PANTHER POST
TVS HS/MS September 2022
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MS/HS STAFF
Mr. Dunham, 7-12 Principal
Tonda Carroll
Curriculum Coordinator
Braxston Campbell
Athletic Director
Mikayla Pressly
School Nurse
Kelly Coffman
MS Intervention
Richie Faber
MS Math
Christy Kiracofe
HS Intervention
John Mohn
HS English
Gentry Schlamb
MS English
Tracy Randolph
HS Educational Aide
Corey Bassler
HS Math
Eric Dunn
Custodial
Chris Lane
Custodial
Annalise Talbot
MS Student Teacher-Mr. Walker
Elizabeth Williams
Student Teacher-FFA
Austin Saylor
Mental Health Therapist
First Day of School - MVCTC Juniors
First Day of School - MVCTC Seniors
Senior Breakfast 2022
MS TEACHER RECOGNIZED
Amanda Beneke, MS Science Teacher, was recognized as a Teacher of Excellence for 2022 for Invention Convention and Invention League!
“Thank you, invention league, for honoring me as Ohio’s Teacher of Excellence. I am humbled to accept this recognition. I would also like to thank my district for their support with our schools Invention League Program, my administrators Mr. Flatter (2019-2022) and Ms. Holly, they have supported not only myself but also my students for the past 9 years.
I also want to take this time to recognize the sponsors for Invention League. Due to their amazing support the Invention League Program is free to all districts. Without their support to keep this program running many students would not have the opportunities that they have with Invention League. My students would not have the opportunities that they have had without Invention League financial sponsors and volunteers."
To listen to Ms. Beneke’s complete acceptance speech, click here.
FFA NEWS
Elliana Hurst has been selected for the Miami Valley Career Technology Center Agriculture Education Satellite Student of the Month for September.
Elli is a 4-year Ag Ed student and FFA member. Elli is currently serving as our FFA chapter President. Over her last 4 years of membership, she competed in multiple contests including Food Science, Equine Management and Floriculture. She has also contributed over 90 volunteer hours within the community at local events including the Preble Co. Pork Festival, Preble Co Historical Society, Jacob’s Ladder and the West Alexandria Oktoberfest. Her Supervised Agricultural Experiences are market goats, home garden and working at The Rodeo Shop, Inc.
Elli is a positive role model and goes beyond what is expected to help our chapter and our members succeed. "She is dedicated to the chapter and always makes every member feel welcomed. Elli strives to help others learn the importance of FFA and always encourages participation within the chapter,” one of the nominators shared. She is an excellent candidate to represent the Satellite Ag Programs as September Student of the Month. Congratulations, Elli!
FROM THE CAFETERIA
For the 2022-2023 school year, the Child Nutrition Programs have returned to normal, pre-pandemic operations. Families will once again be asked to complete and submit a current school year Free/Reduced Meal Application if they would like to see if their students qualify based on the income of all family members.
All Income Eligible Families Should Complete the These Steps:
- As soon as possible, complete the Free/reduced meal applications. The application is online or paper applications are available in the HS/MS office.
- Watch for notification of eligibility in the mail or in an email.
- Qualifying families should apply to receive reduced textbook and program fees.
All parents should familiarize themselves with how TVS accepts payment in the cafeteria for meals and a la carte items by clicking here.
- For more food service information including menus and food prices, please visit our website.
FROM THE OFFICE
REMINDER TO COMPLETE YOUR ANNUAL ONLINE FORMS!
Twin Valley Community Schools has partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service that is replacing paper forms. FinalForms allows you to complete and sign enrollment, medical, back-to-school, and athletic participation forms for your students.
You may review and update your data at any time to verify it is current. You will be required to sign your forms once per year and after any update. Because this is a new system please watch for any new FinalForms email to possibly re-sign any modified forms.
