It seems hard to believe, but 2021 is nearly over. In a few short weeks, we will be heading into a new year. As we move forward as a district, I want to make sure we are doing it together - so I have a simple request: please share this newsletter with your friends and fellow district residents who may want to know more about our schools. There’s a link below that will allow them to sign up in just a moment, and they’ll get this monthly newsletter in their email so they can stay informed.

As we look to the new year, we want to be strategic about where the district is going. Loveland City Schools belongs to the community - the families that send their children into our buildings, the students we teach, and everyone who lives and works here.

We started this Community Newsletter because we recognize the need to keep people informed and involved. Over the last few months, I have been trying to meet as many people as I can. I’ve been getting together with community members for coffee, attending meetings, and getting to as many school events as possible.

Thank you for a warm welcome and I’m excited about what we can do for our students and community together. If you have a question or concern, please contact me directly. My email address is: broadwmi@lovelandschools.org

Mike Broadwater

Superintendent

Loveland City Schools

A requirement for the use of the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) is that school districts must create and continue to refine Extended Learning Plans designed to support student learning loss that may have occurred throughout the pandemic. Loveland City School District chose to utilize some of the funding for summer learning experiences for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Another use of the funds has been allocated for afterschool enrichment activities for all of our students.

The enrichment programs throughout the district has provided support to elementary students who have struggled with reading and/or math, provided opportunities for middle school students to engage in Power of the Pen, a middle school writing club where students refine their work to engage in a writing competition, and an opportunity for high school students to receive extra support in preparation for their End of Course Exams.

Building principals have expressed such gratitude for the additional funds dedicated to supporting the students. Statements such as, “It truly made my heart so happy to see these students working hard and getting extra help. Families made arrangements to get rides...it was just wonderful,” and “We had over 25 students show up for the first session! So rewarding!” were expressed by two of our building leaders.

“It truly is exciting to witness the resilience and dedication of our Loveland students and families! The consistent attendance our principals are noting at these extended learning sessions proves that the robust partnership between the school and home is why our Loveland students are continuing to grow and thrive in our schools,” stated Andrea Conner, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “We can not express enough appreciation for all of our staff members and families who are working together to support our students.”

Tell us a little about yourself? Family? Pets?

My wife Jill and I have been Loveland Residents since 2009 with our 2 dogs and 2 children. Our son is a 2021 Loveland Grad attending classes at UC. Our daughter is a sophomore at LHS.

Where did you grow up?

Approximately 30 minutes from here (in a farming country) near Stonelick Lake in Clermont County. I attended the University of Cincinnati for my undergrad and grad work, and I’ve been in Loveland City Schools since 1997.

What’s one thing you love about our Loveland City Schools community?

It has a small-town feel with great neighbors - the people in Loveland are tremendously caring and kind.

What’s one thing you love about your job?

The people - big and small. I work with talented teachers and staff members who care greatly about student success. Working in a primary school is like being a celebrity to our students - they love seeing, interacting, and sharing stories with you. It's hard to have a bad day at LPS!

What’s one thing you do for fun?

Go camping (well more glamping than camping, but I enjoy hiking and biking too).

What was your favorite subject in school?

Industrial Arts (and then math)

When you were in school, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a farmer before I wanted to be a teacher. Getting into farming was way too expensive!

Was there a teacher who inspired you to get into education?

I had many great teachers throughout my career, but I would attribute Mr. Dave Heckaman with inspiring me the most. He was a social studies teacher I had in middle school who connected well with kids, made learning fun, provided student choice (before that was even a thing), and truly cared about his kids.

Thank you to our music educators for the hard work and passion they put in, sharing the love of music with our students. There is so much happening in our music department. Here are a few highlights!

Our Loveland Primary Students in the first and second grades are preparing for the LPS Showcase that will take place at the beginning of March.

6th Grade beginning strings students will have their first performance at LIS on December 8.

Our new 6th Grade Music Ensembles will perform on December 6 (Choir), December 7 (Band), and December 8 (Orchestra) at 7 pm each night at Loveland Intermediate.

9 students at LMS were recently selected to participate in the Ohio Music Educators Association District 14 Junior High School Honor Band - one of the best showings in our area. They’ll be performing with students from other area schools during a January Concert.

Our Loveland High School Orchestra students are preparing for a December concert that will include holiday favorites, and they will be performing in Downtown Loveland throughout the season and during Christmas in Loveland.

Congratulations to students Brodie Merz on being selected for the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonic, Noah Elliot for being selected for the Cincinnati Junior Strings program at UC’s CCM Preparatory Department, and Natalie Hutchinson and Evan Smith for being selected to perform with the Northern Kentucky Youth Orchestra.

The Loveland High School Choirs are preparing for a pair of concerts on December 11, Show Choirs are gearing up for the spring competitive season, and the Show Band is about to kick off. Our LHS A Capella group will be performing at the Loveland tree lighting on December 4.

also at the Loveland Ladies Luncheon on Dec 14th.

Our Marching Band wrapped up their season with several awards for their show, “An 80’s Adventure,” including Outstanding Percussion at the Taylor Invitational, a Superior Rating to qualify for the OMEA State Marching Band Competition, and a great performance at the Midstates Championships.

13 of our Loveland High School Band members made the District 14 Honor Band! The Basketball Band is getting underway and preparing for games, including attending a Xavier University game too.

Our students are loving the opportunity to perform in front of audiences again, and we invite our Loveland City Schools community to hear them perform! If you're interested in showing support for our music programs, and staying informed about upcoming performances, visit the Music Boosters website by following this link.