Friday, May 30, 2014

Ashlee Lewis honored for attendance

When it came to school closings or two-hour delays, 2014 New Richmond High School graduate Ashlee Lewis never trusted the information that scrolled across the bottom of her television screen.

New Richmond High School graduate Ashlee Lewis
 never missed a day of school in 13 years.
“I remember checking two or three times just to make sure it was true,” said Lewis, who was honored at New Richmond’s 2014 commencement for perfect attendance for 13 years.

“It’s very difficult to go through four years of high school without missing a day of school and it’s even harder to go through two years of middle school without missing a day,” noted New Richmond principal Mark Bailey. “However, this amazing and driven young lady has shown how dedicated she is to her education. Ashlee Lewis has not missed a day of school since she started kindergarten in August of 2001.”

“There were really only a few days that were really hard,” said Lewis, who will attend Northern Kentucky University where she plans to major in electronic media and broadcasting. “During swimming, there were times when we wouldn't get back to the school until midnight and waking up the next morning and staying awake through the day was incredibly hard to do.”

On normal school days Ashlee, who is the daughter of Dean and Rebecca Lewis, would wake up at 5 a.m. to get to school at 6:30 just to be sure that she would be on time.

“One thing I know for sure, though, is that no one in this school appreciated snow days more than I did,” said Lewis.




Sunday, May 18, 2014

Doug Foote elected to OHSAA board

New Richmond High School athletic director/dean of students Doug Foote has been elected to a six-year term on the Ohio High School Athletic Association's Southwest District Board. Mr. Foote received 33 votes to 12 for Benjamin Logan AD Scott Reule and 9 for Bishop Fenwick AD Jon Payne.

The 9-member SW District Board is one of five Ohio High School Athletic Association district boards and oversees and runs sectional and district competition in 20 OHSAA sectional and district tournaments.

Mr. Foote's election gives the Southern Buckeye Conference two spots on the SW District Board. Western Brown AD/Asst. Principal Tim Cook serves as SWDAB president and representative to the OHSAA state board.

A native of Lynchburg, Ohio, Foote is completing his 6th year as New Richmond athletic director. Prior to coming to New Richmond he was head basketball coach at Marietta College for 15 years and women's basketball coach at Rio Grande College for five years.

Ohio High School Athletic Association
4080 Roselea Place
Columbus, Ohio 43214
Phone (614) 267-2502
Fax (614) 267-1677

RESULTS

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT ATHLETIC BOARD ELECTION
CLASS AA REPRESENTATIVE

Results of the election follow below. The ballots were counted by Scott Dorne, Athletic Director, Thomas
Worthington High School; Molly Downard, OHSAA Executive Administrative Assistant; Dana Bushong,
Administrative Assistant; Jerry Snodgrass, Assistant Commissioner; Tim Stried, Director of Information;
Chris Walker, Production Supervisor; Lauren Prochaska, Assistant for Compliance and Events; and Tyler
Brooks, Program Coordinator.

VACANCY – CLASS AA REPRESENTATIVE - SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
TERM - BEGINNING AUGUST 1, 2014 AND ENDING JULY 31, 2020

33 Doug Foote, Athletic Director/Dean of Students – New Richmond High School, New
Richmond

9 Jon Payne, Athletic Director – Bishop Fenwick High School, Franklin

12 Scott Reule, Athletic Director – Benjamin Logan High School, Bellefontaine

66 sent, 54 returned
DOUG FOOTE WAS ELECTED TO THE
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT BOARD

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Spring sports banquet moved to May 28

New Richmond High School's Spring Sports Banquet has been moved from May 16 to May 28. The banquet honoring 2014 spring athletes will be at 6 p.m. May 28 in the NRHS cafeteria followed by athlete recognition in the NRHS gym.

Locust Corner 2014 Career Day

New Richmond's Locust Corner Elementary held its 2014 Career Day May 9 with guest speakers Kathy Wilson, Dog Agility; University of Cincinnati Cheer Coach Tavitha Fagan and and the UC Cheer Squad; Amy Weiskittel, Scientist; Ryan Jacobs, B105 DJ; Jim Egar, Banking; Travis Curd, Navy Recruiter; Sherry Stanforth, College Professor; Lou & Shannon Hogan, Italian Ice; and Todd Taylor, Union Township Police Detective. Click on the Play Button below to watch a slideshow from Career Day.

