12.20 Hornet Headlines |
Enjoy your Winter Break | See You in 2024
December 20, 2023
From the Desk of Superintendent, Dr. Kevin S. Miller
Dear Licking Heights Families,
As the end of 2023 draws closer and closer, it is hard for me to find any words to say other than “Thank you.” Thank you for supporting our students, staff, and community as Hornets this year. Thank you for coming alongside us at Licking Heights to educate students.
We could not be more excited for all that 2024 has in store–and this is thanks to the enthusiasm, encouragement, and support of people like you! Take a few minutes to click on the video above for a glimpse of all that is good and right with Licking Heights Schools. It's a nice reminder of the great school system we have.
Remember, we need your help to build the next era of Licking Heights. Due to increasing enrollment, our district will be adding a third elementary school, set to open in the fall of 2024. This exciting addition to the District means that elementary boundaries must be redrawn.
We are embarking on a community- and data-driven process to redraw elementary boundaries with Cooperative Strategies, a K-12 planning firm based in Central Ohio that completes demographic and boundary work for school districts nationwide. Cooperative Strategies needs your help in this redistricting process—click the button below to fill out a survey providing your input.
At this point in time, no decisions have been made. This survey is meant to kick off this process, and your feedback will be used to begin drawing boundary options with community values and desires in mind. The Board of Education wants to have the new boundaries approved by the end of February 2024 in preparation for the 2024-25 school year. All community members will have additional opportunities to provide feedback on boundary options as they are developed.
Finally, do not forget to support our high school students traveling to England this month by livestreaming the London New Years Day Parade (LNYDP). The LNYDP will be livestreamed on the LNYDP website (click the button below to view) and available to watch on our local PBS station, WOSU. London is five hours ahead of us time-wise. The parade will start for us at 7 a.m., which is noon in London.
I wish you, your family, and your friends a blessed and beautiful holiday season. See you next year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin S. Miller, Superintendent
Need to Know
Food Services Update: Vegetarian Options in Our Cafeterias and Where to Find Menus
Every day, our Food Services staff offers healthy, filling vegetarian options in all cafeterias from kindergarten to high school. You can view lunch menus in advance online by clicking the button below, or in the "Quick Links" section of the district website. See photos below of vegetarian options offered just in the past two months in our cafeterias.
Seasoned Rice and Vegetables
Honey Glazed Tofu and Rice
Fresh Mango Salsa
Broccoli Pasta and Breadsticks
Roasted Green Beans and Tomatoes
Salad Bar
Nominate a Music Educator for the Columbus Symphony Music Educator Awards
The Columbus Symphony is currently accepting online nominations for its annual Music Educator Awards, honoring individuals making a difference in our community through their dedication to music education and efforts to promote a greater understanding of and appreciation for music education. Parents, students, colleagues, administrators, and community members are encouraged to nominate music educators in their lives who they believe deserve to be recognized for their expertise, kindness, passion, and resilience, during the 2023-24 school year. Click the button below to nominate someone from our district. Nominations are accepted until February 18, 2024.
Transportation Update: Happy Holidays!
We in Transportation want to wish all of our coworkers and the families in our district a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We look forward to rolling with you in 2024.
Give the Gift of School Spirit!
Support Licking Heights with the perfect gift! Winter sports gear is also now available, and your purchase directly supports Hornet athletes. Click the button to shop now.
Now Enrolling New Preschool Students for 2024!
Central Preschool is pleased to announce that in 2024, we will have about 16 total available spots for students. There are openings in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Click the button below to enroll.
NO ENTRY Allowed on Construction Sites
Absolutely no students, staff, or community members should enter the construction sites for the Transportation Center, Athletic Complex, and new Elementary School. Any unauthorized individual who enters a construction site will be subject to prosecution for criminal trespass under R.C. 2911.21.
Support Our Students
Engraved Brick Fundraiser Live Until March 2024
Choose if you want your brick purchase to benefit the PTO, Athletic Boosters, or Music Boosters.
#HornetsTakeFlight
South Elementary: Exploring the Great Indoors
Mrs. Cross and Mrs. Stout hooked their students into the new ELA module by setting up tents, bringing in camping gear, and passing out a delicious smores treat!
West Elementary: Teaching Our Friends
Mrs. Fenton's fourth-grade students chose new skills to teach to one another: how to throw footballs, pass soccer balls, braid, sign language, mathematics, speak another language, draw, whistle, make shadow puppets, and more.
North Elementary: Making a Leaf Monster
In Mrs. Rasmussen's and Ms. Leonard's classrooms, students read "Bella's Fall Coat" and worked on retelling the story. They created their own version of Bella as a leaf monster and wrote a sentence or color word about their creation.
Central Intermediate: Time for Technology with Mrs. Dunn
Mrs. Dunn's Technology class embraced Tech Corp Unplugged. Engaging in Battleship variations, students highlighted the importance of short-term planning in programming. They discovered the significance of trial and error, feedback, discussions, and adjustments in the coding process, aiming for a perfected outcome—sinking all the opponent's ships. Additionally, students explored algorithmic thinking by creating origami cups, emphasizing the importance of clear instructions in programming.
Middle School: Spooky Scary Stories with Mrs. Bennett
Students in Mrs. Bennett's ELA class spent several weeks discussing and reading literature in the suspense and horror genre. Then they wrote their own stories and included suspense strategies, imagery, and diction to create the mood, tone, and foreshadowing. The spooktacular tales were recorded as a podcast with eerie sound effects.
High School: Building a Successful Future
Students explored measures in Mrs. Diaz's building and construction math class. They practiced using a tape measure, level, speed square, and carpenter's square to find how high and how far they can jump, to find the center of a circle, measure things to the nearest 1/16", draw angles and see if things are square and level. Master carpenters in the making.
Community News
Pataskala Parks and Recreation Hiring Lifeguards and Swim Instructors for the 2024 Swim Season
The Pataskala Municipal Pool is looking for Swim Instructors and lifeguard candidates for the 2024 summer season. Candidates must be at least 16 by May 27, 2024 to be a lifeguard. All Swim Instructors and concession/guest service applicants must be 14 years old to apply. Application materials can be sent either via email to hr@ci.pataskala.oh.us or mail to City of Pataskala, 621 W Broad St, Suite 1D, Pataskala, OH 43062.
Give the Gift of Sports this Season with Licking Heights Youth Association!
Sign ups are open now for spring softball and baseball. We have baseball for kindergarten – age 12 and softball for kindergarten – age 14. Save right now with Early Bird Pricing! Sign up by clicking the button below. Email baseball@lhya-sports.org or softball@lhya-sports.org with any questions.
Board Openings with Licking Heights Youth Sports League
If you have a desire to be part of a great organization focusing on the development of athletic skills, sportsmanship, and community spirit, then the Licking Heights Youth Sports League is a perfect place to share your time.
Current openings include:
- Treasurer
- Wrestling Director(s)
- Concessions Director
- General Board Members
If you are interested in any of the openings, please email the LHYSL at lhys.hornets@gmail.com for more information. Detailed information on all open positions can also be found by clicking the button below.
Calendar: Know What Is Coming
- Dec. 21-Jan. 2 - Winter Break
- Dec. 27 - Boys Basketball Alumni Game
- Jan. 1 - Choir performing in London New Years Day Parade
- All January - School Board Appreciation Month
- Jan. 3 - Students Back to School
- Jan. 9 - Regular School Board Meeting
- Click here to buy spirit wear from our official Hornets shop
- Click here to see the latest fliers on Peachjar