Wickliffe Family Update

Dear Wickliffe Families,

It was another busy week at Wickliffe, with lots of learning and excitement throughout the building! A highlight was that classes had the opportunity to experience the opening of our new Peg Wall in the media center. If your child has been talking about it, this wall is designed to inspire creativity and invite students to explore, design, and bring their ideas to life. Thank you to everyone who helped make this idea a reality. We can’t wait to see what our students create!

As a reminder, parent-teacher conferences are coming up, and staff should be reaching out to schedule a time with you. Our goal is to connect with every family to celebrate your child’s growth, discuss their progress, and partner on next steps. You should hear from your child’s teacher and intervention specialist, if applicable. If you haven’t connected yet, please reach out so we can get your conference scheduled.

We are also just two weeks away from our Fun Run, Walk, or Roll! We hope each family will consider contributing at a level that works for them. This fundraiser helps our PTO support students and staff through field trips, teacher grants, Fall Fest, Wickapalooza, and many other experiences throughout the year. Every contribution helps, and we appreciate your support!

Have a wonderful week!

Angela
Principal

October 5th-9th: Fire Prevention Week

October 6th: Field Trip to Fancyburg Park, 3rd Grade, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

October 8th: Field Trip to Stratford Ecological Center, 8:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Nocera/Sully

October 12th: Yearbook Art Contest Ends

October 13th: Field Trip to SWACO, 5th Grade

October 14th: Coffee with the UA Ed Foundation at Drop Off

October 14th: Best Buddies Information Meeting for Students @ Lunch

October 15th: Fun Run, Walk, and Roll

• K & 2: 8:30-9:00

• 4 & 5: 9:10-9:40

• 1 & 3: 10:20-10:50

October 16th: No School

October 19th: No School, Work Day for Teachers

October 20th: 8:45-10:50 5th Grade Jesse Weinberger digital safety presentation @ UAHS

(staff and students)

October 21st: Elementary Conferences, 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

October 22nd: UAED Board Meeting at Wickliffe, Maker’s Space, 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

October 22nd: Early Dismissal @ 11:00 a.m., No Lunch Service

October 22nd: Elementary Conferences, 12:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

October 22nd: Bear Essentials Shopping Hours, 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

October 23rd: School Picture Make-Up Day and Student Candids

October 26th-27th: 3rd Grade State Testing

October 27th: 12:05-2:00 3rd Grade Jesse Weinberger digital safety presentation @ UAHS (staff and students)

October 27th: Walking Field Trip to Bickford of Upper Arlington - Nocera, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

October 27th, 28th & 29th: Mindful Mentors Meetings

October 27th: Field Trip to Dawes Arboretum, 1st Grade

October 28th: 8:45-10:50 4th Grade Jesse Weinberger digital safety presentation at UAHS (staff and students)

October 30th: Fall Harvest Parade and Classroom Parties, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

November 5th: Field Trip to Stratford Ecological Center, 8:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Woyce/Holub

Get ready for our Annual Fun Run, Walk, or Roll on Thursday, October 15, 2026! A fun-filled morning where our Wickliffe students walk, run, or roll their way around the school for approximately one mile!

The Fun Run is a fundraiser that helps support Wickliffe students, teachers, and our school community! Proceeds will go toward:

• Staff & Teacher Grants
• Field Trips
• Fall Fest & Wickapalooza
• Field Day
• School Beautification Projects
• And other special school activities and experiences!

Our goal is $10,000, and if each student raises $25, we can reach—and hopefully exceed—our goal!

Every donation makes a difference, so let's come together as a Wickliffe community and make this year's Fun Run a huge success!

Check out the PTO website here for information on how to donate and/or volunteer!

• During the month of October, students in grades 3-6 from across the district will have the opportunity to participate in presentations during the school day with nationally recognized internet safety expert Jesse Weinberger. A former software programmer and the author of The Boogeyman Exists: And He’s in Your Child’s Back Pocket, Weinberger will provide age-appropriate presentations focused on digital citizenship, responsible technology use, online decision-making, and personal safety. The student presentations will coincide with our annual UA Safety Week. Please see the above dates

• Weinberger will also offer an evening presentation for adults on November 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center. This will be focused on providing parents and guardians with practical information intended to strengthen their understanding of today’s digital environment and support ongoing conversations with their children about safe and responsible technology use.

• October 20: 5th Grade–Bus departs 8:50, arrive back @ 10:40

• October 27: 3rd Grade–Bus departs @ 12:05, arrive back @ 1:55

• October 28: 4th Grade–Bus departs 8:50, arrive back @ 10:40

Join us for coffee and conversation with the Upper Arlington Education Foundation (UA+Ed) on October 14. Stop by their table during drop-off or before Town Meeting to meet the team and learn more about the foundation. We hope to see you there!

