Mount Vernon City Schoo DISTRICT NEW Spring 2024	Connecting Our Communi

Mount Vernon City Schools: Embarking on a Visionary Master Facility Planning Journey
A message from Superintendent William Seder Jr.

Mount Vernon City Schools is taking a bold step forward in enhancing its educational infrastructure through a
comprehensive Master Facility Planning process. With a commitment to providing a Student-Centered, Future-Focused District with a Growth Mindset surrounded by High Quality Instruction the district will embark on a journey that integrates community input, educational vision, and strategic planning to shape the future of its facilities.

Collecting Information: Building on Data and Vision

At the heart of the Master Facility Planning process lies a robust foundation built on information gathering. Historical Facilities Data, Enrollment Projections, Facilities Assessments, Research on Site Conditions, Educational Vision, and Board of Education Goals serve as the pillars upon which the planning process stands. By analyzing past trends and projecting future needs, the district ensures that its facilities are equipped to meet the evolving demands of education.

The educational vision and goals set forth by the Board of Education provide a compass, guiding the planning process towards alignment with the overarching mission of fostering student success both now and in the future. This phase sets the stage for informed decision-making, where data-driven insights blend seamlessly with the district's aspirations for excellence.

Connecting with Stakeholders: Fostering Community Engagement

Recognizing the vital role of community input in shaping the future of its facilities, Mount Vernon City Schools will establish a Facility Advisory Committee. comprising of Parents, Community Members, Business Leaders, and Educators, this diverse committee of
up to 80 participants represents the collective voice of stakeholders invested in the district's success.

Over the next nine months, the committee will convene six times, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and shared decision-making. Several Thought Exchanges and Community-wide meetings will serve as inclusive
forums where information is exchanged, perspectives are valued, and feedback is actively solicited. This inclusive approach ensures that the Master Facility Planning process remains transparent, participatory, and reflective of the broader community's aspirations.

Creating Options: Crafting a Vision for Tomorrow

The committee's task is to create viable options for the future of Mount Vernon City Schools' facilities. By
considering factors like cost, sustainability, accessibility, and educational impact, they will make a final recommendation to the Board of Education for

consideration. Informed by thorough research, community feedback, and a shared commitment to excellence, this recommendation represents a collective vision for the future of Mount Vernon City Schools' facilities.

Complete with Confidence: A Visionary Path Forward

As Mount Vernon City Schools navigates the many facets of Master Facility Planning, it does so with a steadfast commitment to excellence and community engagement. By involving stakeholders, aligning with educational goals, and making data-driven decisions, the district aims to create a better learning environment for its students and strengthen its ties with the community.

In conclusion, the Master Facility Planning process sets Mount Vernon City Schools on a path toward a more sustainable
and effective educational infrastructure, ensuring that students have the resources they need to succeed in the future.

	DISTRICT NEWS
	SPRING

Mount Vernon City Schools: Navigating Post-
Pandemic Financial Challenges and Opportunities
A message from the Treasurer,
Judy Forney

As we navigate the challenges of emerging from the pandemic, the Mount Vernon City School District is returning to more conventional funding and spending procedures and guidelines.

Our district has appreciated the additional funds the Federal and State governments have generously provided us over the past three years. We were careful to use those
COVID-19 relief funds to fill some existing needs, such as facility updates (roofing and parking lots), and to provide hearty and intensive services to our students as they rebound from the many educational, mental, and physical consequences of the virus on their learning experience.

Financially, we continue to assess every spending decision through the lens of what is best for our students and families, with an ever-present eye on the stability of our finances. Schools, like families, are feeling the pressures of economic inflation. Like you, our district also is paying more for basic needs like utilities, food, fuel for our buses, and educational supplies. While our funding has increased due to increases in property values and the benefits of Ohio’s Fair School Funding formula, inflation has chiseled into those increases.

Our Five-Year Financial Forecast is evidence of our outlook and goals for our near-term and long-term financial story. Our Board and Administration are cautiously beginning the process

Treasurer message continued on page 8

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2024

"Spotlight on Success: Celebrating Learning at Mount Vernon Middle School’s First Annual Academic Showcase"
Darin Prince, MVMS Principal

“When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more..” … Anne Henderson & Karen Mapp

What a night it was! Excitement filled the air as students and staff came together to celebrate learning at our public Academic Showcase on March 14. The event showcased the many achievements of the school year, drawing parents, grandparents, family members, and friends to tour all

areas of our building and engage directly with students and teachers.

