Principal Spinnati takes medical leave

New Richmond High School principal Diana Spinnati announced Friday that she will be taking approximately six weeks medical leave for treatment of "serious medical issues."

Jim Smith, a former principal of Grant Vocational and Bethel High School as well as superintendent of Bethel Schools, has been named as interim principal according to New Richmond superintendent of schools Adam Bird.

Ms. Spinnati informed New Richmond High School students and their families of her medical leave in a letter sent home with students.

The letter follows:

Many students and parents are wondering why I have been absent several days over the past few weeks. I hope this letter will help clarify these issues and inform you as to the path for the future.

I have encountered some serious medical issues over the past several weeks. Unfortunately in order to address these issues, I must take approximately six weeks off. My hope is to return by spring break.

Mr. Bird has worked hard to ensure that what we have at New Richmond High School continues without interruption. We are happy to introduce Mr. Jim Smith as interim principal. Mr. Smith is the former superintendent of Bethel schools. He has also been a principal at Grant Vocational School as well as Bethel High School. We are pleased to have Mr. Smith and are confident the students will notice no interruptions in the educational process at the high school.

In closing I would like to thank the students, parents, and staff for their concern and well wishes. I can assure you in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger – “I’ll be baaack”

Thank you,

Diana Spinnati

Former board member Ralph Campbell dies at age of 78; services Saturday

Former New Richmond Board of Education member Ralph Campbell died Tuesday January 24, 2012 at the age of 78.


Visitation, E.C. Nurre Funeral Home, 177 W. Main Street, Amelia on Friday from 5-8p.m. OES services at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1177 W. Ohio Pike, Amelia on Saturday January 28 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Jackson, KY.

"We are so thankful for his service to our students, schools, and community," said New Richmond superintendent of schools Adam Bird. "Mr. Campbell served the NR community 8 years as a faithful representative to the school district. On behalf of the NR Board of Education, I would like to send our condolences to his family."

"Mr. Campbell and his wife Joyce have also given many thousands of dollars in scholarships to NRHS students in memory of their son, Kevin Allen Campbell," Bird added.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, 200 W. Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (Please indicate in memory of Kevin Allen Campbell Memorial Scholarship Fund).

Watch the 2012 Hall of Fame inductions

Joe Hawkins, Amy McMillian, Jamie McCart and Todd Wells were inducted into the New Richmond Sports Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan. 21. Click on the photo below to watch the inductions.


Right click here and select Save Target As to download the video

Monroe Elementary Awards Breakfast

Monroe Elementary held its 2nd quarter awards breakfast Friday, Jan. 20 with principal Mark Bailey honoring top students in grades 3-6.

Click on the photo below to watch the awards breakfast


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Bill Wildey retires after 29 years

After 29 years of keeping New Richmond Exempted Village School District parking lots free of ice, grassy areas neatly mowed and the building infrastructure in top shape, Bill Wildey is retiring.

The head of the district maintenance department's last working day was Wednesday, Jan. 18 when he was honored by central office and maintenance department personnel.

Bill Wildey rings the ceremonial school bell presented to him on his last day at work by NREVSD superintendent Adam Bird. Pictured to Bird’s right are district treasurer Teresa Napier and treasurer office employee Sondra Marshall.

New Richmond Elementary honor rolls

NEW RICHMOND ELEMENTARY
SECOND QUARTER HONOR ROLLS

MERIT HONOR ROLLS

3RD GRADE
Ronja Frigard, Cecilia Gilpin, Brady Jenkins and Jena Simpson.

4TH GRADE
Lynsey Kennedy, Allison Longnecker, Dakota Morris, Ruthie Richardson, Ella Calhoun, Lily Jones and Hannah Schultz.

5TH GRADE
Kaitlyn Lambert, Archer Maguire, Rachel Gastrich, Cade Heflin, Jacob Noble.

6TH GRADE
Malika Burnham, Austin Ewing, Jordyn Torrens, Kamree Nally, Elizabeth Shinkle, Lane Dees and Emerson White.

