Blue Devil eNews
Reading Community City School District | March 2021
Open Enrollment
The Reading Board of Education is pleased to extend tuition-free enrollment opportunities to Ohio students who live outside the district boundaries but within the state of Ohio, provided that openings are available in the grade level in which the applicant has applied.
Applications will be accepted on-line beginning 8:00 am on April 1, 2021, through 3:00 p.m. on May 14, 2021. The applications are date and time stamped and seats will be filled, where available, in the order in which the applications are received. The online application is the preferred method, but for those that are unable to complete it online, a paper copy of the application will be available during office hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 am-3:00 pm).
Save this application link, which will go live at 8 am on April 1.
Current open enrollment families, please return your applications and proof of residency to Kim Blair at kblair@readingschools.org by Friday, March 12, 2021.
District Financial Auditor of State Award
Reading Community City School District has earned the Auditor of the State Award! The Ohio Auditor’s office recently completed a financial audit of the district and returned a clean report for Fiscal Year 2020.
“The District is committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility and the Auditor of State Award is proof that the Treasurer's office at Reading Community City School District is continuing to keep this a priority. A thank you to all the staff that made this prestigious award possible,” said Colette Lewis, RCCSD Treasurer.
Local governments and school districts that are given the Auditor of State Award meet the following criteria:
The entity must file timely financial reports with the Auditor of State’s office in accordance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles);
The audit report does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Single Audit findings or questioned costs;
The entity's management letter contains no comments related to:
Ethics referrals
Questioned costs less than $10,000
Lack of timely report submission
Reconciliation
Failure to obtain a timely Single Audit
Findings for recovery less than $100
Public meetings or public records
No other financial or other concerns exist that involve eligible entity.
Central Property Discussions Continue
Board Vice-President and Buildings and Grounds Committee Chair Alycia Bemmes, Superintendent Jason Enix, and Treasurer Colette Lewis have held two Community Forums this week to discuss the future of the Central Property. To recap those discussions, there are two options:
1) The district can retain the property for district and green space use
2) Sell the property
In his presentation, Mr. Enix shared considerations for both options and an update on the current condition of the property, which has recently suffered significant damage. The conversation will continue at the next meeting of the Reading Community City School District Board, Wednesday, March 17 at 5:30 pm.
Reading Students Seeing Better - For Free!
Thanks to an on-going partnership with OneSight, dozens of Reading students are seeing better at no cost. Reading City School District has been working with OneSight for about 15 years, and the program volunteers provide complete eye exams and glasses for free for any students.
On March 8, OneSight was on campus and provided eye exams for 40 Reading students. 33 students were sent home with glasses the same day! Thanks to our District Nurse, Heidi Sandlin and OneSight!
Chess Club
RMS Mock Trial Returns
It has been approximately nine years since the Reading Middle School has had a Mock Trial program. In an effort to bring the program back, high school coach Andy Janig with the unyielding support of John McClellan got the go-ahead to create the Mock Trial II class for the first time this year. The class is open to grades 8-12. It is designed to allow the upper-class students to become the coaches of the 8th graders. Those new to the program learn the ins and outs of everything Mock Trial. They then hone their skills and compete remotely in a statewide showcase. This year’s showcase premieres on April 23.
The class has been hard at work preparing to argue the murder case of Bob Shelton. The State of Oklahoma v. Johnny Cade is based on S.E. Hinton’s classic novel, The Outsiders.
These outstanding 8th graders will represent Reading: Russell Turner, Hudson Schierloh, Alexis Gilland, Sam Pruitt, Seth Quarry, and Jayden Morris. The incredible coaches include Emily Turner, Grace Longworth, Jakob Allen, Mia Hankerson, and Aiden Ballinger.
After the showcase, the class will come together as a team and will set its sights on preparing for a summer/fall mock trial competition. Mock Trial has become a year-round endeavor!
Kindergarten 2021-2022 Registration
Online Registration for Kindergarten for 2020-2021 Begins March 29, 2021:
The age requirement to attend Kindergarten is 5 years old by September 30, 2021, and a resident of Reading Community City School District.
Complete the online forms through FinalForms to begin the enrollment process.
Click here for FinalForms and choose the 2021-2022 school year when registering. More information is also available on the District website.Band Blooms Spring Flower Sale
Support Reading Band and beautify your front porch or get a gift for Mother's Day! Hanging pots, ferns, and vegetable garden pots are all available from a local greenhouse. Pick-up will happen the first week in May. Support the Reading Band by shopping here.
Please contact readingbandboosters@gmail.com with any questions.
Thank you for supporting Reading Band!
Plans for the Class of ‘21
Graduation and prom are on! Graduation is scheduled to take place at Veterans Memorial Stadium on the Reading campus Wednesday, May 26 with a rain date of May 27.
