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Welcome Back, NELSD Families!

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Image: NELSD Combined District Logo Jet and Cougar
Welcome Back, NELSD Families!
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Welcome Back, NELSD Families!
NELSD Parents & Guardians,

As we prepare to welcome students back for the 2026-27 school year, we know that yesterday's severe storms have impacted members of our community. Our hearts go out to those whose homes have been damaged or who are dealing with the aftermath. Please know that we are here to support you and your children during this challenging time. If your family has been affected and you need assistance, please reach out to us—we will work together to ensure your child has what they need as we begin the school year.

Our NELSD team has been preparing throughout the summer to welcome students back. We remain committed to making this school year one of learning, growth, and support for every student and family in our district.

🌟 Supporting the Journey. Inspiring the Future.
As we begin this school year, we want to remind you of our district's strategic plan, which we shared with you near the end of last school year. This plan was developed with input from approximately 30 staff members, parents, and community representatives over nine sessions in fall 2025, and it represents our shared vision for NELSD's future.

Our strategic plan is grounded in four key goals:
  • Encouraging Personal Development – Championing the success of learners by supporting the needs of all stakeholders
  • Promoting Shared Accountability – Partnering with staff, students, families, and the community in shared responsibility for learning
  • Bolstering Academic Achievement – Elevating engagement and academic excellence through innovative instruction
  • Safeguarding Financial Stewardship – Ensuring transparency and sustainability in district spending

These goals are guided by our mission: Together, we empower every learner to grow, achieve, and thrive in an ever-changing world. You'll see this work come to life throughout the school year as we support your child's journey and inspire their future. We look forward to sharing more details and progress in the months ahead.

📅 2026–2027 School Year Start Dates
📍Monday, Aug. 17, 2026 

🏫  Open House for Kenton Ridge and Northeastern Elementary Schools (Grades K-5) from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🏫  Open House for Kenton Ridge and Northeastern Middle & High Schools (Grades 6-12) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

📍Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026 

🎓 Grades 6-12 attend (no staggered start for middle/high school students)
📝 Elementary Grades 1-5 (Last Names A-K only attend)

📍Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

🎓 Grades 6-12 attend
📝 Elementary Grades 1-5 (Last Names L-Z only attend)

📍Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

🎓 Grades 6-12 attend
📝 Elementary Grades 1-5 attend

📍Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

🎓 Grades 6-12 attend
📝 Elementary Grades 1-5 attend
🎒Kindergarten (Last Names A-K only attend): Parents will bring their students in from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for a parent meeting, and students will remain for the full school day.
🧸Preschool Orientation: Please see the email sent on Friday, Aug. 7th from Ms. Beverly Walkden with your child’s specific orientation time

📍Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

🎓 Grades 6-12 attend
📝 Elementary Grades 1-5 attend
🎒Kindergarten (Last Names L-Z only attend): Parents will bring their students in from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for a parent meeting, and students will remain for the full school day.
🧸 Preschool (Last Names A-K only attend)

📍Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

📚 All K-12 students attend
🧸 Preschool (Last Names L-Z only attend)

📍 Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

📚 All PreK-12 students attend


🛡️ Safety

👤 Meet Our New Director of Safety and Compliance
We are pleased to welcome Mr. Johnny Lemen as our new Director of Safety and Compliance. Lemen brings extensive experience in safety, law enforcement, behavioral intervention and school security. Most recently, he served as the director of safety and emergency management at Clark State College and holds certifications and specialized training through the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FEMA and other agencies. In his new role, Lemen will help coordinate and strengthen our district's safety plans, emergency preparedness, threat assessment, safety technology and other areas related to student and staff safety.
A smiling Johnny Lemen with glasses wearing a black polo shirt and sitting in a chair.
👮 Meet Our New Kenton Ridge School Resource Officer
We are also pleased to welcome Deputy Branden McDuffie as the new School Resource Officer at Kenton Ridge Campus. A lifelong Clark County resident and 2013 Kenton Ridge graduate, Deputy McDuffie has served with the Clark County Sheriff's Office since 2016 in a variety of roles, including Road Patrol, Detective Bureau, and Narcotics. He also served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves as a Military Police officer. 
A smiling Deputy McDuffie in uniform poses in front of an American flag.
🆔 A reminder that we are using Raptor Background Check Technologies for guests visiting our buildings. To access one of our school buildings beyond the administrative offices, you must bring a valid driver’s license or state identification card.
🚗 Speed Limit: Drive at 10 mph on school property. We’ll be monitoring speeds, so please slow down to keep everyone safe. Failure to comply may result in restricted access to the property. While we do not wish to install speed bumps, it may become necessary if everyone does not adhere to the speed limit.  


