Poland Local Schools · Poland, Ohio
2025 – 2026 Annual School Year Review
Educate · Empower · Inspire
Superintendent's Message
Greetings Poland Community,
As we conclude the 2025–2026 school year, Poland continues to experience success in many areas. While we've reached the finish line of the year, the ultimate race is never over. The district continues to perform at a high level, while dropping slightly from 4.5 stars to a 4 star district, with our Poland Middle School achieving a 5 star recognition. Congratulations to our staff and administration for their collaborative efforts to support the needs of our students.
Athletics, music, and the arts have shined brightly from our marching/stage/pep bands and choirs. Poland's young artists' works have blossomed in our buildings as well as other venues throughout the Mahoning Valley, including the impressive displays at the Butler Institute. It has been truly impressive to see the great majority of our students participate in multiple areas, demanding of time and energy, and continue to succeed.
To this extent, it is imperative that we continue to plan for the resources necessary to ensure that every student is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful for tomorrow's world. This summer will begin the planning process for the Poland Local Schools Strategic Planning process with implementation for Summer/Fall of 2027. Participants in the development of the Strategic Plan will include administration, staff, students, members of the school board, and community.
A Plan. A Team. A Future. Starting Today. Finishing Stronger Together.
Superintendent
Superintendent Tommelleo made it his goal this year to meet the Bulldogs in the classroom, and he delivered. He flipped pancakes for Global Foods students, took a splash in the dunk tank on Fun Day, read to students during Right to Read Week, and welcomed therapy dogs into the classroom. He sat down with sixth graders for a book club discussion of Gary Paulsen’s Tracker and hosted Coffee with the Superintendent for community members.
Mr. Troy Polis
Board President
Mr. Larry Warren
Board Vice President
Mrs. Erin Memo
Board Member
Mr. Gregg Riddle
Board Member
Mr. Jeff Sabrin
Board Member
Mrs. Jeanette Medina
CFO / Treasurer
Dr. Maria Hoffmaster
Assistant Superintendent
State Report Card for Poland Local School District, 2024–2025 school year, featuring the Poland Schools seal (established 1802) and a paw print logo with the slogan "Let's Go Dogs."
Overall District Rating: 4 Stars — Exceeds State Standards
Component Ratings
Individual School Ratings
Districts and schools receive an overall rating of 1 to 5 stars in half-star increments. The overall rating is comprised of five rated components. Ohio School Report Cards are required by law to provide parents, caregivers, community members, educators, and policymakers information about district and school performance to celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement.
Class of 2026 · Valedictorian Address
Rowan Downie delivered the Class of 2026 Valedictorian Address, celebrating the collective achievements of his classmates. He urged his classmates to spend their time wisely and make the most of their time on Earth.
Class of 2026 · Academic Honors
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 Valedictorians: Rowan Downie, Gurpreet Singh, Sean Zura, and Douglas Stoudt Jr. — honored for their academic excellence throughout their time as Poland Bulldogs.
McKinley Elementary · Third Grade
Third grade Bulldogs had a year of discovery! In Mrs. Witkowski’s class, students became rock detectives, performing streak tests to identify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic minerals. Then, they traded their pencils for measuring cups to master fractions and unit conversions in no-bake cookie baking. Mrs. Edgerly’s students explored opinion writing, poetry, and creative storytelling, including a March writing assignment where they dreamed up their own magical lucky charms. They also decorated Scribble Stones with kind messages and wrapped the year with a virtual Memorial Day interview with an Army Veteran.
McKinley Elementary · A Farewell
Ms. Landers’ students worked through the writing process by writing about summer vacations and what they would buy with pots of gold for St. Patrick’s Day. Her students had never been more excited than when Lil’ Jimmy, a moth that had been living inside a jumping bean from a project the year before, hatched mid-lesson and took his first flight right in front of the class. Nominated for the Mahoning Valley Educator of the Year Award, Ms. Landers retired after more than 30 years having left her mark on every Bulldog lucky enough to sit in her class. Thank you, Ms. Landers!
