Deer Park Schools is the beneficiary of a tremendous amount of generous donors each year throughout the district. From alumni to parents to community members and local businesses and organizations, the district receives an immeasurable amount of support from the community each and every year.

One such donation is something that students and staff see every day, but may not know the story behind. Dr. Mark Applebaum has lived in Deer Park since the summer of 1984. He owns Appletree Pet Clinic across from Amity Elementary, and has been a staple of the Deer Park community for more than 30 years.

“I enjoy gardening, especially with native wildflowers and native trees, but also with a lot of spring blooming and summer blooming flowering bulbs,” Dr. Applebaum said. “Many years ago, not long after I bought the house, I decided to put in bulbs. I decided to get some daffodils and tulips and hyacinths and crocuses and see what comes up. They all did well, and, especially the daffodils began multiplying.

"I remembered my mother telling me that the daffodils really needed to be divided every few years. I would do that and plant them all around my yard, covering more and more area. Eventually, I didn’t have any place left to put the new bulbs.”

Dr. Applebaum’s problem became a wonderful addition to Amity around five years ago. He said a staff member at Amity and client at Appletree Pet Clinic suggested he plant some of the bulbs at Amity.

Five years later, you can now find hundreds of those blooming daffodils along the front of Amity Elementary, Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School, and the Holmes Building.

“Each year, the flowers bloom in the spring before the leaves wither around June and that’s the best time to dig them up and find them,” Dr. Applebaum said. “So I would dig them up in June, clean them up, and then in November or December, divide the bulbs and replant them.”

The longtime resident of Deer Park is not just the area’s local anthophile, but also connected to Deer Park Schools in a variety of ways, spanning several decades.

“We have two children, Dan and Jen,” he said. “They both went through Deer Park Schools from kindergarten through graduation. In addition to our biological children, my wife and I have hosted foreign exchange students through the American Field Service exchange program for 15 years.”

This year, the daffodils–which can be seen flourishing out in front of each building on Plainfield, Galbraith, and Donna–are nearing the end of the blooming season, following an unusually long and early season.

“I have two different varieties of daffodils that I’ve planted around the school,” Dr. Applebaum said. “The ones that are blooming right now are the bright yellow King Alfred daffodils. They will probably be fading within a week. But as they begin to fade, the other variety will start to open. These are smaller, pale-white daffodils with a yellow center and a sweet fragrance. I have fewer of them planted, but still fair numbers. That will extend the flowering season by about three weeks.”

Dr. Applebaum said the community of Deer Park continuously impresses him with their friendly disposition and sincerity.

“It’s a friendly community,” he said. “People are nice. In my practice, it’s one delightful person after another every day, all day. I’m not convinced the whole world is like that, but that’s what life has been like for me in Deer Park.”

Though his flowers can be appreciated by everyone throughout the community, Dr. Applebaum is not one for the public spotlight. He is simply enjoying his view from across Galbraith Road.

“If nobody else got any pleasure out of it, I would still get the pleasure out of seeing these flowers every day for many weeks throughout the spring,” he said. “But I know that I’m not the only one enjoying them. It always puts a smile on my face to look out and see the flowers.”

---

---

---

---

--

Inspiring & Empowering Lifelong Success!

--

Deer Park Families:

Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School 7th graders have begun fundraising for their 8th grade Washington D.C. trip next year! Below is a link to purchase spring flowers and plants from Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse. Each purchase made will help support students in offsetting the cost of the overnight field trip!

To purchase, use the link below. All plants/flowers can be picked up on Sunday, April 23 in the Amity Elementary parking lot between 1-3 p.m. or can be held for a later pickup date if necessary. Contact Katie Estep at estep.k@dpccsd.org for to reschedule a pickup!

Shop Here!

Online purchases can be made anytime between now and March 31, 2023. All purchases will support the Deer Park 8th Grade D.C. trip!

--

Inspiring & Empowering Lifelong Success!

--

---

What's New?

---

From the Desk of Mr. Drouhard

Dear Amity Families,

Hopefully your son or daughter came home excited from our iSpace program we hosted this week! If they didn’t, I can tell you that I witnessed a few launches, and there were lots of “oooouuu’s”, “aahhhs”, and cheering! While the primary objective was to build a rocket and then launch it, the program sprinkled in knowledge of design, air pressure, and Newton’s laws. Each message was tailored to the age level, so every student came home a little smarter… and with a rocket! Please enjoy some of the pictures I took.

Let’s make it a great week!
Josh

---

Weekly Photo Gallery

Click the link below to access photos from all around Amity Elementary during the week! 

Full Photo Gallery

---

World Down Syndrome Day

World Down syndrome Day is Tuesday, March 21st. Help us honor, spread awareness and be in support of individuals with Down syndrome this Tuesday by allowing your child to wear mismatched socks! The world wide date of March 21st was chosen to observe individuals with Down syndrome due to the extra chromosomes a person with Down syndrome has (triplication of chromosome 21). Your child has been learning about Down syndrome and the significance of why we want to wear mismatched socks to spread awareness. We look forward to seeing our students “Rock Their Socks”.

