Pickerington District Download
September 5, 2025
Hello Pickerington Families,
What a winter!
We hope your families are navigating this memorable season of arctic air safely and comfortably. We will continue to assess conditions carefully and prioritize student safety as we move through the remaining weeks of winter. Many of you have asked about potential makeup dates; we are fortunate to have a school calendar and daily schedules that include ample hours for potential use as calamity days. At this time, we do not anticipate needing to make any adjustments for the remainder of the 2025–26 school year.
We are extremely excited to open Central Junior High School this month and are thankful to all of our families and staff who are adjusting routines, moving materials, and planning for an efficient transition. Across the District, teams are working diligently to prepare for the multiple changes coming next year. Committees are carefully studying the incorporation of all-day kindergarten, building moves, and the dissemination of Pickerington Academy. Our most important goal will always be ensuring academic excellence, and this commitment drives all of our planning and work.
Please continue to follow us on social media, check your emails for our Tuesday “Just the Facts” series, and never hesitate to reach out directly with questions about PLSD. For the most accurate information about District operations and planning, we encourage you to come directly to us—your questions and feedback help keep our community informed (plsd_communications@plsd.us).
Onward!
Charlie
Superintendent
Pickerington Local Schools
charles_smialek@plsd.us
IG: pickerington_smialek
Pickerington Local Schools has received $151,476 through Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Ohio School Bus Safety Grant Program, a statewide initiative focused on improving student transportation safety.
The district will use the funding to upgrade school buses with enhanced stop arms, signage, and lighting, improving visibility for motorists and helping keep students safe while loading and unloading.
“We are appreciative of this grant award and the state’s focus on school bus safety,” said Transportation Supervisor Gregory Strausz. “These improvements will help increase visibility and enhance safety for our students and the community.”
Planning for Kindergarten? What Families Need to Know
If your family is planning for kindergarten, please note important upcoming changes.
Starting with the 2026–2027 school year, Ohio has a new statewide age requirement for kindergarten enrollment.
Your child must be 5 years old by the first day of instruction to enroll in kindergarten. For Pickerington Local Schools, the first day of instruction is August 21.
If your child turns 6 on or before the first day, they may still enroll. Parents of gifted 4-year-olds can request early admission with a district evaluation.
📌 Online kindergarten registration opens March 16. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
If your family has unpaid school fees for the current school year, help may be available through the Education Benefit Form. Completing the form allows the District to determine eligibility for a fee waiver or reduction under Board Policy 6152.01 based on:
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State assistance participation (including SNAP or TANF), or
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Household size and annual income
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Important Reminder for the Class of 2026: All academic, lunch, and athletic fees must be paid before graduation. Planning now can help avoid last-minute delays.
What Families Need to Know
All Juniors will take the state-funded ACT at no cost this Spring. Pickerington Local Schools will administer the state-funded ACT to all Juniors on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, free of charge.
Only Juniors will report to school that day at Pickerington High School North, Pickerington High School Central, and Pickerington Academy. Freshmen, Sophomores, and Seniors will complete teacher-assigned work from home.
Career Center Students:
Juniors who attend Eastland or Fairfield Career Center full-time will take the ACT at their career center. Those campuses will communicate testing details directly to families.
Important: Accommodation Requests Due December 12, 2025
Pickerington High School Central has been named to the 2024–25 AP® School Honor Roll! This honor recognizes schools that expand AP course access and support students in achieving college readiness.
PHSC offers 23 AP courses across 40 sections, taught by 19 teachers. Among seniors, 25% took at least one AP Exam, 1.2% took five or more, and 70% scored a 3 or higher on at least one exam.
“Our AP students continue to shine every year,” said AP Coordinator Ashlee Hoffman. “It truly takes a village to pull off these exams, and this recognition highlights the strength of our community. Tiger Up!”
“Our diverse student body reflects the strong academic foundation at Pickerington High School Central and highlights the progress that is possible through discipline and consistency, said Principal Roshawn Parker. Together, our staff and students remain relentless in their pursuit of excellence as we strive to help every student RYFP (Reach Your Full Potential).”
Year 2 Global Scholars from both Pickerington high schools visited the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) in downtown Columbus, exploring creative spaces and connecting their learning to real-world challenges.
During the trip, students brainstormed global-local issues for their upcoming Year 3 projects, asking questions like: What are the most important causes? Are there causes with multiple effects?
PLSD provides experiences like this to spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and deepen students’ commitment to meaningful issues.
Congratulations to Pickerington High School Central Junior Lilly Hunt, who recently earned the Merit Degree (first level) in the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Honor Society.
To earn the Merit Degree, students must accumulate 25 points, marking an important milestone within the Honor Society.
As students continue earning points, they progress through additional Honor Society degrees—each one recognizing their dedication, progress, and commitment to excellence in communication and critical thinking.
Congratulations to Lilly on this outstanding achievement, and best wishes as she continues her speech and debate journey!
Learn more about the NSDA Honor Society
Pickerington High School North Student Signees
Congratulations to our Pickerington High School North seniors who officially committed to continue their athletic and academic careers!