HONOR ROLLS
3RD GRADE
Caleb Adams, Kaia Bodley, Dakota Feldkamp, Madison Horton, Garrett Klein, Abigail Maness, Seth Mattingly, Jackson Miller, Kadin Pollard, Matthew Schmidt, Ethan Daniel, Cole Deavers, Riley Hawkins, Ethan Hayes, Madison Mills, Tyler Noble, Jaira Stamper, Zoey Arview, Lucky Berry, Kaylee Corbin, Dallas Duncan, Matthew Heinzman, Jacob Longnecker, Kelly Murphy, Caitlin rowan, Alden Story, Hope Wooten, Chris Kidd, Elleah Senters, and Lillian Bruner.

4TH GRADE
Hunter Arlinghaus, Andrew Baldrick, Erika Carter, paige Corbett, Chris Dizon, Hailey Leist,Jasi Stamper, Richard Admas, Wyatt Carey, Leasia Matthis, Audrey Powers, Emily Reid, McKenna Riehle, Alex Senter, Antonia Wills, Randy Hammons, Jasmine Jacobs, Kelly Naylor, Ian Vaske and Brandon Cole

5TH GRADE
Alissa Brumbaugh, Hunter Cook, Heidi Gilbert, Sean Hoagland, Heather Huff, Abigail Jones, Emily Kingm, Alexandra Olson, Bronte Reinert, Cecilia Schwalbe, Vincent Bingham, Twyla Blair, Gavin Clark, Griffin Delisle, Brody Hawkins, Maggie McDaniel, Courtney O'Connor, Aaron Prescott, TJ Ashcraft, Logan Campbell, Derick Henderson, Skyler Hounshell.

6TH GRADE
Kathryn Elam, Kohle Herrin, Mary Murphy, Sydney Payne, Blayke Murphy, Ethan Sells, Aubree Story, David Woolum, Morgan Abercrombie, Chloe Closterman, Andria Cochran, Donald Gilson, Alexis Gragg, Shane Jones, Emily Kidd, Madison Malicoat, Melissa Royce, Sarah Schwalbe, Anthony Stamm, Thane Witzak and Kacee Edwards.

Monroe Elementary honor rolls

Monroe Elementary School
Second Quarter Awards 2011-2012
4th Grade Merit Honor Roll

Jason Ackerman, Abigail Allen, Garret Corbin, Lilli Fields, Seth Fischesser, Owen Gibbs, Jonah Hanrahan, Anna Houck, Austin Houston, Emily Justice, Claudia Kennedy, Jacob Kunz, Logan Kunz, Ellie Mansfield, Jetta McCart, Samantha Pratt, Katie Rufft, Ashley Sarbell, Brandon Savage, Allison Verdin, Lydia Victor, Kailey Wehrmeyer, Lilly Wildey, Danielle Williams, Mitchell Williamson.

5th Grade Merit Honor Roll
Holly Chandler, Sophia Deardorff, Tyler Heskamp, Lindsey Hoffman, Sebastian Johnson, Matthew Laub, Carmen McDonald, Jordan McKinley, McKenzie Miller, Sawyer Scheu.

6th Grade Merit Honor Roll
Elise Bezold, Josie Blome, Nicholas Edmondson, Aaron Ellis, Jacob Heskamp, Jazmyn Hinkston, Kiae Marshall, Kara O’Toole, Trinite Patterson, Kaleigh Pratt, Faith Schuster, Rainy Stripplehoff, Nicholas Swisher.

4th Grade Honor Roll
Emily Ball, Gabby Ball, Mario Battista, Nathan Blakley, Angel Calvert, Hailey Carnahan, Drew Coorey, Elizabeth Courtier, Aaryn Craig, Jarrett Donley, Maverick Ellington, Trenton Evans, Alexis Fiscus, Alexis Gould, Lexie Hebling, Nate Howard, Alyssa Jones, Taylor Jones, Chase Kiser, Isabella Lara, Austin Marck, Caleb McConnell, Katherine Moore, Destiny Morel, Jacob Reams, Sebastian Reissig, Bella Sanchez, Wyatt Seal, Brittany Seng, Hope Schuster, Kori Sebastian, Hannah Strunk, Nathan Taylor, Joe Vance, Lexy Vogt, Autumn Waddell, Corydon Ward, T. J. Williams, Chris Willis.

