IH

INDIAN
HILL
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
PROMISE
FALL
2024
WELCOME HOME! A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR FUTURE CLASS OF 2037

INDIANHILLSCHOOLS.ORG

WELCOME HOM
BRAVE FAMILY:E A MESSAGE FROM CEO/SUPERINTENDENT KIRK KOENNECKE

It is with great excitement that we welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year!

From our unparalleled academics, arts, and athletics, to our world-class and award-winning faculty and staﬀ, we know the educational experience we deliver
is unique. This school year, as we utilize our community-supported, state-of-the-art new and renovated facilities, we will welcome our Brave Family HOME through our live events, our website, our social media channels, our printed publications, and our videos.

Our #IHPromise

We look back over the last school year with pride: Indian Hill is ranked No. 1 in the state according to Niche; is a “Best Communities for Music Education”; has become one of six districts in the nation to earn the AASA STEM Designation; with Indian Hill Primary School, Indian Hill Elementary School, and Indian Hill High School earning Ohio STEM Designations, recognized as the best of the best in STEM learning from the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN); and we are once again a Top Workplace, as voted on by our employees!

Thank you for trusting us with your child; thank you

INDIAN HILL SCHOOL DISTRICT LAUNCHES STUDENT AMBASSADORS NEWSCAST

This school year, the Indian Hill School District launched a new way to communicate that turns the microphone over to students. The debut IH Student Ambassadors newscast – released with the digital beBRAVE District newsletter, and shared across the District social media channels – featured students from Indian Hill Primary School through Indian Hill High School, introducing themselves as student-leaders who will broadcast stories from their respective buildings for a total of 19 episodes this school year.

Scan the QR code to

WATCH NOW!

We arrive back to campus this school year in year three of our always evolving #IHPromise strategic plan, to continue to help us focus on how to develop Learners
as Doers, Learners as Individuals, and Learners as the Whole Child. This school year, we are laser focused
K-12 on three high-yield strategies to ensure we reach our goals:

for investing in our facilities; thank you for supporting our mission and our vision as we continue to evolve the work we do. It is going to be a spectacular school year!

Brave Family: Welcome HOME!

In service to our children,

WE LOVE OUR
BUS DRIVERS!	We travel at least 295,316 miles in one school year.

We transport at least 1500+ students

Wehavea combined total of 779 years of experience as bus drivers. Ranging from 1 year to 44 years.

• Building Thinking Classrooms:

Building Thinking Classrooms focuses on creating environments where students are encouraged to think critically, solve problems independently, and engage deeply with content.

• Project-Based Learning:

Project-Based Learning is an instructional approach where students actively explore real-world challenges and questions through meaningful projects.

• Leadership Development:
Leadership Development focuses on nurturing students’ conﬁdence, responsibility, and empathy, empowering them to become eﬀective leaders in their schools and communities.

Kirk Koennecke CEO/Superintendent Indian Hill School District Kirk.Koennecke@ihsd.us
@ihsuperbrave

“I enjoy meeting the families along my route. I not only get to know the children that I transport, but also their parents, and their kindness over the years has brought me joy. I hope that I do the same for them.

I’m one of the first people the students see in the morning, so I make sure to smile and greet them by name to help get their day off to a good start. Getting to know every student by name
plays a big role in creating mutual respect. I

Already, we are seeing the impact; students across our schools are becoming more engaged and conﬁdent in their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through innovative teaching strategies. By participating in meaningful, real-world projects, they are actively involved in their learning, while leadership opportunities are helping them grow into responsible and empathetic leaders.

MEET MR. MARK, INDIAN HILL BUS DRIVER

20+ YEARS OF SERVICE TO STUDENTS

look forward to our conversations about their schooling, and I take pleasure in driving and supporting our Braves in sporting events, band trips, and field trips.

I’m grateful to the Indian Hill community for

allowing me to be a part of it.”

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ACADEMICS	ARTS ARTS CONSERVATORY SPOTLIGHT: BRAVE MARCHING BAND

Our BMB, part of our nationally recognized music education program, consistently scores high in fall marching band competitions; wewere the 2019 Class A Champions at Mid States Competition!

Five student-musicians will perform with the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) All-State Choir and Orchestra ensembles for 2025! These students wereselected from thousands of applicants from high school students across the state of Ohio after an audition submission that was reviewed by a blind adjudication process. Congratulations to: Choir: Nate Reich, Melissa Muench, and Freddie Kong.Orchestra: Aaron Scott and Grace Yu.

