Princeton City Schools Summer 2021 Viking Report

Superintendent’s Message Message from Lillian Hawkins, PhD Our Community Is Our Campus Board of Education, Reflecting back on the past two school Our students, staff and families tackled President years, it is clear that “Our Community multiple learning models and new Is Our Campus.” Through educational regulations while maintaining powerful Dear Students, Parents, and programs, in-person and virtual learning, personal relationships and continued growth Community Partners, business and community opportunities, opportunities. Each change and adaptation outreach and parent programs, the growth brought its own set of challenges that we Princeton’s Board of Education is of experiences in our neighborhoods, faced together as a community, with Viking dedicated to giving our children and providing food and connectivity, Pride. the best possible education, despite Princeton City School District reaches all aspects of our community. I appreciate the We cannot underestimate the impact that pandemic conditions. Our outstanding efforts our staff members have learning flexibility and resilience has had on teachers and administrative team made to collaborate, communicate, and our students and ourselves this year. Social are committed to making sure our keep families engaged, regardless of the and emotional wellness and coping skills are students learn and grow. physical location. critically important to our students’ success inside and outside the classroom. This year We continue to celebrate the My sincere congratulations to the Class was a hands-on bootcamp in developing excellence of our schools that are of 2021 and also to all our students, staff resilience, personal responsibility, and receiving national recognitions and families that finished this school year determination. featured in this Viking Report. strong. We began the school year with We are Princeton Proud! more unknowns than ever before, and I Even through all of these unique am proud, and you should be too, of the challenges, we have seen the vast majority The Board extensively reviewed progress made this year! of our students continue to grow and the Strategic Plan and Equity See Our Community page 2 Plan and firmly believes that our students will continue to experience the Princeton Advantage. We will continue to empower each student for college, career, and life success and help each one to successfully navigate a culturally diverse and technologically advanced world.

We thank you for trusting us with your most precious treasure. Go Vikes! Congratulations to Evendale Elementary School and Sharonville Elementary School for being selected as 2021 Hall of Fame Schools by the Ohio Association of Lillian A. Hawkins, PhD Elementary School Administrators. The award ceremonies were held virtually on Board President Zoom and featured evidence of what makes these schools Hall of Fame worthy. The videos can be found on the PrincetonVikings YouTube channel.

Summer 2021 1 Superintendent’s Message

...Our Community Continued from page 1 achieve. At Princeton, we don’t plans for the future. Earlier this year, the success, and building an equitable and limit our measurement of skills and Board of Education approved a Strategic inclusive school environment for all. learning to standardized test scores. Plan to guide the district’s work and Each of these is critically important to Daily, we are monitoring and tracking measure success. Additionally, our our ability as a community to support student learning - we call these Equity in Action plan continues to keep our students now and into the future. “formative assessments.” Our formative equity and inclusion at the forefront of assessments show growth and progress, all we do in our schools. We have prevailed in many ways this and that’s a great outcome! year and we are looking forward to As many of you know, ensuring continuing our journey together as we Consistent and steady growth means equitable learning environments for transition in the new school year. our students will be ready for what students is a key area of focus for our With Princeton Pride, comes next, whether it’s the next grade District. Equity happens when each or their next adventure after graduation. child receives what they need to develop We also know that every student, no their full academic and social potential. matter how high their achievement, can Our job is to ensure that every child in Tom Burton benefit from more time with teachers to our District has equitable opportunities Superintendent solidify their core academic, social, and for success. emotional skills. It is important to share that our Not only did our students and staff District has a detailed, goal-oriented continue to achieve in the classroom, plan of how we are meeting the needs we also made strides as a district on our of our students, preparing them for

Above: Superintendent Burton with 2021 Valedictorian Andrea George Right Top: Rising Seniors learn about college opportunities Right Bottom: Ms. Young’s Mystery Class at Stewart Elementary