McKinley Elementary · Literacy
Right to Read Week at McKinley was one for the storybooks. First graders invited six furry friends into their classrooms for a reading session with real dogs! Miss Gura’s iconic Things 1-19 made their return! District administrators and local officials stopped in for the “Stop, Drop, and Read” tradition, while older Bulldogs read to their Paw Pals in their former classrooms. Students dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss characters or cozy in pajamas for story time.
McKinley Elementary · Literacy Month
To celebrate National Literacy Month, McKinley students worked with Mrs. Wilson to share their favorite books and why they love to read on video, inspiring their classmates to read daily. Third graders stepped up to the microphone for the annual spelling bee, and students in first through third grade showed off their best penmanship in McKinley’s own handwriting contest. By spring, the whole school had authored their very own book with Mrs. Wilson and librarian Mrs. Day, “Why Bulldogs Love to Read,” bringing their voices together on the page for the very first time!
McKinley Elementary · Second Grade
No two days looked the same in Mrs. Fening’s second grade class! The Bulldogs kicked off the year with a virtual field trip to New York City, using math and phonics skills to become taxi drivers, light the torch on the Statue of Liberty, and bake the perfect New York slice. Then, McKinley Elementary General Hospital opened its doors as students scrubbed through mathematics & grammar in for the Cardiology Lab. Finally, the classroom turned into a baseball diamond, with students rounding the bases covering contractions, analog clocks, and creative writing.
McKinley Elementary · Holiday Themed Madness
The Bulldogs brought their best game face to March. Miss Lawless’s second graders filled out book brackets and battled through a basketball math showdown, while Mrs. Herdman’s third graders spent the month reading, debating, and voting until one book stood above the rest. Miss Senatore’s first graders crowned their own champion, sampling music from around the world before naming Mr. Roboto the McKinley Record of the Year.
McKinley Elementary · History
Poland has deep historical roots, and the Bulldogs made sure to honor them! McKinley Elementary celebrated the birthday of its namesake, President William McKinley, with carnations, unity stamps, and birthday applesauce. Second graders stepped back in time, visiting the Little Red Schoolhouse with the Poland Ohio Historical Society to experience the 1800s. They practiced arithmetic on chalkboards and learned about life in 19th century Poland.
Holidays at Poland Local Schools
Poland Bulldogs brought the holidays to life in the classroom all year long. In October, Dobbins preschoolers kicked off the season with Spooky Science Day, making foam jack-o-lanterns and monster snot, while first graders predicted and counted pumpkin seeds and third graders crafted spine-chilling descriptive writing about haunted houses. As the holiday season arrived, first graders celebrated with a craft day featuring snow globes, painted trees, and ornaments, and Mrs. Muntean’s class sent handwritten cards to NICU families. Mrs. Wagner’s first graders spent Valentine’s Day collecting cards from around the world.
Mckinley Elementary · Mrs. Fitch's First Graders
Mrs. Fitch’s first graders did a lot of hands-on learning! They hunted for leaves around the track, baked applesauce for Johnny Appleseed’s birthday, designed their own Thanksgiving parade balloon floats, and saved the Kingdom of Didd by making oobleck!
PSHS · Speech & Debate
The PSHS Speech & Debate team had another standout year, sending five Bulldogs to the OSDA State Finals and earning the Northern Ohio District Cumulative Sweepstakes Award. State qualifiers included Rowan Downie and Alex Zisis in Informative Speaking, and Rashmeet Kaur, Jasmeet Kaur, and Arjun Tuli in Congressional Debate. Tuli headlined the season with a second place finish at the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions, advancing through 174 entries to claim a spot in the finals.
Poland Middle School & PSHS · STEM
Mr. Daley’s STEM classes kept students building, launching, and coding all year long. Fifth graders engineered nickel launchers and sticky note towers, sixth graders opened their cardboard arcade to McKinley kindergarteners multiple times, seventh graders built rubber band cars, and eighth graders coded VEX bots through precision challenges. The work paid off beyond the classroom. Five PSHS students earned spots in the 2026 STEM Summer Research Internship Program at Youngstown State University, earning college credit while contributing to real research. Turns out, the nickel launcher pays off!