NATIONAL MERIT RECOGNIZES 14 INDIAN HILL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Indian Hill High School congratulates the 14 students who were recognized as part of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their outstanding performance last year on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Eight students from Indian Hill High School have qualiﬁed for the National Merit Semiﬁnalist Competition: Nathan Bunkowske, Hongkam Chan, Rafi Hagopian, Meredith Leder, Lillian Liu, Jenna O’Driscoll, Arjun Velayutham, and Brandon Yang. In addition, six Indian Hill High School students have been recognized as National Merit Commended Scholars: Enguerrand Bonniol, Daniel Choi, Jolyne Gunadi, Campbell Miller, Kip Richardson, and Jacob Ruby.

“These student-scholars have proven themselves among the best of the best in the nation, and we are incredibly proud of this recognition. This honor is not the result of one test alone, it is the culmination of academic focus and dedication to excellence over time. We oﬀer sincere congratulations to these outstanding students, their families, and their educators during every part of their journey to this incredible moment.”

- Andy Gruber, Indian Hill High School Principal

DID YOU KNOW?

BMB Director Don Barker plays trumpet with the Swingtime Big Band! • Total Years Teaching: 29
• Total Years at Indian Hill: 23

BMB Director Chris Rotsching plays tenor sax with the Sound Body Jazz Orchestra! • Total Years Teaching: 33
• Total Years at Indian Hill: 30

Total Years working TOGETHER at Indian Hill: 23!

UPCOMING SHOW DATES

HS Fall Show Performances October 17, 18, 19 (7:00 pm)

MS & HS Fall Choral Concert October 22 (7:00 pm)

MS & HS Fall Band Concert October 29 (7:00 pm)

MS & HS Fall Orchestra Concert October 30 (7:00 pm)

MS Fall Show Performances November 15 & 16 (6:30 pm)

HS Art Show Semester 1 December 2-5 (All Day)

Cabaret

December 7 (6:30 pm)

MS Chamber Music Concert December 11 (7:00 pm)

ES Choir Concert December 12 (6:00 pm)

MS Winter Choral Concert January 28 (7:00 pm)

HS Winter Band & Orchestra Concert February 4 (7:00 pm)

PS 2nd Grade Performances February 10, 11, 12 (6:00 pm)

HS Winter Musical Performances February 20, 21, 22 (7pm & 2pm)

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National Superintendent of the Year

The ribbon was oficially cut on the new Indian Hill School District’s Entrepreneurs’ Center during the Grand Opening on Thursday,September 5 inside Indian Hill High School. The packed event provided potential partners, students, and families a chance to explore both the new facility and learn more about the robust program offering being developed to focus on leadership in grades K-12.

“We are thrilled with the turnout,” said Indian Hill Director of K-12 Leadership and Development Jeff Damadeo. “Most exciting for us,was the work by our student-leaders during the event that allowed our current and potential professional partners to ex-perience exactly what we mean when we talk about developing a program around leadership. They watched our current student-leaders in action!”

The Indian Hill Entrepreneurs’ Center will provide students in grades K-12 a dynamic environment to cultivate their entrepreneurial skills and innovative thinking; the dedicated space will offer hands-on experience, such as business plan development, startup simulations, and mentorship from business leaders. Students will learn essential professional skills, strategic planning, and have
the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials, further preparing them for a rapidly changing global economy.

GRAND OPENING: INDIAN HILL SCHOOL DISTRICT UNVEILS ENTREPRENEURS’ CENTER

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“We are dedicated to equipping our students with unparalleled opportunities in leadership learning,” said Indian Hill CEO/Superintendent Kirk Koennecke. “The Indian Hill Entrepreneurs’ Center is our commit-ment in action, and we know we have the profes-sional partners and potential partner network in place to make the very real dreams of our students come true. We thank every member of the Brave family who supported our grand opening event,
and we welcome any potential students, families, or partners who are interested to come experience
what it means to be an Indian Hill Brave. This is only the beginning.”

Scan the QR code to watch the ribbon cutting ceremony.

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ATHLETICS	GENERATIONS OF CHAMPION TENNIS BRAVES

INDIAN HILL COACH WADE WARD NAMED OHIO GIRLS TENNIS COACH OF THE YEAR

$12.5 M

The Indian Hill School District congratulates Indian Hill Varsity Tennis Program Director and Coach Wade Ward named National Federation of High School Coaches Ohio Girls Tennis Coach of the Year. As the varsity coach for the girls, Coach Ward won the Division 2 Team State Championship in 2023, after having an undefeated season, beating the Division 1 State Champions twice. As the varsity coach for the boys, Coach Ward has won two Division 2 Team State Championships (2022 and 2024) and been runner-up twice (2018 and 2021), also winning a Singles State Championship in 2018 (Andrew Pregel) and a doubles State Championship in 2022 (Tejas Pisati and RJ Poffenberger).

$10 M

WE NEED YOUR HELP
INDIAN HILL ATHLETIC FIELDHOUSE UPDATE

As the Indian Hill athletic director, I want to begin by saying THANK YOU!