Every academic area was highlighted, with open classrooms allowing visitors to see students' outstanding work firsthand. From entertaining performances by our band and
orchestra ensembles to impressive demonstrations by robotics students and creative displays by art students, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Seventh-grader Jordan Minder described this year as "amazing!"

"I have had so much fun this year in Mrs. Sivewright's class," Jordan said. "She makes learning so much fun, from the way she teaches us to study Greek gods to The Inquisitor's Tale novel. I am so excited to learn more, and Mrs. Sivewright even makes me want to learn outside of class! This year is amazing."

Eighth-grader Chase Valentine said

his science class is "so much fun" because of the many engaging activities and experiments. "The cave formation experiment was so fun because I got to see how features form inside caves. I loved it!"

In addition to student showcases, our event featured interactive displays from community partners such as Knox Public Health, MTVarts, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and The Salvation Army, adding depth and variety to the evening's activities.

Our Academic Showcase event provided an excellent opportunity for our community to witness firsthand the dedication, effort, and ingenuity that contribute to the daily achievements of our students at Mount Vernon Middle School.

Mount Vernon City Schools

Safety Always Our Priority, Every Single Day Todd Conant, Director of Transportation

“Beware of the "Danger Zone" around a school bus. Drivers, it may be hard or impossible to see a child in this area – and that’s why you should never pass a stopped school bus.” … NHTSA

Here are some interesting statistics about the Transportation Department at Mount Vernon City Schools. We transport around 1800 students daily to and from school using 23 district-owned buses. We run approximately 50 routes, traveling close to 2,000 miles per day, using 23 full-time bus drivers and a handful of substitute drivers. Our department also has two mechanics, a secretary, and a transportation coordinator, all on board behind the scenes. It truly takes a village to keep our operations running smoothly.

Our days begin bright and early in the morning, with drivers arriving 30 minutes before the buses leave our lot to perform a pre-trip checklist to ensure the safety of our students. We check all of our buses from bumper to bumper, looking at things like bolts and tire pressure, checking for fluid leaks, and testing air brakes. If one of our drivers identifies any problems, one of our two mechanics will fix the issue to ensure all is in good working order before any student steps on a bus. Once the pre-trip inspection is complete, each driver leaves for their routes at the varying designated time. Our goal is for route times to remain as consistent as possible.

Fact ... Ohio's yellow school buses provide students with one of the safest travel methods. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, children traveling on buses rather than traveling by car are 70 times more likely to get to school safely. We are incredibly proud of our safety record at Mount Vernon City Schools. Did you know that the State of Ohio requires every bus driver to recertify every six years and attend four hours of extended training annually? MVCSD Transportation Department also requires drivers to complete three additional training days per year and participate in mandatory monthly meetings to ensure we provide as much safety knowledge and support as possible.

Parents, please do your part by avoiding the "Danger Zone" when driving by or walking around a school bus. This zone is the area around the perimeter of the bus (10 feet on all sides) where children are in danger of not being seen. Parents, please teach your students to make sure they can see the driver when they are outside of the bus. If students can see the driver, the driver can see them!

Before and after pictures of one of our older buses found to require rust repair. The work was completed in-house by
our mechanics, Ben and Caleb.

Students Connect with Real-World Math in Penn State Webinar Andrew Thompson, Columbia Elementary Principal

“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.” … Clay P. Bedford

Fourth—and fifth-grade advanced math students recently participated in a live Penn State University webinar that reached across the United States and several other countries. Mark Bohland, the Gifted Intervention Specialist in math, arranged our
participation in the webinar so that students could see how researchers use mathematical graphs to represent real-world data a post-doctoral study of pollen and Mason Bees native to Ohio.

The webinar session provided a real-world connection to our math study at Columbia. Scientists demonstrated methods of accurately and precisely collecting and displaying that data on
graphs and charts. Dr. Michele Mansfield, director of the Honey and Pollen Diagnostic Lab at Penn State, presented the hour-long webinar, assisted by other university professors.

