Wickliffe Family Update

Dear Wickliffe Families,

What a wonderful first week! Our building was filled with smiles, excitement, and the joy of being back together. Although the year did not start as we expected, it felt so good to have our students back at Wickliffe. I hope your family had a chance to rest this weekend, getting back into the school routine can be tiring for all of us!

The beginning of the school year is an important time for teaching and practicing classroom expectations and schoolwide routines. We intentionally go slow so students can learn what is expected throughout the building, build relationships, and begin to feel comfortable and confident in their new spaces.

This year, we are placing a special focus on what it means to be a Wickliffe Wolf. Last week, I had the opportunity to connect with several grade levels about our school rules and the role each of us plays in making Wickliffe a place where everyone feels safe, cared for, and included. Together, we talked about how our daily choices—our words, our actions, and how we treat others—help shape the kind of school community we want to be.

Our school rules are simple but meaningful:

• Have safe and kind bodies and words.
• Take care of everyone and every space.

• Listen and learn with our eyes, ears, and hearts.

We will revisit these rules at our first Town Meeting this coming week as we continue building our schoolwide community. When students know what is expected of them and understand how their actions affect others, they are better able to experience the sense of safety, connection, and belonging we want for every child.

I encourage you to talk with your child about what it means to be a Wickliffe Wolf. Ask them what kindness looks like, how they can help someone feel included, or how they can take care of their classroom and school. These conversations help reinforce that we are all partners in creating a community where every student can thrive.

Thank you for sharing your children with us and for your continued partnership. This week’s update includes some information from last week to ensure everyone is up to date on important beginning-of-the-year items. We are looking forward to another great week together!

Warmly,

Angela Evans
Principal

August 27th: Bear Essentials Community Shopping Hours, UAHS 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

August 27th: Jeni's Restaurant Night, Jeni's Grandview, 1281 Grandview Ave 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

August 28th: School Picture Day

August 31st: Parent Information Night / Elementary Gifted Services, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. @ Jones

September 1st: Religious Expression Forms Due

September 1st: Town Meeting @ 8:30 a.m.

September 3rd: PTO Fall Flower/Mum Sales End

September 3rd: (UPDATED DATE) Parent Information Night / Elementary Gifted Services, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. @ Hastings

September 5th: Hope Garden Dedication Ceremony, UAHS @ 5:30 p.m.

September 11th: PTO Fall Flower / Mum Pick-Up @ Wickliffe

September 21st: PTO Book Fair

September 25th: PTO Fall Fest

October 15th: PTO Fun Run, Walk & Roll

October 23rd: School Picture Make-Up Day

Back-to-school forms: If you have not yet completed your student's back-to-school forms in PowerSchool, please do so as soon as possible! This information is needed in the planning of field trips, school events (photo permission), and for the nurse's clinic. We will be contacting families who have not completed their forms this week.

Fees and Lunch Accounts: Families of new and returning students can log in to PaySchools Central to put funds on their lunch accounts. The student fee schedule approved by the Board of Education reflects the elimination of all student class and course fees for the 2026-2027 school year. The annual fees for the 2026-2027 school year include:

• The optional Technology Protection Plan fee ($25) for students in grades K-12 (paid by 1st day of school)

• Athletic fees at the middle school and high school levels

• Student parking fees at the high school

Submit a Change of Address Form: If you have moved recently, please complete a Change of Address Form as soon as possible to enrollment@uaschools.org along with a copy of your proof of residency.

Routes To and From School During Arrival and Dismissal:

• There are many ways to travel to and from Wickliffe! If your child is walking or biking, please remind them to cross at the designated marked crosswalks. When on school property – which includes crosswalks and sidewalks – students must walk their bicycles.

• Please do not drop your child off in either parking lot during the 8:00-8:15 time frame. You will need to use the car line.

• In the AM walkers can enter at the front or back part of the building.

• In the PM walkers will exit the building out back near the black top/playground. Siblings/parents will meet out back. Walkers will NOT be dismissed out front near the bus lane. Only bussers/daycare vans will exit out the front.

