Eastwood Elementary Update

We are very excited to begin the new school year!! We can't wait to see the students and get to know them and hear about their summer adventures! School begins on Wednesday, August 21st for all students in grades 1-5. Kindergarten has a staggered start beginning.

As always, if you have questions or are not sure about something, please don't hesitate to contact us at 419.833.2821 or 419.287.3200

Open House

We will hold our Open House on Monday, August 19th. Our kindergarten through second grades will be from 5:45-6:45. Our third through fifth grades will be from 7:00-8:00. We try to put a 15-minute gap between the grade bands so that after the first session is over, you can leave before the second wave of families come in. If you have children in both groups, come towards the end of the first group and then stay for the second group.

Staggered Start for Kindergarten Students

Our incoming kindergarten students will run a staggered start schedule for the first 3 days of the school year. This means that your child will only come to school for the block of time that was listed in your welcome letter. If there is a question, please contact the office and we will let you know the time you were given. Remember that for your child's time, you will drive them to and from school, no bus service is available during the staggered start days. The staggered start is for Aug. 21, 22, and 23rd.

All kindergarten students will attend starting on Monday, August 26th, and regular busing will begin.

Morning safety procedure

We will continue to look at the safety and security procedures of our building but would ask our parents to stop at the front doors when walking students up in the morning. If you have questions for a teacher, please stop in the office first to notify the teacher and to get a badge to be able to walk to the room. If you are stopped by a staff member, please remember that the staff member is following safety protocols that have been put in place and are not trying to inconvenience you.

I know the kindergarten parents may want to walk them down to the classroom, but after the first full week, please try to stop at the front doors and we can have safety patrol staff walk the students to the room. Our older students know the building and can walk to their rooms.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Morning Car Drop Off

We would prefer that you drop your child/children off between 8:25 and 8:45 if possible. The morning drop-off will be very similar to past years. If you are dropping students off in the car line, you should have your students get out anywhere along the sidewalk so that multiple cars are having students exit at all times (instead of waiting until you are the front car to have your child get out). If you are parking in the parking lot and walking your child to the sidewalk or all the way to the front doors, please use the painted crosswalk that aligns with the sidewalk in front of the building. School begins at 8:55.

Afternoon Car Pick-up

If you are picking your child/children up in the car pick-up line, this line typically wraps around all the way to Sugar Ridge Road until students start exiting the building. Students will be brought out by a teacher at approximately 3:25 for car pick-up. Students report to the shelter next to the sidewalk to wait for their rides. If you are going to park and come across to the sidewalk to pick up your child (we do not want to send children unattended across the lot to cars), please use the crosswalk. We send students/adults across the crosswalk in groups and also send cars out of the lot in groups, so it is dangerous to cross at other locations as we are directing cars out of the lot. * Kindergarten students may also meet their parents at the back of the parking lot next to the playground since they will be walking from the back playground lot to the parking lot.

Overall, despite the many cars, particularly in the afternoon, parents and students have done a great job being safe. Please continue to be safe whether driving or walking in the drop-off or pick-up areas. Patience and looking an extra time are always the keys.

I wanted to thank you for your flexibility with the change of how we did class lists. I made the change with safety in mind. I know it is a change from past practices, and I know change isn't always easy. I will post class lists on our main doors for Open House and the first few days of school so that any student/family that is not sure of where their child should go, we can check quickly. Thank you again.

Secretaries

Shelly Vagen

Tabitha Mahailoff

Office Area

Joe Wank-Principal

Emily Mennitt- Assistant Principal

Nikki Ohms- Guidance Counselor-K-3

Nichole Unger-Guidance Counselor-4-5

Angie Jones- Psychologist

Leslie Straka- Behavior Specialist

Shannon Stone- Speech Pathologist

CRC School Based Therapist- Adrianna Lyons

Preschool Teachers

Julie Sirse

Kristen Wolf

Kindergarten Teachers

Kelsay Hocanson

Rachelle Chaffee

Joy Powers

Holli Coger

Katie Chudzinski

Melissa Schimmoeller-Intervention Specialist

Sarah Hummel- Intervention Specialist

First Grade Teachers

Katie Eckel

Lisa Downey

Amy Kozma

Kara Willford

Bri Waddell

Melissa Schimmoeller-Intervention Specialist

Second Grade Teachers

Shay Nafziger

Kyle Szcublewski

Stacy Appelhans

Olivia Saunders

Jenny Pease

Tabatha Titus-Intervention Specialist

Third Grade Teachers

Missy Sandberg

Leslie Oestreich

Marnie Hartman

Mary Conkle

Lisa Wank

Matt Headley-Intervention Specialist

Fourth Grade Teachers

Eric Ward

Jessica Glanz

Amy Schaffner

Cory Schrader

Julie Cross

Kellie Leady-Intervention Specialist

Fifth Grade Teachers

Nick Smith

Megan Ortinau

Nicole Long

Aubree Schroeder

Ashley Mundrick

Mikayla Bingham-Intervention Specialist

Encore Staff

Adam Hoffmann-Physical Education

Amanda Speers- Art

Karen Walters- Music

Valerie Sponaugle- Technology

Leslie Myers-Library

Title One Teachers

Tammy Leady

Leslie Shiffler

Paraprofessionals in Elementary

Preschool Staff

Mandi Palmer, Brittany Fleming, Elisha Shaner, and Stacey Hahn

Elementary Paraprofessionals

Mandi Camby, Polly Emch, Christine Rollins, Stacee Schultz, Val Sponaugle, Dani Richards, Karen Schroeder, Erin Wolf, Leslie Myers, Ashley Harpel, Arianna Loney, Tara Sarver, Kayla Pfeiffer, Heather Meter, Heather Villar This group of staff works with students in a variety of roles from individual student support to grade-level small groups to playground and cafeteria monitors.

