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This summer, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is sponsoring SUN Meals, a summer food program where Kids Eat Free! All children ages 1 through 18 are eligible to receive free meals during the summer months at participating program sites.

Sun Bucks

Some students who receive SUN Meals may qualify for SUN Bucks, a related program. The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT or SUN Bucks) provides grocery benefits to low-income families with school-aged children during the summer. Families can use the money to buy food at grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other authorized retailers. Families receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child. Participation in any of the SUN meal sites does not disqualify a child from receiving SUN Bucks.

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SUN Meals Food Sites

Sites are added regularly through the summer, so check back often! 

To report a meal site listed that is not operating, please contact the Office of Nutrition by phone at (614) 466-2945 or (877) 644-6338  or email (child.nutrition@education.ohio.gov).

Students with Disabilities

Individuals ages 19 through 21 who have been identified as having mental or physical disabilities and are following Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) through their current enrollment in educational programs also are eligible for free summer meals.

• ​SFSP Meal Service Accommodations Request Form

Accomodations

Current federal regulations require sponsors of the Summer Food Service Program to provide reasonable accommodations for participants who are considered to have a disability that restricts their diet. According to the ADA Amendments Act, most physical and mental impairments that substantially limit or affect one or more major life activities or bodily functions will constitute a disability. Sponsors are not required to accommodate special dietary requests that are not a disability. As a parent or guardian, you may request a meal accommodation for your child that cannot be achieved within the federal meal pattern requirements for the SFSP (SFSP 10-2017). To do so, complete this form and return to the sponsoring SFSP organization or site where the participant is receiving meals. The form must be completed by a State Licensed Health Care Professional; Physician (MD or DO), Physician's Assistant (PA), or Advance Practice Registered Nurse-Nurse Practitioner (APRN-NP).

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Food-and-Nutrition/Summer-Food-Service-Program

🚌☀️ Summer Transportation Routes ☀️🚌

Miller High School & Millcreek Elementary Summer School, Falcons FLY Summer Program, and Small Town Adventures Summer Camp

Morning and afternoon transportation routes are available for students enrolled in summer programs.

 Morning Pick-Up Locations:

 

 Bus 3

• Corning – Eagles (8:30 AM)

• Moxahala – Post Office (8:45 AM)

• Congo – Top of the Hill (8:50 AM)

• Drakes - Old Gas Station (8:55 AM)

 

 Bus 4

• New Straitsville - Library (8:35 AM)

• New Straitsville – Front Street (8:40 AM)

• Shawnee – Gazebo (8:50 AM)

• Hemlock – Park (8:55 AM)

 

 Afternoon Drop-Off Locations:

 

 Bus 3

• Drakes - Old Gas Station (1:08 PM)

• Corning – Eagles (1:13 PM)

• Moxahala – Post Office (1:24 PM)

• Congo – Top of the Hill (1:30 PM)

 

 Bus 4

• Hemlock – Park (1:05 PM)

• Shawnee – Gazebo (1:12 PM)

• New Straitsville -- Library (1:15 PM)

• New Straitsville – Front Street (1:18 PM)

Please make sure students are at their designated stop a few minutes early each day. 💜🖤

2026–2027 Student Athlete Transportation Policy Changes

Athletes are expected to ride school-provided transportation to and from athletic contests. No athlete is permitted to drive themselves to or from a contest.

Athletes may only be signed out to ride in private transportation by a parent or guardian. Email or phone call requests will not be accepted.

Sign-outs must be completed in person at the contest by the parent/guardian, except in emergency situations. Emergency situations must be approved by the High School Principal or Athletic Director.

Note: A parent or guardian being unable to attend a contest does not qualify as an emergency situation.

Congratulations to our May Students of the Month! Pictured front row, left to right, grade level in parentheses: Makayla Lieser (2), Vivien Fulk (1), and Avery Semler (K). Back row, left to right, grade level in parentheses: Griffin McLean (4), Kiayah Spangler (6), Laura Hughes (5), and Jordyn Reichley (3).

 

Congratulations to our April Students of the Month! Pictured front row, left to right, grade level in parentheses: Athena King (K), Breya Fralick (2), and Owen Connell (1). Back row, left to right: Hadley Blosser (4), Averie Miller (6), Alex Spangler (5), and Mallory Adams (3).

