Ohio Council of Community Schools

09/22/2026

Fall is officially here!
The school year is in full swing, and now the season is changing right along with it. Here’s to a great fall across our OCCS school communities. What is your favorite thing about fall?

09/17/2026

On Sept. 17, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed a document that would establish the framework of the United States government.
More than two centuries later, Constitution Day offers students an opportunity to explore how our government was designed and the role people play in our democracy.
For educators, it’s also a chance to bring history off the page and help students understand how a document written in 1787 continues to shape civic life today.
Want to put your constitutional knowledge to the test? Explore the Constitution Day activities: https://loom.ly/M1x3tng

09/15/2026

Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15 and ends on October 15, celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
The observance takes place mid-month for a very good reason because on September 15, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their independence, and just days later Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence.
This year's theme is "Unidos, Somos Más: Together, We Are More.”
For the month, it is our pleasure to acknowledge the students, families, staff, and community members who contribute to the rich cultural fabric that is our schools in Ohio.
Additional Resources: https://loom.ly/4HGpvnQ

09/11/2026

Virtual school, real connections.
Ohio Virtual Academy families kicked off the school year with one of OHVA’s back-to-school picnics, bringing students of all ages together for an afternoon of games, activities, lunch, and plenty of time to meet classmates face to face.
These annual picnics give students, families, and staff a chance to turn names on a screen into familiar faces and start building connections that can last throughout the school year.
We loved getting to spend some time with the OHVA community and see that connection happening firsthand!

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago today, the events of September 11, 2001 changed our nation forever.

We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the countless families and communities forever changed by that day.

For many students in our schools, September 11 is history rather than memory. As educators, we have an important role in helping the next generation understand what happened, honor those who were lost, and reflect on the courage and compassion shown in the days that followed.

Today, we remember.

09/10/2026

Su***de prevention starts with making it easier to talk about what someone is going through.

For World Su***de Prevention Day, this year’s message is “Changing the Narrative on Su***de.” That means moving away from silence and stigma and creating space for honest conversations about mental health, su***de, and asking for help.

For those of us who work with young people, that can start with something as simple as noticing when a student seems different, checking in, and taking what they tell us seriously.
You don’t have to have the perfect words. Sometimes starting the conversation is enough.

If you or someone you know needs immediate emotional support, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

Resource: https://loom.ly/eONql2M

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09/08/2026

A new path to graduation is now available for Ohio students who need something different from a traditional school setting.

Ohio Bridge Connections Academy, authorized by OCCS, recently launched as a tuition-free online public high school focused on dropout prevention and recovery. The school serves students in grades 9–12 who have fallen behind academically or faced circumstances that made staying on track in a traditional setting difficult.

ABC 6 recently took a closer look at how the school is using flexible coursework, personalized learning, and individualized support to help students move toward earning their high school diploma.

Read the story: https://loom.ly/sIiEV-E

Ohio students who have fallen behind in school or need a nontraditional route to graduation have a new option to explore.The Ohio Bridge Connections Academy, a

09/07/2026

A brief history of Labor Day traces its origins over 140 years ago.
The first-ever Labor Day event took place in New York City on September 5, 1882, where several thousand workers participated in a parade that was arranged by the Central Labor Union. After 12 years, Labor Day was declared as a federal holiday celebrated on the first Monday of September.
Fundamentally, the purpose of the festival is to commemorate the social and economic contributions of the working Americans who have helped build communities in the US.
For OCCS, this is a good occasion to remember all the educators and other professionals working for the betterment of students and their families.

09/02/2026

An excused absence is still excused. But under Ohio’s new attendance rules, it still counts toward chronic absenteeism.
That distinction matters, especially because two or three missed days a month can add up faster than many families realize.
Want to know more? Read our latest blog: https://loom.ly/khfDCn4
We removed the legal language and explained what parents actually need to know: what counts, when schools must reach out, how chronic absenteeism differs from truancy, and what families can do before missed time becomes a pattern.

The new Ohio Attendance laws cover chronic absence, early intervention, and family involvement. Find out what’s different and what you need to know as a parent.

08/27/2026

The right school will not look the same for every child.
As Akron families prepare for the 2026–27 school year, Signal Akron has published a helpful look at the education options available in the community. OCCS Associate Executive Director Jason Wall spoke with reporter Carissa Woytach about tuition-free public community schools and the flexibility they can offer families.
“The big piece about the charter world is one size doesn’t fit all.”
Read the full article:
https://loom.ly/-eyWwmw

Still choosing a school in Akron? Here’s how to enroll in APS, explore other schools, use Ohio vouchers or homeschool for 2026-27.