Olentangy's Top News

According to the most recent data from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), the Olentangy Local School District gained 1,174 students between the 2009-10 and the 2010-11 school years, making Olentangy the state’s fastest-growing school district for the ninth consecutive year.

“The economy has slowed down, but the district’s enrollment growth has not,” said Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D. “Olentangy offers an excellent education at a very efficient cost, and that makes the district extremely attractive to families.”

The Olentangy Local School District formed in 1953 when four area schools combined. From 1961 until 1990 the district served all of its students, kindergarten through 12th grade, in one building. Now that building is just one of the district’s five middle schools. Olentangy also has 15 elementary schools and three high schools, for a total of 23 school buildings. The district’s February enrollment report indicates 16,761 students are currently enrolled.

Eight Olentangy Local School District (OLSD) students will be among the 70 students state-wide who will vie for the title of spelling bee champion from Ohio.  The state bee will be held in Athens at Ohio University in March.  The winner of the state spelling bee will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the 2012 National Spelling Bee in June.  Congratulations and good luck to:

• Victoria V. and  Tina L., Indian Springs Elementary School (ISES)
• Sonam R., Liberty Tree Elementary School (LTES)
• Lindsay O., Oak Creek Elementary School (OCES)
• Hayden T., Olentangy Berkshire Middle School (OBMS)
• Avivah W., Olentangy Hyatts Middle School (OHMS)
• Erin M., Olentangy Liberty Middle School (OLMS)
• Emma O., Olentangy Shanahan Middle School (OSMS)

Students at Scioto Ridge Elementary School (SRES) participated in jump rope games, activities and contests during PE as part of spirit week, which kicked off this year’s Jump Rope for Heart campaign.  Students who collect the most funds during the campaign will be treated to a Just Dance 3 party or a teacher “silly string attack.”  Children at SRES discovered that spirit week was full of opportunities to have fun while promoting  heart health awareness at SRES and in their communities!

Sprit Week kicked off the Jump Rope for Heart Campaign at SRES

On February 8 the Olentangy Parent Programs Team (PPT) and NBC4 presented a very special forum tackling one of the biggest issues facing parents today: keeping our kids healthy and drug-free.

Dependency prevention expert Douglas Wentz shared how parents can avoid some of the most common enabling behaviors and attitudes that may promote drug use among children. NBC4 anchor Mindy Drayer, former OSU quarterback Craig Krenzel and representatives from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services shared tips on preventing prescription drug abuse, including the best ways to store and dispose of prescription drugs.

A fourth grade student from Oak Creek Elementary School (OCES)  has been invited to display her winning Invention Convention project at the 2012 Ohio Educational Technology (eTech Ohio) Conference.  The eTech conference is Ohio’s premiere professional development event that attracts thousands of education professionals from across the country.  Samantha’s winning invention was called “Super Bowling Soles” and won the top honor, the Edison Award, at the 2011 Invention Convention last May. For more information about the Ohio Educational Technology conference, click here.

The presentations from Monday’s community forum on college and career readiness are now available online.  A video of the entire event will be posted at the same link by Friday, February 10.

Click here to learn more.

Join the Olentangy Parent Programs Team (PPT) and NBC4 for a very special forum tackling one of the biggest issues facing parents today: keeping our kids healthy and drug-free.

Dependency prevention expert Douglas Wentz will share how parents can avoid some of the most common enabling behaviors and attitudes that may promote drug use among children. NBC4 anchor Mindy Drayer, former OSU quarterback Craig Krenzel and representatives from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addition Services will share tips on preventing prescription drug abuse, including the best ways to store and dispose of prescription drugs.

Representatives from several community resource groups will be on hand to help you address your family’s specific needs. PPT will also offer a raffle for items autographed by Craig Krenzel and provide prevention activities for children in the free child care area.

Date: Wednesday, February 8
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.
Location: Olentangy Orange High School, 2840 E. Orange Road in Lewis Center

FREE BABYSITTING WILL BE AVAILABLE!

Students from the Oasis Academy and Heritage Elementary (HES) are getting to know each other since a partnership began to encourage the older students to act as mentors and reading helpers at HES.  A special visitor from OASIS visited HES today to help celebrate the 100th day of school.  One hundred days is an event many of the district’s elementary buildings use as a math learning tool.  Zero the Hero (a.k.a. Oasis student Logan) and HES guidance counselor Dr. Doug Cook toured the kindergarten classrooms listening to what students learned about numbers and counting.

Ten student athletes from Olentangy’s three high schools signed on the dotted line on National Signing Day, Wednesday, February 1.  Olentangy Liberty High School is proud of Brian J., who will play football for Davidson College.  At Olentangy Orange High School, students William M. (Tiffin University, football), and Brandon S. (Ohio Dominican University, football) signed their letters of intent.  A large crowd was present at Olentangy High School that morning to watch seven student athletes commit to their respective schools.  Joshua P. will play football for Ohio State University, Kenton P. will play football at Northwestern University, Bryan Y. will play football for California University of Pennsylvania and football players Derrick R. and Will B. are headed to Ohio Dominican.

Learn about the college and career readiness programs available to Olentangy students during a community forum on Monday, February 6 from 7 until 9 p.m. at Olentangy Liberty High School, 3584 Home Road in Powell.

Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D. and representatives from the Ohio Department of Education, Delaware Area Career Center, Ohio Wesleyan University, Otterbein University and Columbus State Community College will discuss the district’s educational partnerships and ways families may be able to save on college tuition costs.