New families moving into the Lakota Local Schools district this summer can get answers on busing, meals, and technology at a single event next month. The district will host its first Back-to-School Fair on Friday, Aug. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VanGorden Elementary School, 6475 LeSourdsville-West Chester Road in West Chester Township.

The free event requires no registration.

District and school staff will be available to walk parents through transportation options, school meals and child nutrition programs, health and wellness resources, district technology and parent portals, and community services, the district announced. The fair falls six days before the first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 13, giving families a final window to ask questions and set up accounts before classes begin.

Lakota is the largest suburban public school district in southwest Ohio, serving about 17,000 students across 23 schools, according to the district's website.

Transportation forms due Tuesday, July 15

Families who need a pick-up or drop-off location different from their home address should submit transportation forms through FinalForms, accessible via OneLogin, by Tuesday, July 15, the district said. All K-2 students are asked to complete a transportation form regardless of whether they need busing.

New kindergarten age cutoff for 2026-2027

Families with young children should note a policy change taking effect this school year: the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce moved the kindergarten eligibility cutoff from the traditional Aug. 1 date to the first day of school. Children who turn 5 by Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, are now eligible to enroll, according to the district's kindergarten registration page.

How to connect

Enrollment for all new students in grades K-12 is open through the Lakota Welcome Center inside the district's Central Office. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Families can call (513) 682-4120 or email [email protected].

Coming up

  • Tuesday, July 15 — Transportation form deadline for non-home-address pick-up/drop-off (submit via FinalForms in OneLogin)
  • Friday, Aug. 7 — Back-to-School Fair, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., VanGorden Elementary School, 6475 LeSourdsville-West Chester Road
  • Thursday, Aug. 13 — First day of school, 2026-2027 school year