Back-to-School Hub

Similar to recent years, students in grades K-12 will begin the new school year with a staggered start over a two-day period (Tuesday, Aug. 16 or Wednesday, Aug. 17) based on the first letter of their last name. This model helps put teachers and students in a smaller group setting and accelerate relationship building.

Please note that for our kindergartners, this staggered start (referred to as "phase-in days" on the academic calendar) will extend an additional two days on Aug. 18 & 19 (with no school on Aug. 22 for the purposes of data analysis and student regrouping, only as necessary). Our youngest learners in preschool will also participate in phase-in days on Aug. 24 & 25.

Lakota students will begin the 2022-2023 school year according to the following staggered schedule by grade level:

• Preschool: Preschool phase-in days will occur over two days: 
  • Wednesday, Aug. 24 - Only AM preschool students
  • Thursday, Aug. 25 - Only PM preschool students
  • Monday, Aug. 29 - All preschools students
     
• Kindergarten: Kindergarten Phase-in Days will occur over four days, with each kindergartner attending twice during this time period. In addition to relationship building, this approach helps teachers to assess students' current levels and regroup, as necessary:
  • Tuesday, Aug. 16 - Only last names A-L
  • Wednesday, Aug. 17 - Only last names M-Z
  • Thursday, Aug. 18 - Half of kindergarten classes (details to be provided by each school)
  • Friday, Aug. 19 - Half of kindergarten classes (details to be provided by each school)
  • Monday, Aug. 22 - No kindergarten students (data analysis day for staff)
  • Tuesday, Aug. 23 - First day that all kindergarten students will attend together.
     
• Grades 1-12: Students in grades 1-12 will begin the year over a two-day period based on the first letter of their last name.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 16 - Only last names A-L
  • Wednesday, Aug. 17 - Only last names M-Z
  • Thursday, Aug. 18 - All students together.

Families with students who have different last names and would like their students to attend school on the same day should inform their child’s homeroom teacher of their preferred day once schedules are released in August.

View Lakota's 2022-2023 Academic Calendar

New for the 2022-2023 school year is Lakota's expansion of FinalForms for parents and guardians to efficiently and electronically review and complete most back-to-school policies, forms and waivers. 

In mid-July, families will be invited by email to log into FinalForms via their parent OneLogin account to review and update parent/guardian contact information, emergency contacts, medical information, authorizations for internet and device usage, and more. Once logged in, you will be directed to complete your child's forms, which will include verifying or updating information the district currently has on file. 

FinalForms is an online system that streamlines the process of completing forms and provides a "one stop shop" for secure, convenient, mobile-accessible parent/guardian form completion. Some of the benefits of FinalForms include:

• A single place to sign all waivers, policies and forms;
• The ability to sign forms from a web browser;
• Saved student data from year to year;
• Real-time data that gives a quick glance of forms turned in or still needing to be completed;
• For parents/guardians with multiple students, the ability to copy information from one student file to the next, eliminating the need to fill out duplicate forms;
• Email reminders of upcoming form deadlines; and
• Ability to update contact information at any time, automatically updating our school systems daily as well as district communication tools. Please note that contact modification will no longer be available in Home Access Center once FinalForms becomes available. 

The district will provide each student in grades K-8 with a supply kit at the start of the school year that includes most of the school supplies needed. See below to find your building's list for additional school supplies required for grades K-8. 

High school students will receive supply lists from their teachers when school starts. Preschool supplies are not required, but donations are accepted.

There will be no student fees for the 2022-2023 school year.

Similar to the last two school years, Lakota is using federal ESSER (Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds to cover annual student fees. These fees, traditionally paid via a parent's EZPay account, help cover the district's costs for providing "consumable" supplies that an individual student will use throughout the school year as part of their daily instruction.

Use Lakota’s interactive attendance zone map to enter your address and view a listing of all the Lakota schools associated with your current attendance zone. Families have the option to request an alternative school of choice, but the request must be submitted to the building principal of the requested school before the last business day in May for the following school year. The exception to this deadline are new residents who move into the district during the school year.

