As we have done all year, we continue to monitor our local data. This includes Portage County alert status, case numbers and positivity rates. We also look at local numbers in the district’s zip codes. Finally, and often most importantly, we look at the number of students and staff who are positive or quarantined. All of this data can be found on our website... READ MORE >

I am happy to report once again some positive news for the JAG family. Just moments ago the Governor shared county data and reported that Portage County has moved back to Red status. In our consultation with the Portage County Health Department we learned that we actually met this threshold last week as well, but to be removed from the Purple status a county... READ MORE >

Today, I am happy to report that for the first time in a while, I have no bad news to share with you today. I do, however, have a few important points I would like to share with you as we finish our first week of online learning and prepare for Christmas break. First, I want to thank our entire staff. Every individual in this district has played a role in making... READ MORE >

The District will distribute meals during the online learning scheduled through January 3, 2021. The District requests completion of the online pick-up or delivery order form (through Google forms) by 4 p.m. Thursday for the following Monday pick-up. This allows the cafeteria staff to be better prepared for distribution. You do need to complete the form each... READ MORE >

To support the need for remote instruction, Altice USA is proud to continue to offer Altice Advantage Internet 30Mbps service complimentary for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not currently have home internet access. Through the end of the year, any unpaid balances on former Suddenlink accounts may be deferred to allow households... READ MORE >

We are pleased to announce a support for families of students in grades 3-12 during our remote learning period who may not have adequate Internet access for online learning. JAG Schools will have a designated, supervised area available to a limited number of students each day from December 9-December 23. Middle/High School Monday/Wednesday/Friday -... READ MORE >

This is a call I wished all year I would never have to make. Just moments ago Governor DeWine announced that the virus in Portage County is spreading to the point that we have triggered enough indicators to become purple, the highest level possible. This means we will be transitioning to online learning for all students beginning Wednesday, December 9th through... READ MORE >

Well, 2020 has presented us with its share of challenges, and we have been forced to change how we do lots of things…..from how we learn to how we celebrate holidays with family. Each day I hear someone talk about wishing things would just get back to the way it was before. Well, the weather has presented us an opportunity to do just that. JAG will be... READ MORE >

Good morning. I know this message is reaching you as we all may be feeling a heavy weight. Our entire community, State and Country are feeling the same way, and our staff and I are right beside you in carrying this same heavy burden. As parents, you have done your part, followed the plan and kept COVID at bay for a very long time. We appreciate how serious you have... READ MORE >

I would like to share a few things at the end of the first quarter of this school year. First, I am extremely proud of what each of you have done to make the first quarter so successful. For those learning online, we put a great curriculum and many supports in place to make sure your kids are successful. I know it has been hard for parents and kids, but you are... READ MORE >

View the latest local data to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in our area. This dashboard is used to help determine the safety of our students, staff and community. Data is updated every Friday by 4pm.Visit COVID-19 Dashboard READ MORE >

Today, Governor DeWine announced that Portage County had moved to Red status on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. This means that starting next Monday, September 21st JAG will be moving to our Hybrid model for two weeks. We will monitor cases closely in our area over the next two weeks and make a determination as to whether it is safe to return to in person... READ MORE >

The USDA has extended the Summer Food Service program through December 31, 2020 if funding is adequate. This allow James A Garfield to distribute meals to the students attending face-to-face classes at no charge, breakfast and lunch. There will be charges for ala carte items such as individual milk only purchases and additional servings or extra items.The... READ MORE >

For the past eight weeks we have been preparing you for the start of this year. That date is now upon us and we are excited to welcome our students back to school next week. We will start school face to face, five days a week. We will have a slow start, with only students in group A attending next Tuesday and only students in group B attending Wednesday. All... READ MORE >

As you may already know, one of our staff members, Mr. Bartz, has been assigned as our Online Academy Coordinator. He has been hard at work already enrolling students in class, setting up training for our staff and preparing the online programs. Mr. Bartz will be in contact with all families who have elected to learn online to schedule a parent orientation. ... READ MORE >

