District Update - September 6
As the new school year begins, I am thrilled to extend a heartfelt welcome to our staff, students, families, and the entire Midview community. The start of a new school year always brings a special kind of excitement – it’s been wonderful to see our students’ smiling faces once again and to feel the positive energy and learning buzzing throughout our buildings.
As the newly appointed Superintendent of Midview Local Schools, I am filled with both energy and optimism about the opportunities ahead. We are fortunate to have an exceptional staff whose knowledge, passion, and care drive our mission forward. Equally, we are incredibly grateful for the strong network of families, local businesses, and community members who stand by us and contribute to our shared goals. It is this collective effort that brings meaning to “We Are Midview”.
Our district’s commitment to excellence remains strong, and we are ready for another year of growth and achievement. We will continue to create an environment where students can thrive, every staff member feels valued, and every family knows they are an essential part of our community. We will tackle challenges with resolve and approach new opportunities with innovative thinking, always with our students' best interests at heart.
Together, we will continue to make Midview an even greater place to live, learn, and work.
As we kick off this school year, I want to remind you that this monthly newsletter is your go-to source for all the latest news, updates, and stories from around the district. We’ve got a lot in store, and you won’t want to miss a single edition—so make sure to dive in and stay connected with all things Midview!
I can’t wait to see all the amazing things we’ll accomplish together this year. Remember, my door is always open, and I encourage you to reach out if you have any questions, want to explore collaboration opportunities, or just wish to discuss the exciting things happening in our schools. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead! Let’s make it one for the books!
Dr. Frank Major, Superintendent
Midview Local Schools
Midview Local Schools Staff Kicks Off the School Year with Great Opening Week
The Midview Local Schools staff had an exceptional opening week, laying a solid foundation for the new school year.
In his first address as superintendent, Dr. Frank Major shared his vision focused on unity, growth, and making a meaningful impact on our colleagues, community, and students. We were also honored to have bestselling author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon join us. His insights on driving with purpose, fueling our journey with positivity, and the power of teamwork were incredibly inspiring. Staff’s first day back concluded with a cookout, outdoor games, and a chance to connect and spend quality time together.
Throughout the week, our staff and administration dedicated their time to finalizing classroom preparations, collaborating on instructional strategies, analyzing data to improve student outcomes, and reviewing departmental and building goals. Additionally, they participated in a series of professional development sessions aimed at refining their skills and knowledge. Read the full story here.
2024 Back-to-School Rally
Our recent annual Back-to-School Rally was a tremendous success, serving as a wonderful way to welcome families back to campus for the new school year. We were proud to host over 35 community partners, friends of Midview, and Middie groups for an evening filled with back-to-school information and celebration. A special “thank you” goes out to the many vendors who made this evening possible!
We encourage any of our Middie business owners who have an interest in sharing their services, treats, or talents at next year’s Back-to-School Rally to fill out the following form. If your organization is a good fit and space is available, we may gladly extend an invitation!
Stuff the Bus Initiative Raises over $5,000 in Donations for Middie Families
A special shoutout goes to our Transportation Department and Albert’s Fresh Market for their leadership in the Midview Local Schools Stuff the Bus initiative. Thanks to the generosity of several local businesses and countless community members, we collected over $5,000 worth of school supplies, backpacks, and donations for Middie families from grades PK-12. We extend our heartfelt thanks to United Way of Greater Lorain County, Triad Residential, Laura Pierce Photography, Yard Smart Landscape, D & A Armory, Wee Care Closet, Midview Compass Committee, Grafton Mower Service, Ross Environmental, Don's Auto & Truck Service, KD Graphix, Village Barber Shop, and the Grafton Police Department for their significant contributions to this campaign.
Grafton VFW Makes $18,000 Donation to Reduce Outstanding Student Fees
In a shining example of the power of community and school partnerships, Midview Local Schools and the Grafton Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3341 have joined forces to address a pressing issue for students and their families. Thanks to a generous donation from the Grafton VFW, Midview Local Schools have been able to significantly lower families’ outstanding student and meal fee balances.
Superintendent Dr. Frank Major shared the news of the $18,000 donation at the August 28 Midview Local Schools Board of Education Meeting. The funds were allocated as follows: $5,000 for meal balances and $13,000 for student fees. Each portion of the donation was evenly distributed among families with unpaid balances. Read the full story here.
Summer Project Updates
In late August, we were thrilled to finally share the renovations that occurred at Adelsberg Stadium with our community. The project, funded through the district’s permanent improvement fund, included a freshly designed and upgraded FieldTurf Vertex CORE surface for Ross Field, a new track and base, internal and external fencing and gates, a video scoreboard, and a maintenance and athletics storage facility.
While we had hoped to also include community pickleball courts in this project, the initial cost estimates did not align with our budget. We plan to proceed with the pickleball courts in phases, with a tentative opening towards the end of the school year. We will provide updates as soon as a final timeline is established.
In addition to the stadium renovations, several large-scale projects were completed over the summer:
Final phase of HVAC upgrades at East Intermediate and West Elementary
Boiler replacement at West Elementary
New flooring in room 112 at Midview High School
New furniture and paint in the Midview High School APR
Roof AC unit at the Transportation Department
Crosswalk between the Middle School and walking path
New window clings at each elementary building
New sound system and projectors at the elementary schools
Additional interior and exterior cameras in the buildings
POW/MIA Chair of Honor Dedication at Adelsberg Stadium Set for September 13
U.S. military personnel who've never made the journey back home will forever have a front-row seat at Midview Local Schools Adelsberg Stadium. An unoccupied chair will be dedicated to the thousands of servicemen and servicewomen who are prisoners of war or missing in action. The Middies official dedication ceremony will be held on Friday, September 13, and will include a procession of motorcycle riders from the American Legion Riders and local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), a 21-gun rifle salute, the unveiling of the chair by Midview Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC), and taps performed by a Midview High School student.
The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m., with veterans given free admission to the Midview Middies vs. Amherst Exempted Village Comets football game at 7 p.m., following the dedication.
New Flock Security Cameras Enhance Campus Safety
Midview Local Schools is boosting campus security with the upcoming installation of Flock security cameras, funded through the district’s Permanent Improvement Funds. These state-of-the-art, solar-powered cameras will be placed at key entrances to provide comprehensive monitoring by capturing and analyzing vehicles and license plates. The system offers real-time video feeds, high-definition imaging, and advanced analytics to detect and alert us to suspicious activity or unauthorized vehicles, including those linked to active warrants or court orders. This upgrade enhances our ability to safeguard the campus and maintain a secure environment for our school community. Read the full story here.
Midview Local Schools Secures BWC Grants for Safety and Maintenance Upgrades
The first grant will be used to replace six exterior doors at Midview High School. The doors were identified through a collaborative assessment involving local police and fire departments.
The second grant will fund the installation of a new bus wash and de-icer system at the district's maintenance and transportation garage. This new equipment is designed to extend the lifespan of our vehicles and buses by ensuring they are properly cleaned and maintained. Read the full story here.
August Athletics Recap
Check out the following August Athletics Recap, highlighting:
- Current varsity team records
- Game and match summaries
- Student spotlights, including a feature on Katarina Yates from Girls Tennis
- Athletics stories, such as Midview’s search for middle school bowlers for the NSBC Fall League
- Booster updates, with information on joining the Midview Athletic Booster Club and participating in the Pull Tab Fundraising Program
- Alumni news
- Youth updates, including registration details for the Youth Cheer Camp from September 10-13
- Important dates for September