Nearly two in three age-eligible teenagers remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 as summer ends and the disease looms over its third consecutive school year.
Spokespersons for the state departments of health and education said they did not know what percentage of students enrolled in public schools are vaccinated.
However, looking at the total population (which would include homeschooled students), more than 62% remain unvaccinated.
“As of today, there are 390,903 Ohioans age 12-18 who have started the vaccination process,” said Ohio Department of Health spokeswoman Alicia Shoults. “This represents 37.5% of that age group.”
Despite plans to attend classes in close contact with their peers several days per week, teenagers are the least vaccinated age cohort — surpassing 20-29-year-olds (44%) and 30-39-year-olds (51%).
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was authorized for use in people aged 16-and-up in mid-December, though most states restricted access for elder and sicker residents through early 2021. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized its use on children 12-15 on May 11.
At a press conference last week, Gov. Mike DeWine said a communal goal of keeping students in school for in-person learning is “threatened” by the hyper-transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19. He repeated a recommendation from ODH that students either seek vaccination or wear a mask at school.
“The best way to make sure a child can stay in school and not have his or her classes interrupted, is for that child to be vaccinated,” he said. “If that child cannot be vaccinated, the best way to ensure a good school year for that child is for that child to wear a mask while in class.”
Loveland, Ohio – Would you like to make a difference and give back to the community? Local non-profit, The Loveland Learning Garden, provides the opportunity for anyone to volunteer to help teach local students about the environment, or maintain the vegetable garden, the flower garden, and the nature trail!
The Loveland Learning Garden, located at 600 Loveland-Madeira Road (Loveland Primary and Loveland Elementary school grounds), dedicates everything to giving kids the opportunity to form “lifelong connections to the wonders of the natural world.” The non-profit outdoor education program not only strives to build awareness and community support but also maintains a vegetable garden, a flower garden, and a nature trail that is used for hands-on learning. The over 1,200 Loveland 1st-4th grade students involved are able to get an interactive experience, through a 20-week curriculum (taught by “Garden Educators” during the school day in the Spring and Fall), with nature while still adhering to the academics they are being taught in class. Seeing how food is grown, tasting fresh produce, and harvesting food that is eventually donated to local non-profit LIFE Food Pantry are just a few things students are able to get involved in at the Loveland Learning Garden.
Planting Kale in May at the Loveland Learning Garden
Board President, Laurie Flanagan, chatted with us at the Loveland Learning Garden about why gaining dedicated volunteers is vital to keeping the non-profit education program running.
“In order to successfully sustain our program, we seek people who want to share their talent and ‘dig in’ to join us by taking on leadership roles on our board or owning pieces of work that make the organization run,” Flanagan explained, “Our committees include education, communications, garden and trail maintenance, volunteer recruitment, and grants/fundraising. We have a diverse volunteer base of ages and backgrounds and welcome everyone! For example, we have students from the LHS National Honor Society, Tigers in Service, and the LHS Environmental Club who have helped us, University of Cincinnati students, workgroups, church groups, students from neighboring school districts, local parochial schools, and many individuals from across the Cincinnati area.“
Check out the video below to see Laurie Flanagan explain how you can help the Loveland Learning Garden!
During the months of March-October volunteers are heavily needed at the Loveland Learning Garden. If you or your organization would like to volunteer email the Loveland Learning Garden.
The Loveland Learning Garden will be a part of the 2021 Great Outdoor Weekend sponsored by Green Umbrella. On September 25th from 9 AM-1 PM, the Loveland Learning Garden will be holding a scavenger hunt for kids ages 4-10. For more information click the above Great Outdoor Weekend link!
To stay informed on the Loveland Learning Garden’s upcoming events and volunteer opportunities you can visit their Instagram and/or Facebook.
Loveland Learning Garden History The foundation for Loveland Learning Garden was planted in 2002 as a floral garden on grade school grounds thanks to the vision of a grandmother who wanted to share the joy of picking fresh flowers with children. With the addition of vegetable gardens and a nature trail in the woods behind the school, Granny’s Garden School grew to be one of the most comprehensive school garden programs in the country and was recognized as a model for nature-based education training. In 2016, the founder retired while a new group of leaders, believing in the value of the program to students and the community evolved the nonprofit to its next iteration. Today, with new energy and a refreshed identity, the Loveland Learning Garden operates with strong, collaborative school partnerships, diverse leadership, community involvement, and a continued passion to educate and inspire children to the lifelong benefits found through nature.