Columbia continued on page 11

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Global Scholars Diploma: Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders Ellie Martin and Rylee Jarosz, MVHS Jacket Journal Podcast Editors

“As the young leaders of tomorrow, you have the passion and energy and commitment to make a difference. What I'd like to really urge you do is to have a global vision. Go beyond your country; go beyond your national boundaries.” … Ban Ki-moon

needs. Hofferberth's project centered on reducing gender inequality in computer science and STEM fields, offering workshops to middle school girls to encourage their interest in digital art and coding. Martin's project focused on reducing food waste by collecting compost from local businesses and distributing seeds to promote community gardening.

In offering advice to future GSD students, the three emphasized the importance of planning early, having a backup plan, and persevering through setbacks in project development. They highlighted the program's ability to enhance academic transcripts and foster a sense of community engagement, an attractive quality for college applications.

The Global Scholars Diploma (GSD), is a three-year program designed to cultivate globally competent high school students. It focuses on building awareness and skills to address global issues and nurture responsible citizenship.

Jacket Journal Podcast Editors Rylee Jarosz and Ellie Martin had the opportunity to sit down with members Brady Kaufman and Hannah Hofferberth to discuss their years within the program. Martin is also a member of the program. One of their favorite field trips during the program was an eye-opening visit to Audubon Park, which allowed the students to delve into climate change and its environmental impact. Hofferberth also noted the trip to Nestle as her favorite, where discussions revolved around global careers, leaving a lasting impression on the students.

The conversation then shifted to the students' critical	As these students prepare to graduate, their legacy in the learnings from GSD events. The students discussed the	GSD program is a testament to the impact of global profound impact of a session on marketing and its response	education on local communities and the potential of young to the challenges posed by COVID-19. The discussion	minds to address pressing global challenges. To listen to prompted a realization of the scale of the	the Podcast, log onto www.mvjacketjournal.org.

issues affecting their local community and the broader global landscape.

Martin recounted a poignant moment during an event, emphasizing the program's ability to open students' eyes to global issues often overlooked in their local bubble.

The students also shared insights into their GSD projects. Kaufman detailed his initiative with Tradition Woodworks, constructing enclosures for the Ohio
				
Bird Sanct

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DISTRICT NEWS SPRING 2024

Mount Vernon City Schools

Spring Senior Citizens Luncheon

Spring is Here, Your Lunch is Served!

We are delighted to extend a warm invitation to our annual Senior Citizens Spring Luncheon, a cherished tradition at Mount Vernon City Schools. This event will occur on Tuesday, April 30th, from noon - 2 p.m. in the High School gymnasium.

Superintendent Bill Seder looks forward to meeting with you again to share the many wonderful things that are happening in your schools. Mount Vernon is a special place made even better by the treasure we call our ‘Senior Citizens’.

Join us for a memorable afternoon filled with good food, great company, and entertainment. It's an opportunity to connect with fellow community members, engage in meaningful conversations, meet our students, and enjoy a delicious meal prepared especially for you.

So, don’t hesitate!! R.S.V.P. by calling Jessica Shelton at (740) 397-7422, ext 6025, or email her at jshelton@mvcsd.us by Friday, April 19th.

Mount Vernon City Schools Receives
2024 "Best Communities for Music Education Award"

Mount Vernon City Schools has been honored with the prestigious 2024 "Best Communities for Music Education Award" by the NAMM Foundation. This award, now in its 25th year, recognizes and celebrates school districts and individual schools for their unwavering support and dedication to music education.

By ensuring access to music for all students, Mount Vernon City Schools exemplifies a commitment to providing a well-rounded education. This recognition underscores the district's outstanding efforts, applauding the contributions of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who prioritize music education.

Mount Vernon City Schools joins the ranks of the nation's top communities for music education, serving as a shining example for others to emulate. This designation
highlights their exceptional commitment and accessibility to music education, further enhancing the educational experience for their students. Congratulations to Mount Vernon City Schools for this well-deserved honor!

“We couldn't be more proud of our amazing students, incredibly gifted teachers, and supportive music boosters. The award is truly a team effort and one we as a community should be extremely proud of”

- William Seder Jr.