Ward has more than 30 years of tennis experience,growing up playing, and competing in the NCAA at the University of Toledo. Ward went on to coach college-level athletes at the University of South Alabama, and has served the Indian Hill School District as the Varsity Boys Tennis Coach since 2016 and the Varsity Girls
Tennis Coach since 2020,with both teams earning winning seasons every year that Ward has coached. During his tenure as a Brave, Ward has been named CHL Coach of the Year 10 times and the Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coach of the Year six times.

Indian Hill Coach Wade Ward (center) standing with Coach Adam Wolter (left) and Coach Mike Piergalski (right).

Our donor partners have raised $6 million to date in private funds to bring us close to making our dream of the Indian Hill Athletic Fieldhouse, which would serve both our student and our community, a reality.

This is incredible!

We need to cross a $10 million total to get to the next stage of planning, which means there is still work to do.

We are currently exploring opportunities to raise the additional $4 million needed to begin construction. If you would like to meet privately, please contact me (brian. phelps@ihsd.us) or CEO/Superintendent Kirk Koennecke (kirk.koennecke@ihsd.us).

We appreciate your support, and we look forward to seeing how we can partner to bring the Indian Hill Athletic Fieldhouse to completion.

$6 M

“I graduated from Indian Hill in 2004. During my time as a Brave, I was part of the varsity tennis team, where we won numerous state championships. I had the opportunity to play alongside great players and learn from great coaches,” said Ward. “It’s a privilege to now have the opportunity to be a coach and mentor to Indian Hill’s next generation of great tennis players. I am passionate about developing and empowering young athletes, fostering a positive and supportive team culture, and achieving outstanding results. It has
also been very cool to step into a new role as a Brave, from student athlete to coach, and be able to coach with my former coach, Adam Wolter. I have great pride leading these young athletes and being able to coach them and continue to create a great tennis experience at Indian Hill. It has been a full circle experience and a great
way to give back to Indian Hill and continue to be a part of this amazing community.”

Dedicated to the success of our Braves,

OTCA Boys Tennis State Champions

OTCA Girls Tennis State Champions

Brian Phelps Athletic Director Indian Hill Schools

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CHANGING THE GAME:
MEET LOGAN NEFF, STRENGTH TRAINING COACH

“Being a Brave means embodying strength, resilience, and unity both on and oﬀ the ﬁeld. Working with the Indian Hill community isn’t just about training athletes; it’s about forging a collective spirit that inspires greatness and celebrates every triumph together. In this community, we don’t just build strength— we build character and a shared legacy of excellence.”

Philosophy:
• Our mission is to embody a program that caters to long term athletic development taught with fundamental,comprehensive, and all-encompassing principles of health and wellness so our community has the opportunity to live a long healthy life.

Program:
• Served over 80% of our student body in year one; student body is made up of 84% student athletes
• Trained 18/21 varsity sports teams, as well as 5 of our IHMS teams • 23 College Commitments
Scan the QR	• Injury Data
to read more	- Saw a 27% decrease in injury rate (year one) about Logan.	- ZERO ACLor major lower body extremity injuries

OME

EDUHERO PODCAST Superintendent Koennecke. Indian Hill students, partners, and alumni. Authentic conversation.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT Once each quarter our CEO and CFO will team up to take a ﬁ eld trip into our facilities and learn from our students and teachers how we are creating an experience that is Uniquely Indian Hill!

IH PLATINUM CLUB Welcome to a new way to be Brave! We are continuing an exclusive, free membership for all residents of the Indian Hill School District age 50+ to be our guest through the IH Platinum Club.
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COFFEE WITH KIRK
A way to connect in-person -meet the CEO of the Indian Hill School District!

Thursday, November 14 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Indian Hill Board of Education Ofice

		

IH Promise | 11

INDIAN HILL EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT 6855 DRAKE ROAD, CINCINNATI,OH 45243
(513) 272-4500

Non-Proﬁt Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cincinnati, OH Permit No. 197

Indianhillschools

WELCOME HOME!

facebook.com/indianhillschools

@ihschools
INDIAN HILL BOARD OF EDUCATION
(L to R, front/back): Niki Singh, Board Member; Indian Hill Exempted Village School District	Bear Tullis, Board Vice President; Craig Sumerel,
Board Member; Nolan Marx, Board President; IHSD Communication	Robert Warfel, Board Member.
	
indianhillschools.org
	The Indian Hill Exempted Village School District serves students in the Village of Indian Hill, Kenwood, parts of Sycamore and
Symmes Township, Camp Dennison and a small portion of Loveland.

INDIAN HILL HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, November 6, 2024 Tours run from 6:00-7:30 p.m.