Most adults have probably watched, or at least heard of, Ted Talks. Elementary students? Not so much. However, sixth-graders at Freedom Elementary School have not only watched Ted Talks, they’ve presented the short, powerful speeches in front of their peers.

“Writing is hard work." “Just get it on paper.” Coming from someone who writes for a living, these words seemed to carry a lot of weight for the Lakota West students sitting in Eileen Washburn’s creative writing class last week.

Lack of snow didn’t stop students at Hopewell and Shawnee early childhood schools from getting some sledding in last week. Students paired up in teams to race sleds they built during a unique class collaboration.

So many great things going on around Lakota. Here are the latest Shout-Outs about students and staff!

The Lakota Calendar Committee is preparing a 2020-2021 district calendar recommendation for the Board of Education. Lakota staff, students, parents and community members are invited to review the current draft before any final recommendation is presented to the school board in May 2019.

It’s not just the classrooms that look different… rows of desks have been replaced with flexible seating options like comfy chairs and standing desks. But learning has taken on a whole new look as well. Last week, Lakota turned National Digital Learning Day into Lakota Learning Day to celebrate these changes.

“Students tell our story best,” said Lakota Superintendent Matthew Miller. That’s why students will take center stage at Lakota’s second annual “State of the Schools,” happening Wednesday, March 13.

Following with tradition, the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty, in partnership with Lakota Local Schools, is currently accepting nominations for the 2019 Lakota Educator of Excellence Awards. Outstanding educators can be nominated to receive this honor by students, colleagues, parents or any community member who wishes to acknowledge an educator’s exceptional effort. Nominations are not limited to classroom teachers. Award recipients may be any person (teacher, administrator, counselor, support staff, etc.) working with young people in the Lakota School District.

Open registration for Lakota’s all-day kindergarten program opens today, March 1, and run through April 5. For the first time, Lakota will be offering incoming families the convenient option to register online. All students are eligible for the all-day kindergarten option, with the option to enroll in the half-day program, if desired.