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Cincinnati

Summer Learning, Reinvented: How Outstanda Pays Students to Master Math, Science, and More

When most parents think of summer break, visions of sun, free time, and maybe a little screen overload come to mind. But a new nonprofit initiative is transforming summer into something much more impactful—and surprisingly motivating for kids.

Meet Outstanda STEM XP, a virtual summer program where students don’t just learn—they get paid to succeed.

Yes, you read that right.

In this innovative program for grades 2 through 8, students complete a four-week interdisciplinary curriculum covering math, reading, writing, and science. The twist? Every time they pass a weekly mastery assessment, they earn $25—up to $100 total.

“We wanted to combine project-based learning with real-world motivation,” says Ron McDaniel, Founder of Outstanda. “We believe students should be rewarded for effort and progress, not just showing up.”

The program is entirely online and designed to be flexible. Once enrolled, students get six weeks to complete four weeks of content. Each week includes a hands-on STEM project, vocabulary building, literacy tasks, and a short assessment that must be passed to unlock the reward.

And it’s not just for straight-A students.

“Some of our most engaged learners are those who’ve struggled in traditional classrooms,” says McDaniel. “When kids realize they can earn money by mastering concepts and apply what they’ve learned to something real – they become more invested. They see the value.”

While many summer programs focus on remediation or enrichment, Outstanda strikes a unique balance: it’s challenging, rewarding, and fun, but also accessible and affordable. Families can register directly through Outstanda.org, and early bird and multi-license discounts are available.

The program is gaining attention from homeschool networks, school districts, and parents looking for educational structure over the summer.

Why It Works

Outstanda STEM XP isn’t just a feel-good idea. It’s built on research showing that:

  • Immediate, meaningful rewards increase student engagement
  • Project-based learning improves retention and understanding
  • Flexible, self-paced programs can help close learning gaps

By blending those principles with a clear incentive, Outstanda delivers something rare: a summer program students actually want to finish.


 Registration Now Open

Outstanda is currently accepting registrations for multiple summer sessions. Visit Outstanda.org to learn more, view grade-level options, and download the program flyer.

Summer doesn’t have to be a learning slump—it can be a launchpad. And thanks to Outstanda, it might just be your child’s most rewarding summer yet.

8 Tips to Lower Your Electric Bill this Winter

74 ℉ is a pretty good average temperature for September. Historically, October is 12℉ colder, and November’s average temperature is 50 ℉.  The winters in Northeast Ohio can be extreme, and the electric bills many homeowners receive during these months are pretty high.  During these months, there are many families that struggle to make these high electric bill payments and fall behind.  Then, late fees and higher rates make their ability to pay harder.  This cycle is repeated year after year.  If families start making payments but still have a balance on their bills, they cannot shop around for better electric suppliers and are stuck with suppliers offering high rates.

This winter, lower your electric bill by preparing your home for the frigid winter months.  These tips will help you have a lower bill without making you suffer the cold weather inside.

  1. Shop for a Better Electric Supplier-The Public Utility Commission in your state will have a website and a list of all the major electric and gas suppliers in the state.  Shop around and choose a supplier that will meet your needs.
    • TIP#1 Do not pay a fee to enroll, cancel your contract early, or a monthly fee. There are other suppliers offering electric and gas contracts without fees.
    • Tip #2 Do not enroll in a contract with a variable rate even if the price is lower. They can change the variable rate as they pleased in some cases. Choose the fixed rate every time.
    • TIP #3 Be careful and read all the fine print before switching or choosing a new electric supplier.
    • TIP#4 Keep all signed papers handy in case you need to check the terms of your contract later on.
    • TIP#5 Keep in mind the termination date of your contract.  Choose another supplier ahead of time if your contract is expiring and you will be shopping for a better rate. The change to another supplier is not instantaneous.

2.  Use smart Technology-Buy a Programmable or a smart WiFi thermostat to control the temperature of your home with little difficulty. According to the U.S. Department of energy, for every degree you lower the temperature of the home, you will be saving 1% on your electric bill in an 8-hour period.

3. Change Filters-Most heating and cooling technicians recommend changing the filter in your heating system every 3 to 6 months.  If the filter is full of dust sooner, you should replace it anyway regardless of the last time you changed it. The cleaner the filter is, the better it will perform.

4. Use energy-efficient appliances throughout the home-If you need to replace an appliance in your home, choosing an energy-efficient appliance that will save you money and be good for the environment. Also, make sure to clean the lint from the drier after every load, run the dishwasher when is fully loaded, clean the dust from the bottom of the refrigerator’s motor to keep it working efficiently.

5. Install ceiling fans for the second floor-Changing the thermostat to have a comfortable temperature on the second floor is wasteful. Instead, install ceiling fans in the bedrooms to keep them cool during the summer. It will take less electricity to cool the house, plus prolong the life of your AC system.

6. Turn Off the Lights, TV, and Computers-This is a relatively easy energy-saving tip we can all do.  If nobody is in a room, the lights have to be off. If nobody is watching the TV, the TV has to be off. It is very easy for many families to leave the TV on whether anyone is watching or not. Some houses look like every light in the house is on, even if no one is in the room. It can become a nice habit to have to ensure we are not wasting electricity.

7. Reduce the Temperature-By reducing the temperature one degree, we are saving energy, and saving money.  During the spring season and only if your children don’t suffer from allergies, open the windows to air out the home and cool it down.  It is also true for the autumn months.