We are excited to announce that our online ticketing system is up and running as of Wednesday, August 26th. We have thoroughly examined our athletic facilities to determine maximum seating capacity while ensuring required social distancing. Due to limited seating we can only accommodate two (2) tickets per athlete, band member and cheerleader. JAG Ticketing... READ MORE >

By 7pm this evening we will be posting student assignments for Group A and Group B. Students in Group A have the last names beginning with letters A-K. Students in Group B have the last names beginning with letters L-Z. We are posting this list to clarify any questions you may have about family groupings with different last names. These lists will be posted at... READ MORE >

Yesterday the Ohio Department of Health announced detailed guidance on spectators at athletic events. I wanted to share with you our plan for spectators. We have thoroughly examined each of our athletic facilities to determine capacity and safety measures. We will allow two (2) tickets per athlete, band member and cheerleader at each contest. As required by the... READ MORE >

Good afternoon G-Men Nation - Today, I am writing with your weekly update on plans for the upcoming school year. First, I would like to remind you of some important dates for the start of school. If you have elected to learn online this fall your first day of class will be on Tuesday, September 8th. In person classes will begin for half our students (those in... READ MORE >

First we are excited to announce the curriculum that will be used for our online option. Students in grades K-5 will use Lincoln Learning (https://lincolnlearningsolutions.org/) and students in grades 6-12 will have access to Edgenuity (https://www.edgenuity.com/). Both curriculum tools will offer Garfield students choosing to learn online for the first semester... READ MORE >

August 3, 2020 - Weekly update on plans for the upcoming school year: I want to make everyone aware that we hope to release our full reopening plan in the coming days. The plan will detail all the safety procedures our team will be putting in place to keep our students and staff safe. You will also see a revised school calendar that will have students starting... READ MORE >

The James A. Garfield is excited to present our families with an array of high quality PPE products at a very low cost to you. We are thrilled to offer spirit-driven options for both our youth and adult community members; and health products that will come in handy at home, in the car or in backpacks. ALL SALES ARE FINAL, NO RETURN OR EXCHANGES There is an... READ MORE >

Last week we announced our intention to share our reopening plan with you by August 1st. I want everyone to know that this will now be delayed a few days. Late last week the CDC released new guidance for the reopening of schools and this week the Ohio High School Athletic Association, Ohio Department of Health and the Governor have all shared that they have... READ MORE >

The James A. Garfield Local Schools athletes and band members will not be permitted to participate with their respective team or band sections for 14 days if they travel to or from the following states:FloridaTexasAlabamaSouth CarolinaArizonaGeorgiaIdahoMississippiNevadaPuerto RicoThis quarantine recommendation was set forth by the Governor's Office on Wednesday,... READ MORE >

Good afternoon. I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to complete the survey that was distributed last week. Nearly 85% of parents have responded. This provided us with some very useful information for our return to school plan. For families interested in receiving meals, our meal distribution program has been extended through the month of August.... READ MORE >

Good afternoon. As we progress towards the fall, we will be providing weekly updates on plans for the 2020-2021 school year. We currently have two committees of staff members working with us to plan pathways for this fall. We will be best prepared if we have options since things are changing so rapidly. To help us determine the capacity and extent to which... READ MORE >

Good afternoon. This is Ted Lysiak, Superintendent of the James A. Garfield Local Schools calling with an update on the 2020-2021 school year. As you know, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding what the start of the school year will look like. We are scheduled to begin with students in grades 1-8 on September 1st and our kindergarteners on September... READ MORE >

Ohio families with children who receive free or reduced lunches recently received a P-EBT card, as part of a new Pandemic benefit program. Not only does the Garrettsville Farmers’ Market ACCEPT the P-EBT, but they will also MATCH dollar for dollar with Produce Perks! Meaning double the spending power for families in need! More info is available during the market... READ MORE >

