Champion Local Schools
2024-2025 District Calendar
CCHAMPION HAMPION COLLABOR
LEADERS
OUR MISSION
To prepare students to meet, to the best of their abilities the needs of the global society: to continue learning, communicate clearly, think critically, solve problems, use information and technology effectively, demonstrate effective social skills, and expand individual creativity.
Board of Education
The Champion Board of Education meetings are generally held on the third Monday of the month in the PK-8 cafeteria starting at 5:30 p.m. Changes in date, time, or location are publicized and can also be confirmed by calling 330-847-2338 or checking the district’s website. Meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome. Executive sessions, as permitted by law, are closed to the public
Student Success
Our K-12 campus promotes cooperative learning between all buildings Our sports facilities, which include an all-weather track and three competition-size gyms, provide great opportunities for athletic success
Student Services
Our students' mental and emotional health is key to them achieving success in school Our K-12 counselors provide numerous programs to support students individually and in groups
Student Accomplishments
Our students hold state championships in softball, baseball, and bowling Students also compete successfully in county Prep Bowl competitions, art exhibitions, and instrumental music contests
Our students regularly perform in the Top 20% of the 20 local county districts on the State Report Card and in the top 15% in comparison with our 20 similar districts in Ohio.
Champion Central Elementary School
Top left: Wax Museum; Donuts with Dudes
Top middle: MacGyver Wind Lift Challenge
Top right: 100 Days of K; Author’s Tea
Middle: Slime n‘ Suds Fest
Bottom middle: Bird house construction lab; Broadway Balloon Parade
Bottom right: Candling chicken eggs during the first Trumbull County 4H Ag Day
Champion MiddleSchool
Top left: 8th grade ice cream social
Top right: STEM Club puff mobiles; Grandparents’ Day
Middle: Slime n’ Suds Fest
Bottom left: Author Jordan Sonnenblick works with students during a workshop; Student Council carols at Clearview Estates
Bottom middle: Camp Invention
Bottom right: 6th grade Science Fair; ‘The Outsiders‘ fashion show
Champion HighSchool
Top left: FIRST Robotics Team 2010
Top right: Chemistry class; drumline greets students during morning arrival
Middle: Yes! Fest - students explore community opportunities
Bottom left: NHS collects letters to Santa from CES students; Drone racing team
Bottom middle: Sign Language class; Prep Bowl team wins county competition
Bottom right: Balsa bridge test
CHAMPION ATHLETICS
Champion Local Schools is a member of the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC) Grey Tier The intent of interscholastic athletics is to offer opportunities for athletic participation for all boys and girls in junior and senior high schools and to satisfy and further their interest for competitive athletics by developing a comprehensive program well-supervised to meet the biological, psychological, and sociological needs of all participants.
2023-2024 Highlights:
Bowling
Sectional Champions; DII District Runner-Up; State Qualifier
Boys Soccer
MVAC & Sectional Champions
ESports - Regional Qualifier
Girls Golf
MVAC Champions
Girls Soccer
MVAC, Sectional, & District Champions; DIII Regional Runner-Up
Softball
MVAC, Sectional, & District Champions; DIII Regional Runner-Up Track & Field - Individual State Qualifier
Middle School Athletics
Basketball (Boys/Girls)
Cheerleading
Cross Country (Boys/Girls)
eSports
Football
Volleyball (Girls)
Track (Boys/Girls)
High School Athletics
Baseball
Basketball (Boys/Girls)
Bowling (Boys/Girls)
Cheerleading
Cross Country (Boys/Girls)
CHAMPION LOCAL SCHOOLS
eSports
Football
Golf (Boys/Girls)
Soccer (Boys/Girls)
Softball
Swimming
Track (Boys/Girls)
Volleyball (Girls)
Wrestling
School Championships
Conference: 136
District: 55
Regional: 20 State: 15
MJO Photography
2023-24 ATHLETIC AWARDS
50 student athletes earned Conference County, District, and/or State honors, including five who were named Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC) Players of the Year!
ALL COUNTY
JacobAndreatta:Soccer,1st
BellaDeuley:Soccer,1st
ChanningFox:Golf,1st
KennadyGrace:Golf,1st; Medalist
JacobHall:Soccer,1st
KaylaHaynie:Golf,1st
3rd Place
AllisonHenderlight:Soccer, HM
TaylorKuhn:Soccer,1st
MiaNadaud:Soccer,1st
SkylarScarnecchia:Golf,1st
CadinThomas:Soccer,HM
BrileaWoods:Golf,1st
ALIFIERS
Kennady Grace 9th Place, Discus
COACH OF THE YEAR
Michael Cole - Girls Basketball (MVAC); 500 Wins
Emily Metheny - Girls Soccer (MVAC & Trumbull Co.)
