💛 Welcome to the Blackbird Family! 🖤
A proud 2015 Pettisville High School graduate, Eli earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Trine University (2019). For the past seven years, he has worked as a manufacturing engineer at a Tier 1 automotive supplier in Montpelier. Coach King has been a staple in the Blackbird junior high basketball program for many years, and we're happy to have him serving in another capacity as our STEAM teacher.
Mr. King married his wife, Bailey, in 2020, and they welcomed a daughter, Willa, in 2024. This summer, their family grew again, as they added a son, Arlo. Outside of work, Eli enjoys coaching and playing sports, cheering on Cleveland sports teams, tent camping, fishing, farming, planting trees, and making maple syrup. 🌳🎣🏕️
His favorite book series is Eragon, and his life motto is one worth remembering: “Control what you can control, and make peace with the things you can’t control.”
We’re excited to welcome this Blackbird alum back to the nest!
💛 Welcome to the Blackbird Family! 🖤
Mrs. Childs hails to us from North Central and Northwest State, with a homeschool background. Although she started as Assistant Treasurer during the last school year, we wanted to give her a proper Blackbird welcome!
Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, painting, playing sports and chess, photography, and getting lost in a good book. 📚 She’s also an avid fisherman, with a favorite piece of wisdom that says it all: “The best fishing spots are the ones so secluded even the fish don’t know about them.” 🎣
Randi's favorite book is Inkheart, and her go-to meal is steak with mushroom sauce.
We’re excited to welcome Randi to the Blackbird family! 💛
Mrs. Childs hails to us from North Central and Northwest State, with a homeschool background. Although she started as Assistant Treasurer during the last school year, we wanted to give her a proper Blackbird welcome!
Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, painting, playing sports and chess, photography, and getting lost in a good book. 📚 She’s also an avid fisherman, with a favorite piece of wisdom that says it all: “The best fishing spots are the ones so secluded even the fish don’t know about them.” 🎣
Randi's favorite book is Inkheart, and her go-to meal is steak with mushroom sauce.
We’re excited to welcome Randi to the Blackbird family! 💛
💛 A True Blackbird! 🖤
Born and raised in the Pettisville community, Mrs. Yeager is a proud 1998 Pettisville graduate and has spent an incredible 23 years teaching at Pettisville! This year, Mrs. Yeager moved into teaching 2nd grade, after many years teaching 3rd. Believe it or not, Pettisville Schools have been home for 36 years of her life.
Mrs. Yeager earned degrees from Hesston College, Eastern Mennonite University, and Marygrove College, where she completed her Master’s in the Art of Teaching.
Outside of school, she enjoys walking, baking, reading, traveling, and exploring national parks. She and her husband, Darren, have visited 33 national parks and 45 states, and this summer alone, they hiked more than 86 miles through the Dakotas, Wyoming, and Montana! 🥾🏔️
Jodi also enjoys raising monarch butterflies and spending time in her backyard. Her favorite book is the Bible, and her life motto is a fitting reminder: “One day at a time; do not worry about tomorrow!”
We’re grateful for this longtime Blackbird and all she brings to the Pettisville family! 🖤💛
Born and raised in the Pettisville community, Mrs. Yeager is a proud 1998 Pettisville graduate and has spent an incredible 23 years teaching at Pettisville! This year, Mrs. Yeager moved into teaching 2nd grade, after many years teaching 3rd. Believe it or not, Pettisville Schools have been home for 36 years of her life.
Mrs. Yeager earned degrees from Hesston College, Eastern Mennonite University, and Marygrove College, where she completed her Master’s in the Art of Teaching.
Outside of school, she enjoys walking, baking, reading, traveling, and exploring national parks. She and her husband, Darren, have visited 33 national parks and 45 states, and this summer alone, they hiked more than 86 miles through the Dakotas, Wyoming, and Montana! 🥾🏔️
Jodi also enjoys raising monarch butterflies and spending time in her backyard. Her favorite book is the Bible, and her life motto is a fitting reminder: “One day at a time; do not worry about tomorrow!”
We’re grateful for this longtime Blackbird and all she brings to the Pettisville family! 🖤💛
💛 New in the Nest 🖤
Originally from Swanton, Ohio, Ms. Keaton earned her Bachelor of Education in Adolescent and Young Adult Education. She’s excited to begin this new chapter and become part of the Blackbird family!
Outside of school, she loves spending time with her fiancé, David, her sister, her parents, and their dog, Zeke. She enjoys being outdoors, going for walks and hikes, swimming, kayaking, reading, knitting, crocheting, and playing piano. She hopes to add guitar to her musical talents someday! 🎹🎸
Her favorite foods include shredded beef and tacos, but please don't serve her seafood - unless it's fish! Her favorite book is Jane Eyre, and her go-to motto is simple: “Do what you can, the best you can do it.”