Eight Lions make college commitments


Eight New Richmond High School senior athletes signed or made commitments this spring to continue their athletic careers at the college level. They are (seated from left) Hunter Blankenship, Spalding University in soccer; Hannah Hall, Denison University in track; Levi Simpson, Marietta College in baseball; (standing from left) Malik Davis, Marietta College in football; John Ernst, Pamona-Pitzer (Calif.) in basketball; Evan Brigner, Tiffin University in football; Pierce Burnam, Wilmington College in track and football; and Josh Heiden, Ohio Northern University in basketball. Tyler David (not pictured) has signed with Cleveland State in swimming.

Eight other senior athletes signed or made commitments during the winter. They were Josie Buckingham, Minnesota in basketball; Olivia Behymer, Liberty University in track; Eleanor Wildey and Branston Evans, Wilmington College in track;

Colton Farmer, Spalding University in soccer; Emily Barcheski, Southern Indiana University in soccer; Tyler Klein, Cincinnati Christian University in soccer; and Michael Huber, Mt. St. Joseph in soccer.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Monroe Elementary 2014 Career Day

New Richmond's Monroe Elementary held its 2014 Career Day May 8 with the following guest speakers: Pilot Dave Leonard; Nurse Tracy Johnson; Realtors Dona Fultz and Donna Wright; Firefighters/EMTs from Monroe Township EMS; Clermont County Sheriff Deputy Jim Kirker and K9 partner Paik; Chef Nick Anderson; Veterinary Technician Amanda Taylor; from the Cincinnati Reds Allison Stortz and Brandon Chaney.

 Click on the Play button below to watch a slideshow from Monroe's Career Day.



Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Auditions for Tom Sawyer the musical

New Richmond Exempted Village School District students and staff members are being sought for parts in the musical Tom Sawyer which will be performed on Saturday, Sept. 20 (and possibly Sunday, Sept. 21) as part of New Richmond’s Bicentennial Celebration.

The New Richmond Schools Education Foundation is sponsoring and supporting this event along with other activities which are being planned for New Richmond’s 200th anniversary celebration. 

“The audition committee is primarily looking for cast members from among the students, residents and employees of the New Richmond school district,” said Locust Corner Elementary music teacher Paige McConnell. “Any student or adult who is interested in participating in this performance will need to audition on either May 20 or June 1.”

The Tuesday, May 20th audition will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Market Street School Building. 

The Sunday, June 1st audition will be held from 9 a.m. until noon at the Market Street School Building.

“We will ask each person to read from the script and also to sing a portion of the song “Extra Extra” from the musical,” said Mrs. McConnell.

Please view the links below for more specific information: 

to sign up for an audition time, please send your date and time request to my email address below and I will add your name to the audition form at the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zb8iBzddhWlVR327qLuLEwY_QWBNT2VQcSiGkASnGpQ/edit?usp=sharing
to become familiar with the song for the audition, you may view a performance of “Extra Extra” on You Tube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1qIiQNblhU

to see the sheet music for “Extra Extra” you can view the first 2 pages using this

to view the application for audition (PLEASE PRINT A COPY AND BRING THE COMPLETED FORM TO YOUR AUDITION) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TUxPp7MwOGhCyj_LMCOudJOSfNSmDoLl498xhC1bR8Y/edit?usp=sharing

Anyone interested in trying-out but unable to make one of the audition dates should contact Locust Corner Elementary music teacher Paige McConnell by email at mcconnell_p@nrschools.org.



Monday, May 12, 2014

NRE Walk-a-thon benefits playgrounds

The New Richmond Elementary PTO hopes to surpass last year's total of $7000 with its second annual Walk-a-thon fundraiser Tuesday May 20 at the New Richmond High School stadium.

"The PTO has designated 75% of funds raised to go into our Playground Improvements fund and we are hoping to replace some worn out equipment and add a safe, clean surface under the equipment," said NRE principal Terry Miller.

New Richmond Elementary held a kickoff rally May 7 for the 2014
NRE PTO's second annual Walk-a-thon schedule for May 20 at the
New Richmond High School stadium. The kickoff included costumed skits
 by staff members. The PTO has earmarked 75% of proceeds for its
new playground equipment fund.

The PTO Walk-a-thon committee, chaired by Anita Wells, has gathered prizes and added incentive levels and activities for students who collect pledges.  The top seller earns a Kindle, second best receives a $100 Best Buy gift card and third prize is a $50 Toys R Us card.  The top five sellers and their friends get a limo ride to Graeters for ice cream and top grade level sellers and their friends get a pizza party with the NRE principal.

