What a run! Sitting in studio with Coach Brett Larrick and reliving a sensational season for the Elyria High School Boys Basketball team. Take a listen as Coach Larrick describes a whole lotta magic from nail-biter moments to conference titles to division playoffs -- right here on Petey Podcast! Congratulations Elyria Boys Basketball on a phenomenal season!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

The eclipse of April 8 was truly remarkable. And here's a little something that added an extra layer of fascination for those of us in the path of totality in Elyria, Ohio--an eclipse weather balloon crash-landed in a field on the property of our very own Eastern Heights Campus! The balloon and its transmission device, known as a radiosonde, were discovered by a school family who was watching the eclipse from the school's field. The balloon was launched by a group of researchers from the University of Wyoming known as the UW Space Cowboys. Their atmospheric team actually sent some 30 balloons up in the air--every hour for 30 hours--to collect data like temperature, humidity, wind, latitude/longitude, and altitude within the eclipse's path of totality. On this episode of Petey Podcast, we chat with Dr. Phil Bergmaier who heads up the eclipse weather balloon project of the atmospheric science research at the University of Wyoming, and leader of the UW Space Cowboys. We also talk with Elyria Schools parent, Laura Schisler, who made the balloon discovery at Eastern Heights! Take a listen--it's an out-of-this-world episode!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

You've may have heard of the Good Behavior Game--strategies for encouraging positive choices and time on task in the classroom.  PAX is a system that supports this. The PAX game, if you will, guides students in what the behavior expectations are and rewards them when they get there. Holly Campbell is a Behavior Reinforcement and Implementation Coordinator (BRIC) with Elyria Schools and she spearheads many of the PAX workshops at the elementary level, including sessions with parents to equip them with knowledge and tools for using PAX strategies at home. We chatted with Holly about PAX and how it fits into bigger picture of positive behavior and culture in school. Take a listen! It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

It's a hop-hop-hopping time of year in the Elyria Schools as we gear up for the many activities and programs of spring. One of our favorite functions each year is the Special Olympics Craft and Vendor Fair at Elyria High School! It's an event truly designed for fun, family and friendship. Nearly 100 vendors will be there to showcase their crafts, homemade goodies and products. If you're looking for unique stuffers for Easter baskets--this is the place! You'll want to bring the kids, too, for the fair's annual Easter Egg Hunt, with more than 6,000 filled eggs and pictures with the Easter Bunny! There will also be musical entertainment and delicious concession treats to eat. All proceeds benefit the Elyria Special Olympics. The Spring Craft and Vendor Fair is Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elyria High School. Get caught up on all the details with our guests, Shari Goodsite and Andy Menner of the Elyria Special Olympics Committee.It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Take a listen and you'll quickly learn why students of Eastern Heights Elementary were selected by Disney Musicals in Schools and Cleveland's Playhouse Square to bring a Disney classic to life:  "101 Dalmations!" These young actors demonstrate their paw-some talent as they easily slip right into character on this episode of Petey Podcast. This is the first-ever on-stage production of Eastern Heights Elementary School because the school hasn't had an existing drama club--until now, that is! Eastern Heights is the only school in Lorain County, Ohio,--and one of only a handful of schools in Northeastern Ohio--to become a 2023-2024 recipient of the Disney Musicals in Schools program. This remarkable project is a collaboration with Cleveland Playhouse Square to create sustainable theater programs in schools. In March, the "101 Dalmations" crew will showcase their talents on stage at Playhouse Square, and again with a full production in April at the Elyria High School Performing Arts Center. You're in for a treat with this show--woof, woof!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Imagine waking up one day in someone else's shoes, literally! That's what happens when characters "Ellie" and "Katherine" swap bodies in the madcap tale  of "Freaky Friday One-Act Edition." And this is the oh-so-fun musical Northwood Middle School Drama Club is bringing to Elyria's Performing Arts Center stage in March. We caught up with a handful of actors and backstage experts of the cast and crew to learn all the details of the hilarious performance. Take a listen on this episode of Petey Podcast!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

