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Join leaders from Lakota Local Schools on Wednesday, July 13 at Freedom Elementary School to learn more about the district's Master Facilities planning process.
Jill Meiring has been named the new athletic director at Lakota East High School. Meiring will replace Rich Bryant, who has moved to Loveland City Schools.
Welcome to our new website! Lakota’s district and school websites - in addition to the downloadable mobile app - have taken on a dramatic new look and feel with a host of new features to improve the overall visitor experience.
The Lakota Board of Education approved Adam Zink as the new treasurer for the 17,000 student school district at its June 20 meeting. Zink will begin his new position on Aug. 1, following the retirement of long-time Lakota Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Jenni Logan.
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) announced the winners of its 20 To Watch Awards, including Woodland Elementary School’s innovation specialist, Kimberly Carlson.
The spring 2022 edition of Lakota's Financial Prospectus, now available electronically, will arrive in mailboxes the week of June 20.
Lakota Local Schools has launched summer meetings to gather feedback from the community about its Master Facilities Plan (MFP) options. “This is just the beginning of the process,” said Superintendent Matt Miller.
To ease the transition to a new school year and honor families’ requests for alternative pick-up and drop-off locations for transportation, Lakota is asking that families submit transportation forms by Aug. 4 to receive transportation on the first day of school.
From the strong sense of community and academic opportunities to a culture of inclusion and personalized learning, we capture just some of the reasons Lakota families choose Lakota.
Online registration for grades K-12, including Lakota’s all-day kindergarten program, opens Feb. 1 for the 2022-2023 school year. Early kindergarten registration extends through April 1.
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In the days following the tragedy that struck Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, Lakota Superintendent Matthew Miller shares these words with the Lakota community.
Lakota’s master facilities committee met for its monthly meeting on May 9 to review participation in the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission’s (OFCC) Expedited Local Partnership Program (ELPP), as well as review a proposed timeline and community engagement opportunities.
As the school year came to a close, the Class of 2022 enjoyed time-honored celebrations like the Military Commitment Ceremony, Parade of Graduates, senior picnics, and of course, commencement exercises.
A fifth grade tradition at Woodland Elementary that is 15-plus years in the making continues to challenge students and teachers alike - stretching students to think like an entrepreneur and teachers to adapt the experience year after year.
Why are students so proud of the 50-gallon barrel on display at Hopewell Early Childhood School?
It’s filled with old caps and lids that the K-2 students are recycling to turn into benches for their school.
The Northern Cincinnati Foundation, in partnership with Lakota Local Schools, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 Lakota Educator of Excellence Awards. The 2022 honorees include:
Lakota Local Schools is expanding two popular tools for parents and guardians: OneLogin and FinalForms. These changes, which are being introduced over the summer, will save time and increase efficiency for parents and guardians when accessing digital tools and completing district forms.
The Lakota Local School District, in partnership with the Faith Alliance, is participating in the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program this year. Meals will be provided daily to all children (ages 18 and younger and individuals with disabilities through age 21) - free of charge and regardless of income - beginning May 31 through July 29 (except for July 4). The summer program is funded through the USDA and implemented at no cost to the district.
Friday, May 20 is the last day of school for all Lakota students. We hope that everyone has a safe and fun summer break with family and friends. Area residents are reminded that many more children will now be outside playing during the day and to use caution, especially in residential neighborhoods.
- back to school
- Child Nutrition
Did you know that it’s possible to make a flashlight out of an index card? Fourth graders at Independence Elementary School certainly do. As part of the science curriculum unit on electricity and magnetism, the fourth-grade team of teachers make sure to include hands-on learning to “spark” their students’ interest.
Lakota Local Schools is celebrating over 40 employees who are retiring in 2022. The district has been recognizing these individuals on social media throughout the month of May. Congratulations to the following teachers, staff members and administrators.
Chris Passarge, Chief Operations Officer at Lakota Local Schools, was awarded the 2022 Southwest Region Distinguished Service Award and the statewide 2022 Virginia Ramsey Service Award by the Ohio Association of School Business Officials’ (OASBO) Foundation for School Business Management at its 2022 Annual Conference & Expo in Columbus.
