We loaded up the bus and headed to the Mahoning Valley College Fair!
Our Juniors and Seniors had the opportunity to get face-to-face with representatives from more than 70 colleges and universities, asking questions, exploring their options and getting a better look at what could be waiting for them after graduation.
Whether they already have a plan or are still figuring it out, experiences like this help our students see just how many paths are available to them after high school. And sometimes, the first step is simply discovering what’s out there!
Our Juniors and Seniors had the opportunity to get face-to-face with representatives from more than 70 colleges and universities, asking questions, exploring their options and getting a better look at what could be waiting for them after graduation.
Whether they already have a plan or are still figuring it out, experiences like this help our students see just how many paths are available to them after high school. And sometimes, the first step is simply discovering what’s out there!
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up!
Thursday, October 8th is an opportunity to connect with your student’s teacher(s), ask questions, and get an inside look at how your student is doing both academically and socially in the classroom.
These connections matter! When families and teachers work together, we create an important support system that helps our students succeed. Be sure to reserve your conference time!
Preschool/EPES: https://www.myconferencetime.com/epalestinees
EPMS: https://www.myconferencetime.com/epalestinems
EPHS: https://www.myconferencetime.com/epalestinehs
Thursday, October 8th is an opportunity to connect with your student’s teacher(s), ask questions, and get an inside look at how your student is doing both academically and socially in the classroom.
These connections matter! When families and teachers work together, we create an important support system that helps our students succeed. Be sure to reserve your conference time!
Preschool/EPES: https://www.myconferencetime.com/epalestinees
EPMS: https://www.myconferencetime.com/epalestinems
EPHS: https://www.myconferencetime.com/epalestinehs
Your Saturday night plans just got better!
Join us for Bulldog Band Night this Saturday, October 3 at 6 p.m. at Reid Memorial Football Stadium!
For only $7, you’ll get an evening of great music, Bulldog spirit and plenty of extras to enjoy — from raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle to concessions, T-shirts, 300 Club and Air Grams.
Come for the music. Stay for the fun. Support the band!
Join us for Bulldog Band Night this Saturday, October 3 at 6 p.m. at Reid Memorial Football Stadium!
For only $7, you’ll get an evening of great music, Bulldog spirit and plenty of extras to enjoy — from raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle to concessions, T-shirts, 300 Club and Air Grams.
Come for the music. Stay for the fun. Support the band!
Hey there EPHS - it's Yearbook Ordering Time!
Paper forms will be sent home with students on Friday, but you can go to ybpay.lifetouch.com before 10/31 to place your order. Use code: 15484527
Paper forms will be sent home with students on Friday, but you can go to ybpay.lifetouch.com before 10/31 to place your order. Use code: 15484527
Just a few more days to get your PreK-6th grader signed up for EPYSA's Flag Football.
Registration closes on Friday, 10/2 at 7 p.m.
Go to www.epyouthsports.com
Registration closes on Friday, 10/2 at 7 p.m.
Go to www.epyouthsports.com
Every school year, a new group of 4th graders steps into the role of PAC Members. Our EPES Principal’s Advisory Council (PAC) is giving students a voice and an opportunity to lead!
Students interested in joining PAC complete an application explaining why they would like to be a part of the council. Both the parent and the teacher then sign the application as they take on this leadership opportunity.
Meeting every 2–3 weeks, PAC members work together to share ideas, listen to one another, and help make our school an even better place. Students are expected to be leaders who participate, follow meeting norms, and bring what they learn back to their classrooms.
We’re proud to see our students stepping up, speaking up, and learning that leadership starts with making a difference right where you are!
Students interested in joining PAC complete an application explaining why they would like to be a part of the council. Both the parent and the teacher then sign the application as they take on this leadership opportunity.
Meeting every 2–3 weeks, PAC members work together to share ideas, listen to one another, and help make our school an even better place. Students are expected to be leaders who participate, follow meeting norms, and bring what they learn back to their classrooms.
We’re proud to see our students stepping up, speaking up, and learning that leadership starts with making a difference right where you are!
Our Bulldogs brought home some big honors at the 2026 Johnny Appleseed Festival Art Competition!
EPHS senior Lacie Brown earned Best of Show (Johnny’s Choice) for her artwork, earning a cash prize and the exciting opportunity to have her design featured on next year’s Johnny Appleseed Festival shirts! What a fantastic accomplishment!
And the recognition didn’t stop there! Eighth-grader Brooklynn Barr earned 1st place in her age group, while seventh-grader Chezna Rettig and fifth-grader Daxton Vitko each earned 3rd place in their respective age groups.
We’re so proud of these four talented Bulldogs and the creativity they shared from our community!
EPHS senior Lacie Brown earned Best of Show (Johnny’s Choice) for her artwork, earning a cash prize and the exciting opportunity to have her design featured on next year’s Johnny Appleseed Festival shirts! What a fantastic accomplishment!
And the recognition didn’t stop there! Eighth-grader Brooklynn Barr earned 1st place in her age group, while seventh-grader Chezna Rettig and fifth-grader Daxton Vitko each earned 3rd place in their respective age groups.