💳 Fees & PaySchools Central

📱PaySchools Central is mobile-friendly and allows you to manage school fees, manage lunch money, and fill out free and reduced meal applications.
💡 As in previous years, the district will pick up the convenience fee for the months of August and September 2026.
📱To access PaySchools Central from your smartphone, you must download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play.  The PaySchools Central online system will not work on your phone if you use a web browser.
📞 If you need to reset your password, you must do this from a desktop computer or by calling PaySchools Central at (877) 393-6628 or emailing psc_help@payschools.com.
Your child(ren)’s student ID for PaySchools Central can be found in FinalForms or by calling the building secretary.
📝 Free and Reduced Meal Applications are available online through PaySchools Central (www.nelsd.org → Departments → Food Services → “Manage Lunch Account”) or in the FinalForms Portal.
📝 If your income decreases or household size increases, you can submit a new application at any time.


🖥️ ProgressBook

📊 In ProgressBook, families can track grades, view homework assignments, monitor attendance, review report cards, and more.
📱Frontline Education has a Frontline ProgressBook Parent/Student Mobile App.


📝 FinalForms
As a reminder, we will use FinalForms to collect the necessary information for the upcoming school year.

🔄 Parents/guardians must complete the FinalForms student registration every school year. Kindly click here to update your child(ren)'s information or create a parent account. If you don't have a parent account, you can create one using the same link.
    • If you logged into your account within the past year:
      • Log in to the same account by clicking the link above.
      • Complete all forms listed.
    • If you have never logged into FinalForms:
      • Click the link above
      • Choose "Login" under the "Parent" Icon
        DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT
      • Choose "Never Logged In"
      • Enter your email address and a confirmation link will be sent to you
      • Log in and complete all listed forms
📞 If you do not receive a confirmation link or have any issues with your account, please contact the Board Office at (937) 325-7615.
📲 FinalForms is accessible by mobile phone or computer. In addition, parents/guardians can update their contact information, Emergency Medical Authorization (EMA) forms, complete athletic forms, find their child(ren)’s student ID, and more using the FinalForms online student registration system.
🏡 You can also access FinalForms at any point in the school year to update your information in the system if you have a change of address, change your phone number, update transportation information, etc.


🚌 Transportation
Our Transportation Team has been working hard this summer to plan safe rides for students. 

🚸 Transportation started finalizing bus routes this week. If you have not completed your student's FinalForms registration or your transportation information is missing or incorrect, your student's transportation assignment may not be included in the initial routing process. This could result in delays in receiving bus information or transportation services at the start of the school year. To ensure your child receives transportation services at the start of the school year, please complete your FinalForms immediately.


📡 Stay Connected

🔗 On our Back-to-School Hub, you will find information about Open House, the 2026-2027 ensure your contact information is correct in ParentSquare, please update your information in  FinalForms.
🤳 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for updates.


We cannot wait to welcome our Cougars and Jets back! If you have any questions, reach out to me by email at jackfisher@nelsd.org and/or wearelistening@nelsd.org, phone at (937) 325-7615, or through our feedback form titled "Helping NELSD Grow Together: Let's Connect & Improve" on our Meet the Superintendent page on our website.

Here’s to a great 2026-27 school year!

Jack Fisher
Superintendent
Northeastern Local School District