NUES Back To School Newsletter

Download the "North Union" app, North Union Local Schools Ohio app for school information. Open the Apple App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices), search for the exact app name, and tap the "Install" or "Get" button to download it to your device.

For the North Union Local Schools App:

1. Open the App Store: on your iPhone or iPad, or the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Search for "North Union Local Schools Ohio" .
3. Find the official app: (the title should be "North Union Local Schools Ohio").
4. Tap "Get" or "Install": and then follow the on-screen prompts to download the app.

Dear North Union Elementary Families, Students, and Community,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I hope you all had a restful, fun-filled summer creating wonderful memories with family and friends. The building has been quiet over these past few weeks, and our staff is beyond excited to open our doors and fill our hallways with student laughter, energy, and enthusiasm once again.

A HUGE thank you goes out to our incredible building maintenance and custodial team! They have worked tirelessly all summer long—deep cleaning every classroom, waxing floors, making repairs, and prepping our school inside and out. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, our building looks phenomenal and is completely ready for a safe, welcoming, and exciting first day!

To our returning families, welcome back! To our new families—including our incoming Preschool and Kindergarten Wildcats—we are thrilled to have you join our North Union family.

Our teachers and staff have been hard at work preparing classrooms, refining programs, and planning engaging lessons to support your child’s growth. We remain committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environment where every child feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential.

🌟 What to Look Forward To

This year brings several exciting updates aimed at supporting our students and families:

• No Supply Lists or Fees: Thanks to the generous support of our Board of Education, families do not need to purchase school supplies or pay K–8 school fees this year! Basic learning tools will be provided directly in the classroom.

• Free Breakfast for All: Every Wildcat can start their morning ready to learn with free breakfast all year long!

• Smooth & Safe Dismissals: We will continue utilizing our Raptor Pick-Up System and indoor dismissal process to keep drop-off and pick-up running safely and efficiently. Details below.

🤝 Partnering for Success

Strong communication and partnership between home and school are essential to student success. Please take a moment to review the essential dates, nurse procedures, and arrival/dismissal routines detailed in this newsletter. We also encourage you to download the North Union Local Schools App to stay updated on school news and calendar events!

Mark your calendars for our Orientation and Open House events on August 10th & 11th. It is a wonderful chance to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and reconnect with friends.

🍦 Popsicles on the Playground with the Principals

Also, join the Principals on the playground during Open House the 11th (Grades 1-5) to check out the new outdoor classroom and gardens! We will be handing out Popsicles and saying "HI" as you enjoy Open House.

Thank you for trusting us with your children. Together, let’s make the 2026–2027 school year our best one yet!

Go Wildcats! 🐾

Mr. Riley Principal, North Union Elementary

Preschool Open House

August 10th

3:30-4:15 AM Classes

4:30-5:15 PM Classes

Kindergarten Orientation

August 10th

5:30-6:15 PM

Please be in the gym by 5:25 so we can get started promptly with a quick intro from the Principals then have you go with your child's teacher to see their classrooms. Also, see KG staggered Start Reminder to know which day your child starts.

DISTRICT OPEN HOUSE

August 11th

3:00-6:00 PM

Grades 1-12

Food Trucks will be available in the

elementary/middle school bus loop

Morning Drop-Off (7:45 AM – 8:00 AM)

• Drop-Off Window: Morning drop-off runs from 7:45 AM to 8:00 AM. (Note: This time differs from the Middle School due to their earlier start time).

• Supervision & Safety: Students must remain in vehicles until 7:45 AM. Gathering outside prior to this time is not permitted as staff are not on duty until 7:45 AM. Once staff are in place, students may exit.

• Car Line Rules: All parents bringing their child to school must use the designated car loop. Do not park and walk your child to the building, as walking in front of or around buses creates significant safety hazards. We also know it is the 1st day of school and you may want to get pictures. So we are little more lenient the first day. We just ask that you say your goodbyes outside and allow the students to enter the building on their own. Please, do not walk them to their classroom.

• Exiting Vehicles: Ensure your child exits from the passenger side only. Drivers must not exit their vehicles while in the drop-off loop. Staff are outside to help.

• Late Arrival: Doors close and official instruction begins at 8:00 AM (buses also depart at this time). If you arrive after 8:00 AM and doors are shut, you must park and walk your child into the main office to check them in.

