New Albany-Plain Local Schools Superintendent Jason Fine has a message for families bracing for the first day of school: don't expect perfection.
"Give yourself permission to ease into the school year rather than expecting everything to feel perfect on day one," Fine told the Columbus Jewish News in a back-to-school feature published Aug. 14.
NAPLS opens its 2026-27 school year Aug. 19 with a staggered start: students in grades 1-12 whose last names begin A-K attend first. Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools brings all of its more than 7,500 students back Aug. 20. As we reported Aug. 7, both districts had already outlined parking restrictions, vaccination reminders and other logistics.
This year's opening arrives after a rough stretch of weather. A second round of severe storms hit central Ohio on Sunday, Aug. 16, triggering a tornado warning around 11 p.m. and leaving more than 1,000 Franklin County customers without power, according to NBC4. That followed the Aug. 11 derecho that knocked out electricity to more than 130,000 customers at its peak and prompted Gov. Mike DeWine to declare a state of emergency for Franklin County on Aug. 13. AEP Ohio has since restored power to more than 200,000 customers across the region.
Schools open in two days.
Fine, who leads a district of nearly 5,000 students across five schools, outlined three priorities for the year ahead: building strong teacher-student relationships from day one, helping students find balance between academics and activities, and discouraging overcommitment in extracurriculars, sports and part-time jobs.
He said the district encourages staff to begin forming connections with students immediately. Research shows those relationships increase academic engagement, improve reading and math achievement, and act as a buffer against stress, Fine said.
On the question of balance, Fine cautioned against students trying to do it all at once. He told the Columbus Jewish News the district does not want students to overcommit in ways that lead to anxiety, and that learning to prioritize and make thoughtful choices about commitments are life skills that will serve them long after graduation.
"By partnering with families and fostering a culture where students feel known, supported and encouraged, we prepare them to succeed both in school and beyond," Fine said in the same interview.
NAPLS welcomed more than 70 new staff members at a new-staff orientation on Aug. 11. Gahanna-Jefferson's central office, meanwhile, has moved to Clark Hall at 380 Granville St. in Gahanna, which also houses the district's Welcome and Enrollment Center and preschool program.
Families with questions can reach NAPLS at (614) 855-2040 or napls.us.
Coming up:
- Wednesday, Aug. 19 — NAPLS first day of school (staggered start, last names A-K, grades 1-12)
- Thursday, Aug. 20 — Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools first day, all students