2 Viking Report Treasurer’s Message Excellence in Financial Reporting In April, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber community tax dollars responsibly and reports of expenditures by goal and visited Princeton City Schools to invest those dollars where it matters objective to the Board of Education personally deliver our Auditor of State most—in our classrooms. and Cabinet-level administrators. Award with Distinction for Excellence By December 2021, the Treasurer in Financial Reporting. This wasn’t the We continue to thank our community will develop communication and first time Princeton received this award, for their support when passing the documentation to share financial but it was the first time it was personally operating levy in November 2019. The information internally and externally to delivered by the State Auditor! new tax dollars allow us to continue include: to provide extraordinary opportunities • Present annually/semi-annually the Auditor Faber reported that only 4% to our students and staff that make the five-year forecast at each building, of all audited local government entities Princeton Advantage so unique. • Monthly financial reports shared in the state receive this award! This is with staff in Friday Update, not a Treasurer’s Office award—this This year the Board passed a new • Place Frequently Asked Questions is a Princeton award. The district strategic plan which included the fiscal (FAQ) on the Treasurer’s web page received this award due to the tireless objective: The district will continue addressing topics of interest to staff work of the Treasurer’s Office team, to hold high standards for fiscal and stakeholders, as well as the support of the Board of responsibility and stewardship. Our • Create and support a Community Education, the Administrative team, and strategies to support this objective Finance Committee represented by the staff. When we all work together include: community stakeholders. and follow solid fiscal processes and • In order to provide financial procedures, awards such as this, the resources and services to support As always, please do not hesitate to Association of School Business Officials the Princeton City School contact me or any member of my staff International’s Certificate of Excellence District’s students and staff in the Treasurer’s Office if we can be of in Financial Reporting Award, and by June 2022, all general fund assistance. Go Vikes! the Government Finance Officers requisitions will list the Strategic Association’s Certificate of Achievement Plan goal and objective that the for Excellence in Financial Reporting purchase supports. Award, will continue. The awards • By September 2022, the Chris Poetter support our objective to manage our Treasurer will provide quarterly Treasurer

• The chart shows revenue, expenses, and cash balance for fiscal years 2020-2025 as of May 2021 (the deadline for submitting the Five Year Forecast to the state.) The district has a very positive Above: Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber presents the State Award with financial picture, with the cash on hand at the end of FY25 above Distinction for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Princeton the Board cash policy threshold. Finance Department. • The district continues to wait for the state to complete the biennial Front row: Keith Faber, Susie Celek, Teri Riesenberg, and Chris budget process which is due by June 30, 2021. The expectation Poetter, Treasurer; is that Princeton’s state revenue should increase and this will Back row: Janet Wells, Kristy Garrison, Jodi Wright, and Karen Mills improve our bottom line even more. • The district’s final plan for the federal ESSER funds was not completed prior to the forecast deadline, this too will also benefit the final cash balance positively. Summer 2021 3 Empowering Life Success with Signing Days

Princeton High School started a tradition 12 years ago of their opportunities available to them at Princeton High School, an “Academic Signing Day,” where the Top 20 students in by participating in academics or sports, career training, college the class celebrate their future plans. Since then, Princeton credit classes, and industry certifications. Having access to has added additional signing events including a Military multiple learning options assists our graduates in becoming Commitment Signing, Business Students Celebration, Work successful and financially secure much earlier in life. Force Signing, and Music Signing, along with the traditional Signing Days are a way of recognizing students’ hard work and Athletic Signings when student athletes announce plans to the value of the career-preparation training they have received continue their sports in college. through Princeton’s programs. We are Princeton Proud of our These senior year celebrations for students who are students! enrolling, enlisting, or entering the workforce with a plan, have grown and changed as Princeton offers more pathways to graduation. These students have maximized SigningSigning DayDay PhotosPhotos

The 2021 Military Signing announcements included six Allie Lindblad (vocal - Miami University), Michael students who are entering the Armed Forces. Morgan (horn- Northern Kentucky University) and United States Army - Rashawn Lee Marvin Harshaw (alto saxophone - Central State United States Navy - Parker Bishop, Jonathon Helton, and University) were three students from the Princeton John Knox Music Department who announced they would United States Air Force - Dylan Buell continue their education in music related fields. Ohio Army National Guard - Mahlayna Buchannon

Not pictured: Senior Solo Recital: Jazmine Garcia, flute; Michael Morgan, horn; Allie Lindblad, soprano; Andera George, violin; Nolan Gardner, bassoon; Maria Leonhardt, clarinet

Above left: Sixteen students participated in a Work Force Signing, including Derrin Buis, Logan Hoskins, and Steven Schulte. Above right: Business Teacher Rebecca McCowan with some of her students who completed a four-year program, including Tahj Marshall-Talbert, Shawndale Thomas, Kevin Ramirez, Jaylin Roberson, Jordan Robinson, Abigya Kebede, Lelana Moore, Jayme Thompson, Sincere Bridges, and Charles Redmon.

