What's New?

A Message from the Principal

Dear Deer Park Jr./Sr. High Families:

We hope you're looking forward to enjoying the long weekend with your amazing kids! Even though we have an extra day off, the excitement continues to build here at The Park. It's a huge week ahead for our bowling teams and both the girls and boys basketball teams as they advance further into the state tournaments. Not to mention, the much-anticipated Cake Walk is happening on Saturday, and parent/teacher conferences are right around the corner next week.

Please take a moment to review the information below, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with anything. We're here to help!

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

Building Highlights

Spreading Hope at Deer Park!

We are thrilled to share some exciting news—Hope Squad has been awarded a grant to support mental wellness at Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School! Thanks to the Joe Burrow Foundation, Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!), Interact for Health, and the Rain Will Bring Flowers Foundation, this grant will make Hope Week (March 17-21) even more impactful. It will fund a 988 mental health crisis banner for our gym and support future Hope Squad initiatives aimed at uplifting and bringing joy to our students.

A huge shoutout to Kailee Adkins, a dedicated senior in Hope Squad, for leading the charge and securing this grant for our school!

This is a powerful reminder that even small acts of hope can create a ripple effect of positivity. We are incredibly proud of Kailee and grateful for this opportunity to continue fostering kindness, support, and mental wellness in our Deer Park community!

Bowling Teams Qualify for Districts!

This week has been very productive for our men's and women's bowling teams. On Tuesday, our boys finished second in the OHSAA sectional tournament and qualified for the District tournament for the first time since the 2017-2018 season. The team was led by Junior Joe Mil, who shot 607 over three games.

Similarly, our women's team finished second overall in the Sectional tournament and also qualified for the District tournament for the first time since the 2019-2020 season. The team was led by Junior Lucy Heringer, who shot 420 over three games.

This marks the first time in seven years that both teams have made it to districts simultaneously. Congratulations to all of our bowlers! They will head to Dayton next week to bowl for a spot at the State Tournament at the end of the month. GO CATS!!!

Art Classroom Alumni Visit

Last week, the art classroom had the privilege of welcoming 2020 Deer Park alumna Omary Gutierrez, who shared her inspiring journey with students. She spoke about overcoming challenges—like rebuilding her salon after a fire—and the perseverance it took to start over.

Omary also introduced students to a variety of art-related careers, from graphic design to architecture, tattoo artistry, and nail technology. She emphasized the importance of hard work, following one’s passion, and using business as a force for good.

For example, Omary uses her business as a conduit for helping those in need locally and also blessing the community in Nicaragua where she grew up. It was an incredible opportunity for students to see someone who once sat in their seats achieve success through dedication and resilience. I’m proud to call Omary one of my former students and grateful for the wisdom she shared with our Deer Park artists!

Building News

Conferences

We're excited to announce that on February 27th and 28th, we will be offering an opportunity for you to meet with your child's teacher to discuss their progress. Please use this Link to sign up and take advantage of this opportunity to engage in your child's educational journey. This is a great chance to talk about your student's college and career readiness. There are so many opportunities and pathways now for our students, and this meeting is an excellent opportunity for you to discuss them with their teachers. Let us know if you have any questions.

Lockdown Drills Scheduled for Tuesday Morning

This Tuesday, February 18, all three Deer Park school buildings will conduct lockdown drills as part of our ongoing commitment to student and staff safety. These drills will take place throughout the morning, and you may notice an increased police presence at our schools. Please note: This is only a drill, and there is no cause for alarm.

We appreciate the support of our local law enforcement and our community as we work to ensure the safety and preparedness of our students and staff.

Senior High Perfect North Trip Rescheduled 

The Senior High reward trip to Perfect North has been moved to Friday, February 21. Mark your calendars for a fun day on the slopes!

2025 Prom Information

Mark your calendars! Prom tickets will be on sale from Tuesday, March 25, through Friday, March 28, from 3:15–4:00 PM in the high school front lobby.

💲 Tickets are $75 each (cash only) and include:
✔️ Admission to Prom
✔️ Dinner at Prom
✔️ Admission to After Prom
✔️ Unlimited Attraction Package at Scene75

🔹 Senior student fees must be paid in full ($0 balance).
🔹 Junior student fee balance must be under $300.
🔹 Any underclassman guest must have a fee balance under $500.
🔹 Waivers and permission slips must be signed by both the student and a parent/guardian before purchasing a ticket.
🔹 Guest forms must be signed by administration if bringing an underclassman or a student from another school district.

🚨 All ticket sales are final—no exceptions!

If you have any questions, see Mrs. Henry in Room 157 or email henry.ka@dpccsd.org.

