District Bulletin

Want to become a volunteer for North Union Local Schools? We encourage our community to get involved with volunteer opportunities with our students, in our buildings. We also believe it is important to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community members. This is why we require all volunteers to be BCI checked. There is a processing fee involved with these checks at the expense of the volunteer. BCI checks to volunteer in our district are conducted at our Board office in Essex. Steps to volunteer:

1. Meet with the building administration to determine functions you wish to volunteer with.

2. Schedule for your BCI check below.

3. Become Board Approved.

4. Once these steps are complete you are ready to go!

Should you have any questions please reach out to the appropriate building administration. We look forward in working with you!

Looking for an opportunity to join a future district committee? Press the button below and let us know what committee you may be interested in! We would engage with these committees when it becomes time to mobilize one of these options. Once we determine committee needs we would reach out. You can choose one, or many, the option is up to you! This aligns with our strategic goal and community engagement, "North Union Local Schools welcomes the active participation of parents, businesses, community members, and students across all areas of governance, curricular, and extra-curricular programming." Thank you for your consideration.

At our December 16th Board meeting the 25-26 school year calendar was discussed and approved. Some noticeable changes.

• We will have one prescribed 2 hour delay each month with then exception of August, December, and April. The purpose of the "Wildcat Power Hours" is to provide staff embedded time for staff meetings, team meetings, interventions, professional development, conference time, curriculum, and vertical alignment. This is a practice that we investigated with other districts that have had a lot of success with.
• Staggered start days for Kindergarten August 12-14. (This will replace the kick up to Kindergarten).
• Staff work day after the last day of school.

We will begin future planning for our next calendars beginning in January, with the anticipation of having several ready to go for March Board approval. If you are interested in joining that committee please refer to the buttons at the top of the bulletin.

• We value all students and their well being. If there are issues that are occurring at school where you suspect potential harassment/bullying or concern for a students welfare there is a system to process this. Please report this to our Public Works system.
• The online reporting system and the 1-866-listen2me phone system are for staff, students and parents to report concerns which may affect the peace of mind of students or jeopardize the safety of people or school facilities. Concerns may include, but are not limited to, bullying, abuse, bomb threats, cyber crimes, discrimination, drugs, health concerns, suspicious behavior, vandalism, fighting, & weapons. Helpline information helps us maintain school environments that are safe and conducive for learning.
  
• The ability to report Bullying and Harassment can be found on our website at the top right corner indicated by the blue hand (see graphic above).
• Once a student, parent, or staff member reports an issue it goes directly to the principal of the building for investigation.
• Administration will coordinate the appropriate investigation and communicate findings and outcomes to those involved.
• Administration will document the investigation and outcome in Public School Works.

Dear Wildcat Families,

As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you—our students, families, staff, and community members. This year has been a time of growth, collaboration, and resilience, and together, we’ve accomplished so much. It’s the strength of our partnerships that truly makes our school district a special place.

The holidays offer a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the importance of family, kindness, and community. I hope you all find time to rest, recharge, and create lasting memories with loved ones. Let us also remember the impact we have on one another and the difference we can make, both in and out of the classroom.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our students’ success. I look forward to the new year ahead, where we will continue to build on our shared commitment to excellence.

Wishing you all a joyful, peaceful, and safe holiday season.

Warmest regards,

Justin Ufferman
Superintendent for North Union Local Schools

Dear Wildcat Family,

It is always such a quick 2 quarters even though this quarter does not end until January

9, 2025! I hope this message finds you all well and ready for the holiday season.

• Our winter sports are in full swing! As are the VEX events. Staying home for the holidays? Come check out a game or event!
• Our bands conducted their winter concerts last week and did a fantastic job! The same can be said for our elementary kiddos. Thank you to Mr. Leavitt and Mr. Anderson for all of their hard work. Mr. Jackey will have the choir winter concert in early January.
• If you are able to stop over to NUMS the art is on display. Mrs. Bayer looks to have some pretty impressive artists coming her way in the next few years!
• We currently are evaluating results from the 3rd grade reading tests that came in this week. More information to come.
• In working with our Board and NUEA (North Union Education Association) we approved a 25-26 school calendar that is now posted. We will begin planning future calendars upon our return in January. More information to come.
• And countless other items! Please do check out your child's building newsletters for the most updated information!

Wishing all of our Wildcat families a safe and restful Winter Break!

Go Wildcats!

Justin Ufferman

Superintendent for North Union Local Schools

• We are always looking for substitute teachers, drivers, custodians, and kitchen staff. If you know somebody that you think would be a good fit for our district please encourage them to apply at our website!
  
• We are in great need of a speech pathologist. Currently we are working with virtual speech pathologists, with one in person on Fridays. If you know of anyone who works in this field or may know someone that holds this certification and is looking to join our Wildcat family, please contact our Director of Student Services, Deana Adams.
• We are excited to announce that Mrs. Wade has moved into our 6th grade science teaching position! Mrs. Wade has been working in our middle school as an intervention specialist and just happened to be dual licensed. Congrats Mrs. Wade!

• We are currently discussing the possibility of adding a fence that would surround the preschool playground for improved safety measures.

• If you have not had the opportunity to download our app please do!

• A math curriculum committee has been formed to begin evaluating a pk-12 state approved curriculum.

• The North Union Preschool Program will transition to a four half-day per week program for the 2025-2026 school year. Students will attend Tuesday through Friday during a morning or afternoon session. Addtional details will be released soon.
• Preschool Peer Model screenings for the 2025-2026 school year will occur on March 11 and 13, 2025. If you are interested in having your child screened to be a peer model, please contact Deana Adams, Director of Student Services, at 740-943-1610 or dadams@nu-district.org.

Website: North Union Local School District
Location: North Union Local School District, 12920 OH-739, Richwood, OH 43344
Phone: (740) 943-2509
X: @NU_Supt