 

💜🤍 Miller High School Celebrates the Class of 2026 Top 10 Students 🤍💜

Miller High School is proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievement, dedication, and perseverance of the Class of 2026 Top 10 students. These students have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their studies, leadership within our school, and a strong work ethic that reflects the very best of Miller High School.

On May 11, we had the privilege of celebrating these remarkable students alongside their families, friends, teachers, and school community. The evening was a special opportunity to recognize not only the students’ accomplishments, but also the unwavering support, encouragement, and sacrifices made by their families throughout their educational journey. Their success is truly a shared achievement.

Please join us in congratulating the following students:

🏅 Valedictorian – Heather West
🏅 Salutatorian – Cameryn O'Nail
🏅 Bryce Dorsey
🏅 Hallie West
🏅 Nicholas Thompson
🏅 Maddox Bolyard
🏅 Lillian Anderson
🏅 Cloey Justice
🏅 Zander Bice
🏅 Frazier Adams

Being named to the Top 10 is a significant accomplishment and represents years of hard work, determination, and academic excellence. We are incredibly proud of each of these students and look forward to celebrating their continued success as they prepare for graduation.

Congratulations to the Miller High School Class of 2026 Top 10! Your dedication, perseverance, and achievements set a strong example for your peers and leave a lasting legacy at Miller High School. 🦅💜

 

☀️🌈 SMALL TOWN ADVENTURES SUMMER CAMP 2026 🌈☀️
Get ready for an unforgettable summer full of fun, friends, and adventure at Southern Local Schools! 🚌🎨⚽

📚 Hosted by The New Straitsville Public Library
👦👧 Open to Students in Grades K–6
📅 June 1 – June 26, 2026
📍 Southern Local Schools
10397 State Route 155 SE
Corning, OH 43730

✨ WHAT’S INCLUDED? ✨
🎨 Hands-on enrichment activities
🏃 Games, crafts & outdoor fun
🚌 AMAZING field trips
🤝 Team-building & social activities
🛟 Safe & supervised environment

💥 CAMP PERKS 💥
🍳 FREE breakfast & lunch every day
🚌 Transportation provided
💜 Absolutely NO cost to families!

🎟️ There will be some AMAZING field trips this summer, and spots will be LIMITED! Field trip tickets will be determined by students who return their enrollment packet completed in its entirety FIRST, as well as camp attendance. Don’t wait to get signed up!

📋 Summer Camp registration packets for any interested student in grades K–6 are available in the elementary office. Please complete and return them to Mrs. Barnes as soon as possible.

⚠️ Applications are accepted on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis and space is limited!

📧 For more information contact:
conniebarnes74@gmail.com

This program is made possible through funding from Perry County Job & Family Services, HAPCAP, and many amazing community partners! 💛 

Click here for the enrollment packet. 

 

KIEFER NAMED ACEL OUTSTANDING SENIOR AT OHIO STATE

Alyssa Kiefer, of Corning, Ohio, Miller High School Class of 2022 has been named a 2026 Outstanding Senior by the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership at The Ohio State University. Kiefer, along with 12 other seniors, were selected by the faculty and staff of the department for her excellence both in and out of the classroom.

“These 13 students have demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to the agricultural industry throughout their time at Ohio State,” said Dr. Shannon Washburn, professor and chair of the department. “Being named an ACEL Outstanding Senior is a testament to their hard work and the impact they have made on our department and beyond.”

Kiefer majors in community leadership with a specialization in extension education and dual minors in forestry, fisheries and wildlife sciences and production agriculture. As a community leadership major, Kiefer has taken courses in leadership ethics, program development, methos of teaching in non-formal learning environments, volunteer management and more.

Outside of the classroom, Kiefer has been involved in Agricultural Education Society, Forestry Forum, The Fish and Wildlife Society, Intermural Volleyball, the Residential Advisory Group and served as a CFAES Student Ambassador.

Kiefer also completed three internships during her time at Ohio State. As an intern for Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) she identified and addressed forest health issues that pose threats to Ohio’s forests. This experience strengthened her understanding of forest health management and exposed her to real-world conservation challenges. During her time as an intern for Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District Forest and Wildlife team she enhanced my communication skills and understanding of private land conservation. Her third internship with ODNR Division of Forestry Communications and Project Learning Tree team allowed her to combine public education, conservation and community engagement, directly preparing her for a career in natural resource outreach and extension education.