Get ready for an unforgettable night, Wildcats!

Cake Walk

Mark your calendar! Join us for the 66th Annual Cake Walk on February 22nd from 6:30 - 9:00 PM for an evening of music, sweets, raffle prizes, and silent auction baskets! More details and band/choir schedules will be coming out soon!

Scheduling for 2025-26 School Year

As we begin to plan for the upcoming academic year, we want to emphasize the importance of consulting the Counselor Corner for student scheduling. Over the past three years, a wealth of new opportunities has emerged within our career pathways program. It is crucial for both you and your student to fully understand these opportunities and how to access them.

The choices your student makes for next year's schedule will not only impact their upcoming school year but also open doors to future possibilities. We strongly encourage you to take an active role in this process.For any questions or guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Spelec for grades 7-9, or Ms. Madden for grades 10-12.We look forward to supporting your student's academic journey and career exploration.

Counselor's Corner

Click HERE for the Counselor’s Corner!

Looking Ahead

Please mark these important dates on your calendar:

• Boys JV/Varsity Basketball vs. Madeira (SENIOR NIGHT): Friday, February 14 | 6/7:30 p.m.
• Boys Bowling District Finals (at Beaver Vu Bowl): Tuesday, February 18 | 10 a.m.
• Boys Varsity Basketball vs. SCPA (OHSAA Tournament @ Ross HS): Tuesday, February 18 | 7:45 p.m
• Girls Bowling District Finals (at Beaver Vu Bowl): Tuesday, February 18 | 10 a.m.
• Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Reading (OHSAA Tournament @ Mason Middle): Wednesday, February 19 | 7:30 p.m.

• 66th Annual Band Sponsors Cake Walk: Saturday, February 22 | 6:30-9 p.m.

In Case You Missed It

City of Cincinnati Job Opportunities

The city of Cincinnati is planning sessions with juniors and seniors during lunch and X-bell to explore opportunities within their recreation, police, and fire departments. We will keep you updated on the schedule as soon as it's finalized. Furthermore, Christ Hospital is organizing a day for students to discover the wide range of job opportunities in healthcare with their affiliated college. This will be an invaluable experience for students nearing graduation and uncertain about their future careers, and they should make sure to participate in this field trip.

Stay tuned for more details on these and many other opportunities. .

Discover Opportunities at the Gifted Resource Fair!

Join the Southwest Ohio Coordinators of Gifted Association for the annual Gifted Resource Fair on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:10 PM, at the Hamilton County ESC Conference Center (11083 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45231).

This free event is perfect for educators, families, and students eager to explore:

• Engaging enrichment camps and programs.
• Informative learning sessions led by gifted education professionals.

Keynote Speaker: Chris Anderson, host of OutSCIder Classroom, will share insights on helping kids find their voices and the lessons learned through perseverance.

Don't miss:

• Vendor visits highlighting after-school and summer enrichment opportunities.
• Delicious coffee from the State Street Coffee Truck.
• Exciting raffle opportunities—bring your credit card or check!

Registration begins at 8:30 AM.Reserve your spot today! Register here.

Empower your gifted learner with resources and opportunities tailored just for them!

Homework Club

Homework Club has resumed after school each day from 3-4 PM.

High School

• Monday - Mrs. Beck, rm. 233
• Tuesday - Ms. Feldman, rm. 155
• Wednesday - Mrs. Parker, rm. 225
• Thursday - Mr. Devine, rm. 239
• Friday - Mr. Moore, rm. 27

Junior High

• Monday - Mrs. Smith Room 153
• Tuesday - Ms. Daly Room 60

Deer Park Schools Seeking Substitute Bus Drivers

Deer Park Schools is currently looking for substitute bus drivers to join our transportation team. This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals who are interested in supporting our students and community by ensuring safe and reliable transportation.

Substitute bus drivers play a crucial role in maintaining the smooth operation of our transportation services. This position is ideal for those looking for flexible hours and a way to make a positive impact on the lives of students.

Key Requirements:

• A valid CDL with School Bus and Passenger endorsements.

• • Training available to qualified candidates

• Clean driving record.
• Willingness to undergo a background check.

We are also searching for a van driver, which does not require a CDL, however, all other qualifications are required. Those interested in applying or seeking more information can contact CJ Thornton at thornton.c@dpccsd.org.

Free Parenting Support for Teens

Parenting teens can be challenging, but help is just a click away! Triple P Online offers a free, self-paced course designed to help parents and caregivers build positive relationships, manage challenging behavior, and support teens' emotional well-being. This resource is available at no cost to Ohio families and provides practical tools and strategies for navigating the ups and downs of parenting teens.

