To the delight of 2,579 Lakota students, the district’s one-to-one technology pilot is now up and running at all four junior schools. Over the course of four days, district-owned Chromebooks were distributed to eager students ready to start using their devices.

There’s another new twist to the annual district-wide food drive for Reach Out Lakota. “We have asked neighboring districts to join the cause with us,” said Lakota Superintendent Matthew Miller. “Lakota will go up against Mason City Schools and Middletown City Schools, with each district working to pack a school bus with the most canned goods and other needed items.” Each district’s final collection will go to a local relief organization serving their communities.

Lakota is committed to educational excellence, which includes ensuring that parents stay informed about important district- and community-sponsored activities and events that enhance their child’s life. In an effort to improve parent and community engagement, Lakota is now using Peachjar to send digital flyers directly to our families.

The Ohio Department of Education recently released the state report card results for Ohio schools, including an overall letter grade for each district. Lakota Local Schools showed marked improvement in key areas, earning a final grade of ‘B’ by the State.

“Only when students’ most basic needs are met can we expect for them to learn and thrive at school,” said Angie Brown, Lakota’s parent and family engagement coordinator. It’s a simple concept that set a big idea into motion at Adena Elementary last school year. With the support of its community liaison and PTO, the school established a resource pantry that has since been stockpiled with hundreds of snacks, school supplies and personal hygiene items for students who need them throughout the day.

It all began during a Lakota East Student Advisory Council meeting last school year. The 20-plus members of the group and East administration started discussing the idea of flexible classrooms as learning spaces and how to incorporate them at Lakota East.

To whom or what do you owe a super start to the new school year? This month’s social media contest encourages students, staff and parents to post a video shout-out recognizing that person or program that has made all the difference in helping start the 2018-19 school year off on a positive note.

To celebrate the start of a new school year, Lakota is proud to offer the community reduced rates on select district apparel in its online spirit wear shop. This limited-time promotional offer ends Sept. 21.

Students at all four of Lakota’s junior schools are discovering that their media centers have been reinvented. Innovation Hubs, previously known as media centers, provide a flexible space for teachers and students to collaborate, innovate and learn.