4 Viking Report Springdale Elementary named ESEA Distinguished School Springdale Elementary School received the prestigious honor of being named a 2020 National ESEA Distinguished School, an award given to only 100 schools nationwide. Springdale is being recognized for the school’s efforts in closing student achievement gaps between student groups for two or more consecutive years. “We are thrilled to have our teachers, staff and students recognized for their hard work,” said Lisa Tenbarge, Springdale Elementary principal. “When we close student achievement gaps, we create a more even playing field for our students to succeed in school, career, and life.” The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is a project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators that publicly recognizes schools for their positive educational advances. Springdale was only one of two schools in Ohio chosen by the Ohio Department of Education based on outstanding performance. “We strive to provide each student with what they need to reach their fullest individual potential academically, emotionally and socially,” said Tom Burton, superintendent. “I’m proud of our faculty and staff who have worked so hard with our students to make noticeable progress in closing achievement gaps; we will continue this hard work until all of our students have the tools and support they need to achieve their fullest potential.” Strategic Plan and Equity in Action Plan to Accelerate Student Learning for All

Princeton City Schools adopted a three- Leading the team to year Strategic Plan and an Equity in implement the Equity Plan Action Plan to set specific and measurable across the district are goals aligned to the district’s vision to Dr. Mari Phillips, Associate prepare each student to become lifelong Superintendent, learners and responsible citizens ready to Theresa Warren, Director meet the ever-changing challenges of the future. of Special Education, and Dr. Kevin Jamison, “Our strategic and equity plans are Assistant Superintendent inspired by our students,” said Tom of Human Resources. Burton, superintendent. “Our students have endless potential and we want to do everything in our power to create a school community where every student Driven by detailed goals and timelines, the framework with student success and is supported on a personal, social and plan focuses on action steps to improve wellness at the core of each goal and academic level and is empowered for structures, practices, and performance to objective. college, career, and life success.” close the racial, linguistic, and achievement “We are grateful to our community for The district’s three-year strategic plan sets gaps. engaging in this process and sharing five strategic goals: “We celebrate our diverse community and their insightful and personal input and student body at Princeton City Schools,” feedback so that we could identify • Responsibility added Burton. “This action-oriented specific areas for growth,” added Lillian equity plan shows our commitment to Hawkins, Princeton City Schools’ Board • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion ensuring students, staff, families, and of Education president. “We are excited • Academics community members of all cultures and about how the plans embody our core • Communication perspectives are provided an inclusive, values, will accelerate student learning welcoming environment where all students for each Princeton student and allow the • Health & Safety are encouraged to reach their greatest district to measure and share progress potential.” with our community and families.” Each goal has defined, measurable Both of the district’s newly adopted If you would like more information, please objectives with deadlines beginning in the plans were developed using a six-step contact Tricia Roddy at 513-864-1093 2021-22 school year. process, driven by community and family or [email protected]. The plans involvement and aligned to the district’s are also available on our website and at Equal access to success is the cornerstone vision, mission and core principles. the QR codes listed under the District of the District’s Equity in Action Plan. The plans also follow a student-centered Accolades, Awards, and Highlights.