• As students walk home, they will need to follow the same safety precautions of walking on the sidewalks around the building.

• If you plan to meet your child at dismissal, please determine the spot that your child is supposed to meet you. This will help your child know where to find you at the end of the day. Please plan for this spot to be out back and not in the front part of the building.

• If you are driving and plan to park your car and then pick up your child on foot, please follow the suggested street parking signs. There should be no parking along Cimmaron Rd. and Eastcleft Dr. during morning drop-off. There should be no parking along Eastleft during dismissal. We will have a number of students moving around in those areas and, for safety, it’s best if students and families are not crossing in areas where our car drop off/pick up occurs.

• Cimmaron Rd. is available for parking on both sides at the end of the day for parents who want to pick their children up on the playground by foot.

• On inclement weather days, students will report inside and remain in the Town Square until 8:10 am.

• Will arrive at school and stay on the bus until 8:10 when the morning bell rings. Students will then enter the building and go directly to their classrooms.

• Students will get picked up by the bus at the end of the day in the bus lane at the front of the building (Wickliffe Road)

• On inclement weather days, students on our bus will stay on the bus until the first bell at 8:10.

• Please use the bike racks that are at the back/front of the building near the blacktop.

• Please remind your child that when riding their bike, they need to start walking once they are on school sidewalks.

Car Line:

• AM Drop Off:

• The car line involves driving along Eastcleft Dr. from the east and dropping your child off at the designated areas just before the indent in the sidewalk. (When in doubt, look for the signs for car drop off.) In the drop off area, there are aides and teachers on duty from 8:00am through 8:15am and 2:50pm through 3:05pm. To use the car line, please pull all the way forward in your car, as far as you can, and then you can let your child(ren) out of the car once you are in the drop off zone. All students K-5 can use the car lines.

• PM Pick Up:

• ALL students will get picked up on Eastcleft Dr. at the end of the day.

• Please place a sign in your window with your child’s name and grade on the passenger side of the car.

• Car Line Drop off/Pick up reminders:

• Pull all the way up to the front of the drop off lane.

• Do NOT allow your child to exit the car outside of the drop off and pick up zone as it slows the car line.

• Children need to exit/enter on the right side of the car.

• Students need to be ready to get out of the car as you pull forward (backpacks and lunch boxes in hand).

• DO NOT pull around cars after you drop your child off. Please stay with the flow of the line. While we know people are in a hurry in the morning, our priority is the safety of everyone.

• Parents need to stay in the car during drop off/pick up. The teachers on duty will help assist with getting students out of the car.

• Please keep your child in the car until you see an adult on duty at 8:00 am.

• If your child arrives past 8:15, and there is not a teacher out on duty, please bring them to the front office to check in.

• DO NOT drop your child off in either parking lot during the 8:00-8:15 time frame. You will need to use the car line.

• There is NO parking, drop off or pick up in the Eastcleft Drive staff parking lot. This is a dangerous spot with the potential of students crossing on foot and bikes coming and going at that time.

• PLEASE do not block the entrance to the staff parking lot.

If your child will be picked up through the car line this year, we kindly ask that you follow the procedures below each day.

On a standard sheet of paper, please write the following information in large, bold letters for each child you are picking up:

• Child’s name
• Classroom teacher
• Grade level

Please place the sign where it can be easily seen by staff as you enter the car line. This helps us account for every child while keeping dismissal safe, organized, and moving smoothly.

Thank you for your patience, partnership, and help in keeping all our students safe!

Tardiness

Our doors open at 8:10 a.m. Students must be in their classroom by 8:15 a.m.

• If you arrive after 8:15 a.m., your student will need to sign in at the Main Office.

Note: Exceptions may be made in the instance of a long car line due to inclement weather, etc. If you do not see an adult monitoring the car line, you must bring your child to the office (or drop them off by the front entrance).

