Featured in this Newsletter:

Message from the Superintendent
Middie Milestones!: Vice President JD Vance & Middies' Inaugural Parade performance
Next steps in our K-6 Redistricting Project
Dates to Remember
Curriculum Department Update
Student Services Department Update
In Case You Missed it on Social Media

Message from Superintendent Deborah Houser:

Happy New Year, Middletown! As we kick off 2025, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible milestones that have already made this year unforgettable. One of the most exciting moments in our community’s history happened this month. J.D. Vance, a proud Middletown High School graduate, was sworn in as Vice President of the United States. His journey from Middletown to the national stage is a powerful reminder that anything is possible. His story inspires us all—especially our students—to dream big, work hard, and believe in what they can achieve.

Adding to the excitement, our Middletown High School marching band, cheerleaders, and color guard had the honor of a lifetime: performing in the Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., at the personal invitation of Vice President Vance himself! Watching 140 of our talented students shine on a national stage was nothing short of breathtaking. This incredible experience wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing staff, parents, SROs, and Butler County Sheriff's Deputies who chaperoned and supported the trip. Their energy and dedication made sure everything went off without a hitch and our students truly made us proud.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our community for making this dream a reality. Your encouragement, kind words, and financial support showed our students just how much Middletown believes in them. Whether you helped fundraise, cheered them on, or simply shared in their excitement, your support was felt every step of the way. Together, we made this historic moment a true community celebration!

As we move into the new year, let’s keep this incredible momentum going. Let’s remind our students—and each other—that there’s no limit to what we can accomplish when we work together and believe in the possibilities. Here in Middletown, anything is possible.

#MiddieRising

Middie Milestones!: Vice President JD Vance & Middies' Inaugural Parade performance

On January 20, JD Vance, a 2003 graduate of Middletown High School, was officially sworn in as the 50th vice president of the United States.

Vance, the first millennial vice president, is the youngest to serve in the role since Richard Nixon served in the 1950s.

The vice president was born in Middletown in 1984 as James Donald Bowman. In 1990, the same year he enrolled for kindergarten at Middletown City Schools, his mother renamed him James David Hamel. This is the name Vance would go by for his entire time as a Middie.

Vance was elected vice president of his senior class at Middletown High School and graduated with an honors diploma in 2003.

After graduating from high school, Vance joined the United States Marines Corps and served as a public affairs marine in Iraq. He then attended Ohio State University, graduating in 2009. He graduated from Yale Law School in 2013.

Vance rose to national prominence in 2016 with the publication of his best-selling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," which was adapted into a Netflix film in 2020.

He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022 and began representing the State of Ohio in January 2023.

Vice President Vance extended a special invitation to the Middletown High School Marching Band, Color Guard, and Cheerleaders to perform in the prestigious Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. Watch the video above to see how our students proudly showcased their talent and school spirit, representing Middie pride in front of a global audience.

Next Steps in our K-6 Redistricting Project:

Thank you to everyone who attended our December community meeting to discuss the proposed boundary options for our K-6 Redistricting Project. Your active participation and thoughtful feedback play a crucial role in shaping a process that reflects the needs and values of our entire community.

During the meeting, we shared four potential boundary options and received invaluable input from those in attendance.

Your insights have been compiled into this Community Feedback Results Report.

This feedback will serve as a guiding resource as we refine the proposed boundary options to best meet the needs of our students, families, and schools.

The next phase of this project involves presenting a final recommendation to the Board of Education. The Board is expected to review and consider approval during an upcoming meeting. This decision will mark a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance and modernize the K-6 experience for our families.

We remain deeply committed to maintaining open communication and fostering community engagement throughout this process. Your input and support continue to be invaluable as we work together to create a brighter future for all students in Middletown City Schools.

Dates to Remember:

2/4 - Personalized Learning Day, Students will not report to school

2/17 - No School, Presidents' Day

Curriculum Department Update:

We are thrilled to celebrate a major milestone for Middletown High School: the approval of the new Program of Study by the Board of Education!

This marks a significant step forward in our redesign efforts to provide students with robust, future-focused educational opportunities tailored to meet their aspirations and prepare them for success in an ever-evolving world.

The newly approved Program of Study reflects our commitment to careers, innovation, academic rigor, and experiential learning.

Highlights include:

Expanded Career-Focused Options: Students now have access to a broader range of educational tracks, including advanced opportunities in fields such as healthcare, engineering, information technology, and the arts. These options align with in-demand careers and provide hands-on experiences to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
Focus on Experiential Learning: Building on the success of our Experiential Learning Days, the Program of Study incorporates more opportunities for project-based learning, internships, and community partnerships. These experiences allow students to explore their interests and develop critical skills in authentic settings.
Elective Offerings: From agriculture and cybersecurity to fine arts and culinary arts, the range of electives has been thoughtfully expanded to cater to diverse interests and talents.

The development of this program was a collaborative effort. The result is a comprehensive framework that reflects the needs and aspirations of our students and community.

This milestone is a testament to the dedication and vision of the Middletown City Schools community. Together, we are shaping the future and creating opportunities for every Middie to thrive.

Student Services Department Update:

Celebrating Attendance Success!

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone in attendance for the first semester! The district’s chronic absenteeism rate has dropped to an impressive 33%, a significant improvement from the previous report card’s rate of 44.5%. This milestone marks a testament to the district’s collective efforts to prioritize student attendance and engagement. This is a massive win for our students, families, and staff who have worked hard to make attendance a priority!

One of the big reasons behind this achievement is the partnership we have with the Stay in the Game Attendance Network and FC Cincinnati. This partnership has brought energy and excitement to our schools by showing students that showing up every day is just as important as being part of a winning team. The teamwork and enthusiasm are contagious!

Another key to our success is the #MiddieMinutesMatter campaign with Milton’s Doughnuts. This program reminds everyone that every single minute in school makes a difference. Milton’s Doughnuts has sweetened the deal with fun rewards for students, making attendance something to celebrate across the whole community.

This incredible achievement proves how powerful it is to create a culture that values attendance. With the support of our community, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish. Let’s keep this amazing momentum going and make the second semester even better! Congratulations to all the students, staff, and partners who made this milestone possible! You are rock stars!

In Case You Missed It on Social Media:

We couldn’t be more proud of our incredible Middie Marching Band, Color Guard, and Cheerleaders for their outstanding performance in the Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. Watching our students represent Middletown on such a historic stage was a deeply inspiring moment and a true celebration of the spirit and strength that define our community. Check out some photos from their trip!

From their journey to D.C. to the big moment inside Capital One Arena, we’re sharing some candids and behind-the-scenes moments that capture our students and staff soaking up every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

See more photos here.

& more photos here.

The trip to Washington, D.C. wasn't all about the performance—our students also took time to explore our nation's capitol, visiting iconic memorials and landmarks. From sightseeing to showcasing their incredible talents, these Middies represented Middletown with pride and excellence.

See more photos here.