Dear Bulldog Families,
As we prepare for the official start of our district’s spring break to begin tomorrow, I wanted to reach out again to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of our students and families for the commitment and cooperation you have shown during this extended school closure. Learning from home through an online platform is strange territory for many--students and staff alike. We recognize that while distance learning is not ideal, our hope is that this first week has gone as smoothly as possible for our students and families. I encourage you to continue to reach out to your child’s teachers and building administrators as needed for any assistance. We are all here to help and do all that we can to help your student continue to learn and succeed during these challenging times.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THROUGH THESE BRIEF UPDATES/REMINDERS:
SPRING BREAK
Our district’s official spring break begins tomorrow, Friday, April 10th and will run as originally scheduled through Friday, April 17th. As mentioned in previous communications, there will be no distance learning activities during the district’s scheduled spring break. Distance learning will resume on Monday, April 20th. We hope all of our families will have an opportunity to recharge and enjoy the break.
FREE STUDENT BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROGRAM
The Free Student Breakfast/Lunch Program will continue on weekdays during our spring break, April 10th - 17th, thanks to staff and community members volunteering their personal time. Any families needing to add their student(s) to the free breakfast/lunch program are encouraged to click HERE for additional information regarding how to sign up for meal deliveries.
MEETING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS
Chromebooks were distributed this week for those students without access to an appropriate device. Ensuring that all students are able to connect virtually to their teachers and classes has been a top priority as we expanded online learning this week. (REMINDER: Please note that IPads / tablets alone will not be adequate.) If your student is in need of a loaner Chromebook device and/or if your household needs an internet connection, please click HERE to complete the request form as soon as possible.
Ongoing technology assistance will be available through our district’s technology department by completing an online request form. Simply provide your student’s name and grade, the nature of the problem (i.e. device not working or assistance needed with program or login on a working device) by clicking HERE. If you are unable to complete the form, please reach out to your child’s building principal by email or phone and they can submit the request for you.
Please note that all device requests and technology assistance requests submitted during the spring break will be handled on Monday, April 20th when distance learning resumes.
ELECTION & VOTING
In the midst of the current pandemic, we have received questions regarding the March 17, 2020, election and voting. As you know, there is an 8.9 mill operating levy that is scheduled to appear on the ballot. Issue 29 remains important to the future of our schools.
Regular elections did not take place on March 17 for the safety of Ohio residents. As mentioned in a previous email update, it has been determined that Ohio’s election will be completed entirely by mail with no in person voting. Unfortunately, we do not have a lot of time to pause before the upcoming Vote Count Day on April 28. Here is what you need to know:
- The governor has declared that the April 28th Vote Count Day will be treated like Election Day for counting purposes. Polls will close at 7:30 pm and the counting can start thereafter. However, the time to take action to ensure that your voice is heard, is now.
- Since this process involves traditional mail services, do not wait to request your ballot. Please note that obtaining your ballot to vote by mail is a 2-step process involving first submitting your absentee ballot request form, and then receiving and submitting the ballot itself.
- If you voted prior to March 17th, your vote WILL count. You need not take further action.
- ?If you have not voted yet, you can start the vote by mail process by visiting the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website at boe.cuyahogacounty.us and printing an absentee ballot application; or calling the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at (216) 443-8683 and requesting that they mail to you an absentee ballot application. For our residents in Columbia Station voting in Lorain County, visit https://www.loraincountyelections.us/ or call (440) 326-5900 to request your absentee ballot application. Absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than April 27th.
- Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has also mailed an instructional postcard to all registered voters in Ohio detailing how to request vote-by-mail ballots.
There is no doubt that the current state of affairs will be represented as one of the most challenging times in our lives on several levels. While our focus has been on student learning, I recognize that there is so much more occurring. Students are isolated from their peers and teachers. Family life and routines have been significantly altered. We are in close quarters with one another and in some cases unable to simply get some space. We are unable to see our friends and in many cases, our grandparents and older friends who are more vulnerable to COVID19. Our economy is in a very fragile state and in some cases the employment status of our families has either changed or is in jeopardy. I encourage you to try to remain positive. Try to establish a daily routine and stick to it. This will end and while difficult to see, things will return to normal.
In closing I wanted to simply say “thank you” to those who are first responders and health care professionals. You are likely working long and difficult hours, and are doing your very best to stay connected with your family and assist your children with their school work. Hang in there...we appreciate you.
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