Loveland Magazine

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News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Tag: loveland school district

OHSAA Confirms Cancellation of Spring Sports

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) informed member schools, including the Loveland City School District Monday, April 20th, that Spring sports would officially be canceled. This decision was made after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced earlier the same day that school facilities would remain closed for the rest of the academic year due to the coronavirus COVID-19.

OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass sent out a memo confirming to school administrators following Governor DeWine’s press conference about the Spring sports cancellation. For weeks, the OHSAA communicated that if schools remained closed for the year Spring sports would be canceled as well. Of course, there were several reasons that went into the final decision of Spring sports being canceled, one of the main reasons being that it would be nearly impossible to ensure the health and safety of all individuals and support personnel involved in practices and contests at all member schools.

OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass

“As we have stated in our previous communications, today’s announcement by Governor DeWine to close schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year also will now result in the cancellation of OHSAA-sponsored spring sports seasons including tournaments,” Snodgrass wrote Monday.

The OHSAA’s mandatory no-contact period for all interscholastic sports will remain in effect until at least May 3, and could in fact be extended until a later date. Coaches and school administrators have been encouraged to have non-mandatory electronic and online communications with their student-athletes during the no-contact period. The closure of school facilities includes all athletic facilities for any interscholastic training, practice, or competition.

In an interview Monday afternoon, Snodgrass reflected on the unprecedented times that the pandemic has brought to the nation and the impact it has had on schools and interscholastic athletics.

“I’ve heard from so many people who have said ‘You really need to understand what this means to our kids,’” Snodgrass said during the interview. “I’m a parent. I was a coach. I grew up every day as a player and a coach wanting to play high school sports and get to the state tournament. So I do think I understand that. I also have to go with the fact that my number one concern that I have, over everything, is the health and safety of everyone involved. It’s not just our student-athletes. It’s the parents, coaches, umpires, officials, the scorekeepers. All those things enter into this. It’s a tough decision and it’s one that I and all the other Executive Directors of the other states never thought we would have to do. Never did I think this would be the case, but I’ve tried to be as prepared as I could every step of the way.”

Snodgrass also addressed the Summer and the start of Fall sports in the interview

“July is a very physical month for our student-athletes entering fall sports, so we have already started looking at, if this continues through the summer, we’ll have the potential of having a lot of kids who haven’t had the physical activity that they would normally have going into a fall season. So for the health and safety of everyone, we have to look at the acclimation periods going into the fall, if that happens. We have to be prepared for that. We’re also talking about that if this does go through the summer, what is the likelihood that a student can get in to get a physical (annual medical exam). We have a sports medicine advisory group that is looking at that. They are looking at all aspects such as whether artificial surfaces need to be treated. We are relying on the advice of experts in our decision making.”

The OHSAA said that they will continue to communicate throughout the Spring and during the Summer regarding any adjustments to OHSAA’s off-season regulations, academic eligibility standards, sports medicine updates, and more. STAY TUNED!

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Apr 26, 2020
Former LHS standout Giovanni Ricci joins Panthers as Undrafted Free Agent

From wmubroncos.com/news

Photo from Western Michigan Broncos

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A native of Loveland, Ohio, Giovanni Ricci was a four-time Academic All-MAC selection at Western Michigan who was a third-team all-league selection in 2018 before bumping up to the first team in 2019. He finished with 21 games with two or more receptions and 22 contests with 20 or more receiving yards. Ricci received the Iron Bronco Award in 2019 for having played the most snaps during the regular season and represented WMU at the East-West Shrine Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla., on January 18, 2020. Ricci was a standout player for Loveland High School Tigers. Ricci was on the Loveland High Schoo’s 2013 Ohio State Championship team.

In 2013 Gio Ricci catches a pass for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter against the Zanesville Blue Devils. The Tiger win sent them to the State Championship. (Loveland Magazine File Photo by David Burig)

Ricci has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers to join the NFL organization as an undrafted free agent.

A two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection and one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award in 2019, Ricci was a four-year letterwinner for the Broncos. In 45 career games with 21 starts, Ricci tallied 98 receptions for 1,114 yards (11.37) and 11 touchdowns.