We are asking that ALL parents of TVS students use FinalForms. If you have not completed these online forms and acknowledgements, we ask that you do so immediately. If you need assistance with the process, please call the office at 839-4693 or 839-4165.
Thank you for your assistance in streamlining our paperwork process!
WHERE TO FIND FORMS
The bulletin board located outside of the HS/MS Office contains the following information:
- Monthly Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- Pre-Arranged Absence Form
- College Visit Form
- Work Permit-This form is for students under the age of 18 who want to apply for a job. This form is also found on the TVS website. The Physician's Certificate For Minor Work Permit must also be completed unless the school has a current physical on file for the student. Once the Application for Minor Work Permit is filled out by the student and employer, the office can then issue the work permit.
- Parking Permit Application-Also available on the TVS website.
- College and Military Information
GOOD VS BAD ATTENDANCE
STUDENT ATTENDANCE MATTERS
ATTENDANCE MATTERS!
Call Off Procedure:
Parents/Guardians should report their child's absence by phone call (937-839-4693 or 937-839-4165) to the office as soon as possible in the morning. If a parent has not communicated with the office about their child's absence/late arrival, a call will be made. Absences cannot be excused without confirmation from a parent.
Late Arrival:
If your child is expected to arrive late to school, please contact the office to report the late arrival. The student should enter through the office door to obtain a pass to class. The parent/guardian does not need to enter the building to drop off their child.
Early Dismissal:
If your child needs to be dismissed early for any reason, the office must be notified in advance. Ideally, the parent/guardian should send a note to the school with the child's name, time, and reason for dismissal. If a last-minute emergency arises, the parent/guardian may call the office. If a student becomes ill during the school day, they are to report to the nurse's office. The nurse will contact the student's parent/guardian. In order to ensure all students are dismissed appropriately and arrive home safely, it is imperative that students follow this procedure when feeling ill and the need to go home.
Parents of 9th - 12th-grade students do not need to enter the building to pick up their child for an early dismissal.
Parents of 7th & 8th-grade students with early dismissal must pick their child up in the office.
Advanced Absences:
When a student knows that he/she will be absent from school, he/she is required to complete a Pre-Arranged Absence Form. This form requires a parent/guardian signature, and teacher signatures. Once those are obtained, the form should be returned to the office for administrative approval. It is the student's responsibility to notify teachers and complete the assignments that will be missed.
Medical/Dental Appointments:
If a medical/dental appointment is scheduled during the school day, the call off procedure remains the same. Medical documentation is required upon return from the appointment to document the absence as a medically excused absence. The physician's notes documenting school absences must specify the date of the appointment with the physician and the date(s) of the excused absence.
College Credit Plus Students and Attendance:
Students who are involved in CCP classes and scheduled to arrive after the first period are held to the same attendance procedures. Late arrival to school will be marked as tardy.
FRIENDLY REMINDER ON SCHOOL FEES
Fees can be paid two ways:
- Send in an envelope with cash or check payment with your student.
- Mail your payment directly to Twin Valley South Schools, Attn: HS/MS Office, 100 Education Drive, West Alexandria, OH 45381
- Please write name and grade in memo section of check
- If possible, please write separate checks for each attending student
- Partial payments are accepted
- Payment plans are available by calling the office
- *Fees should be paid as soon as possible
- To verify fee amount, please e-mail, eutsinger@tvs.k12.oh.us or abyrd@tvs.k12.oh.us
View the 2022/23 HS Course Fee List
*In order for seniors to receive their diplomas, all school fees must be paid. Fee letters will be mailed home at the end of the first quarter. If you have any questions regarding the fees that have been assessed, please contact the HS/MS office.
PLANNING A MOVE?
- current utility bill
- mortgage contract
- purchase contract
- lease agreement or insurance statement on dwelling
If you have recently moved or are planning to move out of the Twin Valley South School District, but would like your student(s) to still attend TVS, the open enrollment registration form must be filled out and turned in for processing and approval.
