “My design idea came from going to Anna Maria Island with my family, where we kayaked and saw manatees. They came right up to us and were super gentle. They are also unique animals and not as popular as the common zoo animals, like tigers, giraffes, and elephants.”

Forty local artists – about half of them students and the other half professional or hobby artists – have revamped typical green, dull and drab rain barrels into creative and colorful accent pieces for the garden. All barrels will be on display at the zoo throughout the month of April, leading up to the last day of the silent auction which was held on April 25.

The Rain Barrel Art Project began as an initiative to promote the use of rain barrels, which help conserve water and save money. The project continues to educate citizens on environmental issues, including storm water runoff, watersheds and water conservation. Art teachers around town have taken it on as an annual project for their students, who are often passionate about the environment.

“Environmental protection and preservation are very important to me and I liked the idea of combining art with environmental work.”

“Loveland High School’s Art Club has done this project in the past and I was encouraged to bring in a design,” said Lilly. “Environmental protection and preservation are very important to me and I liked the idea of combining art with environmental work. I love the Earth and always try to do my part in protecting it. Even something seemingly as small as one barrel can do so much good in the long run for our environment.”

Proceeds from the rain barrel auction will be used to further environmental education and awareness.

May 1, 2019
Video interviews from student led State of the Schools program

Loveland High School Event Wows Those Who Attended!

Columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland.

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – After having to reschedule due to severe winter weather, Loveland High School finally hosted the 2019 State of the Schools event on March 20th. The event had so much success last year, the Loveland School District wanted to make sure the focus of the event was the same, which was to create an open house where students in all grades could show, through presentations, demonstrations, and displays, the learning that takes place around the district’s three core goals of growth, care, and innovation. The event is special in that it’s an event that is not only led by the students but actually showcases the students as well!

The State of the Schools event was something that I had never experienced before this year. I had attended many school events in the past, however, I had an idea what to expect. To my very pleasant surprise, the event was nothing like I had expected! I was amazed by how many parents, teachers, and administrators were there supporting and watching their students shine. The hallways were filled with school spirit, creative learning displays, music, student art and of course, there were robots, as Loveland does have their own, might I add VERY successful, robotics team!

I got the opportunity to talk to so many bright, young minds about what their displays represented and what teams/groups they were involved with at school and why. Watching each student I talked to, passionately explain to me what their cause was or what their display represented truly inspired me. It was great seeing an event focused on the kids for the kids to succeed.

Loveland Magazine walked the halls and got some exclusive interviews with the students that made the event such a success! Watch the LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV videos below to see Loveland’s brightest students at the 2019 State of the Schools event talk to us about their displays!

Apr 16, 2019
M/INT PTSA presents: How to Build on Boys’ Innate Character Strengths

The speaker will be sharing insights into boys and how to build on their innate character strengths. The public is encouraged to attend.

Loveland, Ohio – The 2018-2019 focus and priority of the Loveland Middle and Intermediate Parent Teacher Student Association (M/INT PTSA) is the social and emotional health of students in 5th through 8th grades. To accomplish their goal, they have invited experts to contribute to their newsletter and speak at public seminars.

Their April program will be a focus on boys. The speaker will be sharing insights into boys and how to build on their innate character strengths. The public is encouraged to attend.

The presentation will be at the Loveland Middle School Media Center on April 9, between 7 PM and 8 PM. (See Map below)

Columnist Cassie Mattia caught up with Megan Graff last week at Loveland High School when the District held their student-led, State of the Schools event.

Graff is President of the M/INT PTSA and talked to LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV about how the organization is tackling the “big hurdles for our kids today” such as Internet safety, suicide, depression, and anxiety.

Mar 24, 2019
Loveland wins “Gold Level” effective school board award

Lebanon, Ohio – The Southwest Region Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) has recognized the Loveland City Board of Education with an award for reaching the “Gold Level for Effective School Boards.” The award, which signifies the outstanding work of the school board and the positive cooperation and collaboration among the board, district superintendent, treasurer and administration, was presented at the Southwest Region OSBA Spring Conference in Lebanon, Ohio, on March 12.

“We are so grateful to our board members and the tremendous amount of work they put into the decisions for our school district,” said Dr. Amy Crouse, superintendent. “Each and every member is committed to our vision of high expectations for student achievement and quality instruction and makes significant contributions to the work we do every day. This award is well deserved!”

Gold level award winners meet at least 23 of 26 criteria determined by the OSBA, including among others, clear goal-setting, serving as a united team with the superintendent and administration, and practicing fiscal accountability. Board of Education members are: Art Jarvis (president), Dr. Kathryn Lorenz (vice president), Michele Pettit (board member), Ned Portune (board member) and Eileen Washburn (board member).

Mar 20, 2019
Building Tiger Nation focus groups will discuss aspects of facility renovations at Loveland schools
Four focus group sessions scheduled for March

Loveland, Ohio – As a follow up to the Building Tiger Nation Community Meeting on January 23, the Loveland City School District has announced four opportunities for focus groups to discuss and provide input around potential renovations of school facilities.

“The next step in our facilities master planning process is to explore and better understand what ‘renovations’ mean and what they should look like at Loveland,” said Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse. “The focus groups will help us discern the priorities of our stakeholders and the vision they have as it relates to renovations and additional spaces for fine arts, STEM and athletics in current buildings.”

Community input is one important factor for the Loveland Board of Education as it moves toward a decision on a facility master plan. The final decision will be based on the architect’s evaluation of the facilities, the student experience data collected over the past year, the ongoing work of the Building Tiger Nation Finance Committee, Fallon Research survey data, and community input. Feedback by community members on the master plan options presented in January has been published and is available to view here: https://buildingtigernation.org/lcsd-presents-facility-master-plan-options-to-the-community/.

The four focus group sessions are scheduled as outlined below. According to a release from the District, “To ensure an adequate and effective discussion, the number of attendees will be limited.” If interested in attending, RSVP in advance to Julie Dunn, administrative assistant to the superintendent (dunnju@lovelandschools.org). Additional focus group sessions may be added if interest demands. The District also said that input and planning for any new buildings will come after a bond is passed.
- Monday, March 11, 5:30-7:00 p.m. (Loveland High School Media Center)
  Topic: Loveland High School renovations and additions, including Fine Arts, STEM and Athletics
- Thursday, March 14, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Loveland Middle/Intermediate School Media Center)
  Topic: Loveland Middle School renovations and additions, including Fine Arts, STEM and Athletics
- Monday, March 18, 6:00-7:30 p.m. (Loveland High School Media Center)
  Topic: Athletics
- Wednesday, March 20, 7:00-8:00 p.m. (This meeting will be held during the 2018-19 State of the Schools at Loveland High School.)
  Topic: Follow-up discussions on high school renovations and additions based on previous meetings.
Mar 8, 2019