Ralph E. Waite Elementary School

Dear Waite Families:

The Waite learning community had a very busy and exciting October! We are looking forward to more events and fun learning experiences for students in November. It is difficult to believe that the first trimester is already behind us. Report cards will be sent home with students this Friday, November 11. Please read on for important information.

Highlights from October:

• 3rd Grade Ohio Testing
• 1st Grade Field Trip to Ramseyer Farm
• 2nd Grade Field Trip to McKinley Monument
  
• Parent and Teacher Conferences
• Unity Day
• PTO Fall Fundraiser: The Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge (Thank you! PTO surpassed their goal of raising more than $10,000!)
• Harvest for Hunger Food Drive
• Return of Halloween parade and classroom parties
• Buckeye Leader of the Month Awards
• PBIS School Store opened
• PBIS Cafeteria Snack Bar raffle to reinforce positive student lunchroom behavior

Coming in November:

• Book Fair! Reminder: Tomorrow (11/10) is the last day for students to shop. If you would like to donate your child's Scholastic eWallet balance toward purchase of school books, please contact the Waite PTO (waitepto@medinabees.org).
• Coat for Kids Drive
• Veterans Day Celebration
• Harlem Wizards Event
• Dine to Donate (Marco's Pizza Night)
• Student MakerSpace learning experiences
• Early Release on November 22
• Thanksgiving Break

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Have a great month!

Sincerely,

Mr. Mattie

Principal

Friday, 11/4: End of Trimester 1

Sunday, 11/6: Daylight Savings Time Ends

Monday, 11/7 - Thursday, 11/10: Book Fair

Thursday, 11/10: Coats for Kids Drop Off at Waite 11:15 - 12:15

Thursday, 11/10: Harlem Wizards Event

Thursday, 11/10: PTO Marco's Pizza Night

Thursday, 11/10: PTO Meeting, 7:00PM

Friday, 11/11: Veterans Day Celebration

Friday, 11/11: Report Cards Come Home

Saturday, 11/19: Candlelight Parade

Tuesday, 11/22: Early Release - Dismissal at 2:20

Tuesday, 11/22: Student Spirit Day!

Wednesday, 11/23 - Friday, 11/25: No School, Happy Thanksgiving!

• Clara Long
  
• Serenity Warner
  
• Madeline Freeland
  
• Scarlett Sprague
  
• Elliot Lehman
  
• Paizley Steigerwald
• Evan Lewis
  
• Kellan Rismiller
  
• Gavin Racz
  
• Gabe Katanic
  
• Noah Miller
  
• Jack Zehner
  
• Spencer Tighe
  
• Iris Munoz
  
• Grace Horton
  
• Wilson Luck
  
• Lydia Tighe
  
• Ferris Mathlouthi
  
• Emma Cain
  
• Ramble Sass
  
• Anna Stefaniuk
  

• Nolan Sass
  
• Adeline Wickley
  
• Cam Ellis
  
• Dakota Anthony
  
• Serephina Kirby
  
• Alayna Andrews
• Andrew Nubbie
• Lincoln Singleton
  
• Jacob Chrzanowski
  
• Addy Fritz
  
• Lucy Gibson
  
• Dylan Murray
  
• Brynn Strebelow
  
• Finley Sudduth
  
• Ethan Murdock
  
• Joslynn Zeager
  
• Sergio Serra
  
• Angel Melendez Fernandez
  
• Damian Benz
  
• Gabi Vidikan
  
• Maddie Dworznik
  
• Hunter Gaydosh
  
• Mackenzie Craddock
  
• Olivia Carlton
  

Thank you for all of your generous donations to the Harvest for Hunger food drive! We collected over 900 food items! These food items will be greatly appreciated by families in our community in need this holiday season. All students who made a donation were entered into a raffle for a variety of fun prizes! This week during student lunch, we are announcing raffle winners. Several larger prizes are also being announced each day during afternoon announcements. A special thanks to Mrs. Julie Wilkes (4th grade teacher) and our amazing PTO for helping to coordinate the food drive.

Thank you for your generous donations! The Waite PTO raised over $1,000 with our first Savers donation fundraiser!

Marco's Pizza Nights are Back!

Are you ready for a pizza night? Marco's Pizza will be donating a percentage of sales from Waite family purchases this Thursday, November 10. 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.