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DISTRICT NEWS SPRING 2024

Dan Emmett Elementary's Book Bonanza: Fostering a Love for Reading
Margy Arck, Dan Emmett Elementary Principal

“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” … Garrison Keillor

Throughout this journey, students have been bubbling with excitement. The smaller selection of books not only allows for a deeper appreciation of each text but also instills a genuine enthusiasm for reading. As students eagerly flip through pages, they're not just absorbing information but immersing themselves in captivating stories and exploring diverse perspectives.

We're delighted to unveil an exciting opportunity for our 4th and 5th-grade students at Dan Emmett Elementary
- the inaugural Book Bonanza competition! Scheduled for May 6, 2024, this friendly competition promises to ignite a passion for reading among our students while fostering teamwork and critical thinking skills.

In preparation for the Book Bonanza battle, participating students have embarked on an exhilarating literary journey, diving into 4-5 selected books over the course of approximately two weeks dedicated to each book. To ensure readiness for the competition, practice sessions have been held Mondays from 3:30 to 4:15, with additional sessions slated for Thursdays after the spring break.

Bringing this event to life has been a genuine team effort. Our dedicated staff at Dan Emmett Elementary have generously volunteered their time, staying after school to facilitate practice sessions. Meanwhile, our students have eagerly delved into their selected books, and supportive parents have ensured their children's participation by picking them up from school after typical
hours.

With the competition drawing near, anticipation is at an all-time high. In May, all students will converge for a thrilling showdown during a school assembly, where 3rd to 5th graders will witness the teams showcase their knowledge by answering questions about the books they've read. It promises to be a spirited event, filled with camaraderie, intellect, and most importantly, a celebration of the joy of reading.

As we march towards the Book Bonanza, the energy and enthusiasm radiating from our students are palpable. This event is more than just a competition; it's a testament to the power of literature to inspire, unite, and ignite a lifelong love for reading. Get ready to embark on this literary adventure with us - the pages are waiting to be
turned, and the stories are waiting to be discovered!

Despite facing challenges securing a coach for the traditional Battle of The Books, our school community refused to be deterred. Instead, we've embraced innovation and devised a hybrid version aptly named the Book Bonanza competition. Divided into two teams, each comprising 8-9 students from 4th and 5th grade, our participants are currently engrossed in reading 48 books for the competition.

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Mount Vernon City Schools

Enhancing Early Literacy Skills with Fundations and Heggerty Karly Watterson, East Elementary Principal

“Reading fosters critical thinking along with a variety of other skills young children will benefit from for the rest of their lives.” …Jenna Roby

Learning how to read and write is paramount for doing well in school. For students in kindergarten to second grade, this is a really important time to learn the basics. Two programs called Fundations and Heggerty Phonics are helping our students get better at reading and writing during these early years.

Fundations teaches students the basics of reading and writing step by step. It helps them understand how letters make sounds and how to put them together to read and write words. In kindergarten, young students start with simple stuff like learning the sounds each letter makes. Then, as they get older, in first and second grade, they learn more complicated things like spelling rules and how to
recognize tricky words. Fundations uses different ways of teaching, like showing things, saying things out loud, and doing activities with their hands so all kinds of students can learn well.

Heggerty Phonics is all about helping students become good listeners and understand how sounds work in words. Teachers have special lessons each day that help their students practice listening to sounds, putting sounds together, and breaking words into parts. In kindergarten, Heggerty Phonics helps students learn to listen carefully, which helps them with reading and spelling later on. As students get older, they keep practicing these skills and learn more about how words are put together. Heggerty Phonics helps teachers teach these skills in a structured way so that individual students get the help they need.

When teachers use both Fundations and Heggerty Phonics together, it makes a really good way to teach reading and writing. Fundations help with reading
and writing rules, while Heggerty Phonics helps with listening and understanding sounds. Together, they cover everything students need to
know about reading and writing.

Teachers start the day in kindergarten with a Heggerty Phonics lesson to practice listening skills. Then, they use Fundations activities throughout the day to practice reading and writing. In first and second
grade, teachers keep using both programs to help students get even
better at reading and writing. By using Fundations and Heggerty Phonics
daily, teachers ensure that every student gets the help they need to become great
readers and writers.