PSHS · Field Trips
Mrs. McGee’s Environmental Science class waded into Yellow Creek to analyze water quality and collect samples alongside the Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District. The Science Club hiked trails at Holden Arboretum for the Ohio Area 2 Envirothon and helped plant trees as part of the YSU Legacy Forests Project. Criminal Justice students traveled to the Mahoning County Courthouse for a real mock trial experience. The Bulldogs ran fast in the wild!
PSHS · Buddies
Ms. Walsh’s PSHS Early Childhood Development students brought fun activities to the pups! The Bulldog Buddies made regular visits to Dobbins Early Learning Center, leading preschoolers through themed activities including a Very Hungry Caterpillar Day with caterpillar hats and storytelling, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration with crafts and bingo, and an end-of-year luau. The Bulldog buddies made memories that last a lifetime!
PSHS · Culinary Arts
Poland’s culinary students brought the heat this year. At PSHS, Ms. Walsh’s culinary artists went head to head in a holiday themed cake bake-off, planning, delegating, and producing show-stopping treats in just four hours. Mrs. Walton’s eighth graders took a different approach, drawing up full bakery business plans before firing up the kitchen to bake cake pops, cookies, cupcakes, and brookies.
District-Wide · Career Exploration
Bulldogs got a glimpse of the future this year through Career Days across the district. Third graders welcomed guest professionals to the classroom, exploring a wide range of possibilities. At Poland Middle School, fifth graders presented careers to their fourth grade friends, covering everything from engineering and medicine to software development and photography. Sixth graders heard directly from parent volunteers and community members about their fields. They learned how to dress for interviews and set themselves up for success.
Poland Middle School · Sixth Grade
Mrs. Tekac & Mrs. O’Dwyer’s sixth grade scientists had a year full of discoveries. In the fall, they tackled a glowing question: does water temperature affect the brightness of a glow stick? Strong hypotheses led to even stronger results. Later, the Soil Sleuths hit the lab with the Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District, testing how water passes through topsoil, gravel, and sand. The scientific process was meant to be repeated!
Poland Local Schools · Competitions
Visual Art · Regional Recognition
Twelve McKinley Elementary and Poland Middle School students earned a spot in the 2026 Butler Institute of American Art Celebrates Young Artists Exhibition, showcasing their work alongside talented young artists from across the region. Three Bulldogs brought home first place honors in their grade levels: Tri T. (Grade 2), Elena K. (Grade 4), and Briella H. (Grade 5).
Visual Art · Community Impact
Sixteen students from Mrs. DiMuzio’s Kindergarten through sixth grade art classes were selected by Akron Children’s Hospital, with their original works chosen to decorate the walls of the hospital’s campus. Their artwork will become part of the hospital’s collection, brightening the halls for patients and families for years to come.
Poland Local Schools · Art Shows
The 2026 PSHS Art Show brought so much color and life to our district. Congratulations to all of our student artists on an outstanding showing of their talents. Junior Ashlynn Kushner’s “Wings of Macaw” earned best in show, with following awards earned by Pano Hostal, Abbie Antil, and Sophia Malizia. Thank you, Mrs. Holub, and our student artists for their creativity and dedication in making the event such a celebration of artistry!
The 7th Annual Exceptional Art Show was outstanding, featuring amazing creations from classrooms across the district alongside works from many neighboring schools. We enjoyed Timmy’s airplane, Travis’s kite, Lilly and Abby’s astronauts, and Logan’s letter! Thank you to Mrs. Vagas and Mrs. Pecchia for organizing the event.
Mahoning County · Art Awards
Eleven of Mrs. Holub’s PSHS student artists were honored at the 2026 Northeastern Ohio Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition, earning two Silver Keys and 13 Honorable Mentions. Senior Zoe Baird received a Silver Key for “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and Junior Ashlynn Kushner earned a Silver Key for her drawing “Wings of a Macaw.”
PSHS · Marching Band
The PSHS Marching Band set fire to the rain this season with a weather-themed show featuring rock anthems and pop classics. The Bulldogs hosted their first ever Band Night, a tradition already gaining momentum with a second on the way, and took their show on the road to multiple band nights, the Memorial Day parade and Cedar Point. The season reached its peak when the band stepped onto Main Street at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World: “From Youngstown, Ohio, the Poland Seminary High School Marching Band!”
