A record year for giving by NR schools

From donating 30,000 food items to the Village Food Pantry, to raising more than $10,000 to help the needy,  to putting boots on the ground to aide community programs,  New Richmond Exempted Village School District staff, students and community proved once again that care and concern for students and their families is not limited to the classroom.

Virtual Academy director Gary
Combs and his students joined
Transitions Program students to
help Matthew 25 Ministries.

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to be a part of a school district where care and concern for students and their families is not limited to the confines of the classroom and where an attitude of giving and giving back is cultivated at every grade level and extends exponentially into our community,” said New Richmond High School teacher Sue Griffin, whose Lions Reach Out charity raised $8000.

Lions Reach Out fundraising efforts included the Turkey Tuesday basketball game between high school students and staff, a craft fair and a Bengals ticket raffle that raised $700. An anonymous donor donated two Bengals club seats valued at $410 for the raffle. River Hills and Park National banks, Front Street Café, the Green Kayak and the Landing sold tickets.

“That $8000 also includes contributions from staff members and community residents and Chuck and James (entertainers Chuck Grady and James Evanshine) donating their Human Jukebox fees,” said Griffin. “The money put into gifts for kids sponsored by parents and staff members probably added another $2000-3000 to that total.  This year, we took care of about 80 children, ranging in age from an infant to seniors in high school.”

New Richmond Elementary provided gifts for more than 70 students.

“In addition to supporting  the Lions Reach Out Program, the NRE staff partnered with Park National Bank in New Richmond to provide gifts for more than 70 of our students through our first annual Giving Tree program,” said NRE principal Jamie Kunz.

New Richmond Virtual Academy students volunteer at Matthew 25 Ministries.

NRHS Virtual Academy students joined NREVSD Transitions Program students on their monthly trip to Mathew 25 Ministries to package items for the needy.

“It’s good for all students to provide a service to their community,” said Virtual Academy director Gary Combs, who worked with Transitions teacher Lisa Martin to coordinate the effort. “Mathew 25 Ministries was complimentary of the students from New Richmond and invited them to volunteer anytime they like.”

The district food drive set records again for the district, high school, middle school and elementary schools with the high school collecting 15,277 items, the middle school 8800 items and the three elementary schools combining for 6006 items for a district total of 30,083 items for the New Richmond Village Food Pantry.

NREVSD staff, students and their families donated
30,083 food items to the New Richmond Food Pantry.

Last year’s district food drive collected 26,891 items with the high school leading with 14,920.

“It’s an all-time high once again,” said NRHS principal Mark Bailey. “We’ve broken the record for three years in a row.”

New Richmond Middle School staff and students load up some of the 8800
food items collected for the New Richmond Food Pantry.

“There is a wonderful synergy that happens when the things that all of us do together are much greater than what any of us could do individually,” said Griffin.

Monroe gives ‘Good Nights’ to 200 needy children

Thanks to Monroe Elementary students more than 200 needy children will have warm pajamas and new books to read this winter.

Monroe’s 2^nd and 3^rd grade classes have a long tradition of foregoing their traditional Christmas parties to collect items for the needy and community service organizations.

Monroe teacher Staci Heiden stands by five baskets of new pajamas
Monroe students and staff raise for the Pajama Program.

“Staci Heiden (Monroe 3rd grade teacher) approached me about the 2^nd and 3^rd grade classes joining the Pajama Program this year,” said Monroe principal Craig Horn. “It was such a great idea we decided to make it school wide effort.”

Mrs. Heiden set a goal of collecting 200 new pajamas for the Pajama Program, which provides new pajamas and new books to children in need nationwide, many of whom are waiting to be adopted.

“Scholastic publishers donate one new book for every pair of pajamas donated to the program and Monroe was able to give 201 needy children warm pajamas and a new book to read,” said Heiden.

Horn rewarded the school an all-day pajama party Dec. 17 for reaching the school’s goal.