- Awards
The Lakota District is soliciting community input on the 2023-2024 district calendar. Lakota staff, students, parents and community members are invited to review the current draft before any final recommendation is presented to the school board.
- academic calendar
The following message was shared by Lakota Superintendent Matthew Miller on Thursday, May 5 to update parents on further action being taken in response to the situation involving Board of Education Member Darbi Boddy the day prior and for the safety of all students and staff.
- School Board
The safety and security of our students and staff is a responsibility we take very seriously at Lakota Local Schools. We have very specific policies and procedures in place explicitly for the protection of our school community.
- School Board
- Registration
Each school year, the Lakota Board of Education re-evaluates the district's open enrollment policy and votes on whether or not to approve its renewal. If renewed, students residing in other Ohio school districts can apply to attend Lakota.
- open enrollment
The Lakota Local Schools Board of Education called for an emergency meeting this afternoon to ask for a resolution to censure Board Member Darbi Boddy and also request her resignation. The resolution to censure passed 4-1. The motion to request Boddy’s resignation passed 4-0, with Boddy leaving the meeting before the vote took place.
- School Board
- 7-12
- K-6
If you’ve ever heard your child talking about their own personal academic progress, a regular check-in with a teacher, or perhaps “following the group plan,” it’s likely just one of the many byproducts of Lakota’s increased focus on something called MTSS - otherwise known as Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.
- Events
As we approach the commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2022 - scheduled at Cintas Center May 18 for Lakota West and May 20 for Lakota East - Lakota is proud to announce this year’s valedictorians and salutatorians.
- Graduation
At the April 14 Master Facilities Committee meeting, the Board narrowed down several plan options to prepare for future community engagement sessions. The options, which fall into three different grade-band configurations, also include estimated costs associated with each.
- Master Facilities
- Personalized Learning
The following email was sent to Lakota families to share information regarding a ransomware attack on Battelle for Kids. Some Lakota students' information may be a part of this security breach.
- Technology
The 2022-2023 lottery application for seats in Lakota’s tuition-based preschool program, provided in partnership with the Butler County Educational Service Center, is getting a late start this year due to significant changes in preschool special education operating standards regulated by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- preschool
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) would like to invite you to participate in a short, 25 question survey about your involvement in your student’s education.
- Special Education
- Events
Lakota’s annual State of the Schools event was the perfect venue for the community to learn about the exciting things going on around the district. For those unable to attend, the event can be viewed on demand.
- events
- Events
We invite our community to join us on Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. as we celebrate the 18 seniors who have made a commitment to enter a branch of service after graduation. In addition to the traditional in-person ceremony open to the public, the district will live stream the program on West Chester Township’s YouTube channel.
- military
The Ohio Department of Education recently selected Cherokee Elementary as a 2022 Purple Star school for its outstanding commitment to serving military-connected students and families.
- military
Matt Miller, superintendent and CEO of Lakota Local Schools, has been named the 2022 EmpowerED Digital Superintendent of the Year by CoSN, a premier association of K-12 education technology leaders, and AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Miller received this honor in recognition of his efforts to ensure all students are engaged and inspired learners who have access to equitable and inclusive learning environments.
- Awards
Parents of all incoming kindergartners for the 2022-2023 school year are invited to join Lakota's "Kindergarten Readiness Learning Session," being offered virtually on Tuesday, May 3 from 7-8 p.m.
- events
- kindergarten
For an impressive eighth year in a row, Lakota Local Schools has earned the Auditor of State Award with Distinction from the Ohio Auditor of State. This recognition comes after the Fiscal Year 2021 financial audit.
- Awards
- Finance
- VLO
Lakota Local Schools recently announced to its virtual families that the Lakota Virtual Learning Option will shift to grades 9-12 only for the 2022-2023 school year. Current VLO students in younger grades will return to in-person learning. Please see below for the entire email.
- VLO
April is the “Month of the Military Child.” As a way of lifting up all our military families, Lakota is proud to announce a district-wide “Military Family Spirit Week” April 25 through April 29.
