Pioneer News

Autumn air is settling in and the leaves are changing -- This time of year brings a spirit of celebration in the Elyria Schools! I encourage you to embrace all the activities and events our schools have planned.

From family nights and festivals to fall sports games and any number of showcases, our schools are bustling. There are many fantastic opportunities for families to come together to support students, and strengthen the bonds within our schools and community.

While we relish these exciting moments, I also want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of safety within our schools and community. We all play a vital role in keeping our environment safe for our children. I encourage you to adopt a “See Something, Say Something” mindset. If you notice or hear anything unusual or concerning, please report it immediately to the police and to a school staff member. School threats are immediately investigated and discipline is swift, and criminal charges are possible. Working together, we can foster a safe and secure atmosphere where our students can thrive.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our schools. Let’s make this fall season a memorable one filled with joy, learning, and community spirit!

Warm regards,

Ann Schloss

Superintendent

#ForTheE

Students are now enjoying complimentary school meals due to the district's participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Lunch Program. All K-12 students are eligible to receive free meals under CEP. Parents are no longer required to fill out the free and reduced-price meal forms that were used to determine eligibility in the past, however districts that are participating in CEP are still required to collect household income forms from all families. This information is required by the state to ensure the district continues receiving crucial funding for services such as tutoring, and intervention and enrichment. Additionally, household income information is required for CEP districts to waive school fees.

Please rest assured that the CEP benefits are secure; all K-12 students can access free meals under this program. However, your assistance in completing the Household Income Form is essential for the district to continue receiving funding for these and other services that directly benefit our students. An electronic version of the Household Income Form will be sent out to parents soon.

We appreciate your understanding in this matter. The Household Income Form can be completed quickly and easily, and it greatly assists us as we work through this together.

Additionally we are collaborating with the state to refund lunch fees and balances that were charged to student accounts this school year. More information will be shared soon.

We appreciate your assistance.

GG&C Bussing is settling in as the district's new transportation provider, and one of the the company's main priorities has been launching a new parent app that offers real-time bus tracking. In the next few weeks, GG&C will roll out the app to school by school, and parents will be notified when it's their turn to register. Stay tuned!

The Ashland University Partnership of Lorain County Community College has made stars of Lorain County Superintendents, including our very own Ann Schloss. The superintendents were invited to participate in a video that promotes the field of education. They emphasized the importance of working in a profession where you can make a daily impact on children's lives, impacting them today and in the future.

Education is a rewarding career path that needs dedicated people in the field. If you or someone you know has an interest in being a teacher or working in a school setting, consider learning more about the path to education. We are fortunate to have strong university partnerships through Lorain County Community College (LCCC). Why not take the opportunity to discover more about these offerings from the college right in our own backyard—LCCC!

A new video from the Ohio Department of Public Safety warns students about the seriousness of joking about violence in schools, It emphasizes the importance of reporting safety concerns instead of posting them on social media. The video's central message urges students to “Say Something” by immediately informing law enforcement officers of any safety threats.

"In a world where our choices shape our future, remember that threats, regardless of their intent, hold serious consequences. In Ohio, the repercussions range from legal penalties to jeopardizing your dreams. It's a reminder that threats of violence are no laughing matter," Bob Cornwell, Executive Director, BSSA.

It's a brand new year brimming with exciting activities and programs, and we're dedicated to capturing as many of these unforgettable events as we can for Elyria Schools PioneerTV on YouTube.

We're also enjoying engaging conversations and great moments on the Petey Podcast. Our latest episode was recorded right in downtown Elyria during the Apple Festival! We had the opportunity to chat with Elyria High Pioneer Marching Band Director Aaron Putka, Elyria Schools Superintendent Ann Schloss, Elyria High School Associate Principal Courtney Griffiths, and Apple Festival Coordinator Stacey Francis, all in one show (listen to an extended interview with Stacey recorded early in September, before the Apple Festival). Join us for insights and fun on the Petey Podcast!

Coming in October: Pioneer Press, an eight-page newspaper that gets delivered straight to your mailbox. Keep an eye out for it at the end of the month.

Parents may have questions about the district's annual printed calendar. This year, we decided to pause publishing this annual product due to rising costs. However, we are excited to explore options to bring it back for the next school year. In the meantime, you can find our handy one-page calendar on our website and stay updated with our real-time district calendar featured on the homepage.

Randy Alheit is one busy guy. Chances are you've seen him zipping along on a mower taking care of the acres of green space that surround Ely Stadium. Or maybe you've noticed him expertly managing the flow of thousands of cars during home events. You may have even seen him at our other schools, busy doing this and that. Randy is one of the district's talented maintenance workers, and he is always on the go. We managed to catch up with Randy and we asked him why he likes coming to work each and every day. Here's what Randy had to say.

You, too, can be a Pioneer with the Elyria Schools. Check out our jobs at www.elyriaschools.org!

Email: ask@elyriaschools.org
Website: www.elyriaschools.org
Location: 42101 Griswold Road, Elyria, OH, USA
Phone: 440-284-8000
Facebook: facebook.com/elyriacityschools
Twitter: @twitter_elyriaschools