Summer 2021 5 PRINCETON’S ACADEMIC TOP TWENTY STUDENTS FOR 2021

Andrea George Thomas Benjamin Ella Hiles Parents: Molly and Parents: Karin and Parents: Tracy and Biju George Tom Benjamin Michael Hiles Intended college, Intended college, Intended college, major: University of major: University of major: Marshall Cincinnati, Electrical Cincinnati, Pre-med University, Journalism Engineering What I like most about What I like most What I like most Princeton: The best thing about Princeton about Princeton: I love the people at about Princeton: The best thing about is how the welcoming and caring staff and Princeton. From the fantastic teachers I Princeton is that I like the teachers and teachers prepare you for the real world, and have had the pleasure of having to the staff the most because they’re all cool how you make lifelong friends. amazing friends I’ve made along the way, people that I’ve gotten to know over the How I want to be remembered at PHS: it is the people that make Princeton a great years and have created strong bonds with I want to be remembered as someone who place. The people I have met here seem them. is exceptionally humble and wants to make to really put pride into their lives at PHS How I want to be remembered at PHS: everyone happy. To always be the shoulder and seem to want to make Princeton even better. I want to be remembered as someone who for anyone to lean on and to always have makes people happy. others’ backs. Not only this, but as a strong Favorite Princeton Experience: I would and dedicated worker who can still be laid like to be remembered at Princeton for my back and have fun. four year varsity run on Academic Quiz Aaron White Team. Parents: Shelley and Madelyn Sherwood Aaron White Joey Lin Intended college, Parents: Debbie and Thomas Sherwood Parents: Juan and major: University of MengYang Lin Cincinnati, IT Intended college, major: The University Intended college, What I like most major: Stoney Brook about Princeton: The best thing about of Cincinnati, Business and Environmental University, Health Princeton is all of the unique opportunities Science that I have received. Science What I like most How I want to be remembered at PHS: What I like most about Princeton: The best thing about Princeton is the endless about Princeton: I like the enviroment I want to be remembered as being a leader opportunities, having a second family, and the school has. I am not just a number at and setting a perfect example for other the incredible teachers and staff. PHS. My teachers know me and I feel that students. How I want to be remembered at PHS: I can easily communicate with them.

I want to be remembered as being kind and How I want to be remembered at PHS: James Moores someone who perseveres. I want to be remembered as being a girl Parents: Patty and Art that doesn’t smile a lot, but loves everyone Moores she meets. Joshua Kinney Intended college, major: UC Main Parents: Janet and Matthew Imm Kevin Kinney Campus, Chemical Parents: Tina and Ed Engineering Intended college, Imm major: University of What I like most about Princeton: Intended college, Cincinnati, Chemical The best thing about Princeton is the major: Purdue engineering wonderful teachers I had. University, Mechanical How I want to be remembered at PHS: Engineering I want to be remembered as the smartest What I like most about Princeton: What I like most about idiot in the room. The best thing about Princeton is that I felt Princeton: like if I wanted to succeed here I could; The best thing about Princeton is that the there were many opportunities to do what Ashley Boyd teachers here truly care about the success I wanted and even more helpful teachers of their students. Parent: Jonathan along the way. Boyd How I want to be remembered at PHS: How I want to be remembered at PHS: I want to be remembered for just trying to Intended college, make classes more fun for everyone. major: The Ohio State I want to be remembered as the kid that University, Biology, spent way too much time and money on cars. Pre-med track Emaewet Joshua What I like most about Princeton: My Parents: Umoh favorite thing at Princeton is the variety of Nseobong and Nseobong courses available, especially the option to Joshua Udo take IB classes. Intended college, How I want to be remembered at PHS: major: Ohio University, I would like to be remembered for my Biological Sciences, honesty and bluntness. Pre-Med