8. Apply Window Plastic Seal-You can apply a black, clear, gray, or artistic window plastic seal to your windows and doors to prevent cool or hot air from escaping. In the winter, the sun will warm up the house without wasting too much electricity, and in the summer, the house will be cooler if cold air is not escaping through openings and cracks.

For many families, reducing their kilowatts usage is an environmental issue. For many others, it is a matter of saving money.  Regardless of the reason you want to lower the electric usage in your home, it is both financially smart, and environmentally conscious to reduce the kilowatts you use every month.

It’s Fall, Winterize Your Home

The temperatures in Northeast Ohio can be extreme during the winter. The changing weather and frigid temperatures can sometimes be felt inside the home. Electric bills can skyrocket during the January and February months, and during July and August, the cooling of the home can be an unpleasant bill to get.

If you have some draft coming from the windows or doors, winterizing them might be a good idea to save on those electric and gas bills. Even during the summer months, when temperatures can reach record highs, these 8 tips can save you on high cooling bills.

  1. Sealing cracks around the windows-If you have old windows or broken windows that need to be replaced, there is a high probability that the cold air is coming through the cracks. You might need to replace the seal around the windows or caulking small openings if you cannot replace all the windows at once.
  2. Sealing the doors-The caulk around the doors’ wood frame can become loose and you might have a small opening where the cold air is coming from. Caulking it to seal it is an easy chore to do and it might stop the heat from escaping and the cold from entering your home. If the gap is too big to caulk first, fill in the gap and then apply the sealant. A home improvement store has a huge inventory of calks, sealants, and products to fill in the cracks no matter how big they are.
  3. Sealing the windows-A heavy-duty tape use around the windows to prevent air from coming in or escaping is a cheap solution for many homeowners.  It is easy to apply and easy to remove.  If you feel a draft coming from the windows, applying this tape around the window panes might stop the draft altogether.
  4. Weather Strips for your main doors-Some homes have gaps at the bottom of outside doors that are big enough to feel drafts all year long. If you really want to stop the cold air from entering the home, applying a weather strip at the bottom of the door might do the trick. The weatherstrips in major home improvement stores are easy to install, adjustable, and come in different colors and width. They do not require you to be handy or spend a lot buying them.
  5. Heavy Drapes-Putting up heavy drapes or blinds in drafty rooms can stop the cold from coming into the room. If it is a sunny day, open the drapes or blinds and let the room warm up naturally.
  6. Window Plastic Seal-This is another inexpensive way to prevent cold air from coming into the home.  Applying an indoor or outdoor crystal clear film on the windows can save you a lot in your electric bill. The window plastic seal can be clear, black, gray, or have a different look if you wish.  You can even have an artistic window seal if that’s your preference. The windows do not have to be ugly to protect your home from the winter cold.
  7. Seal the cracks between the window panes-Heavy duty tape or removable caulk to seal the crack between the window panes is another solution that is cheap, and easy to do.
  8. Close and Lock all windows-Make sure all your windows are closed and locked well.  A tiny gap in one window can let a lot of heat escape. It can be difficult to spot if you do not make sure they are locked as well.

There are many ways you can save on your electric bill, and one of them is making sure your home is closed well during the winter and summer months. Keep in mind that a drafty window or door cannot only let cold air come into the home, but it can let it escape as well during the summer months. Plus, exposure to cold temperature, rain, and snow can deteriorate your windows and make their durability much shorter.

Marshall High School

Did you know that young adults in the Middletown high school system you have more free public school options than you might realize?  Charter schools are public high schools that are free to students and give families an option to move to another school with the same standards as any public school.  Thousands of parents in Ohio have moved their children to charter schools to pursue better options for their kids to get a quality education when the traditional schools are not meeting their expectations.

Marshall High School is located at 4720 Roosevelt Blvd, Middletown, OH 45044 and their phone number is 513-318-7078.  It serves students who would be traditionally enrolled in grades 9-12, aged 15-21. These students may have fallen behind in earning credits, have difficulty passing state required tests, are at risk of dropping out of school, or just need a new environment in which they can succeed.

Marshall High students do not enroll in a specific grade level but rather in the “Marshall High School.” The school attracts the population of students whose educational needs have not been met at any meaningful level. Marshall High is an alternative for the non-traditional student. The Marshall High model catches the students that are falling through the cracks and empowers the community with more contributing adult citizens.

Come in and take a tour:  Call 513-318-7078

There are a lot of reasons people choose a charter school over the traditional public schools.

Charter schools provide an option when high school students are unhappy in their current school or the school system is not performing to the standards expected.

Charter schools often have small class sizes, are very community focused and have experience educating students who have added challenges or special needs better than many larger schools.

Charter schools offer the same breakfast and lunch programs a traditional school does.  Charter schools offer bussing just like other public schools do.  And charter schools are held to the same standards for testing and student performance as the traditional public schools are.  The difference is a better environment for students who are struggling in traditional classrooms and need something more individualized for them.

Of course, every Charter School is different, and it is important to do your homework.  Some charter schools have not performed well but many have provided a quality, high performance environment for students looking for a free alternative to public schools.

The most important aspects of choosing the best school for your children is to meet the staff, see the facilities and look at your child’s individual performance in any school.  We strongly encourage all parents to call Marshall High School to schedule a tour and meet some of the staff and make a good decision.

Call 513-318-7078 or go here to submit a request for more information.  Marshall High School takes applications for enrollment all year long so do not wait.

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