Featured in this Newsletter:
- Message from the Superintendent
- Athletic Department Update: State Semifinals Football Matchup
- Spotlight on Success Liaisons
- Message from the Treasurer
- Attendance Campaign Updates
- Dates To Remember
- Middletown City Schools Transportation Facility Demolition
- In Case You Missed it on Social Media
| | Message from Superintendent Deborah Houser | | |
A Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude from the Superintendent
As we step into this season of gratitude, I find myself reflecting on the countless people who make Middletown City Schools not just a district, but a community built on love, care, and unwavering commitment to our children. Each day, I see moments, big and small, that remind me why the heart of MCSD beats so strongly.
I am deeply grateful for every person who makes this district tick.
To our teachers, who pour their hearts into classrooms and lift students higher than they ever thought possible… thank you.
To our support staff—bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, paraprofessionals, food service workers, and maintenance teams—who create safe, warm, and welcoming spaces where students can flourish… thank you.
To our building and district administrators who show up with strength, vision, and compassion… thank you.
To our coaches, counselors, intervention specialists, therapists, social workers, and nurses who walk hand-in-hand with students through their triumphs and their challenges… thank you.
To our families and community partners, who trust and collaborate with us, and love our children… thank you.
And to our students, the reason we do this work, the reason our hearts beat a little louder each morning...thank you for bringing joy, curiosity, grit, and laughter into our halls and classrooms. You inspire us every day.
This time of year also reminds us of something simple and profound:
Be kind to everyone you meet. We all carry stories the world can’t see, and a moment of kindness might be exactly what someone needs to keep going. So love big. Hug a little longer. Tell people they matter; you’ll never regret it.
And finally, I hope you enjoy our week-long Thanksgiving break. For the first time in a long time, we all get the gift of a little more time, time to rest, reset, reconnect, and breathe. You deserve every minute of it.
Thank you, Middletown, for being a district filled with heart. 💜
Thank you for loving and serving children with everything you have.
And thank you for being part of this incredible journey.
#MiddieRising
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Athletic Department Update:
State Semifinals Football Matchup
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Middletown Reaches First State Semifinal Appearance in School History
The Middletown football team won its first regional championship in program history with a 21-14 win over Huber Heights Wayne in the Region 2 final Friday night at Trotwood-Madison.
Middletown (11-2) advances to play St. Xavier (10-2) in a Division I state semifinal at 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at Welcome Stadium.
Middletown made its first football regional final appearance since 1990, according to the athletic department. It was the fourth regional final appearance in program history (2025, 1990, 1989, 1987). Information will be shared as it becomes available to us throughout the week. Please make sure you are following the updated Facebook page: Middletown Athletic Department (Middies).
State Semifinal Ticket Sales Information: Ticket sales will go live Monday, November 24th at noon. Tickets are likely to sell out quickly due to facility capacity.
State Semifinal Ticket Cost: Adults $16 and students $10
Click here to purchase: https://www.ohsaa.org/tickets
| | Spotlight from Student Services: Success Liaisons | |
With Gratitude for Our Success Liaisons
As we celebrate the season of gratitude in Middletown City Schools, we want to shine a light on a group of people who make a life-changing difference every day—our Success Liaisons. Through a strong partnership with the Butler County Educational Service Center, these caring adults build trusting relationships with families, listen with compassion, and help remove barriers that make school challenging. Their work reminds us that when families feel supported, students can focus, grow, and succeed.
Our Success Liaisons help families with many different needs, including food, clothing, school supplies, housing support, transportation, and healthcare connections. Last year alone, they supported 445 students and helped dozens of families find stability during difficult times. But the real impact is seen in the words families share, many say they finally felt “seen,” “safe,” and “not alone.” This program is built on the belief that every child deserves a strong foundation, and sometimes that begins with a caring adult stepping in at just the right moment.
This November, we offer heartfelt thanks to our dedicated liaisons: Keileigh Bennett, Julie Caito, Emily Morgan, and Myla Perry, whose kindness and commitment make a powerful difference in the lives of our students and families. Their efforts help create brighter futures across Middletown City Schools. We are truly grateful for the compassion they bring to our community each and every day.
| | Message from Treasurer Randy Bertram | |
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Middletown Community
As we reflect on this year’s financial outlook, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to the Middletown community for your unwavering support of our schools. Local taxpayers continue to play a vital role in sustaining high-quality educational opportunities for our students.
Thanks to your generosity, local taxes account for over 35% of our district’s total revenue, with real estate taxes alone contributing 30.43% of our general fund. This steady and reliable support forms the foundation of many services our students rely on each day.
In reviewing recent trends, real estate tax revenue has shown consistent, healthy growth—rising from $24.4 million in 2021 to a projected $33.7 million by 2030. This stability helps us plan responsibly for the future, keep classrooms strong, and ensure that students have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Your investment in our schools is an investment in Middletown’s future. We are deeply grateful for your continued trust and partnership as we work together to provide the best possible education for every child. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our students, staff, and community.
| | ‘Show up, Rise up’ Campaign at MMS and MHS | | | | |
Showing Up Matters, Every Day
The Show Up Rise Up Attendance Campaign began at Middletown High School and Middle School in October. Over 50% of students achieved perfect attendance for the designated "Win the Week" challenge.