Open houses are scheduled as follows: 

Preschool: Monday, Aug. 15

• AM Students (5:00 - 5:45 p.m.)
• PM Students (5:45 - 6:30 p.m.)

Early Childhood Schools (Grades K-2): 

• Kindergarten: Monday, Aug. 15
  • Times vary; see school calendar for details
• Grades 1-2: Thursday, Aug. 11
  • Last names A-L (5:30 - 6:15 p.m.)
  • Last names M-Z (6:15 - 7 p.m.)

Elementary Schools (Grades 3-6): Thursday, Aug. 11

• Last names A-L (6:30 - 7:15 p.m.)
• Last names M-Z (7:15 - 8 p.m.)

Junior & High Schools Schedule Pick-up/Orientation (Grades 7-12): Dates/times vary by building; check your school's calendar for details.

View a complete list of arrival and dismissal times for each Lakota school building. For pick-up and drop-off procedures for your specific building, please visit the "Transportation: Arrival & Dismissal" page on your school’s website.

Visit your school website from the Schools & Locations webpage to view your individual school's calendar for open house, orientation and curriculum night dates, as well as other upcoming building and district-wide events.

To view multiple school calendars at once, visit the schools tab of the district calendar. Customize your preferences to display any combination of calendars now and any time you visit this page.

From any calendar, you can either subscribe to event alerts or use the iCal feed option to sync selected calendars with your own personal calendar. 

Homeroom teacher assignments and student schedules will be posted on the registration page of your Home Access Center (accessed via OneLogin) according to the following schedule: 

• Homeroom Teacher Assignments (PreK-12): Friday, Aug. 5 at 3 p.m.

• Student Schedules (PreK-6): Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 8 a.m.

• Student Schedules (7-8): Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 3 p.m.

• Student Schedules (9-12): Monday, Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. (East Freshman schedules available at 8 a.m. this day)

Daily breakfast and lunch menus for August, September and October will be available on Lakota's website by early August. 

Visit the Child Nutrition website to: 

• Access printable monthly breakfast & lunch menus;
• Report special dietary needs and food allergies; 
• Apply for free/reduced meal prices; or
• Complete an account restrictions form. 

Use EZPay to add funds to your child's lunch account or check the current balance. 

No. The USDA’s free meals waiver for public school food service programs, which provided free daily breakfast and lunch to all students (regardless of financial qualification) for the last two years, expired on June 30, 2022.

As a result, families who may qualify for free and reduced meals based on income or other qualifying factors will need to complete the meal benefits application at LunchApplication.com for the upcoming school year.

Regardless of previous qualification, the meal benefits application much be completed on an annual basis. Only students who qualified for free/reduced meal benefits prior to the USDA waiver will continue receiving benefits through Sept. 15, 2022, after which a new application will need to be on file to continue receiving free/reduced meal prices. 

Please note that we will be accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year beginning July 11, 2022. Any applications submitted before this date will not be accepted. View more details about free/reduced meal applications on the Child Nutrition website.

Families who may qualify for free and reduced meals based on income or other qualifying factors will need to complete the meal benefits application at LunchApplication.com for the upcoming school year.

Regardless of previous qualification, the meal benefits application must be completed on an annual basis. Only students who qualified for free/reduced meal benefits prior to the USDA waiver will continue receiving benefits through Sept. 15, 2022, after which a new application will need to be on file to continue receiving free/reduced meal prices. 

Please note that we will be accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year beginning July 11, 2022. Any applications submitted before this date will not be accepted. View more details about free/reduced meal applications on the Child Nutrition website.

The Lakota EZPay online payment system allows Lakota parents to make lunch account payments, as well as check current balances and sign up for "low balance alerts." With this program, you will be able to pre-pay online using any Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. No more sending in checks or cash, which can get lost. Visit Lakota's EZPay page for more information, including user guides.