Reporting an Absence

A parent or guardian should email wickliffeattendance@uaschools.org by 8:30 a.m. on any day their student will be absent. Please include your student's first and last name in the email. If you are aware of an upcoming absence, you are welcome to email in advance. Please include your student's teacher in the same message—there’s no need to send separate emails.

If your student's teacher marks them absent, and we haven’t received an email by 9:15 a.m., you will receive an automated call as a reminder to contact the Attendance Office so we can update their attendance.

• If you have already reported the absence and still receive an automated call, no further action is needed—thank you!

Reporting a Change in Dismissal Plans

Please email wickliffeattendance@uaschools.org and copy the classroom teacher or call (614) 487-5150 if there is a change in your student's normal dismissal plans for the day or week. Notifying the office and classroom teacher ensures that our dismissal team (bus, daycare van, and carline) will be aware that your student has alternate plans.

Hello from your school counselors Ms. Shaffer and Mrs. Uhlenhake! We are so excited to be back in this shared role. Below you will see our weekly schedule.

• Mrs. U will continue to work mainly with kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade.
• Ms. Shaffer will continue to work with 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. As always, we are here for any student who needs to chat!

• We will begin our monthly lessons starting in September.

Hi! My name is Rachel Knisley, and I am one of the Physical Education teachers here at Wickliffe. This will be my 6th year of teaching, and I am so grateful to be a part of the Wickliffe family and wonderful school community. I love having the opportunity to help students learn, grow, stay active, and discover ways to enjoy movement.

Outside of school, I love spending time with my husband, Zak, and our two-year-old daughter, Noa. As a family, we love taking walks at the Metro Parks, visiting the zoo and library, playing outside, attending sporting events (Go Crew!), and spending time with our family and friends. This year, Noa is starting Soccer Shots for the first time– wish us luck! 😉

I am excited for the school year ahead and all the fun we will have. I look forward to getting to know the students and families here at Wickliffe and making it a wonderful year together!

My name is Kelley Hackett, and I am one of the Physical Education teachers at Barrington & Wickliffe. I teach at Barrington in the mornings and then travel to Wickliffe in the afternoons. This is my 15th year teaching in Upper Arlington, and I absolutely love staying active and having fun with my students!

When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, LJ, Jolee (11), Kitt (9), Renn (4), and our goldendoodle Hank (14). Some of our favorite things that keep us busy are walking to the Farmer's Market, biking, snowboarding/skiing, gardening, tackling projects around the house, and cheering on my kids as they participate in their many sports and extracurricular activities.

I am so excited for another fun-filled and adventurous year! I look forward to getting to know all of the amazing students and families at Barrington & Wickliffe and creating many great memories together. Here's to a wonderful 2026-2027 school year!

My name is Toni Sfikas, and I am the long-term sub art teacher here at Wickliffe Elementary while Lindsay Bennett is out caring for her family. This is my first year teaching at Upper Arlington. I am passionate about helping young artists discover art as a language they can use to find their own creative voice.

This past May, I graduated with a degree in Art Education from The Ohio State University for PreK-12, and I am very excited to bring an innovative approach to all the 1st-, 2nd-, 4th-, and 5th-grade classes.

Outside of school, I love cooking, painting gifts for friends and family, crafting amazing lattes, and Greek dancing. I also love to travel. This summer I snorkeled in Mexico, and I'm hoping to visit Greece again soon! I can’t wait for a fantastic term ahead with your creative young artists.

Hi, I am Rachel Moore, and I am so excited to be at Barrington and Wickliffe Elementary as a traveling art teacher. While this is my first year in Upper Arlington I am headed into my 9th year of teaching. As an artist I enjoy ceramics, printmaking and watercolor painting.

Beyond the classroom I spend a lot of time with my husband Julian and our two kids Marah (8) and Lucas (5). As a family we frequently visit the Library, Metro Parks and spend time with our extended family. I grew up on a farm in northern Ohio and that lifestyle has cultivated most of my hobbies, gardening and raising chickens.

