Old Fort Local School District

Hey Old Fort Elementary Parents, This is it! It's the final week to order back-to-school supply kits! The order deadline is July 1st. Guarantee your child has the exact supplies needed for the start of the school year! Plus, save up to 30% over shopping at Target, Walmart or even on Amazon! Order Now --> http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=82622

It is a tremendous honor to announce that our own Mrs. Amy DeRodes has been selected as the State Board of Ohio District 1 Teacher of the Year! As the District 1 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. DeRodes is one of 11 of the most distinguished teachers that were nominated in this year's cohort and is now a candidate for the 2024 Ohio Teacher of the Year (to be selected later this fall). We could not be more proud to have Mrs. DeRodes represent Old Fort Local Schools, the entire Kader Nation, and all of Northwest Ohio! Congratulations, Mrs. DeRodes!!!!

Summer Girls Biddy Basketball was a success! We look forward to seeing these girls as they progress through our Old Fort Basketball program.

Old Fort Elementary parents...We all know about inflation! Have you tried to buy eggs recently? They're up over 70% from what you paid last year at this time! You know what hasn't skyrocketed in price? 1st Day School Supplies! They ordered their supplies last fall, allowing us to save up to 30% from shopping at big box stores like Target, Walmart, even on Amazon. So, order your supplies early and save with 1st Day School Supplies. Order here: http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=82622

Old Fort LSD is searching for individuals interested in a JH/HS AYA Integrated ELA teaching position. Interested applicants should visit: https://5il.co/1srbd to find the application. Please send completed application and other requested documentation to the JH/HS Principal, Erica Cobb, at ecobb@oldfortschools.org.

Old Fort LSD is searching for individuals interested in a JH/HS 4-9 Grade ELA teaching position. Interested applicants should visit: https://5il.co/1sraq to find the application. Please send completed application and other requested documentation to JH/HS Principal, Erica Cobb, at ecobb@oldfortschools.org.

For anyone interested in playing soccer this upcoming fall, there will be an open field from 8:30-10:00 am this Thursday, June 1. Soccer workouts will then begin June 5, 8:30-10:00 am in the weightroom. More info will be passed out at the first workout.

Saluting our retirees... Janelle Phillips taught for 34 years at Old Fort, 31 in 3rd grade and the last 3 in 2nd grade. Janelle’s favorite teacher in Bellevue was her fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Joyce Hayward. She said, “back then, she drove us on little field trips after school in the back of her station wagon, something you could never do today. But she taught me to get to know my students outside of school, and I’ve always tried to take an interest in and attend their outside events when I can.” Janelle says she will always have fond memories of the kids that were in her classroom, who eventually were children of previous students. She also considers herself very lucky to have taught with so many amazing staff members over the years. In her retirement, Janelle plans to spend more time with family, including her 83 year old Dad, who still lives in Bellevue. She and her husband, Lonny, plan to travel and possibly become snow-birds to escape the Ohio winters. Mrs. Smith says she will always be appreciative of Janelle’s knowledge of literacy and the Science of Reading – she became our "resident researcher." We know Mrs. Phillips will be greatly missed, but is moving on to a fun and well-deserved next chapter. Congratulations, Janelle!

Saluting our retirees... Carrie Kingsborough worked for Old Fort Schools for 27 years in our JH/HS cafeteria. When asked about a favorite teacher who impacted her life, she went way back to 2nd grade in Clyde to Mrs. Curliss. Carrie said that she was a left-handed writer, and every other teacher before Mrs. Curliss tried to convert her to be right-handed. But Mrs. Curliss taught her to write in cursive as a lefty. What Carrie will miss most about working at Old Fort are the many people who became special friends over the years. In her retirement years, Carrie will continue taxi-ing grandkids to sports practices and games. She refers to herself as the “Uber Grandma.” Carrie also enjoys canning and helping her husband raise and sell beef. Carrie will be remembered as someone who was always willing to step in and help, no matter what! Thank you, Carrie, for a long career serving the kids of this community!

Saluting our retirees... Mary Smith has driven school bus for 14 years for Bettsville/Old Fort and for Head Start for 6 years prior to that. She is beloved by the students and families on her route. Mary is also a retired hairdresser, once owning two salons. When Mary was in school, she was especially impacted by two of her favorite teachers, Mrs. Watson, her Home Ec. teacher who taught her how to cook and sew and Mr. Bruggemeier, her Algebra teacher, who taught her that math wasn’t so bad after all. Mary’s best memory that she will take with her is being with the kids every day, interacting with them, and getting to know them over the years. In her retirement years, Mary plans to catch up on work at home, care for her parents, spend time with her husband of 46 years along with their two 2 kids and 9 grandkids, hang out at their backyard swimming pool, take day trips to the lake, and connect with friends. Thank you, Mary, for your dedication to our kids and community for so many years!

Please see the attached memo regarding three important outcomes of today's Special Board Meeting. Thank you. https://5il.co/1uyfx

Please see the attached 2023-2024 school calendar that was revised and adopted this morning. There is a press release coming soon with more information regarding the reasons behind the revision. Thank you. https://5il.co/1pstn

Occupational therapy has been joining our Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade classes this school year, to work on fun ways to promote hand strength, fine motor skills, visual motor skills, and bilateral coordination, in order for our students to achieve great handwriting! All students have worked very hard this year and got rewarded this week by making a special end of the year treat with Mrs. Ashley. “Fluffy Dirt Pudding” was a great way to get kids to learn proper manners in a restaurant, how to order food, how to follow a recipe, hand strength, and fine motor skills! GREAT JOB THIS YEAR KIDS!

We had a great turn out for our 2nd Annual Old Fort Elementary Spring Carnival. It was wonderful seeing all the smiling painted faces! We are so thankful to the community and staff for their support. See you next year!

The varsity track teams compete at Districts in Gibsonburg this Wednesday, May 17 at 4:00/5:30 and Friday May 19 at 4:00/5:45. Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time online at www.ohsaa.org/tickets. Students are $6.00 and adults are $8.00. We are Northwest, Division III, Gibsonburg.

The boys baseball team hosts Cardinal Stritch at home this Thursday, May 18 at 5:00 for a Sectional Championship. Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time online at www.ohsaa.org/tickets. Students are $6.00 and adults are $8.00. We are Division IV, Region 13, Clyde District.

Just a reminder of the PTO Flower Sale Pick-up today from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the elementary north parking lot.

Old Fort LSD is searching for qualified applicants to fill the position of a (four) 4-day per week Substitute Teaching position for the 2023-2024 school year. If interested, please fill out the application located at: https://5il.co/1turw and email the completed application to Kristina Smith, Elementary Principal, at ksmith@oldfortschools.org.

Preschool attended the Toledo Zoo on April 19th.

Old Fort will be hosting a meet and greet with our new Superintendent, Mrs. Cindy Endsley on Monday, May 8th from 5:00 - 6:00 PM at the Elementary Library. During this time, we will also be honoring our retirees, Janelle Phillips, Carrie Kingsborough, and Mary Smith. Please join us for refreshments prior to the 6:00 PM Board Meeting.