www.milfordschools.org                                                                       September 2017
Niche released its 2018 Best School District ratings and Milford was ranked #54 of 608 public school districts in Ohio!

As one alum shared in a review on Niche, "MEVSD was dedicated to their students' success. From elementary school all the way up to the high school level, there was a very systematic approach to learning and challenging students that produced high-quality graduates."

Niche ranks schools and districts based on statistics and opinions from students and p arents.
American Studies Class Plans Annual Constitution Day
Milford High School students in Anna O'Neill's American Studies class have organized a celebration at Miami Meadows Park to honor Constitution Day on Monday, September 18, from 11:15 a.m.-2 p.m.

This year, sixth graders at Meadowview and Seipelt will be attending the celebration. Mrs. O'Neill's class has also extended an invitation to three of Milford's retirement communities: Pinebrook, Clermont Senior Services, and SEM Villa.

Students have organized games, crafts, music, and food demonstrations that accurately represent facts about the history of this time.

"One of Milford High School's acting classes will be taking on the roles of several historical figures. Some will put on monologues, and others will participate in reenactments in order to portray an accurate representation of the historical events for everyone who attends," said junior Mikayla Pulliam.

The event is free and open to the public.
MJHS Raises Money for Houston Teacher
After applying to help Houston educators impacted by Hurricance Harvey, MJHS teacher Kristin Kauffman learned she was matched with a first-year teacher in Houston who needed almost everything to prepare to welcome 140 eighth grade math students into his classroom.

The MJHS team decided to throw together a pajama day fundraiser on September 8.

"I put on my PJs and had hopes of raising maybe $500, and that was in my highest of hopes," Mrs. Kauffman shared. "The students and staff at Milford Junior High never cease to amaze me. You talk about big hearts. Look at all of those supplies, and that bucket for Texas-sized donations? It collected $1,000!"

The generosity of our JHS Eagles will help Mr. L., many of his colleagues, and their students.

As Mr. L. texted Mrs. Kauffman in full-Texas fashion after hearing the news, "Y'all are the best!"
MJHS to Host Parent Engagement & Empowerment Series 
Milford Junior High School has joined forces with Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Clermont County Library to present four educational workshops for parents of middle schoolers. The first in the series will be held on September 21.

Who: Parents, educators and community members of 7 th and 8 th graders
When: Thursday, September 21, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Milford Junior High School Media Center (Purple Hallway)

Featuring: 
Sarah  Beal PhD,  Developmental Psychologist, Research, Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

This program is the first in a series of four workshops designed to help participants understand a middle school student's developmental shifts; learn about counseling services available; and share expectations for students. It will be a  great opportunity for parents to ask questions and get immediate answers at the onset of their child's middle school experience.
Thoughtexchange to Enable Parents to Share Input Online
We know it is difficult for busy parents to attend meetings. This school year, the Milford School District will be using Thoughtexchange, an online learning process that will allow us to reach out to parents, staff, community members, and students on a variety of topics. This process will enable us to hear your thoughts and learn about your priorities.

Through Thoughtexchange, there are three steps that you will be invited to participate in online:
  1. Share - answer open-ended questions about education in our school.
  2. Star - review ideas from other participants and star the ideas you like best. 
  3. Discover - learn what is important to the community as a whole.


 

The first Thoughtexchange will focus on planning for the future of our district. We will seek input on the most important skills or attributes needed for our graduates to be successful; experiences our district should offer to our students; and things for us to consider in planning for the future of our schools.
 
On Monday, September 25, all parents/guardians will receive an email with an invitation to participate in the district's first Thougtexchange. A link to self-register will also be posted on the website and shared on social media.  The Thoughtexchange will remain open for two weeks. Once the district collects and analyzes the data, we will share the results.
Milford Student Featured in NYC Musical
Meadowview fifth grader Ava Kroener just finished her run in the Big Apple. Over the summer, Ava appeared in "Show & Tell: The Musical" by Flora Lee at The Workshop Theater on W 36th Street in New York City.  Hundreds of children auditioned and Ava was selected for the role of Daisy. 

Law Impacts Student Absences and Truancy
The Ohio General Assembly recently passed House Bill 410 to encourage and support a preventative approach to excessive student absences and truancy.  Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, several state-mandated changes will take effect. HB 410 changes the truancy definition to be based on instructional hours, rather than days of instruction. Under the new definitions, the designation of "habitual truant" is defined as any child of compulsory school age who has been absent without legitimate excuse for:
  • 30 or more consecutive hours
  • 42 or more hours in a school month, or
  • 72 or more hours in a year
Another significant change:
Schools are now mandated by state law to provide written notice to parents within seven days of a child's excused or unexcused absence of 38 or more hours in a month or 65 or more hours in a school year.

A student may be considered a "habitual truant" if unexcused absences continue. At this point, the student and the student's family will be required to meet with a team to develop a Truancy Intervention Plan. If the student and family fail to participate in this plan, a referral will be made to Juvenile Court.

