Featured in this Newsletter:

Message from the Superintendent
Reminder: Community Meeting on K-6 Redistricting Project – December 3
VIDEO: What are our students thankful for?
Dates to Remember
High School Redesign Spotlight
Curriculum Department Update
Student Services Department Update
By-the-Numbers Financial Update
In Case You Missed it on Social Media: Middie Alum Elected Vice President

Message from Superintendent Deborah Houser:

November invites us to pause and reflect on the many things we are grateful for. In Middletown City Schools, our gratitude runs deep, and at the heart of it all is our remarkable community.

We are so fortunate to live and work in a place where community pride and commitment run deep. This year, I have seen that pride on full display as we work together on the K-6 Redistricting Project. Your feedback, insights, and willingness to engage in these meaningful conversations ensure that the decisions we make reflect the best interests of all our children. Thank you for your partnership in shaping the future of our schools.

This community also gives us much to celebrate. Recently, we were reminded of the incredible talent and determination that Middletown nurtures, as one of our very own, JD Vance, has risen to become the Vice President of the United States. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the values instilled here—a place that inspires hard work, resilience, and leadership.

Equally inspiring are the ways our community embraces our students. From local businesses opening their doors to collaborate on high school redesign projects to organizations welcoming our students for career exploration and mentorship, Middletown truly embodies the spirit of “it takes a village.” These partnerships prepare our young people for bright futures and remind us of the power of connection.

It’s essential to shine a light on the heart of our schools: our staff. Day in and day out, our teachers, support staff, and administrators demonstrate a relentless commitment to the success of every child. Their positivity and persistence, even in challenging times, remind us why we do this work. They are the reason our students continue to grow, achieve, and thrive.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I encourage each of you to pause and reflect on the many blessings we share in Middletown. Gratitude has a way of fueling our hearts and minds, inspiring us to continue the good work that lies ahead.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey. Together, we are not just a school district; we are a community that dreams big, works hard, and lifts each other up.

#MiddieRising

Reminder: Community Meeting on K-6 Redistricting Project – December 3:

As we work to finalize new elementary school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year, we need your help.

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 6 p.m., we’re hosting a community feedback meeting in the Middletown High School auditorium.

During this meeting, our redistricting partners, Woolpert, will present options for the new school boundaries, which are based on your feedback from the redistricting survey. This is your chance to hear directly from the experts, ask questions, and share your thoughts. Our leadership team will also be there to listen and support. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be live-streamed on our YouTube page.

The proposed boundary options will be emailed out on Monday, December 2, before the meeting to give everyone a chance to review the proposals.

No final decisions have been made. The plan is to have the new elementary boundaries in effect for the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

Thank you for your continued partnership in shaping the future of Middletown City Schools.

You can access all the information about our K-6 Redistricting Project via this website created by Woolpert

VIDEO: What are our students grateful for?:

As Thanksgiving break approaches, our students are reflecting on what fills their hearts with gratitude. From inspiring teachers to family and friends, they remind us of the many reasons to give thanks.

Dates to Remember:

11/27 - 11/29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

12/3 - Community Meeting on K-6 Redistricting Project, 6 p.m., at the MHS Auditorium

12/23 - 1/6 - No School, Winter Break

High School Redesign Spotlight

Our first pilot for High School Redesign has officially wrapped up, and it was a tremendous success! Students and staff embraced the experiential learning approach, leading to high student engagement and valuable insights. We’re excited to build on this momentum as we prepare for the second pilot this winter. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue shaping the future of education at Middletown!

Curriculum Department Update:

Middletown City Schools continues to attract frequent visitors from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and surrounding district leaders and teachers eager to see the impactful work happening across our schools.

From the hands-on learning in Passport to Tomorrow to the community connections fostered through Adopt A Class, the targeted support in Intervention & Enrichment, and the exciting progress in our K-5 ELA curriculum- HMH, our innovative programs are drawing attention for their success in driving positive change.

We are proud to share our progress and showcase the strides we’re making to shape a brighter future for our students!

Student Services Department Update:

This month, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the amazing paraprofessionals in our schools. You are the quiet heroes who give so much of your time, energy, and heart to make a difference in the lives of our students.

Paraprofessionals do so much more than assist in classrooms. You are the guiding hand that helps students learn, the kind voice that encourages them when they’re struggling, and the steady presence that makes them feel safe and supported. You create spaces where every student feels valued, cared for, and capable of success.

Your work goes beyond academics. You build trust, offer comfort, and cheer on students in ways that leave a lasting impact. For so many children, you are the person who believes in them when they need it most, and that belief changes everything.

To our paraprofessionals: thank you for your patience, your compassion, and your unwavering dedication. You remind us of the power of kindness and the difference one caring person can make in a child’s life.

This month, and every day, we are so grateful for you. You are truly at the heart of our schools. Thank you for all that you do.

By-the-Numbers Financial Update:

On November 18, 2024, the Board of Education approved the district’s five-year financial forecast, which projects financial stability through June 30, 2029. The district anticipates positive cash flow for the first four years of the forecast, with a modest deficit of 3.8% in the final year.

Cash reserves are projected to sustain 135 days of operations, equating to 37% of the annual budget, for the first four years. In the fifth year, reserves are expected to decrease to 115 days, representing 32% of expenditures. The district’s current fiscal year revenue is derived primarily from state funding (57%), with federal and other sources contributing 9%, and local taxes accounting for 35%. Local residential taxpayers presently invest approximately $88 per day to support the education of each student.

In Case You Missed It on Social Media:

Elected Vice President of the Class of 2003 at Middletown High School, JD Vance is set to become America's next Vice President.

You can read more about the life and career of the Middie alum here.

Cheryl Bowling, a reading tutor at Amanda Elementary, and Terri Vincent, the district’s literacy teacher leader, secured a $20,000 grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation to fund "Morphing Into Readers," a project focused on morphology training to elevate literacy.

Learn more about the grant here.

Football Coach Kali Jones was named the Week 10 Coach of the Week by the Cincinnati Bengals! The honor, presented by Paycor, recognizes outstanding high school football coaches for their dedication, hard work, and impact on the field and in the community.