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DISTRICT NEWS SPRING 2024

School, Home Partnership Develops Good Readers Adam Mowery, Twin Oak Elementary Principal

“One of the greatest gifts adults can give—to their offspring and to their society—is to read to children.” … Carl Sagan

Twin Oak students celebrated the culmination of a weeks-long reading project on March 19 during Charlotte's Web Night, a family engagement program. Parents, grandparents, and community members joined us to discuss the importance of reading at home. Families are essential in developing students' reading skills and interests.

Several weeks earlier, each student received a copy of Charlotte's Web, which was theirs to keep and purchased by the district through Title I funds. They were assigned chapters to read by specific dates with the goal of completing the book by March 8. Teachers incorporated activities connected to the book into their classroom lessons.

Charlotte's Web Night featured a movie screening, the United Titanium Bug Zoo was brought by Ohio State University, and students participated in other fun games and activities
aligned with the book. There were

classroom visits and fun throughout the building.

Reading specialists Tiffeny Miller, Cheryl Gibbs, Mandy Peterson, and librarian Kim Bradley worked hard to make the reading program successful. They did a phenomenal job
communicating with staff and families. Mrs. Bradley challenged students with questions about Charlotte's Web. She also noticed that students had checked out books related to Charlotte's Web, including books about animals. Mrs. Bradley stated, "The kids loved finding books that had to do with spiders, geese, pigs, and any other animals they found by reading Charlotte's Web."

To develop good readers, parents and teachers work in tandem; reading done at home reinforces the reading techniques taught in school. Data shows that if students read 20 minutes
daily, by the end of the school year,

they will be exposed to 1.8 million words. Our goal at Twin Oak is to build a love of reading. We want students to enjoy reading outside of school, and families are essential in helping us achieve our goals. Natalie, a 5th grader at Twin Oak, said, "It was great because we could talk to our friends about the book, and our teachers had great group discussions."

Mrs. Peterson said it best: "Reading together builds good family memories."

Treasurer message continued from page 2

of a Master Facilities Plan that, assisted by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission funds, has the potential to provide new and/or renovated buildings for our district in the next few years.

New facilities are more than just points of pride and excellent locations for students and staff. More than ever, our students count on us for services that extend far beyond learning the basics of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.

Addressing the physical and mental health needs of our students, along with other social-emotional challenges that many of our student’s face, requires

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expanded space in our buildings and state-of-the-art technology. A potential increase in our enrollment is possible due to significant new business developments in neighboring counties. While we know that new facilities are not the answer
to all of our needs, creating spaces and staffing for our kids will go a long way toward our goals for
students.

As always, we thank our generous community for your financial support.

Exciting times are ahead!

Mount Vernon City Schools

Understanding Disabilities and How it Impacts Lives Christy Grandstaff, Wiggin Street Elementary Principal

“We must be treated as equals - and communication is the way we can bring this about.” … Louis Braille

The Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities holds an annual coloring and essay contest for elementary students in the county. This year is the 8th year that judges selected two winners from each school after completing a coloring page in kindergarten through 2nd grade and a short essay in 3rd through 5th grade. Beyond the chance to win a Paragraph's Bookstore $25 gift certificate, students gain a better understanding of diversity and confidence in approaching diverse situations, such as emphasizing strengths in themselves and others. An example shared is that a student who utilizes a wheelchair for mobility may be great with computers or be multilingual.

This year's Wiggin Street coloring contest winner was 2nd-grade student Elena Suazo Faber. She believes everyone should be included when you play because "you treat people the way you want to be treated."

4th-grade student Keely Booth responded to the question,

"Why is it important to see people with various disabilities represented on TV and in movies and magazines?" In her winning essay, she connected to shows that her brothers watch. "PJ Masks character, Ice Cub, wears braces on his legs and rides on a snowboard to get around since his legs are paralyzed. Rex, Paw Patrol character, is a pup with a disability that makes him unable to walk on his back legs, so he uses a wheelchair." Keely said. "Little kids might be upset if they have a disability, but if they see heroes with disabilities in shows, they might feel like they can do big things." Keely remembers being really upset about her eczema when she was 3 years old. "I told my mom I could never be a princess because none of them had eczema. I now know that I can be my own kind of princess."

