Lima City Schools’ officials will catch a school bus and come out to meet and take questions from community members throughout the district starting next week.

Four stops are planned for the district’s “Meet us at the Bus Stop” event.

Students, parents and residents are invited to come out to the bus and talk with Superintendent Jill Ackerman and Treasurer Shelly Reiff. People will be able to ask questions, offer input and just chat with the two administrators.

Information about the district’s upcoming renewal levy and its new “Every Day. On Time” attendance campaign will be available. The two will also give out snacks and Spartan gear.

Below is the schedule

Wednesday, Sept. 22: Robb Park, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 29: Westgate Entertainment Center, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 4: MLK Park (lot across from health center), 1 to 2 p.m.

Tuesday Oct. 12: Kewpee East, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

The Lima City Schools will again have a large group in the city’s Labor Day Parade Monday, Sept. 6.

The district invites students, families and other supporters to walk in the parade with the Lima City Schools group.

Lineup will begin at 9:15 a.m. in front of St. Gerard School on Main Street. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and finishes in the Square in downtown Lima.

The group will be led by the Spartan Marching Pride and Lima Senior Cheerleaders. Spartan athletes, Sparty and the Spartan will also be in the parade.

Participants are asked to wear Spartan attire. Individually-wrapped candy can be tossed to parade watchers.

The district will be distributing information as well at T-shirts and other fun gear for its new “Every Day. On Time. School Today. Success Tomorrow” campaign.

The Lima City Schools has put together its plan for the opening of school on August 18. Please keep in mind that this plan could change at any time based on current conditions of the pandemic. The plan was put in place in an effort to keep our students safe and in school.

• School will start on August 18, 2021, with in-person instruction five days a week.
• Per CDC recommendations, all staff and students will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status in school and on buses.
• Staff and students are to self-monitor their health symptoms. Anyone with the following symptoms must stay home: Temperature over 100 degrees, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea.These do not need to be documented but are expected to be done daily.
• We will continue to promote handwashing, the appropriate use of hand sanitizer and good hygiene practices.
• Strict sanitation measures will continue to be in place. High traffic areas and high touch areas will be wiped hourly. Hand sanitizers will continue to be used in classrooms and available in the cafeteria and after recess.
• Desks will be wiped down between classes or when students are changing desks.
• Plexiglass dividers will be available when students are sitting at tables in classrooms.
• Hallway traffic flow will continue with one-way traffic to promote social distancing. Many schools will continue to use the hallway dividers.
• Seating charts will be kept up-to-date on Progressbook. Seating in the classroom will be spaced 3 feet and/or as far apart as possible.
• Cafeteria will have seating charts. Seating in the cafeteria will be distanced as much as possible.
• Students will be permitted to carry a water bottle.
• Masks will be required at all indoor sporting events.
• Visitors to our buildings will be very limited. Visitors will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Visitors will be required to complete health screening and have their temperature taken.
• Contact tracing will continue per ODH guidelines.
• Breakfast will be provided in the classrooms.
• Proper ventilation will be maintained to allow maximum air exchange into the buildings to help to prevent the spread of the virus.

The next induction into the Lima City Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame is coming this fall.

The following people will be inducted at a special dinner Thursday, Sept. 30.

• Melvin Glover, Lima Senior Class of 1994
• Jeremy Heffner, Lima Senior Class of 1998
• Kevin Hooker, Lima Senior Class of 1998
• Robert Long, Lima Senior Class of 1968
• Jessika Phillips, Lima Senior Class of 2000
• Charles Smith, Lima Senior Class of 1990
• Merlin Szasz, South Class of 1954 – posthumously
• Judge RicKard Workman, Lima Senior Class of 1965
• Lima Kiwanis Club, “Service to Lima City Schools” honorary member

The induction ceremony will be held Sept. 30 in the commons area of Lima Senior High School. The night will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. The student-run Spartan Inn will prepare the meal.

The cost of the dinner is $25. Tickets can be purchased starting now online at https://limacityschools.square.site/ or beginning Aug. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Arts and Magnet Office at the Earl McGovern Education Center, 755 St. John’s Avenue. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 419-996-3435. Purchased tickets can be pick up beginning Aug. 9 at South or at the event. No tickets will be sold the night of the banquet.

The inductees will also be recognized during halftime of the Spartan Homecoming football game Friday, Oct. 1. Lima Senior takes on Whitmer at 7 p.m. in Spartan Stadium.

The Hall of fame honors alumni who have received local, state or national recognition for achievements in their occupational fields, made significant contributions to society, or performed meritorious service to our country. The first graduates were inducted in 1987. A new class is inducted every three years.

The Hall of Fame also serves as a living example for current students and the community of the caliber of accomplished graduates who have come from the Lima City Schools. The inductees will spend time in the school with students earlier in the day of the induction.