World AIDS Awareness Day Program at Miami Middletown

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 03:16 PM

I just got this press release from Miami Middletown:

An observance of World AIDS day will be held at noon on Monday, Dec. 1 at Miami University Middletown.

Free and open to the public, the event will feature a panel discussion and choral music.

The World AIDS Day Observance is co-sponsored by Miami University Middletown’s F.A.C.E.S. (Faces and Cultures of Every Student) organization and the Beta Epsilon Delta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.

Miami University Middletown is located at 4200 East University Blvd.

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Special meeting set for 7 p.m.

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 12:09 PM

The Madison Board of Education is having a special meeting at 7 p.m. today to reconsider change orders for the construction project.

The board voted at their last meeting not to pay for the moving of dirt at their construction site, saying the dirt was moved without them knowing about it. They’ll be reconsidering that decision tonight.

Unlike their regular business meetings, this one will be held in the administration building, at 1324 Middletown Eaton Road.

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Board approves superintendent contract

By Meagan Engle | Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 03:34 AM

The Franklin Board of Education voted 4-0 for stability in their superintendent seat, giving retired Monroe leader Arnol Elam the job for the next two years.

Elam came on just prior to the start of the school year and has made a good impression with the staff and board, said President Chris Sizemore.

“He’s done a great job,” Sizemore said. “He’s got a vision for where he want us to be.”

“We’re looking forward to at least two additional excellent years,” Sizemore told Elam.

Importantly, Elam’s contract will ensure the district has a consistent leader through with important upcoming decisions, like the levy they will need in 2010.

The board also welcomed new member Paul Hillard, who was appointed to the vacant seat of former board Vice President John Griffo.

Hillard has previously served on the board and will “definitely bring a lot to the board,” Sizemore said during Monday’s board meeting.

The board voted 3-0 on his appointment, with board member Lori Raleigh abstaining because Hillard is her uncle.

Hillard will be a member of the board through Dec. 31, 2009.

Board members also expressed their happiness that Steve Buerschen, the district’s director of educational services, will be staying on with the district after his retirement Dec. 31.

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A busy Thanksgiving lunch

By Meagan Engle | Monday, November 24, 2008, 11:22 PM

Last week, I stopped in Carlisle to interview a student there who is collecting school supplies to send to children in Baghdad, where he father is stationed. (You can read that story in Friday’s Journal)

The school was having its Thanksgiving lunch that day, and students were able to invite their families. High School teacher Sam Lee said the crowd was much larger than they anticipated, and Principal Matt Bishop and Randy Glover, the Varsity Girls Basketball coach and tech teacher, had to grab a ladle and help out.

I remember Thanksgiving lunch at school, did you like it?

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Slime a principal

By Meagan Engle | Friday, November 21, 2008, 07:28 PM

This week, I visited Miller Ridge Elementary School, where top sellers in the school’s fundraiser got to pour slime over their principal.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen students more excited at an assembly.

Tomorrow you can read all about it in the Journal, along with information on how PTOs and booster groups are struggling in today’s economy with most families on a tight budget.

It was so loud in the gym at the school as students screamed, jumped in the air and raised their hands as their peers pour green slime all over Michael Lolli, that I thought I’d give you a glimpse of the scene with this short video clip….

Miller Ridge.mov

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Franklin students on stage this weekend

By Meagan Engle | Thursday, November 20, 2008, 01:02 AM

Franklin High School students will present a pla…… presentation this Friday and Saturday.

Their performance (I won’t call it a play because of the title) “30 Reasons Not to Be in a Play” will be happening at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 at the high school on Fourth Street. Tickets are $5.

I came in right at the midway break of the show (they didn’t call it an intermission) and caught the second half. If you go this weekend, you’re in for a funny alternative to the traditional high school play.

“It’s hilarious,” junior Alex Elton told me after a practice. He and other cast members said the show gave them an opportunity to mix it up with several different characters and got a lot of students involved.

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Read it yourself

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 06:46 PM

In Thursday’s newspaper, you can read two stories on Middletown City Schools’ appeal of a decision to deny the transfer of about 1,600 acres of land from Franklin City Schools.

The arguments made by Middletown are far too many to fit into the newspaper, so you can read the entire brief yourself here if you’re interested.

DOC006.PDF

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