- military
- Mental Wellness
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, counselor, or neighbor, seeing kids and teens dealing with difficult emotions can be scary - BUT there is hope!
At the March 28 school board meeting, Lakota’s treasurer and CFO, Jenni Logan, announced that she will retire on Aug. 1. “Lakota has been my home for the past 11 plus years,” she told the Board. “This decision has been one I have personally struggled with, but have now reached a sense of peace and know it is the right thing and right time for me and my family.”
- Finance
Eight new members were inducted into the Lakota Athletic Hall of Fame on March 24, bringing its membership total to 224.
- 7-12
A case that charges your phone. An inflatable camping tent. Skate shoes controlled by your phone. An automated pet feeder. All ideas that were born from Lakota’s first-ever attempt at “Junior Entrepreneurs,” the stepping stone for the year-long INCubatoredu high school elective for budding entrepreneurs.
The Northern Cincinnati Foundation, in partnership with Lakota Local Schools, is currently accepting nominations for the 2022 Lakota Educator of Excellence Awards. The nomination deadline is Monday, April 18 and all honorees will be announced before the end of the school year.
- Community Conversations
Now in its tenth year, Lakota’s Community Conversation program gives school board members and administrators an opportunity to gather feedback from parents, staff, students and community members on a variety of topics. Each conversation in the school board listening program is led by a professional facilitator. Using both small and large-group discussions, participants share their thoughts, ideas and concerns.
- School Board
- Community Conversations
On March 23, Lakota's school board hosted a community conversation to gather feedback about how we should consider lessons learned during the pandemic as we build our master facilities plan.
- Community Conversations
Lakota’s annual State of the Schools & School Showcase will be held on March 29 and is open to the entire community.
- Community Conversations
Join us for a community conversation about lessons we have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and how we might consider them when looking towards the future of education, including our Master Facilities Plan. Spend the evening in conversation with your neighbors and school leaders, including school board members and the superintendent, sharing your thoughts on this timely and important subject.
- School Board
“Your kids are happy. They love learning.”
“Every student said they felt seen and felt heard.”
“Students are very engaged in the process of learning - not just what they’re learning.”
What if you could create the next Disney theme park? To quote America’s favorite mouse, “Oh, boy!” Sixth-graders at VanGorden Elementary School got a glimpse into life as an Imagineer when they were tasked with dreaming up a new "land."
- gifted
- Real World Learning
Families that left the recent ESL Connect evening at Cherokee Elementary really felt like partners in their student’s education. For most of the families, technology and language barriers had kept them from being able to view their student’s grades and assignments, check on their nutrition account, or to be able to read communications from the district in their language of preference.
- COVID19
Lakota Local Schools announced changes to its COVID-19 reporting. These changes align with requirements for K-12 schools from the Ohio Department of Health. The letter sent to families and staff can be read in its entirety below.
- COVID19
"Anyone have thoughts on how to store the new stylus pens we now use in math class? I need an organization system to hold 25-30 pens so kids can take as needed and I can easily see all 25 are there at the end of class."
- Real World Learning
As we all witness the devastating impact of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, we recognize that this international event is catching the attention of our youngest citizens, too. We understand that current events of this magnitude may trigger a lot of questions and cause significant unease and anxiety among our students.
- COVID19
In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated Order, masks are now recommended on school buses but not required.
- Community Conversations
Lakota's school board recently hosted a community conversationthe about the 4Es: Enrollment in higher education; Enlistment in the military; Employment; and Entrepreneurship.
- Community Conversations
- Super in 60
Lakota Superintendent Matt Miller has another 60 seconds of this month's highlights! Take just 60 seconds to get caught up on Lakota's Who Dey spirit recognized by Bengals Coach Zac Taylor himself; a few examples of how WE showered Lakota staff with some extra love this month; and a new Junior Entrepreneurs program in our junior schools. Plus a quick reminder about kindergarten registration and Summer Fun Fair!
The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Southwest Region is presenting this year’s prestigious President’s Award to the entire team of Lakota nurses.
- Awards
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