Fifth-grade students at Wiggin Street were working on their essays this year while a Kenyon student, Sari Wachtelhausen, volunteered in the classroom. This topic interested Sari especially because she is a member of a student group, the Disabled/Chronically Ill Student Community Organization (DISCO), at Kenyon. She organized for some DISCO members to speak to the 5th grade. The group represented disabilities/chronic illnesses, including narcolepsy, ADHD, sensory
processing sensitivity, dyscalculia, chronic urticaria, and a member who is deaf. Through their visit, it opened the 5th-grade students' eyes to other disabilities students may not have been aware of before. "One of the many things they told our class was that there's more to a person based on a disability they have. Another thing they told us was it is okay to ask questions as long as you think they are kind," said Delaney Newell.

The visit from the student group DISCO also impacted the Kenyon students speaking to our 5th graders. Ava, one of the college students, shared, "I had such an amazing time visiting Wiggin Street Elementary! I really appreciated how respectful the students were, and it seemed like they were very excited to learn and share. I think the students walked away with a better understanding of different types of disabilities and how they may impact people's lives."

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DISTRICT NEWS SPRING 2024

“Family Night at the Movies” Teresa Weaver, Pleasant Street Elementary Principal

“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of the parents.” … Jane D. Hull

We rolled out the red carpet, literally, to welcome our community to a family engagement night extravaganza on February 22 as our school was transformed into a movie theater complex for “A Night at the Movies.” Rainy weather did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of students and their families as they entered the VIP doors onto a red carpet. Students signed in and received their admission tickets.

The aroma of fresh popcorn wafted down the hallways. Each grade level had “Now Showing” banners above their doors. While there weren’t actual movies, the themes set the stage for learning, sharing, and laughter. Movie themes included:
Chicken Little, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., Superheroes

and Marvel Avengers, and Lion King. Classrooms featured literacy-related activities that included word games and art. For
example, third graders create Monster Mad Libs and Mons glyphs. Movie soundtracks provided soft background music.

Energy in the building was incredibly positive. Our staff was amazing as they interacted with families and students.
First-grade teacher Kevia Calkins expressed the enthusiasm of the entire staff when she said, “I loved spending time with students and families.” Harley, one of our Junior Jackets, agreed. “I loved being able to play games with other families,” he said.

The entire east wing became a Walk of Fame. This hall represented our star-studded cast, with a star for each of our adult staff members. In the cafeteria, students used colored squares to indicate their favorite books that have been made into a movie.

We also held our annual book fair throughout the evening. We wish to express a special note of gratitude to Paul McNeal, Coordinator of Development, Zack Ganzberg, MVNU men’s soccer coach, and several of his soccer players for their help with the book fair this evening.

The effort put into organizing "A Night at the Movies" event yielded significant benefits in strengthening the bond between home and school. During my conversation with a father, while his Junior Jacket participated in an activity, he expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for doing this.
We never had anything like this when I was in school."

Broseus, utility worker Tom Williams, and Secretary
facilities for all students and staff.
through our software system for outine maintenance
needs. Issues of immediate concern, such as a burst pipe
Central Office, built in 1939 and upgraded in 1950 and
1951; Dan Emmet Elementary, built in 1953 and upgraded
Pleasant Street Elementary, built in 1958.

	Mount Vernon City Schools

Pride and Performance
Rick Shaffer, Director of Safety and Maintenance
“Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to produce uncommon results.” … Andrew Carnegie

The maintenance department takes great pride in caring for eight school buildings, the central office, the bus garage, and the Energy Fieldhouse, which encompass more than 700,000 combined square feet. Our work involves electrical systems, plumbing, boilers, and other district needs.

