Family, Community and Partner Connection, Issue #1, September 2026

For Heaven Rios, Canton City Schools has become an important part of both her family and professional life.

Heaven and her husband, Aaron, are raising six children, several of whom are already part of the Canton City Schools family. Mila, 7, and Ezra, 5, attend Timken Elementary, while twins Luca and Leila, who turn 4 in October, attend Schreiber. Their youngest, 1-year-old Rowan, will eventually follow in his older siblings’ footsteps. Heaven is also a bonus mom to 10-year-old Kali, who attends Perry.

What Heaven values most about Canton City Schools is knowing that each of her children is recognized and supported for who they are. She has seen that care firsthand through Luca, who has cerebral palsy and was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. Luca uses a wheelchair and receives support from the teachers and therapists at Schreiber, who Heaven says have become an important part of their family’s support system.

“Their care, consistency, and encouragement mean more to our family than I can express,” she said.

For the Graves Family, it is the everyday experiences that make their connection to the district special: listening to her children talk excitedly about their teachers, attending school events, and watching them learn and become more confident. That connection took on new meaning this year when Heaven joined Canton City Schools as an employee. 

Now experiencing the district from both sides, she says she has an even greater appreciation for the people and work behind the scenes that support Canton City Schools students and families every day.

Canton City School District is proud to recognize United Way for its continued support of our students, families and community. Through partnerships and resources, United Way helps address barriers facing families and creates opportunities for children to thrive.

One example is Strong Families, Strong Neighborhoods, which currently serves families at Summit and Youtz Elementary Schools. The initiative connects families with resources, strengthens support systems and works to create healthier, more stable environments for children and families.

CCSD will also kick off its Annual District United Way Campaign in October, giving staff an opportunity to support United Way and the programs that make a difference throughout our community.

We are grateful for United Way's continued investment in Canton City Schools and the families we serve. Together, we are working toward stronger families, stronger neighborhoods and a stronger Canton community.

DeLores Pressley, a 1974 Timken High School graduate, was named a 2026 Timken High School Distinguished Alumni. A longtime Canton City Schools educator, Pressley spent 27 years serving students before becoming an internationally recognized keynote speaker, author, business life coach and confidence strategist.

As the founder and executive director of She Elevates, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls to become confident leaders, entrepreneurs and CEOs, Pressley continues to use her experience to help others recognize their potential. She has spent more than three decades inspiring others to build confidence, find their leadership voice and take action.

Pressley has spoken for organizations including Coca-Cola, Ford Motor Company, Procter & Gamble, the American Heart Association and Union Pacific Railroad. Her accomplishments include receiving the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama and being recognized as a Top Ten Business Owner by the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Her work has been featured in publications including Essence, Glamour, Black Enterprise, Ebony and the Washington Post, and she has appeared on major television networks, including The Oprah Winfrey Show.

A lifelong Canton community member and proud Timken alum, Pressley continues to make an impact by inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders.

Rain couldn't stop the fun at our annual Family Fun Day! Students and families joined staff and community partners for an afternoon filled with games, activities, resources and plenty of opportunities to simply enjoy time together. From school activity tables and inflatables to the Bookmobile, 360 photo booth, giveaways, and more, there was something for everyone.  

What makes Family Fun Day so special is seeing so many members of our Bulldog community together in one place. Thank you to everyone who planned, participated, and came out in the rain to celebrate with us. YOU are what makes this one of our favorite days of the year!

October 5: High School Fall Choir Show; Umstattd Hall 7 PM

October 12: No School; Indigenous Peoples Day

October 12: Board of Education Meeting; Timken Commons, 6 PM

October 19-24: McKinley Massillon Week Events

October 26:  Teacher Work Day - No School for Students

Several of our school buildings have a food pantry designed to help students and families bridge the gap during a few days of food insecurity. The food pantries are graciously funded through Feed Kids First, and are available for CCSD families experiencing a need for temporary or emergency situations. Please note that these pantries are intended to provide short-term assistance and are not a continuous source of food.

If a school does not have a pantry and your family needs short-term assistance, you are welcome to visit the Timken Career Campus and speak with Linnea Olbon, or email her at olbon_l@ccsdistrict.org. All information is kept confidential.