Please join us in welcoming her to the Blackbird family! 🖤💛
Originally from Swanton, Ohio, Ms. Keaton earned her Bachelor of Education in Adolescent and Young Adult Education. She’s excited to begin this new chapter and become part of the Blackbird family!
Outside of school, she loves spending time with her fiancé, David, her sister, her parents, and their dog, Zeke. She enjoys being outdoors, going for walks and hikes, swimming, kayaking, reading, knitting, crocheting, and playing piano. She hopes to add guitar to her musical talents someday! 🎹🎸
Her favorite foods include shredded beef and tacos, but please don't serve her seafood - unless it's fish! Her favorite book is Jane Eyre, and her go-to motto is simple: “Do what you can, the best you can do it.”
Please join us in welcoming her to the Blackbird family! 🖤💛
🎶 Meet another 'new' member of the Blackbird family!💛🖤
You may recognize this friendly face - Mr. Steele was a long-term sub in our district last year. Originally from Granville, Ohio, Mr. Steele earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. While at BGSU, he performed as Tommy Albright in Brigadoon and participated in an opera production with Toledo Opera. He hopes to continue pursuing his passion for performance while inspiring students through music education.
Outside of school, he enjoys playing guitar, singing barbershop music, and gaming. He’s also a proud cat dad to Willow, his newly adopted 10-month-old kitten, and Leo, his 4-year-old cat. 🐱🎸
His favorite motto is one we can all get behind: “Just keep going, even when life gets really hard.”
We’re so glad you joined the Blackbird family!
You may recognize this friendly face - Mr. Steele was a long-term sub in our district last year. Originally from Granville, Ohio, Mr. Steele earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. While at BGSU, he performed as Tommy Albright in Brigadoon and participated in an opera production with Toledo Opera. He hopes to continue pursuing his passion for performance while inspiring students through music education.
Outside of school, he enjoys playing guitar, singing barbershop music, and gaming. He’s also a proud cat dad to Willow, his newly adopted 10-month-old kitten, and Leo, his 4-year-old cat. 🐱🎸
His favorite motto is one we can all get behind: “Just keep going, even when life gets really hard.”
We’re so glad you joined the Blackbird family!
💛 Welcome to the Nest! 🖤
A Stryker High School graduate, Mrs. Rufenacht earned her Elementary Education degree from Bluffton University and taught at Stryker for 17 years before joining the Pettisville family. We’re excited to welcome her experience, heart, and love for education to our school!
No stranger to Pettisville, Lindsi and her husband, Justin, live in Pettisville with their four Blackbird children, Landri, Huxley, Hayes, and Letti. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time outdoors with their animals and cheering from the sidelines at her kids’ sporting events. Their family loves being involved in the community and supporting the Blackbirds in all they do!
Her favorite food is pizza, her favorite book is Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, and her teaching philosophy says it all:
“Kids won't remember every lesson you taught, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”
Please join us in giving her a warm Blackbird welcome! 🖤💛
A Stryker High School graduate, Mrs. Rufenacht earned her Elementary Education degree from Bluffton University and taught at Stryker for 17 years before joining the Pettisville family. We’re excited to welcome her experience, heart, and love for education to our school!
No stranger to Pettisville, Lindsi and her husband, Justin, live in Pettisville with their four Blackbird children, Landri, Huxley, Hayes, and Letti. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time outdoors with their animals and cheering from the sidelines at her kids’ sporting events. Their family loves being involved in the community and supporting the Blackbirds in all they do!
Her favorite food is pizza, her favorite book is Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, and her teaching philosophy says it all:
“Kids won't remember every lesson you taught, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”
Please join us in giving her a warm Blackbird welcome! 🖤💛
🖤New in the Nest💛
Meet Mrs. Semer, Speech Pathologist!
Originally from Oakley, California, she earned her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, East Bay. After eight years working in early intervention, she moved to Northwest Ohio and has spent the past 11 years serving students through the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center.
She lives with her husband, two Blackbird daughters Quinn and Charlotte, and their beloved mini Goldendoodle, Remi. Outside of school, she enjoys family walks, game nights, playing piano, running 5Ks, beautiful sunsets, and visiting family in South Carolina.
Her motto? “Stay teachable. Everyone has something to teach you.”
We’re excited to welcome Mrs. Semer to the Blackbird family!
Notice: Students should walk home after school. The playground will open for community use at 3:30 p.m.
