Featured in this Newsletter: |
- Message from the Superintendent
- K-6 Redistricting Project: Provide your feedback in a survey
- Dates to Remember
- Middie Marching Band and Cheerleaders invited to Washington D.C. for the Inaugural Parade
- Curriculum Department Update
- Student Services Department Update
- By-the-Numbers Financial Update
- In Case You Missed it on Social Media
- Middies in the News
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Message from Superintendent Deborah Houser: | |
The holidays are a priceless gift—a chance to gather with family, create memories that last a lifetime, and cherish the moments that make life so special. In the hustle and bustle of our daily routines, it’s easy to forget how precious those moments are. But, these upcoming two weeks of holiday time offer us the perfect opportunity to slow down, be fully present, and truly connect with the ones we love.
This season reminds us of the incredible value of family, in whatever form it may take. It’s a time to hold your loved ones close and let them know how much they mean to you. It’s a time to laugh together, share meals, tell stories, and make memories that will warm your heart for years to come. These are the moments that can never be bought or replaced—the ones that remind us of what truly matters.
As you celebrate, I encourage you to also look outward and share the joy of the season with others. Check-in on a neighbor who may be spending the holidays alone, lend a helping hand to someone in need, or offer a kind word to brighten someone’s day. Our community is strongest when we take care of each other, and small acts of kindness can make a world of difference during the holiday season.
From my family to yours, I wish you a holiday filled with love, joy, and togetherness.
#MiddieRising
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K-6 Redistricting Project:
MCSD is making significant progress in our K-6 Redistricting Project and our commitment to ensuring students attend their neighborhood school and ensuring optimal utilization of our district resources and facilities.
We encourage you to review the four proposed K-6 boundary options designed to create equitable opportunities for every student and update our attendance zones for the first time since 2011.
We value your input in this process and invite you to share your thoughts through a brief survey. Your feedback is vital to shaping the future of our schools and ensuring the best outcomes for our students and community. The deadline to complete the survey is Tuesday, December 31, at 11:59 p.m.
| Thank you for taking the time to review the boundary options and for sharing your voice in this important process. The plan is to have new K-6 boundaries in effect for the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. | | | |
12/23 - 1/6 - No School, Winter Break
1/20 - No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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Middie Marching Band & Cheerleaders Invited to Inaugural Parade: | |
MCSD is proud to announce that the Middie Marching Band and Cheerleaders have been invited to perform in the 2025 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. on January 20.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes thanks to a special invitation from Vice President-Elect JD Vance, a 2003 graduate of Middletown High School.
The prestigious honor highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of our students and staff and represents a moment of pride for the entire Middletown community.
How You Can Help:
MCSD will cover the cost of travel to Washington, D.C. We are also accepting donations from our amazing community to help fund this historic experience and support our students as they represent Middletown on the national stage. For those able to support, donations can be made in the following ways:
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Mail: Checks can be made payable to Middletown City School District, 1 Donham Plaza, 4th Floor, Middletown, OH 45042. Please write “Inaugural Parade” in the memo line.
In-Person: Checks can be dropped off in person at the MCSD Central Office during regular business hours.
For questions about other ways to support, please contact MCSD at (513) 423-0781.
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Curriculum Department Update: | |
Happy Holidays from the Curriculum Department!
As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the incredible work happening in classrooms every day. Your dedication to our students, creativity in teaching, and commitment to growth and innovation inspire us all. Together, we’ve made meaningful strides in shaping an engaging and impactful learning experience for every Middie.
This season, let’s celebrate the achievements we’ve reached as a team—whether it’s through new pilot programs, professional development sessions, or the meaningful connections you build with students and families. You make a difference!
We hope you take time during the holidays to rest, recharge, and enjoy special moments with your loved ones. The new year is full of exciting opportunities, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with you.
Warm wishes for a joyful holiday season and a bright New Year!
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Student Services Department Update: | |
Christmas For All Brings Holiday Cheer to Middletown City Schools!
On December 18, Middletown City Schools hosted its Christmas For All event at Middletown High School, spreading joy and holiday spirit throughout the community. Students from across the district enjoyed festive activities, including dancing, face painting, and cherished photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Holiday entertainment featured beautiful performances by the Middletown High School Jazz Band and the Middletown Middle School Choir, filling the venue with the sounds of the season.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to Event Coordinator Troy Rees, the Student Services Team, Maryanne Ferrell and Berachah Church volunteers, the Middletown Police Department, our phenomenal Principals, Teachers, and Paras, and the amazing Middletown High School student volunteers who helped make this celebration so special.
This event showcased the true spirit of the holidays: joy, togetherness, and community. Thank you to all who made it possible!
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By-the-Numbers Financial Update: | |
Every November, public school treasurers in Ohio are required to submit a five-year financial forecast to the state. These forecasts are carefully reviewed by state officials and local auditors to ensure accuracy and accountability. They are important tools that help school districts and boards of education make decisions for both short-term and long-term planning.
On November 18, 2024, the MCSD Board of Education approved the district’s five-year forecast. This report predicts steady revenue growth for the first four years, with a slight slowdown in the fifth year. Currently, our general fund receives its revenue from three main sources: 52.7% from the state, 39.2% from local taxes, and 7.15% from other funding sources.
The forecast also outlines how funds may be spent. This year, 66.3% of our spending will go toward staff salaries and benefits. Another 26.3% will cover purchased services such as transportation, utilities, and maintenance. Smaller portions—3.43% and 3.41%—will be used for supplies and other expenses, respectively.
Financially, the district is in a strong position. For the next four years, revenue is expected to exceed expenses. However, in the fifth year, expenses are forecast to be 3.98% higher than revenue. Our cash balance at the start of this fiscal year was $30,236,415. It is expected to grow to $38,974,262 by the fourth year before declining slightly to $34,736,655 in the final year of the forecast.
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In Case You Missed It on Social Media: | |
Students and staff at Mayfield Elementary came together for a 'Friendsgiving' celebration before heading into Thanksgiving break!
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Watch news coverage from FOX19, of the Middie Marching Band and Cheerleaders being invited to perform in the 2025 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. on January 20. | |
Watch news coverage from WCPO 9, of the Community Meeting for our K-6 Redistricting Project. | |
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Administration Office
One Donham Plaza, 4th Floor
Middletown, OH 45042
Phone: 513-423-0781
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