Afternoon Pick-Up & The Raptor Pick-Up System

Following the successful implementation of our Raptor Pick-Up System and Indoor Dismissal Process last school year, we will continue utilizing these procedures to ensure maximum safety and efficiency for every Wildcat family. If you need a new QR code please contact the office or drop in during Open House.

• Car Loop Only: All afternoon pick-ups must take place in the car loop.

• Raptor Check-In: Please remain in your vehicle and check in with staff at the lot entrance so they can digitally notify the indoor team of your arrival. Staging students safely inside allows us to maintain an organized dismissal process that wraps up between 3:10 PM and 3:25 PM. A little later the first few days of school as we all get in the routine of things.

• Loading Vehicles: Ensure students enter on the passenger side. Do not exit your vehicle while in the loop line.

• Buckling Up: If you need to assist your child with seatbelts or car seats, please pull forward around the loop to a safe spot.

• Strict No "Walk-Up" Policy: For student safety and to avoid interfering with bus and car traffic, there is no walk-up option for student pick-up. All parents must remain in the car line.

Our Food Services team is excited to serve healthy, tasty meals to our students every day. Please review the important cafeteria information below regarding applications, meals, account balances, and snack options.

📋 Free & Reduced Meal Applications

It is extremely important for all families to fill out the Free and Reduced Meal Application. Completing this form not only helps determine meal benefits, but it also determines whether your student qualifies for waived school fees and other state or government assistance programs.

• Apply Online: Visit www.payschoolscentral.com for a quick and easy electronic submission.

• Paper Copy: Printable applications are available on the Parent Resources page of our website, or you can fill out a paper copy and return it directly to your student's school office.

🥪 Daily Breakfast (FREE) & Lunch Options

A printed lunch menu will be sent home with your student on the first day of school.

• Breakfast: Served every morning when students arrive at school and is FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS.

• Lunch Options: Students can choose from a Main Lunch, Gopher Lunch, or Salad Lunch for their meal.

• Special Dietary Needs: If your child has food allergies or special dietary needs, please contact the school nurse to make necessary accommodations.

🍦 A La Carte Snacks & Account Balances

We offer a variety of fun, healthy a la carte items for purchase, including ice cream, sandwiches, parfaits, chips, fruit snacks, fruits, and vegetables. All items meet the USDA Smart Snack Regulations.

• Prices: Range from $0.75 to $2.25.

• How to Add Funds:

  1. Online: Pay with a credit or debit card at www.payschoolscentral.com.

  2. In-Person: Send cash or check in an envelope clearly labeled with your student’s full name.

• Account Policy: Students will not be allowed to purchase a la carte items if their account balance is negative.

• Setting Limits: If you would like to restrict extra purchases or set a daily spending limit on your child's account, please call 740-943-1604 or send a written note to the school.

🔗 Quick Links & Resources

• PaySchools Central (Online Payments & Applications)

• USDA Smart Snacks Guide

• National School Lunch Program Meal Pattern

• School Breakfast Program Meal Pattern

As we kick off another exciting school year, we are thrilled to continue our building-wide positive culture initiative: The PAX Encourager Program!

Building on the wonderful success of last year's program launch, we remain dedicated to our North Union Elementary mission to Prepare, Challenge, and Empower every student for success. Our goal is to keep strengthening a safe, supportive, and joyful environment where every child feels valued, celebrated, and inspired to grow.

🌟 Our Three Core Principles

Everything we do is guided by three simple, powerful expectations that help students make positive choices across our entire school day:

• Take Care of Yourself: Focus on personal responsibility, safety, and healthy choices.

• Take Care of Each Other: Practice kindness, respect, empathy, and inclusion.

• Take Care of This Place: Take pride in our school environment by keeping it clean, safe, and orderly.

🔤 Monthly Character Traits: E.N.C.O.U.R.A.G.E.

Throughout the 9-month school year, we will highlight a specific character trait spelled out by the word ENCOURAGE:

• September: E – Energy (Enthusiasm & Effort)

• October: N – Nice (Kindness & Friendliness)

• November: C – Courage (Bravery & Standing Up for Right)

• December: O – Optimistic (Positive Mindset)

• January: U – United (Teamwork & Community)

• February: R – Relationships (Building Positive Connections)

• March: A – Ambitious (Setting Goals & Striving for Best)

• April: G – Gratitude (Thankfulness & Appreciation)

• May: E – Encourage (Lifting Others Up)

🎟️ How We Celebrate Our Students

• PAX Encourager Tickets: All school staff can award tickets to students whenever they are caught demonstrating our monthly character trait. Students can also nominate their peers as encouragers!