We strive for a high level of service throughout the district, thanks to a talented and dedicated staff that
includes maintenance workers Trevor Trace and Brandon	Rick Shaffer stands with his maintenance staff. From left are Heather Heather Linn. Our daily goal is to help ensure that our	Linn, secretary; Brandon Broseus, Trevor Trace and Tom Williams. facilities are safe, secure, and properly functioning                       Mount Vernon City School's older buildings include Wiggin
Street Elementary, built in 1904 and upgraded in 1936 and Each building's principal and staff place a work order	1956; East Elementary, built in 1907 and upgraded in 1957; are rectified by phone call to ourrmaintenance secretary. ,	in 1955 and 1988;tColumbia Elementary, built in 1956; and On a recent day, we repaired a boiler steam leak at one
elementary school and several non-working toilets in two	Newer facilities in our district include the High School, other buildings.	1969; Middle School, 1996; Twin Oak Elementary, 2005; Bus One of our more significant challenges is securing parts for	Garage, 2020; and Energy Fieldhouse, 2020.
boilers and other aging equipment in our older buildings.	Our staff is committed to providing dependable, quality Replacement parts are often difficult to find or can't be	service while being conscious of saving tax dollars purchased because the manufacturing company is no	wherever possible. Our school community is truly blessed longer operating, so we must improvise by producing them	to have such a talented and committed group of people, in our shop. The cost of maintaining our older buildings is	and the maintenance team is proud to be a part of Mount an ever-increasing expense.	Vernon City Schools.

Columbia continued from page 3

Prior to the webinar, our students delved into the topic and prepared their questions. During the live session, Penn State professors answered 3 of their questions, a unique opportunity that highlighted our students' active participation and the school's commitment to providing exceptional experiences.

Fifth-grader Isabella Matheney said the experience "made me want to do the same thing in my backyard to see what flowers bees like there." Classmate Elizabeth Holler thought, "It was cool that college professors were still using some of the same graphs we use in school." Fourth-graders Jason Cheng and Brice Hord were inspired to study other pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. Fifth-grader Maddalynn Weaver conveyed the sentiments shared by many, stating, "Even though there were a lot of people on the webinar, they gave us a shout-out and answered our questions."

The webinar was an exciting and inspiring experience for our students and a unique event for our school. Mount Vernon City Schools are committed to providing enrichment for all students.

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Mount Vernon City Schools 300 Newark Road
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050-4252

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SPRING2024UPCOMING

APRIL 11	6:30 PM	MAY 4	6:00 PM	MAY 14

Twin Oak Elementary Music Program Knox Memorial Theater

APRIL 16	6:30 PM

Columbia Elementary Music Program Knox Memorial Theater

APRIL 19	7:00 PM

High School Spring Musical - Disney's Freaky Friday	MVHS Theater

APRIL 20	2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

High School Spring Musical - Disney's Freaky Friday	MVHS Theater

APRIL 23	6:30 PM

East Elementary Music Program MVHS Theater

APRIL 25	6:30 PM

Dan Emmett Elementary Music Program MVHS Theater

APRIL 26	6:30 PM

Tops & Pops Jazz Band Concert MVMS Commons

APRIL 30	12:00 - 2:00 PM

Senior Citizens Luncheon Mount Vernon High School

MAY 2	7:00 PM

High School Orchestra Spring Concert MVHS Theater

May Fiesta Choir Dinner Show MVMS Commons

MAY 6	6:30 PM

Pleasant Street Elementary Music Program	High School Theater

MAY 6	6:00 PM

Academic Booster Awards Night MVNU Chapel

MAY 6

Fifth Grade Outdoor Education Camp Twin Oak & Columbia /
Heartland Conference Center

MAY 7	6:30 PM Kiwanis Awards               MVHS Theater

MAY 7

Fifth Grade Outdoor Education Camp Dan Emmett & East /
Heartland Conference Center

MAY 8	6:00 PM

Wiggin Street Elementary Music Program	Rosse Hall, Kenyon College

MAY 9	7:00 PM

Middle School Choir Concert MVHS Theater

MAY 13	6:30 PM

High School Band Spring Concert MVHS Theater

Fifth Grade Outdoor Education Camp Pleasant Street & Wiggin Street / Heartland Conference Center

MAY 14	6:30 PM

Middle School Band Spring Concert MVMS Gymnasium

MAY 16	6:30 PM

Middle School Orchestra Spring Concert MVHS Theater

MAY 18	8:00 PM

Prom

The Rural Society at Warwick Farm

MAY 23	6:30 PM

Senior Awards Night The Energy Fieldhouse

MAY 26	3:00 PM

High School Commencement The Energy Fieldhouse

MAY 28 - 31

Eighth Grade Trip Washington DC

MAY 30

Last Day for Students Two-Hour E