I can’t wait to teach and inspire the Wickliffe students as a part of this wonderful community.

My name is Kathie Zelnik and I am one of the music teachers at Wickliffe. I get to sing, dance, and play instruments with your children and absolutely love what I do! I’ve taught music for 16 years in Upper Arlington and spent some years staying home with my three sons while still teaching music part time in the Columbus area.

In my free time, I like to play the piano, am active in UA, and spend time working and relaxing in my yard. (I live just a block from the school!)

Thank you for sharing your children with the Wickliffe Community each day! They bring such joy to the world!

Hello! My name is Grant Overmyer, and I am one of the music teachers here at Wickliffe! I spend my mornings working at Barrington and my afternoons at Wickliffe. This is my first year teaching in Upper Arlington. I am an Upper Arlington Graduate, and I am thrilled to be back in my home district! I graduated from Ball State University last May, and I am so excited to begin my career in a passionate and caring community like Upper Arlington!

In my day-to-day life, I love playing piano, walking with my boyfriend, Will, and our dog, Echo, and playing on my Nintendo Switch. In the summers, I work at Camp Akita, which means I can see some Wickliffe students year-round! I enjoy visiting my four siblings and my nieces and nephews around the country.

I cannot wait to work at Wickliffe this year! I am so excited to make music with the students and have a blast every day!

We are grateful for the many parents and family members who volunteer to chaperone our field trips each year! If you hope to join your child's class on a field trip this school year, now is a great time to complete your volunteer requirements so you're ready when opportunities arise.

All volunteers must have a current background check on file with Upper Arlington Schools. Background checks are completed at the Mincy Center (1619 Zollinger Road) Monday–Friday from 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (closed 12:30–1:30 p.m. for lunch).

Thank you for partnering with us to help make field trips safe, fun, and memorable for our students! More information can be found on the UA Schools Volunteering webpage.

• Any prescription medication administered at school requires written authorization from the student’s physician as well as written parental permission. Per Ohio Revised Code, the Prescribed Medication must be received by the health office in the container in which it was dispensed by the provider or pharmacist (we cannot accept medication in baggies). Medication authorization forms and other health forms can be found on the district website at: UA Health Forms. Should you have any questions, please contact the Wickliffe Health Office at 614-487-5150.

• Our health clinics track communicable illnesses and work with local public health agencies to mitigate potential outbreaks. If your student is diagnosed with or treated for a communicable illness/condition (strep, pinkeye, influenza, COVID-19, lice, etc.), please report those to the school nurse at wickliffehealthclinic@uaschools.org, or wickliffeattendance@uaschools.org. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure Wickliffe is a healthy learning environment for all of our students!

On behalf of the Wickliffe PTO, we're so excited to finally welcome everyone back to school! While the storms last week made for an unexpected and stressful start, we hope that the first few days went as smooth as possible and that everyone is beginning to settle into their new routine.

We're looking forward to a wonderful year of building community, supporting our school, and creating fun memories for our students, staff and families. We have several fun events planned in the upcoming months, so be sure to read below for more information and mark your calendars. Whether you're attending an event or volunteering your time, there are many different ways to get involved and we invite you to join us!

We hope to see you soon!

Jamie Haley & Sara Cotter
Co-Presidents 26/27

• August 27th - Jeni's Dine & Donate
• September 11th - Flower Sales Pickup
• September 21st-25th - Book Fair
• September 25th - Fall Fest
• October 15th - Fun Run, Walk, & Ro

• Volunteer in the lunch line with Chef Amber! Sign up here: Lunch Help!
• Checkout our General Volunteer Interest Form if you're interested in open volunteer positions!

• We have partnered with UA owned, Primowear to do our back to school spirit wear sale! Our online store is open now for shopping through August 25th.
• Shop online here!
• We will also have some styles from previous years for sale at next week's Meet the Teacher night! Be sure to stop by and check out what we have in stock if you need to add to your Wickliffe wardrobe!