PSHS · Music
Over 30 PSHS student musicians participated at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) District 5 Solo & Ensemble on January 24, 2026. Overall, students representing PSHS earned 14 Superior (I) ratings and 3 Excellent (II) ratings from judges.
McKinley Elementary · Choir Concerts
McKinley Elementary’s young performers charmed audiences with two delightful productions this year. Second graders transformed into a wonderful garden of gnomes in a festive holiday show under the direction of Ms. Senatore. First graders then took the stage in Cookies! The Musical, making a very convincing case that they wanted cookies, and they wanted them now!
PSHS · Music · OMEA Honors
16 PSHS students represented the district at the 2025 OMEA District 5 Honors events. Ten Bulldogs earned spots in the Honors Choir, with Adison Cabuno, LeeLynn Caracanas, Vivynne Kalna, and Kaden Khunnawat, Ella Creed and Isabel Thayer in Junior High, and Addison Hale, Abby Hagler, Jake Hagler, and Camille Kerns performing in the high school ensemble. Six Bulldogs were selected for the Honors Bands, with Giuliana Falasca, Lucy Crowe, Sophia Regula, and Stephen Kacenga representing the junior high and Luca Gallo and Abby Hagler performing at the high school level.
PSHS · Music · National Honors
PSHS senior Douglas Stoudt Jr. earned one of the highest honors available to a student musician in Ohio, securing a spot in the OMEA All-State Band as a trumpet player. Selected through a rigorous statewide audition, Stoudt represented the Bulldogs alongside the state’s most talented musicians. “Acceptance into these prestigious ensembles only strengthens my desire to share the power of music and emanate its radiant capacity to the rest of the world,” said Stoudt.
For the second consecutive year, PSHS senior Kate Blumel earned a spot in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, selected from thousands of high school musicians who auditioned nationwide. This year, Kate marched as first chair on tenors in the drumline, representing Poland Seminary on one of the biggest stages in the country.
PSHS · Theater
The Poland Players chased everlasting moments and proved that anything goes when you’re a Bulldog! This year’s double feature brought two “delightful, delovely” productions to the stage: the magical Tuck Everlasting, followed by Anything Goes. Both shows featured live pit orchestras performed by student musicians, while Stage Crew worked behind the scenes managing set building, staging, and sound. Under the direction of Mrs. Lora Demetrios and led by a strong senior class, the Bulldogs stole the spotlight!
Boys Golf
Girls Tennis
Boys Soccer
Girls Cross Country
Girls Swim & Dive
Boys Swim & Dive
Boys Basketball
Boys Tennis
Baseball
PSHS · Athletics
PSHS · Athletics
| Athlete(s) | Sport & Record | Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Angelo Rinaldi, Matthew Morrone, Ryan Lombardo, AJ Battaglia | Boys Golf — 18 Holes, Team | 297 |
| Jake O'Bruba, Alex Khoury, Aaron Vandervort, Sean Zura | Boys Swim — 200 Medley Relay | 1:41.99 |
| Vito Komara | Football — Pass Reception for TD | 89 yds. |
| McKenna Daley | Girls Diving — One-Meter Diving | 423.45 |
| Aaron Vandervort | Boys Swim — 100 Yard Butterfly | 53.47 |
| Izzy Greco | Girls Basketball — Blocked Shots, Season | 53 |
| Athlete & Sport | College |
|---|---|
| Leanna Boccieri — Softball | St. Bonaventure University |
| Kennedy Henderson — Girls Soccer | John Carroll University |
| Lauren Coss — Girls Soccer | Westminster College |
| Sofia Elia — Girls Lacrosse | Baldwin Wallace University |
| Dylan Kelty — Baseball | Malone University |
| Stevie Kopkash — Baseball | La Roche University |
| Lily McDonald — Softball | St. Vincent College |
Thank you
After a distinguished career leading the PSHS Athletic Department, Athletic Director Brian Banfield has retired. During his tenure, Bulldog student-athletes reached new heights at the league, sectional, district, regional, and state levels, while Banfield built a culture of excellence and pride that extended far beyond the scoreboard. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together at Poland and grateful for the support of our student-athletes, coaches, and community,” said Banfield.
