Five Rivers MetroParks is accepting nominations for its sixth annual OUTStanding Teacher Award, open to Dayton-area classroom educators who teach any subject from pre-K through high school. Nominations are due Jan 31, 2021.
Photo taken prior to the pandemic and does not reflect current best practices for COVID-19.
A winner will be selected from each of the following categories:
- Rising Star (less than 10 years of teaching experience)
- Leader (10 to 20 years of teaching experience)
- Lifetime Achievement (more than 20 years of teaching experience)
“During these unprecedented times, nature is integral for mental and physical wellness, and also a perfect venue for students to safely learn about the natural world,” said MetroParks education coordinator Joshua York. “Whether some teachers have pivoted to incorporate more outdoors time in their classroom or have always utilized nature in their curriculum, educators who connect children to the outdoors deserve special recognition.”
Awardees will be announced and celebrated in a virtual format this spring. Winning teachers will also receive an award package containing:
- Outdoor educational materials to assist in connecting students to the environment
- Plant kit with plants selected for the winning teacher’s school
- EECO (Environmental Education Council of Ohio) membership and money to use toward the 101 Conference at Camp Kern, held annually the first weekend of October
- A one-year membership to the James M. Cox, Jr. Arboretum Foundation and transportation for their class for a field trip to Cox Arboretum MetroPark (or an alternative experience if an in-person field trip is not an option)
Funded through the James M. Cox Jr. Arboretum Foundation, the award is for teachers providing students with outdoor, environmental experiences that inspire an interest in and positive attitudes about nature.
“Research has shown that kids who spend time in nature are happier, healthier and smarter, and so it’s important to celebrate teachers who utilize the outdoors as an education resource,” York said.
Anyone can nominate a teacher by writing a short essay or producing a video (less than five minutes long) that answers the following:
- Why do you feel this teacher is deserving of the OUTstanding Teacher Award?
- In what ways does this teacher get students outside during the school day?
- In what ways does this teacher weave nature into the curriculum?
- Does this teacher get students outdoors after typical school hours? Please provide specifics about what the teacher does.
- What are the most significant positive impacts the nominee has made on other teachers and the school community?
- How does your candidate go above and beyond leading his/her students in outdoor experiences? Please provide specific examples of what the teacher does.
- How does this teacher utilize outdoor space at the school? Has he/she created or enhanced a green school yard?
- Why are you nominating this person?
Additionally, award submissions should include two photos of the teacher that capture the great work he/she is doing getting kids outside and bringing nature into the curriculum and classroom.
Teachers can self-nominate. Nominations can be submitted by completing an online form and either posting a video to YouTube or uploading the written essay. Information on judging criteria can be found online at metroparks.org/outstanding. Videos do not have to be professionally produced, as the content of the message is what will be judged. Please be as specific as possible in your nomination, so judges have a clear understanding of the amazing work and the impact of your award nominee.
Community volunteers with a background in outdoor education will judge the awards.Five Rivers MetroParks employees and board members of the James M. Cox Jr. Foundation, Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation and Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation and their immediate families are not eligible.
Lily’s in the Oregon District is offering a variety of ways to send off 2020 and welcome 2021, including prepare at home New Year’s Eve Surf & Turf Meal Kits (complete with recipes and instructional videos from Chef Don), Two-seatings of a Socially-Distanced, French Riviera-Inspired New Year’s Eve Dinner, and a Bonus Day of Brunch on Friday, January 1 from 11am-3pm!
Fairborn, OH 45324
Restaurant dining this December looks like most of 2020: dining outdoors where possible and getting takeout or delivery. This holiday season, local restaurants are ramping up their offerings up with special menus for holiday dining. There are feasts with traditional roast turkey or ham as the centerpiece as well as modern twists on festive meals.
316 Tap & Barrel Grill
Tokyo Grill
It was over a year ago that Elsa’s co-owner Jason Hemmert signed a lease to take over the old Buffalo Wild Wings Space in the Springboro shopping and now it’s finally time to start pouring the Bad Juans. For those not familiar- Simple, pure and lethal. This is for the heavy hitters who like to get down to business and gulp ’em down. They are however served with a tiny straw and a lime wedge for those who like to sip these slowly and savor the experience.
The menu represents a lot of the traditional Elsa’s fare- taco’s, burrito’s, quesadillas and fajita’s.
Elsa’s Boro Cantina
Giving restaurant gift cards make it easy to treat someone special to a meal, and many eateries reward your generosity. Restaurants commonly offer gift card deals, providing you with a little something extra when you purchase a specified amount of dining credits. Take a look at some of the gift card deals we found out there, most of the deals below are available now through December 31, 2020. We’ll continue to update this list, if you know of a deal we should add, please send us an 
Milanos
It’s 36 degrees out currently and I’m having lunch on the patio (Tarte Flambe Pizza) at Wheat Penny. And with just 4 of the 6 heaters turned on, it’s toasty warm on the partially enclosed patio. I came down to talk with Chef/Owner Liz Valenti about her decision to close the dining room, but still serve meals on the patio and do carry out.
Chef Liz shared that “the carryout menu will be expanding, we’ll be developing more family pack meals, utilizing our smoker more, smoking brisket. Our pizza’s, plated dinners and pasta’s have been our best sellers and I’m amazed at how many people are ordering our egg plant fries for take out. I’m actually driving up to Chicago Sunday to pick up rice flour to make more, as our local purveyors have been unable to source it. To-go cocktails have also been a meaningful addition to carry outs, saying it’s not unusual for an order to be a pizza and 3 cocktails, which helps us keep bartenders on staff. We’ve also been doing some large take outs for companies that are gifting individually packaged meals with their employees and then eating together via zoom.
Miguel’s Taco Truck has been in a familiar fixture around Yellow Springs for the last few years. It debuted at the 2016 Street Fair and is often parked by the Yellow Springs Brewery or in Kings Yards. When you see that truck you can count on getting some freshly made taco’s or nacho’s. Miguel Espinosa prides himself on using nothing from a can and hand making his sauces daily. A few weeks ago Espinosa, announced on his facebook page that the truck was being put to rest so final preparations could be made to open the bricks and mortar version.
The Dayton Peace Accords 25
And help he has. In 2015 he founded the 
t’s no question that Turkey Day is one of the best (and filling) holidays of the year but with the stress of mandated quarantine and COVID-19, we don’t blame you one bit if you want a little help or skip the cooking entirely this year. There are a number of restaurants open for the holidays, offering special feast of turkey and all the traditional sides. Many of those that will be open will be offering limited options, not their entire menu.
Bravo Italian Kitchen 
