Back-to-School Toolkit

Student Cell Phone Update Based on State Law (HB96)

MRLS Updated Student Personal Communication Devices Expectations

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In accordance with the new state law (House Bill 96), the use of cell phones and other personal communication devices (PCDs) is now banned during the school day across all Ohio schools. As a result, the following updated expectations will be in place for all students.

Grades K–12 Expectations

Students in grades K–12 are not permitted to use personal communication devices (e.g., cell phones, earbuds, and other personal communication devices) during the school day, which includes normal school hours and/or instructional time.

Exceptions:

• Medical Use: With a documented medical need as determined by a physician and approved by the building principal.
• School-Related Events: During official after-school events or extracurricular activities.
• Transportation: While riding in school vehicles. However, behavior that is distracting or creates an unsafe environment may result in the loss of this privilege.

Storage Requirements/Classroom Procedures:

• Grades 9-12: Devices will be collected during 1st period by the 1st period teacher and picked up by students at the end of their school day.  Additional details will be provided by the high school administration.
• Grades 6–8: Devices must be powered off and stored in the student’s locker.
• Grades PK–5: Devices must be powered off and stored in the student’s bookbag inside their cubby.

Violations will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the student code of conduct and confiscation of the device in the building’s office.  The device may have to be picked up by a parent or guardian based on the district’s progression of discipline.

MRLS Board Policy 5136 Discipline Progression:

1. Issue a verbal warning and require the student to store the PCD in accordance with this policy.
2. Confiscate the PCD and store it securely in a staff-controlled locker, bin, or drawer for the duration of the class or period.
3. Confiscate the student’s PCD and store it in the facility’s central office for the remainder of the school-related event or school day.
4. Confiscate the student’s PCD in the facility's central office to be picked up by the student’s parent or guardian.
5. Detention
6. Schedule a conference with the student’s parent or guardian to discuss the student’s PCD use.
7. Loss of privilege to bring a PCD to school for a designated length of time or on a permanent basis.
8. In-school suspension.
9. Out-of-school suspension.
10. Expulsion

Starting with the 2025-26 school year, Mad River Schools will follow new start and end times, approved by the Board of Education in November. These changes will improve transportation efficiency, reduce delays for afterschool activities, and align instructional hours across grade levels.

We are extremely excited to announce that all Mad River students in Gr. K-12 will once again receive free breakfast and lunch meals. No action is needed on the part of families. We need our families to complete the Income Verification Form which is sent home at the beginning of the school year, which assists districts in qualifying for millions of dollars in funding each year.

In accordance with Ohio House Bill 8, we are providing families with an annual notice of the health services available to students in Mad River.

🏥 As a parent or guardian, you have the right to:

• Be informed about each health service offered at school

• Withhold consent for any or all of these services

📋 What’s next?
A form will be sent to you via ParentSquare. Please take a moment to review and complete it. Your response ensures we’re providing care that aligns with your preferences.

✅ Be on the lookout in ParentSquare and please submit your form.

*Please note that inquiries made through Infofinder for bus times may not be correct, and there is no guarantee that these will be the right bus numbers for the upcoming school year. 

Click here for Registration

Whether you're enrolling a preschooler or registering students in grades K–12, we're here to guide you every step of the way. You can begin the process by clicking “Register a New Student” to access or create your Parent Portal (OneView)—our secure online system for new student enrollment and back‑to‑school forms. madriver.esvportal.com+11madriverschools.org+11madriverschools.org+11

Please note:

• Preschool (district residents only): Applications are available online or can be picked up at the Student Services Office. Completed applications should be returned in person—not through the OneView portal. madriverschools.org+1

• Grades K–12 (district residents): Online registration is open for the 2025–26 school year. For new students, begin by creating or logging into your OneView account; then select “Enroll New Student.” madriverschools.org+5madriverschools.org+5madriverschools.org+5

• In-person appointments: All school buildings are closed to the public until August 1. From that date, you’ll be able to schedule an in-person registration appointment at your child’s assigned building.

📣 Important Reminder: Keep Your Parent Portal Info Updated!

Having accurate contact information in OneView ensures you receive important updates about weather delays/closures, emergencies, and other urgent alerts from the district via ParentSquare.

👉 Please take a moment to review and update your contact and student information in the OneView Portal to ensure you never miss critical updates.

✅ Updating is quick and easy!
Click the link below to create or log in to your account:
🔗 Mad River Parent Portal

📱 You can also download the free PowerSchool app for easy access on the go!
https://www.parentsquare.com/

Mad River utilizes a notification system to send you the most up-to-date information on school closings, delays, and other schedule changes or important information. To receive these notices in a timely manner, it is critical that your information is up-to-date at your child's school. If your phone number or email changes during the school year, please contact your child's school to update your information.

The app will allow you to access events, news, updates, and even emergency notifications right from your phone.

Download the App Today!
 

• Download the app from the App Store or Google Play by searching “Mad River Local Schools.”

 Download for Android       Download for iPhone


Log in as a parent/guardian

• Tap the “Student Info” icon to log in as a parent or guardian of an MRLS student. 

Attendance

Being present in school every day, for the entire school day, is a critical part of student achievement. Families play a crucial role in building good attendance habits and ensuring their child is in class.

• Missing just 10%, or 2 days a month, over the course of the school year can affect a student's academic success.

• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three key signs that a student may drop out of high school.

• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.