The  Veterans Service Commission of Lorain County provides millions of dollars in assistance each and every year to ensure that veterans have basic needs met, such as transportation to medical appointments, financial assistance where eligible and legal assistance, including wills and assisting with guardianship matters, among many other things. It's also their mission to promote patriotism and to restore and commission veteran memorials in Lorain County. Their services are wide-ranging and life-changing. On Petey Podcast to tell us all about it, we recently welcomed Director Jacob Smith and Deputy Director Larry Amato. If you're a veteran or a family member of a veteran, don't miss this episode!  It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

The Ohio Task Force on Internet Crimes Against Children came to Elyria High School to talk with parents about this critical matter. EHS Associate Principal Patrick Griffis joined us on Petey Podcast to hit the high points from this incredibly important presentation. Internet crimes against children are on the rise but there are ways to fight back. Tune in to this important discussion on Petey Podcast, and watch the video on Elyria Schools PioneerTV.It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Nothing much going on here but some holiday chit chat with Petey Podcast hosts, Amy and Marty! We're recapping some of the end-of-year holiday fun that's been boosting spirits here in the district as we round out the first half of the school year and look to put a bow on 2023. From all of us in the Elyria Schools--Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a most jubilant New Year! It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

After nearly nine years as a member of the Elyria Board of Education, President Greg Elek is stepping down at the end of this year after deciding not to seek re-election last November. Greg has been a key leader in decisions that have changed the face of the school district and of the community--most notably the building of all new schools and a new stadium in Elyria. We caught up with Greg on Petey Podcast to chat about his time on the Board and some of his most memorable moments. Thank you, Greg, for your dedicated service to Elyria Schools and to the community of Elyria. You will be missed!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

When you're offered a chance of a lifetime, you take it. Head Custodian Terry Lewis knew many years ago that he wanted to make a direct impact in the lives of veterans. For years Terry has been a trusty associate in the long-standing annual Veterans Day planning and preparation activities of Northwood Campus (and Windsor Elementary before then.). Terry is charged with ensuring the facility is ready to go for welcoming and recognizing the hundreds of veterans who participate in the formalities of this special day. Doing so, however, has inspired him to want to more. Windsor--and now Northwood--began fundraising for Honor Flights many years ago. The Honor Flights program ensures that Veterans of combat have the opportunity to visit the war memorials of Washington D.C. at no cost. Honor Flight Guardians are volunteers who fly with the veterans to assist with all their needs during their flights to and from Washington D.C., and throughout their day of travel. Terry was selected in October to take this unforgettable journey with a Vietnam Veteran. Terry joined us in studio to share this experience. Also a guest, Mary Karlovec--Teacher and organizer of Northwood's annual Veterans Day Celebration and Parade--with all the details of this year's event. Northwood's Annual Veterans Day Car Parade: Friday, Nov. 10, 9:45-10:15 a.m. (Vehicles must enter the campus from Rosealee Dr. to line up for the parade.)It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Morning talk radio host Bruce VanDyke of AM 930 WEOL talks with Elyria Schools staffer Terry Lewis about his unforgettable trip as an Honor Flight Guardian. Terry is a Head Custodian at Northwood Campus, where he works with Teacher Mary Karlovec--both are very involved in the school's annual tribute to veterans on Veterans Day. Take a listen as Terry describes his incredible journey and Mary shares how Elyria Schools came to be involved in sponsorship of the Honor Flight program. Mary also gives us the scoop on what Northwood has planned for this year's Veterans Day Parade.It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