As a reminder, while not required by USDA, it is the policy of Lakota's Child Nutrition Department to allow students to charge meals when sufficient funds are not available during the student's meal period. This policy allows students to receive a meal at both breakfast and lunch, charging up to $12 for grades K-6 and $13 for grades 7-12. 

Once this charge limit has been reached, the student will be offered a burger, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables (ex. baby carrots or side salad) and a milk for lunch at a price of $2.50 for K-6 and $2.75 for 7-12. They may also choose a cereal, fresh fruit, and milk for breakfast at a price of $1.50. Read more about Lakota's meal charge policy.

OneLogin is Lakota's customized one-stop shop for parents, students and staff to access all of their online portals like Home Access Center (HAC), Canvas and FinalForms, for example. Staff can log in using the same credentials they use to access their staff devices. Parents receive their credentials shortly after completing the enrollment process.

If you need help accessing your OneLogin account, follow these helpful tips: 

• Usernames for parent/guardian accounts follow this syntax: firstname.lastname@lakotaparents.com.
   
• Returning parent/guardian users have the option to reset their password, if required. After selecting "Forgot Password," enter your username (firstname.lastname@lakotaparents.com). The password reset email will be sent to the primary personal email address on file with Lakota (check your junk/spam folder!) Please check any email accounts that might have been provided to Lakota as a primary email address. If your personal email address needs to be updated, please contact your school. 
   
• First time users should log in for the first time from a laptop, if possible. Logging in from a phone or other mobile device may return an "Access Denied" error message. 
   
• Families new to the district should have received their usernames and passwords by mail or email from their schools.

Home Access Center (HAC), accessed via a parent's OneLogin account, is a communications portal to assist Lakota students and parents with accessing:

• Individualized academic information like registration, fee and transportation information;
• Student courses and schedules;
• Assignments, test scores and grades;
• Attendance records;
• Report cards for the current school year;
• Student transcripts; and
• Success plans for students on Gifted or Reading Improvement plans.

HAC will reflect new information for the 2022-2023 school year according to the following schedule: 

• Homeroom Teacher Assignments (PreK-12): Friday, Aug. 5 at 3 p.m.

• Student Schedules (PreK-6): Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 8 a.m.

• Student Schedules (7-8): Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 3 p.m.

• Student Schedules (9-12): Monday, Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. (East Freshman schedules available at 8 a.m. this day)

Visit the HAC landing page for more information about this tool, including a mobile app that allows you to view all information from any mobile device. 

At Lakota, transparent and timely communication is critically important. We deliver important school and district news and announcements primarily via email, but oftentimes by phone and text message as well. 

The beginning of each school year is a great time to review the email address and phone numbers Lakota has on file for all school-to-home communications. New for the 2022-2023 school year is Lakota's expansion of FinalForms for parents and guardians to efficiently and electronically review and complete most back-to-school policies, forms and waivers. 

In mid-July, families will be invited by email to log into FinalForms via their parent OneLogin account to review and update parent/guardian contact information, emergency contacts, medical information, authorizations for internet and device usage, and more. Once logged in, you will be directed to complete your child's forms, which will include verifying or updating information the district currently has on file. 

Visit Lakota's communications portal webpage for more information about how to ensure you are receiving important school and district communications.

Lakota’s notification system uses something called “short code” texting to send text messages to parent and staff mobile devices, when necessary. This method is highly reliable and fast because it is strictly regulated by the wireless carriers themselves. With that access comes some strict federal requirements for Lakota to gain opt-in verification from those on the receiving end of those text messages.

Even if you’ve provided a mobile number in your parent/guardian contact information, to officially begin receiving text messages, you must opt-in each mobile device from which you wish to receive text messages.

To opt-in your mobile devices to receive Lakota text messages, the process is simple:

• For any mobile phone number you've provided to Lakota, you will receive the following text from 675-87:  “Lakota Local Schools messages. Reply Y to confirm, HELP 4 info. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/tm” Reply Y to confirm.
• If you missed the initial message, simply text Y to 675-87 from any mobile number you've provided to Lakota.