• Please remember to bring your driver's license when picking up students early for appointments or illnesses. An adult is required to sign out every student using our SchoolSafeID system.
• If your student will be arriving to school after 8:15 a.m. or leaving before 2:45 p.m., please notify Wickliffeattendance@uaschools.org.
• If your student is an afternoon bus rider, and their dismissal plans change, please remember to notify Wickliffeattendance@uaschools.org and the transportation department. Otherwise, we will be expecting your student to be on the bus, and will need to hold bus departures until we determine the location of your student.
• Please include your student’s full name when sending attendance emails. While your classroom teacher will know your student by only their first name or nickname, the office will need to have a full name in order to efficiently record attendance updates.

• Have you seen the amazing Bird Data Collection Center built by Wickliffe 2025 4th graders?
• We are in need of seed...please see this flyer for details!
• Here is the link to the signupgenius if you are interested in supporting this authentic learning opportunity!
• All Wickliffe classes are invited to take care of and enjoy the center!
• Thank you for your generous support! Please contact Stacy Pilutti (scpilutti@uaschools.org) with questions!

Our 5th grade students are participating in the NexTrex Plastic Bag Recycling Program! We are excited to collect plastic film and help make a positive impact on our environment.

If you would like to participate by donating your plastic bags, you can find three white collection containers at the main entrance of Wickliffe.

Please remember: Not every plastic bag can be accepted! To make sure your donations count, please carefully follow the guidelines below:

Menu Link

• Our Fall Harvest parade and classroom parties will be held on Friday, October 30th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m..
• More info to come!

• Please remember that the Wickliffe Road parking lot is not to be used for student drop off before 8:15 a.m., or student pick-up at the end of the school day.

• If your child’s dismissal plans change, please follow our end-of-day dismissal procedures.

• Additionally, no one should park along the curb inside the parking lot. Keeping these areas clear is important for the safety and efficient movement of students, families, and staff during dismissal.
• These guidelines do not apply to families who have made prior arrangements with the school.
• Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep dismissal safe and orderly for everyone.

• Any prescription medication administered at school requires written authorization from the student’s physician as well as written parental permission. Per Ohio Revised Code, the Prescribed Medication must be received by the health office in the container in which it was dispensed by the provider or pharmacist (we cannot accept medication in baggies).
• Medication authorization forms and other health forms can be found on the district website at: UA Health Forms. Should you have any questions, please contact the Wickliffe Health Office at 614-487-5150.
• Our health clinics track communicable illnesses and work with local public health agencies to mitigate potential outbreaks. If your student is diagnosed with or treated for a communicable illness/condition (strep, pinkeye, influenza, COVID-19, lice, etc.), please report those to the school nurse at wickliffehealthclinic@uaschools.org, or wickliffeattendance@uaschools.org.
• Thank you for partnering with us to ensure Wickliffe is a healthy learning environment for all of our students!

Monthly Classroom Counseling Lesson Overview:

Kindergarten: In October, kindergarteners will understand that everyone has a personal space bubble. We will practice how to be aware of others’ bubbles, how to ask others to stay out of our bubble and what happens when we pop someone else’s personal bubble. We will also explore the difference between "put ups" and "put downs." Through stories, examples, and practice, students will learn how put ups are words and actions that make others feel good—like compliments, encouragement, and helping hands—while put downs hurt people's feelings.

First Grade: This month we will be focusing on self control. First graders will be introduced the concept of a “self control remote”. In this lesson we will practice the various ways we can control our bodies, while understanding our own emotions. Students will bring home their paper remote so that parents can reinforce the idea of self control at home.

Second Grade: Second graders will participate in a self control assessment. This will allow each student to reflect on their own actions. We will discuss ways to improve self control through our words and actions in order to make good choices.

Third Grade: Third graders will be discussing coping tools/strategies as they relate to the Zones. They will be working to identify which coping tools are calming and which coping tools are energizing!

Fourth Grade: 4th graders will be talking all about healthy friendship!

Fifth Grade: 5th graders will be discussing how to reframe negative thoughts.

We are grateful for the many parents and family members who volunteer to chaperone our field trips each year! If you hope to join your child's class on a field trip this school year, now is a great time to complete your volunteer requirements so you're ready when opportunities arise.

All volunteers must have a current background check on file with Upper Arlington Schools. Background checks are completed at the Mincy Center (1619 Zollinger Road) Monday–Friday from 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (closed 12:30–1:30 p.m. for lunch).

Thank you for partnering with us to help make field trips safe, fun, and memorable for our students! More information can be found on the UA Schools Volunteering webpage.

• Oct 12th-General PTO Meeting
• Oct. 15th- Fun Run, Walk, & Roll
• Oct.16-Oct.19- Fall Break, NO SCHOOL
• Oct. 30- Harvest Parade
• Nov. 21- Wickliffe Social

Congratulations to Taylor & Max Aiumu, winners of our very first Scarecrow Competition! Thank you to everyone who joined the fun and shared their creative scarecrow creations. Be sure to visit our Fall Fest page to see all of the other amazing entries!

