OCSD Newsletter

Dear Oberlin School Families,

Welcome back! The school year is officially underway, and the calendar is already packed. Getting a new year off the ground takes a massive team effort, so thank you for showing up, supporting our staff, and backing our kids. We’re glad to be back at it.

Oberlin City Schools Earns 4-Star Overall Rating on Ohio Report Card!

Congratulations to our entire District community! Oberlin City Schools has earned an overall 4.0-Star rating on the 2025–2026 Ohio School Report Card, official proof that our District continues to exceed state standards. Among the 14 public school districts in Lorain County, Oberlin stands strong as one of only nine districts to achieve 4 stars or higher.

Where We Shine:

• 5-Star Graduation Component: Highlighted by an impressive 98.5% four-year graduation rate, far surpassing state expectations.

• 5-Star College, Career, Workforce & Military Readiness: 100% of Oberlin students were identified as ready for life after high school. Oberlin is the only district in Lorain County to achieve a 5-star rating in this category!

• 3-Star Ratings: Earned in Achievement, Progress, and Gap Closing, meeting all state standards for student growth and performance.

Our Next Steps: While we celebrate these major victories, we remain committed to continuous improvement. Early Literacy received a 2-Star rating, reinforcing our focus on strengthening reading foundations for our youngest learners. Moving forward, we will keep building on our momentum with targeted instruction, early intervention, and rigorous support across all grade levels.

This achievement belongs to every teacher, administrator, staff member, bus driver, custodian, food service employee, student, and family in our district. Thank you for your dedication to building our future—together!

Important Upcoming Event: The annual State of Oberlin Address will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 inside Oberlin Elementary School’s gymnasium. It will feature speeches by Oberlin City School District, Oberlin College and The City of Oberlin’s leaders. It will be moderated by Dr. Carol Lasser. Following the presentations will be a short Q/A session. All are welcome to attend.

Step inside Oberlin Elementary School, and you will quickly feel the warmth and togetherness that makes our school special. Behind so much of that magic is our dedicated Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), a group of families and staff committed to enriching the school experience for every student.

This dedication was on full display at our recent Back to School Bash. Transforming the gymnasium into a vibrant carnival, the event brought the entire OES community together. Laughter echoed across the gym as students tried their hand at classic carnival games and cheered as they won exciting prizes, while outside, kids delighted in a lively bubble party. The sweet scent of spun cotton candy filled the air, adding an extra layer of magic to an already unforgettable day.

More than just a Friday evening of play, events like the Back to School Bash play a vital role in the heartbeat of our school. They give students and families a chance to connect, build lasting friendships, and expand the supportive network that makes Oberlin such a wonderful place to grow.

In addition to bringing us together, these events serve as essential fundraisers for the PTO. Every game played and treat enjoyed helps fund a wide variety of activities throughout the academic year. Thanks to the success of these initiatives, the PTO is able to sponsor beloved traditions like the annual PTO Winter Market, the school spelling bee, and numerous other student activities that enrich our children's education and extra-curricular life.

Get Involved!

Our PTO’s impact is only possible through the hands and hearts of our community. Whether you have an hour to spare or want to take on a larger role, your voice and ideas are always welcome.

If you are interested in joining the OES PTO or learning more about how you can support our school, please join us at our next PTO meeting this October. Together, we can continue to create meaningful, fun, and memorable experiences for all of our Oberlin Elementary students!

There is a fresh wave of enthusiasm in our hallways! The elementary school has launched an updated version of its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. PBIS is a proactive, evidence-based framework that teaches positive behavioral expectations directly, ensuring a safe, supportive, and predictable learning environment where all students can thrive.

The revamped program anchors directly to our core RISE motto: Responsible, Involved, Safe, and Empathy.

Designed by our PBIS Committee—made up of teachers, our school counselor, and administration—the new system features a "RISE Bank" for every classroom. Students earn tokens by simply doing the right thing, like walking quietly in the hallway, cleaning up after lunch, or staying engaged in class.

Classes work as a team to set token goals and cash them in for fun group rewards, like class dance parties, fancy lunches, or extra recess with oversized yard games. Students are thrilled to work together, making this update an exciting step forward for our school community!

In its pilot year, Project Lead The Way has Langston Middle School students interacting in ways like never before. On Thursday, Sept. 10, Ms. Jillian Spriestersbach from Lorain County Public Health, showed eighth grade students the proper way to do CPR on mannequins by way of PLTW-Medical Detectives - a new curriculum for STEAM.

To satisfy Ohio’s CTE for middle school requirements, this specific curriculum will have students working together to diagnose illnesses based on given symptoms, LMS STEAM Teacher Mrs. Michelle Kester said.Seventh grade students will be learning about the types of energy with a variety of projects while sixth graders will continue with the previous STEAM curriculum, Mrs. Kester noted.

The goal is to introduce career awareness and development to middle school students.

Oberlin City Schools showed four sixth graders an animation of the new 6-8 middle school to capture their spontaneous reactions to the new educational spaces. The students expressed their excitement and appreciation for the design of the new middle school currently under construction.

Hazel, Alyssa, Jayla, and Kaira shared their spontaneous thoughts about exterior and interior details, including comments about the colors, textures, patterns, lighting, and classroom configurations.

The 8-minute animation revealed design-accurate spaces, starting with a complete fly-around of the entire exterior, including the main entrance and bus drop-off, parent drop-off, and staff parking lot before entering the school through the main entrance secure vestibule. Once “inside,” the students “visited” the main office, media center, gymnasium, collaborative spaces, various classrooms, and student dining.

To view the video, visit: https://youtu.be/tulue4KPijY

The new 6-8 middle school is scheduled to open for the 2027-2028 school year.

At Langston Middle School, what used to be a classroom has now been transformed into a soothing "reset sanctuary" for students who need a moment to decompress.

Swapping harsh fluorescent lights for warm lamps, soft beanbags, and sensory tools, LMS Social Worker Miss Angelica Davila created a calm, welcoming haven. Whether dealing with anxiety or an overwhelming day, students can step inside, practice grounding exercises, and reset without judgment.

Thanks to Miss Davila’s vision, Langston students now have a dedicated safe harbor to catch their breath and recharge before stepping confidently back into the classroom.

New 3-Year+ Financial Forecast Available

We are committed to maintaining transparency and fiscal responsibility across our District. Our updated 3-Year+ Financial Forecast is now available to view - https://www.oberlinschools.net/our-district/treasurer. This detailed projection outlines our expected revenues, expenditures, and long-term financial health to ensure our schools continue to thrive.

2026 District Audit Underway

Our annual audit process for 2026 is officially in progress. State auditors are reviewing the District’s financial practices and record-keeping to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines and to safeguard community resources.

District Renewals on the November Ballot

Looking ahead to the upcoming election, our District has two renewal measures on the ballot this November.

• Issue 8 - Renewal income tax 0.75%/5 years/current expenses

• Issue 9 - Renewal 1.3 mills/5 years/education technology

Make Your Voice Heard

Community participation is key to a strong school district. Please mark your calendars and plan to vote this November. Every vote plays a vital role in shaping the future of our schools and supporting our students.