Lakota is proud to partner with Peachjar to share district- and community-sponsored student enrichment opportunities with our families in a digital format. The innovative flyer management program automatically sends district-approved flyers directly to parents' and staff members' inboxes every Wednesday and also posts them to our school websites. Think of it as an electronic backpack for parents! 

A Peachjar account with your own personal username and password is provided to give you the opportunity to manage your account and flyer delivery preferences. You do not need to log in to receive or view school digital flyers. Visit Peachjar's sign up page to access your account.

• Be sure to bookmark Lakota’s website, which presents vital updates and resources like district news, upcoming events, tutorials for online tools and more. Bookmark your school homepage(s) so you can keep up on all the great things happening within your school community too. You can even subscribe to news alerts, based on your preferences, from the district or school news feeds.
   
• Follow Lakota’s social media accounts or search for the district hashtag, #WEareLakota, to receive daily updates on important announcements, upcoming events, photos, videos, news stories and more. Be sure to participate in the annual back-to-school photo contest, too. Post your proudest first day photos. Tag them #WEareLakota, then share them with your friends to rack up the votes, or "likes," for a chance to win.

• Lakota’s recently updated mobile app is available in Apple and Google Play stores. The app is packed with more resources all in one place, plus the ability to customize your calendar, news feed and push notifications, based on your personal school selections. To download, search for “Lakota Schools” from your mobile device’s app store. You can also click here from your mobile device to download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play. 

Ohio law requires children to have certain immunizations to attend school. View the current list of required shots. 

All immunization records must be provided to your school nurse before the 14th day of school (Sept. 6, 2022) to ensure your child can continue attending school. Records can be provided in a paper format or emailed/faxed from you or your doctor's office. Visit our Health Services page for a directory of Lakota nurses by assigned school. 

NEW Students: All students new to Lakota this year must send their most recent immunization record to their school’s main office before the start of the new school year. This is a parent’s responsibility; please do not rely on your former school to send the records before school starts.

Incoming 7th Graders: All incoming seventh-graders are required by law to have one dose each of the MCV4 (Meningococcal) vaccine and Tdap (Diptheria, Tetanus & Pertusis) booster vaccine. 

Incoming 12th Graders: All incoming seniors are required by law to provide an updated shot record showing proof of two doses of the MCV4 (Meningococal) vaccine. If the first dose was given on or after the 16^th birthday, a second dose is not required. A record of these updated vaccines must be sent to your school’s main office before the start of the new school year. 

COVID-19 Vaccination: Lakota Local Schools does not require staff or students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If your student has received the vaccine, you can submit a copy of the vaccination record to your school's nurse to have on file.
 

Note: Parents/Guardians have the right to opt your child out the required vaccines for medical, religious or philosophical reasons.  If you would like to waive specific immunization requirements, you must submit a signed statement by you and/or your doctor stating which vaccines you are waiving and the reasons why. Signed waivers must also be on file by 9/7/2022. Please contact your building nurse for more details.

According to the Butler County Health Department guidelines, if your child was born outside of the U.S., has been in the country for less than five years and is coming to Lakota Schools from one of the countries listed below, you must give the school proof of having a negative Tuberculosis test (Mantoux Test 5TU PPD) within 30 days of enrollment. 

In addition, if your child has visited one of these countries for more than two weeks during the last year, he/she will need to have another TB test no less than 45 days after he/she returns to the United States. If you are unsure of the requirements given your circumstances, please contact your school nurse. 

