Message From The Superintendent - March 2026
Greetings!
We hope everyone is doing well!!
We want to announce that we have hired an SSA. Her name is Jamie Miller. Jamie worked at the Mahoning County Board of DD since 2023 and was an Early Intervention Service Coordinator. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts from Walsh University. Jamie started with us on February 3rd. Congratulations, Jamie, and welcome!!
We wanted to thank Cheri Michael for serving on the Portage DD board for 12 years. Her 3rd and final term expired on December 31, 2025. She has been a tremendous asset to the board, and we were fortunate to have her here for the full 3-term limit. Thank you, Cheri!!
We also want to welcome our newest Board Member, Chris Krister. She has replaced Cheri and already has had a great impact on the board, and we continue to look forward to her assistance for years to come. Her official first day was January 1, 2026, but her 1st board meeting was January 21, 2026. Welcome Chris!!
We will once again be offering a free summer camp at the Happy Day Services Building for anyone ages 6 to 21 who is eligible for Portage DD services. There will be seven weeks of camp, with a maximum of four weeks. The camp starts June 8,2026 and ends July 31, 2026. There is no camp for the week of June 29th. Registration begins March 10, 2026. See the link below for more information.
DD Awareness month officially begins in March, but we already kicked things off in February with numerous Art Nights where individuals could come and show their artistic abilities at various community locations. We have a packed schedule for March events. See below.
Transition Fair - March 7, 11am-3pm, Reed Memorial Library (167 E Main St., Ravenna) Jenkins Room. The Portage County Transition Committee wants to connect students with disabilities and their families to community agencies, service providers, and employers to help plan for life after high school. For any questions, please contact Laura Fechter at Lauraf@portagedd.org.
Silent Disco/Dance/Karaoke Party - March 10, 6:30pm-8:00pm at Happy Day Services Building (2500 Brady Lake Rd., Ravenna). Come show off your singing talents or dance to your own beat. Event is free and open to the public.
Movie Nights at Ravenna 7 Theater March 12th, 6pm - “Hoppers”
215 W. Cedar Avenue, Ravenna. Movie, 12 oz. drink and boxed popcorn at no cost to people served by Portage DD and up to three guests. RSVP required to events@portagedd.org or by calling Josie Norsic at 330-296-2839 when registering please provide name of person served, number of guests and a contact number.
It’s Your Time to Shine Talent Show, March 19, 5:30pm-8pm. Lights-up for It’s Your Time to Shine Talent Show! If you are interested in performing, please register with this link https://forms.office.com/g/gpcZaf4XZj. Contact Colleen Brown at colleenb@portagedd.org with any questions.
Hike Club - March 23rd, 4:30 pm Sunny Lake Park, 885 Mennonite Road, Aurora 44202 (1.75 miles). Questions? Contact Eric Larsen at ericl@portagedd.org or (330) 774-0349. Registration is not necessary, however, if you would like to be notified about any changes in the schedule, please email Eric to get on the notification list.
DD Awareness Rally: March 27th, 10:00 am, Downtown Ravenna, in front of the Courthouse (Inclement Weather Make-up: March 31st). Wear your favorite Portage DD, DD Awareness Month T-shirts, and show your support. All are welcome! For more information, contact Eric Larsen at ericl@portagedd.org or (330) 774-0349. Weather delay date March 31st.
We also had our Special Olympic Athletes compete in the Winter Special Olympic State finals. See the results below. Congrats to the athletes, coaches and Portage DD staff. They are a great team!!
We are Portage Proud everyone was Brave in the Attempt against some good competition!
Competitive Cheer - 4th
Basketball Skills
Van - 2nd
Ben - 4th
Swim
Team 4x25M Relay - 5th
25M Backstroke
Danielle - 4th
Laura - 4th
Jake - 2nd
Mike - 6th
25M Freestyle
Danielle - 8th
Laura - 2nd
Jake - 2nd
Mike - 7th
Believe in People!
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.
Sincerely,
John Vennetti