P
romise A Brave Publication Indian Hill Exempted Village School District

Winter/Spring 2020

Building a Brave Future – In their own words: Facilities Steering Committee members share thoughts about the assessment process and Board recommendation Page 6-7

The verdict is in on IHHS Mock Trial: They are champions! Page 4

Award-winning art education: CHECK! Page 5

Need financial advice? Ask our elementary students – even the State
Superintendent is watching their skills! Page 4

Yale University recognizes IHHS faculty member!
Page 4

Kindergarten students coding – you better believe it! Page 4

Student-athletes commit to continuing academic &athletic careers at the next level! Page 4

State of Our Schools

Did you see Portrait of a Brave: Brave Academics? Access the video at the QR code, or visit the District website “About” section (http://www.indianhillschools.org/About.aspx)

Indianhillschools.org

Superinte

The District partnered with Global Network parent volunteers to celebrate Global
Cultural Week

January 27-31!

centered on our students. We strive to provide each student with unparalleled opportunities that harmonize to compose a world-class education that is uniquely Indian Hill. This is the Enduring Excellence in Learning, Leadership, Innovation, and Service that you both deserve and expect.

The time to Build a Brave Future to ensure our exceptional educational services continue is now. This means a commitment to maintaining our programs; this means a commitment to addressing serious and substantial facilities issues.

Detailed in these pages, you will see the process our dedicated community Facilities Steering Committee used to determine options to inform our Board of Education on the best ways to address our facilities. You will hear directly from your neighbors who helped lead this work for our District.

You will see the core of their work centered on one motivation: our students.

At the Indian Hill School District, that’s the way we do business each and every day.

In service to our children,

Kirk Koennecke Kirk.Koennecke@indianhillschools.org
@ihsuperbrave

		

A message from our ndent

It’s about our students.

From the moment they arrive on our buses, to the time they spend inside our classrooms, in our auditoriums, and on our fields, until the moment
we deliver them safely back to you – every decision we make within the Indian Hill School District is

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A message from
Treasurer Mick Davis

Members of the Indian Hill School District community-based Finance Steering Committee presented findings to the
Board of Education during the January 14 Board meeting.

Click here to view the Finance Committee presentation
to the Board of Education.

Click here to see the Facilities Assessment process on the District website.

Thank you.

That is the message we want to convey to the team of dedicated Indian Hill School District residents who comprised the community-based Finance Steering Committee. For eight months, these individuals worked directly with my team to learn detailed information on school finance, and, as tasked by our Board of Education, they provided a recommendation in January 2020 on how to
ensure our District Builds a Brave Future both operationally and with our facilities.

The Finance Committee recommendation was built from guiding principles to optimize financial resources provided by Indian
Hill School District taxpayers to benefit students, staff, and community members, and included the following goals: maintain unique programming; maintain student support services; maintain current student/ teacher ratios; maintain transportation; and maintain current extra-curricular programs. Additionally, the Finance Committee was dedicated to honoring the work of the District’s community-based Facilities Steering Committee.

This was a significant task, and they developed a fiscally conservative recommendation for the Board to consider that addresses the serious and substantial facilities issues we face while also sustaining and maintaining the excellent educational services we provide. It is important to note that no oficial action has been taken; the Board of Education will consider all findings by both the Finance and the Facilities committees before any decisions are made. We will continue to keep you updated on progress. Should you have any questions regarding our school finances, I encourage you to reach out to me directly.

Thank YOU for your continued support of our District.

Sincerely,

Do you have school finance questions? Treasurer Mick Davis has answers!

Welcome to Finance 101, a special video series to answer frequently asked school finance questions.
Click on the QR code to hear directly from Mr. Davis, or visit the District
website “Finance” section to access all four videos.

Why did homeowner taxes to the Indian Hill School District go down in 2019 for almost all residents?

Why are school updates needed?

Where does our revenue come from?

Why has the District been off the ballot for so long? How does our District’s current tax rate compare to other
districts within Hamilton County?

Mick.Davis@indianhillschools.org	3

Unparalleled Opportunities

ACADEMICS
Indian Hill High School earns two District Mock Trial Championships, the Regional Championship, and heads to state!

Braves brought home two District Championships on the same day during the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE) District Mock Trial Tournament in January! In February, Braves won the region, and seven IHHS Mock Trial students are headed to the state competition in March!

Indian Hill Elementary School students dominate in Stock Market Game!