The Eastern Heights Middle School Drama Club has grown by leaps and bounds since it launched just four years ago.  The club takes on multiple productions a year, kicking off each new season with a fantastic musical. This year is no exception! The cast and crew are ready to welcome audiences this weekend to their fun-filled production of  "Junie B. Jones, Jr.," the lovable tale of a first grader--Junie B. Jones--who's trying to find her way through a brand new year of school. The play is loaded with entertaining music that will make you bounce in your seat--it's a perfect night out for the family. We caught up with a few members of the cast and crew and Club Advisor Charlene Hartley on this episode of Petey Podcast. Take a listen! "Junie B. Jones, Jr." premieres this weekend at the Elyria High School Performing Arts Center, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 & 21, 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the door or online at https://www.elyriaschools.org/performing_arts_center/purchase_event_ticketsIt's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Shirley Messaros grew up in Elyria during World War II, attending McKinley and Franklin Elementary Schools as a youngster and graduating from Elyria High School in 1954. She forged many friendships that have stood the test of time. She's been the keeper of her high school class memoirs, and continues to gather her classmates up every five years for meet ups. In 2024, the Class of 1954 will celebrate its 70th reunion! It's these fond school memories and deep friendships that's kept Shirley tied to Elyria Schools all these years. About 13 years ago Shirley started a coat collection for Elyria students. It began humbly with a small donation of coats after Shirley learned of the need while visiting a now shuttered elementary school. Shirley's coat drive has grown over the years to a collection of hundreds of brand-new coats, hats, gloves and scarves. The drive is held the first weekend of every November. Shirley's coat drive will take place Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4 and 5, 2023, from Noon to 3 p.m., at the Elyria American Legion housed at 393 Ohio St. Thank you, Shirley, for your deep care, concern and kindness toward Elyria's children!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Hamilton Elementary School is the site for a districtwide celebration of culture and family: EL Family Night on Oct. 19, from 5-7 p.m. This is the second year in a row that Hamilton Elementary has hosted this celebration for families with English Learners to come together for an evening of food, friendship and fun. On this episode of Petey Podcast, we welcomed EL Teacher Dan Falk and EL Coordinator Celina Bigio to provide us with the history of EL Night in Elyria Schools and to share what's planned for this year's exciting event!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Elyria City School District is the first in Lorain County to screen the film, The Right to Read, and it's FREE to our parents and community at the Elyria High School Performing Arts Center, Tues. Oct. 10, at 6:30 p.m. Joining us on this episode of Petey Podcast are Literacy Specialists Erica Kaufmann and Jennifer Martinez from the  Educational Service Center of Lorain County, and Elyria Schools Implementation Specialist Bianca Fries. The movie, The Right to Read, examines literacy instruction and identifiable gaps.  How the brain learns to read is a fascinating area of study of educators everywhere. And here in Lorain County, our teachers and literacy experts are rolling up their sleeves and delving right in. Take a listen to this exciting discussion with these fantastic educators!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

It's September and that can only mean one thing in Elyria: Apple Fest time! Take a listen as we chat with Apple Festival Committee Chair, Stacey Francis, as she fills us in on all the fun food and activities we can expect at Elyria's annual Apple Festival in Ely Square, Sept. 15-17--the festival is celebrating 43 years this year!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

If there's one thing that brings people together on a Friday night it's high school football. And this year Elyria has a new coach at the helm, Brian Fox. Brian joined us in the Petey Podcast studio before the start of the school year to talk about the season and his coaching philosophies. He also talks about academics and how coaches and teachers of Elyria High School work together for the common goal of student success. It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

An English language expert of Elyria Schools, Celina Bigio, took her teaching strategies and skills across the Atlantic this summer to teach English to students in Poland. This is her second trip to Europe in a year--over spring break she was in Poland to guide teachers there in ways of incorporating fun and games into their lessons and classroom activities.  Celina is the district's EL (English Learner) and Gifted Coordinator. The work she's doing in Poland will help her immensely in assisting Elyria's teachers who work directly with students learning to speak English through the Elyria Schools. In this episode of Petey Podcast, Celina talks about lessons learned while teaching abroad and the impact of programs like this that give American educators the opportunity to teach in other countries. Watch for part two of this podcast in the fall when we catch up with Celina after her trip!It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Checking in with a couple of our soccer gurus--Alyssa Martineau and Todd Church--on this episode of Petey Podcast. Alyssa is the Head Coach of the Elyria Girls Soccer Program and Todd is her Assistant, and he's also her dad. The duo finished up their first year as new coaches of the girls soccer program this past school year and just as quickly, kicked off their summer workout schedule and will start up a summer soccer camp in July. And, by the way...there's still time to register for that camp! We had a lot of fun catching up with Alyssa and Toddy and hearing about all the excitement surrounding Elyria Girls Soccer. Take a listen!  It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!