Open Enrollment
If you are moving out the district during the school year and your student(s) will no longer be attending TVS, please notify the HS/MS office secretaries so that the withdrawal process can begin.
- All fees need to be paid prior to withdrawal
- Chromebook/charger and library books need to be returned
Withdrawing
Please be certain to enroll your student(s) in their new school district and complete a records request so that we may release educational records to the new school.The Guidance Department welcomes all new and returning students to Twin Valley South HS/MS. It has been a great start to the 2022-2023 school year. Parents and students are encouraged to utilize the Guidance Department as a resource for academic, career, and social issues.
Ashlee Douglas-Grades 7-12 (A-K)
Emily Wendt-Grades 7-12 (L-Z)
CLASS OF 2023
2023 SENIOR INFORMATION
ORDER YOUR CAP AND GOWN
- Senior packets were given to all in house seniors on August 30.
- Online ordering is available: Graduate Services, Inc. and create an account.
- MVCTC Seniors will meeting with Graduate Services, Inc. on October 6 at MVCTC to receive information on ordering cap and gown and senior items.
SENIOR PICTURES
Senior Pictures for ALL TVS Seniors will be taken on Tuesday morning, September 27 from 7:00-8:00 am in the Auditorium.
MVCTC, CCP and Panther Academy learners must all make arrangements to be at TVS that morning. Senior students must wear appropriate senior portrait clothing:
- A button-up shirt and a tie for men
- Dressy blouse, sweater or top for women
- No hoodies, t-shirts or shirts with logos or words.
- Clothing below the waist does not show, so jeans and CTC program uniforms can be worn to school and your top can be changed following pictures.
The senior portrait will appear in the Class of 2023 composite and will hang in the Commons, as well as the 2023 yearbook. There is NO COST unless you choose to purchase portraits from Champine Photography
COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Apply online through College websites. Some Colleges use the Common Application. If so, go to Commonapp.org
2. The counselor portion & transcript will then be completed & sent to these colleges by Mrs. Douglas and Ms. Wendt.
3. Send ACT/SAT scores directly to colleges through the appropriate website.
4. Make sure you are aware of the application deadlines. Your application needs to be completed at least a week before the deadline. Make a note of the regular application deadline and of the early application deadline.
5. If you need a recommendation to go along with your application, choose someone who knows you well, tell them what it is for, and give them at least a week to complete it.
For more detailed information, please click here.
SCHOLARSHIPS
1. CHECK www.tvs.k12.oh.us - Click on Department heading, scroll down and click on HS Guidance. Local scholarships will be listed under the SCHOLARSHIP heading on the right side of the page starting after the first of the year. Other scholarship information can be found by clicking on the LINK heading and scrolling until you find scholarships. Print and complete applications from site or link or, some can be completed online.
2. MEET THE DEADLINES - read the directions whether to send yourself or give to guidance.
3. GIVE YOUR COUNSELOR - Mrs. Douglas or Ms. Wendt AT LEAST ONE WEEK TO COMPLETE THEIR PART.
4. GIVE TEACHERS AT LEAST ONE WEEK TO WRITE RECOMMENDATIONS.
5. IF TRANSCRIPT NEEDED - GIVE MRS. DOUGLAS OR MS. WENDT 3 DAYS TO PROCESS.
6. ALSO CHECK www.fastweb.com
7. ASK YOUR PARENTS ABOUT THEIR EMPLOYERS/ORGANIZATIONS
8. LISTEN TO ANNOUNCEMENTS
9. SEE YOUR COUNSELOR WITH QUESTIONS.
10. TVS will not print those that are available online. If paper copies of applications are available from TVS-those can be obtained in the Guidance Office
SOUTHWEST OHIO REGIONAL COLLEGE FAIR
Miami University Regionals is excited to once again host the annual Southwest Ohio Regional College Fair on the Hamilton campus!
Save the date for Tuesday, October 18th from 6:30-8:00pm at Miami University's Hamilton Campus Gym (1601 University Blvd, Hamilton, OH 45011).
