Wickliffe Family Update

Dear Families,

We are excited to celebrate Start With Hello Week. This national, annual event is dedicated to helping young people make new social connections and creating a stronger sense of belonging. Throughout the week, students and staff will participate in activities that encourage kindness, inclusion, and connection across our Wickliffe community.

Here is what we have planned:

• Monday—Magic Monday
• We will begin the week with chalk, bubbles, and music during recess. Classes will also write positive chalk messages around the school.
• Tuesday—Terrific Me Tuesday
• Students are invited to express themselves by wearing a favorite outfit. Classes will participate in conversations and activities focused on individuality, including our library activity, “What Makes You, You?”
• Wednesday—Welcome Wednesday
• Students and staff will wear nametags to help us make new connections. We will also enjoy an all-school recess during Buddy Time, with music, bubbles, and plenty of opportunities to play together.
• Thursday—Trusted Adult Thursday
• Students will play “Guess Who?” and meet the trusted adults throughout Wickliffe. Staff members will wear Trusted Adult buttons as a reminder that students have many caring adults available to support them.
• Friday—Feel Good Friday
• We will wrap up the week with Wickliffe spirit wear, selfies with Wolfie, and an all-school dance party!

Additionally, over the next two weeks, students will also complete the Profile of an Engaged Learner Survey. This survey will give students an opportunity to reflect on their experiences as learners and will provide our staff with valuable feedback about their strengths, needs, and sense of connection at school.

We hope to see many of you on Friday at our Fall Fest! We are looking forward to a joyful week filled with connection, kindness, and Wickliffe spirit!

Angela
Principal

September 21st-25th: PTO Literati Book Fair

September 21st-25th: Start with Hello Week

September 21st - October 2nd: Profile of an Engaged Learner Survey Window

September 22nd, 23rd, 24th: Mindful Mentors Meetings, 7:30 a.m. @ Wickliffe

September 24th: Bear Essentials Community Shopping Hours, 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

September 25th: PTO Fall Fest, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

September 30th: Town Meeting @ 8:30

September 30th: Family Literacy Night @ Wickliffe, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

October 5th-9th: Fire Prevention Week

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 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 23rd: School Picture Make-Up Day

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

• 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.

Interested in having your child join Mindful Mentors this year? Sign them up here for this special year-long opportunity to practice mindfulness, build confidence, and help create a calm and connected school community!

Mindful Mentors is a morning SEL program for K–5 students that builds mindfulness, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthy relationships. Students practice mindful strategies and, as student leaders, have opportunities to model and share these practices with classmates and teachers.

Want to learn more? Visit our website to see photos, activities, and highlights from last year!

This past week, the Progressive Education Network (PEN) Board made the difficult decision to cancel the PEN Conference, which Wickliffe was scheduled to host in early October. Due to low registration numbers and the potential financial impact on the long-term sustainability of the network, the board determined that canceling the conference was necessary.

Although we are disappointed that we will not be able to host the conference as planned, we remain committed to its theme and purpose. Throughout the year, we will find meaningful ways to bring many of the planned learning experiences to our staff as we continue growing together as a progressive school community.

• 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!

The nurse's office is desperately in need of girls underwear in all sizes! If your child has outgrown theirs or you would like to donate some to the clinic, we would welcome any and all sizes!!

Thank you for considering!

In the month of September students will participate in activities related to START WITH HELLO. START WITH HELLO teaches students the skills they need if they see someone alone to reach out. DURING HELLO WEEK September 21st- 25th Wickliffe will foster life skills in our students with a focus on empathy. Be sure to ask your child how they will START WITH HELLO!

Monthly Classroom Counseling Lesson Overview:

Kindergarten:

Lesson 1: Body awareness/active listening- students will learn about Rainbow Breathing and Hot Chocolate Breathing.

Lesson 2: This lesson will be dedicated to listening to our bodies while practicing how to control our mouths and bodies.

First Grade:

Lesson: Zones of Regulation review

Second Grade:

In September students will learn about the sizes of their problems.

We learn about sizes of the problem in relation to weather:

• Windy problems are tiny problems that do not need a reaction (i.e. not getting called on in class)

• Rainy problems are small, kid sized problems that can easily be solved (i.e. spilling water or shoe is untied)

• A stormy problem requires help from an adult. (i.e. ongoing friendship problems)

• Tornado problems are emergencies and require help from an adult (i.e. a classmate gets really hurt on the playground)

Menu Link

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.

• September 21st-25th - Book Fair
• September 25th - Fall Fest
• October 15th - Fun Run, Walk & Roll

• Thursday, September 24th: Voting day!!!!! Weather dependent, Scarecrows will have been installed for display along the school grounds. Students and staff will be able to place their votes during the school day.
• Friday, September 25th: Winners will be announced during our annual Fall Festival between 6pm-8pm.

• 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!

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 on Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday October 8, with tours beginning at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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

Talking openly about suicide can save lives. Suicide prevention begins before someone is in crisis, and everyone can play a role by learning the warning signs, supporting those who may be struggling and knowing where to turn for help. It's important to know the risk factors and also to build protective factors. Protective factors can be supported by practicing strength at school and at home. Feel free to try the Sources of Strength family conversation prompts at home.

If you or someone you know needs support, talk with your school counselor or call or text 988 any time, day or night, to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Families can also find suicide prevention and mental health resources at www.uaschools.org/familyresources.

Sometimes, starting a conversation can make all the difference. It’s always OK to ask for help or reach out to support someone else.

The fall survey window is September 21st - October 2nd. The district office will email parents/caregivers links to survey questions and to topic alignment with our Profile of an Engaged Learner. Families will also receive the link to opt their student(s) out of the survey if they so choose. The opt-out form will accept responses through September 17th.

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”.