Overlook Grizzly Tracks

What an amazing first few days we have had at Overlook! Our students have settled into their routines, made new friends, and filled our building with so much energy and excitement for learning. Thank you for all of your patience, flexibility, and support as we work through the beginning-of-the-year routines—especially during morning drop-off. Your efforts have made a big difference, and we truly appreciate you helping us get each day off to a great start!

It’s hard to believe that fall is right around the corner and we already have a fun way to celebrate the season together! PTO Movie Night is Thursday, September 17th, featuring Zootopia 2! The flyer is attached below with all of the details. We hope you’ll join us for a fun evening under the stars with family and friends.

One quick reminder: Picture Day has been moved to Thursday, September 3rd. Please mark your calendars! We apologize for any confusion caused by the date change and appreciate your flexibility.

September 2nd

• Safety Patrol Applications Due

September 3rd

• Picture Day

September 4th

• PTO Spirit Sales at lunch - Students will have the opportunity to purchase items at lunch.

• No School - Labor Day

September 8th

• PTO Meeting - 6:30 pm at Overlook Library

September 11th

• Patriot Day (9/11 Remembrance) - Wear Red/White/Blue

September 14th

• Board of Education Meeting 7:00 pm

• PTO Dine to Donate - Blue Heron

September 17th

• PTO Family Movie Night at Overlook - 6:30 doors open - 7:30 Movie begins

September 18th

• No School for students - Professional Development Staff

October 7th

• PTO Skate Night - More information to come soon!

October 8th

• Parent Teacher Conferences- No School for students

October 9th

• No School

October 12th

• Board of Education Meeting 7:00 pm

October 13th

• PTO Meeting - 6:30 pm at Overlook Library

October 21st

• Conference Night - 4:30-8:00

October 30th

• Fall Class Celebrations

Picture Day Photo Date: Thursday, September 3rd

Your Online Access Key is: VM37THY7

Your Online Ordering Link is: https://ripchostudio.orderphotos.online/ordering/with?key=VM37THY7

• Please call Mrs. Jira at 330-335-1420 to make changes in transportation in the afternoon. Please do not rely on email, as there are occasions when the teachers or office staff are out of the building or district! The end of the day can be very busy, and we are not always able to access email...again, PLEASE CALL by 2:45 p.m.
• If you have not already done so, please turn in your $45.00 Instructional Fee or any other outstanding fees with a check made out to Wadsworth City Schools or pay online with PaySchools.
• Lunch Money: You can send in cash for student lunch money in a labeled envelope or baggie. You can also pay into your student's lunch account by clicking here: https://payschoolscentral.com/. You will need your student's ID to register. If you have any questions, please call the office.
• Please see the information at the bottom related to pets at Overlook and Birthday celebrations in the classrooms.
• Remind your child to complete their safety town application if they are interested! Applications are due September 8th. The flyer is attached below.

Our secretary, Mrs. Jira, is the contact person for calling off your student and any change of dismissal plans throughout the day. Please call the attendance line at 330-335-1424 and leave a message with any changes BEFORE school starts. If you need to make changes after 9:00 am, please call the main line at 330-335-1420. We recommend you let Mrs. Jira and your child's teacher know when your student will be absent, leaving early, or arriving late. Letting us know when your child will leave early allows us to be prepared for when you arrive. We ask that all end-of-the-day dismissal plans be made by 2:45 p.m. Thank you for your efforts!

**REMINDER- Mrs. Duerr must approve all vacations AHEAD OF TIME. Please send her an email requesting excused absences. hduerr@wadsworthschools.org

Our school works with the organization called Feeding Medina County to provide food/snacks for students in need. Students who participate in the Weekenders program pick up a small bag of food once per week. This will happen all year, beginning in mid-September. If you would like your child(ren) to participate in this program, please email Mrs. Laino with your student's name.

In the coming weeks and months, I will present guidance lessons, read books, and have discussions with your child’s class on topics not always covered during language arts, math, science, and social studies. I will be visiting classrooms every other week for lessons.

I will also have small-group activities with all grade levels throughout the school year and check in with students individually as needed. If you would like your child to see me to check in or if an event arises where you feel they would benefit from talking to me, please send a note to your child’s teacher, call or email me.

Should you think your child would benefit from school-based therapy, some counselors come into the building to see students weekly. Or if you think your child would benefit from outside counseling services, I also have a list of local counseling agencies. If you would like further information on either of these options, please reach out at any time.

If your child has any concerns, e.g., anxiety, changes in the home environment, loss of a loved one or pet, or anything else that you think may impact them in the school setting, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if your family is in need, please let me know, and I will do my best to direct you to appropriate resources. I can be reached at (330) 335-1420 or via email at blaino@wadsworthschools.org.

Program Times: Monday -Thursday

Morning Session: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Afternoon Session: 12:45 - 3:15 PM

• Staff will get students from cars at drop off. Please remain in your vehicle. Staff will bring students to cars at pick up. You must buckle them into his/her seat. Please seat child on the passenger side of vehicle for safety of families and staff.

