The state of Ohio’s EdChoice Scholarship, or voucher program, began as a way to provide options for students whose local public schools were considered to be “failing” or “underperforming” by the state. However, the program has expanded to include students attending not only passing but thriving public schools.

As we gear up for the holidays, we want to know just how Lakota students, staff and their families are planning to relax and recharge over the upcoming winter break. What are you doing to enjoy time with friends and family and come back ready to take on second semester? Throughout December, we invite you to share your winter break plans and highlights on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or all three!

“Répétez, s’il vous plait” greets you when you walk into the Innovation Hub at Independence Elementary School on Mondays. Why? Twenty-nine students are participating in a new after-school club led by Lakota East French teacher Tiffany Ashley. Wanting to expose younger students to a new language, Ashley reached out to the Independence PTA to see if they would be interested - and they whole-heartedly agreed.

Walking into Heather Blaylock’s seventh grade science class at Plains Junior School, you might see a group of students wiggling a piece of string. Or stretching out a Slinky. Or watching a video on their Chromebooks. Why? They’re expanding their knowledge and putting what they’ve learned about wavelengths into action as part of a personalized learning technique called station rotations.

Last week, West Freshman students took part in the school’s first ever “Real World 101”. It was a day of learning, self-discovery and preparation for the future. Students were able to choose from 27 different sessions, everything from finance basics to mock interviews to college applications/scholarships.

Lakota is the second school district in Ohio - and one of just 120 nationwide - to make “Shark Tank” a class for its high-schoolers next school year. Families are invited to get a sneak peek at an upcoming information session on Dec. 12.

As the saying goes, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” Such was the inspiration behind a new family literacy program designed specifically for Spanish-speaking families at Creekside Early Childhood School this year.

In this month’s video edition of A Look Around Lakota, join Superintendent Matthew Miller as he shares just a few of the highlights at Lakota Local Schools during November, including using Skype for a real world learning experience, a look inside our elementary schools' innovation hubs, building relationships with "Talk to me Tuesdays”; and a closer look at how flexible playlists are helping our teachers personalize learning for our students.

Each month, we ask students for some words of wisdom. In this video, students share what they are thankful for.