Blue Devil eNews

A reminder to our families that if your student is experiencing any symptoms, they should stay home from school. We know that an unexpected sick day can create an inconvenience for your family, but a sick student at school sets off a cascade of consequences for others. When students display symptoms at school, it can require our district nursing staff to conduct contact tracing and other students/staff being quarantined. Please do your part to keep our students healthy and in the classroom.

Here are the symptoms we should all be watching out for:

• Loss of taste or smell

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

As part of our commitment to communication and fiscal responsibility, Reading Schools is sharing more information about district finances. Funds for the district are generated from local taxes and have a specific purpose.

An operating levy pays for operating expenses, such as salaries & benefits, utilities, maintenance, transportation, supplies, and other services for students.

A permanent improvement levy is used to pay for capital improvements and equipment with a life-span of 5 years or more, such as school buses, HVAC systems, technology, and curriculum.

A bond issue is for a capital improvement project, such as school construction or renovation, and these funds can not be used for operating expenses. One way to look at this is that levies are for learning, bonds are for building.

Superintendent Jason Enix and Treasurer Colette Lewis have been holding a series of Community Chats and Community Forums to give everyone an opportunity to learn about district finances and operations. If you have questions, they are always available. If there is something you’d like discussed at an upcoming community event email: questions@readingschools.org

Students in grades 7 and 8 at Reading Middle School have been performing well in their “Power of the Pen” creative writing contests. Power of the Pen allows students to compete as individuals and teams in a timed writing challenge. 8 of our Blue Devil writers qualified for regional competition this year. 7th graders Kiersten Kleehamer received a 9th place medal and Bayleigh Thompson earned 12th place. Our 7th-grade team, coached by Cindy Childs places 2nd overall. Our 8th-grade team, coached by Kate Moster, had two medalists - Zach Fritsch placed 7th, and Hudson Schierloh placed 10th. They’ll move on to Regional Competition Saturday, February 27th!

Congratulations to all our Blue Devils who made Honor Roll in the second quarter.

Several days per week, Reading students get hands-on work experience and learn about entrepreneurship thanks to a local business owner. Yok Shaw runs Bitter Sweet at 1001 Jefferson Avenue in the Reading Bridal District. During the day the restaurant serves crepes, coffee, and smoothies.

For the last few months, Ms. Yok has been volunteering her time, kitchen, and expertise to Reading students through the Blue Devil Bakery. Students learn everything from teamwork and problem-solving skills to baking, designing, and marketing their creations. Try the Classic Chocolate Chip, The Blue Devil, Everything but the Kitchen Sink, Sea Turtle, Cocoberry, Birthday Bliss, Rocky Road, and Pitch Fork Peanut Butter. Cookie orders can be placed by calling the store (513-554-4000) before Tuesdays at noon or through students involved with Blue Devil Bakery sales. Orders will be filled and ready for pickup at the bakery on Thursdays.

Thank you Ms. Yok for giving our students this great opportunity!

The Blue Devils were shut down in early November and restarted practice again on January 4. The devils start 5-6 freshmen, 3 sophomores, 2 juniors, and 1 senior this season. Reading started the season 10-2 and is looking to schedule more matches including Wyoming, Indian Hill, and Finneytown. The Stat leaders so far are John Thomas - 170, Caden Conner - 152, Austin Fancher - 126, and Jacob Sayles - 182.

RESULTS

Reading 43 - 30 over Norwood, Reading 33 - 25 over C N E

Reading 37 - 36 over Madeira, Reading 42 - 30 loss to Goshen

Reading 70 - 12 to Campbell County, Reading 45 - 28 over Norwood

Reading 42 - 24 over Lakota West, Reading 45 - 9 over Winton Woods

Reading 60 - 9 over Deer Park, Reading 54 - 12 over Aiken

Reading 66 - 15 over HighLands, Reading 46 - 27 over Taylor

Matches next week Madeira and Blanchester.

We are approaching one year since COVID-19 forced the sudden closure of schools across Ohio. This has been a stressful time for our students, families, and staff, but support is available. Reading families who are in need of mental health resources can visit our District Help Center, or contact our counselors:

High School

Ronda Eisenhard

Teri Bemmes

Middle School

Leslie Salerno

Elementary

Amber Stinson

Additional resources are available through the Children’s Home, which can be accessed here.

• Second Quarter Honor Roll students will receive their certificate and a small token during first bell on Friday, February 19. Great job!

• AP Students, please make sure that your deposit for your AP exam(s) has been paid. All fees were added to your student fee account and may be paid online, with cash, or with a check. Students on free or reduced lunch do not have fees. Please be watching for an email with more information. AP test balances are due in full by Wed, March 17.

• All Juniors (including Great Oaks students), you will be taking a mandatory ACT test on Tuesday, February 23 at RHS. RHS Juniors will sign up on MyACT to create an account. You will be receiving more information over the next week.

• Quarter 3 interims will be coming home with your student on Friday, February 19. You may always check Progress Book for the most current information. If you need assistance signing into Progress Book for your high school student, please contact Mrs. Bell at cbell@readingschools.org.

• District-wide parent-teacher conferences will be on Thursday, February 25 from 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM. A PTCFast sign up will be sent to high school parents soon. This will allow you to schedule conferences with your student's teacher(s). Friday, February 26 will be a Teacher Inservice day, there is no school for students.

• In the coming month, the high school Guidance Department will be starting scheduling for next year! Look for emails to be sent out with parent and student meeting information.

• Seniors!!!! Local scholarship applications will be available to you on Wed, March 10.

• Seniors!!!! Make sure to check your student fees. All fees must be paid in full prior to May 27 for you to receive your diploma at graduation and for your final transcript to be sent to colleges. You may pay online through EZ Pay or with cash or check in the high school office. The last day we will accept a personal check is Friday, April 30.