08.25 Hornet Headlines

We are back and better than ever! Now that we all have one full week of the school year in the books, I want to offer my gratitude to all of the staff members who provided our students and families with a smooth transition from summer break back to the classroom.

From the custodial team who clean every corner of our schools; to our maintenance and buildings and grounds team; to the transportation team, bus drivers, and transportation assistants who safely drive our students every day; to the Food Services team cooking up a healthy breakfast and lunch at each school; to the teachers and administrators who educate the next generation of leaders, I am so proud to be a part of the Licking Heights team.

I also want to give a special shout-out to our district office team—including our student workers—and all of those involved in registering new students throughout the summer. The registrar and new student enrollment staff processed over 662 pre-registration forms, resulting in 588 new students (and counting) joining our district. This includes 284 new kindergarteners! Thank you to all staff members who participated in our annual form/EMA support days for families at West Elementary, too.

I know you join me in my excitement to see all that our students will accomplish during the 2023-2024 school year. With a varsity football victory, a parade float palooza last weekend at the Pataskala Street Fair, and the hiring of 110 new staff members (and counting), it is easy to have high hopes for this year.

In the meantime, have you checked out our 2022-2023 Quality Profile? Quality Profiles are popular among Ohio public school districts as a compliment to the State Report Card from the Ohio Department of Education. This year, Licking Heights created our first-ever Quality Profile to celebrate the students and staff who make our district such a wonderful place to learn and grow.

Click the yellow button below to view our full Quality Profile for the 2022-2023 school year—we hope you enjoy and maybe see a familiar face or two.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kevin S. Miller, Superintendent

Due to the heat index and high humidity projected for tonight, the start time of the away football game versus Tri Valley is 8 p.m. As a reminder, this changes leave times for buses to:

• Football—5:00 p.m.
• Marching Band—5:45 p.m.
• Cheerleading—6:15 p.m.

Stay safe, and go Hornets!

Ready to cheer on the Hornets this fall? Schedules and presale tickets are now live on the Athletics website. Tickets to any varsity event will be $7 and tickets for any non-varsity event will be $5. Click the yellow button below to purchase your tickets online, or purchase a season pass. Community members 60+ qualify for a Golden Hornet pass to get free admission to all home games. Call the athletic office: (740) 927-9046.

Intel Corporation has established a scholarship program to assist women who plan to enroll in a 2-year associate degree in the state of Ohio. Applicants to the Intel Semiconductor Scholarship for Women must:

• Have graduated high school and are currently enrolled or plan to enroll in an accredited higher education institution in the state of Ohio to pursue a 2-year degree for the 2023-2024 school year
• Self-identify as female
• Be a United States citizen and/or be eligible to legally work in the U.S.
• Be first-year students who start in the Fall of 2023 or the Spring of 2024 and are pursuing a degree relevant to semiconductor manufacturing.

The deadline to apply is September 18, 2023 at 2 p.m. Click the button below to learn more.

Licking County Aging Partners is pleased to offer access to free eye care to Licking County families through the Center for Visual Improvement. This includes setting the appointment and paying for services. Call the Center for Visual Improvement to see if you qualify: (740) 345-0821, ext. 244.

From Aug. 28 to Sept. 15, the Licking Heights Community PTO will have an online flower sale. Flower pickup will be Sun., Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West Elementary. Profits from this fundraiser will support student activities, safety, and fun at North Elementary, South Elementary, West Elementary, and Central Intermediate. Click the flier to learn more about placing an online order.

Eat to support the middle school cheerleading squad on Wed., Aug. 30 at City Barbeque. The fundraiser will go from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will be at the Reynoldsburg City BBQ location (5979 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH). When ordering, please mention LHMS cheer. Click the button below to RSVP.

The Licking Heights high school cheerleading squad is selling Slice the Price cards from Domino's for a fundraiser this year. With a Slice the Price card, you will receive a free large pizza with the purchase of a large pizza at regular menu price.

To purchase a Slice the Price card, contact a member of the high school cheerleading squad or email coach Kari Antauer at kantauer@lhschools.org .