During his 2019 senior season, Ricci started all 13 games, catching 51 passes for 642 yards (12.59) and eight touchdowns. He tied for the team lead in receptions and finished second on the squad in receiving yards. Ricci also tied for the lead in the MAC, and for 40th nationally, in receiving touchdowns. Among tight ends nationally, he tied for third in receiving TDs. Ricci caught two TD passes versus Monmouth and Ohio and had one score against Michigan State, Syracuse, Central Michigan and Toledo.

As a senior, Ricci caught two or more passes in 11 games and made four or more receptions in eight contests. He finished with a personal-best eight grabs at Syracuse and added a career-high 105 receiving yards versus the Orange. In his two games against Power 5 opponents (Michigan State & Syracuse) during the season, Ricci finished with 14 receptions for 158 yards and two TDs.

During his junior campaign in 2018, Ricci caught 35 passes for 392 yards (11.20) and three touchdowns to finish third on the team in receptions and receiving yards. He registered two touchdown catches against Delaware State and one against Ball State, hauling in a nine-yard pass from Kaleb Eleby with 1:48 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 35-35. Earlier in the final quarter against the Cardinals, Ricci caught a two-point conversion pass from Eleby to knot the contest at 28-28.

A member of one of the best Western Michigan teams in program history, Ricci primarily played on special teams in 2016 as the Broncos captured the MAC West Division title and Marathon MAC Championship Game crown and made an appearance in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Ricci recovered a fumble against Ohio in the Marathon MAC Championship Game, setting up WMU at the Bobcat 17-yard line and leading to a Bronco field goal and a 6-0 lead.

Ricci graduated from Western Michigan in April, 2019, with a degree in finance.

Apr 26, 2020
Sabrina Newstead took a chance and came home to Loveland: Such great news for us all

After a totally unprecedented plan of action to safeguard the senior students, Newstead had just 3 days to cram in as much knowledge as she could, to try and pass her long case exam.

Paul and Sarina Newstead

by Paul Newstead

My wife Sarina told me about Loveland Magazine and I thought that this story about our daughter could be a little piece of happiness during these stressful times.

Our daughter Sabrina Newstead attended the Loveland school system from the time we moved to Loveland from England back in 1999. After graduating LHS in 2012, she attended Ohio Northern University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Biology Pre-Med) degree. She was then accepted into the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) for her Medical Degree program.

In the middle of March this year, the COVID-19 virus took hold in Ireland. RCSI thought that all graduation exams were going to have to be canceled since they were all due to be held this April. After a number of serious talks within RCSI, they decided upon a totally unprecedented plan of action to safeguard the senior students. In fact, they decided to bring forward all of their end of year medical school exams by 7 weeks! This had never happened before.

Sabrina Newstead attended the Loveland school system from the time we moved to Loveland from England back in 1999. She graduated from Loveland High School in 2012.

All the students were told about this. They had not even finished their classes and of course, had not even begun to revise for their end of year exams. Emotions were at fever pitch. To make matters worse, due to scheduling of the incredibly difficult “Long-Case” practical exams, Sabrina was told that her exams would start in just 3 days’ time on a Sunday.

She had just 3 days to cram in as much knowledge as she could, to try and pass her long case exam. All doctors, professors, and examiners were amazed. This news even hit the press in Ireland (Read the story in The Irish Times). Other colleges were laughing at RCSI thinking that they were overreacting. However, RCSI had the last laugh as the Irish government began to close schools and colleges.

Sabrina took her long case exam and was then told to pack up and leave Ireland as soon as possible because President Trump had declared that he was going to close international borders. She had less than 48 hours to pack up her 4-year apartment and leave the country.

‘Match Day’ (a day in which final year medical students find out if they have matched to a residency program in the states) was the day she was leaving Ireland, and if she did not match back to residency, she had to turn around and go back to Ireland to begin her intern year there. So she took a chance and came home.

She grabbed as much as she could and packed 3 suitcases.

She grabbed as much as she could and packed 3 suitcases. She managed to get the last flight out of Ireland bound for Boston and then Cincinnati. Her flight was delayed by 4 hours due to the new medical tests that were being performed in Boston. However, the flight eventually took off, and during the flight home, over the Atlantic, she received an email congratulating her for matching to the United States for her 3-year residency program.

Sabrina made it home and 4 days later.