Monroe staff and students were rewarded with an all-day pajama party
 after reaching the school's goal of 200 pajamas for the Pajama Program

The mission of the Pajama Program is to give “every child has a right to a good night” by providing warm pajamas and new books to children in need nationwide with a goal of collecting 1 million pajamas a 1 million books. With more than a week to go the organization has collected 971,273 PJs and 917,046 thanks to the effort of schools like Monroe.

For more information about the program go to http://www.pajamaprogram.org/.

Transitions Program featured in magazine

New Richmond Exempted Village School District’s Transitions Program, which provides students with disabilities in ages 18-22 a functional curriculum including life skills and employment skills, will be featured in the January edition of Ohio’s Salt Magazine.

Salt Magazine's Beverly Draalik (left) interviews
Transitions teacher Lisa Martin.

The cornerstone of the New Richmond Transitions Program is The Brewhaus Bakery Company located on the first floor of the Market Street School where Salt Magazine journalist Beverly Drapalik visited in December and viewed the process of baking and marketing Brewhaus Dog Bones made from spent whole grains sourced from local Cincinnati microbreweries.

Salt Magazine is published six times a year by the Wilmington News-Journal. The magazine is available online at www.thesaltmagazine.com.

Teacher Lisa Martin and job coaches Bobbie Perry, Gaylynne Robinson, Michelle Flood and Shelley Glenn are providing job and living skills for eight students through the age of 23 while saving the district $100,000 a year.

Transitions Program associates market their Brewhaus Dog Bones at November's Cincinnati Holiday Market at the  Duke Energy Center.

Transitions Program associates enjoy a social outing at a Cincinnati Reds game.

“Beverly Drapalik interviewed our coaches and associates and followed the entire process of producing dog bones from picking up the grains at two local microbreweries, mixing the grains with peanut butter, eggs and rice flour, molding, baking and packaging the bones for delivery to local vendors,” said Martin.

In Ohio, students with disabilities can forgo accepting their high school diplomas and receive training in life and employment skills by their school district until they reach the age of 23. Formerly contracted out to another district, the Transitions program was moved back to the district in 2014 at a savings of more than $100,000 per year due to the number of students involved.

Lisa Graham, a local parent and entrepreneur, worked with the NREVSD to establish the Brewhaus Dog Bones Company which is managed by the Associates and provides a real business experience for the Associates.

Students participate in all aspects of the program from planning/forecasting demand, making, baking, labeling and weighing bags, processing orders, attending community sales opportunities, calculating costs, counting money (both cash and credit) from sales and then making bank deposits.

“The associates are involved in selling the Brewhaus Dog Bones at a variety of events in the Cincinnati area,” said Martin. “Beverly asked an associate what he liked most about the business, he replied, ‘All of it.’ Brewhaus provides many future employment skills and self-confidence in a variety of setting for the associates.”

One recent event the Transitions class participated in was a booth at the Cincinnati Holiday Market at the Duke Energy Center in November.  Associates produced thousands of small dog bone treats to sell at this event.

 “The goal is to eventually have our own freestanding ‘Brew Bakery’ for supported employment and to continue as a vocational training site,” said John Frye, New Richmond’s director of pupil and staff services. “It’s 100% non-profit and all proceeds go back into growing our program for others to participate. Best of all, your dog will love you for giving a Brewhaus Dog Treat.”

District scores above state cut in all subjects

The New Richmond Exempted Village School District scored above the state established cut scores in all 2015 Ohio State Assessments for grades 3-8 in Reading, Math, English Language Arts and Social Studies and over the state cut in 2015 end of course exams in preliminary results released Nov. 20 by the Ohio Department of Education.

District totals for grades 3-8 include averages of 75 percent or better in 12 of 16 state indicators and above 80 percent in five indicators.

"I am thankful to work with so many hard-working and dedicated people committed to serving our community," Supt. Adam Bird said in releasing the results. "I am also thankful for all that our teachers, administrators, and students did to prepare for the common core assessments last spring. New Richmond is a special place and I am happy to have entrusted my children in your hands these many years."