Prom is scheduled for Friday, April 23rd, and RHS is in the process of finalizing the details. We are still working through the new guidelines from the Hamilton County Health Department to make this year's prom fun for our students while maintaining the safety of everyone involved. High School families can expect details soon on other events like National Honor Society Induction, Honors Convocation, Top 10 Ceremony, and more. Please be patient and flexible as we work through the guidelines for all of our events.
RHS Counselor Corner
Scheduling for the 2021-2022 school year will begin in March. Keep an eye on your emails for more information.
Students that applied for Scarlet Oaks for the 2021-2022 school year should be receiving notification in the mail on acceptance.
Students interested in CCP classes for next year should talk to their math and foreign language teachers for recommendations and intent forms.
Local scholarship applications are available in Guidance for all Seniors. They can be picked up in the Guidance Conference room. They are all due by Wednesday, March 24 at 2:15 PM.
All AP testing fees are due on Wednesday, March 17! Fees must be paid for us to order the test.
Any Junior that has not taken the ACT test must take the exam on Tuesday, March 23. A Final Forms email will be sent to students that have not tested.
Quarter 3 report cards will be mailed home on Friday, March 26. Please check Final Forms to make sure that we have the correct mailing address for your student.
End of course exams will take place in April. Schedules will be shared closer to testing dates.
Seniors - cap and gown prices will increase to $70 + tax soon. Make sure to order soon.
Reading Student Wellness Update
Blue Devil Families,
As a parent of an 8th grader and a 5th grader, I know how challenging this year has been, and also understand the challenges that parents and guardians face. Throughout this school year, the school counselors and I have been working closely with classroom teachers to ensure that while at school, our students have as many opportunities to obtain support and encouragement when needed. As we begin to wrap up this year, I want to make sure that parents and guardians have resources available, at any time, to continue supporting their students.
Click on this link for a one-stop-shop resource center. Every month we will focus on a specific topic surrounding mental strength. The link will be interactive allowing it to be individualized for each family. You will begin by entering through the marked building door that your student currently attends. From there, begin to explore the many resources we have available.
If at any time you feel that you need to reach out, we are here!! Please feel free to email me or call. If I am unable to help you, I will send you in the right direction to obtain information. Thank you for your support, continued guidance, and open communication. As a team, we can continue to persevere through this unpredictable time.
Best regards,
Sarah Blair
513-842-5101
Summer Lunch Program to Continue
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will extend waivers continuing to provide free meals to all children under 18 years old through September 30, 2021 (previously these waivers were set to expire June 30, 2021). The waivers will allow meals to be served through the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option at a variety of meal sites at no cost to families.
Reading Dance Winning Awards
Congratulations to our hard-working dancers on their incredible first two competitions this season. “Things sure looked different but we were able to perform well despite multiple hurdles,” said Samantha Davis, RHS Head Varsity Dance Coach. Way to go, Blue Devils!
Centerville Competition Results:
Combined Lyrical - 1st place, high superior rating
Hip Hop 1st place, high superior rating
Open 2nd place, ultimate star rating
Judges Choice Award - Creative Concept for Open
Middle School:
Hip Hop 1st place, high superior rating
Pom 2nd place, high superior rating
Judges Choice Award - Rising Star
Harrison Regional Competition Results
Combined Lyrical - 1st Place High Superior raring
High School Open - 3rd Place High Superior raring
High School Hip Hop - 3rd Place Ultimate Star raring
High School Open Dance - Professionalism Award
Middle School Pom - High Superior rating
Middle School Hip Hop - High Superior rating
Middle School Hip Hop Dance - Funky Fresh Award
Reading Dance was in competition at State on March 10 and Nationals are coming up April 10-11.
Blue Devil Bowler Headed to State
For the first time ever, a Reading Blue Devil Bowler has qualified for State!
Sophomore Ian Carpenter is in his second year as a varsity bowler, was voted first-team, all-league, and was voted the Bowler of the Year. Carpenter set the school record for season average at 207.9. He also qualified for the US High School National Bowling Championship and will compete in that tournament in June.
Soccer Coach Wins #175
Reading Girls Soccer Coach Bill Simpson has won his 175th game for the Blue Devils!
Simpson has coached at Reading High School and racked up the 175th win this fall. He was recognized this spring by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association for the accomplishment.
Road Closure To Impact City Travel
Community Chats
Reading Community City School Superintendent Jason Enix and Treasurer Colette Lewis continue their series of community chats. They are committed to making themselves available for all our parents, community members, and stakeholders. The next community chat is scheduled for Thursday, March 18 at 3:30 pm. Sign up here. And if you ever have questions, send them to questions@readingschools.org
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