Sabrina made it home and 4 days later found out that her new hospital for residency was The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. Such great news for us all.

Once home, she spent the next 2 weeks studying 14 hours a day, in self-quarantine, in her bedroom. RCSI had two more final exams for her to take before she could graduate. She took these two exams and then finally clicked “End Exam” to finish the last exams of her medical school journey.

Students then wait anxiously for “Reading of results day” which was today, April 22nd. On this day, all graduating students in RCSI discover their results by reading student numbers based on their grades and degree awarded.

Sabrina was awarded a First Class Honors Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine, Bachelor’s Degree in Surgery, and Bachelor’s Degree in Obstetrics.

The celebration at home for Sabrina Newstead

It was incredible. RCSI did a live stream from their offices in Dublin, Ireland. Each of the professors spoke of their absolute admiration for the class of 2020. Never before has a graduating year taken their final medical exams with no prior time for studying.

She was awarded a First Class Honors Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine, Bachelor’s Degree in Surgery, and Bachelor’s Degree in Obstetrics.

Congratulations to all the new doctors graduating this year, during the middle of a pandemic. We all support you.

Apr 23, 2020
LHS Principal Peggy Johnson to Class of 2020: You are the light of hope for school, community, and society

Loveland, Ohio – In honor of the Loveland High School Spring Athletes and Class of 2020, the lights of Tiger Stadium were turned on for 20 minutes last evening.

Watch this heartfelt video greeting that Principal Peggy Johnson recorded for the students about the tribute.

Tigers @classof2020LHS pic.twitter.com/tpw3hTm8j8

— Loveland High School (@Loveland_HS) April 20, 2020

LovelandAthletics

@LovTigers_AD

In honor of our Spring Athletes and Class of 2020. These lights are on for you this evening. We appreciate all your dedication and commitment. We miss you ALL! Forever, Go Tigers!

BUY your Loveland Tiger Spirit Wear

New items have been added to our online flash sale. Available for a limited time! Up to 33% off items below! https://rpdiamond.com/products/ols/categories/sale-items

Apr 21, 2020
[Exclusive Video] April 7 meeting of the Loveland Board of Education
Loveland, Ohio – On April 7 the Loveland Board of Education held a work session using a remote meeting platform.

Here is a re-play of the meeting.

AGENDA

1.1 Adoption of Board Agenda

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

2. Superintendent Discussion Topics

2.1 Progress Report on Building Closure Due to COVID-19

2.2 Planning Commission
3. Superintendent Resolutions

3.1 Resolution declaring an emergency, suspending board policy related to public participation at board meetings, and authorizing remote meetings

A RESOLUTION DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, SUSPENDING BOARD POLICY RELATED TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS, AND AUTHORIZING REMOTE MEETINGS

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death, is caused by the SARS-C0V-2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person between individuals who are in close contact with each other (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected persons coughs or sneezes. It may also be possible to contract COVID-19 through the touching of a surface that has the virus on it then touching one’s own mouth, nose or eyes; and

WHEREAS, the Governor has declared a state of emergency with respect to the spread of the novel coronavirus; and

WHEREAS, the Director of the Ohio Department of Health has ordered that all K-12 schools be closed to students through 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2020, and this order may be extended beyond that date; and

WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Health has further ordered residents of the state to stay at home except to conduct essential business and prohibits public or private gatherings of more than ten individuals occurring outside a single household; and

WHEREAS, House Bill 197 was enacted on March 27, 2020 as an emergency measure which was designed to assist schools and other public bodies to maintain operations during this health emergency in a way that complies with orders issued by the state and federal government; and

WHEREAS, in order to permit the fair and orderly expression of public comment at its meetings, the Board has adopted a public participation policy; and

WHEREAS, while the Board intends to continue to conduct the business of Loveland City Schools and to keep the community informed of its discussions and decisions related to the official business of the District, the Board must also act to protect the health and safety of its members, staff, students and other community members who may enter on to school premises.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Loveland City School District, that after careful consideration and evaluation of the information before it:

Section 1. The Board of Education hereby finds that an emergency exists with regard to the spread of a serious communicable disease, COVID-19.