5th Grade Honor Roll
Taylor Bayless, Brandon Benzing, Olivia Brashear, Tyler Bullock, Sierra Deitsch, Matt Elliott, Cierra Fluhart, Gage Goodeart, Cody Harrison, Julie Harrison, Alex Heflin, Ian Herrmann, Hailey Jowers, Jody Lytle, Melanie Matheney, Mary Moran, Hailey Penny, Sierra Pelcha, Casey Riffle, Trista Smith, Alyssa Stiles.

6th Grade Honor Roll
Mackenzie Adams, Jaden Atkins, Andrew Bach, Natalie Barcheski, Julien Battista, Kaitlyn Blice, Hallie Bolton, Nivek Boostedt, Haylie Clemmons, Adam Durham, Lane Flamm, T. J. Gelter, Christopher Isaacs, Scott Lindsey, Shelby Miller, Michael Nichols, Haily Olson, James Seal, Evan Taylor, Maria Trimble.

4th Grade Principal’s Award
Jason Ackerman, Abigail Allen, Emily Ball, Nathan Blakely, Garret Corbin, Aaryn Craig, Trenton Evans, Seth Fischesser, Owen Gibbs, Alexis Gould, Jonah Hanrahan, Lexie Helbling, Anna Houck, Chase Kiser, Jacob Kunz, Logan Kunz, Isabella Lara, Ellie Mansfield, Jetta McCart, Caleb McConnell, Katherine Moore, Destiny Morel, Samantha Pratt, Katie Rufft, Joe Vance, Allison Verdin, Lydia Victor, Lexy Vogt, Autumn Waddell, Lilly Wildey.

5th Grade Principal’s Award
Taylor Bayless, Olivia Brashear, Holly Chandler, Jon Davidson, Sierra Deitsch, Kaylee Donahue, Gage Goodheart, Cody Harrison, Julie Harrison, Alex Heflin, Lindsey Hoffman, Sebastian Johnson, Matthew Laub, Melanie Matheney, Carmen McDonald, Jordan McKinley, McKenzie Miller, Mary Moran, Allison Neiderhelman, Sierra Pelcha, Hailey Penny, Faith Powers, Casey Riffle, Sawyer Scheu, Ben Spires, Alyssa Stiles, Brennan Verkamp.

6th Grade Principal’s Award
Mackenzie Adams, Jaden Atkins, Julien Battista, Elise Bezold, Josie Blome, Hallie Bolton, Haylie Clemmons, Zach Deardorff, Nate Dillow, Aaron Ellis, Lane Flamm, Jazmyn Hinkston, Christopher Isaacs, Bryce Lavely, Kiae Marshall, Michael Nichols, Kara O’Toole, Trinitie Patterson, Kaleigh Pratt, Faith Schuster, Rainy Stripplehoff, Nicholas Swisher, Shayla Underwood.

4th Grade Perfect Attendance
Jason Ackerman, Andrew Coorey, Lizzy Courtier, Christopher Crosby, Serena Cummins, Maverick Ellington, Lilliana Fields, Seth Fischesser, Owen Gibbs, Jonah Hanrahan, Lexie Helbling, Anna Houck, Taylor Jones, Chase Kiser, Jacob Kunz, Amy Lewis, Jetta McCart, Destiny Morel, Ashley Sarbell, Brandon Savage, Hope Schuster, Brittany Seng, Allison Verdin, Alexis Vogt, Autumn Waddell, Corydon Ward, Kailey Wehrmeyer, Lilly Wildey, Danielle Williams, T. J. Williams, Chris Willis.