Josh Phelps - Boys Bowling (Trumbull Co )
Elisa Rosenberger - Girls Golf (MVAC & Trumbull Co)
Cheryl Weaver - Softball (MVAC & NE Ohio District);
500 wins
Shawnn Wilson - Boys Soccer (MVAC & Trumbull Co )
ALL CONFERENCE
BASEBALL
Carter Boggs, HM
Carter Chapin, 2nd
Carson Fife, 1st
Shane Hixson, 1st
Dylan Howell, 1st
Zack Morris, 2nd
BOYS BASKETBALL
Jake Andreatta, 2nd
Marcam Nolan, 1st
BOYS SOCCER
Jacob Andreatta, 1st
Dante Deuley, 2nd
Jacob Hall, 2nd
Ty Horm, 2nd
Westin Kuhns, HM
Aiden Wright, 1st
BOWLING
Mario Humenik, 1st
Aidan LePosa, 1st
Grace Parker, 1st
CROSS COUNTRY
Marcam Nolan, HM
FOOTBALL
Keegan Clifford, 2nd
Collin Cope, 2nd
Mason Litz, HM
Ethan Ray, 1st
Andrew Skebe, 1st
Anthony Smith, HM
Christian Williams, 2nd
GOLF
Channing Fox, 1st
Kennady Grace, 1st
Kayla Haynie, 1st
Skylar Scarnecchia, 1st
Brilea Woods, 1st
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Kennedy Caldwell, 2nd
Kayla Haynie, 1st
Isabella Meyer, 1st
Samantha Strock, HM
Addison Warzala, 2nd
GIRLS SOCCER
Bella Deuley, 2nd
Grayson Knoske, 1st
Taylor Kuhn, 1st
Savanna Lefkowitz, 2nd
Maylee Nadaud, 1st
Mia Nadaud, 1st
Sami Plott, HM
SOFTBALL
Gabby Gradishar, 1st
Grace Hadley, HM
Hailey Householder, 1st
Isabella Meyer, 1st
Zoe Palette, 2nd
Samantha Strock, 1st
Addison Warzala, 1st
TRACK & FIELD
Alivia Danowski, 2nd
Braden Davenport, HM
Kennady Grace, 1st
Kalylle Gray, 2nd
Hunter Maylone, 2nd
Ian Orwig, 1st
Andrew Skebe, HM
VOLLEYBALL
Avery Boggs, HM
Kennedy Caldwell, 1st
Callisto Ridgeway, 2nd
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Jake Andreatta - Soccer
Kennady Grace - Golf
Gabby Gradishar - Softball
Taylor Kuhn - Soccer
Isabella Meyer - Basketball
ALL DISTRICT
Anna Brown: Swimming
Kennedy Caldwell: Volleyball, 2nd
Derrick Campbell: Bowling
Carter Chapin: Soccer, HM
Braylen Cowger: Bowling
Alan Derry: Bowling
Dante Deuley: Soccer, 2nd
Channing Fox: Golf
Taylor Gearhart: Track & Field
Kennady Grace: Golf; Track & Field, 1st
Gabby Gradishar: Softball, 1st
Kayla Haynie: Golf
Mario Humenik: Bowling
Julie Karam: Wrestling
Grayson Knoske: Soccer, 2nd
Taylor Kuhn: Soccer, 1st; Track & Field
Aidan LePosa: Bowling
Garrett Martin: Bowling
Braydon McElhinny: Bowling
Isabella Meyer: Basketball, 1st; Softball, 1st
Maylee Nadaud: Soccer, 2nd
Mia Nadaud: Soccer, 1st
Ian Orwig: Track & Field
Ethan Ray: Football, HM
Callisto Ridgeway: Volleyball, HM
Skylar Scarnecchia: Golf
Andrew Skebe: Football, HM; Track & Field
Samantha Strock: Softball, HM
James Swiger: Bowling
Addison Warzala: Softball, 1st
Alayna Wildman: Bowling
Brilea Woods: Golf
Aiden Wright: Soccer, 1st
ALL STATE
Alan Derry: Bowling, 1st Team
Carson Fife: Baseball, 2nd Team
Kennady Grace: Track, Academic All-Ohioan
Gabby Gradishar: Softball, 1st Team
Taylor Kuhn: Soccer, 1st Team
Isabella Meyer: Basketball, HM; Softball, 2nd Team
Addison Warzala: Softball, 2nd Team
Elementary School Arts
Art
Music
Steel Drum & Ukulele (4th Grade)
Middle School Arts
Art
After-school Art Program
Band
Choir
Marching Band (8th Grade)
Performing Arts/Show Choir (7th & 8th Grades)
High School Arts
Performing Arts
A Capella Choir
Band
Beginning Acting
Concert Choir
Jazz Band
Fine Arts
Art Independent Study
Digital Art
Drawing
Introduction to Art
Sculpture
Extracurricular
Marching Band
Fall Play
Spring Musical
CHAMPION LOCAL SCHOOLS
Top: CMS Art students make hats with preschoolers; CES choir performs at Veterans’ Assembly; CMS Band
Middle: CHS Musical "Frozen, Jr.;“ CHS Marching Thunder Black Light halftime performance
Bottom: CES Recorder practice; CMS Musical: "Annie;“ CHS art students create Giacometti sculptures
FINE & PERFORMING ARTS