Section 2. In order to prevent against the further spread of the novel coronavirus, the Board of Education hereby temporarily suspends its public participation policy, which shall no longer be in effect upon adoption of this Resolution by a majority of the Board. Such policy may be reinstated through a subsequent action taken by the Board of Education.

Section 3.In order to enable the Board of Education to continue with District operations during the public health emergency,the Board of Education may meet telephonically or through other electronic means, including conference calls or other meeting technology to conduct the public business of the public body while emergency orders of the federal and/or state government are in effect limiting public gatherings. Members will be considered present regardless of whether they attend in person or remotely, and their votes shall be counted for the purpose of determining quorum. Such meetings will be properly noticed to the public through the established and usual method of notice to the public.

SECTION 4. In order to provide an opportunity for attendance by the public, news media, and any other person that has requested notification of meetings via the technology utilized will be made available to the extent reasonably possible and feasible. The means of technology and information on how to access the meeting as a member of the public will be made available. The Board of Education intends to fully honor its obligations under the Open Meetings Act (R.C. §121.22) through measures approved by House Bill 197 (2020).

Section 5. The Board of Education hereby finds and determines that all formal actions relative to the adoption of this resolution were taken in an open meeting of this Board of Education, and that all deliberations of this Board of Education and of its committees, if any, which resulted in formal action, were taken in meetings open to the public, in full compliance with applicable legal requirements, including Section 121.22, ORC and House Bill 197 (2020).

Section 6. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and immediately after its adoption and shall supersede any prior resolution or act of this Board of Education that may be inconsistent or duplicative with the provisions of this resolution.
3.2 Resolution for a Contingency Plan for the 2019-2020 school year in the event school is closed for more than the hours permitted under board policy and state law

CONTINGENCY PLAN

FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR

IN THE EVENT SCHOOL IS CLOSED

FOR MORE THAN THE HOURS PERMITTED UNDER

BOARD POLICY AND STATE LAW

WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code §3313.48 mandates that a school district must be open for instruction with pupils in attendance for a minimum number of hours each school year; and

WHEREAS, R.C. §3313.482 authorizes a board of education to adopt a plan that permits students to make up missed hours of instruction via online/remote learning in the event that schools are closed for a disease epidemic or other reasons; and

WHEREAS, House Bill 197 (2020), which was enacted on March 27, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency, authorizes the Loveland City School District Board of Education (the “Board”) to adopt a plan to provide for online learning opportunities for students to make up an unlimited number of hours in lieu of attendance on days when buildings are not open to students during the 2019-2020 school year in compliance with any order issued by the Ohio Director of Health and/or a local board of health; and

WHEREAS, the Board has developed a contingency plan in accordance with R.C. §3313.482 under which district students will make up any time missed through online instruction/remote learning that caused the district to fall below the minimum number of hours of instruction required by section 3313.48 of the Ohio Revised Code and Board Policy; and

WHEREAS, the Board desires to adopt said plan; and

WHEREAS, House Bill 197 (2020) also permits the Board to adjust the student grading criteria and the Board has determined it necessary to modify the method for student promotion and retention during this crisis.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Loveland City School District that:

SECTION I

Pursuant to R.C. §3313.482 and House Bill 197 (2020), the Board hereby authorizes the following plan to allow students of the Loveland City School District to access and complete online/remote lessons in order to fulfill the required number of hours during the 2019-2020 school year:

Each teacher shall develop a sufficient number of lessons for the days and hours of closure.

Teachers will submit the lessons to the building principal for approval. The building principal will certify that the lessons are equal to or greater than the amount of instructional time the student missed.

As soon as practicable, the appropriate administrator will direct staff about how to make lessons available through a District approved website or other technology portal.

The teacher will be responsible for posting the lessons online.

Teachers will regularly assess the progress of students and will update or replace such lessons as necessary throughout the remainder of the school year based on the results of the assessments.

For students who experience difficulty accessing the online material or who do not have access to a computer, the Board hereby authorizes “blizzard bags” as needed, which are paper copies of the lessons/assignments posted. Teachers shall prepare paper copies approximating the content of the online lessons and shall update such paper copies when updating any of the online lessons. Blizzard bags will be distributed by school personnel or during scheduled pick up times. Printed copies of any graded lessons or assignments will be included in the blizzard bags.