Learn more and sign up here: Triple P Parenting Courses.

Support “Joshua’s Closet Serve Saturday”

Deer Park Schools is excited to invite the community to participate in “Joshua’s Closet Serve Saturday,” a partnership with the local organization Joshua's Place, aimed at supporting local families through volunteer service and donations.

This event will take place on the first Saturday of every month at 8688 Donna Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45236, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Each Serve Saturday, volunteers will collect donated items for the Food Cooperative and School Care Closets, as well as assemble packs for weekend food programs. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals and families to come together and make a positive impact in the community.

“We need YOU to serve our community!”

This initiative is open to everyone and is family-friendly. Whether you’re looking to lend a hand, donate items, or simply spend a morning giving back, Serve Saturday welcomes your support.

Participants can also contribute directly by scanning the QR code provided on the event flier. For more information about this program and how you can get involved, please contact Deer Park Schools.

Varsity Tutors Information

We want to remind you that all students in grades K-12 have free access to Varsity Tutors, a fantastic online platform offering 24/7 academic support, live group classes, essay review, and more. Through this partnership, your child can connect with expert tutors whenever they need help!

To make things easier, we’ve included a quick video tutorial explaining how your child can access the Chat with a Tutor feature. This feature allows students to ask questions and get immediate assistance in a subject they’re struggling with — all available through their district Clever accounts.

Watch the Video

In addition to the Chat with a Tutor feature, we also want to reshare that students have access to free SAT and ACT test prep courses through this platform. This is a unique opportunity for our students to prepare for college entrance exams with expert guidance, helping them gain confidence and improve their readiness for their next academic step.

We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable resource, available to all students through June 30, 2030.

PTO/Booster Organizations

Join the Wildcat community and make a difference! We invite you to get involved with the Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School PTO and our Booster organizations. You can visit Deer Park PTO to join the PTO, Deer Park Athletic Boosters to join the Athletic Boosters, and Deer Park Band Sponsors to support our band program. Your participation helps enhance the student experience at Deer Park!

Ohio State Test Resources

If your child will be taking an Ohio End of Course assessment this spring (grades 3-8 and some high school courses for graduation), you can access practice tests at home. We are pleased to share a valuable resource to support your child’s education: the Ohio State Test (OST) Portal. This site offers a range of tools and information that you can use to help your child prepare for state assessments.

Here’s how you can utilize the OST Portal:

1. Practice Tests: Access practice tests to familiarize your child with the types of questions they will encounter. These tests simulate the actual assessment experience, allowing students to practice navigating the test interface and understand the format of questions.
2. Family Resources: The portal provides a variety of resources, including test-taking tips, FAQs, and information specific to each grade level and subject area. These materials are designed to help you understand the testing process and how to best support your child.
3. Released Test Items and Scoring Guides: Review released test items from previous assessments along with their scoring guides. These guides include answer keys, scoring rubrics, and explanations of why certain answers are correct or incorrect. Understanding these can give insight into your child's progress and areas for improvement.

To start using these resources, please visit the OST Portal at oh-ost.portal.cambiumast.com/families.html.

We encourage you to explore the site and make the most of the available tools to support your child’s learning and preparation.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education.

Wildcat Packs Program

Joshua's Place is excited to offer the Wildcat Packs program, providing weekend food for students. To qualify, students must be signed up for free and reduced lunches and registered for the program. Packs will be sent home every Thursday, with the first distribution on October 10th. To sign up, scan the QR code or return the registration form to school. For any questions, please contact John Mathias at john@joshuasplace.cc.

Registration Form

2024-25 PDF District Calendar

Each year, the Deer Park Board of Education approves the district's yearly calendar, which can be found on the Deer Park Schools website. This calendar includes official school dates, holidays, and breaks. Additionally, a printed event calendar will be sent home with your student during the first week of school. For your convenience, you can access the PDF calendar using the link provided below.

View the Calendar

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, Instagram and Text Messages.

• E-Mail: Newsletter: All parents who have completed FinalForms should receive Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Weekly Newsletters. If you are not currently receiving them, please register for the e-mail communication. To register, simply go to www.deerparkcityschools.org and click on the button on the bottom of the page that says “Subscribe to District News”. From there, you will send an email requesting that you be added to future email communication from the district.
• X: Follow Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School for the most up-to-date news and happenings! @DeerParkHS, @DeerParkSchools, @dpcounselor, and @DP_Athletics
• Instagram: Follow @deerparkhs for photos featuring students, teachers and staff!
• Facebook: Follow us at Deer Park Community City Schools and Deer Park Jr/Sr High School.

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Inspiring & Empowering Lifelong Success

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