Seven Indian Hill Elementary School teams placed in the top 10 in the city and state as part of the annual Alpaugh Family Economics Center Stock Market Game! Even State Superintendent
Paulo DeMaria took time during his visit to Indian Hill Elementary School in the fall to observe this exemplar class.

Indian Hill Primary School and Accenture team up to bring Braves Hour of Code

Kindergarten students coding. That was the amazing scene inside the Indian Hill Primary School Media Center as the school teamed with IHPS parent, Terrah Kocher, and Accenture – a company
that pledged to complete more than 10,000 Hours of Code and lead coding tutorial sessions around the world during Computer Science Education Week. The IHPS students enjoyed two Hour of Code learning sessions with Accenture volunteers that included both kindergarten and second-grade students.

More than 100 special guests visit IHMS for Hour of Code event!

The population grew by more than 100 Braves at Indian Hill Middle School, as parents and special guests showed up to participate in the annual Hour of Code event!

Indian Hill High School teacher honored with Yale Educator Award

ATHLETICS
Aaron Debbink was one of 55 teachers selected from 311 nominations Yale University received for the annual Yale Educator Award. The teachers nominated represented 40 states and 23 countries. The former Indian Hill High School student who nominated Debbink was IHHS Class of 2019 graduate Trey Skidmore, a current student at Yale.

Indian Hill High School seniors Jorie Alf, Maddie Antenucci, Morgan Coburn, Hunter Fry, Hayley Hirsch, Ellie Podojil, Ashleigh Prugh, and Liv Riggs committed to continue both their academic and athletic careers during a signing ceremony November 2019 in the IHHS Auditorium.

The Indian Hill Athletic Hall of Fame announced its two newest inductees: Josh Cooper (Class of 1998) and Elizabeth Heinbach
(Class of 2012) during a ceremony Friday, January 17, 2020.

Senior Matthew Briedis signed February 5 with Mount St. Joseph
University where he will play football and track.

4

Braves Make Headlines

ARTS
Indian Hill High School sophomore named Semi-Finalist in Overture Awards for music!

Congratulations to Indian Hill High School sophomore Kate McGrath who was recently named as a Semi-Finalist in the category of Instrumental Music at this year’s Overture Awards!

Indian Hill High School senior named Finalist in Overture Awards for art!

Congratulations to Indian Hill High School senior Olivia Sheldon who was recently named a Finalist in this year’s Overture Awards!

Indian Hill students earn 22 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition released regional results, and 15 Indian Hill students earned
22 accolades. Each year, students in grades seven through 12 have the opportunity to showcase their writing and visual
art skills in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition. Indian Hill High School and Indian Hill Middle School submitted individual works of art in the categories of photography, digital art, painting, and drawing. Five of those works received the Gold Key Award, the highest possible regional recognition; those winners advance to the national competition in New York City. Seven works received Silver Key Awards, and another
10 works received Honorable Mention.

Indian Hill High School Marching Band wins Mid-States
Band Association Championship!

Congratulations to Coach Susan Savage as she has been recognized as the 2019 District Track Coach of the Year! We appreciate all you do for our students, Mrs. Savage!

The Braves are CHL champs for the fourth straight year! Swimmers of the Year: Devin Edwards & Will Taylor! Coach Harrison is Coach of the year!

The Braves are back-to-back CHL basketball champs!

State Champion rings!

Congratulations to Indian Hill High School student-athletes Morgan Coburn and Hayley Hirsch on receiving rings after earning the OHSAA Tennis Doubles State Champion trophy October 19, 2019. We are proud of you!

5

Building a Brave Future

...From the Cover

After a year of extensive review, research, and analyses, the Indian Hill School District’s community-based Facilities Steering Committee presented the Board of Education with four options to address needs for school facilities within the Indian Hill School District. The Facilities Steering Committee, a subcommittee of the overarching Facilities Assessment Task Force that began in September 2018, convened regularly through the end of September 2019 to develop the detailed analysis of capital needs at all District school buildings and facilities. The committee chairs presented findings on behalf of the full committee, and agreed and noted that of most critical concern are the needs facing Indian Hill Middle School. In all options presented, the committee recommended replacing Indian Hill Middle School. Additionally, the committee noted that critical needs do not end there, and that the District has done a good job of holding off the need until now through excellent maintenance and upkeep.

It is also important to note that when the District Facilities Steering Committee set their mission and vision for the facilities assessment process, safety and security ranked No. 1 under the committee’s considerations. During that process, the committee assessed each building for safety and security. In their recommendation to the Board of Education during the October 2019 meeting, the committee did communicate that as a minimum level of improvement, all buildings needed safety enhancements.