We’re so proud of these four talented Bulldogs and the creativity they shared from our community!
Our Counseling Team at EPHS & EPMS jumped on the idea of celebrating Dolly Day with a Cup of Ambition Drink & Snack Cart for our staff!
We love our Bulldog Family!
FAST FACT FRIDAY
A historic milestone for our Bulldogs! According to the latest Ohio School Report Card, East Palestine Schools achieved the highest Value-Added rating in district history.
Value-Added measures the growth students demonstrate from year to year on Ohio’s state tests. This achievement is a reflection of the intentional work happening throughout our district to create the conditions, programs, and support our students need to succeed.
Growth matters. And our Bulldogs are growing!
A historic milestone for our Bulldogs! According to the latest Ohio School Report Card, East Palestine Schools achieved the highest Value-Added rating in district history.
Value-Added measures the growth students demonstrate from year to year on Ohio’s state tests. This achievement is a reflection of the intentional work happening throughout our district to create the conditions, programs, and support our students need to succeed.
Growth matters. And our Bulldogs are growing!
Our 8th-grade students in Mr. Kunselman’s Work-Based Learning class are exploring the Manufacturing Pathway, recently learning about careers as CNC operators.
To bring that learning to life, students visited our woodshop to see our district’s CNC machine in action. They got an up-close look at how the machine is programmed, watched it create a product, and even saw the finished product for themselves!
Hands-on experiences like this help students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to real careers and the technology used in today’s manufacturing industry.
To bring that learning to life, students visited our woodshop to see our district’s CNC machine in action. They got an up-close look at how the machine is programmed, watched it create a product, and even saw the finished product for themselves!
Hands-on experiences like this help students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to real careers and the technology used in today’s manufacturing industry.
Future-focused learning in action!
Our EPMS 7th-grade students and around 40 EPHS students spent time this week exploring careers and gaining hands-on experience at the 2026 Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo.
From trying new skills to learning about career opportunities, our students had the chance to see where curiosity and hard work can take them. We couldn't be more proud of the way they represented East Palestine!
Our EPMS 7th-grade students and around 40 EPHS students spent time this week exploring careers and gaining hands-on experience at the 2026 Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo.
From trying new skills to learning about career opportunities, our students had the chance to see where curiosity and hard work can take them. We couldn't be more proud of the way they represented East Palestine!
Wrapping up our State Report Card series with East Palestine High School and an overall 3.5 Star Rating! This year’s results show meaningful growth across several areas at EPHS:
⭐ Progress increased by 1 star
⭐ Gap Closing reached 5 stars, showing that we significantly exceed state standards, with a 36.4% increase
⭐ College, Career, Workforce & Military Readiness increased to 4 stars, exceeding state standards
⭐ Graduation Rate increased to 4 stars (94.3%)
But growth like this doesn’t happen by accident. It is built through the programs, opportunities and supports we have intentionally put in place for our students—programs that set the tempo, establish the groundwork for success and help our students continue moving forward.
We’re proud of the progress happening at East Palestine High School—and even more proud of the students and staff who make it possible!
⭐ Progress increased by 1 star
⭐ Gap Closing reached 5 stars, showing that we significantly exceed state standards, with a 36.4% increase
⭐ College, Career, Workforce & Military Readiness increased to 4 stars, exceeding state standards
⭐ Graduation Rate increased to 4 stars (94.3%)
But growth like this doesn’t happen by accident. It is built through the programs, opportunities and supports we have intentionally put in place for our students—programs that set the tempo, establish the groundwork for success and help our students continue moving forward.
We’re proud of the progress happening at East Palestine High School—and even more proud of the students and staff who make it possible!
Our Senior Citizen Breakfast was so well received last year that we’re excited to bring it back for Year 2!
Join us on Thursday, October 22 for breakfast, conversation and an opportunity to hear updates about what’s happening throughout East Palestine Schools.
📍 Elementary Gymnasium
🕤 Doors open: 9:30 a.m.
🕚 Event concludes: 11:00 a.m.
SPECIAL NOTE: NEW LOCATION!
We’re still at the Elementary School, but this year’s breakfast will be held in the Gymnasium!
Registration is required by October 15th
Register here: https://bit.ly/4Av584u
or by contacting Allison Oltmann at (330) 426-5302 or allison.oltmann@myepschools.org
We hope you’ll join us for another great morning in Bulldog Country!
Join us on Thursday, October 22 for breakfast, conversation and an opportunity to hear updates about what’s happening throughout East Palestine Schools.
📍 Elementary Gymnasium
🕤 Doors open: 9:30 a.m.
🕚 Event concludes: 11:00 a.m.
SPECIAL NOTE: NEW LOCATION!
We’re still at the Elementary School, but this year’s breakfast will be held in the Gymnasium!
Registration is required by October 15th
Register here: https://bit.ly/4Av584u
or by contacting Allison Oltmann at (330) 426-5302 or allison.oltmann@myepschools.org
We hope you’ll join us for another great morning in Bulldog Country!
One piece at a time, our EPES students have helped to create something that tells a bigger story. Each contribution comes together to create this visual reminder that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.
Our Bulldog Promises keep us on the path:
Be Safe. Be Respectful. Be Cooperative. Be Responsible. Be Kind.
