Leighton Update

Dear Leighton Families,

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful, long holiday weekend filled with quality time with your children and loved ones. It was great to see our students return to the building this week, quickly getting back into the "swing of things" after Spring Break—and of course, enjoying a bit of lighthearted April Fools' fun along the way!

Our students have been incredibly active lately. This past week, they wrapped up the rollerblading unit in PE class. It was a joy to watch them build confidence and grow their skills on wheels; they certainly had a blast! Additionally, our 5th graders recently participated in our highly anticipated Glow Day. This event truly brings learning to life through engaging activities, movement breaks, and mini-dance parties that keep energy and enthusiasm at an all-time high. During the event, students also took part in a reflective “year-in-review,” celebrating their growth and accomplishments in a meaningful, high-energy, glow-themed environment.

As we look ahead, the final stretch of the year is very busy. Please take a moment to reference the Ohio State Test (OST) schedule listed below. With testing right around the corner, we want to set our students up for success. You can help them do their very best by ensuring they get a good night’s rest and a nutritious breakfast on the mornings of their assessments.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Spencer Warders

Principal

Leighton Elementary

We’re happy to share a free opportunity for families to access the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program)—a trusted, research-based program that supports parents and caregivers in raising confident, healthy children.

Through this online program, you’ll find helpful strategies to:

Strengthen your connection with your child
Promote positive behaviors and routines
Respond to challenges in a calm, consistent way
Support your child’s growth and independence
Balance parenting with your own well-being

The program is self-paced and can be accessed anytime from a phone, tablet, or computer making it easy to fit into your schedule.

To sign up, visit the link and scroll to the bottom to select “Free online course today.”
https://octf.ohio.gov/what-we-do/our-impact/triple-p-online

We encourage you to take advantage of this helpful resource!

Mrs. Wadkins & Mrs. Ambrosia

It is time for our current 4th-grade students to look ahead and choose their musical path for 5th grade. Please keep an eye out for a FinalForms notification to officially submit your child’s music selection.

Students have three wonderful pathways to choose from:

General Music: Continue building foundational musical skills and appreciation.

Orchestra: Continue your journey with string instruments.

Band: Join the band and begin an exciting new musical adventure!

Interested in Band?

To help your student find the perfect fit, we are hosting a Band Instrument "Petting Zoo" where they can try out different instruments and see what sparks their interest.

When: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Time: 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM

Where: Leighton Elementary

We look forward to seeing our future musicians there!

Please take a moment to reference the schedule again of the Ohio State Test assessments. As stated above these assessments begin next week. If you know your child will be absent for these dates, please contact our school counselor, Mrs. Wadkins, at nwadkins@aurora-schools.org

English Language Arts OST Part 1 and 2

April 15th: 3rd (1/2 Homerooms Grabfelder, Yusko, Parker, Yaeger and Bindus)

April 16th: 3rd (1/2 Homerooms Grabfelder, Yusko, Parker, Yaeger and Bindus)

April 21: 3rd (1/2 Homerooms Heffernan, Leone, Mastri, Goldhamer and McNally), 4th and 5th

April 22: 3rd (1/2 Homerooms Heffernan, Leone, Mastri, Goldhamer and McNally), 4th and 5th

Math OST Part 1 and 2

April 29: 3rd (1/2 Homerooms Heffernan, Leone, Mastri, Goldhamer and McNally)

April 30: 3rd (1/2 Homerooms Heffernan, Leone, Mastri, Goldhamer and McNally)

May 5: 3rd (1/2 Homerooms Grabfelder, Yusko, Parker, Yaeger and Bindus), 4th and 5th

May 6: 3rd (1/2 Homerooms Grabfelder, Yusko, Parker, Yaeger and Bindus), 4th and 5th

Science OST Part 1 and 2

April 29: 5th Grade

April 30: 5th Grade

Our Leighton Legends are students who have done a tremendous job demonstrating our three PBIS expected behaviors of Being Respectful, Being Responsible and Being a Problem Solver.

The Leighton Legends for the month of March are:

3rd Graders: Griffin Cuerbo, Charlotte Cameron, Max Miller, Braxton Tietz, Stella Sands and James Feher

4th Graders: Brock McDermitt, Woojoo Kim, Johnny Kudley, Ada Topuzlu, Conor Smalley and Elliot Lee

5th Graders: Jaxon Kline, Aubrey Babyak, Zack Erhard, Isha Gupta, Conner Knott and Austin Mounts

Outstanding job!

Glow day Dance Party

Writing Conferences in Mrs. Skeels's Class

Reading Detectives in Mrs. Parker's class

We have been making announcement to the students to be checking the lost and found this past week. Our lost and found is over flowing with winter clothing items; as well as, water bottles, lunch boxes and other items. Please have your child check the lost and found if your missing any items. Our Leighton Leaders will be sorting and bagging the items for donation within the next week.

To prepare for the future Aurora City Schools’ facility needs, the district has been examining facility master plan options. Over the next 12 weeks, our Superintendent, Dr. Paul Milcetich, will be providing videos and facts about the Aurora City Schools Essential Plan, which will be a bond issue planned for the November ballot. Below are buttons for the current videos and website resources available to stay informed on this important plan.

Introducing The Essential Plan - "Why Now?"

The Heart of the Plan: A New 1-3 Elementary School

Triage Items: Urgent Facility Repairs

New Grade Configuration PreK-5

The Basics of a School Bond

Student Flow and Enrollment Projections

Click Here For The Essential Plan District Website

April 15: Band Instrument Petting Zoo 6:30 -7:45

April 30: 2nd to 3rd grade parent orientation 6:00 pm

May 1: No School

May 2: LES AOA Solo Competition At Leighton 9:00 AM

May 12: LES Band Concert at HS 7:00 pm

May 13: 5th to 6th Parent Orientation at Harmon 7:00 pm

May 20 LES Orchestra Concert at HS 4th 4:30 5th 5:30

May 26: LES Field Day

May 27: LES Field Day Rain Date

May 28: 5th grade Clap Out 1:15

Click Here For Leighton 25-26 Important Dates Calendar

Click Here For Leighton's Lunch Menu

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.

Click Here To Add Money To Your Child's Lunch Account

Thank you to everyone who supported the Aurora Schools Foundation’s Sip, Savor & Support event. We are grateful for our supportive community! Because of you, we surpassed last year’s total and raised over $28,000 to fund innovative, hands-on learning opportunities for Aurora students!

Help us keep the momentum going- stay connected and get involved: https://auroraschoolsfoundation.org

Change In Transportation Form

Click For Leighton Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

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.