District News

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.  

Things have come full circle for Winton Woods Primary South’s (WWPS) new interim principal Michele Plummer. In 2014, she began her Warrior career at WWPS as a second-grade teacher. “Winton Woods City Schools was doing big things,” said Plummer as she reminisced on her start at the school she now leads. “They were looking for teachers who were really committed and ready to do the work. I connected with this belief system and was inspired so I interviewed at WWPS and got the job.” In 2018, she left the district for an assistant principal position. She was excited one year later when the same opportunity came to fruition at a place she had learned to call home. Not to mention, where she loved working and teaching. “I wanted nothing more than to come back to an innovative and forward thinking district where I spent so much time educating students.”

Winton Woods Elementary School (WWES) is glad to welcome Dean of Students Heather Ranford as a new addition to their Warrior staff for the 2020-2021 school year. Before transitioning into her new role in August, Ranford was a special education teacher for ten years. Six of those years were spent educating students in the district, including at the intermediate school, middle school, the high school and Project Success. When asked what her job entails, she mentioned that most people think it is just discipline. However, Ranford would describe it as being a mediator and helper for students, staff, and WWES Principal Nelson Homan. Since students have not been in the classroom, Ranford has had a unique experience connecting with her students.

On Thursday, October 1, Governor Mike DeWine announced that Hamilton County has moved back to “RED” status per the Ohio Public Health Alert System. To mitigate the exposure to COVID-19, Winton Woods City Schools students who were scheduled to return the week of October 5 will continue learning at home in the full virtual learning model during the red status. Students who have already returned this week in a blended model including kindergarten, preschool, English language learners (ELL), and special needs students will continue in a blended model until further notice. 

The Winton Woods City Schools (WWCS) Board of Education has placed an operational levy on the ballot for the election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The levy would generate $3.2 million annually for operating expenses related to educational programs. This is the first Winton Woods levy placed on the ballot in over 10 years that requests additional funding. “This levy will fund instructional services, ongoing educational and extracurricular opportunities for all students,” said Superintendent Anthony G. Smith. “In addition, it will provide funding for key identified areas of need including the Preschool Village, increased enrollment and additional school resource officers. We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to restore busing for high school students in the district beginning August 2021.”

Creating innovative learning methods and a rich academic experience is what Winton Woods City Schools is all about. Winton Woods Intermediate School, Principal Jeremy Day and two middle school teachers Anna Owens and Mica Thompson showcased these district attributes when they presented at this year’s New Tech Annual Conference (NTAC). A network that connects educators from around the country to learn and grow from each other. In 2015, the district joined the New Tech Network becoming the second district to transition all grades to project-based learning with a New Tech Network approach that transformed their teaching styles to a visible approach leading to outcomes that matter.

A new school year began unlike any other and like many others across the world - online. For Winton Woods City Schools students, during a time of the unknown, one thing remained the same - the unwavering support and encouragement from the community. Amidst the current COVID-19 crisis, Forest Chapel Church continued their annual back-to-school donation drive providing school necessities for our Warrior scholars. “We want our children to become community builders, and we do everything we can to model that philosophy for them. One way we model community building is by helping to equip our students and their schools, so that they can be successful. Partnering with the Winton Woods City School District allows us to make a difference in the lives of the students in the community and support the educators,” said Forest Chapel Church Pastor Kambamba Kiboko. “Together we are stronger.”

As Ohio and the rest of the world are learning to adapt to this new normal, Greenhills High School Alum Galina Radford and her granddaughters, both alum and current students of Winton Woods City Schools, have returned to what they know best - sewing. For three decades, Ms. Radford owned a sewing business but did not know how essential her skills would be in the years to come. Since March, Radford, accompanied by four of her five granddaughters, have made close to 3,000 masks, including Winton Woods specifically designed masks. “We greatly appreciated their service,” said Superintendent Anthony G. Smith, who provided his staff with beautifully decorated safely adorned masks in the Winton Woods colors of blue and green. 

Welcome back to the 2020-21 school year!  Please find a playbook guide below for parents and guardian to assist as we begin the new school year in a virtual setting.

Winton Woods Education Foundation (WWEF) donated over $14,000 to Winton Woods student organizations at the district’s annual staff Convocation. This year, due to COVID-19, the ceremony was broadcasted live by Waycross in the high school’s auditorium. Ann Stankiewicz, WWEF President, along with Eileen Mannira, a member of the WWEF board, recognized and awarded this year's recipients with large checks.

“I want to thank Mr. Smith for allowing us to be a part of today’s celebration and to tell you how excited we are to kick off our annual fund drive,” said Stankiewicz. “I hope each of you is as excited as we are, but let’s be real, the job you are about to undertake is daunting. We are in awe of the responsibilities that you face in helping our students become knowledgeable and responsible individuals who can use facts and evidence to meet the challenges of our ever-changing world. We support you in the monumental task that is before you and have confidence in your abilities.

For several years, Winton Woods City Schools has been intentional with the gradual retirement of the Native American chieftain mascot and paraphernalia from all marketing and communications publicity. “The district began to discontinue use of this mascot over five years ago. This stemmed from our high regard for the Native American people and their rich history and contributions to our community and nation,” said Community Engagement Coordinator Corina Denny. “The design elements of our two new campuses gives us another opportunity to move in the right direction.”

