The Piening family likes to think they’ve been “making COVID lemonade” since August. In just five months, the family of five has managed to visit more than 20 cities in 11 different states - all while first-grader Cami, second-grader Daniel and fifth-grader Elle continued their “regular” studies (and then some) at Liberty ECS and VanGorden Elementary. How? They rented their home for a year, replaced their three cars with an RV and hit the road just as their other adventure with Lakota’s first-ever virtual learning option (VLO) was getting underway.

In each month's edition of "Super in 60", Lakota Superintendent Matthew Miller provides the latest district highlights in just 60 seconds. Get the latest on Lakota's newest therapy dog, our community's celebration of MLK Day, School Board Recognition Month and the district's release of this year's Quality Profile.

To culminate their recent Economics unit, Lakota VLO students banded together to learn some real-life lessons about needs and wants.

Lakota is teaming up with the West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance to hold our annual Summer Fun Fair using a unique online event solution called Remo, where exhibitors can come ‘face-to-face’ with Lakota families to share information about summer programming activities.

The Lakota Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting on Jan. 11. All school boards in Ohio are required to hold this meeting within the first 15 days of the month. The board members voted to unanimously approve Kelley Casper and Michael Pearl as president and vice president, respectively.

As Lakota students return to the classroom for in-person learning following winter break, changes to school-related quarantines will be implemented as a result of a State evaluation of virus spread in Ohio’s schools.

Lakota Local Schools is proud to share with the community its 2019-2020 Quality Profile. This annual publication, mailed to every household and business in both West Chester and Liberty townships, is designed to provide highlights from the previous school year in light of major priorities and areas of focus driving our daily work.

Join Superintendent Miller on Facebook Live (@LakotaSuper) for his monthly coffee chat on Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. for an update on the school year and to share your questions and concerns.

The entire West Chester Liberty community is invited to attend a virtual edition of the 22nd annual celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. This year’s student contest, themed “Reinventing Reforms,” challenged students to reflect on what they can do personally, using the resources of this era, to carry on the work started by MLK.