Here's how New Richmond compared to other Clermont County districts:

MIA Robert Gumbert to be honored

The only Clermont County MIA from the Vietnam War Robert William Gumbert, Jr. To be honored at New Richmond High School Veterans Day 2015 Wednesday, November 11, at 1:30 p.m.

Former New Richmond High School Class of 1967 graduate, Robert William Gumbert Jr., will be honored on Veterans Day in the same gymnasium where he graduated almost 50 years ago. In attendance will be his father, Robert William Gumbert of New Richmond, Ohio. Robert Jr’s mother is no longer living.

 PFC Robert W. Gumbert Jr. was the oldest of 10 children born to Robert and Geneva Gumbert. He graduated from New Richmond High School in 1967 and was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. On June 22, 1970 PFC Robert W. Gumbert was killed in action; body not recovered. He is the only Clermont County MIA (Missing in Action) from the Vietnam War.

SYNOPSIS: At 0700 hours on June 22, 1970, PFC Robert W. Gumbert was walking point for his squad on a combat mission in South Vietnam. The unit was operating in Quang Ngai Province near the border of Binh Dinh Province, near the coastline of South Vietnam about 10 miles south of the city of Mo Duc, and about 3 miles east of Duc Pho.

While Gumbert was moving through a hedgerow area, an explosive device detonated along the southern edge of the hedgerow at Gumbert's position. The explosion created a crater 4 1/2' deep and 12 feet wide. The two men, SP4 Gary L. Peat and SP4 Joseph M. Turowski Jr., were killed, with SP4 Peat, who was just behind PFC Gumbert, being dismembered.

Source: http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/g/g402.htm

PFC Robert W. Gumbert Jr. is listed on the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. His name is located on Panel 09W (West), Row 79. Through the work of the Clermont County Vietnam Veterans, Tim Roth of Roth Monuments in Newport, Kentucky and State Representative Jean Schmidt, a monument was dedicated in 2010 at Arlington National Cemetery, Section MK, Site 320 in honor of PFC Robert W. Gumbert Jr. of New Richmond, Ohio.

Cliff Riley, Ohio State Commander for the Vietnam Veterans of America and recipient of the highest national award of the Vietnam Veterans of America will be the main speaker at this year’s event.

Tom Mitchell, HONOR AND REMEMBER Ohio Chapter Director, will be presenting the HONOR AND REMEMBER flag to Mr. Gumbert. The mission of HONOR AND REMEMBER is to create and promote a nationally recognized emblem to remind all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms.

New Richmond High School has a Veterans Day Program every year to honor our nation’s heroes from all branches of service. Veterans from WWII to our current war will be in attendance. High School Principal, Mark Bailey, believes it is important to honor our veterans and allow students the opportunity to meet them and hear first hand their stories. Previous speakers at the New Richmond High School Veterans Day Program have been U. S. Representative and Army Reserve officer, Brad Wenstrup and Staff Sergeant Paul Brondhaver, wounded Iraq Veteran from New Richmond, Ohio.

The program is open to veterans and friends of the Gumbert Family. For more information, contact Regina Herbolt at (513) 207-2983. -- http://www.vva649.org/

NRHS craft show seeking vendors

New Richmond High School will host its annual craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.

“We are looking for a wide variety of vendors and visitors to join us for this event, which raises money for our marching band and for Lions Reach Out, a small charity that helps out needy families during the holidays,” said NRHS teacher Sue Griffin.  ““We have lots of vendors with unique, affordable products.  Everything from soap to jewelry to homemade treats will be featured.”

 All vendors will be in prime locations in our gym, cafeteria and theatre lobby and there is plenty of help available to help vendors load and unload. Booth space is only $35. There will be a small additional charge for a table or electrical outlets.

A concession stand will be open throughout the day and we'll have a raffle and bake sale as well. If you'd like to be one of our vendors, or you have questions about the fair, please contact Joyce Montgomery at 513-553-3191x10906 or Sue Griffin at 513-553-3191x10314  for more information.