6 Viking Report TWENTY STUDENTS FOR 2021 What I like most about Princeton: Naomi Rust How I would like to be remembered: The best thing about Princeton is the Parents: Tracy and Joe I want to be remembered for doing the best community ISN’T just a community. It’s Rust I can everyday and finding myself in these 4 a big family, and I’ll miss all my teachers years here. terribly. Intended college, major: University of How I want to be remembered at PHS: Cincinnati, Biomedical I want to be remembered for being true to Engineering Brooklyn Bowen myself, my family, and my Nigerian roots. Parents: Gretchen and What I like most about Princeton: The William Bowen best thing about Princeton is the ability Intended college, major: Damian Tillie to have multiple tiers of education to suit Virginia State University, Parents: Dawn and each persons needs for example College Computer Engineering Dustin Tillie Prep, Honors, College Credit Plus, Advance Placement, and International Baccularrate. What I like most about Intended college, Princeton: I like how Princeton has a very major: Franklin How I want to be remembered at PHS: diverse student body which allows students College, Exercise I would like to be remembered for investing to keep an open mind to people who may Science, Physical in my friendships. relying on quality rather come from different social and cultural Therapy than quantity. backgrounds. What I like most about Princeton: The How I want to be remembered at PHS: best thing about Princeton is all of the Nathan Anderson I want to be remembered for my dedication opportunities that many other school to my education, my athletic career, and districts do not offer. Parents: Karen and Jeffery Anderson my community. I hope that I have set How I want to be remembered at PHS: an example to the upcoming classes by I want to be remembered as being a hard Intended college, demonstrating that if you put your mind to worker and an enjoyable person to be major: University of something you can accomplish anything. around. Cincinnati, Information Technology What I like most about Princeton: Elena Monnin The best thing about Princeton is how Aidan Morgenroth Parents: Jackie Woods memorable every teacher I’ve had has been. Parents: Aryn and Jack and Steve Monnin How I want to be remembered at PHS: Morgenroth Intended college, I want to be remembered for being able Intended college, major: major: The Ohio State to answer questions or give advice when Ohio Northern University, University, Architectural needed. Political Science in the Engineering Pre-Law program What I like most about Rachel Hammonds What I like most about Princeton: The thing I like most about Princeton: Princeton has some of the best Parents: Mindy and Princeton is the diversity of students we classes, staff, and students around. Princeton Ralph Hammonds have, it is something to be extremely proud has many levels of classes to cater to of. Intended college, major: everyone’s needs and let’s everyone grow. How I want to be remembered at PHS: Undecided, Biology From a variety of music to academic classes, I want to be remembered as the girl who What I like most about you can always find your passion. The staff always gave 110% no matter what the goal Princeton: The thing I makes every student feel special. They go was. liked best at Princeton was definitely the out of their way to help each individual be real-world stimulation and preparation that the best they can be. And every student has allowed me to grow as a person and as a the power to be the best they can be. But Abigya Kebede student. we all also demonstrate friendship to help Parents: Genet Tolossa How I want to be remembered at PHS: succeed in life. And that is shown tonight and Zenabu Kebede with 20 of the best students here tonight. I want to be remembered for growing as a We are all amazing individuals but we are Intended college, person and finally letting myself just be me. major: The University stronger together. of Notre Dame, How I want to be remembered at PHS: psychology I want to be remembered for my dedication What I like most about Princeton: What Awa Thiam to the school as well as how I was friendly I like most about Princeton is its ability to Parents: Medina Diouf to everyone. I have a passion for school make anyone feel welcomed and looked and Amady Thiam and the arts and I hope I was able to make a after. You feel like everyone wants the best Intended college, major: difference in every life that I touched. for you and is willing to work with you to University of Cincinnati, help you achieve anything. Nursing How I want to be remembered at PHS: What I like most about I want to be remembered as a friend and Princeton: I like how many opportunities student who was kind to others as well as a and pathways Princeton has to get to hard worker. graduation and start our futures.

