Leighton Update
October 24, 2025
Dear Leighton Families,
Our first week of the second quarter has already come to an end. Student grades for the first quarter are finalized and viewable on Progressbook. Due to the internet outage today, the printable version of the first quarter grade card may be delayed until tomorrow. For our third graders, letter grades are yet another first for our youngest learners at Leighton, and conversations around grades should center around the "process over the product" and students giving their best effort. The learning and growth is what matters; this is true for students in all of our grades.
Our students have been working incredibly hard to start this year right - both academically and behaviorally. Our learners continue to meet our expectations in the various locations of our school, and we are so proud of their growth, effort and dedication to meeting our expected behavior pillars "Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be a Problem Solver." This allows us to meet the Green Standard we are all striving for here at Leighton!
Our teachers have been in the process of scheduling Fall conferences. If you have not done so already, please be on the look out for this communication and schedule a time with your child's teachers. This conference time is incredibly valuable to not only learn about your child as a learner, but also build the solid home-school partnership needed for our students' success. We all share this same goal.
Thank you and enjoy the fall weather with your families, the temperatures have certainly dropped!
Sincerely,
Spencer Warders
Principal
Leighton Elementary
5th grade rehearsing for their First Band Performance
Student's in Mrs. Samelko's Class present to their peers on different biomes that have researched
Socktober Is Here!
This October 27–31, Leighton Leaders are collecting new pairs of socks to help people in need. All socks collected will be donated to Akron Snow Angels to keep our community warm this winter. The grade level that brings in the most socks will earn an extra recess! Let’s work together to make a big difference—one pair of socks at a time!
5th Grade Leighton Funderworks Fundraiser
This fundraiser is in collaboration with Harmon MS and directly reduces our 5th graders future 6th grade camp fees. If your child sells 10 items they are added to the class party to Kalahari Waterpark on November 19th! Other prizes are available and can be viewed with the following link. Students have through October 30th for the fundraiser.
Last Call Lost and Found!
Students have done a pretty good job of picking up items, but we still have a lot of clothing and items that have been in the lost and found area for several weeks. Please encourage your child to check our lost and found if they are missing any clothing, water bottles, lunchboxes, etc. We will be donating these items by the end of the month, as we do not have the space to continue to accumulate items. Thank you.
Attention Leighton Students: Join Reading Club!
Love to read? Enjoy a good challenge? Join Leighton Elementary’s “Reading Club” and take part in America’s Battle of the Books! Students will form reading teams, work together to collectively read 12 chapter books, and then compete in a quiz-show style Battle of the Books to test their knowledge and teamwork. Don’t miss this fun opportunity to read, collaborate, and shine! Interested? Check out this flyer, the book lists, and sign up using this Google Form! Questions? Contact club advisors, Mrs. Bindus and/or Mrs. McNally: jbindus@aurora-schools.org dmcnally@aurora-schools.org
District Employment Needs
Aurora City Schools District is in need of district substitutes for our bus drivers, custodians, and all support staff positions; such as paraeducators and secretaries. If you are interested, or know someone who would be interested please visit the district employment opportunities page. These are vital positions to ensure the smooth operation of our students' school day.
Leighton Art Room Creations
Students were using water colors to recently make ocean animal pictures come to life in Mrs. Girbino's Art Classroom. Use this link to learn more specifics about each grade level's art experience during the first quarter
Mrs. Yusko's class completing written responses to their class readings
Rainbow over Leighton!
Mrs. Grabfelder's class using a strategy that encourages using textual evidence in their writing.
Fall Festival Guidelines
Students can wear their costumes to school all day long. Please be sure costumes are functional and school safe, which means:
- The costume should permit the student from doing normal school activities. (sit in desk, carpet, play on playground, etc.)
- Masks of any kind cannot be worn at anytime during the school day, including the bus rides
- Students will not be allowed to apply additional "touch-ups" to their costumes during the day
- Costumes should not have weapons, swords, knives, axe, etc. Props in general should be left at home
- Costumes should not have blood, gore or promote violence.
If at any point a costume or part of a costume is distracting to the learning environment the student will be asked to remove it. There is not a formal parade at Leighton.
Important Upcoming Dates
Oct. 24- Report Cards Distributed
Oct. 28- LES Band Concert at HS 6:30
Oct. 31- Fall Festival
Nov. 6- Parent Teacher Conference
Nov. 13- Parent Teacher Conferences
Nov. 17-21 PTO Book Fair
Nov 26 - Dec 1 Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)
Counselors' Corner
The book fair and holiday season are just around the corner! We know this time of year can bring both excitement and extra challenges for families. To help us best support our students, we’ve attached a Family Support Survey. If your family could use a little extra help this season, please complete this survey. All information shared will be kept confidential. Please don’t hesitate to contact us—simply let us know what you need, and we’ll connect you with the right support!
Mrs. Nicole Wadkins
(330) 562-2209, option 3
Mrs. Lindsey Ambrosia
(330) 562-6199, ext. 5414
Nutrition Expedition: Mexico
On October 30th the Leighton Cafeteria will be taking a nutritional expedition next to Mexico! We will be serving a Mexican menu and will have churros for sale. The nutrition and ingredients label is linked. Additionally here are some fun facts you can share about Mexico with your child.
You can track your child's lunch account by setting up your profile. You may also send in cash or a check written out to the Aurora City Schools.
Aurora Elementary PTO Announcements
Community Announcements
Make a Difference Day
Make a Difference Day was rescheduled due to weather. The volunteer day will be Sunday, October 26th at Leighton from 9-1. Volunteers will be mulching the trail to the outdoor class space, weeding area and other items to help increase the atheistic and functionality of the campus.
Reporting A Student Absence
When reporting your child's absence, please call 330-562-2209 and select option 1. You will be prompted to leave a message with the name of your child and the reason for the absence. If you need to talk to our attendance secretary, Mrs. Mariah George, please select 0 and you will be connected during normal school hours.
Leighton Elementary
Jeff Morris - Assistant Principal
Halston Pratt - Building Secretary
hgarzapratt@aurora-schools.org
Mariah George - Attendance Secretary
Email: swarders@aurora-schools.org
Website: aurora-schools.org
Location: 121 Aurora Hudson Road, Aurora, OH, USA
Phone: (330)562-2209