This plan was shared with the teacher’s employee representative.

SECTION II

Should circumstances warrant a change in the plan during the 2019-2020 school year, this contingency plan may be amended by the Superintendent at any time in his or her discretion.

SECTION III

In order to provide appropriate educational opportunities to students through alternative methods, to allow promotion from grade-to-grade, and so not as to penalize students who determine to complete assignments through the offered alternative means, the Board temporarily suspends current Board Policy 5421 on the award of letter grades, which shall no longer be in effect upon adoption of this Resolution by a majority of the Board. Such policy may be reinstated through a subsequent action taken by the Board. Any other Board Policy that is inconsistent with the action taken within Sections III and IV of this Resolution shall also be temporarily suspended until such time as Board Policy 5421 is reinstated.

SECTION IV

The Board authorizes the Superintendent and School Administration to develop and implement a system of pass/not pass grading for each course in grades 5-8 within the Loveland City Schools instructional program until such time as the Board restores the grading policy.

SECTION V

IT IS FOUND AND DETERMINED that all formal action of this Board concerning or related to the adoption of this Resolution was adopted in an open meeting of this Board, and all deliberations of this Board that resulted in such formal action were adopted in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Ohio Revised Code.
3.3 Resolution delegating authority for determining it impracticable or impossible to evaluate employees due to COVID-19

RESOLUTION DELEGATING AUTHORITY FOR DETERMINING IT IMPRACTICABLE OR IMPOSSIBLE TO EVALUATE EMPLOYEES

DUE TO COVID-19

WHEREAS, Board of Education of the Loveland City School District (the “Board”) employees are annually evaluated in accordance with Ohio statues and Board policies; and

WHEREAS, an Order of School Closure was issued by Ohio Department of Health Director Acton on March 14, 2020 and in response to the Order of School closure, House Bill 197 (2020) was enacted on March 27, 2020; and

WHEREAS, language contained in HB 197 (2020) permits the Board to elect not to evaluate employees when it is deemed impossible or impractical to do so based on the implications of COVID-19.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Loveland City School District:

SECTION I

For the 2019-2020 school year, due to the Director of Health’s March 14^th Order, or any extension of an order to close all kindergarten through 12th grade schools, and the language of House Bill 197 (2020), the Board hereby delegates authority to the Superintendent, Treasurer, or their individual designees to determine and deem it impossible or impracticable to conduct an evaluation of Board employees in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code and Board policies.

SECTION II

It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Board concerning or related to the adoption of this Resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Board, and all deliberations of this Board and any of its committees that resulted in such formal actions were adopted in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Ohio Revised Code.

3.4 Approve rescheduling of Board Meetings

Move the April 21, 2020 Board of Education Business Meeting to April 30, 2020

Move the May 5, 2020 Board of Education Work Session to May 12, 2020

Move the May 19, 2020 Board of Education Business Meeting to May 28, 2020

These meetings will all be conducted in a virtual format due to the extension of the “Stay at Home” order signed on 4/2/2020.

4. Treasurer Discussion Topics

4.1 Costs Related to the Building Closure Due to COVID-19

5. Treasurer Resolutions

5.1 Recommend to refund tuition for full day kindergarten for 50% of March and 100% for April

6. Meeting Closing

6.1 Adjournment
Apr 15, 2020
Should Loveland school taxes increase while residents Lose their livelihoods?
by Kim and Rick Donaldson

While many in Loveland are losing their jobs and their businesses, our school board persists in asking us to raise our taxes. As it stands today, they may very well get their way simply by virtue of low voter turnout. So, if you

Kim and Rick Donaldson live on Paxton Road in Miami Township

haven’t already done so, apply for an absentee ballot now. The primary election originally scheduled for March 17^th is now by mail only. Completed ballots must be postmarked no later than midnight, April 27^th or dropped off at your county board of elections by 7:00 PM April 28^th. Since you will first need to apply to have a ballot mailed to you, there is no time to lose.