JAG's own Prevention Case Manager from Children's Advantage, Kristi Fiorentino, will be offering a summer group on exploring emotions. This skill based group will help children ages 7-11 gain understanding about appropriate emotional expression, and regulation as well as identify appropriate & healthy coping skills. This is a 6-week group at Children Advantage's... READ MORE >

Help us celebrate the class of 2020 by viewing the virtual ceremony this Sunday, May 31st. The broadcast will premier on the following sources: Youtube: The Bureau - JAG Yearbook Facebook: JAG Schools JAG Yearbook Village of Garrettsville Weekly Villager Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce JAG Schools Website: JAG Class of 2020 page ... READ MORE >

Good afternoon, I wanted to share with you some important end of the year information. There are some exciting events quickly approaching. On Friday, May 29 our senior class will parade through the 53 square miles of our district as a farewell to the community that has so strongly supported them. The parade route can be found at jagschools.org, Facebook and... READ MORE >

Seniors - Important Graduation Recording Information Please arrive early or on time and use the road in front of the event entrance doors. You should be ready to be recorded as you walk into the buildingIf you and your family arrive early, please park in the parking lot until close to your time and then pull into the bus pickup road.Stay in your car until Mr.... READ MORE >

On Tuesday Governor DeWine announced significant cuts to public education due to a shortfall in tax collections due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This will certainly have a direct impact here at JAG. I wanted to communicate to our community the impact of these cuts as well as address other questions you may have. The cuts Governor DeWine announced across the state... READ MORE >

James A Garfield has now been designated an open site for food distribution for children in the area ages 1 to 18. Distribution includes 5 days of breakfast and 5 days of lunch. Curbside pickup is available from 10 am to 12 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm each Monday (Tuesday the week of Memorial Day which will be 4 days of meals) through June 4. Please make the on site... READ MORE >

Good afternoon, this is Ted Lysiak calling with an important message regarding learning from home as we finish the rest of this year. First, I would like to thank all of the caregivers at home working hard to balance supporting the learning of your children with all of the other aspects of your life at this time. I know this is not easy. Too often, a lack of... READ MORE >

Dear Seniors & Senior Parents -Graduation is currently scheduled for Sunday, May 31st at 2pm. Since we hold graduation at our own facility, rescheduling is an easier task. As of today, we are planning to keep graduation on May 31st. However, as better information becomes available we may need to alter this date. We hope to make this decision no later than May... READ MORE >

The meal pickup program provided by JAG Schools will continue to take place every Monday from 10am-noon and 5pm-7pm during the school closure. These meals are provided for ALL families, but families qualifying for free/reduced meals during the school closure are eligible for additional meal support through the Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard.IT IS IMPORTANT... READ MORE >

JAG Nation - A few important updates regarding the extended closure of our schools due to Covid-19: First some fun news to share. Starting April 6 we will be conducting a district-wide virtual spirit week! There will be a different theme each day and daily prizes will be given to winners selected from each building. Our spirit week is being held to show that the... READ MORE >

Support the G-Men! Attend a sporting event this winter! Weekly sports schedules are on the athletics calendar.Full team schedules are available under the Menu - Schedules tabs. READ MORE >

Anyone who has driven by the JAG Campus over the past two years has seen our brand new set of bleachers. The improvements and fundraising efforts of the JAG Facility Improvement Committee and JAG All Sport Boosters are far from complete. This past summer through a generous donation from the JAG All Sport Boosters new drainage was installed in both the baseball... READ MORE >

Many people have seen the many new improvements to the Athletic Facilities at James A. Garfield, most of which have been funded by the JAG All Sports Booster Club at no extra expense to the district. A few of the purchases the boosters have made of the past six years include: new sport recognition banners in the high school gymnasium ($6,000), new equipment and... READ MORE >