Blue Devil eNews
Reading Community City School District | January 2020
Board of Education Welcomes New Members
Congratulations to our two new Board members who were sworn in at the Reading City School District Board of Education organizational meeting on Wednesday, January 8.
Colette Lewis, district treasurer, swore in the newly-elected members, Crystal Menner and Jason Rader. The Board also set their regular meeting dates for the year on the third Wednesday of the month beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Reading High School media center. In January, the regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 22. To see a full listing of Board meetings, click here.
The Board of Education is made up of five members.
President: Mrs. Beth Wernery
Vice President: Mrs. Alycia Bemmes
Board Member: Mr. Jim Perdue
Board Member: Mrs. Crystal Menner
Board Member: Mr. Jason Rader
We appreciate the service of these community members to our district!
Timeline for Reading's Superintendent Search
The Reading Board of Education has been working with the Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) to manage the search process for a new superintendent to replace Chuck LaFata, who will be retiring from the district in July 2020.
Prior to winter break, the Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) conducted six focus groups to gather feedback for our next Superintendent. These sessions were well attended and provided excellent input to the Board of Education and the qualities that our school community desires in our next leader.
Timeline for the search:
- December 16, 2019 - Officially launch search
- January 24, 2020 - Application deadline
- January 24, 2020 - Feb 10, 2020- Board reviews applications and plans for interviews
- February 11, 2020 - Interviews begin
- February 24, 2020 - Second round interviews
- March 2020 - Board action to employ
- August 1, 2020 - Employment begins
Preschool Open House and Registration
Reading's preschool is a 5-day a week, full and half-day program that follows the same school calendar as Reading Elementary. Due to the popularity of this program, a lottery will be held for preschool registration. All children must be 3 years of age on or before September 30, 2020, to enter the lottery. Four-year-olds will have priority in the lottery.
See details below. For more information about the lottery and registration, go to the district website at www.readingschools.org. To learn more, click here.
Reading Students Selected for Honor Band
Reading Sculpture Class Earns 2nd Place in Rubik's Cube Contest
Thanks to all who voted for our Rubik's cube sculpture on Facebook! Our Reading High School sculpture class won 2nd place in the 226-600 cube category.
Reading art teacher Laura Freese shared that the high school won a set of 12 Rubik's cubes to keep and use in future projects, an additional $30 to use in the Rubik Cube store, Reading will be recognized on Facebook and Rubik Cube's monthly newsletter.
We appreciate everyone that voted--we couldn't have won without you!
Blue Devil Mockers Rolling and Growing!
Our Blue Devils once again went undefeated at the first mock trial tournament of the year, Miami University’s MockHawk, held on December 15. Reading brought home the hardware as tournament runners-up. The team swept St. Xavier and Centerville.
The Blue Devils have now finished this tournament in second place twice and third place once (all undefeated records). This year’s competition featured 28 teams from across the state. Multiple state champions were represented and 6 Empire teams were there as well.
"To be one of two teams undefeated in this field is simply incredible. The competition here is arguably tougher than what the State Championship will be," said Andy Janig, RHS mock trial advisor.
Two Blue Devil mock trial teams competed at the inaugural Buckeye Brawl on January 4 in Columbus. This tournament once again was fielded by 30 of the top teams across the state.
Team A continued its undefeated season posting a perfect 4-0 record with decisive wins over Solon and Centerville. Team A consists of Erin Vaughn (2 outstanding attorney awards, Emily Turner (2 outstanding attorney awards), Haileigh Ballinger (2 outstanding witness awards), Julie Thomas (1 outstanding attorney award) Jakob Allen, and Grace Longworth (1 outstanding witness award).
Team B, competing this year for the first time, swept ballots and awards against Granville. They dropped two ballots against a senior-laden St. Edwards squad and posted an impressive 2-2 record. Narain Whitaker was named outstanding attorney and Jaden Cole as outstanding witness. In addition to Narain and Jaden, team B consists of Chris Creatura, Reem Habli, Nicholas Eddlemon, Halaia Larkin, Jaedyn Estes, and Bella Carnevale.
Good luck to the Blue Devils as they compete at Districts on Friday, January 17!
Reading 2019-2020 Mock Trial Team
January Reading High School Guidance Corner
- Final Exams for First Semester on Tuesday, January 21-Friday, January 24.
- Monday, January 27, 8th-grade students will have a scheduling presentation during the school day. Students will hear from high school Guidance Counselors about scheduling for next year!
- Scarlet Oaks Field Trip for Sophomores on Tuesday, January 28. This is a half-day trip and students will return before lunch.
- Current 8th grade Parent meeting on Wednesday, January 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Media Center.
- Scarlet Oaks has their Open House on Thursday, January 30, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Report cards will be mailed on Friday, January 31. Please make sure we have your correct address. If you have moved, please contact our main office to update your mailing information. We will need documentation to change your address.
- Scheduling will begin in early February.
Spotlight on Alumni: Maggie Piron
Reading Receives Top Safe Sports Award
Reading High School has been named a Safe Sports School, First Team. This award covers a three-year period ending November 14, 2023. The NATA Safe Sports School Award is an award the National Athletic Trainers Association gives out to high schools that are providing the highest level of safety standards for its athletes.
"We remain committed to keeping our student-athletes safe. We really appreciate Lauren Goforth, our athletic trainer, and all the care and resources she provides to our student-athletes to keep them safe and healthy," said Jon Payne, Reading's athletic director.
District Calendar of Events
January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr Day – No School
January 24 - Last Day of Quarter
February 17 - President’s Day – No School
March 12 Conferences – No School for Students
March 20 - End of Quarter
Reading Community City Schools
Email: kblair@readingschools.org
Website: www.readingschools.org
Location: 810 East Columbia Avenue, Reading, OH, USA
Phone: 513-842-5109
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReadingCommunityCitySchools
Twitter: @ReadingCSD