Students earned a $10 gift card to BW3s for October and a free sub card to Jersey Mike's for November.
One MHS and MMS student winner is selected from a raffle each month and can choose from large ticket items as their prize. Each student has been excited to choose their prize, we have given away a Playstation 5, Apple Airpods Max and 2 $500 Amazon gift cards.
The next "Win the Week" challenge is December 8th-13th.
All students who have perfect attendance for a "win the week" challenge will have their name in a raffle for the grand prize! The grand prize includes premium tickets to a home Bengals game, transportation to the game, an on-field experience and a signed Chase Brown jersey!
We extend our sincere appreciation to CareSource and Chase Brown for partnering with us. Together, we can rise up, show up, and Win the Week.
| | Stay In The Game Invites Middies to FC Cincinnati Game | | |
A huge shoutout to our amazing partners at FC Cincinnati for providing tickets for us to use as a giveaway to a home playoff game!
Our staff and students had an incredible time — the weather was perfect, the energy was electric, and the BIG win made the night even better! FC Cincinnati defeated the Columbus Crew 2-1 in Game 3 of their Audi MLS Cup Playoffs series at TQL Stadium, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Brenner scored both goals for Cincinnati, including the game-winner in the 86th minute, which was assisted by S. Gidi.
Middies, let’s keep the spirit going — continue to #StayInTheGame. And who knows — maybe Gary the Lion will stop by soon to share some FC Cinci pride with our Middies!
| | Upcoming Dates to Remember | | |
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
November:
11/24-11/28- No School, Thanksgiving Break
11/28- Middletown Football Game, State Semi-Final game vs St Xavier at Welcome Stadium
December:
12/1- Return to school
12/8-12/12- "Win The Week" Attendance Challenge at MMS and MHS
12/11- Orchestra and Band Holiday Concert @7pm at MHS Auditorium
12/18- Winter Choir Concert @7pm at MHSAuditorium
12/19- End Quarter 2
12/22-1/5- Winter Break
January:
1/5- Staff PD Day, No Students
1/6- Return to school
| | Middletown City Schools Transportation Facility Demolition | | |
If you’ve driven past the Middletown City Schools Transportation Facility recently, you’ve probably noticed some big changes! The fences went up, and the building was taken down. Demolition began November 3rd and moved fast—taking only about five hours to bring down the original 1985 facility, which was built by Conger Construction. The cleared space will soon become the new bus entrance and parking lot for our upcoming Maintenance and Transportation Facility, also being built by Conger Construction.
Superintendent Houser shared her excitement about the project:
“This new transportation and maintenance facility is a big win for our bus drivers and maintenance team—the people who keep Middletown City Schools moving every day. The new building includes expanded service bays, a modern bus wash, secure parking for our fleet, updated break areas, training and meeting spaces, and improved storage for parts and equipment. More than that, it’s a comfortable home base where our transportation and maintenance teams can connect, recharge, and take pride in the essential work they do for our students.”
We’re thrilled to see this progress and look forward to sharing more updates as construction continues! Stay tuned for updates on the new facility!
| | In Case You Missed It On Social Media | | |
Miller Ridge Hands-On Learning
Miller Ridge partnered with the Butler County Sheriff's Department to bring an unforgettable, high-engagement learning experience to our students!
Throughout the day, students rotated through stations featuring specialized vehicles and equipment, discovering the many incredible ways officers serve our community — from the bomb squad and drone operations to water rescue teams and more.
The excitement reached new heights when the entire school headed outside to watch a helicopter land right on campus! Students were able to walk up close, explore its size, and see the impressive technology onboard.
A huge thank you to the Butler County Sheriff's Department for bringing real-world learning to our campus and creating such interactive, memorable demonstrations for our students!
#MiddieRising
See more on Facebook
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A Book Tasting at MHS
Middletown High School English teacher Lauren Hatfield has created a one-of-a-kind activity that gives students the chance to share their projects for the Literature Circle unit.
Students rotated through table sessions, explored books and projects that peers created, both in their class and Hatfield's other sections.
Meghan Davidson and her students served hot chocolate with marshmallows at Middie Common Grounds. They shared elevated hot chocolate recipes with students and staff that attended the event, recipes they would like to create, including toasted s'mores.
This activity highlighted the value of collaboration, engaging instruction, and connecting learning to student interests—all while fostering a lifelong love of reading through exposure to new titles for independent enjoyment.
#MiddieRising
See more on Facebook
| | | Feedback and Contact Information | |
Feedback
Do you have a positive story to tell involving your student(s) or school community?
communications@middletowncityschools.com
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Contact Us
Administrative Office
One Donham Plaza, 4th Floor
Middletown, OH 45042
Phone: 513.423.0781
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Join Our Team
For information on current and anticipated openings, please visit the Human Resources page on our website.
#MiddieRising
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