Eagle eNews - December 18, 2020
VIDEO MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT:
Click on the image below to play the video:
HOLIDAY BOOK READ-ALOUD:
As a special treat for our younger students, in this video Superintendent John Spieser reads the book "The Nightmare Before Christmas" written and illustrated by Tim Burton.
UPDATES & INFORMATION:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: REPORTING POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES DURING WINTER BREAK

If a student should test positive for COVID-19 over the winter break, families are required to report that information to us.

Call the COVID-19 hotline at (513) 576-4150 or fill out this form online.

Even though school is not in session for the next two weeks, depending on when the student was last in school and symptomatic, there may be a need to contact trace and quarantine. Additionally, several of our athletic teams and extra curricular activities will still be practicing or holding events, and we may need to contact trace and quarantine participants in those activities.

Please do not call a school attendance hotline with this information as those lines will not be checked over winter break. Call the COVID-19 hotline at (513) 576-4150 or fill out this form online.
HOLIDAY & WINTER-THEMED COLORING PAGES TO DOWNLOAD

Seventh grade students in Natalie Hyde's art class at Milford Junior High School learned about line drawings. They discussed contour lines, line weight, how to use a ruler, and different ways to add interest to a drawing.

The student's illustrations were compiled into a coloring book - download it here.
COMING UP JAN. 19: STATE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT + Q&A WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT

On Tuesday, January 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Superintendent John Spieser will be hosting a "Live Chat with the Superintendent" event on Facebook.

At the beginning of the hour, Mr. Spieser will give a State of the School District presentation. He will share information about how we have continued educating our students amidst a pandemic, how our strategic plan and Portrait of an Eagle guides our work, important facilities planning, and the district's financial forecast.

After the State of the School District presentation he will answer submitted questions first and then open the floor for live questions toward the end of the hour.

To participate, please provide your questions or comments using Thought Exchange.


Tune in on our Facebook page on January 19. A recording of the event will be available to view on our website afterward.

(Thought Exchange is our online feedback gathering tool - click here to learn how to use it.)
CHARI'TREE' AT LEHR'S PRIME MARKET

The next time you're at Lehr's Prime Market in Milford check out the Chari-TREE and consider purchasing a $25 gift to support Milford High School's students with disabilities.

The funds raised will be used to help care for Buffy the service dog and to finance community outings for students with special needs.
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

Breaks from school are a great way for students to recharge. However, this can also be a time when students are more isolated and have more mental health concerns.

If you recognize any of these signs or symptoms of depression in your child or you feel your child may be suicidal, contact one of these hotlines:

  • National Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Clermont County Crisis Hotline: 513-528-SAVE (7283)

Additionally, you may wish to make an appointment with a health care provider for support and/or treatment. A short video that discusses more about recognizing signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety during COVID is available here.

NOTE: Call 911 or go to the emergency department if you or your child is experiencing a medical emergency, a life-threatening mental health crisis, or are directed to go there by a medical provider.

Over the past two and a half years, our district has greatly increased both resources and staff to support social emotional learning and mental health wellness. The current pandemic has increased our needs in this area. We are grateful to have such a comprehensive system of support and to be able to provide such a high quality level of therapy through our school-based services.
 
Will Cates, Mental Health Coordinator, oversees all of the district's mental health services and he serves as the liaison to outside agencies. He also provides direct individual mental health psychotherapy, mobile crisis support, risk assessments, and staff and community training around mental health signs, symptoms, and strategies.  
 
Our Mental Health Interventionists provide direct individual mental health psychotherapy, prevention, social groups, and risk assessments. They also provide support to staff around mental health signs, symptoms, and strategies to enable them to support social emotional needs within the classroom.
 
Here is a list of Milford's Mental Health Interventionists:
 
McCormick Elementary - Jennifer Cooper
Meadowview Elementary - Chandler Gray
Mulberry Elementary - Andrea Derossett
Seipelt Elementary - Katlyn Morrison (Katlyn also runs the High School's Nicotine Intervention Program)
Milford High - M.J. Ostrowski
Milford High School Flight Program - Michelle Jeffcott-Pera
 
Additionally, the District contracts with both Child Focus through a Clermont County Mental Health Grant, as well as The Children's Home of Cincinnati to support our School-Based Day Treatment Program at MJHS and mental health at both MJHS and MHS. 
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION BEGINS JANUARY 18

Registration for incoming Kindergarten students, who reside in the Milford Exempted Village School District, will begin January 18, 2021.

To be eligible for Kindergarten, a child must be five years old on or before September 30, 2021.

Additional details regarding half day and all day options can be found on our website here.

All registrations will be completed remotely. Instructions for doing so will be posted on our website on January 18.
INFORMATION ABOUT FOOD PICK UP FROM FEED OUR FLOCK

Students who typically take home a bag of food from Feed Our Flock on Fridays - as well as families who typically pick up bags - are invited to come to the FOF location - 1158 State Route 131 - on December 30 from noon to 7 p.m. to pick up food. Volunteers will deliver food bags to families who typically receive them at home.
CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

Click here to access our CONTACT US page on our website. The page includes contact information for administrators and building principals.

Or you can always email our general email address: [email protected].
FOLLOW US ONLINE!