Summer 2021 7 2020-21 Accolades, Awards, and Highlights

District

Reveal and implementation of the Strategic Plan 2020 - 2023

Implementation of the district’s Academic Achievement Plan

Development and implementation of the district’s Equity Plan • The Parent Education Series presented • The Custodial/Maintenance Team eight topics delivered virtually from a has done a great job of keeping our panel of experts to address concerns staff and students safe during the including vaccinations, stress and pandemic. The custodial staff adopted anxiety due to COVID-19, vaping, new cleaning procedures that included digital citizenship, and general sanitizing all high touch surfaces Implementation of the district’s One2One questions relating to our schools. throughout the day, wiping down Technology Plan • All schools submitted media for all students and teaching desks with Princeton’s Virtual Festival of the disinfectant, and at night all classrooms Arts. were sprayed with either the Clorox 360 machines or one of our other • The Princeton Operations Department electrostatic sprayers. has been proactive in the purchasing • Princeton Technology Department and distribution of Personal Protective • Every room was sprayed monthly with distributed 2,570 Chromebooks to Equipment (PPE), for our staff and an antimicrobial spray that killed students for access during remote students to be protected and safe. We germs for 30 days. The maintenance learning. 180 WiFi devices were have purchased over 1,500 gallons staff worked closely with our consultant distributed in the community to assist of hand sanitizer, 300 thermometers, to make airflow adjustments that with internet access. 3,300 face shields, 300 canisters of ensured the air in the buildings was • Ohio Auditor of State presented disinfectant wipes, 1,500 gowns, 300- being turned over every 30 minutes the district with the Excellence in foot coverings, 37,000 pairs of gloves, or less. The staff monitored this daily Financial Reporting Award. and over 40,000 disposable masks. and continue to make adjustments as needed. • Over $1,000,000 in Grant Funding • At the beginning of the school year, and awarded to Princeton City Schools. again after winter break, PPE care • A Security Grant of just over $30,000 was awarded from the Ohio • 2021 marks the sixth consecutive packages were distributed to every employee and each classroom in the Department of Education for items year PCSD was named National related to the staff and student security. Association of Music Merchants’ Best district. Communities for Music Education Elementary Schools for “Outstanding Support of Music • All Princeton Preschool programs - Education and Enriching the Lives Evendale, Springdale, Stewart, and of Children and Advancing Student Woodlawn - maintained Five Star Achievement.” Step Up to Quality Rating, the • Princeton Food Services and highest rating possible. community partners served over • Springdale Elementary School 166,550 meals from August 2020 to received the prestigious honor of May 2021. being named a 2020 National ESEA • 468 business partners, with Distinguished School, an award given companies offering students to only 100 schools nationwide. internships and apprenticeships. • Evendale and Sharonville Elementary • National leaders in the Schools were named 2021 Hall of #InclusiveSchoolsWeek initiative. Fame Schools by the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators. 8 Viking Report 2020-21 Accolades, Awards, and Highlights

• Springdale and Heritage Hill’s DARE • Procter & Gamble gifted water bottles Officer, James Beckman was named and laptop cases to 30 second-grade the Dare Officer of the Year by the students at Glendale. Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police. • Fourth-grade classes at Glendale • Heritage Hill, Stewart, Woodlawn, partnered with Ethicon and received and Princeton Community Middle monthly rewards and incentives for School completed steps and meeting goals. applications to be considered for • Heritage Hill Elementary named a Purple Star School Designations. School of Character Winner by the • HOPE Squads were started at Character Council of Cincinnati. • Stewart Elementary students held a Sharonville and Stewart Elementary • Power Engineers of Springdale held Schools. Student leaders are trained walkathon that raised $5,000 for the a Scholastic Book Fair, donating school. to talk to peers and help them find a $3,500 to Heritage Hill Elementary. trusting adult to share their concerns, • Virtual Parent Events, including Warm questions, or feelings. • BSI Engineers donated prizes for 200 Winter Wishes, Fun and Fit February, students for Heritage Hill’s iReady and Positive Parenting in a Pandemic • Evendale Elementary had 72 bike Challenge. helmets awarded from the 2021 Put were highly attended by Stewart family A Lid On It Bike Helmet Safety • A Child Hope’s International provided members. Awareness Program. weekly Hope Sacks to all Heritage • Kings Subaru partnered with six Hill students. • Evendale and Springdale schools classrooms at Stewart Elementary both had GaGa Pits built on their • Lincoln Heights Elementary School through an Adopt a Classroom playgrounds, as service projects received a Learning Links grant for program, providing supplies and courtesy of Eagle Scouts Andrew headphones for all remote learners from classroom items. Pence and Steven Higgins. the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. • Mrs. Tracey Artis secured a grant • Evendale students and staff showed • Community partnerships with St. from Target and presented a Dr. thanks to the Evendale Police Monica’s Recreation Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. program at Department by giving their favorite Reconcile Community Church, Woodlawn Elementary. snacks and drinks. The Evendale Fire Valley Interfaith Community • Woodlawn Elementary students and Department was treated to a spaghetti Resource Centre, The Health Gap, staff held a Veterans Day parade. dinner. Signed banners of gratitude Cinti Bell, United Rentals, Local • Woodlawn Elementary students were also presented to our local law UAW, and Amazon provided multiple participated in the Band in a Box enforcement and safety officials. opportunities, supplies, and donations for learners at Lincoln Heights program from Band in a Bus. • Evendale Elementary staff started Elementary. • All elementary Physical Education an after school health and wellness teachers are now equipped with workout program for teachers, doing • The Women’s Capital Club made a $500 projectors to enhance their classroom yoga and cardio workout videos donation to Ms. Melanie Hogue’s learning environment! together in the gym. fourth-grade class at Lincoln Heights for new books. • The Blue Manatee Literacy Project Princeton Community Middle bookstore gifted $1,000 worth of Social • Student Council members at Sharonville School Emotional Learning books to Glendale Elementary School delivered snack • Family Choice Award for best public Elementary School. packs and cards to veterans and middle school from Cincinnati homebound residents. They also made Magazine 2020-2021 Valentine wreaths for residents at the • PCMS Hope Squad was featured Mallard Cove Senior Living Center. nationally as the squad of the week • Sharonville Elementary School was in March for their “We are better named the #1 Most Diverse Public together, welcome back hope week.” School in Ohio by Niche. • 28 Princeton Community Middle • Springdale Elementary staff School band and orchestra musicians members presented at the 2021 Ohio competed in 19 events for ratings Association of Administrators of in the Ohio Music Education State and Federal Programs Spring Association (OMEA) District and 14 Conference. Virtual Junior High School Solo and • Springdale Elementary once again had Ensemble Competition. Our Vikings a group of girls taking part in Girls earned 4 Excellent Ratings and 15 on the Run, a program empowering Superior Ratings. girls to build confidence and life skills through physical activity. Continued on page 10 Summer 2021 9 2020-21 Accolades, Awards, and Highlights Continued from page 9

