Many students consent to vaccine

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 04:51 PM

A total of 1,850 students have consent for the H1N1 vaccine, said Debbie Alberico, school communication specialist.

City Nursing director Jackie Phillips said she could begin this week or early next week giving shots to high-risk students.

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Two cases of H1N1 at private school

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 03:22 PM

Two students from Middletown Christian Schools have been diagnosed with H1N1 flu, said spokesman Roger Brandenburg.

A high school student and elementary school student this week and last, Brandenburg said.

The school is sending information to staff and students on good hygiene, like covering a sneeze with an elbow and washing hands.

Students with flu-like symptoms are also disinfecting their desks at the end of the day.

The school also has a standing policy that students cannot come to school with a fever.

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Middletown to review superintendent candidates

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 02:43 PM

The Middletown Board of Education has set a special meeting to review applications for superintendent next month.

The board will do that in a private session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

That’s all the info that’s available so far, the applications are not yet in the school’s hands.

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Amanda Elementary School celebrates fall

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 11:42 AM

Amanda Elementary School had a colorful family event Tuesday, Oct. 21.

See our photos from it here.

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Middletown student play this weekend

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 10:15 AM

Middletown High School students are using their fall play this weekend to tell the true story of a little boy who celebrated life even as he struggled with two illnesses.

“The Yellow Boat” brings the audience into the colorful mind of Benjamin Saar, a boy from Arizona who was born with hemophilia and died at age 8 from AIDS-related complications after contracting the disease through blood transfusions.

“It’s more of a celebration of life than a sad story,” said Gracie Taylor, who portrays Benjamin.

Just an hour and 15 minutes long, the story, written by Benjamin’s father, David Saar, takes the audience from Benjamin’s birth into his time in the hospital, where he drew colors and shapes to share his physical pain.

“It’s colorful. It’s touching. It’s really, really heartwarming,” said senior Chloe Manning, who plays a child psychologist who tries to bring color into the sterile white hospital.

This will be the last play for longtime Middletown teacher Karen Griesinger.

How to go:

Cost: Tickets are $5

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More Middletown students eligible for private school scholarships

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 07:14 AM

Students from Verity Middle School are now eligible to apply for a state scholarship to attend private school.

Ohio’s EdChoice program provides scholarships to attend participating private schools to students from schools that have been rated in academic watch or academic emergency - the lowest two ratings on the state report card - for two of the past three years.

Verity has been rated in “academic watch” two of the last three years, according to the Ohio Department of Education.

Students at Amanda, Highview and Rosa Parks elementary schools are also eligible to apply to the EdChoice program.

The application period is Feb. 1, 2010 through April 16, 2010.

Get more info from the state here.

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Meet the candidates

By Meagan Engle | Monday, October 19, 2009, 03:00 PM

Community members are invited to meet the candidates for local trustee and school boards races Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The Madison Lions Club will sponsor a Meet the Candidates Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Madison Junior/Senior High School Commons.

Candidates will discuss the future of Madison Township and Madison Local Schools.

They will also provide prepared responses to questions given to them in advance and answer audience questions that evening using an index card process.

Madison Lions Club members will moderate the event, which has been structured to present each candidate and the Madison community in an equal and positive light.

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