---

Art to Remember

Don't forget about our fundraiser with Art to Remember! You can purchase keepsake products customized with your child's art. There are over 60 products to choose from and a percentage of every purchase goes right back to our school. Click on the link below to start shopping!

Click Here

The ship to school deadline is over but you can still place an order at any time and ship directly to your home. You can also upload additional artwork and save it to their gallery so you'll have it for years to come. And the best part is that every purchase will still benefit your school.

---

March Lunch Menu

Due to supply issues, lunch menu options change frequently based on availability. The most up-to-date menu is below, however, please continue to check the Deer Park Food Services website for the latest information.

Visit the Website

---

---

Looking Ahead

Please mark these important dates on your calendar!

• Amity Talent Show: Wednesday, March 29 | 5:30 p.m.
• DP Marching Wildcats in Opening Day Parade: Thursday, March 30
• Spring Break: April 3-7
• 77th Annual Parkers: Friday, April 28/Saturday, April 29, 2023

---

Community Fliers

• Champions Summer Camp

---

In Case You Missed It

---

3rd Quarter Awards

Amity will be having their 3rd quarter awards on Wednesday, March 22nd and Thursday, March 23rd. Grades 1st-6th will participate in a grade level ceremony during one of the two days. This is a nice time for our students and staff to celebrate their academic and personal growth together. Parents will be provided with a picture of their child if they receive an award. Following the ceremony, teachers will be reaching out by phone, email, or a note to inform parents of why the awarded student received the honor. We are excited to celebrate our students' 3rd quarter achievements!

---

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2023-24 school year is open.  Please follow the link below to start the online registration process. 

Link to Kindergarten Registration

---

Festival of the Arts

The Festival of Arts opened up last Friday. If your child got a letter from Mrs. Laine about their artwork being displayed at the Blue Ash Rec Center, don't forget to stop by and see it before March 17th.

---

Ohio State Test Dates

We are a month out from the Spring Ohio State Tests that are taken in grades 3-6.  While it is still almost a month away, I want to get dates your way for family scheduling purposes. More details will come in regards to preparation as we get closer.  

• ELA 3rd-6th Grade:
  Tuesday, April 18th & Wednesday, April 19th 
• Math 3rd-6th Grade:
  Tuesday, April 25th & Wednesday, April 26th 
• Science 5th Grade:
  Tuesday, May 2nd & Wednesday, May 3rd

---

Extreme Rain Plan for 2nd-6th Grade Dismissal

We’ve dodged the heavy rain showers at dismissal up till this point in the year at dismissal, which is a relief! In the event that we have heavy rains, we have a plan in place for our West (playground) parking lot. Students will be housed inside the building in the classrooms and will be radioed to when their cars enter the recess parking lot. Students will then come down stairs to be released to the cars. I just wanted to give you that heads up, so that if you show up on an extremely rainy day you don’t wonder where all the students are. (Kindergarten and 1st grade dismissal already has a similar plan that they have been implementing.) We will need your help to pull all the way forward to help get in as many cars as possible and speed the exit.

Walkers that wait under the big tree, will also be housed inside if they typically wait a little longer for their adult. You will just need to come to the school doors so we can get your child to you. 

This plan is new and will be a work in progress. We hope that it helps provide a better pick up on the days when it is pouring rain out.

---

Spring Enrichment

Attention 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade families! Please fill out the form below if you are interested in your student attending an after school enrichment program this Spring. There will only be digital sign ups this term. Reach out to Katie Estep at estep.k@dpccsd.org with questions. 

Spring Enrichment Digital Sign Up

---

Student ½ Day March 30th

Have you heard? The Deer Park High School Marching Wildcats have been invited to play in the annual Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade! In an effort to provide the opportunities for students, staff, and families to be part of the festivities, we will have a half day for students and staff on Thursday, March 30. This day will operate just like an end-of-quarter half day. Please contact the front office if you have any questions regarding the half day schedule.

---

Amity Talent Show- Wednesday March 29th

With March 30th switching to a ½ day, the Amity Talent show will now be held on Wednesday, March 29th at 5:30 in the Amity gym. This is a great night at Amity that showcases the many talents that our students possess! You won’t want to miss out on this fun!

---

Math Enrichment Opportunity

Check out this opportunity for FREE academic enrichment for students entering grades 3- 8 in Math, science, language arts, or social studies. The programming is provided virtually through Bowling Green State University by undergraduate and graduate students as part of their educational program. See this website link for more information.

---

Staying Connected

There are multiple ways to stay connected to Amity Elementary School.

• Newsletter: All parents who have completed FinalForms should receive Amity Weekly Newsletters. If you are not currently receiving them, please register for the e-mail communication. To register, simply go to https://www.deerparkcityschools.org/ and click on the button on the bottom of the page that says “Subscribe to District News”.
• Twitter: Follow Deer Park Schools for the most up-to-date news and happenings at @DeerParkSchools or @DeerParkAmity
• Facebook: Follow us at Deer Park Community City Schools.

---

--
Inspiring & Empowering Lifelong Success
--

What's New?

---

A Message from the Principal

Hello Deer Park Families! 