• Monthly Principal Rewards: At the end of each month, two students from every classroom will be drawn to participate in a fun reward activity with the principals, such as extra recess, popcorn parties, or ice cream!

• Quarterly Assemblies: Four times a year, we will gather for special celebration assemblies to recognize our ticket winners and honor our PAX Leaders—students who consistently model exceptional character.

🤝 Partnering With You

A strong school community starts with strong home-school partnerships. We invite you to continue talking with your child at home about each month’s focus word and ask them how they used their "PAX hands, feet, and voices" to Take Care of Yourself, Each Other, and This Place!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to make NUES the best place to learn and grow.

Parents, please remember to contact the Elementary School whenever your child will be absent or arriving late. You can report an absence using one of the two following methods:

• By Phone: Call the absence reporting line at 740-943-3113 and select Option 1.

• By App: Use the North Union app and select the "Report Absence" feature under the MORE button once you are in the Elementary tab.

Medical Notes: If the absence is due to a medical appointment of any type, please remember to submit a formal doctor's excuse to the office so the absence can be marked as excused.

Welcome to a new school year! Just a few reminders and healthful hints from your school nurse!

Medications: Whenever possible, medication should be scheduled during non-school hours. However, in the event your child needs medication during school hours, please be sure to have the “Authorization to Administer Medication” form completed and returned to the school nurse. For non-prescription medication, the form only needs filled out by parents/guardians. For prescription medications (any medication prescribed by a doctor), the form needs to be filled out by the physician and the parent/guardian. All medications (prescription and non-prescription) must be sent in the original container, sealed, and labeled with the child’s name. Prescribed antibiotics may be given with a physician’s note, but need to be in a properly labeled pharmacy container that can remain at the school.

Epi-Pens, Inhalers, and Injectable medications also require an authorization form. All medication must be hand-delivered to the nurse’s office by the parent/guardian. Children are not allowed to transport medication to school in their backpacks or lunch boxes.

Clothing: At times, children may soil or rip their clothing. Thanks to the parents/guardians who have donated outgrown clothing, we usually have clothes for them to wear home. Please return these items washed as soon as possible so they are available for other students. If your child has ongoing bathroom issues, please put an extra change of clothes in their backpack for personal use.

Screenings: Students in Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 5th grade, as well as students who are new to the district, will have a hearing and vision screening performed this year. If there is an abnormal finding, parents will be notified by letter/email. Please contact the school nurse if you have any concerns regarding your child and the screening process.

Illness/Injury: If your child is ill or injured during school hours, he/she will be assessed. For superficial abrasions, soap and water will be used for cleansing, as well as antibacterial ointment used as needed. You will not be contacted each time your child visits the school nurse, however, in the event your child appears to have a serious illness/injury, every effort will be made to notify you. Please be sure all phone numbers and health care information is kept current throughout the school year. It is very important that we are able to contact someone in the event there is an emergency with your child or they are required to be picked up.

Children with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be sent home immediately. Please keep students home from school until they remain fever-free (below 100 degrees) for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Children with other symptoms of a possibly communicable disease will also be sent home from school at the discretion of the school nurse. If your child has been diagnosed with a possibly contagious illness, such as flu or strep throat, please notify the school nurse.

Lice: Head lice are a common community problem. They are not dangerous and do not transmit disease. The school nurse will notify parents of the student with lice or nits and recommend treatment. A letter will not be sent to other parents in that classroom unless an unusual clustering of active head lice cases (3 or more) is discovered in the classroom.

Food Allergies/Outside Food: Many students at North Union have food allergies. It is imperative that parents notify the school nurse and the child’s teacher of any food allergies as soon as possible. In order to keep all students safe, we ask that parents DO NOT bring in outside food, other than lunches and healthy snacks for their own child’s consumption. A food allergy can turn into a potentially life-threatening situation. Parents are encouraged to consider books, pencils, or other non-food items for birthdays, parties, and end of year celebrations.

Please contact me at lcox@nu-district.org or 740-943-1701 if you have any questions or concerns. Have a safe and healthy school year!

Lindsay Cox, RN

District Health Care Provider

Our school counselors are here to support your child's academic, social, and emotional wellbeing! If your child needs support or you would like to connect with our guidance department, please contact the main office to be connected with a counselor.

Website: https://www.nuschools.org/o/es
Location:

North Union Elementary School

420 Grove St, Richwood, OH 43344

Phone: 740-943-3113
X: @NUES_Principal