East Holmes Local School District

Love INC of Holmes County is having its annual Back To School Bash. It is a time when you can shop for school supplies at a very reasonable price. The suggested donation per child for supplies is $5. Other school-related items will also be available--toothbrushes, toothpaste, personal care items, to name a few.

The Back To School Bash will be held on Saturday, August 2nd from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Love INC Center on 1291 Massillon Rd., Millersburg.

Any questions, please call Love INC at 330-473-6017.

Thank you and enjoy the remainder of your summer!

Congratulations to Jan Isaac on her retirement after 23 years at East Holmes as an Intervention Specialist! Favorite memory: “As I have loved my career as a teacher at Hiland High and Middle School in the East Holmes Local school district, it is difficult for me to pick just one favorite memory. Some of my favorite memories are as follows: Witnessing my students’ increased growth, success, confidence, and joy in learning; sharing great literature with which my students make connections; hearing my students ask to read “just one more chapter;” supporting our students by cheering them on in their extracurricular activities and athletics; spending time with my colleagues and sharing in our common goals; and being welcomed so warmly into the East Holmes Local community by students, staff, administration, and parents.” Inspirational quote: 1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV - “Let all that you do be done in love.” A piece of advice: “My parents often told us to count our blessings which is advice I often follow and share.”

East Holmes Local Schools is now hiring for full-time positions in our Transportation Department.

-Full-time Bus Driver
-Full-time Transportation Assistant

Visit https://eastholmes.schoolspring.com/ to view available positions and apply!

Join us in congratulating LaVonna Gress on her retirement after 32 years of teaching–18 at Hiland as a 7th grade language arts teacher. Favorite memory: “It is hard to pick just one favorite memory from my years of teaching, but one that really stands out to me is from this year when I was granted permission to take the 7th graders to see a live production of A Christmas Carol at the Star Theater. I've read A Christmas Carol with the students for years and have always wanted to take them to see it live to enrich their reading experience. When the opportunity came up and my request was granted, I was thrilled. The students really enjoyed the field trip and the performance. They talked about it throughout the year, so I think it was something they will always remember.” Inspirational quote: 1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV - “Let all that you do be done in love.” This has been important to me in working with young people who need our actions to come from the heart because the old adage about students not caring how much you know until they know how much you care is definitely true. A piece of advice: “Enjoy your time in the classroom! Enjoy the little moments and the little victories. Try to take it all in because it goes so very quickly! Focus on the relationships with students and staff - they are what you will remember more than anything else. I'm so grateful to have spent the last 18 years at Hiland.”

The Phased Classroom Renovation Project is occurring this summer at Mt. Hope and Winesburg. This project is entirely district-funded without the need for a ballot measure or levy. Through funds intentionally set aside by proactive financial planning, 145+ spaces will be updated district-wide. To stay up to date on our progress, visit https://www.eastholmes.org/page/phased-classroom-renovation.

Join us in celebrating Anne Blochlinger as she retires after 33 years in the classroom! She has taught in 6 of our elementary schools, including Title 1 Reading, Reading Recovery, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades, and was also the district Literacy Coach. A piece of advice: “Be the teacher that you would want for your children.”

Join us in congratulating Ben Miller on his retirement after 37 years of teaching Chestnut Ridge Junior High! His favorite memory: “The four original teachers that worked together in the newly built (1988) junior high section of our building. We could disagree, but all got along well and were supportive of each other.” An inspirational quote that guides him: Ecclesiastes 1: 9,10 “...there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this in new”? It has been already in the ages before us.” A piece of advice: “Read books (nonfiction), newspapers, and magazines in print, not on a screen.”

Happy 4th of July, East Holmes!

Thank you, Suzanne Kalman, for 39 wonderful years in the classroom. Enjoy your retirement! Her favorite memory: “I've been a teacher at Hiland High School for almost my entire teaching career so there are too many memories to pick just one as a favorite. I will say that I have met some of my closest and dearest friends here that I treasure deeply. That's the one thing I will miss the most, the people at Hiland (teachers, staff, and students). They are some of the finest people on the planet!” An inspirational quote that guides her: “I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday." -Eleanor Roosevelt Accepting the teaching position at Hiland was one of the best choices I have made! A piece of advice: “It's okay to laugh or cry in front of your students. Let them see you as a "real" person. Enjoy every day because 39 years goes by in an instant!”

