

Rolling in the Know
2024-2025 School Year: Keeping JLSD families informed

U.S. News & World Report Best Elementary Schools
U.S. News & World Report Best Middle Schools
U.S. News & World Report Best High School
Thank you for choosing the Jackson Local School District to enroll your child! We are excited to work with you to make sure your child succeeds. Our goal at Jackson Local is to nurture and challenge our students so they become lifelong learners and confident leaders. We believe education is a partnership, and we know you are an expert when it comes to your child. We hope you will share your expertise with us. We look forward to standing alongside you and sharing your child’s success in the years ahead. Again, thank you for choosing Jackson Local.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION OPEN
Families with children who will be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2025, can now begin the online registration process for kindergarten in Jackson Local Schools.
To create an account and start registration, please click the link button below. This same link can also be used to register new students in grades 1-12.
If you already have a student enrolled in Jackson Local, you may use your existing username and password from First Day Forms to log in and complete registration.
For additional details, please visit our registration website or contact your the main office of your child's school.If you do not know what elementary building your child should attend, please click here to find your school by street address.
THANK YOU, SCHOOL COUNSELORS
This National School Counseling Week, we celebrate the dedicated professionals who support our students daily! Our Jackson Local School District counselors play a vital role in guiding students academically, socially, and emotionally — helping them navigate challenges and reach their full potential.
Join us in thanking them for their hard work and commitment to creating a supportive school environment!
JHS Counselors: Mrs. Buehler, Miss Calvani, Mrs. Vukovich, Miss Huthmacher, Mrs. Pitzo, Mrs. Prato, Mrs. Vigars
JMMS Counselors: Mrs. Gillette, Ms. Craver, Mrs. Wohlheter
Elementary Counselors: Mrs. Neff, Mrs. Zavarelli, Mrs. Shanaberger, Miss Yonders
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
At Jackson Local Schools, we recognize that history is not just about the past—it’s about learning, growing, and shaping a brighter future. Throughout our buildings, classrooms, and hallways we continue to celebrate Black History Month.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
"The whole world opened to me when I learned to read."
– Mary McLeod Bethune
"The triumph can’t be had without the struggle."
– Wilma Rudolph
"Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth."
— Shirley Chisholm
2025-2026 CALENDAR APPROVED
The 2025-2026 school year calendar has been approved by the Jackson Local Board of Education. The calendar can be downloaded below, or you can find it online by clicking the button below. The school year begins on August 19 with the first day of school. Other dates of note:
First Day of School: August 19
Thanksgiving Break: November 26-December 1
Winter Break: December 22-January 2
Spring Break: March 30-April 6
Last Day of School: May 29
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE
Mark your calendars! The annual Polar Bear Plunge will take place on February 8 at 2 p.m. at Lake Cable. This exciting and community-centered event is a major fundraiser for the Jackson Local Schools Foundation (JLSF), which supports classroom grants and provides unique opportunities for our students.
Participants can sign up to take the plunge into the chilly waters of Lake Cable, with half of the proceeds raised going to a charity of their choice and the other half supporting the JLSF. For those who prefer to stay warm and dry, donations are welcome and appreciated — just click the buttons below to contribute.
This event not only supports meaningful causes but also brings our community together in a fun and memorable way. We encourage everyone to participate, donate, or simply join us to cheer on the brave participants. Let’s make a difference together!
INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSING
As we hit the heart of winter, we want to remind our families of our procedures in the event of inclement weather. The Jackson Local School District is committed to keeping you informed as quickly as possible about weather-related school closings or delays.
How We Notify Families
If a decision is made to delay or cancel school, you will receive notifications via:- Phone Call
- Text Message
In addition, closing information will be posted simultaneously on the district’s website for your convenience.
Your child’s safety is always our top priority. We encourage you to ensure your contact information is up-to-date in our system to ensure you receive timely notifications. You can update your contact information by reaching out to your child's building secretary. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe and informed!
OPTIMIZE PARENTAL CONTROLS ON DEVICES
Parents: Earn a $5 Starbucks gift card when you attend the live event*
Many parents are wondering about the best ways to set parental controls on their children's devices. In this live, virtual, parent event Josh Ochs, industry experts, school administrators, and students will explore how to use parental controls to balance safety and privacy for your children.
You should attend this event if you are concerned about:
By the end of this event, you will:
This event will showcase student voices and industry/district experts to help answer all of your questions so you will walk away more knowledgeable and confident in helping your child. Register even if you can't make it live so you can access the replay and earn your gift card on your schedule!
WHAT OUR PARENTS SAY ABOUT SMARTSOCIAL
* The statistics above are estimates provided to our district based on the number of parents already enrolled and using SmartSocial resources.
YOUTH BASEBALL REGISTRATION OPEN
Baseball season is around the corner, and Jackson Youth Baseball is ready to help young athletes develop skills, teamwork, and a love for the game. Open to players ages 5-14, this program is a great way for students to grow, compete, and represent our community with pride.
📅 Registration Deadline: February 15, 2025
📍 Divisions: T-Ball (ages 5-6) through Pony League (ages 13-14)
🔗 Register now: jacksonbaseball.org/registration
Let’s keep building champions—on and off the field. ⚾️🐻
#PolarBearPride
EMERGENCY ALERTS
COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS FOR PARENTS
The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority, and timely communication with parents and guardians is essential. We want to ensure that families stay informed in a clear, consistent, and efficient manner. Our district uses a mass notification system to send important messages through three primary methods: phone calls, text messages, and emails.
To prioritize urgency, we classify these communications as follows:
- **Phone Calls:** Reserved for the most urgent notifications. This is our highest priority method for critical updates.