Now back to the original question: should our school taxes be increased? We are told that additional funding is needed to “protect our progress”. This would imply that past increases have improved district performance. However, according to Ohio Department of Education data, Loveland’s overall performance index score ranked in the top 15% of Ohio schools from 2010 through 2014, with correspondingly high overall grades. In 2015, Loveland’s performance dropped precipitously, nearly to the bottom 25%. Various explanations have been floated for this drop: Common Core implementation, testing changes, students opting out of testing, etc. Available data do not definitively show what the explanation is, but it does show what it isn’t: spending. Referring to the first chart, note that Loveland’s 2019 overall performance is virtually identical to its 2010 to 2014 performance, but expenditure per pupil is as much as 20% higher after adjusting for inflation. Also note that Loveland’s performance had already recovered to pre-2015 levels by 2018, before the big ramp-up in expenditure.

Graph provided by Kim and Rick Donaldson

Since increased funding doesn’t seem to be improving our district’s rating, it is difficult to see exactly what progress we are protecting. Moreover, if we are to invest more of our hard-earned and increasingly scarce money in the schools, we expect to reap some benefit as a community. So far, our children don’t seem to have reaped the benefit of a better education and our property owners haven’t reaped the benefit of the appreciation that should result from a better-rated school system. However, there is one segment of the community who has reaped the benefit: teachers.

According to Ohio Department of Education data, presented in the second chart, Loveland’s average teacher salary was $63,566 in 2010, which was about average for an Ohio school district with similar demographics among both the community and the teachers. In 2019, Loveland’s average teacher salary had increased to $78,248, 10% above the comparable Ohio district average. Loveland’s average teacher salary has also risen faster than median income. In 2010, the average teacher salary was 28% above median income. By 2019 it had risen to 47% above median income. While some might argue that paying teachers more improves educational quality, Loveland’s teacher salary and performance trends do not support that claim. Statistical analysis of statewide trends also shows no practical benefit for paying teachers above-market salaries.

Graph provided by Kim and Rick Donaldson

We do not question the quality, dedication or professionalism of Loveland teachers. Nor do we fault them for negotiating the most favorable compensation package they can. It is the responsibility of the board of education and administration to negotiate effectively on behalf of the Loveland community at large to deliver a high-quality education at a cost we can afford. Sadly, they do not seem to be doing an adequate job of cost control at a time when residents cannot afford to pay more.

While no one knows how severe the current economic downturn will be or how long it will last, we do know the proposed levy will cost property owners an additional $20 per month for each $100,000 of appraised value, forever. Under the circumstances, it would be appropriate for the Loveland School Board to withdraw the levy, and we wholeheartedly agree with those who have already called on them to do so. However, the board’s past behavior indicates they are unlikely to heed those calls. The only way we can stop this levy and impose fiscally responsibility is to get an absentee ballot and vote no.

References:
1. Elections and Voting in Ohio, Ohio Secretary of State website: https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters
2. Ohio Department of Education District Profile (Cupp) Reports: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Finance-and-Funding/School-Payment-Reports/District-Profile-Reports
3. Ohio Department of Education District Achievement/Rating Data: https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/download
4. US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator:
  https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm
5. Ohio Department of Education District Teacher Information: https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/download
Apr 13, 2020
Important up-date on Loveland Athletic Boosters mulch sale

Loveland, Ohio – Due to the COVID-19 safety measures put in place, the student/athletes of the Loveland Schools will not be able to deliver bag purchases of mulch this year.

Full pallet orders will still be accepted and delivered.

All bag orders that were already submitted will be refunded in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Gerstemeier at (513) 898-9973 or LAB@G-FG.com

The Boosters thank you for your patience and consideration as they work through this process.

Click Here to Order Mulch

– Two kinds of high quality mulch are available to purchase by the bag or by the pallet

– Queen City Dark Hardwood – Triple processed (their biggest seller)
* $5.00 per 2.0cf bag (50 bags/pallet = $250.00)
– Enhanced Black Dye
* $5.50 per 2.0cf bag (60 bags/pallet = $330.00)

Apr 1, 2020
Hannah and Alexander Laman receive Library of Congress State Literacy Award

Nonprofit started by two Loveland students receives Library of Congress State Literacy Award

Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland nonprofit Adopt A Book has been announced a winner of the 2020 State Literacy Award by the Library of Congress. The award is bestowed upon 10 organizations across the country that, “tirelessly work to mitigate illiteracy throughout communities and the world.” Organizations are awarded grant money for, “Exemplary, innovative and easily replicable longstanding initiatives toward this goal.”

