August 8, 2023

Dear Overlook Families,

December has arrived, and with it comes cooler weather and a new character strong theme for our school: Empathy. This month, we'll be focusing on understanding and sharing the feelings of others, helping to build a strong and caring community. Let's work together to make December a month filled with kindness, understanding, and many smiles!

A huge thank you to the Overlook students and families in supporting the Salvation Army. We raised $450 for our local community.

As a reminder, to keep our students warm during recess as the temperatures drop, please remember to send them with appropriate clothing. We want them to enjoy their outdoor playtime without feeling the cold!

Wishing you all a joyous and memorable December.

Sincerely,

Mr Ryder

Our K-4 classroom holiday parties will be on Friday, December 20th starting at 2:30 p.m. You will receive more information from your child's homeroom teacher. Preschool parties will be held on Thursday, December 19th.

Annually, our PTO comes together to support the families of Overlook by adopting those in need and providing them with extra groceries, grocery gift cards, household supplies, and gifts for their children during the break. If you would like to help out, please sign up for an item or two below.

* Please leave the item you signed up for in the comments.

You can bring your gifts and donations to the school, and we’ll have collection bins set up in the office for your convenience.

There's no need to wrap the gifts.

Please remember to label the items with the corresponding number for the intended recipient.

We kindly ask that all donations be turned in by Monday, December 9th.

Thank you so much for your generosity and support!

Winter Break Assistance/Magic of Giving

Give your kids the chance to experience the joy of giving! Students can independently shop for gifts for their family members. It’s a safe, fun, and budget-friendly way for kids to pick out thoughtful presents for loved ones—just in time for the holidays! See the pdf for the date and times for the classes shopping. More information will be coming home with the students!

The 4th grade Turkey Trot was a huge success. The students raised over $1000! Thank you to the parents who organized the event and for cheering on the kids. (The weather also cooperated!)

We have been busy in preschool focusing on what we are grateful for and sharing fun things that make each one of us unique! Our students love visits from the Wadsworth Public Library and the interactive stories they bring. We continue to grow every day!

Gratitude is expressing appreciation and thanks for the good things in our lives. I would like to express my gratitude for each of you and your wonderful Overlook Grizzlies. They make me smile each and every day.

The past two weeks my lessons have focused on gratitude which aligns with the districtwide Character Strong curriculum. Brain research shows positive emotions are good for our minds and bodies. Feeling good has a positive impact on our over all well-being and life. Gratitude is flipping the negative thoughts which can decrease anxiousness and stress. Expressing gratitude improves relationships, increases resilience and leads to positive actions.

If you are in need of food assistance please see the attachment. The purpose of the Weekenders program is to support elementary children in need by providing a bag of healthy food to eat over the weekend. If you are in need of food assistance please fill out this form and return it to Overlook Elementary or contact Mrs. Laino directly.

December:

9th-11th PTO Winter Holiday Shop

13th WHS Show Choir Assembly

20th Winter Class Party

23rd-31st No School-Winter Break

January:

1st-3rd No School-Winter Break

6th No School Records Day for staff

10th Cleveland Monsters Hockey Game

14th PTO Meeting Overlook Library 6:30 p.m.

20th No School - Martin Luther King Day

30th WCS Cavs Night

TBD- PTO Family Night Out

February:

3rd National School Counselor's Day

6th Parent teacher Conferences 4:30-8:00

11th PTO Meeting Overlook Library 6:30 p.m.

14th Valentine's Day Parties (tbd)

17th No School President's Day

21st OV Indoor Movie Night Set up at 6:30, Movie begins at 7:00

28th end of the 1st Trimester

March:

10th PTO Flower Sale

11th PTO meeting 6:30 OV Library

17th St. Patricks Day

24th Last day of flower sale

27th Incredible Kid Day

31st No School-Spring Break

April

1st-4th No School Spring Break

8th PTO OV library 6:30

15th 3rd and 4th OST testing (no school pre-school, kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades)

18th No School Good Friday

21st-25th Spring Book Fair-tbd

23rd Administrative Professionals Day

24th 3rd and 4th OST testing (no school pre-school, kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades)

May

1st National School Principal's Day

5th-9th Staff Appreciation Week

TBD Rubber Ducks Game

13th PTO Meeting OV Library 6:30 p.m.

27th Field Day

TBD 4th grade recognition/class party

TBD PTO Sponsored YES Day

Our secretary, Mrs. Jira, is the contact person for calling off your student and any change of dismissal plans throughout the day. Please call the attendance line at 330-335-1424 and leave a message with any changes BEFORE school starts. If you need to make changes after 9:00 am, please call the main line at 330-335-1420. We recommend you let Mrs. Jira and your child's teacher know when your student will be absent, leaving early, or arriving late. Letting us know when your child will leave early allows us to be prepared for when you arrive. We ask that all end-of-the-day dismissal plans be made by 2:45 p.m. Thank you for your efforts!

**REMINDER- Mr. Ryder must approve all vacations AHEAD OF TIME. Please send him an email requesting excused absences. dryder@wadsworthschools.org

We've had many questions about birthday treats.

Here is what the student handbook says:

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:

In compliance with our District Health and Wellness policy and allergies, food treats are not permitted. Stickers, pencils, erasers or other non-edible treats are welcome to be distributed instead.

We appreciate your help in following this policy.

Board policy 8390

Animals permitted in schools and elsewhere on District property shall be limited to those necessary to support specific curriculum-related projects and activities, those that provide assistance to a student or staff member due to a disability (e.g., seizure disorder), or those that serve as service animals as required by Federal and State law.