What ServSafe Courses Do You Teach?
Please complete this short survey!
Data Collection
Data collection for the 2026 – 2027 school year has officially launched! This week, you'll receive an email from prostartdatabase@nraef.org with a link to the annual ProStart survey. It's a 26-question survey asking about your program. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. These answers are used by the National Restaurant Association to evaluate and support ProStart nationwide. Completing this survey is required to remain an active ProStart program and stay on our contact lists. If you run into any issues with it, reach out to sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org. It is due by September 10!
New This Year: Optional Survey
An additional, optional short survey will appear once the standard survey is completed. The optional survey is focused on gaining information about the educator and offers you an opportunity to provide us with feedback through multiple open-ended questions.
Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant application is now Open!
Funding from Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant provides schools the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new resources, build up their classrooms in preparation for return to school, and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills. Apply here. Application closes September 24 at 11:59pm
Normandy High School and Ohio Valley Career Center both received $5,000 in the fall of 2025!
Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (ODEW) Update Industry-Recognized Credentials for Class of 2030 & Beyond
ODEW has recently updated the Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRC) process for the Class of 2030 and beyond. Our team is working directly with ODEW as we re-certify ProStart as an IRC pathway to graduation. The new changes do not impact the Class of 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Read more here.
Teacher Institute - Friday, September 25
Mark your calendars – Teacher Institute is being held September 25 at Zink Foodservice in Columbus. Registration is open! Sign up HERE.
Final agenda to come next week.
A big thank you to the following educators who have already signed up:
- Tracey Funk
- Katie Mosher
- Sarah Elston
- Andrea Sheerin
- Nick Shuler
- Christopher Olsewski
- Tamera Burnett-Penny
- Christie Gibbons
- Iann Johnson
- Susan Zeyer
- Terra Dahlhausen
- Lauren Bondrowski
- Glen Zalenski
- Stephanie Kunkel
- Kathy Diederich
- Daniel Esquivel
- Emily Lewis
- Shanequa Crowe
- Nick Linthicum
- Frank Lawrie Minear
- Kate Cole
- Janea Makowski
September Office Hours
Thursday, September 3 – 2:30-3:30.
Email sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org with any topics you would like to discuss. Agenda and Teams invite coming next week.
Beef in the Classroom Grant
The Beef in the Classroom Grant provides Ohio educators with up to $300 per school year to support lessons that incorporate cuts of beef. This program helps teachers bring real-world learning into their classrooms while reinforcing topics such as nutrition, food safety, culinary skills, agriculture, and science.
Program Guidelines
Eligibility: Open to all Ohio teachers who plan to use cuts of beef as part of a classroom lesson.
Funding: Each teacher may receive up to $300 per school year.
Use of Funds: Grant money may be used for beef products and any necessary supplies to complete the lessons. Educators may use a lesson from the Ohio Beef Council website or create their own. Funds may not be used for the purchase of live animals or to provide meals for students (such as banquets, class parties, or awards dinners).
Application: Teachers must complete the online application and submit a lesson plan and budget for approval prior to purchase.
Documentation: After the lesson, recipients will submit documentation, including a brief description of how beef was used in the classroom and copies of receipts. Specific instructions will be sent to recipients who are awarded grant funding.
Timeline: Grant funds must be used by the end of the 2026–2027 school year. (Exceptions may be allowed, but reimbursement will only be made during this school year.)
Limit: One grant per teacher, per school year.
Questions: Please contact Anna Gest, Manager of Nutrition Education Programs.
Ohio Beef - Back to School Teacher Resources Available
From classroom lessons and educational materials to hands-on resources, Ohio Beef has tools to help students explore beef, agriculture, nutrition and careers in the industry. Explore resources and find materials for your classroom at ohiobeef.org/education.
Ohio Hospitality CTSO Open for Registration!
Sign ups for the Ohio Hospitality CTSO are available! The pricing is remaining at $5 per student for the 2026-2027 school year. Invoices for this will be sent in the Fall. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program, and begin plans for your students to hold officer ellections for Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador in the fall. Register HERE. Leaders are due by September 30!
Educator Portal
There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see.
2026-2027 Calendar
2026
September 25 Teacher Institute
October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab
October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness
2027
March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational
Virtual events coming soon!
Pre-apprenticeship Program
Students can earn their COA (Certificate of Achievement) and Pre- Apprenticeship designation. Both are work-based learning opportunities. A COA earns 9 points toward graduation, and Pre-Apprenticeship earns 12. The process is simple, with just a few forms to complete each month.
Email info@oraef.org with any questions.
This is a great opportunity for your students! We currently have 3 schools enrolled: Tri-County, Ohio Valley, and Stow Munroe. Please register your students so we can submit to the state of Ohio!
Click HERE to view the Pre-Apprenticeship Guidelines & Click HERE for the Pre-Apprenticeship Application. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org
Show your students the limitless opportunities available in the Hospitality Industry!
RestaurantsWork does just that! Students can search by position and see the growth available. They can also search by zip code to see how many opportunities are available where they live. Check it out here!
