Dear Bulldog Families,

Keeping our families informed during the extended school closure continues to be a top priority. During Governor DeWine’s daily press conference this afternoon, he made the official announcement that the closure of all schools in the state of Ohio will be extended through Friday, May 1st. Our Bulldog administrators and staff have been busy preparing for this possibility. We will be sharing out important information with all of our school families later this week regarding specific enhancements to our distance learning initiative, which will go into effect this Monday, April 6th.

Please note that Olmsted Falls City Schools will still recognize the established spring break dates of April 10-17.  Distance learning activities will not take place during our spring break.  Distance learning will resume again on Monday, April 20th.

Please take a few moments to review the following important updates from both our school district as well as the state of Ohio:

• In anticipation that the closure of schools would likely be extended, we have already been working to assess the technology needs of our OFCS families. It is important that we do all that we can to ensure every Bulldog student has access to internet service and an appropriate device in order to take full advantage of enhanced online instruction and learning in the weeks ahead.  Buildings began reaching out by phone today to families that have indicated they may be in need of internet service, a loaner device or both.  If your household does not have internet and/or you have a student who does not have access to a device, please click HERE to fill out a form for assistance.

• Our OFCS technology team is available to provide assistance to students who may be experiencing issues with their devices and/or learning applications during this extended closure.  An online form has been created to report any technology issues that students may be experiencing. Once the form is completed, a technician will contact you using the phone number that you provide on the form. If the issue can not be resolved / repaired remotely, and it is a school issued device, the technician can provide details for exchanging your device. PLEASE NOTE that the technology service hours will be scheduled from 8 am – 12 noon Monday through Friday. To access the repair form now, please click HERE.  If you are unable to access the form, please reach out to your child’s building principal by calling the building main line and leaving a message.

This past Friday, Governor DeWine signed House Bill (HB) 197, which contains additional guidance for schools relating to the following areas affecting our students and our district.  We want to make you aware of the following items from HB 197:

• All K-12 standardized testing and state report card requirements for schools are waived for this school year. 

• Our local schools were granted the authority to graduate any student who is on track to graduate. This permits schools to grant a diploma to any student that the school district has determined is on track to graduate. We will continue to communicate with our senior students and their parents. Our guidance counselors are available to answer any questions about whether your student is currently on track to graduate. You can reach them via email or by leaving a voice message at the high school main line at 440-427-6100.

• All districts are permitted to continue providing students with breakfast/lunch. Our OFCS Food Services department and district staff members continue to partner with Olmsted Community Center and local PTA volunteers to operate our free student breakfast/lunch program Monday through Friday to help our students with limited food access.  For information on how to sign-up for delivery of breakfast/lunch items for your student(s), please click HERE.  
• PLEASE NOTE:  Families are able to apply for enrollment in the Federal free/reduced breakfast/lunch program at any time during the school year. If you think you may qualify for free/reduced meals due to the personal economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on your family, we encourage you to visit our food service website for directions on how to fill out an online application by clicking HERE.  At this time, we will not be accepting any paper applications. For any questions, please email Julie Bartell at jbartell@ofcs.net.

• Our local governments - including our school board - may now opt to hold remote/virtual meetings but the public must still have access. While we have the option, we may also meet in person. Regardless, we will notify the public (as always) as to how we will proceed. 

• Voting in the March 17, 2020 election was officially extended to April 28, 2020. Voting will be by mail only. There will be no in-person voting at polling locations.  To obtain an application to vote by mail in Cuyahoga County, you can call the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections office at (216) 443-VOTE (8683) and have one sent to you, or you can visit their website and print an application at www.443vote.us.  For voters residing in Lorain County, please visit https://www.loraincountyelections.us/ or call (440) 326-5948.

We will continue to monitor the latest information and updates from Governor DeWine and will keep you updated as to further developments that impact our district’s plans. 

We continue to do our best to keep you informed and to work through the changes as they come our way. The most up-to-date information can always be found on our website at bit.ly/OFCSExtendedClosureResourcePage.

In closing I wanted to recognize that we are all in a very difficult time. Students are either at home working alongside their family members or are with a caregiver. There are families who have parents and guardians performing essential functions and are on the front lines taking care of those who are sick. We also have families that have been laid off and are going to experience a loss of income. Everything is happening quickly and we are all forced to make decisions for the very first time and have little experience to rely on.  While we cannot take that hardship away, we can support each other throughout all of this. Know that we are here to support you and your child. 

Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another.

Sincerely,

Jim

Dr. Jim Lloyd
Superintendent for the Olmsted Falls City School District
26937 Bagley Rd.
Olmsted Township, OH 44138
Phone: 440-427-6000
Twitter: @OFCSSuper
Web: www.ofcs.net