Ralph E. Waite Elementary School
October Parent Newsletter
Happy Fall!
The school year is in full swing at Waite Elementary School! We are looking forward to a month of fall fun and new learning experiences. In addition to moving into a full academic routine during the month of September, teachers took advantage of continued opportunities to further invite students into the Waite learning community for the 2022-2023 school year. As we move forward with our focus on empowering student ownership of their learning and behaviors, teachers continued to "look for the good" with a focus on acknowledging positive student behavior.
Students received many PBIS Reward "points" in response to meeting our building expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready to Learn. Students are beginning to "cash in" their positive behavior points for shared and individual experiences and other incentives in the classroom. In October we will begin to scale up student recognition on the building level.
This Friday we will recognize our first group of Buckeye Leaders of the Month. Teachers have been nominating students who have demonstrated leadership and exemplary character during the month of September. On Friday I will be visiting classrooms to distribute this award, recognize the leadership qualities demonstrated by these students, and award students with a buckeye (in honor and memory of Mr. Waite) and certificate to recognize their positive contributions to the school community. Students receiving this award will appear in the November parent newsletter.
During the month of September, students participated in a variety of school safety experiences, including kindergarten safety lessons, a building-wide ALICE drill (led by Officer Pinkas), fire drill, bus evacuation drills, and 3rd grade fire safety lessons presented by the Medina Fire Department. In October students will also participate in bus safety assemblies. The safety of staff and students at Waite is top priority.
In September we also began many of our after school clubs and other programs. DARE, Huddle/Shuddle, started again last month. Kindness Club, Glee Club, Book Study Club, Scrabble Club, and Steel Pans ensemble also began to meet. The 5th grade students participated in a kickoff for KidScripts, which will continue throughout the school year and will culminate in a performance of student written plays. The month ended with an exciting spirit week and homecoming parade. Thanks to all of our students for showing their spirit and all who were able to attend and participate in the parade last Friday. See below for many pictures from spirit week and other activities throughout the month.
The month of October will bring additional fun for students and families. The PTO has launched the fall fundraiser with the Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge scheduled for Friday, October 21. Please see additional details below. We are looking forward to the Halloween parade and classroom parties on Friday, October 28. This month 3rd grade students will complete the fall Ohio State Test Reading assessment. We also look forward to fall parent conferences (October 6 and 13) and picture day on October 25. There are also several grade level field trips scheduled for this month. Please continue reading for all of this and more. There is a lot going on at Waite Elementary in October!
Have a great month!
Sincerely,
Mr. Mattie
Principal
Mark your Calendars!
Important Dates
10/3/22 - 10/5/22 -- Grade 4 Terra Nova Testing
- 10/5/22 -- Grade 1 Field Trip to Ramseyer Farm
- 10/6/22 -- Parent and Teacher Conferences
- 10/10/22 -- Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day
- 10/11/22 -- Grade 2 Field Trip to McKinley Monument
- 10/13/22 -- Parent and Teacher Conferences
- 10/13/22 -- PTO Marco's Pizza Night
- 10/13/22 -- PTO Meeting, 7:00pm
- 10/14/22 -- No School, InService Day
- 10/15/22 -- Montville Township Scary Walk
- 10/17/22 -- Bus Safety Assemblies
- 10/21/22 -- PTO Fall Fundraiser "The Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge"
- 10/25/22 -- Fall Picture Day
- 10/25/22 -- PTO Chipotle Night, 5-9pm
- 10/25/22 - 10/31/22 -- Grade 3 ELA Testing/Makeups
- 10/28/22 -- Halloween Parties/Parade (further information will be sent out soon)
- 10/31/22 -- Happy Halloween!
Upcoming Events and Activities
Parent and Teacher Conferences
The Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge!
On Friday, September 30, I visited every classroom with Mrs. Scott, PTO. We kicked off The Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge and answered questions. Students were very excited about the upcoming field day events! Your child should have brought home a packet with the following information about The Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge fundraiser.
What is the Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge?
The Waite PTO has a "no sell" philosophy for fundraising. The students will participate in events that will combine fitness, fundraising, and fun all in one! The students will rotate through six fall themed stations. Some of the stations are dress the scarecrow, pumpkin roll, and an obstacle course. This event will be held at the school, during school hours. 100% of the money raised will remain at our school to directly support students.
How are donations used?
Our PTO uses its monies for various things that directly benefit students and staff throughout the year. Some examples include: teacher grants, assemblies, field trips, staff appreciation events, family fun nights, etc.
The Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge Goals:
Family Pledge Goal: $30 per family, but no amount is too small!
Reward: Every student who turns in a donation (of any amount) will be entered into a grade level drawing. The winners will receive a $10 gift card to redeem at a variety of local businesses and restaurants (McDonald's, Dairy Queen, Pulp, etc).
Waite Pledge Goal: $10,000
Reward: Grade Level Spirit Day
The Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge Important Dates
9/30: The Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge Kickoff!
10/19: Family pledge envelopes are DUE and corporate sponsorships are DUE.
10/21: The Great Waite Pumpkin event (field day) begins at 1:45pm and ends at 3:00pm.
Would you like to volunteer?
Come help us on the day of the event. We will need volunteers for each station. Keep an eye out for a Sign-Up Genius coming soon.
Questions?
Halloween Parade and Classroom Parties (Friday, October 28)
The Halloween Parade will be held at 2:00 on Friday, October 28. 5th grade will kick off the parade around the inside of the building. Students will make a loop around the front parking lot outside of the building. Parents are invited to stand outside the front of the building (bus loop parking lot) for the outdoor portion of the parade (weather permitting). Additional details to follow.
