Leighton Update
September 18, 2026
Dear Leighton Families,
What an incredible week it has been across our school! Our students recently wrapped up their initial fall diagnostics and assessments, and we are so proud of the effort and focus they showed throughout the process. Alongside their hard work in the classroom, an interactive experience was provided for some of our 5th grade classes during their trip to the Natural History Museum this week; the rest of our 5th graders are eagerly anticipating their visit in the upcoming weeks.
Additionally, our 3rd graders recently participated in an informative and highly interactive bus safety presentation. Our guest speaker, Mr. Tim, kept students fully engaged as they learned how to ride the bus safely and follow proper emergency procedures. Check out some photos from the presentation below!
As another reminder, our school picture day was rescheduled to Wednesday, September 30th. Information is below and you should be seeing the new physical packets today or Monday arriving home with your child. Please remember if you ordered online from our previous picture date, this information is saved and there is nothing else you need to do.
There has been increased energy all week at Leighton as staff and students had a blast participating in our Spirit Week theme days. We had such a fun, productive week together and we look forward to cheering on a Greenmen Homecoming victory tonight, Go Greenmen!
Sincerely,
Spencer Warders
Principal
Rescheduled School Picture Information
Rescheduled Picture Day is Wednesday, September 30th
at Leighton Elementary School.
All families who already pre-ordered online, those orders will be saved and used for the new September 30th picture date. There is nothing else you will need to do.
Families that were using a physical packet will need to use a new packet. Please fill out the requested information and give the order form to the photographer on picture day with the full payment enclosed.
Parents who have multiple children must place a separate packet for each child.
Questions? Please contact us at 800-686-7427, ext. 28
or e-mail us at customerservice@ripchostudio.com
Leighton Fun Run Fundraiser Save the Date
Leighton will have its school wide "Fun Run" on October 30th. This is the culminating activity for Leighton's only school wide fundraiser. Please save the date for this event as it will be at the High School Stadium, weather permitting. More information including the schedule, how to donate and the festivities to follow in upcoming communication.
Upcoming 3rd Grade Fall Reading OST
Our 3rd Graders will be taking the Fall Reading Ohio State Test (OST) the week of October 19th through the 23rd. This will be the first experience our 3rd grade students have taking an OST. This is not for a grade in their class; however, we do want our students to give their best effort and give an appropriate representation of their ability. Additionally, we want parents to know this particular Fall 3rd grade Reading OST is an end of the year assessment of 3rd grade content and is yet another data point we use in 3rd grade to help determine instructional decisions and potential interventions for our students. More information will be provided to third grade families on the specific day your child will be testing.
Greenmen Spirit Day Fun
Change of Transportation and Early Dismissal Information
Please click the green button below to submit a change in your student's daily transportation,
or to inform us of an early dismissal time. Any changes made by phone are not guaranteed.
*Daily dismissal begins at 3:25PM. Last available time to pickup your child early is 3:15PM.*
Reporting A Student Absence
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.
Important Upcoming Dates
SEPTEMBER
30- NEW School Picture Date
OCTOBER
9th- NO SCHOOL: NEOEA Day
12th- Professional Development Day- NO SCHOOL
16th- End of 1st grading period
19th-23rd- 3rd Grade Fall Reading OST
22nd- Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30 - 7:30
27th- 5th grade Band Concert @ AHS 7:00 pm
28th- Parent Teacher conferences 4:30 - 7:30
30th- Leighton Fun Run / Fall Festivals
Media Center Volunteer Sign-up
Aurora Amigos: 4th Grade Spanish Club
We are excited to bring back our Spanish Club to Leighton once again this school year. This club will be led by AHS Spanish teacher, Lauren Brancazio as well as a team of Aurora High School student leaders. This year, all three sessions will be open to our 4th Grade students.
Each of the three, 5 week sessions will include weekly themes, music, interactive games/activities, make and takes, and other fun Spanish learning experiences.