For more ways to get involved with the community stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland, Ohio – The 12th Annual Captain Seth Mitchell Hero 5k will take place in Nisbet Park on Saturday, October 16. Hope to see you then to revise this great Loveland tradition.
Last year’s event was “virtual” but the race to raise funds for The Seth Mitchell scholarship programs this year in live and in person in Historic Downtown Loveland on the Loveland Bike Trail along the State and National Scenic Little Miami River.
Seth Mitchell, a captain and pilot in the United States Marine Corps and a 1997 Loveland High School graduate, was killed in action in Afghanistan in October 2009. Seth contributed greatly to the Loveland community in his youth… he served as a leader and role model on the varsity football team, was voted to be Class President his senior year, and was named “Mr. Personality” by his peers. He was well loved here. After graduating, he took that same sense of service and loyalty into all that he did: as a son, a brother, a friend, a leader in the Marines.
In other words, Seth was a hero for all.
We are a group of Seth Mitchell’s high school classmates, who miss our friend and want to keep his memory alive. We represent the many people who Seth made an impression on with his sense of humor, kind heart, and loyal friendship. As we organize this 5k Race and the scholarship memorial fund, we are motivated by one enduring inspiration: to live each day a little more honorably, kindly, and humbly… just like Seth.
Dear friends, we hope you are well, safe and doing all you can to blunt the force of the pandemic surrounding us. We are truly in unchartered water. Our prayers are with you. As you probably guessed we were unable to do personal on site interviews with our 2020 Seth Mitchell scholarship applicants. However we summoned the help from some younger folks and proceeded with the interviews through Google Hangout!! Yep, Steve and Connie on Google Hangout. Who’d of thought that? Loveland High School also did not have their annual Senior Night on May 13, so the scholarships were awarded virtually. We had 18 applicants this year and personally interviewed six before awarding the two scholarships detailed below. Your scholarship committee consisting of Greg Carpinello, Damien Cook, Mollie Schrichten, Marisa Sobb, (all friends of Seth and ’97 LHS graduates) Connie and I, take seriously the process to recruit, interview and select candidates. All the kids were deserving and we are especially proud of the recipients.
So here goes: The Let Us Never Forget Seth Mitchell scholarship ($3500.00) is a partnership between the Mitchell Family and the Let Us Never Forget Scholarship Foundation (yellowribbonsupportcenter.com). Jordan Collins (above left) is the 2020 recipient and she has a spirit similar to Seth. She was/is involved in many theatrical and musical productions, is a National Honor Society member, volunteers through Mom’s Hope and works part time. Jordan will be paying a large part of her college costs. She has a “do something” attitude, a strong work ethic and knows no stranger, being kind to all. She is not afraid to fail in the pursuit of her dreams and is strong in the face of adversity. She hopes to pursue her theatrical dreams at Syracuse University.
The Seth Mitchell Memorial Scholarship ($3,500.00) is funded by the Seth Mitchell Hero 5k (sethmitchell5k.org). This annual event is in its 11th year in downtown Loveland, OH and is ran by Seth’s friends named above. The goal of the scholarship is to keep Seth’s spirit and story alive. Caroline Ginder (above right) is the 2020 recipient of the Memorial Scholarship. Caroline was described by one of her references a “being self motivated and goal oriented…and a fine example of caring more about their teammate than herself”. She participated in many school events such as Tiger’s Inc., soccer, NEST and is a National Honor Society member. Caroline will attend Ohio State University where she will pursue medicine. She hopes to someday be a part of Doctors Without Borders. Like Jordan, Caroline is paying a share of her college costs.
Thank you for your support, prayers and investment in our scholarships through the last eleven years.
Steve and Connie Mitchell Parents, Capt. D. Seth Mitchell, USMC KIA 10/26/2009, Helmand Province, Afghanistan Let Us Never Forget
SSCC President Dr. Kevin Boys, standing at right, shakes hands with former Board of Trustees member, the late Kay Ayres, at his first board meeting in 2010.
