Fairfield Panther Paw

August 1st has arrived -- school supplies are in stores-- Fall sports have begun at the High Schools and we are planning for staff to return August 11th. It has been a productive summer hiring new staff, preparing the building for a new year and planning for current students to return as well as welcoming our new students and our new class of Kindergarteners. Mr Babbitt and I are excited to see our friends for popsicles on August 7th from 4-6 and at Meet the Teacher on August 13th. If you have not received the staggered start date for students in grades 1-4, please contact the office. Homerooms will be available on August 4th.

Assistant Principal: Kyle Babbitt

Secretary: Daniella Schmidt

Attendance Secretary: Jennifer Todd

School Counselor: Nikki Arnold

School Nurse: Tami Tackett

School Nursing Assistant: Nick Root

Email: stacy_tennenbaum@plsd.us
Website: www.pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 13000 Coventry Avenue, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-834-7600

August 7 : Popsicles with the Principals 4:00-6:00: CHANGE IN DATE!

August 13: Meet the Teacher 4:30-6:15

August 14 and 15: Staggered Start - starting date has been emailed.

August 14-15-18: Kindergartener screening days --- Parents contact office to schedule

August 18: First day of school for all students 1-4

August 19: First day for all Kindergarteners

September 1: No School - Labor Day

Please make sure that you do the annual update for your student in Infinite Campus. This ensures that we have current information in case of emergency and it also grants permission for your student to participate in field trips.

PLSD is hosting our 2025 Be Ready Resource Fair on Saturday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Lakeview Junior High School (12445 Ault Road).

This family-friendly event is your one-stop shop to prepare for the school year. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our new Superintendent, Dr. Charles Smialek and connect with school and district staff.

Families can explore transportation routes, pick-up and drop-off times, programs for English Language Learners, our free breakfast and lunch program, and our new payment portal.

We would like your assistance in promoting this event through your building-level newsletters and social media platforms. To facilitate this, we have created a Toolkit (Google folder) with resources for your use.

All new students to Pickerington Schools must present written evidence of immunizations or written evidence to indicate that they are in the process of receiving immunizations, to be completed no later than the day of entrance. Students failing to complete immunizations within 14 days after entering are not permitted to return to school.

Pickerington Schools has launched a new, mobile-friendly system to help families manage school meals and submit the Education Benefit Form for fee waivers.

With the PLSD Meal Magic Family Portal, families can:

• Add money to student meal accounts

• Move funds between siblings

• Pay off past due balances

• Cover à la carte purchases

• Manage all students in one account!

Did You Know? For the 2025–2026 school year, all students will receive FREE breakfast and lunch through the Community Eligibility Program. This portal simply supports any extra meal options or needed financial assistance.

Visit https://PLSD.familyportal.cloud to get started. Questions? Call 614-833-3645 (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)

What to Expect for the 2025-2026 School Year

Families should plan for these key student fee assignments:

• August 1: Technology Protection Plan fees will be added to student accounts (optional, due September 30).

• Academic fees: Assigned after the September 8 with email notifications sent via Infinite Campus.

Need Financial Assistance for Academic Fees? Apply for a Fee Waiver!

Families needing financial support must complete the Household Income Survey via the NEW Meal Magic Family Portal coming late this summer. Important: Mark the information-sharing box so the Treasurer’s Office can process potential fee waivers. If this box is left unchecked, the waiver cannot be applied.

Need Financial Assistance with Extracurriculars? Apply for a Fee Waiver!

For more details, visit www.plsd.us or contact the Treasurer’s Office.