In April 2026, the Poland Board of Education approved Nick Blanch as the new Athletic Director. A Poland Seminary alum, longtime teacher, and 17-year head girls basketball coach within the district, Blanch is a familiar face with deep roots in the Bulldog community.”It is truly an honor to serve as Athletic Director in Poland — a community that has meant so much to me as a student, teacher, coach, and parent. I’m excited to continue building on the strong tradition of Poland Athletics while supporting our student-athletes, coaches, and community with pride, integrity, and enthusiasm.”
PSHS · Cheer
PSHS Cheer opened the season at Cheer Time Athletics Spirit Camp in Niles, earning two Elite Awards and sending nine Bulldogs home with the CTA All-American title. For the second straight year, Seniors Nina Kalouris and Melina Livosky marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as members of the Spirit of America Cheer Group, while juniors Samantha McKenzie and Amanda Ray represented Poland at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. At the Raider Extravaganza, the High School squad took 1st Place in the Game Day Building Division and the Super Spirit Award, with the Junior High also claiming 1st in the Traditional Building Division. The Bulldogs earned a 5th place finish at the OASSA State Cheer Championship.
PSHS · Junior High Volleyball
In October 2025, Junior High Volleyball made history. The seventh and eighth grade teams battled back in third sets to win NE8 Championships on the same night, the first time both grades claimed titles together. What made the night even more special was who was in the stands. More than 20 high school players showed up to cheer, bringing energy and encouragement that helped fuel both comebacks!
PSHS · Student Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to Leanna Boccieri who was recognized by WYTV/WKBN as a Student Athlete of the Week. Leanna exemplifies what it means to be a Poland Bulldog, balancing a 3.8 GPA, 12 varsity letters, and meaningful involvement in school and community activities. Her dedication sets a powerful example on the field and in the classroom.
PSHS · Boys Tennis
The PSHS Boys Tennis team closed out a remarkable, undefeated 13-0 regular season. They are 2026 NE8 Champions again, making this the seventh consecutive season as conference champions! Senior Andrew Aey was named the Player of the Year, marking his fourth consecutive year receiving the honor. The team is coached by Jimmy Leslie.
PSHS · Boys Golf
PSHS Juniors Matthew Morrone and Angelo Rinaldi continued their standout careers at the OHSAA DII Golf State Tournament, earning First Team and Second Team All-Tournament honors respectively. Both Bulldogs have become fixtures at the state level, with Angelo competing at state for the third consecutive year and Matthew for the second.
PSHS Athletics
The Boys Golf, Boys & Girls Soccer, Boys & Girls Basketball, Softball, and Baseball teams advanced to the district championship matches this year. The Girls Soccer, Boys Golf, and Baseball teams were named OHSAA District Champions. Junior Ella Thomas placed 4th in her third appearance at the OHSAA Girls Wrestling State Tournament.
District-Wide · Community Building
Start with Hello Week brought the Bulldogs closer together. Students took part in a week of daily challenges and themes dedicated to building new friendships and spreading kindness — from Meet-N-Greet Monday to Superpower Tuesday. Our video series celebrating the week even earned recognition on the official Start with Hello social media channels. It all starts with hello!
District-Wide · Veterans Day
Poland Local Schools came together across every building to honor Veterans Day with gratitude and pride. At McKinley Elementary, third graders welcomed local veterans to a heartfelt assembly, while first graders lined the hallways with handmade posters. At Poland Middle School, sixth graders sat down with local veterans over lunch, and eighth graders wrote letters to service members through Operation Gratitude. At PSHS, the Wind Ensemble performed at the annual assembly.
Poland Middle School · Podcast
Poland Middle School launched something new this year: The Bulldog Way Podcast. Hosted by Mrs. Butch and Mr. Purins, each episode spotlights students who are living the Bulldog Way by taking care of themselves, others, their school, and their community. Students felt seen and heard when they lived by the Bulldog Way this year, earning Poland P stickers when their positive actions were noticed.
District-Wide · PTO
Behind some of the best moments of the school year were the dedicated volunteers of the McKinley & Poland Middle School PTO. From Halloween parties and Valentine's Day trivia to holiday theme weeks and skate parties, the PTO showed up all year to make school a little more fun. The Bulldogs had so much fun with parents at Father/Son & Mother/Daughter night, enjoyed a fall night out at Countryside Farm, and got soaked at Fun Day celebrations across both buildings. Thank you to every parent volunteer who gave their time to make Bulldogs smile. Poland is better because of you!
