District News

Winton Woods High School presents “Songs For A New World.” This is the final musical in the old high school building. Due to COVID restrictions, the public will only be able to purchase tickets for the live streaming show on Friday at 8 p.m. All tickets can be purchased at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/50812. The Saturday performance at 8 p.m. will host staff and alumni and the Sunday performance at 2 p.m. will host friends and family. Staff, alumni, friends and family must contact Beth Miller at 513-619-2439 to receive a code to purchase their tickets online.

The Winton Woods City Schools Board of Education has placed an operational levy, Issue #8, on the ballot for Tuesday, May 4, 2021.  This levy would generate $3.2 million annually for operating expenses, which includes instructional services, maintaining all educational and extracurricular opportunities for every student. This is the first operational levy placed on the ballot since 2009. 

It is no secret that Winton Woods City Schools prioritizes providing nutritious meals for all students. From creating a Nutrition is the Mission meal distribution bus to implementing a new menu of fresh fruits and vegetables for elementary students’ daily snack time. These are a few of many reasons why the department received the No Kid Hungry Emergency Grant from the Children’s Hunger Alliance (CHA) and the GenYouth Covid 19 Emergency School Nutrition Relief grant from the HC Schott Family Foundation. These funds will support child nutrition and meal distribution. Also, for the third consecutive year, the district received the Breakfast Champion Award for demonstrating collaborative and innovative school breakfast practices.

Winton Woods City Schools held its first ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 7-12 North Campus building on March 8. Students, parents, alumni, community, state and local leaders, and staff were all present to celebrate this exciting historic occasion. The event kicked off with a parade by the “best band in the land” - Winton Woods High School’s marching band, led by Ms. Dani Ashbrook.  Before entering the socially distanced beautifully decorated high school gymnasium, guests were greeted with a specially designed mask that read, “Love our children, schools, and community.”

The Board of Education recognized three Winton Woods High School counselors for  receiving awards for their exceptional work with students. Christina Jeranek, Winton Woods High School counselor who serves students in Grades 11 and 12, was selected as the 2020 Career Quest School Counselor of the Year. She was informed by Career Quest in February of 2020 with a surprise celebration with staff, before the pandemic, in the Winton Woods High School media center. Jeranek was honored at the district’s November board meeting for her award. “I appreciate this honor. I love working with our students at Winton Woods and it gives me such happiness to do what I can do to help promote their success to their future. Thank you.”

Winton Woods Primary North student Drayden Booker received the Kiwanis Character is Key award for resourcefulness at the November board meeting. Former Primary North Principal Kevin Jones had a lot of great things to say about him. “Drayden is a problem solver, a student that knows how to adjust to any situation, and uses his resources to succeed. Each and every day, he uses positive relationships with everyone in our building to gain positive rapport with his classmates and every adult he encounters. 

Winton Woods High School Counselor Brad Tash says Allahnah Dedrick was selected as the Kiwanis Student of the Month award because, in his words, “Well, she is awesome.” The ninth grade student has accomplished a lot since her short time at the high school, including receiving no grades lower than an A. Her demanding schedule includes a full list of honors courses.

In March, the Winton Woods City Schools Board of Education postponed student award recognitions at its monthly meetings due to the pandemic. However, that did not stop the district from acknowledging its recipients of those awards for their academic excellence. Winton Woods Class of 2020 graduate and March Skyline Student Athlete of the Month Makayla Adams was one such student who was honored at the November board meeting. She was hailed as a team player who enjoyed great success on the bowling, cheerleading and softball teams - all sports to which she brought positive impact and impeccable skills - while maintaining a 3.6 grade point average.

Winton Woods Elementary School is proud to announce Julie Helton as the Skyline Teacher of the Month for November. “We would like to nominate Julie Helton as the Skyline Teacher of the Month,” said Principal Nelson Homan. “Mrs. Helton does a great job challenging her students to do their very best on a daily basis. She has a positive attitude with the entire Winton Woods Community and it shows. She builds positive relationships and fosters a nurturing learning community in her classroom. It is with much pride that we nominate such a valued team member as Mrs. Helton.” 

Winton Woods City Schools is proud to announce Mark Docter, Director of the Child Nutrition Department, as a WeThrive Champion award winner. The organization recognizes exceptional leaders who put “community wellness in action.” For years, Docter’s efforts have reached beyond cafeteria rooms transforming what meal distribution and accessibility to fresh foods look like for Winton Woods students. On December 3, Docter, along with thirteen other recipients, were honored on a virtual live award ceremony that was streamed on Facebook where family, friends, and staff members tuned in to watch.

Three Winton Woods High School seniors will now be attending four years of college for free. The Questbridge National College Match Scholarship program selected Warrior scholars Faith Augustine, Franck Djidjeu, and Elizabeth Okemmiri for a full-ride scholarship to a college of their choosing. The powerful academic organization connects the nation’s brightest students to the top universities, colleges, and opportunities.

Winton Woods District students have shown perseverance amidst unique times. They started the school year strong, honed in on their studies and strategically used their time to ensure the best outcome. Their efforts have not been in vain as we acknowledge and congratulate all our Warriors in Grades 3 to 12 who received this academic achievement of being placed on the first quarter honor roll. 

Verbal communication is at the forefront of how we learn, and for some students who rely on seeing lip and mouth movements, masks can be a barrier. Winton Woods City Schools, a district with a culturally diverse population of over 31 languages spoken, is prepared to make an inclusive learning environment for all. This year, see-through masks have been provided to teachers, tutors, staff, and students across the district who need these specifically designed face masks to teach and learn while remaining safe. Recipients included speech-language pathologists and their students and English as Second Language (ESL) teachers and English Learners (ELs). All protective coverings have a clear plastic material where the student’s mouth is positioned.  

Ten Winton Woods High School (WWHS) students’ are now sharing their artwork with the world online. After being selected as winners of the Cincinnati Art Museum’s 10 x 10 Teen Art Expo and the Taft Museum’s Artist Reaching Classrooms 2020 exhibition, the students' art pieces are featured in virtual exhibitions. "I am so proud of my students and love the fact that everyone can see how talented they are,” said Fine Arts Director Carol Becci-Youngs. “My students are the best!"

Thomas Gray, Winton Woods City Schools new transportation director is no stranger to education. With family members who work in school districts, and a mother who was passionate about education, he knew it was only a matter of time before he found himself in education as well. After college, Gray entered into the U.S. Marine Corps and retired after 20 years of honorable service,  he worked diligently in the logistics and transportation career field. “I always had a love for transportation,” said Gray. He served as a transportation router for Cincinnati Public Schools, he served as  Director of Transportation for Northwest Local Schools and the Executive Director of Transportation for Dayton Public Schools. 

The Winton Woods board of education has announced its schedule of regular and special meetings for 2020. We encourage and invite our community to be attendees to learn what is happening in our district. All meetings are open to the public and will take place at the high school media center, located at 1231 W. Kemper Rd. in Forest Park unless otherwise announced.