Titan Talk

Summer fun isn’t over just yet, but now’s the time to start getting ready for the first day of school. Our latest newsletter is packed with everything you need to know for back to school — and our Back-to-School Hub at LorainSchools.org/backtoschool is your one-stop shop.

There, you’ll find:

• School supply lists

• New start and end times for 2025–2026

• Transportation request forms

• FinalForms link for student updates

• Staggered start dates

Our school leaders return to our buildings on Monday, August 4, and are planning open houses and welcome-back fun for our students. Stay tuned for more details.

So, here are our latest back-to-school updates:

Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday

From August 1 through August 14, many school supplies and clothing items are tax-free across Ohio. This is a great time to grab items from your school’s supply list. The event permits tax-free purchases online and in person on all eligible items totaling up to $500 per item. Visit Tax.Ohio.Gov for full details.

Help Us Stuff the Bus!

Want to support our Titans? Help us “Stuff the Bus” by donating school supplies at these locations:

• Walmart Supercenter on Leavitt Road
  August 2 and August 9 | 9 AM to 5 PM

• Mexican Mutual Society Back-to-School Event
  August 10 | 11 AM to 2 PM

We’ll have buses parked and ready to be filled with essentials like crayons, markers, folders, glue sticks, and more. Every donation helps a Titan start strong!

Need Supplies?

We are grateful to our partners at the Grafton Correctional Institution (GCI), whose employees have generously collected school supplies to support Lorain students. GCI staff will deliver their donations directly to Lorain High School for distribution on August 15 from 9 AM to 1 PM.

This event supports our elementary school students and supplies are available while they last!

Start and end times for K-12 students will change this school year. This decision was made thoughtfully and collaboratively, with input from families, staff, district leadership, and the Board of Education. It reflects our commitment to doing what’s best for students while also honoring our collective bargaining agreements.

Our day starts with you — let’s make every day count this year!

Lorain High School
Buses Arrive/Doors Open | 7:20 AM
Tardy Bell/Instruction Begins | 7:35 AM
Dismissal | 2:30 PM

Middle Schools (General Johnnie Wilson, Longfellow, Southview)
Buses Arrive/Doors Open | 8:30 AM
Tardy Bell/Instruction Begins | 8:45 AM
Dismissal | 3:30 PM

Elementary Schools (All PreK–5 buildings)
Buses Arrive/Doors Open | 8:00 AM
Tardy Bell/Instruction Begins | 8:15 AM
Dismissal | 3:00 PM

Preschool
Buses Arrive/Doors Open | 8:00 AM
Tardy Bell/Instruction Begins | 8:15 AM
Dismissal | 1:45 PM

Lorain City Schools is proud to offer safe, reliable transportation for as many students as possible. If your child will need a bus ride to school this year, please complete a new transportation request form—even if they received transportation last year. A new form is required each school year.

Who qualifies?

• Students in grades K–12 who live more than 2 miles from their home school

• Students with transportation services outlined in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

• Families living within 2 miles may submit a request if space is available on an existing route

Click here to complete our K-8 Transportation Request Form

Click here to complete our High School Transportation Request Form

Click here to complete our Space Available Bus Transportation Form

Mark your calendar for the first day of school!

Preschool

• August 26 | First day for preschool

• August 20 | Kindergarten screening begins. Families will be notified of their assigned day.
• August 27 | First day for kindergarten

• August 20 | First day for Grades 1–5

• August 20 | Grade 6 only
• August 21 | All students attend

• August 20 | Grade 9 only
• August 21 | All students attend

We’ll be sharing more back-to-school details soon, and know we can’t wait to welcome your student back in August!