Started by current Loveland High School Juniors Hannah and Alexander Laman, Adopt A Book regularly provides books for preschool programs, Cincinnati Public Schools, home-based programming, health clinics, and even schools abroad to encourage children to read. To date, Adopt A Book has donated over 165,000 books to more than 100 organizations, schools and programs that serve children in need.

“I am very honored and it means a lot to me to be recognized by the largest library in the world for my efforts in making sure as many kids as possible have access to books,” said Alex Laman upon receiving notification about the award.

His sister Hannah agrees: “This award means a lot to me because we were one of 10 recipients from all across the country, so to see that we stood out among many applicants is very meaningful. It is great to not only be recognized for our efforts, but to also be recognized by the Library of Congress, and to think that we have made a large enough impact on the community to be chosen is great.”

Alex and Hannah Laman with their parents Brent and Angela at “Fall Feast” on Thanksgiving Day 2019. Fall Feast is a Give Back Cincinnati program which makes a difference in the lives of neighbors throughout the community, especially the less fortunate, by offering the opportunity for people to unite and share a Thanksgiving meal, receive health checks, haircuts, coats – and books. More than 2,000 books by Adopt A Book found new homes at the event last November.

This photo was taken when ten-year-old twins Alex and Hannah Laman’s “Little Library” was first planted right on the Loveland Bike Trail at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Harrison Avenue. (Loveland Magazine File Photo)

Impacting the community is exactly what Adopt A Book has encouraged many others to do. It all started in 2011, when Hannah and Alex as third-graders at Loveland Elementary School decided to “start a business” that would donate reading material after hearing about an elementary school in the Cincinnati area that didn’t have library books or even textbooks for their students. To share their own love of reading, they turned the idea into an incorporated nonprofit with the help of their parents. For Hannah and Alex, the model is quite simple: they involve other students, teachers, churches and charities, and have reached out to numerous businesses in the area for donations over the years. They run book drives and have expanded their efforts to include fundraising for things like bookshelves, furniture for personal reading spaces, and to create “reading buddies” programs for young children.

The “Little Library” that Hannah and Alex Laman planted is located along the Loveland Bike Trail in Historic Downtown Loveland. (Loveland Magazine File Photo)

Adopt A Book was nominated for the State Literacy Award by the Ohio Center for the Book as the one Ohio nonprofit that best exemplifies outstanding and innovative contributions to promoting literacy and reading in the local communities. The Library of Congress is expected to announce all winners of the Literacy Awards later in the year and Hannah and Alex will be presented the award of $2,225 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of literacy and reading at a formal ceremony.

As such successful ambassadors of reading, what are Alex and Hannah’s own favorite reads?

For Hannah, it’s IT by Stephen King, mystery novels, and any books by John Green.

Alex’s favorites include Science Magazine and he reads anything from reference books, Science Fiction and Classics to books on history.

“I always have something on my nightstand, floor or desk,” he said.

Read these past stories about

Hannah Laman a Freshman at Loveland High School recognized for outstanding acts of volunteerism

Read this Loveland Magazine story from 2013 about Layman’s Little Free Library in Loveland

Want people to care about climate change? Skip the jargon. /…

Loveland Magazine is one of the 400 news outlets worldwide, with a combined audience of over 2 billion people “Covering Climate Now”, a global journalism…

Mar 3, 2020
Lynnette Viox will represent Loveland High School at the Third Annual Next Gen Changemaker Summit

Lynnette Viox (center), here with College Study Skills and Financial Literacy students from Loveland High School, will be attending the 2020 Next Gen Changemaker Summit in San Francisco in March

Loveland, Ohio – “I am very honored and excited to represent Loveland at the summit and to further my professional development as we continue to advance the Business Department’s curriculum at Loveland High School,” said Lynnette Viox. “There is a strong interest in and demand for business courses among our students and this will benefit them as our program evolves.”

Some 90 educators from 28 states across the country will gather in San Francisco for the third annual Next Gen Changemaker Summit in March. Viox, an applied technology and business teacher at Loveland High School (LHS) is one of six representatives from Ohio that will attend the conference.

Participants at the Changemaker Summit are identified as educators who are working to achieve the Gold Standard in personal finance education in their schools and districts.

