Hiland High and Middle School

East Holmes Local Schools is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of our students. Through partnerships with The Village Network and Anazao Community Partners, we offer school-based mental health services to help students navigate challenges, build resilience, and thrive in and out of the classroom.

Parents can access a range of support for their students, including weekly or biweekly check-ins and full outpatient mental health services. Services also include classroom instruction on topics such as anxiety, grief and loss, as well as relationships with friends.

Parents interested in learning more or initiating services can contact Mr. Mark Hamsher, Dean of Students, in the Hiland School Counseling Office at 330-893-2626 ext. 1111 or mark.hamsher@eastholmes.org.

Counselors for each school can also be directly contacted at the information below:

Jamie Wiggington – The Village Network
Available at Hiland on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
jdevore@thevillagenetwork.com

Rachelle Furbay – Anazao Community Partners
Available at Hiland on Mondays
millerra@anazaocommunityparters.org

Rebekah Borders – The Village Network
Available at Elementary Schools
rborders@thevillagenetwork.com

Heather Cropp – The Village Network
Available at Elementary Schools
hcropp@thevillagenetwork.com

Our annual middle school chocolate fundraiser starts next Tuesday!

Reminder: There will be no school Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.

Wednesday, August 20, marks the first day of school for all students! We are excited to kick things off and make this a great year!

Join us as we welcome Aidan JoDon to the district! He will be teaching 7th Grade English Language Arts at Hiland.

Fun fact: “I am an avid downhill skier!”

Join us as we welcome Micki Krantz to the district! As Assistant Superintendent, Micki will strengthen district-level leadership and support across multiple areas, including human resources, curriculum and instruction, student services, and professional growth. Let’s give her a warm welcome!

A fun fact about her: “I have just returned from a professional learning experience in Finland this summer, and was excited to learn about different cultures and educational systems with some other school administrators from across the United States.”

Join us in welcoming Amanda Oliver as an Intervention Specialist at Hiland!

A fun fact about her: “I know how to juggle.”

Join us in welcoming Ashley Miller to the district! She will be teaching Spanish at Hiland.

Fun fact: “Many students are surprised to find out that I also have an Integrated Math degree and taught math classes in Spanish my first 5 years of teaching! I have also been to 10 countries outside the US and hope to cross more off my bucket list one day!”

Open House is Monday, August 18, and Tuesday, August 19, this year. Please see the times for individual school buildings.

Reminder: The first day of school for students is Wednesday, August 20. We’re excited to welcome everyone back soon!

View our 2025-26 academic calendar for the upcoming school year. https://www.eastholmes.k12.oh.us

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.”

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.”

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.”

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

Remember to follow us on our social media channels to stay updated on all district news! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084405046646 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastholmesschools/

Behind every graduate is a family bursting with pride. These moments say more than words ever could. Congratulations, Class of 2025!

Report cards for the end of the school year have been sent home. Have a great summer!

The toss that says it all — they did it! Join us in celebrating Hiland’s Class of 2025!