Ralph E. Waite Elementary School

Dear Waite Families:

The school year is in full swing at Waite Elementary School! We are looking forward to fall fun and new learning experiences. I would like to apologize for delayed parent communications recently (including spirit days). The ParentLink platform the District uses was down due to a technical issue on the vendor side. We always try to be timely with parent communications. Please remember to check the Waite Facebook and Waite PTO Facebook pages for updated information. Also, we have a new District website with updated calendar information. Please check the Waite webpage on a regular basis for updated school information.

In addition to moving into a full academic routine during the month of September, teachers took advantage of continued opportunities to further invite students into the Waite learning community for the 2025-2026 school year. As we move forward with a focus on empowering student ownership of their learning and behaviors, teachers continued to "look for the good" with a focus on acknowledging positive student behavior.

PBIS Rewards:

Students received many PBIS Reward "points" in response to meeting our building expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready to Learn and by"Following the Group Plan." Students are beginning to "cash in" their positive behavior points for shared and individual experiences and other incentives in the classroom. The PBIS School Store will opened in October. Students have an opportunity to cash in their points to "purchase" a variety of fun items. We also started PBIS PA Announcers, Selfies with Waite Educators, and a school-wide popsicle party, all purchased using PBIS Reward Points.

Leader of the Month:

I recently recognized our first group of Buckeye Leaders of the Month. Teachers have been nominating students who have demonstrated leadership and exemplary character during the month of September. This award recognizes the leadership qualities demonstrated by these students, and awards students with a buckeye (in honor and memory of Mr. Waite) and certificate to recognize their positive contributions to the school community. All Leader of the Month students will be invited to attend a special Leadership Symposium and Luncheon in November where they will continue to grow their leadership skills with a guest speaker, brief workshop, and a pizza lunch.

WIN Time:

We have launched "WIN Time". WIN stands for "What I Need". This is a 30 minute period of time built into the daily building schedule intended to provide small group support and enrichment opportunities for students. In September we administered several initial screening and benchmark literacy and math assessments across grade levels to determine student needs related to reading and math. Teacher grade level teams then met to review student data from these assessments and grouped students by skill need.

During daily WIN Time, students will meet with a teacher in a small group to work on improving specific reading skills. All students will be part of a group in order to best meet their individual needs as a growing reader. These groups are fluid and will be adjusted as students make progress with the foundational skill areas identified.

This approach is intended to meet the unique learning needs of all of our young learners at Waite. You might hear your child talking about seeing a different teacher during the WIN period. Grade level teachers are all focusing on a specific skill area and students will "walk" to that specific teacher to receive the support they need in a given area. We are beginning to focus on procedures and the "why" of WIN with students.

We are looking forward to this opportunity to do even more in meeting the specific needs of our students at Waite. Please reach out to me with any questions.

CKLA Curriculum:

We are continuing to implement a literacy curriculum that supports the Science of Reading with evidence based pedagogy developed to enhance the literacy skills of students. There is a focus on explicit foundational instruction of phonics skills and knowledge topics to foster strong comprehension. Students have been highly engaged in this curriculum. This new curriculum aligns with our Portrait of a Bee competencies and engenders deep and challenging learning opportunities for our students. We are excited for this new teaching and learning opportunity in Medina City Schools!

A Few Highlights from September:

Labor Day
PTO Boyert’s Mum Fundraiser
STAR Testing
Kindergarten Safety Presentation
Choir Began for Grades 4 and 5
Grade 5 KidScripts Writing Rally
PTO Meeting
Community Spirit Night

Grade 3 Fire Safety

Fall Picture Day

Author Visit Assembly

Grade 5 Field Trip, Camp Nuhop
Girls on the Run Began

Have a great month!

Sincerely,

Mr. Mattie

Principal

Students worked very hard to be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn in order to earn a popsicle party!