Please remember that the district does not supervise any after-school playground activities.
Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, organized, and consistent for everyone!
Please remember that the district does not supervise any after-school playground activities.
Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, organized, and consistent for everyone!
Reminder: School picture day is coming up, Blackbirds!
Make sure to bring your forms/money and your best smile! 📸
Make sure to bring your forms/money and your best smile! 📸
Today's Blackbird Fest has been CANCELLED. All money will be refunded on Monday for the tournaments.
Be sure to join us for Blackbird Fest on Saturday, August 22nd from 2-6 p.m.! Students participating in the tournaments should arrive by 1:45 p.m. at field 1.
BLACKBIRD PRIDE RUNS DEEP!
For the second year in a row, Pettisville High School has been ranked #3 in the Toledo Metro Area by U.S. News & World Report! Even more impressive, our Blackbirds ranked #78 among all high schools in the entire state of Ohio! 🎉
These rankings are a reflection of the dedication of our students, staff, families, and community.
Small school. Big pride. Amazing results.
It's a great day to be a Blackbird! 🖤💛
#PettisvilleProud #BlackbirdNation #TogetherPettisville
For the second year in a row, Pettisville High School has been ranked #3 in the Toledo Metro Area by U.S. News & World Report! Even more impressive, our Blackbirds ranked #78 among all high schools in the entire state of Ohio! 🎉
These rankings are a reflection of the dedication of our students, staff, families, and community.
Small school. Big pride. Amazing results.
It's a great day to be a Blackbird! 🖤💛
#PettisvilleProud #BlackbirdNation #TogetherPettisville
Everyone’s Back in the Nest on Friday... Show your Blackbird Spirit!
The halls are buzzing, the Blackbirds are back, and we’re celebrating the best way we know how: Blackbird SPIRIT style! Wear your favorite Blackbird gear on Friday, August 21st!
The halls are buzzing, the Blackbirds are back, and we’re celebrating the best way we know how: Blackbird SPIRIT style! Wear your favorite Blackbird gear on Friday, August 21st!
📣 JH CHEER ADVISOR OPENING! 🖤💛
Pettisville Schools is looking for a Junior High Cheer Advisor to lead our Blackbird cheerleaders!
If you have a passion for working with students, building school spirit, and cheering on our Blackbirds, we’d love to hear from you!
Please visit our Job Opportunity webpage for more information: https://www.pettisvilleschools.org/page/job-opportunities
Pettisville Schools is looking for a Junior High Cheer Advisor to lead our Blackbird cheerleaders!
If you have a passion for working with students, building school spirit, and cheering on our Blackbirds, we’d love to hear from you!
Please visit our Job Opportunity webpage for more information: https://www.pettisvilleschools.org/page/job-opportunities
⚽️ BLACKBIRD YOUTH SOCCER CAMP IS BACK! 🖤💛
Calling all 1st–6th graders! Blackbird Youth Soccer Camp is returning for another great season of fun, fundamentals, and plenty of time on the field! ⚽️
📅 Registration is due Friday, August 28! Visit our Athletic Links webpage: https://www.pettisvilleschools.org/page/athletic-links
Don’t miss out on the fun. Coach Sivik can't wait to get our Blackbirds kicking off the season strong!
Calling all 1st–6th graders! Blackbird Youth Soccer Camp is returning for another great season of fun, fundamentals, and plenty of time on the field! ⚽️
📅 Registration is due Friday, August 28! Visit our Athletic Links webpage: https://www.pettisvilleschools.org/page/athletic-links
Don’t miss out on the fun. Coach Sivik can't wait to get our Blackbirds kicking off the season strong!
REMINDER: 7-12th graders, please make sure to pickup + charge your Chromebooks before your first day of school!
Tonight's the night. We’re excited to welcome our elementary students and families back for Elementary Open House! Come meet your teachers, see your classrooms, and get ready for another great year at Pettisville! 💛🖤
We can’t wait to see you, Blackbirds!
We can’t wait to see you, Blackbirds!
The Pettisville Schools' Board of Education meeting will take place on Monday, August 10th at 8:00 PM. This meeting is open to the public.
August 1 means it's time to start talking about it... Back to School! Our district newsletter will be coming out next week, but for now- make your plans for the first days of school.
Please note, JH and HS students do not follow evens/odd grades as in past years.
See you soon, Blackbird Nation! 🐦⬛
We are still in need of a JH Soccer Coach for this fall season.
Interested applicants should contact Brian Leppelmeier at bleppelmeier@pettisvilleschools.org
Interested applicants should contact Brian Leppelmeier at bleppelmeier@pettisvilleschools.org