NRHS science teams excel in competition

The New Richmond High School senior team coached by teacher Pat Crowley finished second overall out of 64 teams in the annual Clermont County Science Challenge competition held at UC Clermont College.

Team members were Sydney Padgett, Kelsey Nichols, Brooklyn Klein and Tim Hammer.

“Our 12th grade team ranked 2nd overall due to several 4th and 5th place finishes,” noted Crowley. “They scored high enough, and consistently enough, to earn the second-most points of any team.  The first-place team (Milford) had 9.5 more total points more than our senior team.”

Science Challenge is a joint venture among local school district teachers and the Clermont County Educational Service Center to provide a youth leadership initiative that uses team and problem solving skills. The program begins at the local school district level and culminates in a county-wide event.

Each team participated in four 50 minute events in Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, and Nature of Science. Teams had to use their knowledge of physics, life science, and earth science to solve problems similar to what scientists and engineers have to do with real-world issues.

“I am extremely proud of the successes our students experienced at the Clermont County Science Challenge,” said NRHS principal Mark Bailey. “Our senior team placed 2nd out of 64 teams and our underclassmen represented the district equally as well earning many gold and bronze medals.”

The NRHS 9th grade team consisting of Archer Maguire, Quincey Isparo, Rachel Gastrich, Hailey Kramer and Aaron Prescott won a gold medal in Nature of Science and a bronze medal in Physical Science and was ranked 20th overall out of 64 teams competiting.

The NRHS 11th Grade team consisting of Collin Albers, Teddy Mansfield, Joey Hammill, Alex Gardner and Travis Justice won the gold medal in Physical Science.

“Our students' success is a testimony to their dedication and perseverance as well as the support of their families,” said Bailey. “These accomplishments serve as confirmation in my mind that New Richmond has excellent science teachers focused on Ohio's New Learning Standards who develop interesting and rigorous learning experiences for our students.”

John Frye honored for Transition Program

John Frye, Director of Pupil and Staff Services for the New Richmond Exempted Village School District, has been honored as the district’s Career Prep Educator of the Year by the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce for his work with the Transitions Program for students with disabilities and the development of Brewhaus Dog Bones.

This recognition event is part of the Work Readiness Initiative of the Clermont Chamber of Commerce Foundation which brings educators and businesses together to enhance students’ work-ready skills. Frye was nominated by NREVSD Supt. Adam Bird. 

Transition serves students with disabilities ages 18-22 in a life skills, employment skills and functional curriculum.  Currently eight student Associates are served by four job coaches and a teacher who work to prepare them for adulthood. Formerly contracted out to West Clermont, the Transition program was moved back to the district in 2014 at a savings of more than $100,000 per year.

John Frye (second from right in back row) is pictured with Supt. Adam Bird,
teachers, aides and associates of The Brewhaus Bakery Co. which serves
 students with disabilities ages 18-22 in developing employment
and life skills.

The cornerstone of the New Richmond Transitions Program is The Brewhaus Bakery Company located on the first floor of the Market Street School.  

“Brewhaus produces handcrafted, small batch, oven baked dog treats made from whole grains sourced proudly from local Cincinnati microbreweries,” said Frye. “Mrs. Lisa Graham, parent and entrepreneur in our district, established the Brewhaus Dog Bones company which is managed by the Associates and provides a real business experience for the Associates.”

Currently, Listermann Brewing Co./Triple Digit Microbrewery, Mt. Carmel Brewing Co., Rivertown Brewing Co., Bad Tom Smith Brewing, Paradise Brewing Supply, Ei8ht Ball Brewing, Braxton Brewing, Fibonacci Brewing Co., and Old Firehouse Brewery donate spent barley grains and sell the Brewhaus products in taprooms/brewing supply stores.

Mariemont, New Richmond, Oak Hills, Sycamore, Princeton, Mason in Ohio and Ft. Thomas and Boone County in Kentucky participate in the program and use the start to finish non-profit business model to help their students with disabilities (typically ages 18-22) learn valuable work and life skills.