10/2/25: Field Trip, Jr. Hope Squad, High School

10/5/25: World Teachers’ Day

10/6/25: 4th Grade InView (gifted screening)Testing

10/7/25: Grade InView (gifted screening)Testing

10/8/25: Conferences and PTO Meeting, 7:00pm

10/9/25: Bus Safety Training, K-3, Early Release, Dismissal at 2:20 and, Homecoming Parade, 6:00

10/10/25: No School, InService Day and Powderpuff Football

10/13/25: Columbus Day and Indigenous Americans Day

10/15/25: PTO Pumpkin Challenge Forms Due

10/16/25: Field Trip, Grade 4, Severance Hall and Conferences

10/17/25: Reptile Visit, Grade 3 and PTO Fall Field Day

10/21/25: Fall OST, Grade 3 and PTO Savers Fundraiser

10/22/25: Fall OST, Grade 3 and PTO Savers Fundraiser

10/24/25: Field Trip, Grade 1, Ramseyer

10/27/25: Book Fair Week Begins and Can Food Drive Begins

10/28/25: Music Program, Grade 3, 6:30

10/29/25: Book Fair Family Night, 5:00

10/30/25: Book Fair Last Day

10/31/25: Happy Halloween/Parties/Parade and Can Food Drive Ends

No school for K-5 students only on the following dates (grades 6-12 still in session):

Friday, September 26
Monday, November 10
Monday, February 23
Friday, May 22

Parent and Teacher Conference Night will be held on Thursday, October 17 (4:00-9:00). Teachers also have been scheduling conferences over the first two (2) weeks in October. Teachers have reached out to parents to schedule a 15 minute virtual conference. Parents have expressed that virtual conferences are convenient and easier to schedule, especially when scheduling to meet with multiple teachers for multiple children. We hope this format will continue to be beneficial for our families. Please reach out to your child's teacher (s) or Mr. Mattie if you have any questions about conferences.

The annual Homecoming Parade was Thursday, October 9 at 6:00 PM. It was a lot of fun to support our Medina community! Thanks to all who attended!

Fall PTO Fundraiser

What is the Great Waite Pumpkin Challenge?

The Waite PTO has a "no sell" philosophy for fundraising. The students will participate in events that will combine fitness, fundraising, and fun all in one! The students will rotate through six fall themed stations. Some of the stations are dress the scarecrow, pumpkin roll, and an obstacle course. This event will be held at the school, during school hours. 100% of the money raised will remain at our school to directly support students.

How are donations used?

Our PTO uses the funds raised for various things that directly benefit students and staff throughout the year. Some examples include: teacher grants, assemblies, field trips, staff appreciation events, student giveback, family fun nights, etc.

Informational Packets were sent home to families and are due on 10/15.

Parade:

The Halloween Parade will be held at 2:25 on Friday, October 31. 5th grade will kick off the parade around the inside of the building. Students will make a loop around the front parking lot outside of the building. Parents are invited to stand outside the front of the building (bus loop parking lot) for the outdoor portion of the parade (weather permitting). Additional details to follow.

Costumes:

Students will be invited to change into their costumes before the parade (around 2:10pm). Costumes must be school appropriate and must not include any fake blood or weapons. Masks are acceptable during the parade only.

Classroom Parties:

Classroom parties will follow the parade (around 2:40). Parties will be held at the discretion of the grade level team/teachers. The focus will be on fun, shared activities (i.e. games, movies, costume parties, and other classroom activities). Due to food allergies, food items will be limited and must be prepackaged, if the classroom teacher decides to include any food or candy as part of the party. This is the decision of the teacher and will be supported by administration. Classroom teachers will also reach out if there is a need for additional help in the classroom. We have a limit of no more than two (2) pre-approved parent volunteers arranged by the teacher per classroom.

The Waite community will be participating in a fall Harvest for Hunger Can Food Drive. We will be collecting cans of food and other nonperishable food items the week of October 27-31. On Friday, October 31 (same day as the parade and classroom Halloween parties), parents are also welcome to drop off food items on carts outside the building before the parade. These food items will be shared with local families in need as we prepare for the holiday season. If you would like to make a donation, please send nonperishable food items with your child to school the week of 10/27 or, again, parents attending the costume parade are also invited to bring these food items to drop off before the parade. We will have carts/boxes/bins and flatbeds to collect the cans and boxes of food. There are a variety of fun prizes eligible to students who participate in food donations.