• Princeton Community Middle School 8th grade football champions • Princeton Community Middle School 8th grade basketball champions • Isaiah Dudley (8th grader) represented PCMS Hope Squad nationally at Grant Us Hope’s Butterfly Blitz fundraiser in October 2020. • Isaiah Dudley (8th grader) and Harlee Fetick (8th grader) were announced as 2021 Lovis Foundation Extraordinary Student Award Winners. This award honors 5th-8th grade students who make a difference in the community by promoting kindness, being selfless, demonstrating compassion, and/or giving to the less fortunate. • Claudia Petell from the University of Alabama at Birmingham zoomed with our 8th grade gifted Science • Over 5.86 million dollars in scholarships • Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020 students to teach them about genetic awarded to the Class of 2021 was inducted into the Princeton Hall of research in mice and how she uses that • 2 International Baccalaureate Diploma Fame. to solve real world problems. Candidates • TECH ED secured a $3,500 grant to • 8th Grade Science received a grant • 35 Honors Diploma Candidates provide take-home STEAM kits for from Tyto Online Gaming to teach students in the STEAM program so • 81 students were inducted into the the students about content standards that remote learners could still conduct National Honor Society through gaming. meaningful project-based learning. • 108 College Credit Plus participants in • Mrs. Kristen Brown collaborated • Secured a $5,000 grant to build Class of 2021 with Band in a Bus, a non-profit infrastructure for a laptop library organization, to provide Band in a Box • 29 students in the Class of 2021 were project that the IT Club has been instruments to students at Woodlawn 4-Year STEAM Graduates Elementary, and Adaptive Music • 91 Distinguished Science Graduates students at PCMS and PHS. • 37 students graduated with over a 4.0 weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) Princeton High School • The Tri-M Music Honor Society • PHS was honored with the Purple Star inducted 78 PHS students. School designation. • Princeton Navy Junior Reserve Officers • ONLY school that offers an Training Corp (NJROTC) earned the International Baccalaureate (IB) Area Three Distinguished Unit with Program in Southwest Ohio. Honors, the top award recognizing the best unit amongst the 56 units in designated area. • 18 students in the Youth Built Change research class presented findings on substance abuse by creating to supplement tech resources examining participation in sports, available to Princeton students. isolation due to COVID, the DARE • Our partnership with Procter & Gamble program, and motivation. The has placed Princeton 22 high school students collected their data by students in paid IT internships. virtual interviews, surveys, and • The City of Sharonville and Mayor virtual focus groups to assist with Kevin Hardman declared November their conclusions. 10, 2020, as DECA Day in the city. • 41 seniors graduated as a result • 16 management students took a six- of the blended learning opportunity week project management course. they had at the Innovation Center.