Support Wickliffe and Make a Lasting Impact in Our Community

• We're seeking local businesses and community partners who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, teachers, and families. To learn more, visit our website here!

Check our website for details on the PTO and upcoming events!

Elementary parents are invited to attend one of two Elementary Gifted Services Parent Information Nights in the coming weeks. These sessions are designed to help answer questions regarding gifted services, including gifted qualifications, gifted clusters and Written Education Plans (WEPs). The same presentation will be provided on both nights, so please select the date that works best for you.

• Monday, August 31: Jones Middle School auditorium, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

• Thursday, September 3:(New Date) Hastings Middle School auditorium, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

This summer, Upper Arlington Schools transitioned to a new transportation app called BusRight, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app allows families to view their student's bus route information and track the bus in real time.

Parents/guardians who requested transportation for their student will received an email invitation to create their BusRight account. You must accept the invitation and set up your account before you can access your student's bus information for the 2026-2027 school year.

Need help? Please use the contact below that best matches your question:

• I didn't receive my BusRight email invitation: Contact the Transportation Department at 614-487-6477.

• I'm having trouble accessing the app or viewing my student's route information: Email support@busright.com.

• I have a question or concern about my student's assigned bus route: Email schoolbusquestions@uaschools.org.

Based on changes in Ohio law and Upper Arlington Schools Board of Education policy, new attendance requirements will be in effect beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. These changes affect how schools track student attendance, when families receive notifications, and when districts must intervene to address attendance concerns.

The biggest change is that all missed time is counted — includes tardies, medical absences, pre-planned absences, non-school-sponsored activities and competitions, and Religious Expression days — toward chronic absenteeism. Parents/guardians may find information about the changes in attendance policy on our website.

State law does allow a student’s parent or guardian to request up to three religious expression days for each school year without any academic penalty. Religious expression days may be used to take holidays for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system or participate in organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or other religious or spiritual organization.

Parents/guardians must submit this form within the 14 school days after the start of the school year (September 1, 2026) to request up to three religious expression days for the 2026-2027 school year. Requests received after 14 days from the start of the school year will not be approved. For additional information, visit our website.

Attendance Information

District Attendance Policy

• Please obtain a medical excuse for ANY visit to a doctor, dentist, therapist, etc that occurs during a school day.

Planned Absence Form - Forms should be completed 10 school days in advance of the first date of the planned absence whenever possible. Otherwise, the absence may be unexcused.

District Website Link

• 2026-2027 School Year Calendar

• A-E Calendar

Instagram Account ~ @wickwolves

Lunch Menu

Difficulty accessing your PaySchools Central account? Email psc_help@payschools.com or

call 1-877-393-6628 between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET Monday-Friday.

Nurse Notes

Any prescription medication administered at school requires written authorization from the student’s physician as well as written parental permission. Per Ohio Revised Code, the Prescribed Medication must be received by the health office in the container in which it was dispensed by the provider or pharmacist (we cannot accept medication in baggies). Medication authorization forms and other health forms can be found on the district website at: UA Health Forms. Should you have any questions, please contact the Wickliffe Health Office at 614-487-5150.

Our health clinics track communicable illnesses and work with local public health agencies to mitigate potential outbreaks. If your student is diagnosed with or treated for a communicable illness/condition (strep, pinkeye, influenza, COVID-19, lice, etc.), please report those to the school nurse at wickliffehealthclinic@uaschools.org, or wickliffeattendance@uaschools.org. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure Wickliffe is a healthy learning environment for all of our students!

PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://ps-uar.metasolutions.net/public/home.html

If you need assistance logging into PowerSchool, you may reach out to: familytechhelp@uaschools.org

Technology Family Support

• Check out this resource for K-5 families.

• WOSU Digital Wellness

• CommonSense Media Activities

Transportation Services

Email: schoolbusquestions@uaschools.org

UA Flyer Connection

Wickliffe PTO

Links to Previous Updates:

All of our updates can be found on the Wickliffe website under “school news”.