- Natalie Runck - Mount Vernon Nazarene University - Cheer
- Nic Markle - Mount Vernon Nazarene University - Baseball
- Amira Bzdafka - Virginia Military Institute - Swimming
- Sam Waites - Mount Vernon Nazarene - Baseball
Pickerington High School Central Student Signees
Congratulations to these six Pickerington High School Central student-athletes who are taking their talents to the next level! We are proud to celebrate:
- RJ Holland — Youngstown State University
- Isaac Dukes — Walsh University
- Nathan Groves — Walsh University
- RJ Parker — Tiffin University (not in attendance; family attended in his place)
- Ramazani Nsungula — West Virginia State University
- Mason Johnson — Wheeling University
The hard work and dedication of all our student athletes have paid off — and Tiger and Panther Nations will be cheering you on as you pursue greatness!
Our February Fiiz-Tastic Rewards celebration was a huge success! Students were lined up nearly 15 deep, excited to celebrate their hard-earned grades with Superintendent Dr. Charles Smialek.
Students proudly shared their A, B, P, and M marks and enjoyed a flavorful Fiiz drink as a reward for their achievement. Our goal of serving the first 20 students was reached quickly, but the excitement and positive energy stayed strong throughout the event.
Check out the smiles below—and don’t worry, another chance to earn a Fiiz-tastic reward is right around the corner!
Join us for the next Fiiz-Tastic Wednesday on March 4, from 5:00–6:00 p.m. The first 20 students (K–12) who show their high scores can earn a free drink and celebrate their progress.
Congratulations to our Mock Trial team! Our students earned a victory at the District meet and will advance to Regionals on Friday, February 20.
Special recognition goes to Benita Osei-Tutu and Keanu Valdez, who received Outstanding Attorney awards, and Savannah Hicks and Chloe Dahiln, who earned Outstanding Witness awards.
A big thank you to Sarah Starkey, PHSC English Teacher, for supporting and guiding our team!
The Pickerington High School North Red Cross Club, partnering with the school’s Key Club, recently organized a hygiene drive to support the Open Shelter in Columbus. Students assembled and donated approximately 45 hygiene bags filled with essential items and handwritten notes of encouragement. The student-led effort provided direct community support while strengthening collaboration across clubs.
As a thank you for our PLSD parents' continued commitment to supporting student attendance and helping students Stay in the Game!, we’re excited to offer families a special opportunity through Life Time Fitness Pickerington!
Parent’s Night Out is a 3-hour drop-off event where children will enjoy games, crafts, relay races, movement activities, and a pizza party—all while parents enjoy a well-deserved break.
Life Time Fitness will host two upcoming events:
- Dates: February 21 and March 21, 2026
- Time: 4:00–7:00 p.m.
- Location: Life Time Fitness Pickerington
- Ages: 3–12 (children must be potty trained to attend)
- SPACES ARE LIMITED, Email: Adrienne Bowdan at adrienne_bowdan@plsd.us to attend
This opportunity is offered in appreciation of the important role families play in encouraging daily attendance, building relationships, and supporting student engagement. Your efforts make a meaningful difference in helping students show up, stay connected, and succeed.
Thank you for all you do to support our students each day!
We’re celebrating the many ways families help students show up, stay engaged, and stay in the game—even during the winter months!
How to Enter:
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Submit a photo showing how your family supports regular school attendance.
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Complete the form and upload your photo here: Submission Link
Important Dates:
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Submissions Deadline: February 28
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Raffle Drawing: March 2
Raffle Prize:
All entries will be entered for a chance to win 2 tickets to a Columbus Crew game (March 14 or May 2, subject to availability).
Share the Fun:
After submitting, share your photo on social media using: #StayInTheGamePickerington or #DontFlakeOutPLSD
Need Help Uploading?
Email your photo to Jeff_Comer@plsd.us (please, include your child’s name and school).
Thank you for partnering with us to support attendance, engagement, and success. We can’t wait to see how your family helps students Stay in the Game!
Supporting Every Learner, Supporting Every Family
Join us for our next EmpowerED Pickerington session—an ongoing series designed to support families and educators as we navigate special education together.
This Month’s Topic: Executive Functioning 101: The Keys to Student Success
- February 12, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
- Virtual - click this link to join the meeting
- Video call link: https://meet.google.com/nsr-dexn-bof
Executive functions are the cognitive skills necessary for planning, focusing attention, remembering instructions, and juggling multiple tasks. This parent session provides a foundational overview of how these skills develop and why they are critical for academic and social success. Parents will leave with a clear understanding of the "CEO of the brain" and actionable tools to scaffold these skills at home.
This event is a great opportunity for families and educators to gain valuable insights and resources to support students with special needs. We look forward to seeing you there! Please remember that all past episodes are uploaded to our district website/YouTube channel
Missed a previous session? All past EmpowerED Pickerington episodes are available on the District’s PLSD YouTube Channel, so you can watch anytime.
Every day, our staff members make a difference in the lives of students—and no one sees that more clearly than our families. Now we’d love for you to share your perspective.
We invite families to nominate a staff member by writing a short message about the impact they’ve had. In each edition of our bi-monthly staff newsletter, one of these messages will be featured. The honored staff member will also receive a certificate and take a photo with your child.
Your words of appreciation go a long way in reminding our staff just how valued they are. Thank you for helping us celebrate the people who make Pickerington Local Schools such a special community.