September

Delaney Trease

Oliver Pacholewski

Colton Constance
Kinsley Sweany
Violet Pfeiffer
Myles Williams
Gavin Delzer
Laura Fligor
Ben Dayton
Reagan Prucha
Nolan Painter
Vivian Sherer
Cade Glass
Rose Kuhel
Julian Craft
Penelope Lehman
Kaydin Bemiller
Logan Deeringer
Ella Horschler
Ellie Zofka
Evan Baddorf
Grace Brunker
Charlie MacKenzie
Andrew Nubbie
Leon Langdon
Liana Baker
Evan Lewis
Ashley Brown
Clay Cooke
Lincoln Shure

Annual Pancake Breakfast & Spotlight on Students

Saturday, January 24, 2026

8:00 AM-12:00 PM

Medina County Student Art Show

A Celebration of Student Art Month

March 1-March 31, 2026

Kick-off Event Friday, February 27, 2026-Time and Location TBD

As we venture into October, school counselors are excited to share with you an overview of the lessons your child will be engaged in. Lessons and resources are designed to promote personal development, enhance social-emotional skills, and support academic success. Please click on the link below for more information.

The first link is geared more toward Waite. The second link is geared toward Medina.

You are welcome to send donations to school with your child. There will also be a collection box near the building front entrance. Donations are due by November, 12.

School based health services (SBHC) are provided to students in person monthly on the 1st Thursday of every month and virtually EVERY SCHOOL DAY. The Nurse Practitioner can provide well visits, immunizations, sports physicals, sick visits and chronic disease (such as asthma) management. For virtual visit days she uses a special telehealth equipment called tytocare. This equipment allows her to do a more complete physical exam using attachments that let her assess the ears, throat and skin with a special camera. She can even listen to heart, lungs and belly sounds with a stethoscope attachment. The SBHC even have the ability to test patients for things such as strep throat or a urinary tract infection without them leaving the school building.

School Based Health Services Video

Students and families can refer themselves to the SBHC by calling to make an appointment or turning in a completed consent form to their nurses office. School nurses offices can directly refer students who may need or services. School staff can also refer students or families that may need assistance with care. Services are billed though medical insurance. Families without insurance will receive help in obtaining insurance and will not get billed for services rendered before they obtain of medical insurance.

See the forms below for further information regarding this optional service for students.

We offer an online free and reduced-price meal application through PaySchools Central for families that believe they may qualify.

Remember, all students are able to enjoy breakfast at school every morning. Doors open at 8:35 AM for breakfast in the cafeteria.

PaySchools Central has provided How-To-Guides to set up your account and to complete an online free and reduced meal application. If you choose not to use the online application you can fill out the paper free and reduced meal application and return to the Food Service & Child Nutrition Department located at the Board of Education Office, 739 Weymouth Road.

The form can also be obtained and returned (completed) to any school office. You will be notified by email of your child's status. Until notification is received, you must provide your child with breakfast/lunch or money in their student accounts.

Also new this year, the signed Ohio Budget Bill included the provision for the State to cover the cost for reduced-price breakfasts and lunches for this school year. This means if you qualify for reduced-price meals, you do not have to pay the $0.30 for breakfast or the $0.40 for lunch.

Absence/Tardy Procedure

If your child is going to be absent or tardy, please call the attendance line at 330-636-4504 before 9:00 am. Please do not email the teacher or secretary. Please remember to call the attendance line only.

If a student is returning to school from an appointment or arriving late to the building:

• The parent and student will enter the vestibule together.

• The parent signs the student in on the attendance log which will be located in the office vestibule.

• After signing the student in, ring the buzzer & the office staff will unlock the door for the student to enter the office.

If a student needs to leave school early:

• The parent will enter and remain in the office vestibule.

• The parent will speak through the intercom to provide the name of the student they are picking up. The parent/guardian will be required to show ID through the office window.

• The office staff will call the student down to the office.

• The parent will sign the student out on the attendance log.

• The parent waits in the vestibule for their student.

As cell phones and smart watches continue to grow in popularity, we like to remind parents of the expectations for these devices during the school day. From the student discipline code:

RULE 4 - ELECTRONIC DEVICES

● Electronic devices such as (laser pointers, video cameras, cameras, etc.) are prohibited in

school.

● Cell phones, smartwatches, electronic devices such as (Ipods, MP3 players, Ipads, Nooks,

Kindles, Gizmos, etc) and any video game devices must be turned off and in the student’s book bag during school hours.

Please make sure to have a conversation with your child about this expectation so that

everyone is on the same page in regards to these devices!

If you are interested in being an approved volunteer, please click HERE to complete the volunteer application process. All volunteers must have a background check on file and be approved by the Medina City Schools Board of Education.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Email: mattiem@medinabees.org
Website: www.medinabees.org
Location: 4765 Cobblestone Dr, Medina, OH 44256
Phone: 330-636-4500