The Medina City Schools Foundation will host the Harlem Wizards as they take on the Marvelous Medinamos on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at Medina High School in the gymnasium. Doors open at 6:00 PM. The game begins at 6:30 PM. To find out more about the event, click on this video link.

Come on out and see some of your favorite teachers and principals play. Who will you see?

• Ms. Katie Ruby, a kindergarten teacher at Blake Elementary

• Mr. Chris Brentar, a fourth-grade teacher at Blake Elementary

• Mr. Steve Perry, principal of Fenn Elementary

• Mrs. Chauncey Ritandaro, art teacher at Fenn Elementary

• Ms. Lauren Merkle, a fourth-grade teacher at Fenn Elementary

• Mr. Steve Richnavsky, physical education teacher at Garfield Elementary

• Mr. Dan Miller, a custodian at Garfield Elementary

• Mr. Austin Argabright, a fifth-grade teacher at Heritage Elementary

• Maggie Britton, a kindergarten teacher at Heritage Elementary

• Mr. Robert Lempner, a fourth-grade teacher at Northrop Elementary

• Mrs. Kelsey Geanuracos, a fourth-grade teacher at Northrop Elementary

• Mr. Joe Ortenzi, physical education teacher at Waite Elementary

• Mr. Matt Cajuste, intervention specialist at Medina High School

• Mr. Ryan Heath, a business teacher at Medina High School

• Mr. Craig Komar, Director of Technology

• Mr. Ryan O'Cull, Business Director

• Mr. Devonte Marable, Evolve Academy

Tickets are on sale now. Click here to purchase tickets. Proceeds from this event benefit the Foundation and the programs and services they provide to our students and staff.

We are collaborating with the Transportation Department to bring back the Coats for Kids Express the week of November 7-11. Here is a link to the flyer distributed throughout the community.

The Waite collection day is this Thursday, November 10 (11:15-12:15).

We are collecting new or gently used winter wear items. If items cannot be dropped off during the scheduled time, you may bring them to the building before the date the bus will be at Waite. They can be placed on the bus on your scheduled day.Coats for Kids

Honors All Our Veterans!

Who: Ralph E. Waite Elementary School Family Members and their Veterans

What: A “Sweets with a Soldier” event honoring our Veterans

Where: Ralph E. Waite Elementary School

*When: November 11, 2022 at 11:30am-12:15pm and 12:30pm-1:15pm

*Students will be invited to the gymnasium at the times listed above. We will be sending out a list of students to teachers. If the time is during students' lunch, they will also eat lunch at this time.

Students who sent an RSVP will attend a special dessert and coffee tribute to our Veterans featuring the Waite Elementary School Glee Club and a special word of thanks from our students.

$53,000+ in prizes/15 winners

Winners announced via Facebook Live-date TBD

The Medina City Schools Foundation is hosting its first Holiday Raffle with over $53,000 in prizes for 15 winners. Click here to see a complete list of prizes and any disclaimers. 15 lucky winners will be announced via Facebook Live. The date of the announcement is to be determined.

Each raffle entry is $50. To purchase raffle tickets, please click here or scan the QR code in the image below. 100% of the net proceeds will directly support Medina City Schools students and staff through the Joyce B. Ebner Tutoring Center, staff, grants and awards, and student scholarships.

For questions, please email info@medinacityschoolsfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION: The Medina City Schools Foundation was established in 1984 to support and enhance learning opportunities for the students in the Medina City School District. The Foundation is an independent organization comprised of committed community members who support programs that benefit district students in collaboration with the teachers and staff of the Medina City Schools. The Foundation is a private organization, not directly affiliated with the school board or the school administration. It is incorporated under Ohio laws as a non-profit organization and is funded by various members of the Medina area through the generous individual support and community support of our annual fundraising activities.

Currently, Medina City Schools is not offering a ski and snowboard club. Cloverleaf Snowsports is excited to share exclusive club prices for Snow Trails season passes with those interested in the Medina City School District. Please note that this is not a sponsored event by Medina City Schools, and transportation would be the purchaser's responsibility. For information and ticket pricing, please click here.

Science Olympiad teams are forming now!

For more information see https://www.medinascienceolympiad.com/home. Contact info@medinascienceolympiad.com with questions or to join.

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- 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

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.

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!

In order to access streaming:

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

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!

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.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Email: mattiem@medinabees.org
Website: www.medinabees.org
Location: 4765 Cobblestone Dr, Medina, OH 44256
Phone: 330-636-4500