BATAVIA, OH (FOX19) - A trio of Clermont Northeastern teachers recently got together to discuss the most important things parents can do to help their children excel in school this year.  “Getting kids back into a set routine is important,” said CNE high school teacher Mike Kirk.  “A set bedtime and wake up time help kids establish that routine, enabling them to get the rest they need to learn,” added CNE elementary teacher Dee Thompson.  

“Don’t wait until your child is having a problem in school to meet his teacher,” said CNE middle school teacher Jennifer Habig.  “Most schools have open houses where you can stop in and get to know teachers and their expectations for the year.”  Kirk adds that online progress books are another way to keep an eye on how your child is doing.  “We often update grades and assignments each day,” he said.  “If a parent checks the progress report, say once a week, he will know if his child

Clermont Northeastern Middle School has been selected as a national Making Middle Grades Work (MMGW) Pacesetter School. This award is based on the success of local school leaders and teachers in improving school practices and raising student achievement. The award was presented by Dave Spence, president of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), at the 25th Annual HSTW Staff Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday, July 20.

Clermont Northeastern Middle School was one of only 8 MMGW schools in the nation to receive the 2011 Pacesetter Award.  Impressively, CNE MS is only the second school in history to receive back-to-back Pacesetter Awards.  

Spence praised the school for its achievement, noting the crucial role of these middle grades schools in preparing more students for success in high school, further studies, work and citizenship.

CINCINNATI (FOX19) - Steve Klonne, one of the most successful head football coaches in Greater Cincinnati prep history, has been named the 2010 season winner of the Paul Brown Excellence in Coaching Award.

The award, given annually by the Bengals to an outstanding high school football coach in the region, includes a $5000 donation by the Bengals to the McNicholas athletic department.

“Steve’s name is synonymous in our area with high school coaching excellence,” said Bengals president Mike Brown. “He not only has been a winner, he has earned tremendous respect. There’s no better example of that than the group (Southwestern Ohio Coaches Association) that has actually named their Coach of the Year award after him.”

A Cincinnati native, Klonne will enter his 42nd year in local high school coaching in 2011.