OHVA MAY ZOO DAYS

Ohio Virtual Academy's Literary Adventure face-to-face events will wrap up the 2025-26 school year with visits during the month of May to Ohio's 4 major zoos. Let's celebrate a great school year together!

• May 11th - Toledo Zoo - DEADLINE FOR SIGN UPS IS MAY 4TH
• May 21st - Columbus Zoo - DEADLINE FOR FREE STUDENT AND PAID ADULT TICKETS IS MAY 6TH - NO EXCEPTIONS
• May 18th - Cincinnati Zoo - DEADLINE FOR SIGN UPS IS MAY 11TH
• May 19th - Cleveland Zoo -DEADLINE FOR FREE STUDENT AND PAID ADULT TICKETS IS MAY 12TH - NO EXCEPTIONS

This is your general guide to May Zoo Days. All information will be updated here, so check back often to find out the latest news for OHVA May Zoo Days. Use this guide during your Zoo Day visit, too!

Be sure to bring a credit or debit card to pay for parking or any purchases you wish to make while at May Zoo Days with OHVA.

Each attendee must have a HomeTown ticket order!

STUDENTS MUST ATTEND WITH ADULT FAMILY MEMBERS AND NOT BE DROPPED OFF

These tickets are essential so that we give each Zoo the number for our group.

This enables us to have a discounted school group rate!

There are no exceptions to purchase due dates.

• OHVA Students are FREE BUT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT! OHVA students must have their accurate Student Number to sign up (this number follows the student name when you record attendance.
• NEW students for 26-27 (registered/enrollment begun so you have a student number.)
• Adult and Family Member Tickets are $7 plus HomeTown fees
• TICKET PURCHASES ARE NONREFUNDABLE

• Even Zoo Members need a HomeTown ticket order to ensure F2F credit (must use membership card to enter zoo).
• Click each Zoo Button below to place your order.

Susie Ebie - OHVA Admin - sebie@k12.com ~OR~ Julene Knudson - Event Coordinator - jknudson@k12.com

Be sure you have your student's ID number ready when you sign up for May Zoo Days with OHVA.

The correct Student ID Number must be on every student ticket for the F2F check in credit.

Find the Student Number right behind your student's name when you log in to record attendance.

Example: Joey Fanstastic 1234567

EVERYONE NEEDS OHVA HOMETOWN TICKET!

• Everyone AGE 3 and UP needs a ticket from HomeTown
• OHVA Students are FREE in grades K- 12.
• New students for 26-27 are FREE. (Registration/Enrollment started.)
• Students MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.
• ADULT = Family member 18 and older.
• SIBLING OF STUDENT = Child ages 3 - 17.
• ADULT/SIBLING Ticket cost is $7 for all zoos, plus HomeTown processing fee
• ALL TICKETS ARE NONREFUNDABLE. WE ARE PAYING EACH ZOO IN ADVANCE TO RECEIVE THE DISCOUNTED RATE.
• ZOO MEMBERS ARE FREE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD - but must still have a HomeTown order!

HOW DO THE TICKETS WORK?

• The Admission process is different for each Zoo.
• The Zoos will not recognize an HomeTown ticket to enter the Zoo.
• The HomeTown ticket are how students sign up for grade band teacher-led groups
• The HomeTown ticket are how families sign up for gas cards
• The HomeTown ticket will help OHVA process your Zoo Admission.
• If you have a family zoo membership, you must use that to enter the zoo; HOWEVER, you still need to have a HomeTown ticket from OHVA.
• If you are a Lucas County resident, you must use a photo ID to enter the Toledo Zoo; HOWEVER, you still need to have a HomeTown ticket from OHVA.

Discounted tickets are made possible with Title I Parent-Family Engagement and Grant funds.

Once HomeTown tickets are checked in with OHVA, they allow our OHVA families the following benefits at May Zoo Days:

• Students receive F2F credit for attending the Zoo Day
• Student sign up for Teacher-Led Groups are through HomeTown Order form
• Learning Coaches can request a gas card with their ticket and pick them up at the OHVA Gathers area

Every May Zoo Day Attendee Needs a HomeTown Ticket

Groups will be divided by grade bands. UNIQUE students will have their group as well.

• OHVA Teachers will gather their students by grade band after students check in with OHVA
• Teachers will lead a group of students to enjoy part of the zoo together.
• BE ON TIME: Groups leave at 10:30 (Cleveland is at 11 AM) from the check in area for each zoo (check the specific May Zoo Day buttons for each zoo below)
• Parents and younger siblings are welcome to tag along with their student's group - but should "shadow" the group.
• Teachers will return with students to the OHVA gathering spot between 12 to 12:15 PM.

1 - Request the gas card (1 per family) in the HomeTown order.

2 - OHVA will have gas cards available on a first come first served basis at the OHVA Gathering Spot.

Gas cards are made possible with Title I Parent-Family Engagement funds.

• If you have not received them, please pick them up near the OHVA check-in table.
• Our lanyards help you to easily recognize staff and other OHVA families.
• They provide added safety for you.
• Every OHVA student, parent ,or family member who comes to F2F events need to wear an OHVA Safety Lanyard.

Cardy loves to see our students at every OHVA May Zoo Day! This is where you belong - getting your picture taken with Cardy at OHVA May Zoo Day!

Every May Zoo Day will have a session known as OHVA GATHERS.

1:30 - 2:00 - OHVA GATHERS AT END OF EACH ZOO DAY EVENT

SWAG GIVE-AWAYS

ATTENTION OHVA CLASS OF 2026: OHVA Seniors will be recognized at the OHVA Gathers!

OHVA looks forward to honoring our Seniors at each May Zoo Day!

Families are welcome to enjoy the zoo until close.

Susie Ebie - sebie@k12.com

Julene Knudson - jkudson@k12.com

WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE YOU AT MAY ZOO DAYS!