McKinley Elementary · Giving Back
McKinley Elementary raised over $26,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in just one month by hosting a Math-A-Thon, surpassing their $20,000 goal in heroic fashion. This year's superhero theme carried special meaning, rooted in a personal connection to St. Jude through Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Alexee, whose own sister was once treated there.
PSHS · Service
The PSHS Interact Club made a powerful impact this year, logging over 1,200 volunteer hours across the community. From ringing Salvation Army bells and assisting at nursing homes to tutoring district students and supporting PTO and community events, these Bulldogs showed up all year long. Each month, the club recognized a Poland staff member who went above and beyond for students. Teaming up with the Poland Middle School Kindness Club, Interact Club members assembled care packages for the Poland Village and Poland Township Police Departments, complete with handwritten cards and treats for the K-9 units. The year wrapped up with one of their most memorable traditions, serving as surprise prom dates at the Leonard Kirtz Prom, decorating the venue, helping with makeup, and walking promenade alongside their friends from the school. Thank you to Mr. Martin for leading a club that leads by example.
Poland Middle School · Service
The Poland Middle School Kindness Club lived out their motto all year long: take care of yourself, take care of others, and be kind. Meeting monthly under the direction of Mrs. Butch and Mrs. Martin, members tied knot blankets for community members in need, crafted holiday ornaments and greeting cards for local nursing homes, and joined forces with the PSHS Interact Club on care packages for local police officers. The club's biggest moment came from sixth grader Sophia Jones, who imagined and led a fundraiser through Akron Children's Hospital's Change Maker program, rallying her fellow Bulldogs to collect toys and donations that resulted in an $850 contribution and multiple bags of toys delivered to the hospital. Kindness is free, and this group gave it to everyone!
McKinley Elementary · Leadership
The McKinley Elementary Pawsitive Leaders Club lived out the PAWS motto all year long by being positive, always respectful, working responsibly, and staying safe. Meeting monthly under the direction of guidance counselor Mrs. Purfey, third grade Bulldogs decorated signs to spread the PAWS message throughout the building, honored teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, and put their heads together to dream up new ideas for school unity and kindness.
District-Wide · Community Service
Bulldog Nation stepped up in a big way for the 2025 Food Drive. Led by the PSHS Student Council and Poland Middle School PANDA Club, students, staff, families, and the greater community came together to donate over 17,000 items to the Poland Food Pantry — the most successful food drive in Poland Local Schools history.
McKinley Elementary · National News
Every November, McKinley Elementary's third graders transform their hallway into the greatest parade on earth. Inspired by Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, students design and build over 100 handmade balloon floats. This year, the parade made national news! On the evening before Thanksgiving, McKinley Elementary was featured on NBC Nightly News in a "There's Good News Tonight" segment, with third graders Jane D. and Francesca H. selected as parade hosts.
McKinley Elementary · Student Creativity
Ms. Landers and Ms. Mordocco's fourth graders had one wish this winter: a snow day! So they did what any creative Bulldog would do — remixed a Christmas classic, rewrote the lyrics, and produced a full music video in just four hours, complete with a snowstorm in the gymnasium. The result was purely magical!
Poland Middle School · Sixth Grade
The Santino Show came back for one more episode! For the sixth grade skit, Santino and Rocco got the band back together for a short talent show highlighting some of the many talents in the sixth grade class. What started as a simple class video turned into a whole series!
McKinley Elementary · Second Grade
On the 67th day of school, McKinley Elementary's second graders went on a 67 scavenger hunt, built creations out of 67 blocks, completed 6x7 exercises, and solved every math equation they could find that added up to 6, 7, or 67. If the meme wasn't stale by the next morning, our teachers truly wouldn't have known what else to do!
District-Wide · First Day
What better way to kick off a new school year than a "pup" talk from someone who has your back no matter what? For the first day of school, Poland siblings unknowningly sent video messages to their brothers and sisters in other grades, sharing encouragement, advice, and a whole lot of love!