10 Viking Report 2020-21 Accolades, Awards, and Highlights

Athletics • Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Athletes of the Week - We had over 100 student- athletes honored as GMC Athlete of the Week in 2020-2021. • Greater Miami Conference All-Academic Award was presented to 42 student- athletes through the winter season. • 30 Fall and Winter student-athletes recognized as All-GMC performers. • Leroy Bowers, Mekhi Lynn, Lamont Jackson, and Rodney Harris were named to the All-Southwest District Football Team. • 2 Football Players, Leroy Bowers and Mekhi Lynn, were named to the All-Ohio State Team. • Brooklyn Bowen was a Southwest District Qualifier in Tennis. • Grace Abrams was a Southwest District Qualifier in Cross Country. • During the winter season, Bowen Hardman, Dede Carter Hartley, Madison Roshelle, and Greg Johnson received All- • At the Innovation Center, English • Mary Kimble, (horn) was chosen for Southwest District recognition. • Basketball player, Bowen Hardman was Learner (EL) students are creating the Cincinnati Symphonic Youth honored as an All-Ohio player. digital portfolios for future Orchestra Philharmonic. • Cody Carlson was a Bowling District employment opportunities and • Kindall Benjamin, performing on Qualifier. exhibited greater literacy and computer the double bass, was selected for the • The Viking Girls Basketball Team was the competency. Cincinnati Symphonic Youth Concert District Runner up. • PHS Senior Art student, Elena Monnin Orchestra. • 23 Student-athletes have signed to continue their athletic careers at the next level. was selected as a Cameo Award • Two PHS students, Brandon Rengering Recipient for the Ohio Governor’s • Lamont Jackson was named Greater Miami (tenor sax/clarinet) and Evie Fortner Conference Boys Field Athlete of the Youth Art Exhibition for 2021. (alto sax) were members of the Greater Year 2021. Cincinnati Youth Jazz Collaborative. • Mekhi Lynn placed 8th in the 200-meter dash at the OHSAA State Championship. • 72 Princeton High • Boys Track 4x100 Relay team of Kobi School band, orchestra Mensah, Mekhi Lynn, TJ Engleman, and choir musicians who Leroy Bowers set the GMC record. competed in 40 events for • Girls Track won Regional Championships and was GMC Runner Up, District ratings in the Ohio Music Runner Up and took 6th place at State. Education Association • Madison Roshelle won 2nd place in the long Virtual High School Solo jump at the OHSAA State Championship. and Ensemble Competition. • Keniya Dexter placed 8th in the 800-meter Our Vikings represented dash at the OHSAA State Championship. well earning 13 Excellent • The 4 x 200 Relay Team of Reese Riep, Ratings and 27 Superior Isabella Williams, Shavaz Brown, Ratings. Madison Roshelle came in 4th place at State. • The 4 x 100 Relay Team of Shavaz Brown, Reese Riep, Isabella Williams, Madison Roshelle place 3rd at State. • All-State Honors for Girls Water Polo were • PHS Junior Art Student, Yazmyn awarded to Bryn Good, Shania Stone and Kitchen won a National Silver Naomi Rust. Medal Award for the Scholastics Art • Edward Imm, Kyle McDaniel, and AJ White received All-Ohio Honors from Competition. the spring Water Polo season. Edward received first-team honors. Kyle was • PHS Senior, Jordan Robinson’s named Goalie of the Year along with photograph won a Gold Key Award. first-team honors. AJ was named third- It was also one of 5 out of 200 team honors. artworks selected as an American • The Boys Water Polo team was the State Vision Nominee! Championship Runner-Up.

Summer 2021 11 Non-Profit US POSTAGE PAID US MAIL Permit #1345 Viking Report

Princeton City School District Board of Education 3900 Cottingham Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45241 www.princetonschools.net This newsletter was printed entirely by corporate donations. No taxpayer money was used.

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12 Viking Report