There will also be a Financing Your Education info session at 6:00pm, prior to the college fair, hosted by the Miami University Regionals Financial Aid Office. The session will be held in Parrish Auditorium.
CLASS OF 2024
PSAT
WHO: INTERESTED JUNIORS
WHEN: OCTOBER 12, 2022
COST: $18.00
The PSAT is especially important for college-bound students and only those scores from a student’s junior year are eligible for inclusion in the National Merit Scholarship contest. The PSAT is designed not only to prepare a student for the SAT but also to give insight and suggestions regarding a student’s ability for college level and Advanced Placement class work. Scores on the SAT are used for college admission decisions and sometimes for college course selections so improving SAT scores is important.
CAREER CONNECTIONS
Our school would like to recommend that you and your middle school and/or high school student take 30-60 minutes to watch these informative videos through the links shared below. Also, you can choose other links through the final link shared below that will inform you about Preble County and Regional employers who can offer promising futures for your students and even your families.
If you or your student desires more information, please feel free to contact Harold Niehaus at harold.niehaus@preblecountyesc.org
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Get those smiles ready
HS/MS
September 27, 2021
School Auditorium
Picture packets will be going home with students starting on 9/16. Junior MVCTC students may pick up a packet in the office before or after school.
MVCTC NEWS
ConTAC
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has selected 50 students as members of the Conservation Teen Advisory Council (ConTAC) for this school year.
ConTAC is a program designed to give high school students an opportunity to work on campaigns and strategies to improve their community and environment. Examples of past projects include stream quality monitoring, habitat restoration, educating youth on environmental issues, and fundraisers.
ConTAC members serve at minimum one year on the council. They meet monthly (held in-person in the spring and fall and virtually in the winter) with fellow members and natural resource mentors. This year's kick-off meeting was held in August. A stream quality monitoring event, it was held on the Grand River. Pictured is MVCTC Natural Resource Management senior, Jake Beneke (TVS), who was one of the 50 students selected on ConTAC.
MVCTC SKILLS USA
Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) SkillsUSA Chapter 1 consists of the Cosmetology program.
The 2022-2023 officers are
- Riley Blakely (Bethel senior)
- Rianna Brownlee (Tipp City senior)
- Olivia Campbell (Twin Valley South senior)
- Alynn Hunter (Northmont senior)
- Kamiah Miles (Trotwood-Madison senior)
- Karsyn Slusher (Northmont senior)
SkillsUSA is the largest technical organization currently at MVCTC hosting four chapters.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. We help each student excel. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.
MVCTC STUDENT AMBASSADOR
Congratulations to MVCTC/TVS senior, Cadian Maples (Dental Assisting) on being selected as a MVCTC Student Ambassador for the 2022-23 school year! According to Cadian, "My lab has been my favorite way to start my day."
Cadian along with student ambassador, Harley Henderson and advisors Carrie Wiant and James Zbinden visited Twin Valley South on September 14 to give presentations to our 10th graders about MVCTC.
HOMECOMING 2022
HOMECOMING COURT 2022
Congratulations to the following:
Freshman Attendants: Logan Mershon and KayLee Lipps
Sophomore Attendants: Malakia Miller and Lexi Thompson
Junior Attendants: Paul Day and Peyton Pitcox
King Candidates: Grady Arndts, Kasey Blair, Nathan King, Parker Mershon
Queen Candidates: Phoebe Downing, Claire Fogle, Elliana Hurst, Katelyn Wright
ATHLETIC NEWS
Twin Valley South has a 24/7 spirit store for this 22-23 school year. The spirit store can be found on our athletic website or by clicking on the picture.
HEALTH NEWS
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Remember, help is just text, click or phone call away!
In an emergency: text NEEDHELP to 838255, call 866-532-3097 (Local Crisis Hotline), or dial 911.
Resources: