WES Weekly

Wow! What a successful week we had with Parent Teacher Conferences and the Book Fair! It's a LOT in the same week for our team...and for parents! And we are super thankful for the support and connections you bring to WES.

I hope fall is treating you and yours well.

Thank you!

Beth/Ms. Niskanen

proud principal, Worthington Estates

#1. It was a busy week. This week feels 'slower' and there are a lot of things coming/future planning below.

#2. Halloween at WES = advance planning for costumes if needed and dismissal plans. Please read all below.

#3. Third Grade OST is THIS week, Monday & Tuesday. PLEASE send us well rested and punctual owls, and we'll get them ready for testing! :)

Future events/Mark your Calendars:

Oct 19 & 20 - gr 3 Ohio State Testing ELA. This is important and starts PROMPTLY at 8:20AM.

Monday - Cheeseburger or Hummus & Veggie Bento Box or SB&J
Tuesday - Sweet & Sour Chicken or Toasted Cheese or SB&J
Wednesday - Pancakes w/ Chicken Sausage or Hummus & Veggie Bento Box or SB&J
Thursday - Chicken Tenders or Cheesy Breadsticks or SB&J
Friday - Personal Cheese Pizza or Personal Pepperoni Pizza or SB&J

District Menu page

Free & Reduced School Meals for Students

• Worthington Schools offers Free & Reduced-Price Meals for students who qualify. A new application must be submitted each school year—eligibility does not carry over from the previous year. If you haven’t yet applied for the 2026–2027 school year, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible to avoid any interruption in benefits. For more information and to access the online application, click HERE. Paper applications are also available in the school office.

It's a great time of year to work on the annual WES Book Character Pumpkin contest!

this is the last week for Recess Runners!

What an amazing season it’s been so far!

Our runners have logged an incredible 2,529.85 miles, and more than 85% of our school has participated! Way to go, WES Owls!

Here are a few updates as we head into our final two weeks:

- Second Round of Feet: Our next round of “feet” distribution is happening this coming week! Feet tokens will be sent home with your student from school if he or she has logged miles!
- Recess Volunteers Needed: We still have quite a few open volunteer spots during lunch recess. We’d love to have you join us out there to cheer on our runners and keep the fun going! Every extra set of hands helps.
- Bluffsview Bear Run Registration Is Open! Ready for more running fun? Registration is now open for the Bluffsview “Spooky” Bear Run! Check out the link below for details.

It’s been wonderful seeing so many students get out there, stay active, and be part of the fun. Thank you for your support and for helping make R3 such a success!

Volunteer Opportunities

2026 Remaining R3 Cross Country Meet Dates
10/28: Bluffsview | FREE - Register HERE
11/7: Worthington Hills | FREE - Registration coming soon

Elementary Schools typically have class and/or whole-school activities on/around Halloween, this year Friday, Oct 30th.

What to know for WES owls/families

WES has a whole-school 'parade' (around the building) that meets up for a dance-party. This starts at 1:45 and families that can are welcome to come and watch.

What to know for costumes:

- do NOT wear costumes to school. Please send costumes to school in a marked bag and students will change into costumes before Related Arts and/or parties.

- The following are NOT permitted: face masks, weapons (real, fake, or implied), full face paint, glorifying violence/blood/gore. (Please talk to your kids about these clear rules before this day, and plan alternatives for school costumes if needed, i.e; the toy weapon or gory make up that are planned for Halloween night cannot be worn to school so discuss an alternative or when in doubt skip it for school).

- Costumes must slip on/off easily as students need to be able to INDEPENDENTLY put their costume on OVER their school clothes.

Coming just to watch the parade of costumes?

Classes will parade by each other in front of building as they make their way to the BACK of the building (on Intermediate asphalt) for our shared whole-school activities - starting around 1:45PM.

Parents/Guardians are welcome to watch this outside parade/festivity. Most families line up near exterior sidewalks in front and/or then observe the dancing on the back playground.

Please know only planned volunteers are allowed in the building on this day - and must sign in with government ID and confirmation from homeroom teacher. (If you are remaining outside and here only to watch dance party you do not need to sign in).

*new this year* ALL students will be dismissed as usual after the parade/gathering around 2:45PM. (Coordinating early pick ups from parents that came to watch parade that ends around 2:40 is too complicated, and we dismiss just a few minutes later around 2:45PM).

If your child normally rides the bus/daycare but you will be at the parade and want them to be dismissed to you instead you'll need to contact your child's teacher or our attendance secretary to report they will NOT be on the bus/daycare bus.

If weather does not permit an outside gathering:

We'll cancel the parade and adjust accordingly inside - If we have to cancel, Ms. Niskanen will send out an email to families asap.

Not celebrating?

If your family does not celebrate Halloween and/or you wish for your child NOT to participate in these Halloween-themed activities, please contact your child's homeroom teacher directly so we can make alternate arrangements during Related Arts and/or classroom gatherings.

Need a costume?

If your child needs a Halloween costume to keep, please contact any adult at WES, ASAP. We can often help with time to plan.

We are so very excited to welcome the Veterans or Active Duty Service Members who are part of the Worthington Estates Community to our school on Wednesday, November 11th 8:30-10AM.

Veterans/Service Members will have breakfast with their WES owl and join our entire school for a celebratory assembly of appreciation.

PLEASE help us by signing up below to volunteer and/or help provide this wonderful breakfast.

If you or family member/friend of family, are a military veteran and could come celebrate with us on Wednesday , 11/11 at 8:30 AM please click HERE to RSVP for this wonderful event! (more details for our visiting Veterans are below).

We're also looking for help/donations from our WES community!

Interested in serving our WES family veterans?

Could you help donate breakfast needs and/or assist with breakfast?

Please sign up using the Veteran's Day food and/or volunteer signup Link HERE.

Thank you for considering and for serving our veterans at Worthington Estates!

We're excited to recognize our community's veterans,

Ms. Devaughn, Mr. Hagopian, Mr. Jarvis, Ms. Keyes, Ms. Cassell, Ms. Shaffer, Ms. Niebauer, & Ms. Wilson

WES Veterans Day Committee

Have questions?: please contact Jason Jarvis - jjarvis@wscloud.org (614) 450-4600

We look forward to celebrating Veterans Day this year!

To do:

Please use the links in this email to register for our WES Veterans Day assembly if you hope to attend.

When:

Wednesday, November 11

(please arrive AFTER 8:20/school arrival and before 8:30AM for light breakfast with your WES student), assembly after breakfast until about 10AM.

Who:

Veterans and their WES-students. We kindly request that we limit guests to the veteran-only due to space limitations, unless the veteran needs support/assistance during their time with us.

Have questions?: please contact Jason Jarvis - jjarvis@wscloud.org (614) 450-4600

We look forward to celebrating Veterans Day this year!

All Worthington parents are invited to participate in the viewing of Screenagers: Elementary Edition on November 17th from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Bluffsview Elementary.

Screenagers takes viewers on an in depth look at the impact of digital interaction on children and explores the challenges parents face in raising children in the digital age. Following the viewing of the film, participants will engage in discussion around navigating parenting in the digital age.

To learn more or register, click link or photo.

Screenagers: Elementary Edition

Dear Worthington Families,

As the holiday season approaches, we warmly invite you to join Worthington Connects, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families in need within the Worthington community. Our mission is to provide essential resources, spreading joy and hope to those facing challenges.

There are several meaningful ways you can give back this holiday season:

• Sponsor a Family: Provide gifts and essential items directly to a family in need.

• Donate a Laundry Basket of Essentials: Items like cleaning supplies, toiletries, and non-perishable food are always appreciated.

• Contribute to a Family Stocking: Gift cards, small gifts, and other stocking stuffers are wonderful ways to brighten someone’s holiday.

• Monetary or Gift Card Donations: Your financial contributions or gift cards help us address families' unique needs.

To learn more or to make a donation, please fill out this Google Form to let us know how you'd like to contribute.

Click here to make a monetary donation.

The ever-popular annual WES PTA Pancake Breakfast is coming soon!

When: Saturday, November 7, a rolling event come any time 7AM-11AM

Who: All WES families and community

Need? We have vouchers for anyone that needs a free ticket. Please contact Ms. Packert or Ms. Niskanen directly.

Help? If you can help cover cost of vouchers please buy an 'extra' ticket and know that one will go to someone in need.

Tickets are available for advanced purchase (recommended b/c this helps us RSVP and plan for how much food is needed): WES PTA PANCAKE BREAKFAST TICKET LINK HERE.

We also need help this day, if you have a few minutes before or after to help out there will be a sign up coming soon. (This is also a great event for high schoolers looking for community service hours for NHS). THANK YOU!

Did you know families can access their child’s library account? You may view books currently checked out, see due dates, and keep track of your child’s reading materials—all in one place. Click HERE to learn more.

St. Vincent de Paul offers a free clothing room at St. Michael Church, 5750 North High Street, Worthington, 43085. The room is stocked with gently used seasonal clothing for all ages. In addition, we provide a new set of underwear and socks for each family member. All we need would be identification for each family member that is being shopped for and which school is referring them. The Clothing room is open the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 9:00 – 10:00 (last shopper signed in). And again, on the first and third Saturday of each month from 10:00 – 11:00 (last shopper signed in). Families may visit the clothing room every three months.

Email: bniskanen@wscloud.org
Website: https://estates.worthington.k12.oh.us/
Location: 6760 Rieber Street, Worthington, OH, USA
Phone: (614) 450 - 4600

Instagram: @wes_owls_msniskanen (private page, request with full name/photo)