5th Grade Perfect Attendance
Jadlyn Barth, Olivia Brashear, Christopher Brunk, Holly Chandler, Sierra Deitsch, Trent Felts, Cierra Fluhart, Gage Goodheart, Brian Hamilton, Sara arris, Tyler Heskamp, R. J. Lara, Jody Lytle, Carmen McDonald, Jordan McKinley, Mckenzie Miller, Abigail Morgan, Allison Niederhelman, Hailey Penny, Sawyer Scheu, Ben Spires, Joshua Vandergriff, Brennan Verkamp.

6th Grade Perfect Attendance
Lydia Anderson, Jaden Atkins, Josie Blome, Hallie Bolton, Nivek Boostedt, Hailey Clemons, Peyton Daugherty, Aaron Ellis, Lane Flamm, Jacob Heskamp, Scott Lindsey, Kiae Marshall, Shelby Miller, Michael Nichols, Haily Olson, Kara O’Toole, Kaleigh Pratt, Elexis Sanchez, Rainey Strippelhoff, Nicholas Swisher, Maria Trimble, Logan Waddell.

Walriven to head school board

Kevin Walriven was elected president of the Board of Education of the New Richmond Exempted Village School District at the board’s Jan. 11 re-organizational meeting.

David Hawkins, who along with incoming board member Kim Hayden took the oath of office from Clermont County Municipal Court Judge James A. Shriver, will serve as vice-president for the 2012 school year.
Newly elected New Richmond school board members Kim Hayden and David Hawkins take their oath of office from Clermont County Municipal Court Judge James A. Shriver.

The Board established meeting dates for 2012 which will be held on the third Monday of each month with the exception of February when the meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 due to the Presidents Day holiday, June when the meeting will be held on Thursday, June 28 to close out the books for the fiscal year, and July when the meeting will be moved to the second Monday (July 9) to accommodate scheduled vacations for school administrators.

Committee appointments for 2012 will be Ben Bird and Walriven on the Finance and Audit Committee; Fred Heflin and Walriven on the Facilities Committee; Hayden and Hawkins on the Policy Committee; Hayden and Ben Bird on the Curriculum Committee; and Hawkins and Heflin on the Personnel Committee.

Hawkins will serve as the Legislative Liaison Board member with Walriven as the alternate; Hayden will be the Student Achievement Liaison; and Heflin will serve as the Grant Career Center board member.

Monroe students ‘go bananas’

New Richmond’s Monroe Elementary School collected 228 old cell phones for the Cincinnati Zoo’s Go Bananas Challenge.
Monroe Elementary third grade students (from left) Aaron Pike, Michael Ressig, Raven Lowery and Ray Lindsley are members of Monroe’s Art & Earth Club which initiated the cell phone collection.

“This initiative is a project to save the gorillas,” noted Monroe visual art teacher Adrian Hawk who organized the effort through the school’s Monroe's Art & Earth Club. “The materials and metals that are used to make cell phones are mined in prime gorilla habitats and by recycling old cell phones instead of throwing them away, gorillas and their habitats are being preserved!”

Cell phones contain an ore called coltan, which is mined in endangered gorilla habitat in Africa.

2012 Hall of Fame inductees announced

New Richmond High School has announced the 2012 inductees for the Lions Sports Hall of Fame.
They are Joe Hawkins, a 1955 graduate who won 13 letters and went on to play college baseball at The Ohio State University; Todd Wells, a 1989 graduate who was named Southern Buckeye Conference American Division coach of the year nine times; Jamie McCart, a 2000 graduate and four-time all SBAAC selection in cross country; and Amy McMillin, a 1994 graduate who holds 5 school records in softball.

They will be inducted at the annual New Richmond Lions Sports Hall of Fame banquet Saturday, Jan. 21. Tickets for the 6 p.m. banquet are $15 and reservations can be made by contacting New Richmond Athletic Director Doug Foote (foote_d@nrschools.org) at 553-3191 ext 10003.