How was the work of the community Facilities Steering Committee defined?

Mission:

Create and present two to four District capital improvement scenarios for the consideration of the Board of Education that provide learning excellence for students and staff.

Vision:

We envision learning environments to enhance opportunities for each student to achieve his/her potential in academics, arts, and athletics.
Proposed District capital improvement scenarios will:

1. allow students and staff to thrive in safe, supportive, and collaborative learning environments;

Considerations: • Safety & Security
• Learning Environments (current & future) • Accessibility
• Infrastructure & Energy

What was the recommendation of the community Facilities Steering Committee?

2. incorporate best practices in K-12 learning environments while providing flexibility to adapt to future needs; and

3. optimize financial resources provided by our taxpayers to benefit students, staff, and community members.

Click here on the QR code to see the Facilities Steering Committee report to the Board of Education.

6

What do members of the Facilities Steering Committee have to say about the process and recommendation?

Click the QR Code to see Facilities Steering Committee interviews.

Shelli Wineland Facilities Steering Committee

“The thing that I appreciated the most is
that we started with the student at the core. So, it’s not about what
we think or what we want, it’s about what the students need to thrive and continue for Indian Hill to be the best-in-class school in the country.

Bear Tullis Facilities Steerin Committee

“The committee had a pretty wide range of people. There were
some people from the school district itself on the committee, members of the community who don’t have students, and people like me who do.

“There’s no question we have a fantastic educational program here and fantastic school district, but we were interested in seeing what we can do to the facilities to make them improved and strengthened over the years.”

“I’m excited that the recommendation will keep Indian Hill where it is; we are rated as one of the top schools in the country, and how do you do that? You have to stay in front not only in what we’re teaching, but also it’s the environment in which the kids learn and grow.”

Monique Sewell Facilities Steering Committee

“There are routine maintenance upgrades
that need to take place over the next 10 years; we will be
funding those, one way or the other. If we do not address them
in this situation they will continue to come out of operating funds,and w
needtoaddress that as a commun

“I love this school system, I love the kids, and I love the community that exists here, and so I think it’s very important that we - as a community -continue to make this an environment for our students to feel safe and to learn and to grow and to become the citizens that we want them to become.”

2020 Board of Education Meeting Dates	The remaining dates are as follows:

Generally, regular meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at Indian Hill High School, 6865 Drake Road, Indian Hill, Ohio 45243. The Board may establish a time prior to the 7:00 p.m. public session to hold committee meetings and/or executive sessions. The public will be notified of the starting time of any such session upon release of the agenda.

March 3, 2020 April 7, 2020 May 19, 2020 June 23, 2020
August 4, 2020

September 15, 2020 October 13, 2020 November 24, 2020 December 8, 2020

7

Noteworthy

nd
22 Ann al
Every u Child is

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Please join us for a morning of breakfast and music. You are invited! Breakfast includes a
fantastic pancake bar, potatoes, turkey sausage, and smoothies. In addition to delicious dining, participants can enjoy live music as the award-winning Indian
Hill Middle and Indian Hill High School bands and orchestras entertain with a rousing array of classical, contemporary, rock, and folk music. Money raised helps pay for instruments, equipment, repairs, guest music educators, and educational opportunities for students.

Indian Hill Exempted Village School District 6855 Drake Road, Cincinnati, OH 45243

(513) 272-4500

facebook.com/indianhillschools @ihschools
Indianhillschools

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.

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

Saturday, March 7 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Indian Hill Middle School Cafeteria and Gymnasium 6845 Drake Road

Cost:
at the door

$10/person

$40/family Everyone welcome!

Conquer the Hill! Registration is now open for the 8:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25 Conquer the Hill 5K race and walk! Registration is free for students 10 and under and paid registration before

March 31 includes a free shirt! Register here by clicking on the QR code!

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A Weekly Wrap of News Around the Hill

Septtemberr 13 | 2019

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GOLD: Indian Hill School District Quality Profile Report

Sttrrattegiic pllan advancementts durriing 2018--2019 schooll yearr supporrtt Diisttrriictt viisiion off endurriing excellllence

The strategic planfor transformational excellence - at the IndianHill School District the work is GOLD:
Global Competence, Operational Efficiencyand Effectiveness, Learning-Centered Culture, and
Dynamic Stakeholder Engagement. Reporting onthe advancements withinthe strategic focus areas the District made during the 2018-2019 school year is the focus for the seventhpublicationof the IndianHill QualityProfile report, released September 11.

Click here to view a digital copyof the report.

or visit our District website indianhillschools.org