"We hope to add to the $13,000 already saved in this fund from last year's and this year's fundraising events," said Miller. "Last year's Walk-a-thon netted $7,000 and our goal would be to surpass that figure."

In addition, all students who brought in $15.00 by May 13 will receive the official Walk-a-thon t-shirt designed by fifth grader Ronja Frigard who was the winner of the contest headed up by art teacher Amy Cholkas.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

NREVSD Go Green Day May 9

New Richmond’s 1st Annual
GO GREEN DAY!


Why:
To celebrate EARTH DAY in MAY and to demonstrate earth-friendly actions in our school communities!

When:
Friday, May 9, 2014

What:
Wear as much GREEN as you can on 5/9/14! You can also wear something made from recycled materials—get creative!

Go Green Tips:
Be sure to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE and REPAIR as much as possible

Turn off & unplug unused lights & electronics

Carpool to school

Use reusable water bottles

Shop local

Plant a garden

Plant a tree

Take reusable bags to the grocery store

*Go Green Day is sponsored by the
NR GREEN TEAM!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Students work to save the Rainforests

New Richmond’s Monroe Elementary Art & Earth Club artists worked to raise money for the Rainforest Alliance’s Adopt-a-Rainforest program as part of their Earth Day celebration.

“The students learned about deforestation and the problems this causes the surrounding ecosystems and they learned how the Rainforest Alliance works to help stop the deforestation and restore the rainforests to healthy ecosystems,” said Monroe Elementary visual arts teacher Adrian Hawk.

Club members designed buttons to sell to their friends and family. Through the selling of the buttons, the AEC members were able to raise awareness and inform others of the devastating happenings within the Earth’s rainforests.

“Everyone who purchased a button wore them on Earth Day to show their love and support for our Earth. The grand total of money raised by the AEC members for the Rainforest Alliance’s Adopt-a-Rainforest program was $380.16,” said Hawk.

 This project was organized by Monroe’s student teacher Emily Clyburn, an art education major at Northern Kentucky University.  Pictured with Ms. Clyburn are third grade Art & Earth Club members Dilan Berger, Desiree Hall, Lillie Barger, Audrey Verdin, Jack Moore, Cason Swensgard, Gracie Baum, and Rebecca Holbrook.


Friday, May 2, 2014

Former Supt. Brooks Parsons remembered

Brooks Parsons, superintendent of New Richmond schools from 1953-1962, died Tuesday April 29 at the age of 90.

Parsons, who began his career at New Richmond as a teacher and varsity boys basketball coach, was partly responsible for the creation of the New Richmond Exempted Village School District in an effort that also involved President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Judge John W. Hausermann, the gold king of the Philippines.

Former NREVSD Supt. Brooks Parsons, pictured with current New Richmond Supt. Adam Bird as a recent conference, died Tuesday, April 29, at the age of 90

Parsons and the school board got word in the mid 1950s that the other school districts in Clermont County had met twice to form a county wide school district and get the tax revenue from the Beckjord Power Plant from New Richmond.

“We learned they had scheduled a third meeting to vote on county consolidation so I chartered a plane to fly to Columbus and submit our application to become an exempted village school district,” recalled Parsons last fall.

 “The state questioned if we were large enough to get exempted village status and we couldn’t get the Census Department to do a special census so we had Judge Hausermann contact President Eisenhower who ordered a special census for us.”

Hausermann, a Spanish American War veteran who remained in the Philippines after the war and controlled the largest gold mine in the islands, met Eisenhower when the former general and president served in the Philippines under Gen. Douglas McArthur.  Hausermann returned to New Richmond in the 1930s.

New Richmond got its special census but in the end it did not matter as Pierce Township, and later Monroe Township, consolidated with New Richmond and our size was no longer an issue.

Parsons, who was also superintendent of Norwood schools, won two county championships as New Richmond’s basketball coach in 1950-51 and 1951-52.

Parsons was the husban of Betty C. Parsons and was a WWII Coast Guard Veteran.  He was the father of  John (Elvira), Randall (Rebecca) and Dean (Shawn) Parsons. Grandfather of Matthew, Errol, Daniel, Devon and Kelby.

Visitation for Mr. Parsons will be held Friday, May 2nd, 6-7pm with funeral following at 7pm at Strawser Funeral Home, 9503 Kenwood Rd., Blue Ash, OH 45242. The family will observe private burial services at Rest Haven Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Loveland United Methodist Church.  Condolences to the family at www.strawserfuneralhome.com.