December 2025
In this issue...
The Class of 2026’s Journey
OAGC Coordinator of the Year
A Season of Artistic Inspiration
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Page 5
Pages 6-7
Work Smart. Create Experience. Embrace Growth.
Superintendent’s Update
Treasurer’s Update
I’m grateful for a season in Mariemont City Schools that feels steady, positive, and full of good news. In conversations throughout our community – at the fall play, playoff football games, or holiday music concerts – I continue to hear the same message: people are proud of our schools. They see the joy on our students’ faces, they notice the commitment of our staff, and they feel confident in the direction we’re heading.
Conversations continue at the Statehouse and across Ohio about property tax reform. And as many of you know, you can’t talk about property taxes in Ohio without also talking about school finance. Here in Mariemont City Schools, roughly 89% of our funding comes from local property tax dollars, so we continue to monitor the proposals and discussions taking shape closely.
This issue of The Experience Newsmagazine is an intentional moment to pause and celebrate the bright spots all around us before we turn our focus to the important work ahead in the second semester, which will bring our annual State of the Schools update and continued growth and progress for our students.
Our financial management practices have always been grounded in long-range planning and disciplined annual budgeting. We work years ahead to anticipate needs and maintain stability, while also keeping a close, careful eye on the year-to-year budget to identify savings and efficiencies wherever possible. This dual approach is what has allowed Mariemont City Schools to stretch levies farther, protect classroom experiences, and give our community ample notice and engagement opportunities whenever a future levy request becomes necessary.
We are thrilled to share that our students continue to achieve top scores across a range of academic measures. We have an extraordinary tradition of excellence, a testament to the teachers, students, and families who make our schools such an inviting and engaging place to learn. Finally, I extend my sincere appreciation to Board Member Laura Organisciak, who is concluding nearly eight years of dedicated service to our district this December. Laura has been a thoughtful, dependable voice on behalf of students, and we are grateful for her commitment to our community.
As statewide conversations evolve, our commitment remains the same: transparency, openness, and strong fiscal stewardship. We will continue to communicate proactively about what we know, what we are monitoring, and what it may mean for our district.
As always, thank you for your partnership and your trust. When you see or hear about Mariemont City Schools, I hope you continue to feel proud of what truly matters: our kids, exceptional learning, and a community that supports its schools.
For those interested in following the broader policy landscape, we regularly update the School Funding Overview page on our school district website with timely information, links to resources, and notable developments from Columbus. Thank you for your continued partnership and for staying informed about the financial well-being of Mariemont City Schools.
Steven Estepp, Superintendent Mariemont City Schools
Tom Golinar, Treasurer & CFO Mariemont City Schools
Scan the QR Code for the latest state funding overview.
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A Remarkable Month of
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT This past October, Mariemont City Schools proudly celebrated Academic Excellence Month – a time to recognize the remarkable achievements, growth, and dedication that define our school community. Across every building and grade level, our students continue to demonstrate curiosity, determination, and a genuine love of learning. This year’s celebrations were especially meaningful as we reflected on the many statewide, regional and national recognitions our district has earned. The graphic below highlights what we already know to be true: our students thrive because they are supported by exceptional teachers and staff, a community that values education, and a culture that prioritizes deep learning, well-being, and belonging. As we look back on Academic Excellence Month, we extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributes to making Mariemont City Schools an extraordinary place to learn and grow. Thank you to our students for your enthusiasm, to our staff for your expertise and commitment, and to our families and community members for your partnership. Together, we continue to build a district where excellence is a shared commitment.
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This school chool year, Mariemont City Schools is embracing a special al theme: The Journey. The name reflects the conclusion usion of our Destination 2026 6 strategic plan, a 12-year vision thatt has shaped our schools into the excellent learning community ommunity we enjoy today. From award-winning experiential learning programs and expanded mental health supports to digital citizenship tizenship initiatives and community partnerships, the accomplishments born from this intentional planning have touched every corner orner of our district. Over the course of the year, we’ll be celebrating the people, programs, and milestones that have brought the Destination 2026 6 vision to life. We also will be recognizing the Class of 2026 – the impetus of Destination 2026 026 6. These students, who were just starting kindergarten when the district began preparing for its new strategic plan, are now living the vision we created over the last 12 years. They now find themselves ready to step into the real world with the e skills, knowledge, and character the plan aimed to create. Their journey mirrors that of our own district: a story of growth, innovation, novation, and community community. We asked some of their families to reflect on their own journeys from kindergarten dergarten to senior year.