“Being a Buckeye has shaped my growth not just academically, but personally and has helped me discover the kind of educator and leader I want to be,” said Kiefer.

She will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture. Following graduation, Kiefer hopes to pursue a career in natural resources communications. She is a graduate of Miller High School and the daughter of Kirk and Elizabeth Kiefer.

The community leadership major equips students with knowledge and skills needed to exert a positive influence in communities and organizations. Students also study ethics, volunteer management and communication, giving them the knowledge and skills needed to exert a leadership influence. To learn more about the community leadership major, visit acel.osu.edu or call 614-247-6358.

Congratulations to our February and March students of the month!

February, back row from left to right, grade levels in parentheses: Jolene Perry (3), Demi Dillon (6), Braxton Barron (5), Bentley Wilson (4), Miley Gilvin (2). Front row from left to right, grade levels in parentheses: Jackson Keplar (1), Mason Perry (K). 

March, back row from left to right, grade levels in parentheses: Braxton Bray (5), Carson Westerviller (6), Aliyah Richmond (6), Zayden Bice (4), Bryson Shoults (3). Front row from left to right, grade levels in parentheses: Presley Ricketts (2), Remington Hammond (1), Waylon Starrett (K).

 

HONOR ROLL SPOTLIGHT

Let’s hear it for our AMAZING Miller High School students!

Congratulations to our 3rd Quarter Honor Roll Students!

Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence are paying off in a BIG way! Whether it’s late nights studying, pushing through challenges, or striving to be your best—YOU DID THAT!

You represent what it means to be a Miller Falcon—strong, determined, and full of pride!

Let’s show these students some LOVE!

#MillerPride #HonorRoll #FalconStrong #AcademicExcellence #SouthernLocalSchools

 

Congratulations to our 3rd Quarter Millcreek Elementary Honor Roll Students!

We are so proud of your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Your achievements reflect not only your academic success but also your perseverance and positive attitude.

Keep striving, keep learning, and keep shining—you are an inspiration to us all!

Way to go, Millcreek Students!

 

FinalForms Coming for 2026–2027 — Action Needed from Families

Dear Southern Local School District Families,

We are excited to share that FinalForms will be available for Southern Local School District families beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.

FinalForms is an online forms and data management service that allows you to complete and sign academic and athletic forms for your students electronically. One of the biggest benefits of FinalForms is that it saves your information from year to year, so you will not need to enter the same details more than once. FinalForms also pre-populates information wherever possible for each of your students, helping save you time.

Parents/Guardians — We Need Your Help!

To ensure a smooth setup process, we need your email address as soon as possible. Please complete only one form per family and include the name of one child attending Southern Local Schools.

Thank you for your prompt attention and for helping us prepare for a successful launch of FinalForms. Additional information and instructions will be shared soon.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Keista Wickham

District Office Administrative Assistant

keista.wickham@southernlocal.org

740-721-0520 (Miller High School or Millcreek Elementary Office)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3Tk8MZzwmos7MwBvfcJ-WspXcNY_xb3FvnzfCuyq_f3tLJQ/viewform?usp=dialog

IDEA PART B - PUBLIC COMMENT

The Southern Local School District is currently in the process of formulating allocations for Part B of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Special Education grant for the 2025-2026 school year.
The district is seeking comments from the public to determine the most effective way to use these
funds, which are designated to support he provision of special education services for children aged 3 to
21 enrolled in the district.

Districts receiving special education grant funds must comply with regulations outlined in both the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA). Guidance on the usage of federal special education grant funds may be found in the IDEA Part B
Use of Funds Guidance Document. This document provides detailed information on the options that a
district may consider when developing programs for special education and related services for children
with disabilities.

The Southern Local School District invites public input on the use of funds for the 2025-2026 school year
during the regular board meeting on March 19 th at 6:00 p.m. in the Miller High School library.

Congratulations to the incredible Staff and Students from Southern Local Schools who were recognized on March 4 at the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Annual Recognition Program!

These honors celebrate outstanding achievement, dedication, and the positive impact our people make every single day. Southern Local was proudly represented by some truly amazing individuals!

Outstanding Student: Heather West

Inspirational Educator: Jeff Shoemaker

Franklin B. Walter Recognition: Heather West

Exemplary Educator: Scott Weis

Your hard work, leadership, and commitment to excellence make our district proud. Thank you for representing Southern Local with such pride and distinction!

Click here for the Annual CCP Notice.