I hope everyone enjoyed March Madness this weekend and that your bracket is doing better than mine!!

It’s another busy week at The Park as we move closer to spring and spring break. This means we are headed down the stretch for prom and graduation. Don't forget that fees must be paid before prom and graduation happen. If you have any questions, please let us know. We hope everyone has a great week.

Go Cats!

John Vander Meer
Principal
Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School

---

Building Spotlight

Research tells us that students that are involved in activities outside of the classroom have a much higher percentage of graduation than students that don’t. I am happy to report that over 85% of our students are involved in athletics, performing arts including band and drama and many clubs throughout the school year. If you get a chance please let a coach, director or club sponsor know how much you appreciate the time they are spending with your kids outside of the school day. It would not happen without them.

A Great example is our Winter Guard team that practices every Saturday morning at 6 a.m. They just competed this weekend at Ryle High School. The team had to perform in a higher class due to the competition circuit moving them up 3 weeks ago. The criteria is different. The expectations are higher and the competition is tougher. I am happy to say that we all should be proud of what this Wildcat Team did!

• They improved their scores 11 points from the last competition.
• They also received a #1 Superior rating which is the highest rating class color guards can get.

Next week they will travel to The Regional Competition seeking another superior rating at that level.

Great Job Team!! We are The DP Nation!!!

---

Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Incentive Trips

The High School field trip to Castle Skate will be this Wednesday, March 22. Students who earned all A’s and B’s, had no more than 3 unexcused absences and zero office referrals during quarter 3, were eligible for this incentive. The PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) committee is hosting this event. Please sign your student’s permission slip and return to school by Monday, March 20.

The Junior High field trip to Castle Skate will be Wednesday, March 29. The criteria to earn this incentive was the same; all A’s and B’s, no more than 3 unexcused absences and zero office referrals during quarter 3. Please sign and return your student’s permission slip by Friday, March 24.

---

Counselor's Corner

Check out important info from the guidance office by clicking the link below.

Counselor's Corner

---

Looking Ahead

Please mark these important dates on your calendar:

• Baseball Home Opener vs. Winton Woods: Saturday, March 25 | Noon
• Softball Home Opener vs. Purcell Marian: Wednesday, March 29 | 5 p.m.
• DP Marching Wildcats in Opening Day Parade: Thursday, March 30
• Spring Break: April 3-7
• Junior High Run in the Park: Tuesday, April 18
• High School Run in the Park: Wednesday, April 19
• 77th Annual Parkers: Friday, April 28/Saturday, April 29, 2023

---

In Case You Missed It

Spring End of Course Assessments

Spring End of Course assessments are coming up soon in April, following spring break. Next week, if your high school son/daughter needs to complete any make-up assessments for graduation requirements, you will be receiving a letter in the mail. Your son/daughter will also get a hard copy of the letter from their teacher. This test retake may be in addition to any other required tests they may need to take in current classes.

More information about dates and schedules for End of Course assessments will be shared as the date gets closer. Thanks!

--

Student ½ Day March 30th

Have you heard? The Deer Park High School Marching Wildcats have been invited to play in the annual Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade! In an effort to provide the opportunities for students, staff, and families to be part of the festivities, we will have a half day for students and staff on Thursday, March 30. This day will operate just like an end-of-quarter half day. Please contact the front office if you have any questions regarding the half day schedule.

--

Math Enrichment Opportunity for Students

Parents, Check out this opportunity for FREE academic enrichment for students entering grades 3- 8 in Math, science, language arts, or social studies. The programming is provided virtually through Bowling Green State University by undergraduate and graduate students as part of their educational program. See this website link for more information.

--

After-School Assistance

• Need some extra math help? The math department is available for support M-W after school: 
  • Monday:  Mr. Marsh, Rm 157
  • Tuesday:  Mrs. Deller, Rm 226

• Need other academic help after school? We have homework club after school M-F from 3-4 p.m. at these days/locations:
  • Wednesday: Ms. Troxell, Rm 58
  • Monday: Mr. Marsh, Rm 157
  • Tuesday: Mrs. Deller, Rm 226
  • Wednesday: Mr. Moore, Rm 155
  • Thursday: Ms. Taylor, Rm 252
• Need some academic help? Morning Intervention is available all year for students to come in for extra help from teachers on Thursdays at 7:35am. Students also have a daily “extra help” bell during the day to meet with their teachers.

---

Staying Connected

There are multiple ways to stay connected to Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School. Please see the links below for ways to stay connected through Email, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

• Newsletters: All parents who have completed FinalForms should receive Wildcat Weekly Newsletters. If you are not currently receiving them, please register for the e-mail communication. To register, simply go to https://www.deerparkcityschools.org/ and click on the button on the bottom of the page that says “Subscribe to District News”.
• Twitter: Follow Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School for the most up-to-date news and happenings! @DeerParkHS, @DeerParkSchools and @dpcounselor.
• Facebook: follow us at Deer Park Community City Schools and Deer Park Jr/Sr High School
• Instagram: follow us at DPHS Principals

---

--
Inspiring & Empowering Lifelong Success
--