Join us throughout the month, as we celebrate each of our retirees! First we want to recognize Vicki Antequera for her 33 years of teaching as a Spanish teacher at Hiland High School. Her favorite memory: “Taking my students to the Edgar René Spanish concert for 8 years and seeing their excitement as they sang along, danced, and participated in the activities.” An inspirational quote that guides her: "No matter what yesterday was like, birds always start the new day with a song." A piece of advice: “Planning (Always have a plan B or C, just in case!), flexibility, variety, and movement are important for students of all ages.”

As summer break continues, so does the transformation of classroom spaces at Mt. Hope and Winesburg Elementary Schools. Since the last update on June 13, significant progress has been made through the district’s Phased Classroom Renovation Project. Demolition work had been completed in both buildings, and ceiling grid installation, interior painting, and electrical preparation are underway. The project remains on track for completion by the start of the new school year. We look forward to welcoming staff and students back to beautifully updated classrooms this fall! To follow progress throughout the summer, visit https://www.eastholmes.org/page/phased-classroom-renovation.

Every month, we highlight the amazing staff members who make a lasting impact in our schools. Join us in celebrating the following staff members recognized for their efforts in May!

Each month, we have the honor of recognizing exceptional students from across our district. Help us celebrate these students who went above and beyond in May!

Kindergarten Registration is open for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. To be eligible for kindergarten, your child must be 5 years old by August 1, 2025. For enrollment details, contact your building office: Berlin: 330-893-2817 Chestnut Ridge: 330-893-2413 Flat Ridge: 330-893-2505 Mt Hope: 330-674-0418 Walnut Creek: 330-893-2213 Winesburg: 330-359-5059

STATE CHAMPS – AGAIN! Hiland Baseball wins the Division VI State Championship for the third straight year!! We’re proud of your hard work and how you represent our school and community!

Happy Father’s Day! Today, we celebrate the fathers and father figures who provide strength, support, and care to our community each day. Thank you for all that you do!

The Phased Classroom Renovation Project is underway, with building updates occurring at Mt. Hope and Winesburg. Classrooms have been cleared out and demolition work has begun, with the removal of old flooring, ceiling tiles, and casework in preparation for the upcoming renovations. We will continue to share updates as work progresses in the next few months! Visit https://www.eastholmes.org/page/phased-classroom-renovation to stay up to date on our progress!

East Holmes Local School District is pleased to present our inaugural Quality Profile, which offers a comprehensive look at our commitment to academic excellence, student growth, and community engagement. This first edition reflects highlights and accomplishments from the 2023–2024 school year, as well as from the fall of 2024. In future years, the Quality Profile will be released annually each fall. We are proud to share this snapshot of our district’s progress and priorities as we continue to build a strong foundation for student success. https://5il.co/3h8v3

Join us in celebrating the following staff members who were honored at our 2024-2025 End-of-Year Recognition Program! 30 Years of Service: Karina Yoder, Angie Yoder, Lori Pringle, Launie Shaw, Iva Weaver, and Erma Hershberger 20 Years of Service: Mark Schlabach, Karen Roloff, Rachel Miller, Cheryl Bologna, and Barb Boyles 10 Years of Service: Casey Travis, Tyler Cook, Ammarita Raber, Beau Blizzard, Rebekah Smith, Bud Wade, Roche Harmon, and Erin Bille Retiring Staff: Bridgid Mast, Iva Weaver, Vicki Antequera, Karen Welling, Suzanne Kalman, Jan Isaac, LaVonna Gress, Diane Duarte, Anne Blochlinger, and Ben Miller Staff of the Year: Iva Weaver, Head Cook at Walnut Creek and Carrie Jones, English Teacher at Hiland

Join us in congratulating the Class of 2025! We wish you all the best!