High Burden Countries:

• Angola

• Bangladesh

• Brazil

• Cambodia

• Central African Republic

• China

• Congo

• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

• Democratic Republic of Congo

• Ethiopia

• India

• Indonesia

• Kenya

• Lesotho

• Liberia

• Mozambique

• Myanmar

• Namibia

• Nigeria

• Pakistan

• Papua New Guinea

• Philippines

• Russian Federation

• Sierra Leone

• South Africa

• Thailand

• Tanzania, United Republic of

• Vietnam

• Zambia 

• Zimbabwe

Completed athletic physical forms can be uploaded through your student's profile on Final Forms (via OneLogin). Alternatively, junior school athletic physicals can be submitted to your child’s main office. High school athletic physicals can be submitted to your school’s Athletic Office, a coach or a trainer.

When the administration of medication is necessary during school hours, please follow the rules and procedures that apply for administering prescription or over-the-counter medications to students. Select the school medicine form that best applies to your child's need and submit it to your school nurse before the start of the new school year.

Lakota provides busing services to all eligible students to and from addresses falling within their assigned attendance zone, including: 

• Students with disabilities PreK-12 who qualify for special transportation.
• All K-2 students.
• Students in grades 3-6 who live more than one mile from their school. 
• Students in grades 7-8 who live more than one mile from their school. 
• Freshman students who more than one mile from their school. 
• Lakota does not provide busing to the high school main campuses (grades 10-12).

Click here to check transportation eligibility by address. Please visit Lakota's Bus Routes landing page for more detailed information.

Every year, Lakota’s transportation department reviews the district’s bus routes for possible efficiencies and opportunities to maximize services and shrink our standard exclusion zones, always working within our financial boundaries. If a student currently resides in an established exclusion zone, but will be receiving services this year as a result of the annual efficiency review, they will be contacted by Lakota’s transportation department. 

Transportation for all students is based on the home address listed in our student database. 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.  

Grades K-2: Early childhood schools ask that all families complete a form to have on file, even if transportation is not needed.

Grades 3-6: By default, transportation for all eligible students is based on the home address listed in Home Access Center (HAC). All alternative transportation plans are automatically cleared at the end of each school year, so please complete the form before each school year if you’ll require transportation to or from an address different than your home address.

Please honor the deadlines below to receive transportation for the upcoming school year. Note that this is for current families already enrolled at Lakota. New families enrolling will receive transportation information approximately 48 hours after registration is completed.

Bus route information will tentatively be available on Friday, Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. on the registration page of your Home Access Center (HAC) via OneLogin. 

To enroll your child, complete the enrollment process in three easy steps: 

1. Visit the online registration portal to create an account and complete your enrollment.
2. Upload the required documents.
3. Schedule the required virtual appointment. You must schedule and complete the virtual appointment so the Welcome Center can finalize your registration in order to be enrolled in Lakota!

Important Reminders

• Immunizations are required for preschool and kindergarten enrollment.
• There are no “in person” appointments. Just wait for your scheduled phone call or email to complete your registration.
• If you are planning to have your student start the first day of school, the entire enrollment process (online registration & virtual appointment) must be completed by Friday, Aug. 5.

Visit our Lakota Welcome Center webpage for more details about the enrollment process.

A student's legal parent/guardian can make an address change electronically by following these simple steps.

1. Provide ONE of the following as proof of your residency:
   • Current Mortgage Statement
   • Deed
   • Settlement Statement (within 90 days of purchase)
   • Current Real Estate Tax Statement
   • Purchase Contract (within 90 days of closing to provide current mortgage statement or settlement statement
      
2. Provide a copy of your Photo ID 
    
3. Complete these documents for each enrolled student:
   • Student Information Update (English and Spanish versions)
   • Emergency Medical Authorization Form (English and Spanish versions)
      
4. Send all items to the Welcome Center at enroll@lakotaonline.com.

You will receive email confirmation once all documents are verified. Additional forms may be required after reviewing all documents.

Lakota students have the option to request a school other than the one within their attendance zone. Requests are not guaranteed, as every application is reviewed against current and projected enrollment counts. 

For the upcoming school year, the Alternate School of Choice form must be completed and submitted to the building principal of the school that you are requesting to attend before the last business day in May. The exception to this deadline are new residents who move into the district during the school year.