Bentley Osgood “Bentley’s journey through Mariemont City Schools has been marked with curiosity, creativity, kindness, and resilience. She has learned to face challenges with determination and inspire those around her. We are confident that she will leave everyone with a few laughs, memorable stories, and a smile on their face.”
Luke Robinson “As a parent, it has been an absolute gift to watch our son learn and grow at Mariemont City Schools. While the world has changed dramatically since his first day of kindergarten with Ms. Miller, the quality of his education has never faltered. With Mariemont City Schools as his backdrop, Luke has forged lasting relationships with friends, coaches, and teachers. He has found success in the classroom and on the field. Through every phase of his journey, Mariemont has provided an environment that encouraged him to explore and teachers that guided his potential. As he prepares to continue his journey beyond Warrior Way, he’s gained the confidence and character that will guide him. Thank you to all the teachers, parents, coaches, and classmates that have been a part of his story along the way! We are incredibly proud of the man that you’ve helped him become.”
Camryn Martin “We have loved watching Camryn’s growth through her journey at Mariemont City Schools. Along the way, she’s discovered her strengths, created memories that will last throughout her lifetime, and gained knowledge and skills to help her pursue her dreams. She has grown from a tiny kindergartener with a passion for learning to a strong, confident senior who is ready to leave her mark on the world.”
Will Haugh “From his early days in Terrace Park to finding his place within the wider Mariemont City Schools family, Will has grown into a confident and community-minded young man. His experiences have ranged from Destination Imagination and DECA to competing in soccer and lacrosse, but we are most proud of how he applied those team skills to lead a campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We are so grateful to the teachers, coaches, and friends across the district who have supported him every step of the way.” 4
MCSD’s Colleen Herking wins OAGC Coordinator of the Year Mariemont City Schools is proud to celebrate gifted intervention specialist and gifted coordinator Colleen Herking, who was recently honored by the Ohio Association for Gifted Children with its Coordinator of the Year Award. This statewide recognition highlights individuals who make a significant impact on gifted education through leadership, innovation, and dedicated service. Colleen’s work stood out among educators across Ohio for the meaningful ways she supports students, staff, and families. As the district’s Gifted Coordinator, Colleen plays an essential role in helping gifted learners thrive. She works closely with teachers to ensure they understand each child’s strengths and learning needs, and she equips them with strategies, resources, and tools that make a direct difference in the classroom. Her leadership is proactive, thoughtful, and grounded in what is best for students and she possesses a deep commitment to professional learning, whether she is coaching an individual teacher, leading small-group sessions, or helping plan larger districtwide training opportunities. “Colleen has a rare ability to balance big-picture vision with day-to-day support,” said Director of Student Services, Tami Croll. “She helps guide conversations about gifted programming, analyzes student data to inform instruction, and works across grade levels to strengthen services for all learners.” Colleen’s dedication, collaboration, and passion have helped elevate the district’s gifted programming in lasting ways. We are grateful for her leadership and proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.
Honoring a Decade of Board Service This fall, Nan Dill and Kelli Neville were recognized by the Ohio School Boards Association for 10 years of dedicated service on the Mariemont City Schools Board of Education. Their decade of leadership represents countless hours of thoughtful governance, advocacy, and commitment to ensuring the very best for our students. Throughout their tenure, Nan and Kelli have helped guide the district through important initiatives, innovations, and moments of growth. Their steady presence, student-centered decision making, and deep investment in the success of our schools have made a meaningful impact on the entire community. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to both Nan and Kelli for a decade of commitment to our students and to the future of Mariemont City Schools.
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Celebrating Creativity Across Our Classrooms: A Season of Artistic Exploration and Inspiration From our youngest learners to our high school artists, creativity is thriving across Mariemont City Schools. This fall, students have taken their artistic talents beyond the classroom—partnering with local organizations, connecting with professional artists, and exploring new ways to express themselves. Whether contributing artwork to brighten a community space, studying the legacy of a world-renowned illustrator, or forming meaningful connections with an artist across the country, our students continue to embrace the arts with passion, curiosity, and joy.
