Conneaut Area City Schools

Good morning. Due to icy conditions on the untreated roads, side roads, parking lots and sidewalks, there will be no school in Conneaut today. Main roads are ok but not everyone gets to school that way. In the best interest of keeping all students and staff safe, CACS is closed.

After much thought about what the overnight is forecasted to bring and to allow families to prepare this evening, I am cancelling school for tomorrow, Friday January 19. Conneaut is under a winter storm WARNING through Saturday at 10 pm. All schools in the county have made this same decision. Stay safe and have a great weekend!

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for Conneaut until noon on Wednesday. Overnight lows will fall into the single digits to near zero degrees tonight with wind chills as low as -15 degrees expected through Wednesday morning. After consultation with county superintendents, there will be no school for Conneaut Area City School students tomorrow, Wednesday January 17. Student activities will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Stay warm.

Due to morning road conditions, Conneuat Area City Schools will be folloiwng a 2 hour delay. All busses will start running 2 hours later than they normally would. For example, if your student normally gets picked up by a bus at 6:15 am, today they will get picked up at 8:15 am. Door will open at CMS at 9 am, CHS at 9:10 am, GES at 10:10 am and LPS at 11:10 am. There is no MORNING Preschool at LPS. Busses running to Atech and all other out of district places will also run two hours late. Roads were just in the process of being cleared so this gives us some extra time for safety and allows for us to get the rest of the school day in. I watched Kindergarten practice for their program so the show can go on! Happy Holidays and Stay Safe!

Last Monday, the Conneaut community lost one of its most enduring figures with the passing of former Conneaut High School Band Director, Mr. George Voytek, at the age of 83. During a Conneaut school career that spanned the late 1960’s, through the 70’s, 80’s, and well into the 1990’s, Mr. Voytek, or “Coach V”, as he was known to his students, shaped thousands of lives. Mr. Voytek possessed an ability to gently nurture, with a larger than life enthusiasm, all wrapped up in a love for music that he transferred to his students. Just as with our CHS Band of today, Mr. George Voytek’s Conneaut High School Bands were not only producers of beautiful music, but were an integral part of Conneaut High School athletics in providing a fun and lively atmosphere for all to enjoy and remember. Although Mr. Voytek is gone, his presence will always be a part of this high school and in the traditions that he helped to establish, not to mention in the creation memories carried by all of the young people who grew into adulthood and were touched by his teaching. Rest easy Coach V. …To a life well- lived Coach will be laid to rest today at St Joseph Cemetary with the CHS Band present. In lieu of flowers, “Coach” has asked that donations be made in his name to the Conneaut Music Boosters. Venmo and PayPal QR codes are included, or a check payable to “Conneaut Music Boosters” can be mailed to: PO BOX 712 Conneaut, OH 44030

Spartan Families make sure you check out 2 activites happening in Conneaut this weekend. The Christkindl Market is going to be a fun filled weekend for kids, adults, families and friends to enjoy during the holiday season! This event is outdoors held in the parking lot at Cabrini Church with access to indoor restrooms. Friday 5PM-9PM and Saturday 3PM-8PM. The event will have outdoor vendors, marketers, food trucks, photo ops/booths, photos with Santa, Sleigh rides, and indoor kids craft area. Then on Sunday, December 17th from 4:30pm to 7 pm bring the family to Police Navidad at the Conneaut Human Resource Center! The Conneaut Police Department and FOP Lodge 51 will have Santa, a DJ, food, and presents!

The Conneaut Area City School District is aware of online threats of violence that have been made to Ohio schools yesterday that are similar to threats made in other states recently. We received a message yesterday from the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) who is actively working with the Statewide Terrorism Analysis and Crime Center and Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as schools and local law enforcement to support their efforts in investigation of these threats. While some of the threats have been determined to be false through law enforcement investigation, the district takes all threats to schools seriously. Members of the Conneaut Police Department did a sweep of all of our buildings early this morning. If there is any time anyone would like to make a report concerning threats or concerns of safety you may do so directly to local law enforcement or through the use of the state's Safer Ohio School Tip Line. 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) The Safer Ohio School Tip Line is a free safety resource available to all Ohio schools. The tip line is an anonymous reporting system that accepts tips via call, text, webform, and mobile app 24 hours-a-day. Anyone can download the Safer Ohio School Tip Line app or use this link to access the webform. This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety — whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student. Again, the district takes every threat seriously and the safety of our students is our top priority. We very much appreciate our partnership with the Conneaut Police Department both in their quick response to communication and action.

