George M. Southard Elementary School

Know someone who still needs to register their child for school? TAG THEM!

Kindergarten and new student registration is open all summer — but school starts in just a few weeks. Don’t wait!

📍 Register at the District Office
🕘 Monday–Friday | 9 AM–12 PM
💻 Details here 👉 lockportschools.org/registration

Let’s make sure every future Lion is ready to ROAR on day one! 🦁

🦁 Another #SummerOfLions roundup full of adventure, learning, and summer smiles!

Aubrey (8th grade) and Parker (2nd grade) are checking off their A–Z summer bucket list—and it’s packed with fun!
Bennett and Emilia (from Charles Upson) dove into discovery at the Whalemobile event at the Lockport Library!
Tanner (2nd grade at George Southard) spent three weeks in his hometown of Las Vegas—from pool days and aquariums to a visit to the Air Force base! He also road-tripped through OH, CO, and WY visiting family and friends along the way.

Our Lions are living big, learning lots, and making the most of every summer moment! #summeroflions

In Lockport City School District, We All Belong is more than a tagline. It’s a shared belief that every student, staff member, and family is a vital part of our story. As we enter the 2025–2026 school year, we are embracing an additional theme: We Are One.

This year, we are celebrating what unites us:
- Eight unique schools.
- One unified district.
- One collective mission.
- One unwavering commitment to our students.

Though our buildings span different grades, neighborhoods, and traditions, our strength lies in our connection. From our youngest kindergartener to our graduating seniors, from new educators to long-serving staff, we are all part of something bigger that we build together.

What “We Are One” Represents:
One Purpose – We are all working toward the same goal: empowering every student to reach their fullest potential.
One Community – We are connected by shared values, shared goals, and shared pride in being Lions.
One Voice – We celebrate diversity and individuality while standing united in our belief that everyone matters and everyone belongs.
One Future – From literacy and leadership to innovation and inclusion, what we do in each classroom today builds a better tomorrow for all.
One Standard – High expectations. Strong relationships. Continuous growth. These aren’t goals for some schools—they’re values across the district.

Make sure to follow along this year on our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, website, Lion Bytes newsletters, Lion Bytes: The Podcast, and District newsletters for ways we are show casing the "We are One" campaign!

School Supply lists for 2025/2026 school year have been posted: https://www.lockportschools.org/article/2292080.

Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Orientation and Open House dates for 2025/2026 School Year! https://www.lockportschools.org/article/2268720

*Please note that this is a TIES-funded position and not a district-employed role.
We’re looking for a parent to take on this meaningful, part-time role supporting inclusive activities across the district.

Details:
– Approx. 10 hrs/week
– Year-round, part-time
– $16/hour
– HS diploma required
– 2+ years experience with individuals/families with developmental disabilities

What is TIES?
Together Including Every Student (TIES) empowers students with developmental disabilities to join clubs, sports, and community activities—with the support of trained peer volunteers.

Interested? Email Erik Vohwinkel, Director of Special Education, evohwinkel@lockportschools.net

The kindergarteners at George Southard are getting ready to move on up! With proud smiles, practiced songs, and a whole lot of heart, these soon-to-be first graders are preparing for their Moving Up Day ceremony. Good luck to them all!

Mr. Flaherty’s class at George Southard welcomed volunteers from the LHS TALAT (Take a Look at Teaching) club, while Mrs. O’Brien’s (George Southard) and Mr. Gueli’s (Emmet Belknap) classes were joined by DECA students serving as “teachers” and Junior Achievement volunteers. The LHS students delivered engaging, grade-appropriate Junior Achievement lessons that introduced important business vocabulary and showed how communities and neighborhoods collaborate to build financially literate employees and thriving businesses. It was an inspiring experience for all groups of students, sparking excitement about future careers and the power of teamwork!

Roy B. Kelley and George Southard Elementary Schools celebrated Career Day! Check out Lockport's future workforce. We've got up and coming doctors, broadcasters, astronauts, pilots, chefs, athletes, dancers, veterinarians, engineers, teachers, and more! Did you take a pic of your kiddos for Career Day this year? Please post them and tag us!

Calling all future Kindergarteners! Lockport families—get your little one ready for success with our FREE Kindergarten Readiness Summer Camp! Dates: July 7 – August 15, 2025 (Monday–Friday) Location: Roy B. Kelley Elementary School Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & snacks included! Open to children entering Kindergarten in the Lockport City School District during the 2025-2026 School Year. Daily Schedule: 🔹 8–11:30 a.m. (Required): Literacy, Math & Social-Emotional Skill Building 🔹 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (Optional): Arts & crafts, motor skills, outdoor play & more! Register by calling the YWCA at (716) 433-6714 or visit 👉 lockportschools.org/kindergartencamp.