Costumes:
Students will be invited to change into their costumes before the parade (around 1:45pm following lunches). Costumes must be school appropriate and must not include any fake blood or weapons. Masks are acceptable during the parade only.
Classroom Parties:
Classroom parties will follow the parade (around 2:30). Parties will be held at the discretion of the grade level team/teachers. The focus will be on fun, shared activities (i.e. games, movies, costume parties, and other classroom activities). Due to food allergies, food items will be limited and must be prepackaged, if the classroom teacher decides to include any food or candy as part of the party. This is the decision of the teacher and will be supported by administration. Classroom teachers will also reach out if there is a need for additional help in the classroom. We have a limit of no more than two (2) pre-approved parent volunteers arranged by the teacher per classroom.
Harvest for Hunger Can Food Drive (Friday, October 28)
DINE TO DONATE
Marco's Pizza Nights are Back!
Are you ready for a pizza night? Waite PTO is excited to announce the first Marco's Pizza night of the school year! Marco's Pizza will be donating a percentage of sales from Waite family purchases this Thursday, September 8th. Families can order for lunch or dinner.
If ordering online: Use this Link
Under menu select fundraiser and choose Waite.
If ordering by phone: Please mention Waite when calling.
Marcos Pizza
244 N Court St
330-725-0101
Marco's Pizza nights are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month.
Harlem Wizards are Back!
Medina Girl Scout Troops Candy Drive
Collectively, ALL Medina Girl Scout troops are working in collaboration with Montville Cares to make the Scary Walk and Trunk or Treat on October 15, 2022 at Cobblestone Park a huge success!
There is a collection box in the Waite office.
All donated candy and treats the Medina Girl Scout Troops collect will be used to supplement the Montville Cares Trunk or Treat participants with extra treats to hand out to 100's of kids in attendance. Please send wrapped candy or treats with students to school through 10/12.
School Updates and Reminders
ABSENCE/TARDY PROCEDURE
Absence/Tardy Procedure
If your child is going to be absent/tardy, please call the Attendance/Clinic Line at 330-636-4504 before 9:00am and any time after 4:00pm.
COVID Update
Covid- Frequently Asked Questions
Do kids have to stay home if someone in the family has COVID?
In general kids can come to school as long as they are feeling well
unless they have tested positive for COVID. If a student tests
positive for COVID, they have to stay home 5 days from symptom
onset (symptom onset is day 0). On Day 6, as long as the student is feeling well, and has been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, they may return to school.
Are masks required days 6-10?
No, they are recommended and encouraged. Per the CDC, individuals should wear a well-fitting
mask if they have symptoms of COVID-19, if they had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test in the past 10
days, or if they had recent exposure to someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
STUDENT SIGN-IN/OUT
Student Sign-In
If a student is returning to school from an appointment or arriving late to the building:
The parent and student will enter the vestibule together.
The parent signs the student in on the attendance log which will be located in the office vestibule.
After signing the student in, ring the buzzer & the office staff will unlock the door for the student to enter the office.
Student Sign-Out
If a student needs to leave school early:
The parent will enter and remain in the office vestibule.
The parent will call the office phone number (330-636-4500) and provide the name of the student they are picking up. The parent/guardian will be required to show ID through the office window.
The office staff will call the student down to the office.
The parent will sign the student out on the attendance log.
The parent waits in the vestibule for their student.
Electronic Devices - Student Code of Conduct
As cell phones and smart watches continue to grow in popularity, we like to remind parents of the expectations for these devices during the school day. From the student discipline code:
RULE 4 - ELECTRONIC DEVICES
● Electronic devices such as (laser pointers, video cameras, cameras, etc.) are prohibited in
school.
● Cell phones, smartwatches, electronic devices such as (Ipods, MP3 players, Ipads, Nooks,
Kindles, Gizmos, etc) and any video game devices must be turned off and in the student’s book bag during school hours.
Please make sure to have a conversation with your child about this expectation so that
everyone is on the same page in regards to these devices!
STREAMING (IN THE EVENT OF AN EXTENDED ABSENCE)
In order to access streaming:
Parents/Guardians whose child tested positive for COVID-19 should have their child contact their teacher. Streaming will be offered and should begin within one day of their first absence or when they are physically able to attend due to illness
Parents/Guardians whose child is quarantined for COVID-19 close contact should have their child contact their teacher and streaming should begin within one day of their first absence
Parents/Guardians whose child is absent or is going to be absent for greater than 5 school days due to a medical issue should provide documentation of that to the building principal. The principal will then contact the teachers to discuss and provide the approval to the parents/guardians. After this approval process, the student should contact their teachers who would already be alerted to the student's approval of streaming. Students that will be absent 15 days or more may qualify for home instruction.
WEEKENDER BAGS
Weekender Bags
Waite Elementary School is excited to participate in the 2022-2023 Weekenders program! The Weekenders for Children program is made possible through a partnership with Feeding Medina County. The purpose of this program is to support elementary children who qualify by providing a bag of food to eat over the weekend. Weekender Bags will be given to your child to take home every week during the school year, except during breaks.
If you are interested in your child/children participating in the Weekenders program, please fill out this form as soon as possible. Please call the office with any questions. Thank you!
BUILDING VOLUNTEERS
We are excited to be able to welcome our volunteers back into our school buildings this school year. If you are considering becoming a volunteer at any point during the year, including chaperoning or attending a field trip, please complete the volunteer application and background check.
Click here to view the information on completing the necessary paperwork.
Community Events
Portrait of a Bee
Have a Great Month!
Ralph E. Waite Elementary School
Email: mattiem@medinabees.org
Website: www.medinabees.org
Location: 4765 Cobblestone Dr, Medina, OH 44256
Phone: 330-636-4500