Miami Whitewater Elementary Parents & Guardians - 

 On behalf of the teachers & staff at MWE, I would like to extend best wishes to all for a happy and healthy new year! It’s a pleasure to see all of our young wildcats, teachers, and staff back at school after a long, well-deserved break. Just a reminder that if and when the snow flies and the temperatures dip here in Harrison, children need to be dressed appropriately to come to school and to play outside at recess time. Coats, hats, mittens or gloves, and boots are a must this time of year.  The teachers take the students outside for recess into the fresh air to run and play if the "feels like" temperature is above 32 degrees.  There is not supervision inside the classroom at that time, so all students are outside weather permitting.  The front doors do not open until 8:40am - so please don't drop your little ones off before then.  The teachers are not in classrooms and ready to supervise students until 8:40 each morning.

Library event calendar - The Harrison Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library has lots to offer this month - from dance parties to homework help!  Click HERE  for the January, 2023 calendar.

Winter Conferences - Save the date for winter conferences!  Teachers will be sending out a www.signup.com link next week for February 2 and February 8 parent-teacher conferences.  

Yearbook Orders- It's time to order your child's 2022-23 Lifetouch yearbook!  Visit ybpay.com and enter our school name "Miami Whitewater Elementary School" and ID Code: 14271823.  The yearbooks are all-color with a sturdy softcover and protective coating.  All yearbook orders must be submitted by March 30, 2023.  Thanks to Mr. Kelly, Mr. Williams, and Mrs. Tyner for capturing this year's MWE memories, designing and creating our annual yearbook!

Cafeteria Crew - We need volunteers to help in the cafeteria during lunch blocks.  If you have time to share with our students & custodian, Mr. Randy - click the link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4AAEAC28A5F94-mwecafeteria1 

Author Visit!  -   On March 10, 2023, author Jennifer Shaw will be visiting Miami Whitewater Elementary to share her book Dumplings Mean Family.   Jennifer Shaw will share how families look different, heritage is important, and we can value all backgrounds.  We will offer advance book sales and education on cultural diversity and family dynamics through this unique opportunity.  Shout out to our Library Facilitator, Becky Meckstroth, for organizing this event!

Winter/3^rd quarter extra-curricular survey - Ensuring that 100% of our students are participating in extra-curricular activities and clubs is a building-wide and Southwest Local School District priority.  Winter is here & new clubs and opportunities are available not just at school, but in our community.  Please take a few minutes to complete our third quarter extra-curricular survey: https://forms.gle/TDLwFEbyvA2iYPRp6.  The homeroom with the most responses by Friday afternoon will earn a treat from the office!

Fernside Loss Groups - Fernside Center for Grieving Children will be starting a Loss Group for any students who are interested at Miami Whitewater Elementary. This group will take place during the school day in the MWE conference room . Times are yet to be determined. The two Fernside documents (FERNSIDE 1  and FERNSIDE 2 ) need to be turned in at school.  Mrs. Gieringer will also be holding Loss Groups that will begin within the next month. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Gieringer via email at sharon.gieringer@southwestschools.org 

Who-DEY Fri-DEY -  Miami Whitewater is showing our stripes tomorrow!  Please encourage your child to wear Bengals gear to get our home team hyped to beat the Ravens in the Wild Card playoff game!   We're trying to push photos and posts on social media to win a pep rally from the Cincinnati Bengals - you can find more information HERE !!!

Spelling Bee - Congratulations to all of our 2023 Spelling Bee participants!  Sai Patel is our runner-up.  Kyleigh Henn is this year's Spelling Bee champion!

School Board Recognition Month - January is School Board Recognition Month. It’s a great time to recognize our elected community members who selflessly give their time and energy in support of high-quality public schooling for our youth in Harrison and the Southwest Local School District. School Board President, Mr. Jeff Biddle, leads the charge.  SLSD Board of Education Members include: Mr. Chris Payne, Ms. Susan Robard, Mr. Mike King, and Mr, Rob Kief.  School boards are charged with making decisions that can sometimes be quite difficult, or require sifting through a great deal of information. They also bear responsibility for developing a vision that will guide our school district for years to come. Through collaboration as a team, and with SLSD staff, their governance and advocacy are building the future of education in our growing community.

Random Acts of Kindness Day – Feb 17, 2023 is Random Acts of Kindness Day.  We're encouraging all MWE students, staff, and teachers to share acts of kindness on February 16th (since we don't have school on the 17th).  Mrs. Susan Schaich lived her life through kind acts, not for recognition - but to make life positive and better for others.  Let's carry on her legacy and traditions! 

Kindergarten Registration - Kindergarten registration will begin on February 1st for the 2023-24 school year.  You can find more information about the documents you need to submit and how to complete online forms by clicking HERE .  Call our SLSD Central Registrar, Mrs. Lisa Williams at (513-367-5577) if you have additional questions.

Valentine’s Day Parties – Our winter holiday parties are scheduled for Tuesday, February 14.

• Time – Full day Kindergarten, PM Kindergarten, & grades 1-5 will start at 2:30.  All parties will end by 3:30 so volunteers can get their things out safely and clear the lot before dismissal begins.  AM Kindergarten parties will start at 10:45 & end at 11:45am. 
• Parking - All staff and teachers will be parking in the Junior School or Green Barn parking lot on Feb. 14.  This will open up more spaces out front for our parents & guardians volunteering at parties.  Please avoid parking in our grass, along Wildcat Way loop road, and in the landscaping.  There will be no parking on the blacktop between MWE and the JS due to dismissal at the JS falling during our party time.
• Volunteers – Each classroom can have 5 volunteers.  ALL volunteers need to have a quick background check done by Lisa Schille or Kelsey Dwenger in the office prior to Feb. 3rd with a photo ID.  Volunteers can enter the building at 2:15, need a photo ID, and will be allowed to come to your classrooms around 2:20. 
• Snacks & Treats – All snacks, desserts, & treats need to be store bought and individually wrapped.  This will help keep our students healthy and aligns with our SLSD wellness policy.

2023-24 District Calendar -  The SLSD District calendar can be found here for those of you who like to plan ahead!! 2023-24 SLSD calendar