The season of giving is off to a very strong start at Miamisburg High School. Students gave blood Friday, Nov. 17 at the fourth annual “Unity in the Community Blood Drive” and announced continued support for Care House, the school’s favorite charity, as recipient of the $1,000 Unity award.  “Unity in the Community” is a partnership between Miamisburg and West Carrollton High Schools, Community Blood Center, and Universal 1 Credit Union. Universal 1 awards $500 to each high school for holding fall blood drives. The schools combine the awards and take turns designating a charity to receive the $1,000 gift. 

This year, the Miamisburg Student Government continued the now four-year tradition of supporting Care House of Dayton community advocacy center for victims of abuse and neglect. They will present the $1,000 award to Care House at the Dec. 8 Miamisburg vs. West Carrollton basketball game. “We visit Care House and that’s been a part of it,” said Student Government advisor and blood drive coordinator Jenny Brockert. “They’re really interested in it because of the work we’ve done fundraising for it. It really ties it all together for the younger students when they go to the basketball game and see the check presentation. The next year they are connected with it.” “I’ve been there three times now,” said Senior Class President Mackenzie Frantz, who volunteered with fellow Student Government members at Friday’s Unity Blood Drive, checking in students and serving refreshments in the Donor Café. “It looks like a giant playhouse. For the little kids going through tough times, it’s much more comfortable than a police station. It’s very welcoming.”

The students gave strong support to the Unity Blood Drive, totaling 159 donors, including 106 first-time donors and 124 donations for 106 percent of the collection goal. West Carrollton High School will complete the Unity Campaign with a campus blood drive on Dec. 1. 

Seniors like Morgan Espelage have been part of the Unity Campaign all through all four years of high school. “I like doing it and helping out,” she said after making her fourth lifetime blood donation. Sophomore Darin Gridley made his first lifetime donation Friday. The Unity Campaign is new to Darin but it fits with his decision to donate. “I felt like doing something nice for other people,” he said. You can learn more about donating at www.GivingBlood.org.

Miamisburg Middle School (as an individual school) and the Miamisburg City School District (as a district) won Momentum Awards from the state school board on Tuesday, November 14th, recognizing them for exceeding expectations in student growth. Schools win Momentum Awards if they receive straight A’s on all “value-added” measures on the report card, tracking year-over-year test score growth. Just over 10 percent of school districts statewide won the award. 

JCE Staff, students and PTO honored Corporal Paul "Rocky" Zanowick at their Veteran's Day program by presenting the flag pictured below to his father. JCE students and staff dedicated and signed the back of the flag to Corporal Zanowick's family. JCE would like to thank the Zanowick family for the service of their son to our country and for paying the ultimate sacrifice.

Christopher Randolph is a teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School. He was recently named a Teacher of the Month by the Ohio Lottery.

Mr. Randolph teaches fifth grade and is an asset to Mark Twain. He cares about his students and takes a great interest in them both inside and outside the classroom. He attends their sporting events and is happy to come to after school activities. Christopher takes time to connect with the students throughout the entire building and tries to get to know all of their names.

For being recognized as a Teacher of the Month, Mr. Randolph will receive an assortment of Partners in Education merchandise from the Ohio Lottery along with a gift card.