Today was a huge success for our local Veteran families. Between Operation Toy Soldier and Ashtabula Feed Our Vets we brought in over 19,000 items! Conneaut 13,796 Geneva 5,636 Conneaut keeps the “Stuff the Bus” trophy! Both organizations can’t THANK everyone enough for all the love and support! 🇺🇸🌲❤️ Special thank you to Mrs Chase and the Youth Philanthropy students, Mrs Phares and the National Honor Society students, the Young Marines and bus driver Tracy Thomas for their time today!

This is just a reminder that the Stuff the Bus Battle is happening today at Wal-Mart between 10-2. You can drop off unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items or hygiene products or make a monetary donation. Each item or dollar placed on the Conneaut bus counts as a point and helps us to beat Geneva and keep the Battle of the Bus trophy in Conneaut. Please stop out and help our local veteran families this Christmas season. They deserve our support and recognition for their dedication to our freedom. And Go Spartans!

We are very sorry to have to announce this but due to illness at the bus garage there is no bus 15 today. Any students who ride bus 15 will have to find alternate transporttion to and from school today.

It looks like we will be extending Thanksgiving Break by an extra day today. Due to the snowy conditions, all schools will be closed in the Conneaut Area City School District. I always think the first snow day is an opportunity for parents to spend some time practicing with our first time licensed student drivers who may have not experienced winter driving yet, if and when the conditions are favorable to do so. Please stay safe and please use caution if you are out. Thank you.

Tomorrow there will be no school due to parent-teacher conferences. Please make sure you are attending a conference either this evening or tomorrow morning to learn how your child is progressing in school. Enjoy your weekend!

Today, and every day, we thank our education support staff for their many contributions to our schools. Their support is invaluable and partnership is essential.

Check out the infographic pictured, which provides voters a quick overview of ISSUE 28 on today's ballot. The 2 mill Permanent Improvement levy will not increase millage.

Here are the facts for this Tuesday's Issue 28 "Permanent Improvement levies are used for the maintenance and replacement of items that have a lifespan of at least five years, including items such as curriculum, technology, equipment, safety and security." PI levies cannot be used for staffing, salaries or benefits.

This Saturday, November 4th, the freshman class will be hosting a craft and vendor fair at Conneaut High School from 9-3. Over 50 crafters and vendors will be spread throughout the cafeteria and hallways. The show will feature a visit from Santa, concessions, a 50/50 raffle, and a basket raffle with winners being drawn at 2:00. Admission is just $1 for adults. Students and children are free. Please use the Jackson St entrance. Come out and support local crafters and vendors and the freshman class. Also, please remember there is no school tomorrow, Friday, November 3rd. We have already completed the first quarter of school and our staff will be in training and completing records. Have a great weekend!

In an effort to maintain funding and financial stability for the district, the levy on the ballot will generate approximately $444,000.00 per year. This proposed levy will help protect the investment our community has already made in our facilities.

"Millage-based levies used for permanent improvements can be known as permanent improvement or PI levies. PI levies are used for the maintenance and replacement of items that have a lifespan of at least five years, including items such as curriculum, technology, equipment, safety and security." PI levies cannot be used for staffing, salaries or benefits.

ISSUE 28 FACTS

Conneaut Area City Schools is seeking a 2 mill continuous levy that would raise an estimated $444,000 annually. On your ballot, you will see the word “Additional” to describe the tax. Please remember, while the levy will be considered a new levy, the 2 mill Permanent Improvement Levy WILL NOT increase millage. Funds will be used to keep ahead of costly repairs, keep buses in good repair and ensure students have up-to-date technology.