Joe Hawkins


During his time at New Richmond High School, from 1952-1955, Joe Hawkins earned 13 letters; four each in Baseball and Volleyball, three in basketball, and two in track. Joe was a four-year starter in baseball and was named team captain of the basketball team. At this time New Richmond High School was participating independently so there were no All-League Honors or League Championships to record. Despite not being associated with a league or conference, Joe is one of a very select few in the history of New Richmond Athletes to earn an athletic scholarship to a Division I school, The Ohio State University. Joe played baseball for the Buckeyes for three years. Returning to his hometown, Joe was a partner in the development of the New Richmond Youth Football League in 1969 and coached youth football for nine years. Joe also coached and served as an official representative of New Richmond Knothole Baseball from 1965-1978.



Todd Wells

Todd, a 1989 graduate of New Richmond High School, received a varsity letter in soccer and wrestling his freshman year. The next summer, an automobile accident ended Todd’s high school athletic career, though he remained active in Troubadours and Theater. Upon graduation Todd attended the University of Cincinnati and was the lead student-athletic trainer with Coach Bob Huggins and the Men’s Basketball Team for two years and for the Men’s Soccer team. After completing his studies at Cincinnati, he returned to his Alma Mater to begin his career. He was the Middle School Athletic Director from 1993-1997 and the NRHS Boys Tennis Coach from 1994-2006. Todd amassed an impressive overall record of 148-35. He was nine times the American Division Coach of the Year. His teams were American Division Champions seven times and Runner-ups 5 times. He coached the first doubles team in NR and Clermont County to qualify for the state tennis tournament. During those same years (1994-2007) Todd served in the role of Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) for the district, a program which he started. As the first ATC in Clermont County, in 1999 Todd and New Richmond High School were recognized by the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association as a Model Athletic Training Program.

Jamie McCart



Jamie McCart excelled at track and cross country while a student at New Richmond High School from 1996-2000. All four years he was the top runner on the Cross Country team and was voted First Team All SBC. In 1998 and 1999 Jamie was league champion and Runner of the Year. In 1999 he was the district champion and was voted Runner of the Year Division II All City. Jamie was a two time state qualifier in 1997 and 1999 and was 2 seconds away from qualifying in 1998. Three times, Jamie was named Most Valuable Distance Runner on the Track Team and was Most Valuable Track Man his Junior and Senior years. He earned First Team All SBC Honors his Junior year. His senior year, Jamie won District in the 1600m and 3200m.




Amy McMillin

Amy McMillin was a four year Varsity Softball player from 1991 to 1994 and started in 75 games. A first baseman her freshman and sophomore years, she moved to short stop her remaining two years. Amy’s four year batting average was .441. She holds season records of Most Runs Scored (37) and Most RBI’s (34) and maintains career records of Most Runs Scored (103), Most Hits (109), and Most RBI’s (109). Notable accomplishments include being named 1st Team All SBC (1991, 1993, 1994), Rookie of the Year (1991), MVP (1993, 1994), All City 2nd Team Shortstop (1994) and was the USSSA Greater Cincinnati Player of the Year in 1993. Amy earned a full athletic scholarship to Southern State Community College and was the Offensive Most Valuable Player in 1994 and 1995. Amy’s senior year team won the school’s first SBC league title posting a 13-1 league record and a 16-1 regular season record. Amy is one of the pioneers of softball at New Richmond Varsity Fast Pitch Softball. She helped start a tradition of winning at NRHS that continues today.

NRMS 2nd Quarter Honor Rolls

7th Grade Merit Honor Roll
Grant Anderson, Brittney Bash, Kaeley Fagan, Alexis Forsee, Caitlyn Grooms, Anna Hamilton, Joseph Hammill, Averi Hammonds, Anna Heiden, Grant Anderson, Brittney Bash, Kaeley Fagan, Alexis Forsee, Caitly Grooms, Anna Hamilton, Joseph Hammill, Averi Hammonds, Anna Heiden, Kaylin Hoffman, Travis Justice, Anna Kellerman, Gage Kramer, Teddy Mansfield, Abigale Morris, Isabelle Oiler, Jacob Phillips, Rachael Riffle, Katherine Schlaak, Shelbi Simpson, Lukas Smiddy, Cortney Smith, Maggie Smith, Laura Wilson, Dakota Young.