- **Text Messages:** Used for important updates that may not require an immediate call, but still require prompt attention.
- **Emails:** Sent for general updates or follow-up information that does not need urgent action.
In many cases, you may receive a communication through all three channels for maximum accessibility. However, if you happen to miss an urgent all-call from the district, or if your voicemail box is full and cannot receive our message, we ask that you avoid calling district offices directly. Instead, you can view the same message on our district’s website, where urgent notifications are posted as alerts.
This process ensures our staff can focus on the safety and security efforts in progress, without the additional burden of managing incoming calls. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to keep our schools safe and keep you informed.
Thank you for partnering with us to make sure every student’s safety is supported.
PRESCHOOL INFORMATION PAGE
Are you or someone you know looking for information on preschools in the Jackson Local School District area? Check out our preschool information page for more information.
Don't miss out! Local Jackson area preschool programs are accepting registrations now. Help your child develop socially, emotionally, and academically with an enriching program. When your child enrolls, they aren't just kindergarten ready, they're JACKSON KINDERGARTEN READY! Tuition reduction is available for those who qualify. Visit our preschool webpage to learn more and register today:
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The materials provided herein are solely for informational purposes and do not constitute an endorsement by the Jackson Local School District of any individuals or organizations involved nor of the messages conveyed within these materials. Absent a specific and express statement to the contrary, please be advised that the information promoted by these materials do not have an affiliation with, nor are they sponsored or endorsed by, the Jackson Local School District.
VARSITY SPORTS SCHEDULE
2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR
COMMUNITY FLYERS & ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Our Community Flyer webpage is bustling with enrichment opportunities for students this summer. From youth sports clinics led by our coaches and players, to engaging STEAM and Robotics programs, as well as leadership opportunities, there's something to inspire every child. To explore all these activities, please click the button below and start planning a fun and educational summer for your child.
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The materials provided herein are solely for informational purposes and do not constitute an endorsement by the Jackson Local School District of any individuals or organizations involved nor of the messages conveyed within these materials. Absent a specific and express statement to the contrary, please be advised that the activities promoted by these materials do not have an affiliation with, nor are they sponsored or endorsed by, the Jackson Local School District.
SPORTS SCHEDULES
The Jackson High School sports season is upon us with student-athletes participating. If you would like to take in a game, please scan the QR code to see our spring sports schedules or click/touch here.
ALL JACKSON LOCAL BUILDINGS RANKED BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
For the first time all six Jackson Local Schools (Amherst, Lake Cable, Sauder and Strausser Elementary Schools, Jackson Memorial Middle School, and Jackson High School) have been recognized as a best school by U.S. News & World Report. This is a an awesome national recognition by our schools. It is a testament to the collaboration between our schools, teachers, students, parents, and families. Thank you for your partnership in educating your child(ren)!
PURCHASE TICKETS, PAY FEES
In order to purchase tickets to Jackson High School sporting events or pay athletic-related fees, you can do by visiting this website. The ticketing link remains the same, however, there has been a slight change to the location of that site on JacksonPolarBears.org. Please see the illustration below on how to navigate to this site from our athletic website.
HOME ACCESS CENTER
The Home Access Center portal has been activated for all Jackson students. Parents should create their own accounts to access the portal. Please take a look at the video tutorial below for how to create your account.
Technical issues should be directed to your child's school.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO HELP
The Jackson Local School District started an initiative this school year to share resources and tips with our parents. We are providing more resources from our district mental health partners. We hope you find value in these resources from our mental health experts.
STARKHELPCENTRAL.COM FROM UNITED WAY
United Way of Greater Stark County is pleased to join the partnership that supports StarkHelpCentral.com, a searchable community resource website supported by Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (StarkMHAR), Stark County Job & Family Services, Stark Educational Service Center, Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Stark County Family Court, and Stark County Family Council.
With this partnership, Stark County 2-1-1 will close its 2-1-1 information line and online database. This move will establish StarkHelpCentral.com as the primary source of information about community resources in Stark County.
Attached to this email is a brief guide that provides contact information for the most requested programs and services in our community. This resource guide will be direct mailed to residents of ZIP codes where most of 211’s calls originate. This will happen by the end of November.
For more community resources, go to StarkHelpCentral.com.
DOWNLOAD THE JACKSON LOCAL APP
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
You can use the link below to our anonymous reporting system through Sandy Hook. Simply type in Jackson High School or Jackson Middle School and select the school for which you a reporting a tip.
JACKSON LOCAL SEEKS TO SERVE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Within the intent of the federal statutes (Rehabilitation Act of 1973-section 504 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA-public law 105-17), the Jackson Local School District continues its effort to locate and identify children with disabilities from birth through age 21. Children with disabilities have physical, emotional, and or mental impairments that may require special education. Public schools provide free and appropriate education regardless of a child’s disability. However, before these children can be served, they must be found. Many of these children are not visible because they may not function in the community’s mainstream, and many are preschoolers. Parents may not realize that programs and services are available through their school district or from agencies in their community. If you are aware of a child who may need a special education program or services, contact Kathy Brand, Jackson Local School District’s Special Programs Director with any question you may have regarding the above notice at 330-830-8006.
HOW TO REACH US
Striving for Excellence
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Superintendent: Christopher DiLoreto
Board of Education:
Lia Jones, Esq., president
Scott Gindlesberger, vice president
Christopher V. Goff, Esq.,
Thomas W. Winkhart, Esq.
Tonya M. Wright
Email: contactus@jackson.sparcc.org
Website: https://www.jackson.stark.k12.oh.us/
Location: 7602 Fulton Drive Northwest, Massillon, OH, USA
Phone: (330) 830-8000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonLocalSchools
Twitter: @JacksonLocal_SD