• Please refrain from having in-depth conversations with teachers in the line. Feel free to call or email.

Curriculum Information

• We follow the Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards

• AEPS (Assessment Evaluation Programming System) - Set of standards and skills that are observed

• Handwriting Without Tears - hands on materials and lessons to assist with how to write letters and numbers

• Phonics in Motion - interactive approach to individual letter sounds

• Monthly quick checks sent home

• Office Information

To reach the main office, please call (330) 335-1420

April Jira, Overlook Secretary

Contact Information:

Ashley Ruedisueli - aruedisueli@wadsworthschools.org

Haley Duerr - hduerr@wadsworthschools.org

PTO has a lot of fun events coming up. Be sure to join the PTO or follow them on Facebook to hear more information and news!

Also, consider joining PTO for the monthly meeting at 6:30 pm at the Overlook Library.

Each month, one student is recognized as our Board of Education Student of the Month for being a great leader and a positive example at Overlook!

Shiloh P.- Kindergarten

Betty M.- Kindergarten

Annie P.- First

Maddox H.- First

Olivia C.- Second

Emmie K.- Second

Lucy W.- Third

Brylynn S.- Third

Peyton M.- Foruth

Tegan D.- Fourth

When dropping off or picking up, patience is essential to keeping our students safe. We have been getting students in and out of the car so quickly! Thank you for your support in making this run so smoothly!

Reminders:

• Kdg.-4th grade students can be dropped off at 8:45 and need to be in class by 9:05.

• Preschool students should be dropped off after 8:55 a.m. If you are early, you may be asked to park and wait.

• For our Kdg.-4th student's PM pick-up, please do not arrive before 3:30. If you come early, you may be asked to find a parking spot or take a loop around. (The right lane that leads to the curb is for Pre-school pick up only until 3:30.) There are no pre school classes on Fridays.

The Lady Grizzlies basketball program would like to invite your daughter to participate in our free fall basketball sessions focusing on 3on3 play and skills to be held in the high school gym on Sunday's in September. The sessions will be led by the Wadsworth coaching staff and players. Open to all girls entering grades 3 through 6. Grades 3 & 4 will be from 5:00-6:00. Grades 5 & 6 will run from 6:00-7:00.

To sign up, scan the QR code on the flyer below.

Any questions can be directed to albooth@wadsworthschools.org

We greatly appreciate our volunteers every year. Below is an explanation to the volunteer process. You may sign up to volunteer by clicking here or please call the Main Office at (330) 335-1420 if you would like a paper copy.

Our volunteer program consists of two tiers, each with specific requirements:

• Tier 1 Volunteers: These volunteers do not have unsupervised interactions with students, and as such they do not require board approval or a background check. The only requirement for a Tier 1 volunteer is a signed “Volunteer Release Form.”

• Tier 2 Volunteers: These Volunteers have unsupervised interaction with students and therefore require additional measures, including a background check.

The following steps are necessary to complete the volunteer process for our 2026-2027 calendar school year:

• First, let Mrs. Jira know that you would like to be added to the list of volunteers.

• Fingerprinting / Background Check (Tier II Volunteers Only): If you are interested in becoming a Tier 2 volunteer, this step is essential. Fingerprinting can be completed at the Assistant Superintendent’s office at the Board of Administration located at Wadsworth High School Room #1214, 625 Broad St., Wadsworth, OH. No appointment is required. Please note that there is a $50.00 fee for fingerprinting payable at the time of service (exact cash or check only).

• Volunteer Release Form: The fingerprints/background check is still valid for the 2026-2027 school year; you only need to sign and return an updated “Volunteer Release Form” to Valley View. This will allow us to provide you with a current-year sticker for your volunteer badge.

• Badge Sticker: If your Volunteer Release Form and background check are up to date, you will need to secure the 26-27 school year sticker (attached) to the bottom of your volunteer ID badge. This step ensures that your badge is current. If you do not have your WCS Volunteer badge, please be aware that a new one can be printed free of charge at the Board of Administration office.

Please take the necessary steps to complete the volunteer process as soon as possible, to ensure that you are eligible to volunteer for events during the school year. Your involvement is essential to the success of our students, and we look forward to having you as part of our team.

Thank you for your commitment to Overlook and for helping create a supportive and enriching environment for our students.

Here is what the student handbook says:

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:

In compliance with our District Health and Wellness policy and allergies, food treats are not permitted. Stickers, pencils, erasers or other non-edible treats are welcome to be distributed instead.

We appreciate your help in following this policy.

Board policy 8390

Animals permitted in schools and elsewhere on District property shall be limited to those necessary to support specific curriculum-related projects and activities, those that provide assistance to a student or staff member due to a disability (e.g., seizure disorder), or those that serve as service animals as required by Federal and State law.