Inspired by the Masters at the Ruthven Gallery Mariemont Elementary School fifth- and sixth- grade Explorations students took an unforgettable art-focused trip to the Ruthven Gallery in Milford where they explored the remarkable work of acclaimed wildlife illustrator John Ruthven. Students toured the gallery while learning about Ruthven’s life, process, and impact on the world of wildlife art. A highlight of the visit came when students were welcomed by Ruthven’s grandsons – Matt and Adam, both proud Mariemont City Schools alumni – who shared personal stories and insights about their grandfather’s career. Students listened closely as they described his artistic techniques, inspirations, and long-standing dedication to capturing the natural world. Inspired by what they saw and heard, students then sketched their own bird drawings, modeling their compositions after Ruthven’s signature style. The experience blended history, art appreciation, and hands-on creativity, giving students a meaningful connection to a world-renowned artist and a memorable day of learning beyond the classroom. “It was really meaningful to have our students connect with John Ruthven’s art and his legacy, which abounds in our community” said MCSD art teacher Shelley Komrska. “His grandsons are Mariemont High School graduates, and they spoke to us on his life and art. Our students were inspired by the gallery walls filled with his paintings, and carefully and thoughtfully made drawings of his masterpieces. Creating colorful bird prints from their sketches back at school brought the experience full circle and was an engaging and enriching experience for all.”
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A Creative Exchange with Artist Richard Prescott Eighth-grade students in the 3D Sculpture class at Mariemont Junior High School recently completed a dynamic project inspired by the imaginative work of Santa Fe artist Richard Prescott. Students began the unit by researching Prescott’s unique animal sculptures and sketching their own creatures using basic shapes to map out movement and structure. From there, they transformed their drawings into three-dimensional “kinetic quadrupeds” made of cardboard. The building process required careful planning and problem-solving. Students cut out body segments, added limbs perpendicular to the torso, and used dowels and straws to create moving hinges that brought the sculptures to life. The hands-on construction allowed students to explore engineering concepts, artistic design, and mechanical motion all within a creative framework. After completing their sculptures, the class created a video to share with Prescott, thanking him for inspiring their work. To their surprise, he responded with a heartfelt message and sent a box of swag from Santa Fe—including stickers, buttons, and two of his own kinetic sculptures, which were raffled off to students. The exchange connected students directly with a working artist across the country and showed them the power of creativity to build relationships and spark curiosity.
High School Artists Brighten Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Eastgate Students from Mariemont High School recently had the opportunity to use their artistic talents to serve the community in a meaningful way. As part of an arts partnership with the new Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Eastgate facility, students created a collection of paintings, digital prints, and mixed-media pieces that now line the walls of the hospital. Their artwork brings color, comfort, and a sense of joy to families and patients walking the halls each day. The students were given a theme of “in our backyard” and 36 pieces of MHS artwork were selected by the hospital designers. “Having the student’s artwork selected for a Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is such an honor because it allows their creativity to make a real impact,” said MCSD art teacher Ashley Scribner. “Their pieces became more than just an assignment – their work adds color, positivity, and hopefully a smile to those visiting the hospital.” This project allowed students to experience firsthand how creativity can make a difference beyond the classroom. Their contributions not only showcase artistic skill, but also reflect the compassion, thoughtfulness, and community-minded spirit that define Mariemont City Schools.
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UPCOMING DATES DECEMBER Elementary 6th Grade Holiday Music Concerts 15 Elementary Explorations 16 MHS Exams 16 Elementary Explorations 17 MHS and MJHS Exams 17 Elementary Explorations 18 MHS and MJHS Exams 18 Elementary Explorations 19 MHS and MJHS Exams 19 Elementary Explorations 19 Elementary Classroom Parties 22 Winter Break Begins
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JANUARY 5 9 12
School Resumes MHS PTO Meeting Board of Education Meeting
13 14 16 16 19 21 22 26-30 26-30
MHS College Planning Meeting for Parents of Freshmen and Sophomores Mariemont Arts Association Meeting MHS Intersession Parent Information Night MJHS Warriors BEyond Career Connect End of Second Quarter, Early Dismissal Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, No School MHS Solo and Ensemble Concert MHS 8th Grade Open House Elementary Great Kindness Challenge Week TPE Everybody Counts Week
Report Cards Available Online 26 Mariemont Athletic Boosters Meeting 28 ME Science Fair 28 Mariemont School Foundation Meeting 30 Kindergarten Registration Opens 31 MHS Snowball Dance 26
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