If you brought in a scarecrow, please plan to pick it up from outside the front of the building by the end of the week if you haven't already!

October 12 | 7:00-8:30 PM
Wickliffe Town Square

The following are topics that will be discussed at this month's meeting:

• Mrs. Szabrak and students to provide an update on the rain garden and outdoor learning spaces.
• PTO Updates & General Business
• Representatives from For Issue 7 will be joining us to share information toward the end of the meeting
• Questions and discussion

All are welcome to attend! We look forward to seeing you there!

• Chipotle at 3090 Kingsdale Center
• Tuesday, October 27, 4:00-8:00 PM
• Use code 2F3B44K for online/app orders, excludes delivery.
• Show them the flyer or email and they'll donate 25% of the proceeds back to the PTO.

• Volunteer in the lunch line with Chef Amber! Sign up here: Lunch Help!
• Checkout our General Volunteer Interest Form if you're interested in open volunteer positions!

Support Wickliffe and Make a Lasting Impact in Our Community

• We're seeking local businesses and community partners who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, teachers, and families. To learn more, visit our website here!

Check our website for details on the PTO and upcoming events!

Please remember that no bikes or scooters of any kind are permitted on tracks, grass athletic fields or artificial turf athletic fields, as they can cause significant damage to these surfaces.

Upper Arlington Schools is partnering with the Tri-Village Packers for their Thanksgiving break and winter break food distribution programs. The Tri-Village Packers will distribute grocery items for the children of families in the Upper Arlington school district for the days out of school over Thanksgiving break (November 25-29) and winter break (December 21-January 4). The food will be provided at no cost for children who would benefit from the support.

To sign up to receive food for Thanksgiving and/or winter breaks, please complete this form by the end of the day on Monday, October 26, 2026. The school district will keep the information you provide in the form confidential unless you request otherwise.

On November 3, residents will vote on a combined operating levy and bond issue that would maintain the district’s current educational programming and fund the second phase of the facilities master plan, which calls for rebuilding Hastings Middle School and Burbank Early Childhood School as well as renovating and rebuilding Jones Middle School.

As residents consider Issue 7, we are providing opportunities to get a first-hand look inside each of these schools. All three buildings will be open Thursday October 8, with tours beginning at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

To learn more about the building tours or Issue 7, please click here.

Based on changes in Ohio law and Upper Arlington Schools Board of Education policy, new attendance requirements will be in effect beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. These changes affect how schools track student attendance, when families receive notifications, and when districts must intervene to address attendance concerns.

The biggest change is that all missed time is counted — includes tardies, medical absences, pre-planned absences, non-school-sponsored activities and competitions, and Religious Expression days — toward chronic absenteeism. Parents/guardians may find information about the changes in attendance policy on our website.

Attendance Information

District Attendance Policy

• Please obtain a medical excuse for ANY visit to a doctor, dentist, therapist, etc that occurs during a school day.

Planned Absence Form - Forms should be completed 10 school days in advance of the first date of the planned absence whenever possible. Otherwise, the absence may be unexcused.

District Website Link

• 2026-2027 School Year Calendar

• A-E Calendar

Instagram Account ~ @wickwolves

Lunch Menu

Difficulty accessing your PaySchools Central account? Email psc_help@payschools.com or

call 1-877-393-6628 between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET Monday-Friday.

Nurse Notes

Any prescription medication administered at school requires written authorization from the student’s physician as well as written parental permission. Per Ohio Revised Code, the Prescribed Medication must be received by the health office in the container in which it was dispensed by the provider or pharmacist (we cannot accept medication in baggies). Medication authorization forms and other health forms can be found on the district website at: UA Health Forms. Should you have any questions, please contact the Wickliffe Health Office at 614-487-5150.

Our health clinics track communicable illnesses and work with local public health agencies to mitigate potential outbreaks. If your student is diagnosed with or treated for a communicable illness/condition (strep, pinkeye, influenza, COVID-19, lice, etc.), please report those to the school nurse at wickliffehealthclinic@uaschools.org, or wickliffeattendance@uaschools.org. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure Wickliffe is a healthy learning environment for all of our students!

PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://ps-uar.metasolutions.net/public/home.html

If you need assistance logging into PowerSchool, you may reach out to: familytechhelp@uaschools.org

Technology Family Support

• Check out this resource for K-5 families.

• WOSU Digital Wellness

• CommonSense Media Activities

Transportation Services

Email: schoolbusquestions@uaschools.org

UA Flyer Connection

Wickliffe PTO

Links to Previous Updates:

All of our updates can be found on the Wickliffe website under “school news”.