October Newsletter (WRES)
Dear WRES Families,
September was off to a fantastic start! Our new students are now fully settled and thriving in our PAWS-itive community. We’ve completed our beginning-of-year testing and had a wonderful experience hosting the Ohio Mid-Sized Leadership Collaborative Walkthrough on September 30th. Students enjoyed our first PBIS incentive, the Outdoor Extravaganza, along with our Town Hall Celebrations and the PTO Family Game Night.
Looking ahead to October, we are excited for all the events our students will experience: RCS Homecoming Spirit Week and Parade, more PBIS excitement, and our first after-school event of the year – Literacy & Mathematics Night!
A few reminders as we move into October:
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Arrival: Students should be at school by 9:00 am. After 9:00 am, parents will need to check students in at the office.
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Visitor Policy: For safety reasons, parents are no longer allowed to walk students to class. All visitors must check in at the office.
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Dismissal Changes: The deadline for dismissal changes is 2:30 pm. Last-minute calls have recently increased, which can create safety concerns. Please plan accordingly.
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Parent Pick-Up: Parents, please continue to follow the parent pick-up process. Do not come into the building to retrieve students. Thanks to Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Murray, the radio system has helped move car riders much more efficiently. Following this process ensures the safety and smooth dismissal of all students.
Title 1 Parents Right to Know: You have the right to know about the teaching qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher in a school receiving Title I funds. The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that any school district receiving Title I funds must notify parents of each student attending any school receiving Title I funds that they may request, and the district will provide the parents on request (and in a timely manner), information regarding the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers, including at a minimum, the following:
- Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
- Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived; and
- Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher;
- Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
- In addition, parents of participating children will be provided: Information on the level of achievement of their child(ren) on the required State academic assessments; and timely notice that the parent's child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who does not meet applicable State certification or licensure requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned. For more information check our our RCS District Website: https://www.reyn.org/about-rcs/departments/human-capital-management/federal-notices
Thank you for your continued support in making WRES a safe, positive, and engaging learning environment. We look forward to a wonderful October filled with learning, celebration, and PAWS-itive experiences!
Warmly,
Mrs. Fowler & Mr. Thornton
September Recap & October Preview
What We Learned in September
September was such an exciting month of learning! We worked hard on identifying letters and sounds, practiced writing numbers from 0–10, and counted all the way to 20. In math, we focused on numbers up to 5—comparing greater than/less than, building number correspondence, and developing strong number sense. We also practiced rhyming, counting syllables, and writing our names. Along the way, we reinforced showing a PAWSitive attitude each day: Prepare for Success, Act Responsibly, Work Together, and Stay Safe.
What’s Coming in October
In October, we will continue exploring letters and sounds, while beginning to tap and blend them to read and write CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant). We’ll also keep practicing sight words and illustrating stories with lots of color and detail. In math, we’ll extend our learning to numbers up to 10, continue exploring 2D shapes, and start counting all the way to 50. It’s going to be a month full of growth and discovery!
First Grade Happenings!
Firsties are learning how to blend sounds together to make words! We’ve been practicing short vowels and digraphs such as sh, th, wh, and ck. We’re also rhyming and reading sight words. Please remember—it’s very important that your child practices his or her sight words each night and reads the books in their book bag. Just 20 minutes of reading each night makes a big difference!
In math, we are working on addition and subtraction strategies. These include using pictures, counting on, number lines, touch points, and counters. We are also learning about number sequences and place value.
During Writing Workshop, students are writing every day. They are using sight words and their sound-out skills to create simple sentences, remembering to start with capital letters and end with punctuation.
In science, we’ve started our Apple Unit! We are reading and writing about the life cycle of an apple, making applesauce, and learning about the scientific changes of solid, liquid, and gas.
In social studies, we are focusing on appropriate behavior at school and learning what it means to be a good citizen both in and out of the classroom.
Happy October! Students have worked very hard the month of September to get into a routine, learn classroom expectations, and start second grade material!
Listed below is what we will be learning about in the month of October:
Math:
- Unit 3 (Patterns, Counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, 100s, Even/Odd, Greater than/less than/equal to)
- Unit 4 (Representing and Solving Addition/Subtraction problems)
Reading:
- Fluency
- Story Structure
- Ask/answer questions
- Central Idea
Writing: Descriptive writing (using nouns/verbs/adjectives etc)
Phonics: Glued sounds (all, onk, ong, etc), R controlled vowels
SS/Sci: Government, Scientific Inquiry
Friendly Reminders:
- Please make sure your students have a water bottle with a lid!
- Flashcards should be brought back every Monday
- Nightly reading and practicing math facts is highly encouraged
The 3rd grade team is excited about what is to come in October! We will take a field trip to the Reynoldsburg Historical Society on Thursday, October 16 to support our social studies standard focused on local history. More information, including a permission slip, will be coming home soon. We are also excited for our students to show what they know on their first state test! 3rd graders will take the reading Ohio State Test on Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23. Information about how you can support your child during testing will come home soon.
We have wrapped up our first ELA module about what makes a character interesting. Our next module is about how historic places, documents, and symbols represent our nation and focuses more on nonfiction text. We are also working on writing complete sentences and responding to prompts using RACE. In math, we have wrapped up our first unit on place value, addition, and subtraction. This month, we will dive into multiplication and division.