7th Grade High Honors
Bailey Armbruster, Jessica Bauscher, Anna Bennett, Celia Bostic, Lilyann Cahall, Jason Chapman, Kaylee Chapman, Joshua Clancy, Sydney Closterman, Rachel Coons, Jacob Cyrus, Joshua Dixon, McKenzie Edwards, Raebecca Ellington, Clayton Farmer, Amber Fischer, Katelyn Forsee, Alex Gardner, Hunter Gilpin, Luke Glenn, Bailey Haas, Lindsay Hayes, Hunter Higginbotham, Calvin Hochberg, Zakery Hubbard, Amber Jividen, McKayla Kirschner, Madi Lanthorn, Brooke Lanthorn, Tori Loving, Angus Matthews, Ashley Mikles, Kandice Miller, Sydney Myers, Brianna Naylor, Christopher Nazareth, Zachary Neeley, Noah Scheu, Cooper Scholz, Peyton Schweickart, Heather Slye, Johnathan Snider, Brianna Sons, Staci Stephens, Tabitha Stevens, Douglas Stewart, Daniel Stoy, Maria Valenzuela, Trace Walriven, Brandin Webb, Daniel Weiskittel, Emily Willhoff, Ashley Willis, Bergen Workman.

7th Grade Honor Roll
Ryan Allen, Levi Antoni, Corey Baker, Courtney Bash, Savannah Bateman, Natalie Bates, Kaleb Boyer, Seth Butler, Taylor Cardarelli, Sally Corbett, Dawson Cromwell, Caleb Cyrus, Kasey Davis, Hannah Duty, Sadie Fischesser, Ethan Gundler, Hannah King, Jacob Konerman, Zackary Marck, Haley Maynard, Chase McDonald, Brittney Miller, Keaton Montgomery, Rebecca Reffit, Angel Sauer, Timothy Tyler, Tanner Webb, Emily Weitzel.

7th Grade Perfect Attendance
Zakari Adams, Alyssa Allen, Grant Anderson, Taylor Cardarelli, Jason Chapman, Kaylee Chapman, Sydney Closterman, Sally Corbett, Caleb Cyrus, Jacob Cyrus, Kaeley Fagan, Clayton Farmer, Alexis Forsee, Katelyn Forsee, Alex Gardner, Luke Glenn, Caitlyn Grooms, Anna Hamilton, Joseph Hammill, Averi Hammonds, Sophia Hawkins, Anna Heiden, Zakery Hubbard, Noah Kirby, Gage Kramer, Madi Lanthorn, Tori Loving, Teddy Mansfield, Angus Matthews, CJ Meyer IV, Ashley Mikles, Brittney Miller, Sydney Myers, Isabelle Oiler, Jacob Phillips, Brandon Planck, Timothy Redmond Jr, Rebecca Reffit, Nathan Sanders, Angel Sauer, Noah Scheu, Katherine Schlaak, Cooper Scholz, Heather Slye, Tiffany Vise, Dalton Wallace, Emily Weitzel, Ashley Willis, Andrew Wills.

8th Grade Merit Honor Roll
Alicia Bailey, Emily Belmont, Adrianna Flood, Evan Grippa, Timothy Hammer, Jacob Hayden, Chase Heflin, Morgan Huddleston, Harrison Light, Kelsey Nichols, Erin O'Toole, Eric Rolfes, Cydney Stiles, Kendal Warren.

8th Grade High Honors
Rachael Autzen, Chelsey Bowling, Brianna Chapman, Hannah Clifton, Kendal Collier, Kristin Evans, Kaitlyn Flake, Maren Hance, Hayley Hawkins, Dana Honaker, Ariel Huber, Ariel Johnson, Nicholas Kirby, Brooklyn Klein, Jade Kunz, Hunter Lansaw, Nicholas Laub, Ella Lindsley, Allyson Lutz, Joseph Maxwell, Kyli Meder, Jesse Noble, Kayla Olenick, Sydney Padgett, Darik Page, Laura Painter, Connor Pike, Amanda Redmon, Holly Reinert, Kiara Rivera, Tyler Sammons, Corey Secen, Maisie Waters, Corry Waters, Lindsey Williams, Anne-Marie Woods.

