MHE Parent Newsletter
April 2025 Update
Message From the Principals
Hello MHE Families,
Hopefully everyone had a great break! Seven weeks to go and a lot of work left to do! Just a quick reminder, per NWLSD and ODH policy, all student medications must be dropped off to the nurse and signed in by an adult. Please be sure to review the information below and feel free to reach out with any questions that you may have.
Have a great week!
Mr. Rischmann & Mr. Whitaker
Go Musketeers!
Important Dates
- Tuesday, April 8th - Walk-A-Thon Kick Off
- Thursday, April 10th - PTA Meeting: 5:30-6:30pm
- Tues, April 15th & Thurs, April 17th - 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades ELA Ohio State Test (OST)
- Monday, April 21st - NO SCHOOL: Conference Release Day
- Friday, April 25th - Read with Me: 8:00-8:30am
- Tues, April 29th & Thurs, May 1st - 3rd & 4th Grade Math and 5th Grade Science OST
MHE Staff Members of the Month
This month, we are thrilled to recognize two incredible individuals who have made an immeasurable impact on our school community!
First, we want to celebrate Mrs. Laurie Murphy, our outstanding OP5 secretary who has been a cornerstone of our school for so many years. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering support have made you a true asset to our team. As you retire, we want to express our deepest gratitude for all the ways you’ve helped our staff, students, and families. Your warm spirit and commitment to excellence will be missed, but your legacy will forever be part of our school’s story. Thank you for everything you do and all you've done!
Next, we are honored to recognize Ms. Tiia Sharpe, an exceptional first-grade teacher who consistently goes above and beyond. Your tireless efforts to create a nurturing and dynamic learning environment for some of our youngest learners does not go unnoticed. The love and care you put into your work, along with your dedication to each child's growth and success, make you a true role model for the teachers on your team and in our building. Your passion for teaching and your commitment to your students’ well-being is truly inspiring. Thank you for all that you do!
Both of you represent the heart and soul of our school, and we are so grateful to have you as part of our team. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
April MHE Read With Me Event
MHE students and one special guest are invited to our Read With Me Event on Friday, April 25th from 8:00-8:30am in the MHE Cafeteria!
Come enjoy a snack and read a book with your special guest!
Please RSVP below...
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJQWj82O5uiYMFNJOj3daIOyo6ggZteMxeBfVfCjQ_jrk8Kg/viewform
Note from the Nurse
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) recently reported 11 measles cases in March 2025 in the state of Ohio.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that typically begins with a prodrome of fever, cough, coryza (runny nose), and conjunctivitis (pink eye), lasting two to four days prior to rash onset. Modified measles can occur in infants who still have maternal antibodies and in those who received a measles vaccine or immune globulin soon after exposure. Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and death. Complications from measles are more common among children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. As many as one in 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Infected people are contagious from four days before rash onset to four days after. The incubation period for measles from exposure to fever is usually about 10 days (range seven to 12 days), and from exposure to rash onset is usually about 14 days (range seven to 21 days).
News from the MHE PTA
- Why should you join?! Being a part of the PTA helps you receive insight into things happening at MHE, including volunteer opportunities, and allows you to be a part of bringing positive changes to the school. An added bonus is meeting new people and gaining lifelong friends! It is never too late to join! https://monfortheightspta.givebacks.com/store/items/1041079
- We hosted a free parent presentation on Social Media for International Safer Internet Day. For those of you who were not able to make it we encourage you all to check out the resources below the presenter, Stephen J Smith from A Wired Family. shared (links will be live for about 60 days)
My 5 Minute Take: Social Media Age Restrictions https://awiredfamily.vids.io/videos/4d91d7b41716e6c6c4/my-5-minute-take-social-media-age-restrictions
My 5 Minute Take: The Rednote App https://awiredfamily.vids.io/videos/7091d6b21b16e2c8f9/my-5-minute-take-rednote-app
My 5 Minute Take: Banning Tik Tok https://awiredfamily.vids.io/videos/a791d7b41717e0c32e/my-5-minute-take-banning-tik-tok
- Help support the school all year long by signing up for the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Log onto https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards, link your card to Monfort Height Elementary PTA & shop as you normally would! Kroger donates a portion of your sales back to the PTA.
- Stay connected by following us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monfortheightspta
MHE Wee Mail
Dear Parents,
Monfort Heights Elementary is pleased to announce the continuation of our "Wee Deliver" mail service. This allows you to send your child a letter, a note of praise, or perhaps a card for a special occasion while they are at school. Children LOVE to get mail! All you have to do is drop off the mail in the main office with the proper address. Click the link below to find the Wee Deliver Mailing Directory to use for addressing your letter and a sample of how to address the letter for your child. A sticker will suffice for your stamp, or you can draw your own. Our fifth grade postal workers will sort and deliver the mail at 3:00 pm daily. Your note or card will really brighten your child's day!
Wee Deliver Mail Directory
Sample Letter
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z-TcZsEvnOB0jPjhRix35dt1BspKRoDI/edit
MHE Care Closet
Our care closet is a safe private place that provides basic need items, such as personal care materials, food, school supplies and clothing for students at Monfort Heights. If you are in need, please feel free to fill out the form at the link below...
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz0orRq94EuS-8IPsVS70RV3RDo3aG6Y2Lw9sswUl9P-1k7A/viewform
Building Information
- Student arrival is daily between 8:30am and 8:50am. MHE staff supervision is not available before 8:30am. Students that arrive after 8:50am will be marked tardy.
- Y's Kids morning and after school care is available through Clippard YMCA (513-923-4466)
- Please refrain from dropping your student off in the main parking lot between 8:30am - 8:50am. This lot is for bus drop off only.
- Please refrain from picking your student up in the main office between 3:25-3:45. Parent pick up is at the back gate using your car tag. The front lot is for bus loading only.
- If you are still in need of a car tag, please see Mr. Smith in the main office. If you do not have a car tag, you must have a photo id to pick up your student.
- Breakfast and Lunch are both FREE this year! In order to have your school fees waived/reduced, you must still fill out the form on this payschools link or visit the NWLSD website.
- Additional items can be purchased using funds that have been added to student accounts through the payschool link above. (Snack/chip bags and ice cream are $1.25, cookies are $.90 or $.70, and fruit-roll-ups are $.75) CASH IS NOT ACCEPTED IN THE CAFETERIA.
- Please do not send your child in the morning with coffee drinks or breakfast items from fast food locations (McDonalds, Starbucks, Dunkin, etc.). Students do need to finish these things before coming into school and should not be bringing them to class or the cafeteria.
- Please do not drop fast food off to students in the middle of the day. In the event of this, your child will be asked to eat in the office instead of with their class in the cafeteria.
Helpful Links
In the Office
Secretary: Mrs. Laurie Murphy - lmurphy@nwlsd.org
Secretary: Mr. Dean Smith - dsmith4@nwlsd.org
Principal
Mr. Trey Rischmann - trischmann@nwlsd.org
Assistant Principal
Mr. Ryan Whitaker - rwhitaker@nwlsd.org
Dean of Students
Ms. Shannon Ooten - sooten@nwlsd.org
School Counselor
Ms. Leslie Twehues - ltwehues@nwlsd.org
School Nurse
Mrs. Amy Frimming - afrimming@nwlsd.org
Monfort Heights Elementary
Website
Location
3711 West Fork Road, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Phone Number
Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/MonfortHeightsElementary
Handbook Link
https://docs.google.com/document/d/164ha5vVHM-kE7BE-mVA4ZTqwFvkr9P9J/edit