What does this mean for Milford students?
As mandated by state law, our schools will now track student attendance by hours, not quarter day, half day or full day. Arriving late to school and leaving early will now be counted as hours missed. For example, missing a class period will be the equivalent of one hour of absence.

Note: this policy does not follow what is outlined in our parent/student handbooks because the state mandate was released after our 2017-2018 handbooks were approved by the Milford Board of Education.  The mandate has not changed which absences are excused; however, excused absences now must be counted in the total hours absent.

As in years past, we will continue to work cooperatively with our students and their parents to improve school attendance. If you have any questions about these changes, please contact your building principal.
Music Students in the News
On September 9, Milford High School Marching Band and Color Guard competed in the Beechwood Festival of Bands. 
Milford's color guard received Best Overall Color Guard and the marching band third overall.





Four Milford students Gabby Lytle, Logan Miller, Micah Brownfield, and Emma Horman
(not pictured) were chosen to sing at the Ohio State Fair as part of the All-Ohio State Fair Yout h Choir. They spent three weeks at the fair learning a large set of music which they performed 6-8 times each day of the fair.  

Emma Lawrence has been selected to perform with the National Association for Music Educators All-National Honor Choir in Orlando in November. She is the first Milford High School student to ever be selected for this prestigious ensemble!


Several Milford Junior High School band students were chosen to participate in the Junior Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble based on their auditions at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music last weekend.

The Junior CYWE rehearses every Sunday throughout the school year at UC and performs several concerts throughout the year. They are: (L-R)  Isaac Jacobsohn, Ethan Hawkins, Jack Renner, Sarah Morgan, Ellen Long, Libby Mailloux, Collin Chitwood, Beth Howard, Devin Reupert, Koury Warren, and Gillian Roeder.
Thanks for Supporting A Dog's Day in August!
Thank you to everyone in the community who supported Milford High School's "A Dog's Day in August"  at Miami Meadows Park on August 26.

The event, organized by MHS Intervention Specialist, Trena Panko, raised $1,600 to help support the costs of the autism service dog who will begin serving the MHS Autism Unit this school year. 

Thank you to Mrs. Panko for organizing this wonderful event!

Calling All Veterans
Every November, in honor of Veteran's Day, the Milford Board of Education recognizes Milford graduates who have served in the military. It has been a long-standing tradition for Milford to present honorary diplomas to veterans who did not complete high school because of their military service. This year, Mr. Gary Knepp, Board President, will also be giving a special presentation about Milford graduates who served in World War I. 

Mr. Knepp is looking for additional information or relatives of Alice F. Stewart (pictured), who graduated from Milford High Sc
hool in 1898, and became a nurse. When World War I started, she volunteered and spent the war years nursing wounded soldiers in France. After the war, Stewart was a supervisor at University Hospital in Augusta, Georgia and eventually became the Director of Nurses. She also conducted social and philanthropic work in the Augusta community until her death in 1974.

If you have information to share about Alice Stewart or Milford graduate who served in World War I or know of a veteran who did not receive their diploma, please call the Board of Education Office at (513) 831-1314 or email  terry@milfordschools.org.
Upcoming Community Programs
Flyers featuring community programs and upcoming events are posted on the district website under quick links. 
Connect with Us on Social Media


District
Milford_Schools @Milford_Schools milford_schools
Milford HS @MHS_Kauffman

Milford NGC

@MHS_NGC
Success Academy

@MHS_Hatfield

Milford JHS @MJHSEagles mjhsdunn
Boyd E. Smith
Boyd E. Smith Elementary @bes_elementary

Charles L. Seipelt @seipeltsoars seipeltsoars
McCormick
McCormick Elementary @McCormickElem
mccormickelementary
Meadowview
Meadowview Elementary @MDVElementary
Mulberry
Mulberry Elementary @ MulberryEagles

Pattison
Pattison Elementary  @pattisonpath
pattisonpath
Milford Preschool
Milford Preschool @Milford_PS

September Community Swim Sessions
Free family swim sessions will be held for the remainder of August at the Milford High School pool.

A consent/waiver form must be completed prior to swimming and children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Here's the   September schedule

Questions? Email Lois Leavens, swim coordinator, at leavens_l@milfordschools.org.

Calendar Check 
September

18 Constitution Day
11:15 a.m.-2 p.m.
Miami Meadows Park
21 Engagement & Empowerment Series
MJHS Media Center 7 p.m.

Board of Education Meeting
7 p.m.
Boyd E. Smith Elementary
22
NO SCHOOL for Students - Teacher Inservice Day
October

13 End of 1st Quarter 
       
To view a complete calendar with district and individual school events, click here.
Thank you for subscribing to the Eagle eNews, Milford School District's electronic newsletter. The Eagle eNews is also emailed to all parents and guardians. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to submit news items to  news@milfordschools.org.  
Milford Exempted Village School District | (513) 831-1314 | www.milfordschools.org
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