According to Next Gen’s “Mission:2030”, schools achieving the Gold Standard ensure that all students take at least a semester-long personal finance class prior to graduation as part of the belief that all students deserve a financial education that will allow them to thrive in their personal lives beyond high school.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to host such a talented and passionate group of educators for our third Annual Changemaker Summit,” said Tim Ranzetta, co-founder of Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF). “While 90% of students and parents believe that personal finance should be taught in high school, only 16% currently get it. This inspiring group of changemakers will close that gap.”

Summit participants will have the opportunity to collaborate and will be provided new resources and ideas on how to engage students in their classes. Teacher-led sessions and panels will showcase the progress of increasing access to personal finance education nationwide and how to support teachers in the advocacy for this type of curriculum in their communities.

Viox, who in addition to her teaching position at Loveland High School also serves as first vice-chair of the Loveland City School District’s Business Advisory Council, worked in business for 10 years prior to becoming a teacher. She has served as a coordinator for the Clermont County Mentor Program, as a member of the district’s “Innovation X” team and as the co-founder and co-leader of the LHS Link Crew, among others.

Viox will be representing Ohio at the Changemaker Summit along with Judy Matey, (Tuslaw High School, Massillon), Katherine Blanton (Butler Tech, Fairfield Township), Mark Rairigh and Nathan Kee (Bryan Middle and High Schools, Bryan) and Molly Tyson (Lorain High School, Lorain). NGFP has underwritten the full cost of the conference for all attendees as part of its commitment to teacher professional development.

Mar 2, 2020
Upcoming Loveland City Schools Levy and Ohio School Funding

by Dr. Gregg Tracy

The current system and laws in regard to funding schools in Ohio are flawed. The funding system overemphasizes real estate taxes and creates inequality in educational funding across the state. The system has been declared unconstitutional multiple times by the Ohio Supreme Court, most recently in 2002. However, due to inaction by the administrative and legislative branches, the funding system remains law. So school systems, like Loveland, that do not have large commercial and industrial bases, must rely heavily on local, individual real estate taxes in order to operate. Voters are faced with the choice of voting for higher taxes or not providing our public schools with the funds necessary to operate effectively. Our schools simply cannot be effective in preparing current and future students without the essential funds to operate.

Dr. Gregg Tracy is a Loveland resident and property owner, a Loveland High School Graduate, a retired professor of leadership, and former school administrator.

Even as assessed property values increase, no new monies are generated for schools. Thus operating funds are fixed while operating costs increase. New levies are regularly and periodically necessary. It is a reality in Ohio. Excellent schools depend on good administration, teaching, and community participation, but schools just cannot perform effectively without periodic tax levies.

Loveland’s consistent excellence will continue to benefit students and the community.

It is easy to say, “I do not want to pay more taxes.” It is equally as easy to come up with justifications for voting “no.” Historically, voting against operating levies has not been a strategy that has facilitated any positive change. It is a weak substitute for dialogue and cooperative participation in a meaningful process aimed at changing and improving schools. Without necessary funds, schools cannot operate effectively, let alone have opportunities to change and improve. With needed funds, Loveland’s consistent excellence will continue to benefit students and the community. Loveland’s board and administration, have established a number of ways to learn, cooperate and participate in the school improvement process. Administration is accessible, public meetings have been held and will continue, printed materials have been sent regularly, and online communications are available. The leadership team has been very clear about the district’s needs and financial status.

They are simply asking for operating funds to continue the quality education that Loveland has been providing over time.

As our school board asks for additional operating funds in March, they are not asking for money for building or adding programs. They are simply asking for operating funds to continue the quality education that Loveland has been providing over time. The board has committed to keeping expense growth to less than 3% through fiscal year 2024. As a concerned citizen, I encourage you to make an informed decision in March based on an understanding of the need based on Ohio’s funding system and the recognition of the importance of your vote for our community. Public schools are one of our community’s vital organizations. As you make your decision in March, I hope you have gone directly to the source and not relied on hearsay and negative campaigns. I hope that you have directly accessed information sources made available by the district’s leadership team. I also hope that you consider our students and the short term and long term effects of your vote. Summarily, I hope you cast a concerned and informed vote on March 17.

Mar 1, 2020