Ralph E. Waite Elementary School
March Parent Newsletter
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
March Madness is in full swing at Waite! This month our PBIS focus is on teamwork, sportsmanship, and collaboration. Students will be learning about the positive and negative aspects of competition. The focus will be on fostering teamwork and positive competitive experiences at school. The month will culminate with a friendly basketball game. Members of the Medina High School Varsity Basketball team and cheerleaders will be coming to Waite to model healthy teamwork and will participate in a basketball game with Waite students. Students will have an opportunity to cash in their PBIS points to purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to participate in the basketball game. All students will be invited to assemble for the game as spectators the day before spring break (3/22). Two (2) students per grade level will have an opportunity to participate in this positive learning experience. We have experienced an increase in conflict during team sports at recess; therefore, we are focusing on teamwork and sportsmanship for this reason and look forward to an exciting and positive experience for our students at the end of March.
Waite Talent Show video submissions are due to Mrs. Hoffman no later than Tuesday, April 2 (see information below).
March Operating Levy:
We have much to be grateful for at Waite Elementary School. The robust programs and rich learning experiences we are able to provide our students is in large part due to the investment made by our Waite community. The Board of Education has made the decision to place a 7.5-mill continuous operating levy on the March 19, 2024 ballot, which will generate approximately $14 million annually.
Continuous levies offer financial stability since they don't require frequent renewals. This stability can be crucial for planning and implementing long-term educational initiatives. A continuous levy provides predictability: consistent resources, programing, high quality educators, and necessary infrastructure and technology updates.
The cost to taxpayers would be $263 per $100,000 of auditor-assessed value per year ($22 per month per $100,000 of auditor-assessed value or $5.06 per week per $100,000 of auditor-assessed value). This is the first time since 2013 the District has asked for new money.
This is an operating levy which means it will support daily operations to maintain the current high quality education provided to Waite students. If the levy does not pass, the Waite learning community will be faced with reductions to our current educational opportunities for students. In fact, the District will still be making $8 to $10 million in permanent cuts over four years beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, even if the levy does pass. This is due to the loss of collection dollars due to the failure of the operating levy in November. If the levy does not pass in March, further reductions will be required.
Education is about building connection through relationship. The relationships fostered with caring teachers and support staff are priceless in the formation of a child during these critical years of school. It is also the strong relationship cultivated between the school and its community that make these experiences possible at school for students.
March will be a critical time for our community to reflect on the rich learning opportunities we currently have in place for our Waite students and work collectively to invest in and sustain these learning conditions into the future.
Get the Facts Levy Information
Sincerely,
Mr. Mattie
Waite, Principal
School Operating Levy, March 19
Building News
Important Dates
3/1/24: Report Cards Went Home
3/6/24: Early Release, Dismissal at 2:30 (PTO Crumbl Cookie Dine to Donate)
3/10/24: Daylight Saving Time Starts, Clocks Ahead 1 Hour
3/11/24: Yearbook Sale Ends
3/13/24: Spring Conferences
3/17/24: St. Patrick’s Day
3/18/24: KidScripts Performances for Students and launch of Hope Week
3/19/24: First Day of Spring
3/20/24: Leader of the Month (PTO Son and Someone Special Scene 75 Event)
3/21/24: Down Syndrome Recognition Day
3/22/24: PBIS Basketball Game with MHS varsity players - (focusing on teamwork!)
3/25/24 – 3/29/24: Spring Break, No School
3/31/24: Happy Easter
4/1/24: Easter Monday, No School
PTO Boys' Night Out Information
Son and Someone Special! (Scene 75 Event)
Boys are invited to bring someone special to join them for a fun night of activities and games at Scene 75 on March 20! Please complete the registration form below. The cost is $20 per person. Parents can complete registration and submit payment using the Sign-Up Genius linked below. Or use the QR code below.
4th Grade Spark Theater Performance
Yearbook Order
Ralph E. Waite Elementary School yearbooks for the 2023-2024 school year are now on sale for $20.00 each. Please click on the link below to order a yearbook. Or you can submit the form linked below with cash or check payable to Ripcho Studio. Paper order forms are also available in the Waite office. Yearbook sales will close on Monday, March 11, 2024.
Valentine's Day
Camp Invention Registration
Spark your child’s curiosity and creativity at Camp Invention®!
This nationally acclaimed K-6 program comes to
AI Root from June 10-14 with all-new, hands-on STEM fun!
Register using SUM25 by 3/27 at invent.org/mylocalcamp to save $25!
Secure your spot today!
Black Cat Books Teacher Tribute
Black Cat Books & Oddities was recently awarded a business grant from Baldwin Wallace University and they want to use the money to pay tribute to MCS teachers in all of our buildings. They will award $250 gift cards to teachers in all our buildings, based upon nominations.
Alicia, the co-owner is a graduate of MHS and wants to be sure to give back to our schools. Let me know if you have any questions and please see the flyer below for additional details.
Helping Hands Peer Applications Open
Helping Hands Preschool is currently accepting applications for peer models for the 2024-2025 school year. A peer model is a role model student, aged three to five, who demonstrates age-appropriate language, behavior, and social skills, and does not have special needs.
Helping Hands Preschool runs Monday through Thursday from August-May. We offer two half-day preschool programs each day. Our morning session runs from 9:00am to 11:40am, and our afternoon session runs from 12:40pm to 3:20pm. Tuition and transportation are the responsibility of the family.
For more information, please contact Helping Hands Preschool at (330) 636-4601.
To apply, please fill out the following form:
Congratulations to our Buckeye Leaders of the Month!
February
Callen Legan
Dylan Scott
Cade Glass
Austin Eberhardt
Kennedy Thibault
Kali Stephan
Claire Wickley
Mia Parsons
Olivia Belfeuil
Harriet Fairchild
Bri Vidikan
Andrew Nubbie
Ashley Brown
Abby Healy
Kenzie Sammon
Vincent Borgelt
Clayton Cooke
Addie Davenport
Evelyn King
Alina Friszman
Lachlan Duff
Anna Wollmann
Grant Blackburn
Anna Mernik
Julia Durbin
Keely Hatala
Dora Kulwicki
Mason Miller
Student Recognition
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