@Alder
April 2026

Message from the Superintendent

As we enter the final stretch of the 2025-2026 school year, I continue to be inspired by the focus, hard work, and perseverance demonstrated by our students, staff, and families. With state testing underway, graduation preparations in full swing and spring sports programs approaching tournament play, the dedication across our district is evident in every classroom, every hallway, and every playing field.

UPDATE: Building for Community, Connection, and Family

As part of keeping our community informed and Connected, this will be our final district e-news highlighting the FACTS and information regarding the May 2026 Income Tax Renewal. This Renewal is Not a New Tax, but rather a continuation of an existing funding source that supports the daily Teaching and Learning along with the day-to-day operations of our schools, including staffing, programming, transportation, and overall student services. The Renewal does Not increase taxes; it simply allows us to continue operating at the high standard our students and staff are currently experiencing.

We encourage all families to take a few moments to review the information to better understand the role this Renewal plays in sustaining district teaching and learning, daily operations, and the potential impact to programs and services if the Renewal were not to pass.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to the Jonathan Alder Local School District. Together, we will finish this school year strong while continuing to build a future centered on Community, Connection, and Family.

In Gratitude,

James Miller, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Jonathan Alder Local School District

JA Soars with Spectacular Space Day Event

It was a weekend that was truly out of this world for Jonathan Alder Local Schools! On Saturday, April 11, 2026, Canaan Middle School was transformed into a hub of astronomical exploration for the district’s highly anticipated Space Day.

Teaching & Learning Update

Welcome to the April edition of the Teaching and Learning Family Newsletter. As we continue through the spring season, we are excited to share the latest updates and initiatives aimed at enhancing the Pioneer student experience as we head into the final stretch of the school year.

Jonathan Alder delivers strong academic outcomes while being thoughtful and responsible with community resources.This doesn’t happen by chance. It is the result of a connected school community that stays focused on what matters most:

High-quality teaching and learning
Strong relationships with students
Intentional and responsible use of resources
A supportive community invested in student success

Simply put, a Pioneer education is not defined by how much is spent, but by how well students achieve.

State of Ohio Recognizes Canaan Middle School as Overall 5-Star Building

Canaan Middle School (CMS) has been recognized by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce with the distinguished Overall 5-Star Building Award, placing the school among the top-performing public schools in the state of Ohio.

Out of more than 3,600 public schools across Ohio, only 283 schools earned this honor. This represents approximately the top 8% statewide, underscoring the magnitude of Canaan Middle School’s accomplishment.

Preparing
Students
for Future

Shuping’s Art Shines Globally in Manie Musicale

This spring, the excitement of "March Madness" took on an international, musical twist in our French classrooms at Jonathan Alder High School! Students recently participated in Manie Musicale, a highly anticipated annual song contest connecting French learners from all over the world. Throughout the tournament, students fill out brackets, listen to contemporary French hits, complete engaging cultural activities, and vote for their favorite tracks to advance in head-to-head matchups.

Beyond the language and cultural immersion, this year’s competition brought a very special recognition to our district. Following each round, the tournament releases highly anticipated "reveal videos" to announce the winners. We are incredibly proud to share that original artwork by Eliza Shuping, a student in French III, was officially selected to be featured in the reveal video for the final championship match!

Having a student’s creativity showcased to a worldwide audience of French learners and educators is a tremendous honor for our French language community.

Please join us in congratulating Eliza on this fantastic global achievement, and a special thank you to our World Language educators for bringing such engaging, real-world cultural experiences into the classroom. Félicitations, Eliza!