McKinley Elementary · First Grade
Mrs. Aikens' first graders celebrated 101 days of school in the best way possible. Within minutes of becoming owners of 101 Dalmatians, the Bulldogs counted every spot and then lost them all. A scavenger hunt and a coloring mystery later, the pups were found and the day was saved!
McKinley Elementary · Second Grade
On a Friday in January, Mrs. Kelliher's second graders asked if they could push Mr. Nico's famous Snow Day Button. They pushed it. What happened next? Five consecutive snow days. (And Isabel got her wish... a short break from math class!)
Poland Local School District · Strategic Plan
Share your voice... Help us write the next chapter!
Poland Local Schools is building a strategic plan to shape the future of our district, and the first step starts with you! We are gathering feedback from parents, community members, and staff to ensure the plan reflects the Poland we all know and love. The survey takes just a few minutes, and updates will be shared as the process moves forward.
Take the SurveyMcKinley Elementary · February 2027
It's time... to join the Bulldogs!
Poland Residents: Is your child turning five on or before August 1, 2027? We would love to welcome them to the Poland Bulldogs family! Kindergarten Registration for the 2027-2028 school year takes place at McKinley Elementary in February. To help us prepare for our incoming class, we ask families to complete a interest form at the link below before registration day. You will receive registration information and the downloadable packet directly in your inbox once available.
Sign Up for Updates
Dobbins Early Learning Center
At Dobbins Early Learning Center, the journey to becoming a Bulldog starts early. This year, our preschool pups enjoyed hands-on science experiments, holiday celebrations, and visits from community guests who shared their careers and read stories to the class. The Bulldog Buddies from PSHS made special visits throughout the year, bringing crafts, games, and friendship to every session. Music, movement, and milestone moments filled the year from the first day of preschool all the way to graduation day. The pups closed the year pedaling with purpose in the Trike-A-Thon, raising $250 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. By the time Kindergarten arrives, these pups are already Bulldogs at heart.
Dobbins Early Learning Center welcomes over 70 preschool students across three class options:
Preschool Open House/Registration for the 2027-2028 school year will take place in January 2027. To receive the latest updates for open house directly to your inbox, complete our interest form at the link below:
Sign Up for UpdatesEvery day at Poland Local Schools, a system of people, programs, and services comes together to ensure our approximately 1,700 students are educated, empowered, and inspired. For roughly $75 per student per day, the Poland Local Schools community receives classroom instruction, reliable transportation, nutritious meals, well-maintained facilities, and the dedicated staff that makes it all possible. These numbers represent our community's unwavering commitment to our students — from the moment a Bulldog steps on the bus to the final bell in the afternoon. To the Poland community whose trust and generosity make all of this possible: Thank you.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Teacher In-Service Days | August 17–24, 2026 |
| First Day of Classes | August 25, 2026 |
| Teacher In-Service Day — No Classes | September 2, 2026 |
| Labor Day Break — No Classes | September 3–7, 2026 |
| Parent Teacher Conferences — No Classes | October 8, 2026 |
| NEOEA Day — No Classes | October 9, 2026 |
| End of First Quarter | October 30, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving Recess — No Classes | November 25–27, 2026 |
| Winter Recess — No Classes | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
| End of Second Quarter & First Semester | January 15, 2027 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day — No Classes | January 18, 2027 |
| Parent Teacher Conferences — Classes in Session | February 11, 2027 |
| Presidents' Day Weekend — No Classes | February 12 & 15, 2027 |
| Teacher In-Service Day — No Classes | February 16, 2027 |
| End of Third Quarter | March 24, 2027 |
| Teacher In-Service Day — No Classes | March 25, 2027 |
| Spring Recess — No Classes | March 26 – April 2, 2027 |
| Teacher In-Service Day — No Classes | April 30, 2027 |
| Class of 2027 Graduation | May 29, 2027 |
| Memorial Day — No Classes | May 31, 2027 |
| Last Day of Classes — End of Fourth Quarter & Second Semester | June 2, 2027 |
| Teacher In-Service Day | June 3, 2027 |
Poland Seminary High School
Poland Middle School
McKinley Elementary School
Dobbins Early Learning Center