MiddletownJournal.com

Free Friday schedule announced

By Meagan Engle | Friday, September 5, 2008, 10:32 AM

I just got this news release from Miami University Middletown about their “fantastic free Fridays”…

Miami University Middletown’s Fantastic Free Fridays series begins its ninth season at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 with a performance by Celtic folk quartet Knot Fibb’n.

Recommended for all ages, Columbus-based Knot Fibb’n features innovative modern arrangements of traditional American-Irish dance tunes, airs and songs.

Other Fantastic Free Fridays performances scheduled for the fall are:

Respect is a Magic Word with magician Stephen Knight at 10 a.m. Oct. 10

Miami University World Percussion Day at 10 a.m. Oct. 24

A Christmas Carol by Artreach Theatre at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Dec. 5

Fantastic Free Fridays performances are open to the public. Groups interested in attending performances should contact Susan Joyce, music faculty member at Miami University Middletown, at joyces@muohio.edu, or by voice mail at (513) 727-3415.

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Sotzing selection unanimous

By Meagan Engle | Thursday, September 4, 2008, 11:05 AM

The Middletown Board of Education will be discussing how to proceed with their search for a new treasurer after Eric Sotzing was unanimously approved for a job with Lebanon.

Sotzing’s start date with the Warren County district hasn’t been nailed down yet, but Middletown board members are expect to approve his resignation at their meeting Monday, Sept. 8.

Sotzing has been with Middletown since 2004, always with an open door policy to the public. He has seen the district through some tough levy times and a $75.8 million Ohio School Facilities Commission building project.

Board Vice President Katie McNeil, who was a part of Sotzing’s hiring, said Wednesday he has been an asset to the district and his departure “will be a loss.”

“I’ve truly appreciated his abilities,” she said. “He’s helped us with building relations with the community.”

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How bad is the heat?

By Meagan Engle | Thursday, September 4, 2008, 10:37 AM

As we face yet another 90 degree day today, schools across the area are dismissing students early to escape the heat in the classrooms.

As more schools bring air conditioning into their classrooms - Franklin recently installed window units in their classrooms and Middletown has new buildings equipped with central air condition - sweaty conditions are becoming less common in our schools.

And even in Carlisle classrooms that aren’t artificially cooled, heat hasn’t been too much of an issue, according to Superintendent Mike Griffith.

Griffith said this year teachers in the second story classrooms of the middle school, which get especially steamy in the summer, were allowed to install window units.

The second floor of the building was “unbearable” before the units were added, he said, but everywhere else “it’s not been too bad.”

“I’ve not heard too much complaining from anybody,” Griffith said.

So how hot does it get in classrooms and does heat hurt learning?

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Who will go?

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, September 2, 2008, 05:27 PM

We could find out tomorrow which local treasurer will be leaving Butler County for a job with Lebanon schools.

After interviewing three candidates, Lebanon narrowed their search to just Madison Local’s treasurer, Mark Zimov, and Eric Sotzing, the treasurer for Middletown City Schools.

I’m told from the reporter covering Lebanon, the district is having a special meeting on their search Wednesday night.

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Events this week

By Meagan Engle | Sunday, August 31, 2008, 01:20 AM

With school back in session, I want to know what your students are doing. As teachers and students get back to the business of school, there are some special events happening this Friday….

12 to 4 p.m. — The Butler County Education Service Center Preschool Programs will host an open house to tour their newly renovated facility at the former site of Middletown’s Central Academy. The dedication ceremony begins at 1 p.m.

2 p.m. — Everyone is invited to help Middletown celebrate the completion of Wildwood Elementary School.

3 p.m. — Central Academy families will be gardening around their new school, at the site of the former Rosedale Elementary School.

If you know of other things you’d like to see in the Journal, just e-mail me or call me at (513) 705-2551.

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Freshmen mindset

By Meagan Engle | Saturday, August 30, 2008, 01:43 AM

This weekend, you’ll be able to read a story about the Beloit Mindset List… a list of things about incoming college freshmen.

For instance, new 18-year-old college students have always been looking for Carmen Sandiego, have always got cappuccino from gas stations, and have always had an alternative to Mickey in Orlando.

I just wanted to give you guys the link to that list. You can also see lists from past years.

Read the story after the jump.

Continue reading "Freshmen mindset"...

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Monroe seeks input on buildings

By Meagan Engle | Friday, August 29, 2008, 01:35 PM

Monroe Local Schools is seeking input on what to do with the district’s buildings. Here’s the release I just got from them:

The Monroe Local Schools saw a growth surge during the past few years. The Yankee Road building is at capacity and Monroe Primary is near capacity now housing PreK-2nd graders. The district must make decisions about facilities within the next several months. We are seeking input from the community before deciding what must be done with our facilities. We will begin the process on September 10 with an informational meeting.

In late spring, the Monroe Local Schools conducted a facilities review of Lemon Monroe High School. Architects from northern Ohio were hired to determine the feasibility of using LMHS as a school again.

From 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10 in the Monroe Jr/Sr High Auditorium, the architects will present their findings. This is an opportunity for the community to hear and see the results of their review of LMHS. The public is invited to attend this important meeting.

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