8th Grade Honor Roll
Cidney Adams, Gregory Beasley, Destiana Berling, Marjorie Bingham, Jacob Branson, Emily Crockett, Tamara Crosby, Rebecca Darland, Noah David, Kerrigan Dyer, Nicholas Flake, Ross Flenniken, Tyler Gates, Karl Greifenkamp, Zoe Hallahan, Benjamin Hamilton, Elise Holdsworth, Carla Koch, Peyton Kroeger, Hannah Lake, Morgan Malicoat, Taylor McKinley, Melissa Moore, Jonathan O'Dell, Kelly Rowan, Skye Saldana, Michael Simpson, Hali Stamper, Jenna Swormstedt, Austin Torrens, Jesse Troy, Chelsey Underwood, Brian Waddle, Magic Weir, Kaitlyn Williams, Michael Williamson.

8TH Grade Perfect Attendance

Erik Anderson, Alicia Bailey, Jonna Blum, Chelsey Bowling, Nikita Branam, Jacob Branson, Ryan Brunk, Dustin Carr, Brianna Chapman, Kerrigan Dyer, Donald Edwards, Kodie Feldkamp, Ross Flenniken, Adrianna Flood, Blake Gibson, Karl Greifenkamp, Benjamin Hamilton, Timothy Hammer, Jacob Hayden, Chase Heflin, Elise Holdsworth, Dana Honaker, Bailey House, Ariel Huber, Morgan Huddleston, Michael Jones Jr., Ethan Justice, Nicholas Kirby, Gavin Kirschner, Kayla Klei, Ella Lindsley, Morgan Malicoat, Seyvon Marshall, Kayla Olenick, Erin O'Toole, Laura Painter, Eric Rolfes, Tyler Sammons, Robert Sarbell, Kirsten Savage, Corey Secen, Nicholas Skeene, Christopher Sollberger, Hali Stamper, Austin Torrens, Jesse Troy, Chelsey Underwood, Anne-Marie Woods.

New Richmond begins coaching search

New Richmond High School began a search for a new football coach Monday after losing two-time Southern Buckeye coach of the year Dan Scholz to Oak Hills High School.

Scholz, who compiled a record of 37-14 in five years at New Richmond including two league title and an appearance in the state playoffs, accepted the head coaching job at Oak Hills on Saturday.

Oak Hills is Ohio’s largest high school with an enrollment of 3036 according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Scholz replaces Kurry Commins who resigned following a 4-6 season in 2011. Oak Hills is a member of the Greater Miami Conference with Colerain, where Scholz was an assistant coach before being hired at New Richmond.

“We will begin the search for a new head coach today,” said New Richmond superintendent of schools Adam Bird.

"We are thankful for the time, energy and passion Coach Scholz gave to the student-athletes of NRHS. NR Football has a legacy and tradition of success and Coach Scholz did a great job adding to that tradition. We wish him success as he moves on to another challenge."

Scholz has been in high school coaching since 1994. He was at Dublin-Scioto from 1995-2000 and coached under Kerry Coombs at Colerain from 2001-2006 before taking over at New Richmond.

“Thanks for all of the support from all of the people who made New Richmond football a special place,” said Scholz.

“My 5 years of being the head football coach in New Richmond have been very good and rewarding. I would not have the opportunity to go to such a school as Oak Hills, and to coach in the biggest public school league in the city of Cincinnati, if it were not for the hard work and dedication of the NR assistant coaches and players that have played these last five years.”

New Richmond lost only five league game during Scholz’ five seasons as coach and hasn’t lost to a SBAAC school since Oct. 16, 2009.

