August, 2025
Welcome back, TPS Elementary School Families!
As we embark on a new school year, we are filled with excitement and a renewed commitment to provide every student a way to lead and live a purpose-driven life. This year, we continue to prioritize our core values, including fostering a positive culture where respect and belonging
thrive; working to intentionally prioritize the success of every individual, and encouraging student ownership by providing choice and voice to nurture growth. The safety and wellness of our students, their families, and our staff members remain a top priority, and we are dedicated to promoting healthy behaviors that protect the physical, mental, social, and emotional needs of everyone.
Together, let's embrace a growth mindset, owning our actions and seizing every opportunity to learn and improve. Here's to a successful, inspiring, and purpose-driven school year.
Here are a few important reminders and other information to keep handy as the first day of school approaches:
Elementary Open House - First Day of School - Supply Lists
● Thursday, August 21: Elementary School Open Houses -5 - 6:30 p.m.
● Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22: Staff Professional Development; no students
● Monday, August 25: First Day of School for students in 1st through 8th grades
● Monday, August 25, through Wednesday, September 3: Preschool and Kindergarten students will have
staggered starts (families will be notified about what day their students will start)
● Thursday, September 4: The first day for ALL Preschool and Kindergarten students
To see important dates at a glance, please click here: 2025-2026 School Calendar
Bell Times
Bell times have changed for some of our elementary schools - most schools will now start at 9:05 a.m. and dismiss at 3:35 p.m. Please note the schools with different arrival and dismissal schedules. Please check the top of your school’s page at www.tps.org for more details.
Pickett Academy 8:25 a.m. 3:25 p.m.
East Broadway Elementary 8:30 a.m. 2:45 p.m.
Chase STEMM Academy 8:45 a.m. 3:30 p.m.
Marshall STEMM Academy 8:50 a.m. 3:35 p.m.
McKinley STEMM Academy 8:50 a.m. 3:35 p.m.
Arlington Elementary 9 a.m. 3:30 p.m.
Cell Phone Policy for the 2025-2026 School Year
Starting this school year, Toledo Public Schools will become a cell phone-free school district. This means students will not have access to their cell phones or personal electronic devices during the school day.
This change is in direct response to Ohio House Bill 250, which requires all school districts across the state to adopt official policies governing cell phone use during school hours.
This legislation was driven by Gov. Mike DeWine’s concern that cell phones are a significant source of distraction in classrooms and negatively impact student learning and focus. To ensure consistent implementation across the district, K-8 buildings will use secure lockboxes for device storage. Students will check in their phones
each morning and retrieve them at dismissal.
We understand this is a significant change, but we are confident it will help create a more focused and engaging learning environment for all students. Additional details will be shared at open houses and on a special page at tps.org. We appreciate your support as we take this important step to prioritize academic success and student well-being.
School Supply Lists
Most school supply lists are posted on http://www.tps.org – go to your student’s school page. The district uses TeacherLists, which allows parents and guardians to call up individual school supply lists on any electronic device, including smartphones. Lists can also be viewed in-store at a retail location - or on the website of a preferred retailer.
Bus Transportation
Students who live one mile or more from their school are eligible for free bus transportation. Families requesting transportation services for the 2025-2026 school year should submit their requests as soon as possible, as routing for the
school year has already started. NOTE: You will need your student(s) 900# to apply for transportation services.
● If you are a current TPS family and do not know your student’s 900#, please contact your student’s school for assistance; if you cannot reach the school, please contact our Student Data Office at (419) 671-0001.
● Please submit your requests for transportation as soon as possible, as they can take up to two weeks to process.
● Bus schedules for the 2025-2026 school year will be posted at each school; parents will receive bus stop information through the district’s mass notification system. For more information on how families can help us ensure a successful start to the new school year, visit the Transportation Services page at tps.org.
Students with Disabilities
● All families of K-12 students with disabilities will need to contact the Student Assistance Center (SAC) based on their home address. Please visit TPS: Special Education for contact information or email [email protected]
Food Service for Elementary Students
All TPS elementary students will receive free breakfast and lunch for the 2025-2026 school year. Breakfast will once again be served daily in the school cafeterias; please check with your child’s school for breakfast times. Toledo Public
Schools utilizes Nutrislice, a cloud-based service that provides nutritional information about breakfast and lunch menus listed on the TPS website. Nutrislice also offers a smartphone app you can download from the iPhone and Android
stores. This app allows you to keep track of menus right from your phone, including important nutritional information.
Early Childhood Education Information
If you have applied or inquired about an Early Childhood placement, please note the following:
If there is a spot for your child, you will be contacted by a member of the ECE team to set up an appointment to complete the application process.
Once children have secured spots in a classroom, they will need to have current immunizations and emergency medical information on file before the first day of classes.
Kindergarten Registration
Any child who will be five or older on or before Tuesday, September 30, is permitted to attend Kindergarten. If your child will be attending Kindergarten this school year, you MUST call the school your student will be attending and
schedule a screening; all screenings must be completed before the first full day of Kindergarten on Thursday, September 4.
Vaccines Must Be Up-to-Date - Required Immunizations
Please plan now for your child’s vaccinations. Some things to remember:
● Kindergarteners need their shots updated
● Seventh graders need a Tdap and meningitis vaccine
● School-Based Health Centers are open in all six comprehensive high schools. They provide immunizations and physicals/well checks (kindergarten, preschool, sports, and work); please call the facility nearest to you and make
an appointment:
○ Bowsher Health Center: 419-812-2809
○ Start Health Center: 419-812-2393
○ Rogers Health Center: 419-442-7702
○ Scott Health Center: 419- 442-7701
○ Waite Health Center: 567-204-3056
○ Woodward Health Center: 567-343-6890
○ In addition, Shots for Tots N Teens is an option for vaccinations and physicals. Please call 419-213-2013 for an appointment or visit the website for more information:
https://lucascountyhealth.com/child-immunizations
Please note: A new medication authorization form is needed each school year for students who need medication during the school day. All medication, including asthma inhalers, must be in the box(es) they were dispensed in by the pharmacy or doctor's office.
Sudent Dress Code
No changes have been made to the student dress code for the 2025-2026 school year. A copy of the current dress code is available on the district’s website - www.tps.org - under the Resources heading under the Students & Parents tab.
Two-hour Delayed Starts - Elementary Families Only
There will be two, two-hour delayed starts this school year for elementary students ONLY:
1. Friday, October 17 – End of the first quarter
2. Friday, March 13, 2026 – End of the third quarter
Parent-Teacher Conferences
All elementary schools will hold Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31. You will receive more information from your students’ school, but remember, elementary students do not have classes on
these two days.
Parent Notification System
Toledo Public Schools uses the Communicate tool from SchoolMessenger as our parent mass notification system. This robust system allows schools or the district to share important updates and reminders with families via phone call, email,
or text message; you can choose how you want to receive notifications. Please update your contact information or confirm its accuracy with your student’s school.
Home Access Center (Formerly Parent Portal)
● Parent Portal is an online information system designed to help parents and guardians monitor information about their students' academic progress, including grades, attendance, report cards, and comments from teachers; you
can access the system as a user by visiting https://parentportal.tps.org/HomeAccess/Account/LogOn
● If you need information on how to set up an account, please check out this link:
https://toledops.ss11.sharpschool.com/students_parents/parent_portal or contact your child’s school with questions.
Additional back-to-school forms will be distributed at open houses and during the first week of school. Once completed, these forms need to be returned to school.
Please contact your student’s school with any specific questions you might have as we get closer to the first day of school.
Sincerely,
Dr. Romules Durant – CEO/Superintendent
Toledo Public Schools