Southern State Community College (SSCC) President Dr. Kevin Boys on Wednesday announced his retirement from the college effective June of next year.
Prior to his presidency, Boys served for 31 years in K-12 education as a teacher, principal and superintendent in Loveland and Sycamore school districts. Boys was employed in Loveland from July 1, 2002 through December 2009.
The announcement signals the end of more than a decade of Boys’ leadership at Southern State.
Boys provided his letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement to the SSCC Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on August 18, setting his final day for June 30, 2022 to provide time for the board to find a replacement.
Dr. Kevin Boys addressing the 2006 Graduating Class of Loveland High School. (Loveland Magazine File Photo)
Boys has led the college since Jan. 1, 2010. During his tenure, he served under Ohio governors Ted Strickland, John Kasich and Mike DeWine. Both of Boys’ children attended and graduated from Southern State during his presidency. He resides in Clinton County.
Boys said in his retirement letter that he had planned to retire in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic prompted him to remain in leadership for an additional year beyond his contract.
“I felt it imperative that I stay to see us through the many challenges that this pandemic has brought our way,” he said. “It will be time for fresh leadership to take on new challenges as the college recovers from the pandemic and explores new opportunities to further its important mission.”
Boys said SSCC’s graduates range in age from the early teen years to well into a late age, and many would not have pursued a college degree if the college was not here for them.
“That has motivated me and brought joy to me nearly every day,” he said.
Boys also served as co-chair of the Higher Education Funding Commission with President Rod McDavis, devising a plan to distribute substantial capital funding to the state’s public colleges and university systems. Additionally, Boys served on the board of directors of the American Association of Community Colleges, and as Vice-chair of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges.
Boys graduated from the inaugural class of Leadership Adams and the 25th class of Leadership Clinton.
Dr. Kevin Boys introduced Ohio Govenor Ted Strickland at the Loveland Intermediate School in 2009 when Strickland announced his State budget and school reform. (Loveland Magazine File Photo)
Boys has served on the Highland County Chamber of Commerce Board for 10 years and is currently the chair of the Community Colleges of Appalachia, a membership group of 80 colleges throughout the Appalachian region. He is also a board member of the Rural Community College Alliance.
“It truly has been the honor of my life and pinnacle of my 42 years in public education to have served alongside you in providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to the citizens throughout these counties in Southern Ohio,” he said in his resignation letter.
Boys thanked the Board of Trustees, both current and past, who served as stewards of the institution, as well as dedicated faculty, staff and administrators.
“Southern State Community College is in good hands,” he said.
SSCC Board of Trustees Clinton County Chairman Brian Prickett wished Boys well in retirement and thanked him for his service to the college.
“I wish him well as he moves to the next phase of his life in retirement,” Prickett said. “His calm, professional demeanor in many recent trying situations is going to be missed. He is a true leader, and the school’s going to have to work very hard to replace his knowledge and his visibility to lead folks as we move forward and grow.”
Boys told Loveland Magazine, “I regard my years in Loveland with great fondness.” He and his wife now live in Wilmington. “We have neighbors close on both sides but we overlook our pond and the farm behind complete with red barn. We’re not sure what we’ll do in retirement, but for now we’ll enjoy the country.”
Boys said in retirement he plans to pick up playing his mandolin again, travel and “catch my breath.”
“I also plan to take my morning walks a little later in the morning,” he said.
Loveland, Ohio – Last Friday the Loveland High School Marching Band and Color Guard held a preview night to celebrate two weeks of band camp and show parents, siblings, grandparents, and music fans the skills they learned during two weeks in the hot August sun.
The theme of their Fall completion season, as well as half-time performances this year, is “An Eighties Adventure”.
Due to a recent increase in student-athletes unavailable to compete, including one entire position group, Lebanon Football is unable to play Friday night at Springboro. While no players are COVID-positive at this time, according to Lebanon Athletics, several football student-athletes are in quarantine due to contact tracing.
Loveland hosts Sycamore this Friday in their opener at 7 PM. The Tigers are not scheduled to play Lebanon this season.
Loveland Magazine received this Guest Column from the parent of Loveland school students who asked us not to reveal their identity.