“I believe the football program has a great foundation, and the players know that their leadership is needed now to continue on what we have built. Knowing that there are 10 players who have started at some point on both offense and defense, the 2012 Lions should be ready to continue to win championships and finally get to the undefeated season we have been pursuing.”

Oak Hills superintendent of schools Todd Yohey believes his selection committee picked the right coach to make Oak Hills competitive in the GMC.

"Our selection committee wanted a coach who had a vision for not only our high school program, but also middle school and our community youth teams," said Yohey. "We also wanted someone with a strong coaching background and experience who can build on our current foundation and begin a winning tradition for our community. Coach Sholz met all of our expectations and we look forward to a new direction at Oak Hills."

NR teachers get technology boost

If students in the New Richmond Exempted Village School District got a new electronic gadget for Christmas, chances are their teacher can show them how it works.

New Richmond recently devoted an in-service day for teachers to technology issues ranging from use of smart phones and pad computers, sharing documents over the internet with Google Docs, to using the latest in database, social media and web authoring software.

New Richmond schools’ technology director Matt Pritchard conducts a class in Google Docs during New Richmond’s technology in-service day.

“If you have not grown up in the age of technology, you are going to need some help,” explained New Richmond superintendent Adam Bird. “Technology changes so fast and if we don’t work hard we can fall behind the kids.”

The idea of devoting an in-service day to technology issues came from New Richmond technology director Matt Pritchard whose small IT staff was stretched to find time for one-on-one training of classroom teachers. He didn’t have to wait very long for approval from Supt. Bird, who has prioritized professional development and keeping teachers ahead of the technology curve.

“I don’t know if we covered everything, but we were really excited that we could have a day where teachers could work on the same things.” said Bird.

“It was a tremendous opportunity,” said Pritchard. “We are asking teachers to utilize more technology than ever and it’s only fair that we follow up and make sure they are properly trained. The feedback has been tremendous. "

Monroe Elementary teacher Curtis Massey (left) assists Tim Clark demonstrate Smartboard technology.

Training sessions included use of Google Docs for Education (which allows users to share documents and calendars over the internet), Smartboards integration in the classroom, use of laptops including Mac Books, smartphones and tablet PCs, use of social media including YouTube and blogs, creating web pages, and introduction to Progress Book and data mapping.

Progress Book is an online program for teacher grade books, student information system, special education/gifted software, online learning, lesson plans and report cards which will replace Edline in the 2012-13 school year.

Training sessions were conducted by Pritchard and his staff of Julie Edmondson, Steve Wolf and Tanya Carter, vendor representatives and trainers from SOITA, a non-profit agency providing educators with a variety of opportunities for learning how to use technology in their classrooms.

The in-service day also included sessions for elementary math teachers on implementing the district’s new math program and sessions for intervention specialists.

“We scheduled breaks in the math and intervention sessions to allow teachers to pick technology sessions they wanted to attend,” said John Frye, director of pupil and staff services.

“It was incredibly helpful,” said Nicole Parker, high school English teacher and president of the New Richmond Education Association. “It was nice that we could choose the training that was complimentary to what we actually use in our classrooms.”
New Richmond technology specialists (from left) Julie Edmondson, Steve Wolf and Tanya Carter, conducted training sessions along with a Q & A sessions with district teachers on technology subjects.

Schools collect 14,775 for Food Pantry

New Richmond Exempted Village School District students and their families donated 14,775 items to the New Richmond Food Pantry during the district’s annual student council food drives.

The high school collected 7411 items followed by Locust Corner Elementary with 2869, Monroe Elementary with 2828 and New Richmond Elementary with 1667.
Students from Rick Mahan’s classes and library and office staff get ready to deliver the 7411 items New Richmond High School students collected for the New Richmond Food Pantry.

“In addition New Richmond High School collected $949 in cash,” noted NRHS student council advisor Jim Robinson.

“A combined group, led by Rick Mahan’s classes, the library, and the high school offices took first place each of the three weeks, collecting 1959 items.”

John Callebs' math class was second with a total of 1159 items.