Get ready for the most heartwarming moment of Unity Fest — the Kindness Parade is back and brighter than ever! All eight schools at LCSD will march together showcasing kindness chains that celebrate compassion, connection, and what it means to lift each other up. Expect smiles, high fives, and plenty of reasons to believe in the power of kindness. New this year - the LHS Pep Band and Cheerleaders will be on hand to help! Whether you're walking in it or cheering from the sidelines, the Kindness Parade is a reminder that unity begins with us. Don’t miss this beautiful moment of togetherness — only at Unity Fest tomorrow, Friday, May 30, 2025 at 4-8 p.m. behind LHS!

Get ready to climb, explore, and discover at one of the most exciting stops at Unity Fest — Touch-A-Truck! @Lockport Police Department – Hop in a patrol car, turn on the lights, and meet the officers who help keep our schools and community safe! @LockportFirefighters – Explore a real fire truck and learn what it takes to be a firefighter from the pros themselves! LCSD Tech Mobile – Need to stay connected during the summer months? Check out our tech team's mobile classroom and see where it travels from July-August! Only at Unity Fest — Friday, May 30, 2025 at 4-8 p.m. behind LHS!

Get ready to move, play, and cheer — Unity Fest is bringing the FUN! Here’s what’s going down on the field: Kindergarten Flag Football Clinic – The littlest Lions can learn the basics and run with the best of 'em! Still taking sign ups: https://forms.gle/7QP5WSHQvGaaBPKJA. LHS Kickball Tournament – Big kicks, bigger laughs! Come root for your favorite team in this tournament! Field Fun & Games – From KanJam to Cornholl, the LCSD Athletics Department is bringing all the action! Bocce with the LHS Unified Bocce Team – Enjoy some friendly bocce competition led by our incredible Unified athletes! There’s something for everyone — whether you're playing, cheering, or just enjoying the good vibes. Only at Unity Fest - Friday, May 30, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. behind LHS- rain or shine – don’t miss a minute of the fun!

Take a journey without ever leaving the festival on Friday, May 30, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. behind LHS! At Unity Fest, don’t miss our Walk Around the World experience — a vibrant celebration of the many cultures, countries, and communities that make up LCSD! 🌎 Explore student-led displays, taste traditional snacks, learn greetings in different languages, and discover customs from around the globe — all created by our amazing students and families. This is more than a walk — it’s a celebration of who we are. Diverse. United. Proud. 🦁

Here’s your chance to finally get back at your favorite LCSD staff members… with a SPLASH! 💦🎯 Step right up to the Dunk Tank at Unity Fest and take aim at principals, teachers, and even district staff who’ve bravely volunteered to take the plunge — all in the name of fun, laughter, and community spirit! Don't miss it - only at Unity Fest! Friday, May 30, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. behind LHS.

Tomorrow, May 20, 2025 is the day to get our and vote on the 2025-2026 Budget Vote. It's so important to participate!

Meet the Candidates! Join us for School Board Candidates Night on May 7, 2025, from 6–8 PM at the Lockport High School Visual & Performing Arts Center (250 Lincoln Ave., Door #3). This is your chance to hear directly from the candidates running for the Lockport City School District Board of Education. Presented by The Lockport Council of PTAs & The League of Women Voters of Buffalo-Niagara. Be informed. Be involved.

🤖✨ Get ready, LCSD! STEM NIGHT is TONIGHT! From robots and drones to science experiments, coding, math magic 🧪📐 and even stop motion animation — we've got something for every curious mind! 🎉 Open to ALL K-12 students + families 🕕 May 1, 2025 from 6–8 PM 📍 Lockport High School (Enter through Door #3) Can't wait to see you there— it's going to be STEM-sational! 🧠⚡

May is Community Action Month! STEM Night on May 1 is a great way for our community to come together and empower our students with knowledge, resources, and opportunities for growth. It’s also the perfect lead-up to our LCSD Unity Fest on May 30th, where we will continue to celebrate the strength and spirit of our community, promoting unity, diversity, and empowerment for all. Mark your calendars: STEM Night: May 1, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Lockport High School Unity Fest: May 30, 2025 from 4:00-8:00 PM behind Lockport High School Together, we’re building a future of innovation, inclusivity, and community empowerment!