OCSD Newsletter
Dear Oberlin School Families,
It’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of February - with spring just around the corner (at least we hope so).
I’d like to take a moment to update our families on the Eastwood Building. At a special Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2026, members voted unanimously to sell the property to Mr. Yossi Levy (Y.U. Properties LLC). That same evening, Oberlin City Council also approved of the sale. Currently, Y.U. Properties LLC has to engage in its due diligence period, which will take a few months. This process will include working with the City of Oberlin, District and architects, as well as Phase I inspections, etc.
Other news to share:
ECOLYMPICS 2026 Opening Ceremonies – March 1: Join the opening celebration from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 1 at the Adam Joseph Lewis Center on the Oberlin College campus (122 Elm St.). Enjoy a festive afternoon featuring a torch run, free cookies and lemonade, musical performances, live YeoPress screen printing, a Free Store pop-up, and more. Bring family and friends for an afternoon of connection, creativity, and community fun! The Ecolympics will be held city-wide March 2 - March 15 at various locations throughout Oberlin. All of our school buildings will be participating in the event - the goal is to reduce water and electricity usage by 15,000 gallons and 20,000 kilowatt hours.
OMEA Conference: We extend our sincere thanks to our community members, families, and District leadership for supporting our music department’s trip to the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference in Columbus, where educators gained valuable insights, collaborated with peers, and brought back new ideas for students; we were also proud that Oberlin City Schools received multiple recognitions for its strong support of music education!
Transportation: The District recently purchased a new van to safely transport students to and from school, enhancing reliability and supporting student safety.
Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and commitment to our students and schools. We look forward to a strong finish to the school year and all the opportunities the spring season will bring.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Hall
Superintendent
Celebrating Black History Month
I’d like to thank our District teachers and staff for going the extra mile in celebrating Black History Month. It’s wonderful to walk through the hallways of our school buildings to see the creativity demonstrated by our students in showcasing what Black History Month means to them.
Seeing our former Board of Education President Ms. Farah Emeka (now the Honorable Farah Emeka) being named the first African American Lorain County Judge is also an incredible achievement - and one that deserves recognition! It truly is a historic and inspiring milestone for our community.
And, a special “thank you” to the Oberlin High School Black Student Union for bringing in our keynote speakers - twin brothers Dr. Zheadric E. Barbra and Dr. Sheadric Babra and 1994 OHS graduates. (To read the story, please click HERE.)
Celebrating the Olympics!
“Balanced” Students of the Month
School Spirit Shines
Scholastic Art Ceremony
Seniors Honored by Rotary Club of Oberlin
Grace Petzak is the daughter of Jennifer Bryan and Nick Petzak. Grace has loved her time with the marching band, especially serving as field commander in her senior year. Grace is also a member of the Drama Club and has participated in every production since her freshman year. Most recently she played in the orchestra for The World According to Snoopy. Grace is a full IB Diploma Candidate. She plans to take a gap year before making a college decision. For her future plans, Grace says, "I would definitely like to teach at some point."
Collin Boardman is the son of Bridget and Kevin Boardman. His favorite activities at OHS are running the 4x800 and the mile races for Track and Field, as well as participating with Ohio Model United Nations. Collin is a full IB Diploma Candidate. His top three college choices are Cedarville, Ashland and Carnegie Mellon and he plans to study information security and cyber security.
Olivia Hudson is the daughter of Virginia and Jason Hudson. Olivia has been on the track team her entire OHS career and holds the school records for the 200m, 400m and 800m. She was state runner up as a junior and state champion as a sophomore in the 400 meter dash. In the 200 meter she placed 4th as a sophomore and 3rd as a junior. She was a member of the championship 4x200m relay team that set a new state record in 2025. Olivia is a full IB diploma candidate and will be attending Miami University next fall. She is undecided on a major, but is considering psychology or pre-med.
SRO Honored
National School Resource Officer Day was celebrated Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 and students at Oberlin Elementary School wanted to show how much Officer Morgan Barnum-Robinson means to them - so they created a huge “thank you” sign that is displayed inside the cafeteria! Thank you SRO Barnum-Robinson for all you do in keeping all of our school buildings safe!
At the upcoming board meeting, the District will review and approve its five-year financial forecast, an important step in planning for long-term stability and responsible resource management. The next Board of Education meeting will be held starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 inside OES, 210 North Park Street.
We’re also pleased to share that the middle school construction project remains on schedule and within budget, reflecting careful oversight and strong coordination.
In addition, the District is actively reviewing and preparing for implementation of five newly approved state bills, ensuring we stay aligned with legislative requirements while continuing to support our students, staff, and community.
Lastly, the District is always welcoming new members to the Finance Committee that meets four times per year. If you are interested, please email Treasurer Mr. Rinehart at rrinehart@oberlinschools.net.
~As always, please remember to vote during all elections!~
Oberlin Schools Alumni Association
Are you an alumni of Oberlin City School District? Consider joining the Oberlin Schools Alumni Association! For more information, visit the website by clicking HERE!