Thank you for your continued support and flexibility as we work through these unprecedented times. As you know, to help prevent the community spread of COVID-19, the Nordonia Schools will be closed to students now through Tuesday, April 14. Students will return on April 15.
It is true that every indication from Governor DeWine is that he is going to close schools for the rest of the year. As soon as he does my message will change. I don't mean to be confusing, but as of right now, students are expected to return April 15.
Today I want to give you the current status of statements I’ve made in the past week:
The Nordonia High School National Honor Society compiled a list of available babysitters whose service, character, and leadership have already been assessed. If you need a babysitter, please contact your building principal. We can provide the list to families directly, but please do not post the list on any social media sites.
Every Nordonia student will be eligible to have breakfast and lunch delivered by the schools daily. These lunches will be reimbursable to the schools through the national free and reduced lunch program, but a student does not need to be on free or reduced lunch to participate in the program during this school closure period. You can enroll your child in this program by clicking this link: https://tinyurl.com/NordoniaMealPickupOrders
Today we delivered meals to 750 kids. The list is growing and we will try to add the ones who meet a deadline the day before. In general, If you enroll by noon, you will be on the next day’s run.
We are continuing to work with our food distributors to receive nutritious products as they become available. Many products are out of stock due to increased demands in the healthcare industry and other businesses that are technically open, but we will do our best to prepare and distribute what we are able to get for as long as it is safe to do so.
Because of the supply and demand issues, we cannot guarantee sandwich components. We will still maintain enough food for lunch and breakfast, but the variety will change each day according to products we are able to offer. This will also include bottled water, which we have already run out of and goes in and out of stock daily.
Knights Caring for Knights (KC4K) provides food for families on the weekends. If you would like to donate food for KC4K, there is a collection bin at NHS and the Board Office lobbies, open daily from 10a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you would like to make a financial donation to KC4K, the band boosters set up a way to donate online. Please know that even though the band boosters graciously set this up, these donations are going to KC4K, not the band. You can donate here: https://nordonia-band-aides.square.site/
If you have technology issues please contact Technology Director Mike Russ at 330-908-6229. At this point, we are not able to repair or provide new equipment, but Mike may be able to walk you through some troubleshooting at home if necessary.
According to the Ohio Department of Education, “Any concerns about the administration of state assessments can and will be addressed, if necessary, after student health and safety have been assured.” To me that means we have no information and will wait for guidance from ODE.
Pay to participate fees for spring sports will be deferred until school resumes and we learn whether the athletic seasons will be played.
Because the school closure will cover such a long length of time between the 3rd and 4th grading period, for this year only we are transitioning to a semester grade. The work that students have completed to date in the third quarter will be carried over to the 4th quarter, and only a semester grade will be given. This will have no impact on GPAs or class rankings.
A reminder, this closure will not impact seniors expecting to graduate, and there is no indication that the school year will be extended.
I will be appearing on Facebook live every day from 1:30-2 p.m. to give news and to take your questions. You can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/NordoniaHillsSchools/
Currently, prom is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at Signature of Solon. We have booked Signature of Solon for Saturday, June 13 and Friday, July 3 in case prom needs to be rescheduled. Please put those dates in your calendar.
Currently, graduation is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 at EJ Thomas. We have booked EJ Thomas for Thursday, June 18 and Thursday, July 16 in case graduation needs to be rescheduled. Please put those dates on your calendar.
If you have any questions about anything related to the school closure or coronavirus, you can submit them here: https://tinyurl.com/NordoniaClosureQuestions Questions will be answered daily.
Effective immediately, we are suspending kindergarten registration for the 2020-21 school year. We will begin registering kindergarteners again after we are cleared to gather in buildings. This will likely be sometime in the summer. To prepare for future registration, families of future kindergarteners can begin collecting necessary paperwork as described here: https://www.nordoniaschools.org/registration.aspx
The deadline for full-time kindergarten registration has been lifted indefinitely.
Kindergarten tuition payments due April 3 may be deferred until school resumes.
District administrators continue to check email constantly. If you have specific concerns, you can contact the following people below:
Joe Clark Superintendent [email protected]
Karen Obratil Treasurer/CFO [email protected]
Matt Gaugler Business Director [email protected]
Todd Stuart Curriculum Director [email protected]
Carrie Hutchinson Pupil Services Director [email protected]
Mike Russ Technology Director [email protected]
Casey Wright NHS Principal [email protected]
Jessica Archer NHS Asst. Principal [email protected]
Anthony Buckler NHS Asst. Principal [email protected]
Bryan Seward Middle School Principal [email protected]
Shon Smith Middle School Asst. Prin. [email protected]
Rob Schrembeck Lee Eaton Principal [email protected]
Carol Tonsing Lee Eaton Asst. Principal [email protected]
Kristen Cottrell Ledgeview Principal [email protected]
Marc Kaminiski Northfield Principal [email protected]
Jacqueline O’Mara Rushwood Principal [email protected]
These are unprecedented times, and we will get through them together through flexibility and common sense. Please understand this closure is not only to keep students and staff safe, but also to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as seen in other countries around the world.
As always, thanks for your continued support of the Nordonia Schools, and Go Knights!