Champion Local Schools is proud to offer a variety of fine and performing arts to students. Champion High School offers a total of nine class options, as well as extracurricular activities such as Marching Band, Fall Play, and Spring Musical Middle school students have the option to participate in band or choir year-round Band students may join the CHS Marching Band in 8th grade. 7th and 8th grade choir becomes Performing Arts, and students perform a musical and participate in Show Choir All CMS students have quarterly art classes where they explore clay ceramics watercolors, and digital art. An after-school Art Club is also available to CMS students. Elementary students receive 80 minutes of music and arts instruction weekly. After-school steel drum and ukulele lessons are also offered to 4th graders
Community Engagement
The Champion Local School District is fortunate to have an outstanding relationship with our local community. Because of your support, we have been able to develop a wide variety of outreach committees, including the Champion Central Care Crew, Finance Council Pride Council and the Senior Citizens Advisory Council. For information on how to join our Care Crew or various Councils, please contact the Board of Education Office at 330-847-2330
Care Crew
Care Crew at Central Elementary is a volunteer, senior citizen council formed to assist with keeping CES students safe while promoting positive student conduct through appropriate role modeling Volunteers are all residents or Champion Alumni. They also serve as “extra eyes” as students come and go at the beginning and end of each school day.
Sr. Citizens Council Finance Council Pride Council
The goal of the Finance Council is to provide members firsthand information on the District’s current financial status and projections for the future. All members are local residents. The group meets with the Superintendent and Treasurer twice a year to review the District’s 5-year forecast projections and other pertinent financial matters.
The Pride Council is a collaboration of the school district, community service clubs, ministerial association, and Trumbull Career & Technical Center. Council holds four community donation drives annually including a clothing drive, two food drives, and a school supply drive.
All events serve to assist Champion families in need.
The Senior Citizens Council was formed to celebrate the contributions our senior citizens make to the Champion community Members enjoy partnering with students on service projects Council hosts three annual events including the Fall Fest Luncheon and Awards Ceremony (pictured below), Veterans' Day Assembly, and Swing Into Spring Dinner.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Champion Local School District is humbled by the support it receives annually from local organizations, businesses and our alumni The generous donations of materials and financial support all directly benefit Champion students by enhancing their educational experiences.
Inspiring Education
BOOGIE BOARDS MAKE WAVES IN CLASSROOM LEARNING
During the 2023-2024 school year, Inspire funds provided students unique opportunities to learn in new and exciting ways Thank you to those who support our mission to inspire the future generation
Thanks to Inspire grants, third graders are using electronic, reusable writing tablets called Boogie Boards for ELA and cursive handwriting lessons! Similar to whiteboards, the Boogie Boards are designed to increase engagement and classroom participation. Teachers have implemented the boards into their daily curriculum and say they‘ve noticed increases in both, as well as improved handwriting The additional boards are useful when teachers teamteach, allowing for all students in each class to utilize the technology
CLASSROOM CAMP SITE INSPIRES LEARNING ADVENTURE
Inspire funding transforms the first and second grade common area into a wilderness adventure! Students traveled around the ‘camp site’ completing various word and math activities. They went fishing for math facts, decoded a secret message by "camp fire," and even used flashlights and walkie talkies to go on an alphabet scavenger hunt! This theme-based learning concept is designed to help students make meaningful connections and expand the ways they learn about each subject.