Protect the planet and help the choir raise money for their trip to London, England. We are participating in a fundraiser where all we need is gently worn, used, or even new sneakers. We currently have boxes set up in Dr. Smith’s and Mr. Oates' classrooms for drop off. Donations can also be dropped off at any choir performance.

Please only send athletic footwear. Non-athletic footwear of any kind will not be accepted. If you have any questions, please email Greg Householder at vpchoir@lhmusicboosters.org.

We are thrilled to announce that ALL Licking Heights students from kindergarten to 12th grade can now receive a free breakfast Monday through Friday! Thank you to our Treasurer's Office, Board of Education, and Food Service Department for working together to make this possible for all Licking Heights students.

Families who qualify for free/reduced price meals but have not applied yet are also still able to complete an application online. Thanks to legislation in the latest Ohio state budget, students who qualify for reduced priced meals will now receive their meals for free. Any student approved for free/reduced price meals will receive a free breakfast and a free lunch every day, Monday through Friday.

Families of preschool and kindergarten students, please remember that bus drivers need to see a parent or an authorized adult before we can release your student(s) from the bus. The authorized adult's name must be listed on the student's contact list on PowerSchool. This is absolutely essential for the safety of our students.

The Licking Heights Youth Sports League football players, cheerleaders, and coaches have been putting in the work and are ready to get on the field. Please come out to support the young athletes of Hornet Nation as they look to bring home some big WINS this season!

All LHYSL home games take place at Craig Memorial Field behind Central Intermediate School (6565 Summit Road SW, Pataskala) and are free to enter. Concessions will be open.

We are Hornet Proud! We are Hornet Nation!

Does your student need a physical, a vaccine, or treatment for a mild illness or injury? Health care is available right at Licking Heights High School! Both current students PreK to 12th grade and all staff members can use the Licking Memorial Health Center at Licking Heights. Most health insurances are accepted and all care is provided by Licking Memorial staff. Call (220) 564-7830 to schedule an appointment.

Check out our official Hornets merch shop for Licking Heights hoodies, shirts, and hijabs. Team stores for volleyball, football, and cross country apparel are now open as well. Buy gear and support your LH athletes. Click the button below to browse and buy online.

The Village Network is currently accepting foster family applications to fill critical needs. Contact Liz Meyers, licensing specialist, at emyers@thevillagenetwork.com or (740) 281-4251 to get started. Click the button below for more information.

Now through June 30, 2025, the Licking County Health Department will provide vouchers for up to 75 qualifying Licking County students to attend a complete teen driver course at the Licking Valley Driving School. Click the button below to learn more.

Fourth-grade students at South Elementary are settling into the new school year routine and have perfected the One Paper Towel Challenge. Say goodbye to waste and hello to eco-friendly hand-drying. Great job, fourth grade.

First grade friends took a brain break with some Play-Dough on the first day of school.

North Elementary students enjoyed Play-Dough, building blocks, coloring sheets, and even more fun activities on the first day of school!

Central Intermediate staff members helped 5th grade students transition to a new building—and to switching classes—on the first day of school.

Thank you to Back 9 Balls for donating over 250 premium name-brand golf balls to the Licking Heights golf programs. Back 9 Balls is a local business owned by paraprofessional aide Mr. Hamilton at the middle school. He will continue to provide balls for LH golfers for the remainder of the season as needed.

Licking Heights High School’s counseling team had a great first week of school. Give a heartfelt welcome to our new counselors. They are excited to help our students, parents, staff, and community this 2023-2024 school year.

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• Sept. 4 - NO SCHOOL: Labor Day
• Sept. 9 - Pageant of Bands
• Sept. 13 - Girls Soccer Charity Game
• Sept. 19 - Regular School Board Meeting
• Sept. 22 - Homecoming Football Game
• Sept. 23 - First Day of Fall
• Sept. 26 - Volley for the Cure
• Click here to buy spirit wear from our official Hornets shop
• Click here to see the latest fliers on Peachjar