OCSD Newsletter

Dear Oberlin School Families,

What a month we’ve had—in the best way possible! Here are a few highlights:

• Spelling Champ: A huge congratulations to Lauren Bannick, who took first place in the ESCLC/Scripps Spelling Bee!

• Green Initiatives: We explored the importance of sustainability and conservation through our participation in Ecolympics.

• Musical Mastery: Our talented students across all music departments took the stage for a series of incredible showcases.

While our students are busy shining in the classroom and on the stage, construction crews have been equally active on the campus property.

New Oberlin Middle School Site Preparation
The District has begun preparing the site for the construction of the new Oberlin Middle School. This work includes clearing the designated construction area and preparing for the installation of a temporary construction road located north of Oberlin High School.

The District will not disturb the Memorial Park area during this project. Community members and stakeholders will continue to have full access to Memorial Park throughout construction.

Additionally, we understand that trees have been removed from the property in an effort to make room for construction equipment. After the new building has been constructed and the ground has settled, we plan on planting new trees/shrubs to replace the ones that were removed.

OHS Visitor Bleachers
Our construction team will be removing the existing Oberlin High School visitor bleachers and press box as part of the site preparation process.

To preserve a piece of Oberlin history, the District plans to save several of the aluminum bleacher seats to create memorial benches in the future. The fencing surrounding this area will also be temporarily removed during construction and replaced once the project is complete.

Temporary Maintenance and Storage Area
The District has installed a temporary maintenance storage tent near the bus garage. The structure is located in the open area adjacent to the Langston Middle School parking lot.

This temporary structure will allow the District to safely store maintenance equipment in a secure, camera-monitored location while the new permanent maintenance storage shed is being constructed.

Classroom Blinds at OHS

To minimize potential distractions during construction, the District will install window blinds in selected classrooms at Oberlin High School facing the construction area. This will help maintain a focused learning environment for students and staff while the project is underway.

OHS East Parking Lot

The Oberlin High School east parking lot, located at the rear of the building, is expected to remain open during the construction of the new 6–8 middle school. The far east section of the lot, near the baseball field, may be temporarily closed while the existing maintenance shed is removed.

We appreciate the community and staff's continued support and patience as we move forward with the construction of the new Middle School and other important improvements across the district.

Join Us - Open Enrollment

It is an exciting time for Oberlin Schools as we watch both our students and our new facilities grow side-by-side! Do you know someone who is looking to enroll their child into the District? Oberlin City Schools is pleased to announce that Open Enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year will be available from March 30, 2026, through May 29, 2026.

We welcome families residing outside of the Oberlin City Schools District to apply for enrollment and become part of a District committed to academic excellence, student-centered learning, and strong community partnerships.

Families interested in applying can access the application on the District website or contact the Board of Education Office for assistance.

Contact Information:
Oberlin City Schools Board of Education
Phone: (440) 774-1458
Website: www.oberlinschools.net

We encourage families to explore what makes Oberlin City Schools a unique and welcoming place for students to learn, grow, and succeed!

Did you know that some of our youngest learners are transforming into expert entomologists? Our second-grade students have been diving deep into informational texts to uncover the fascinating world of insects. With every chapter they read, these junior bug scientists grow their knowledge and carefully record their discoveries in their very own insect journals.

Through their research, the students are exploring the incredible ways bugs grow, specifically comparing the stages of complete metamorphosis (like a butterfly) versus incomplete metamorphosis (like a grasshopper). They are also mastering the anatomy of these tiny creatures by identifying the three main parts of an insect's body: the head, thorax, and abdomen. It is inspiring to watch their curiosity take flight as they document the wonders of the natural world!

Our trip to the Oberlin College Bowling Alley wasn’t just about high scores and strikes; it was a hands-on physics laboratory! Students traded their sneakers for bowling shoes to witness Newton’s Laws of Motion in real-time. From calculating the momentum needed to knock down a 3-pound pin to observing how friction on the lane affects the ball’s trajectory, 5th graders saw that science exists far beyond the textbook.

Another huge congratulations to Lauren Bannick, who took first place in the ESCLC/Scripps/Chronicle-Telegram Spelling Bee! To read about her experience, click HERE!

Congratulations goes out to all of our Spelling Bee Spellers who took the time to study - Hiro, Sa'Mirrah, Max, Emmett and Ava. And of course, a huge shout-out to our Spelling Bee Advisor Mrs. Margo Fox!

Langston Middle School students worked on a mural that will be preserved and eventually displayed in the middle school building.

Using paint brushes, students in grades six through eight, under the watchful eye of Public Arts Initiative Leader and Oberlin City Council Member Ms. Sondra Miller, created a mural depicting cherry blossom trees, turtles and flowers. But mostly, students wrote their own names - a testament to them wanting to be remembered as the final students to walk the halls of Langston Middle School.

To read the story, click HERE!

Student School Board Representative – Apply Now!

Are you ready to be a voice for your peers? The Student School Board Representative serves as a voice for students, provides input on District initiatives, and helps strengthen communication between students, administrators, and the Board of Education.

This important leadership role requires responsibility, professionalism, and a commitment to representing all students.

Applications must be completed and submitted by 4 p.m. on April 1. Click the Google Link for complete details: https://ow.ly/iapn50Ymwgi

(Students who are interested must use their Oberlin City Schools email for security reasons.)

Honey, Honey! It’s Showtime at OHS

The OHS Drama Club is bringing the Greek islands to Oberlin! Get ready to channel your inner Dancing Queen because our spring production of Mamma Mia! is officially hitting the stage.

Our cast and crew have been working overtime to bring this ABBA-filled party to life. Expect high energy, iconic disco vibes, and maybe a little bit of wedding day chaos.

For tickets CLICK HERE!

Student Spotlight

Meet Sylvia Nisky, a busy OHS junior who turned her passion for advocacy into action. By collaborating with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, Sylvia successfully introduced a youth-led program proven to reduce suicide attempts and bullying. Her initiative is already training peer leaders to create a safer, more connected environment for all students.

Read about Sylvia’s mission.

Youth Truth Survey

We are inviting students to participate in the annual YouthTruth Student Survey to help us improve the school experience. This nationwide survey gathers student perspectives on school engagement, teacher relationships, and academic rigor.

Key Details:

• Dates: March 30 – April 24, 2026.

• Privacy: Participation is voluntary and 100% anonymous. Students may skip any question or opt out at any time.

• Purpose: Feedback is used to enhance our learning environment and support national research for better educational outcomes.

Parent Input: A separate YouthTruth Parent Survey invitation is coming soon—we want to hear from you, too!

For more information or to review survey questions in advance, please contact your school administrator.

Financial Oversight & Transparency

The Board of Education recently approved the District’s Five-Year Financial Forecast. You can view the full document via the link on the Treasurer’s Page. Additionally, the 2024-2025 Audit has been officially submitted to the State Auditor for approval.

Campus Construction & Legislation

We are pleased to share that the middle school construction project remains on schedule and within budget, thanks to diligent oversight and coordination. Furthermore, the District is actively preparing to implement five newly approved state bills, ensuring we remain in full compliance while prioritizing the needs of our students and staff.

Get Involved, Join the Finance Committee

The District is always looking for new members to join our Finance Committee, which meets four times per year. If you are interested in serving, please email Treasurer Mr. Rinehart at rrinehart@oberlinschools.net.

Upcoming Board Meeting Please join us for our next meeting on March 31, 2026.

• 5:30 p.m. – Tour of the JVS

• Meeting to follow at the JVS

~As always, please remember to vote in all upcoming elections!~