Latest reporting from the Education desk.
Education
Lakota Local Schools named ten staff members as its first Gem Award honorees of the 2026-27 school year, with recipients spanning eight buildings and roles from bus driver to speech pathologist.
Education
Lakota West Winter Guard invites students in grades 6–12 to a no-experience-required Try It Night on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the West Freshman Gym.
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Education
Lakota Local Schools adopted a stricter attendance policy under Ohio's House Bill 96, counting excused absences toward chronic absenteeism for the first time and notifying parents after students miss just 5% of instructional hours.
Education
Lakota Local School District is piloting Bibibop Asian Grill bowls at Ridge and Plains junior schools after the partnership proved popular at its two high schools, while also rolling out chicken tikka masala, strawberry yogurt parfaits and upgraded chicken-and-waffles across all grade levels.
Education
Lakota Local Schools earned 4.5 out of 5 stars on the 2025-2026 Ohio State Report Card for a third consecutive year, posting its highest-ever growth index score, exceeding the state's Gifted Performance Indicator for the first time, and jumping a full star in post-graduation readiness.
Education
Lakota Local Schools reversed its summer vote to cut bus service to four private schools after mediation revealed that a switch from paper to online registration, not lack of demand, drove low sign-up numbers.
Education
Chamberlain University and parent company Covista committed $150,000 over three years to partner with The Health Collaborative on healthcare career exploration programs for Cincinnati-area middle and high school students, announced alongside the ribbon cutting of Chamberlain's 25th campus on Thursday, Aug. 20.
Education
MidPointe Library System honored Dolly Parton after her death Aug. 25, spotlighting the Imagination Library program that delivers free monthly books to Butler County children from birth through age five.
Education
MidPointe Library System's two-month "Unearth a Story" summer reading program ended July 31 with 8,530 participants, 433 programs drawing nearly 18,000 attendances, and 630 free lunches served through a USDA partnership.
Education
Cherokee Elementary in Liberty Township opened the 2026-27 school year with a staggered start Aug. 13-14 under new principal Mike Stapleton, using PBIS stations to teach building expectations before all students join together Monday, Aug. 17.
Education
Lakota West High School will introduce Block Day scheduling on Sept. 16–17, extending class periods for labs and projects and splitting the seven-period rotation across two days for nearly 3,000 students.
Education
Lakota Local Schools announced more than 20 leadership changes across buildings and the district office on Wednesday, one day before the first day of school for the district's roughly 17,000 students.
Education
Cherokee Elementary in Liberty Township has named Seth Caudell as its new School Resource Officer for the 2026-27 school year, filling a position that turned over twice since April, with families able to meet him at the Aug. 11 open house.
Education
Miami University's 155-minute "Cradle of Coaches" documentary, previewed at Paycor Stadium on Aug. 4, premieres on Peacock on Aug. 17, featuring interviews with Sean McVay, John Harbaugh, Ben Roethlisberger and others connected to the Oxford coaching legacy that still connects to local football programs.
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