By: Anonymous Parent of Loveland Students
The start of a new school year has sparked a debate in the Loveland community that is arguably more divisive than the 2020 presidential election. We are nearly a year and a half into the outbreak of Covid-19 and parents, public health agencies, and school officials are divided on whether or not masks should be mandated in our schools. On one side you have those concerned about the desire to protect the physical health of citizens and minimize the spread of Covid-19. On the other are those concerned about the educational, social, and mental health effects universal masking has on students. We all want what is best for our children, individually and collectively. Both sides should find this common ground while showing empathy for the opposing view. I don’t think that is in question. The real question is at what point are we taking unnecessary measures that are hurting our children out of an overabundance of caution?
Last school year our state government and the Ohio Department of Health used their powers to enforce universal mask mandates in schools and other locations. These were highly controversial decisions causing state legislative action. Here we are at the start of another school year and these agencies responsible for assessing and enforcing mandates are not able to do so. If our expert public health officials are not making the decisions to enact universal mask mandates then there is no reasonable expectation that a local school board can effectively make decisions to mandate the behavior of families and students regarding their health. A mandate for public health purposes should not be coming from our local school board. In the absence of state and health department mandates, these decisions are best made by each family with the guidance of their healthcare providers.
Parents and guardians are tasked with the decision of whether or not to send their children to school in masks. We are pulled between a desire to protect citizens from Covid-19 and to protect our children from the negative educational, social, and mental health issues related to universal masking. Generally speaking, children are spared from the severe consequences of Covid-19. According to some of the most comprehensive studies to date, children are at an extremely slim risk of dying of Covid-19. In fact, children are more likely to die of homicides or drownings, and I don’t see anyone shutting down their pools. The mortality rate among children is actually lower than that from the flu and the risk of severe disease or hospitalization is about the same.
So, I’ll ask again, at what point are we taking unnecessary measures that are hurting our children out of an overabundance of caution? That is ultimately what is in question. We are left with a debate between physical health and causing educational, social, and mental harm. To the best of my knowledge, there have not been any Loveland student deaths related to Covid-19, however, we undoubtedly have many students suffering educationally and from social and mental health issues related to universal masking in their learning environment. This cannot be ignored any longer. At some point, our community must realize that mask mandates imposed on our children can have a greater impact on public health than Covid-19 itself.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District Board of Education will be scheduling a “Special Meeting” on Friday, August 20 at 6 PM to discuss the district policy concerning the use of face coverings and masks.
Loveland schools begin classes tomorrow morning, Wednesday, August 18.
The current Board policy concerning face coverings is that the wearing of masks by students, teachers, staff, and visitors inside of all District school buildings is optional. Masks are required by federal law to be worn on school buses.
Loveland, Ohio – Homana Nebel an Administrative Associate with the Hamilton County Board of Elections has told Loveland Magazine that current Loveland City School Board member Michele Pettit’s nominating petitions to run for another four years on the Board has been rejected.
Candidates for the Loveland School Board (provided by Hamilton County BOE)
Nebel said that there was a problem with the petition/s she filed with signatures of Clermont County voters. Candidates need a total of 75 total valid signatures of District registered voters and Petitt ended up with only 55.
Petitt has been notified and can appeal the rejection to the Board of Elections and be granted a hearing but as of 3 PM today they have not heard from her. Another option according to Nebel is for Petitt to file to be a write-in candidate and she has until August 23 by 4 PM to pay a fee and file the needed paperwork with her declaration of intent.
Loveland Magazine has reached out to Petitt asking if she will pursue these two options.
Petitt’s current term is set to expire on December 31. The election is on November 2.
Loveland, Ohio – Below is a letter, started by a local “physician mom Facebook group” and signed by more than 450 Cincinnati area physicians that was sent to the Loveland City School District Board of Education today.
The letter begins, “The undersigned are all physicians who live and work in southwest Ohio region. We are writing to support universal masking in all of our local schools.”
They also say, “All available evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 will spread wildly in schools without mitigation efforts—including universal masking—firmly in place.”
Current Loveland school policy is that the wearing of masks by students inside school buildings is whatever a parent or guardian chooses for the child. Classes begin on Wednesday.
Read the full letter and the names of the physicians below.
![[Photos] Loveland High School Marching Band and Color Guard](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/feature-2021-color-guard.jpg)
