WES Weekly
Week of 10/26/26
Dear WES families,
This week we've got Halloween coming and we're already looking ahead to a busy November...WES PTA Skate Night and Pancake Breakfast coming soon!
Thank you!
Beth/Ms. Niskanen
proud principal, Worthington Estates
Only got time for the highlights?
#1. Veteran's Day at WES is awesome and coming soon...can you connect your WES-connected Veteran with us? WES VETS DAY HERE
#2. Halloween at WES = advance planning for costumes if needed and dismissal plans. Please know any early pick up needs to be completed by 1:45PM...or kids will be dismissed as usual. (Read: if you are coming to watch parade, we need you to wait until regular dismissal, starts at 2:45PM for kids. Got an emergency/large need? contact us).
#3. WES PTA is rocking out November with Skate Night and Pancake Breakfast. Links below!
WES Family Calendars
Future events/Mark your Calendars:
Oct 23 - WES Lost and Found donated out of building. Last call for Aug/Sep/Oct Lost and Found.
Oct 30- WES halloween parade, 2PM (lots more on this below. spoiler you'll need advance planning for pick up changes and/or costume needs if participating)!
Nov 2 - PTA Skate Night
Nov 3 - No School, Election Day
Nov 7 - PTA Pancake Breakfast in AM
Nov 10 - WES PTA Chipotle Fundraiser, Campus View locations, 4-8PM
Nov 11 - WES Veteran's Day Celebration. Have a WES-connected Veteran? See info below.
Nov 11 - PTA Meeting, 6:30PM
Nov 13 - End of First Trimester
This week
What's for lunch this week at WES?
Monday - Chicken Nuggets or Hummus & Veggie Bento Box or SB&J
Tuesday - Rotini w/ Meat Sauce or Toasted Cheese Sandwich or SB&J
Wednesday - Waffle w/ Chicken Sausage or Hummus & Veggie Bento Box or SB&J
Thursday - Turkey & Cheese Croissant or Cheesy Breadsticks or SB&J
Friday - Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza or Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza or SB&J
Rockin’ Recess Runners (R3)
We had an amazing last week of Fall Recess Runners! WE cannot thank our leads, Brittany Troast and Dominique Parsons for all they do for this exceptional activity for our owls!
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
This week: Halloween at WES
*not new, still important...pick up and costume planning*
Pre-Planning for Halloween at WES:
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.
Future Planning: Veteran's Day
WES Veteran's Day celebration is one of our favorite events!
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!
Got energy to think about November?
Future Planning: Skate Night Nov 2
Future Planning: November Parent workshop (limited/need to register)
Screenagers: Elementary Edition
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.
Future Planning: December Holidays
Worthington Connects
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.
Future Planning: Pancake Breakfast Nov 7
WES Pancake Breakfast Nov 7
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.
Can you help while you're there? Also a great event for high schoolers looking for community service hours! Simple things needed: WES PTA Pancake Breakfast Volunteer link here
Can you help?
Ongoing WES/Worthington links
Your Child's Library Account
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.
Community resource: clothing
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)