Emily Mennitt

My name is Emily Mennitt, and I am honored to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal for Eastwood Elementary School. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, I am a proud alumna of Central Catholic High School. I pursued my higher education at Bowling Green State University, where I earned a Bachelor's degree in psychology, followed by a Master's degree and an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology. In 2019 I earned my Administrative Specialist licensure from The Ohio Department of Education.

I have dedicated my career to education, working as a school psychologist for several years and an administrator in special education. Most recently, I served as the Special Education Coordinator for K-5 and the Preschool Coordinator in Bowling Green City Schools. My journey in education began in the 2006-2007 school year, and I have been committed to supporting and advocating for students ever since.

I currently reside in Perrysburg with my husband Tim and our two children, Norah (14) and Dane (12), and our recently rescued puppy named Archie. As a family, we enjoy watching sports and are avid fans of the Buckeyes, Browns, Guardians, and Cavaliers. We spend a lot of time at softball fields, basketball courts, cross-country races, and watching musicals – and the occasional Taylor Swift concert!

In my new role as Assistant Principal, I am committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every student can thrive. I look forward to meeting students, families, and staff, and I am excited to attend community events and learn more about what it means to be an Eagle.

Thank you for the warm welcome, and I look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Warm regards,

Kara Willford

My name is Kara Willford and I am proud to be an Eastwood Eagle! I am so excited to be joining this wonderful school district. I received my bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and furthered my education at The University of Findlay. I have a passion for working with young learners and strive to nurture growth in a positive, fun environment! I have been married for 3 years and enjoy spending my spare time with my husband, friends, and family. I also enjoy taking our dog, Dodger, on long walks, camping, going to sporting events, and of course, reading a good book! I look forward to a great school year. Go Eagles!

Ashley Mundrick

Hi my name is Ashley Mundrick and I am so excited to be an Eagle!

I will be teaching 5th Grade Math and Science at Eastwood Elementary this year. This is my 17th year of teaching. I previously taught 8th Grade Math at Perrysburg Junior High.

I have four children Jack (12), Madison (11), Brooklyn (7) and Haleigh (6). My husband teaches at Eastwood High School. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cheering on my children at their extracurricular activities and learning new things. I am looking forward to a great year!

Go Eagles!

Aubree Schroeder

Hello! My name is Aubree Schroeder and I will be one of the new 5th grade English Language Arts teachers. As a fresh graduate from Bowling Green State University, I am very excited to begin my first year of teaching at Eastwood Elementary School and to be a part of this wonderful community! I am originally from Leipsic, OH, but while student-teaching at Eastwood Middle School last year, I knew that I needed to jump at the opportunity to teach here when a job became open. I look forward to an amazing year and to getting to know the students and this community more!

Thanks!

Matt Headley

Hello Eastwood Community,
My name is Matt Headley, and I am thrilled to join Eastwood Elementary as a new 3rd grade Intervention Specialist for the upcoming school year. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Interpersonal Communications from BGSU and later returned to BGSU to earn my Master's in Intervention Specialist K-12. I am fortunate to have a wonderful, supportive wife, Sara, and three energetic boys, all of whom attend Eastwood. I am confident that this will be an exceptional school year, and I am eager to see how much our students will grow. Personally, I am a big fan of football and baseball, cheering for the Michigan Wolverines, Cleveland Browns, and Detroit Tigers. Two of my favorite sayings are, "It's not the load that breaks you; it's the way you carry it," and "It's okay not to know, but it's not okay not to try your best." Let's make the 2024/2025 school year at Eastwood incredible!

Nicole Long

Hello Eastwood Families! My name is Nicole Long, and I will be one of the 5th Grade ELA teachers. Prior to coming to Eastwood, I taught in the Tiffin City School District for 23 years. My husband, Bill, and I live in Pemberville with our two daughters Grace (7) and Cora (5). When not supporting my daughters in their activities, I enjoy family time at home. I am so excited to be teaching in this wonderful school district! I can't wait for the school year to get started.

Hello Eastwood Elementary Families,

Welcome back! We are so excited for a new school year! Click on the link below to learn more about the elementary school counseling program. It’s going to be a great year!

Click here to meet your school counselors :)

Please reach out any time with questions or concerns. We’re happy to help! Thank you!

Best Regards,

Nikki Ohms, M.Ed., LPSC Nicole Unger, M.Ed., LPSC

School Counselor School Counselor

nohms@eastwoodschools.org nunger@eastwoodschools.org

419-833-2821 ext. 205 419-833-2821 ext. 213

August

19th- Staff Report for District Meetings

-Elementary Open House- 5:45-6:45 for K-2

-Elementary Open House- 7:00-8:00 for 3rd-5th

20th- Staff Meetings

21st- 1st Day of School for 1st-5th

21st-23rd- Staggered Start for Kindergarten students

26th- All Kindergarten start regular schedule of attending

September

2nd- No School- Labor Day

3rd- Waiver Day- No School- Professional Development for Staff

11th- PTO Family Carnival Night from 6:00-8:00

19th- Picture Day