Warriors families can NOW apply for free and reduced price meals as eligibility guidelines have changed (reduced) this year. To complete the entire application online, please visit www.payschoolscentral.com. For application instruction, go to https://bit.ly/2VWqSog.

Several district school buses filled with surprises and congratulatory gifts arrived at the homes of 27 Winton Woods High School students to honor and acknowledge their academic achievement. Superintendent Anthony G. Smith, Winton Woods High School Principal Eric Martin, and administrators delivered yard signs, medals, and certificates to celebrate each honors diploma scholar. Also distributed to each student was a nutritious, delicious traditional dinner for the family to enjoy together, prepared by the Child Nutrition Department. Scholars were surprised by their Most Influential Teachers, whom the students had chosen for impacting them the most in their entire school careers.

The Winton Woods’ community has a special way of showing Warrior graduates that it is proud of their accomplishments. During graduation week, a sea of blue and green ribbons have appeared on the fence on Winton Road near the high school for over 25 years. This year was no different, thanks to Forest Park resident and Ribbon Committee organizer Rogie Vollmar and her group of dedicated volunteers. Over the two decades, they have worked hard to celebrate our Warriors with this special tradition.

Like many graduating seniors around the world, Winton Woods High School’s Class of 2020 graduates celebrated their final months of high school in a remote, virtual experience. Hundreds of families, friends, and loved ones from around the country tuned into the Virtual Commencement exercise that was held on May 30 to watch their Warrior graduates become alumni of our illustrious district. Superintendent Anthony G. Smith was intentional in making sure this one-hour graduation special was one to remember.

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!"

Being a project-based learning (PBL) district with a New Tech Network approach made Winton Woods City Schools’ transition to virtual learning a smooth one. At the beginning of the school year, students in Grades 7-12 received a chromebook and an optional free wifi hotspot for the entire year. The Technology Department also distributed Chromebooks for students in Grades 2-6. Digital platforms associated with the New Tech Network called Echo allows students to continue their assignments, course work, and connect with their teachers online without interruption.

Just imagine, the food we eat every day provides the energy we need to perform at our best. For Winton Woods City Schools, it is a priority that every child receives regular, delicious, nutritious meals that supports their academic performance and helps them thrive as scholars. During the school closure, the Child Nutrition Department distributed over 180,000 healthy meals.

Whether students are learning at school or home, Winton Woods City Schools mission remains the same, to ensure every student reaches their highest potential. School teams have been meeting remotely and strategizing the best ways to continue providing a rich academic experience while meeting the needs of all students virtually. According to the Technology Department, as of May 5, teachers and students have had 27,916 participation connections and 10,199 total meetings through Google Meet. “Providing our students with the basic foundational technology tools plays a vital role in students' having a successful virtual learning experience,” said Director of Technology Rhonda Hobbs.

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. 

Winton Woods High School Counselor Christina Jeranek says the words that first come to mind when she thinks of Riley Lauchard is compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking. Lauchard was honored with the Kiwanis Student of the Month award for February.

Spanish teacher Jamie Hogue and Intervention Specialist Lynne Blalock have committed themselves to rebranding our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) work here at Winton Woods High School during the 2019-2020 school year. They have used student data and teacher input to develop effective positive strategies aligned to the goals of Winton Woods comprehensive continuous improvement plan (CCIP).

At Winton Woods City Schools, our teachers give a lot of their time and effort to ensure our students reach their highest potential and are future ready. It is a wonderful thing when organizations outside of the district want to recognize them for that hard work. Winton Woods High School Choir Director Beth Miller received that opportunity when she was selected as the 2020 Cincinnati Music Educator Award by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO). “I could not take the credit for the award,” said Ms. Miller. Since the fourth grade, she has known she wanted to be a music educator and believed the award was a reflection of her teachers. “This is their legacy.” She also mentioned she is grateful for the recognition, the CSO for taking the time to recognize music educators, and the hard work everyone does. Her goals for the seven high school ensembles include growing and maintaining strong programs while continuing to provide opportunities.

It is not every day you have a family of three generations working in the same district, let alone the same department. Winton Woods bus driver Charles Chapman and his family are doing just that. In 2012, he began working for the district as the high school’s tennis coach where his granddaughter also played as a freshman. It was not until 2015, when Transportation Supervisor Kristi Hooper was looking for more drivers and hired him. “I would drive in the mornings and coach tennis in the afternoon.” Prior to his Winton Woods years, Charles had been a professional driver for over two decades. After retiring, he knew driving was the one thing he could see himself doing again.

Winton Woods City Schools held its 17th annual Winton Woods Athletic Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony on January 17, in the high school cafeteria. Nine alumni of Greenhills, Forest Park, and Winton Woods were recognized from over a span of 40 years for their incredible achievements as student athletes, coaches, administrators, and community service providers. The evening was sponsored by Winton Woods Athletics Boosters, and the delicious meal was prepared by our Child Nutrition Department.

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. 

Charlie Fredrick invested his time in doing what he loved, and the people who knew him would say he loved Winton Woods City Schools. It was where his wife Mary Jo, daughter Maureen and three sons Chuck, Joe, and Mike, spent a lot of their time as a family. On August 26, Winton Woods expressed to the family its deep appreciation for Mr. Frederick’s dedication to the district by honoring him posthumously at its regular board of education meeting. Members of the community, staff, and family members reminisced through heartwarming stories and testimonials that spoke of the impact Mr. Fredrick had on the Winton Woods community and athletic department.