When we each do our part, the bigger picture comes into focus. That’s the power of being part of our pack!
Our Bulldog Promises keep us on the path:
Be Safe. Be Respectful. Be Cooperative. Be Responsible. Be Kind.
When we each do our part, the bigger picture comes into focus. That’s the power of being part of our pack!
Now we’re celebrating growth at East Palestine Middle School for receiving an overall 3-Star Rating ⭐⭐⭐
This year, EPMS saw a one-star increase in both Achievement and Progress, reflecting continued growth in student learning and performance.
We’re proud of the hard work happening every day in our classrooms and grateful to our students and staff who continue to move us forward!
Keep growing, Bulldogs!
This year, EPMS saw a one-star increase in both Achievement and Progress, reflecting continued growth in student learning and performance.
We’re proud of the hard work happening every day in our classrooms and grateful to our students and staff who continue to move us forward!
Keep growing, Bulldogs!
We’re kicking off our building-by-building look at the 2025–2026 Ohio State Report Card with East Palestine Elementary School, where our students and staff earned an overall 4-Star Rating — Exceeds State Standards! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
These results reflect the daily work happening in our classrooms — students learning, teachers pushing growth, and staff working together to help every child move forward.
Congratulations to our EPES students, teachers and staff on this outstanding achievement!
These results reflect the daily work happening in our classrooms — students learning, teachers pushing growth, and staff working together to help every child move forward.
Congratulations to our EPES students, teachers and staff on this outstanding achievement!
Congratulations to the 2026 Fall Homecoming King & Queen - Braydon Plum & McKenna Paparella!
Photo Credit: Looking at Lori's View
Photo Credit: Looking at Lori's View
We love to honor extraordinary milestones in education!
We are incredibly grateful to celebrate two outstanding team members for their lifelong commitment to our students and schools:
25 Years - Mr. Lewis – Elementary School Teacher
30 Years - Mrs. Hogan – Middle School Teacher
A combined 55 years of patience, encouragement, and exceptional teaching! Thank you both for shaping generations of learners and making such a profound impact on our district!
We are incredibly grateful to celebrate two outstanding team members for their lifelong commitment to our students and schools:
25 Years - Mr. Lewis – Elementary School Teacher
30 Years - Mrs. Hogan – Middle School Teacher
A combined 55 years of patience, encouragement, and exceptional teaching! Thank you both for shaping generations of learners and making such a profound impact on our district!
FAST FACT FRIDAY
East Palestine Schools earned a Performance Index score of 81.3 points on the latest Ohio School Report Card.
That’s our highest Performance Index score since 2019!
Behind that number are students putting in the work, teachers and staff pushing learning forward, and a school community committed to continued growth. A measurable sign of progress across Bulldog Nation.
East Palestine Schools earned a Performance Index score of 81.3 points on the latest Ohio School Report Card.
That’s our highest Performance Index score since 2019!
Behind that number are students putting in the work, teachers and staff pushing learning forward, and a school community committed to continued growth. A measurable sign of progress across Bulldog Nation.
The Ohio Department of Education has officially released the 2025-2026 State Report Cards, and East Palestine City Schools is proud to have earned an overall 3-Star Rating, indicating we are meeting state standards across the district!
This year's results reflect meaningful progress in several key areas, including three areas earning 4 stars, exceeding state standards:
Gap Closing: Our rating doubled, with annual performance goals increasing from 25.6% to 46.6%.
College, Career, Workforce & Military Readiness: 75.7% of high school students are demonstrating readiness for post-secondary success — an increase of nearly 9% from last year.
Graduation Rate: A 94.3% four-year graduation rate earned another 4-star rating.
Academic Growth: Our Performance Index increased to 81.3 points, reflecting student performance on state assessments.
While we celebrate this progress, we remain focused on what's next. Strengthening early literacy in grades K-3 continues to be a priority, and through targeted reading tools and specialized instruction, we are committed to helping every young Bulldog build the skills needed for long-term success.
We are proud of the progress our students, teachers and staff are making, and grateful for a community that continues to support our schools as we move East Palestine forward.
Unleashing Potential.
Learn more about the 2025-2026 State Report Card on our website.
This year's results reflect meaningful progress in several key areas, including three areas earning 4 stars, exceeding state standards:
Gap Closing: Our rating doubled, with annual performance goals increasing from 25.6% to 46.6%.
College, Career, Workforce & Military Readiness: 75.7% of high school students are demonstrating readiness for post-secondary success — an increase of nearly 9% from last year.
Graduation Rate: A 94.3% four-year graduation rate earned another 4-star rating.
Academic Growth: Our Performance Index increased to 81.3 points, reflecting student performance on state assessments.
While we celebrate this progress, we remain focused on what's next. Strengthening early literacy in grades K-3 continues to be a priority, and through targeted reading tools and specialized instruction, we are committed to helping every young Bulldog build the skills needed for long-term success.
We are proud of the progress our students, teachers and staff are making, and grateful for a community that continues to support our schools as we move East Palestine forward.
Unleashing Potential.
Learn more about the 2025-2026 State Report Card on our website.