Students participate in all aspects of the program from planning/forecasting demand, making, baking, labeling and weighing bags, processing orders, attending community sales opportunities, calculating costs, counting money (both cash and credit) from sales and then making bank deposits.

Associates in the NREVSD Transition Program are pictured preparing
Brewhaus Dog Bones from spent brewery grain.

“The goal is to eventually have our own freestanding ‘Brew Bakery’ for supported employment and to continue as a vocational training site,” said Frye. “Brewhaus hopes to create a micro industry in Cincinnati from the spent grains that will directly benefit people with disabilities. It’s 100% non-profit and all proceeds go back into growing our program for others to participate. Best of all, your dog will love you for giving a Brewhaus Dog Treat.”

Brewhaus has partnered with Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to create a paid employment opportunity.

Brewhaus Dog Bones are currently being sold at Rivertown IGA in New Richmond, Party Source in Bellevue, Ky., Country Fresh Market in Anderson Township, Newtown Feed & Seed, Earthwise Pet Supply on Montgomery Road, Family Animal Hospital in Batavia, Cincinnati Hills Animal Clinic on Montgomery Road, Dog Day Every Day on Ohio Pike and Princeton Glendale Road in West Chester, Anderson Family Pet Center on Clough Pike, Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt on Eastgate South Drive, and Gardenia Garden and Home Décor in Milford.

NRHS welcomes back Dwayne Woodruff

New Richmond High School Hall of Famer Dwayne Woodruff returns to his hometown during Homecoming on Oct. 2 to present his Dwayne Woodruff Scholarship to 2015 recipient James Mahan.

Woodruff, who was a three-sport star at New Richmond and led the Lions to the 1974 Clermont County League championship, went on to play college football at the University of Louisville and an 11-year career in the NFL as a cornerback for the Pittsburg Steelers, where  he accumulated 37 interceptions after being drafted in the sixth round in 1979.


As a rookie in 1079, he played in all 16 games and won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV. He made at least 10 starts in nine of his 11 seasons with the Steelers, including 1982 when he was named Pittsburgh Steelers Team MVP. During two of his 11 seasons with the Steelers, Woodruff was rated as the fastest player in the NFL.

The University of Louisville named its academic center within the Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex after Woodruff in 2007. Woodruff’s No. 10 jersey was retired by Louisville and now hangs in Papa John Stadium. Woodruff played for the Cardinals from 1976-78 and collected 161 career tackles, while intercepting three passes. He recorded a career-best 97 tackles in 1977 as the Cardinals advanced to the Independence Bowl.

While playing football during the day for the Steelers, Woodruff prepared for his life’s work at night and obtained his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law and became a founding member of the law firm Woodruff & Flaherty, P.C. (now Flaherty Fardo, LLC) out of Shadyside in Pittsburgh.

While in law school, Woodruff was nicknamed ‘The Judge’ by Steeler owner Art Rooney and 15 years after his retirement from pro football, Woodruff lived up to his nickname and became Judge Dwayne Woodruff after being elected to the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County. He was a candidate for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court but lost in the 2015 primary election.

Woodruff is married to Joy Maxberry Woodruff. They are the parents of three children; Jillian an Ob/Gyn Physician, Jenyce an attorney and John a law student at the Duquesne University School of Law.

The Woodruffs have shared their success with Dwayne’s hometown by sponsoring the Dwayne Woodruff Scholarship which gives $2000 annually to a deserving New Richmond High School graduate.

Woodruff and his wife Joy are currently chairpersons of the "Do The Write Thing" in Pittsburgh. The program is an Initiative of the National Campaign to Stop Violence (NCSV). The Do the Write Thing Challenge gives middle school students an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence on their lives in classroom discussions and in written form by communicating what they think should be done to change our culture of violence.

Kindergarten classes sing for grandparents

New Richmond Elementary School Kindergarten students in the classrooms of teachers Courtney Shuman, Sarah Metzger and Katie Alsip will be performing for grandparents at the school's Grandparents Day Friday, Sept. 25.