CHAMPION LOCAL SCHOOLS
The Champion Educational Enrichment Fund - informally known as "Inspire" - is a non-profit fund developed for the sole purpose of providing innovation and inspiration to all students in the Champion Local School District Directed by a volunteer board of community members, The Fund raises money exclusively through donations from school families, community members, businesses, foundations, and alumni These contributions support activities and programs that are beyond the scope of public school funding.
Previous Inspire contributions have funded trips to Camp Fitch, allowed for the purchase of STEM kits for classroom learning, supported the construction of an outdoor greenhouse at Champion High School, enhanced Spanish literacy efforts, and led to the creation of the middle school Invention Convention.
To Donate:
Individuals or groups interested in contributing to the Champion Fund should contact the Champion Board of Education Office at 330-847-2338.
The Champion Fund is a component fund of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, a 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Transparency in our use of citizen tax dollars is key in this school district. We strive to maintain fiscal solvency regardless of funding challenges. We maintain regular communication of financial matters with our community and maintain a Finance Council of citizens that stays informed of the state of the district finances expenditures and fiscal health.
EXPENDITURES FY 2024
Projected Personnel Costs: Salaries: Benefits: $13,342,846.00
Projected Purchased Services: $1,976,625.00 Projected All Other Expenditures: Supplies,Capital,Debt,OtherOperating: Advances, Transfer, Other Uses:
CHAMPION LOCAL SCHOOLS
$9,114,933.00
$7,607,079 00 $463,107.00
$6,903,614.00
$6,529,562.00
$374,052.00
$807,167.00
$1,044,747.00 Local Taxes: Real Estate Property Taxes: Public Utility Property Taxes All Other Revenue: Other Operating Revenue: Other Sources:
$505,979 00 $301,188 00
Directory Information
The following individuals represent Champion School District residents at the state and federal levels of government. Information is provided in accordance with the requirements of Ohio Revised Code.
State Offices
Governor's Office
Mike DeWine, Governor
State House, 30th Floor, 77 South St., Columbus, OH 43216-6117 | (614) 466-3555
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW)
Stephen D. Dackin, Director 25 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43266 | (877) 644-6338
Area #8 ODE Coordinator's Office
Leanne Sidley, ODE Area 8 Coordinator 172 W. High St., Room 101, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 | (614) 546-8116
Ohio Senate
Sandra O'Brien, State Senator - District 32 Senate Building, 1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 466-7182
Ohio House of Representatives
Mike Loychik, State Representative - District 65 77 S. High St., 12th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 466-3488
U.S. House of Representatives
Dave Joyce, Congressman - 14th Ohio District 2065 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515 | (202) 225-5731
U.S. Senate
Sherrod Brown, Senator | 503 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 | (202) 224-2315
J.D. Vance, Senator | 288 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 | (202) 224-3353
Champion Local School District Board of Education
5976 Mahoning Ave., Warren, OH 44483 | P: (330) 847-2330 | F: (330) 847-2336
Superintendent's Office: (330) 847-2338
John Grabowski, Superintendent
Lynda Norton, Administrative Assistant
Treasurer's Office: (330) 847-2335
Laurena Rouan, Treasurer
Valerie Infante, Treasurer's Assistant / Budgetary
Julie Torok, Treasurer's Assistant / Payroll
Student Services Office
Christy Pompoco, Special Education - (330) 847-2302
Athletics Office - 5976 Mahoning Ave., NW, Warren, OH 44483 | (330) 847-2314
Tim Cope, Athletic Director
Shawnn Wilson, Assistant Athletic Director
Sheryl Cozad, Secretary
Transportation / Food Services / Maintenance: (330) 847-2332
Mark Harper, Director
Education Management Information System (EMIS): (330) 847-2399
Paula Kruger, Coordinator
Bullying/Harassment Compliance Officers
Tracy Herrholtz, CHS Principal - (330) 847-2305
Austin Handrych, CES/CMS Assistant Principal - (330) 847-2328
Homeless Student Liaison
Holly Sandy, CES Counselor - (330) 847-2315
All students in grades K-12 have access to a Chromebook
Cafeteria staff serve over 100,000 meals each year
The Food Services Department is financially self-supporting
Drivers transport an average of 932 students a day
Our fleet travels an average of 60,661 miles a year (including extra curricular trips)
2024-25 Meal Prices
$1.75 (All buildings)
$ 30 (Reduced price)*
Transportation Information
Supervisor: Mark Harper | 330-847-2399
5976 Mahoning Ave., NW
Warren, OH 44483
P: 330-847-2315 | F: 330-847-2322
Principal: Alexandra Nannicola
Asst Principal: Austin Handrych
Secretary: Mindy Abrahamson
Secretary: Genevieve Worley
5976 Mahoning Ave , NW
Warren, OH 44483
P: 330-847-2340 | F: 330-847-2355
Principal: Heather Campbell
Asst. Principal: Austin Handrych
Secretary: Joan Blazek
Secretary: Kristie Caldwell
High (9-12)
5976 Mahoning Ave., NW
Warren, OH 44483
P: 330-847-2300 | F: 330-847-2353
Guidance Office: 330-847-2307
Principal: Tracy Herrholtz
Asst Principal: Zachary Barson
Secretary: Janet Diehl
Secretary: Lori Kiepper
Secretary: Rachael Zigarovich
CHAMPION LOCAL SCHOOLS
Mandated Notices
POLICY OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Champion Local Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, or religion in the educational programs and/or activities operated by the district. Insofar as employment opportunities, the district considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, the presence of nonjob-related medical condition, or disability or any other legally-protected status. The district is an equal opportunity employer.