Session 1 dates : Wednesdays, October 14, October 21, October 28 and November 4, November 11
Session 2 dates : Wednesdays, January 6, January 13, January 20, January 27 and February 3
Session 3 dates : Wednesdays, February 10, February 17, February 24 and March 3, March 10
Because this club draws large interest from our community, we will be using a lottery system to fill the club roster. This registration form will be accepting responses for 48 hours. After that time, we will assign students to their respective session. If a session has more than 20 students sign up, we will place them in the lottery to draw the first 20 names. An email confirmation will be sent to you to confirm your spot in your student's designated session. Any students who were not placed in a session will be added to the waitlist, in case a spot becomes available. Each session will have 20 students to support the club capacity. We are working to continue offering this club and looking to expand it as resources permit. Looking forward to a fun and engaging Spanish experience.
Where: Meet in the Science Lab at Leighton Elementary
Time: 3:30 PM- 4:15 PM
Parent Pick up at 4:15
Cost: Free
Contact: lbrancazio@aurora-schools.org
The link to the Google form sign up will be sent to 4th grade families on Wednesday, September 23rd.
Friday Night Football Game Expectation Reminder
A reminder, Friday night football games are school events. Please help us reinforce to students that activities like tag, "backyard football" and other forms of horseplay are not permitted, as the stadium is simply too crowded to accommodate these activities safely. If students are asked to stop and continue engaging in these activities, they will be required to sit with their parents or potentially leave the event. Thank you for partnering with us to keep these community events safe and enjoyable for everyone!
3rd Grade Bus Safety
Information from our Superintendent Dr. Milcetich
Counselors' Corner
Hello Leighton!
It’s been a great start to the school year! We have enjoyed visiting each classroom and reconnecting with our students. During our visits, we reminded students about the role of a school counselor and all the ways we can support them at school. Whether they are working through a friendship challenge, feeling worried or overwhelmed, having a tough day, or simply need someone to talk to, we want students to know that we are here for them. We also reminded students that they can always reach out to us when they need help.
Backpack Fund
Our Backpack Fund allows us to provide additional support to Leighton students and families when needs arise. Funds are used to help provide things such as clothing, food, coats, school supplies, and other items that may help remove barriers for our students.
We are currently running low on funds and would greatly appreciate donations to help us continue supporting our families throughout the school year. Donations can be made by:
- Check: Make checks payable to Aurora City Schools and write “Backpack Fund” in the memo line.
- Gift Cards: Target or Walmart gift cards are also greatly appreciated.
We are always here to support our students and families. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or if there is anything we can do to help!
Mrs. Nicole Wadkins
(330) 562-2209, option 3
Mrs. Lindsey Ambrosia
Clinic Updates
- Please monitor your child for illness symptoms. If your child has a temperature greater than 100 they must stay home until they are fever free for 24 hrs without medication. For coughing, congestion and sore throat that are disruptive or not well contained, it is preferred they stay home until symptoms are decreased or your child has been evaluated by your physician.
- Students sent home from school with a fever also may not return to school until they are fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours. This means if your child was sent home on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. with a fever, he/she may not return to school until Thursday. If your child does return the next day, our school nurse will be calling for you to come to pick him/her up. Thank you for your support and efforts in this area.
- Please consider sending in a spare change of clothes for your student to keep in their locker in the event of spills, toileting accidents or muddy clothes.
- If a prescription or over-the-counter medication is needed to support your child during the school day, it must be accompanied by a physician/nurse practitioner signed document. Please reach out if you need a copy of these forms.
- Please remember we are a peanut and tree nut free school in the classrooms!
- Please contact our school nurse, Erika Harper at 330-562-2209 ext 3285 or eharper@aurora-schools.org with any questions related to illness or the clinic.
Lunch Menu and Accounts
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".
Aurora Elementary PTO Announcements
Aurora Schools Foundation
Leighton Elementary
Jeff Morris - Assistant Principal
Halston Pratt - Building Secretary
hgarzapratt@aurora-schools.org
Mariah George - Attendance Secretary
Email: swarders@aurora-schools.org
Website: aurora-schools.org
Location: 121 Aurora Hudson Road, Aurora, OH, USA
Phone: (330)562-2209