The 3rd grade team has a website where you can find our schedule, what we’re learning each week, suggestions for helping your child at home, and more. Check it out at bit.ly/wres3rd.
In 4th grade the ELA focus will be on strengthening writing skills and focusing on reading strategies for nonfiction texts. In math they will continue to work on addition, subtractions and multistep word problems.
Please continue to read for 20 minutes on a nightly basis as well as practice math facts!
In ELA, 5th graders are learning context clues and running stations in the classroom. Students will be finishing up their reading standards.
In Math, students are finishing their place value unit. They will begin their multiplying whole numbers unit next. We are continuing to use our Reveal Math curriculum and interactive notebooks to help students continue to grow in their math abilities.
In Science, students will be finishing their light and sound unit by the end of Quarter 1. They will then begin their force and motion unit in Quarter 2.
Maker's Education (Innovation)
In MakersEd, students continue to run experiments and challenges with the bridges they build. The bridges they design will need to hold weight, handle impact and allow the flow of “water.”
Students are working on cultural murals and school-wide decoration projects that focus on October, Diwali and Dia De Los Muertos. This work gives students a hands-on opportunity to learn about other cultures.
Music
K-1: Students are building their internal metronome with games and songs that reinforce keeping a steady beat through various movements
2: Students are being introduced to "The Music Puzzle", musical concepts such as tempo and dynamics that when put together make music beautiful.
3-5: Students are reviewing concepts from the previous year to build upon new ones such as expanded vocabulary, more complex rhythms, and expanded knowledge of Treble Clef note names.
Physical Education
In Physical Education class, we will be working on striking skills during the month of October. Students will be playing a variety of games to incorporate and improve their striking skills. We will also be focusing on collaborating effectively with peers and using problem solving skills to overcome obstacles.
Library
We are starting to explore books in our new reading space and are enjoying the books from the Columbus Metropolitan Library that will remain here at school. Books will not be allowed to come home. We are continuing to practice appropriate ways to care for books
Reading a variety of books and learning the expectations of our space
Enjoying Activities and games from time to time that are focused on literacy and Writing
October
Hello WRES families! Here are your October updates from Ms. Behnke, the school counselor at WRES!
Classroom Lessons
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and I will be facilitating classroom lessons for students in grades K–5 focused on promoting kindness and increasing awareness about bullying.
Students in grades K–2 will explore the concept of kindness, learning practical ways to show kindness to themselves and others. Meanwhile, students in grades 3–5 will engage in lessons that define bullying, identify its various forms, and discuss strategies for seeking help if they or someone they know are experiencing bullying.
As part of this initiative, all K–5 classrooms will have the opportunity to create kindness posters, which will be displayed throughout the school building during the month of October. These posters will serve as a visual representation of our shared commitment to kindness and respect at WRES.
For more information about bullying, please visit the following link:
https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/what-is-bullying
Grief Support Group
OhioHealth will be offering a small group grief support service to students who have experienced the death of a friend or family member. This group is offered at no cost and will take place during the school day. If you are interested in your child participating in this group or would like additional information, please contact me at alaina.behnke@reyn.org or 614-501-5616.
The PBIS incentive for the month of September was an Outdoor Extravaganza. Students got to do tug-of-war, crab soccer, ladder toss, capture the flag, spoon balance race, and hula hoop human connect. Students had a great time celebrating their hard work and amazing behavior! Keep up the good work!
We also had our first town hall meetings. During the Town halls teachers announced their students of the month, and then played a game with teachers! Check in with your student with a way they can show a PAWS attitude to earn a PAWS ticket, PAWSitive Office referral, or work towards becoming the students of the month.
Mrs. Kahari is a Paraprofessional Nurse at WRES. She has been at the Waggoner Rd. campus for five years, and has worked for the district for seven years. Mrs. Kahari has worked in the healthcare industry for over 30 years; working in clinical, clerical, and educational settings. Mrs. Kahari finds complete joy in helping keep the students and staff safe and healthy. We are so lucky to have Mrs. Kahari apart of our WRES family!
All Treats, No Tricks! The Community Halloween Party is on October 18th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at JFK Park. There will be music and food, and it will be a scarily good time!
Volley for the Cure- Rally together to support breast cancer awareness and research at the Volley for the Cure on October 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the RHS Summit Campus. Wear pink to show your support!
Homecoming Parade- Your RHS Student Council is hosting the annual Homecoming Parade on October 9, 2025. The theme is Fairy Tales and the route is: RHS- Livingston Campus - Rosehill - Bartlett - Ives - Retton - Rosehill - RHS Livingston Campus. The fun starts at 6:00 p.m. Make sure you get a great spot on the route!
The Stage is Set! Your Reynoldsburg Theatrical Academy is set to put on three productions for the 25-26 school year and host a Jingle Jazz Holiday Shop. More information and the link to get tickets are here.
Fall Festival and Silent Disco - East Side Grace is hosting a Fall Festival and Silent Disco on October 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the church property for local elementary students and their families. We hope that they will enjoy–for free–an evening of inflatables, balloon animals, face painting, and candy (and food for purchase). We hope families are also able to get connected to some of the services offered at the church: a free hot meal every Thursday night and a food pantry on Thursday mornings. We’d love to welcome all of your students!