TITLE I NOTIFICATION TO PARENTS
You have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child's classroom teachers & requires us to give you this information in a timely manner if you ask for it. Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child's classroom teachers:
Whether the Ohio Department of Education has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without being licensed or qualified under the state regulations because of special circumstances; The teacher's college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees & if so, the subject of the degrees;
Whether any teachers' aides or similar paraprofessionals provide services to your child, & if they do, their qualifications. For more information call (330) 847-2338.
PUBLIC NOTICE - Search for Children with Disabilities
School districts across Ohio are participating in an effort to identify, locate, & evaluate all children from birth through 21 years of age who may have disabilities. Disability, in this instance, means such conditions as hearing impairments, speech or language impairments, specific learning disabilities, emotionally disturbed, multiple disabilities, mental retardation, other health impairments, physical impairments, autism, & traumatic brain injury. The Champion Local School District has responded vigorously to federal and state mandates requiring the provision of a free, appropriate public education, regardless of a child's disability. Before the district can serve children, they must be found. Many children with disabilities are not visible because they do not function in the mainstream of the community, such as children who are homeless & children of migrant families. Also, many unidentified children with disabilities are preschoolers. Parents may not be aware their child has a disability or that there are programs & services available.
The district will ask for information about the child, asking such questions as: What is the problem? What has already been done about the problem? What background information is available? This information may be collected in several ways, including interviews, observations, screening, & testing. This information may be obtained from parents & the student, or from other agencies that have information about the student. This information will be used to decide whether the child has a disability & needs special services.
All information collected will be held in strict confidence & released to others only with parent permission or as allowed by law. For example, the district will send records on request to a school district or other educational agency in which a student intends to enroll. The parents may have a copy of those records upon request.
The district will keep a record of all persons who review confidential records with the exception of authorized school employees, or other educational agency personnel. The school will also maintain a list of those employees who may have access to records.
The district or other educational agency will inform the parents when personally identifiable information collected, maintained or used is no longer needed to provide educational services to the child. All personally identifiable data will be kept for at least five years, or longer, if required, for audit purposes, or otherwise required by law.
Parents and students have rights in this process. Parents have the right to: review their child's records; refuse permission to release information (except as required by, or permitted by, law to be released); and request that information they believe to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their child's privacy or other rights be changed. The district has a process to resolve disagreements about information collected.
The district has appointed one person to make sure that information about students is kept confidential. Contact the Board of Education at 330-847-2338 for this person's name.
The district's policies & procedures for special education are available by contacting the Superintendent's Office at 330-847-2338.
The district operates a Child Information Management System (CIMS) that assures a practical method of identifying which children are currently receiving special education services & which children are not. Certain data regarding children are maintained within this system.
The Champion Local School District is interested in meeting the needs of children with disabilities. If you have or know of a child who may have a disability, contact the district at 330-847-2338.
ASBESTOS AWARENESS
(This warning is required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act - AHERA) Asbestos is a potentially dangerous health hazard. Materials containing asbestos have been found in Champion School buildings. The asbestos in our school system has been largely removed, but any that remains is currently in good condition and should not present a danger unless it is disturbed or damaged.
The remaining asbestos is found on pipes in boiler rooms, above ceiling tiles, and in floor tile. Please avoid disturbing anything containing asbestos. Do not hang plants or pictures from ceilings and do not remove ceiling tiles. Please report any evidence of disturbance, damage, or improper action of building occupants. Cleaning and maintenance personnel are taking special precautions to guard against disturbing asbestos. All asbestos is inspected periodically and additional measures taken to protect the health of our building occupants.
