Parent Newsletter 10/16/26

Posted Date: 10/16/26 (05:49 PM)

Oak Orchard Primary

Parent Newsletter

Principal's Message

Dear Oak Orchard Families,

We had so much fun celebrating Homecoming Spirit Week! Check out the pictures below from today’s visit with our High School football players, cheerleaders, and members of the Medina Marching Band. A special thank-you to Mr. Valley, Ms. Leno, and Mrs. Busch for joining us!

Key Updates & Upcoming Events

PK Field Trip (Friday, Oct. 23): Pre-K is heading to Partyka Farms! If you would like to chaperone, please contact your child’s teacher directly. (Please note: Parents may not attend unless signed up as an official chaperone).
Oak Orchard Pumpkin Patch (Wednesday, Oct. 28): All K–2 students will visit our very own campus pumpkin patch during the school day to pick and decorate a pumpkin to bring home!
Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 26–30): Look out for daily fun challenges coming soon from Miss Laroussi!
Halloween Costume Parade (Friday, Oct. 30, 8:15-9:00AM): We are excited to invite parents inside this year for our annual Halloween Costume Parade! Save the date if you would like to come and watch the parade in our AUD. Look for a formal invite with full details next week.Costume Safety Reminders: No face masks or toy weapons, please. We also recommend leaving small accessories at home so they don't get lost during the day.
Beggar’s Night & PTA Halloween Party (Evening): Join the PTA party before or after trick-or-treating during Medina’s traditional Beggar’s Night! See the flyer below for more information.

We look forward to a wonderful, activity-filled couple of weeks ahead!

Your Proud Principal,

Julie Schiavone

jschiavone@medinacsd.org

(585) 798-2700, ext. 3, 0

Class Spotlight

Mrs. Corser, Matt Millace and Ms. Ratel are doing a special enrichment project with a group of second grade students. It's a "Monster Match" project and it involves collaborating with another school through the NYS Distance Learning Consortium. Students are creating a monster, writing simple directions, sharing instructions with the partnered school, and then meeting virtually with the class to see how closely their directions were followed.

A Note from our Assistant Principal

Week 4: Creating a Positive Ride for Every Mustang

A positive bus experience is about more than getting to school safely. It’s about helping every student feel welcomed, supported, and ready for a successful day!

Riding the bus can be challenging for some students. Unlike the structured classroom, the bus is a more unstructured environment where students navigate social interactions, follow safety expectations, and share space with others. That’s why positive relationships and proactive support are so important.

Our goal is for every student to be greeted by their bus driver, feel supported, and be encouraged to make safe, positive choices. We also remind older students to sit toward the back of the bus when appropriate, helping younger students sit with their peers and feel comfortable during their ride. When challenges arise, we work together and utilize available supports, including school staff, to help students succeed and reduce the need for disciplinary responses.

During Bus Safety Week, students learned about bus safety, reviewed expectations, and even had the opportunity to see their bus drivers during the school day! These connections help build familiarity and trust with the adults who support them each day.

A friendly greeting, a positive reminder, and a caring adult can make all the difference!

The Mustang Mission rides with us wherever we go: Be Respectful. Be Responsible. Be Honest. Be Safe. Be Kind.

Thank you for partnering with us to make every ride a positive one!

~Mrs. Connors, Assistant Principal

Counseling Corner

Hi Oak Orchard Families!

Our SEL Success Skill gives students a simple skill to learn, practice, and use throughout their school day and at home. The next lesson is I can accept no! Our SEL Success Skill information sheet is attached below: Feel free to reinforce this skill by practicing at home! ~Miss Laroussi

Volunteer at Oak!

We need you! Use the link below to sign up to be a volunteer at Oak Orchard. Volunteers can help out throughout the year as classroom helpers, chaperones, and field day volunteers.

MCSD Volunteer Form

Staff Spotlight

Ms. Flugel

Ms.Flugel greets all of her students by name every morning which is amazing. For 5 years she has known my children, even before they started school. She has always been one of their favorite teachers. At afternoon pickups I've seen student want to hug her or have her pick them up. It's obvious that she is well regarded by her students.

Ms. DeBottis-Ratel

Ms.Debottis is one of the teachers that knows each child by name and knows who picks them up daily. My children have said that library is one of the best days of the week. She has a calmness that they appreciate. She is one of those teachers that make us comfortable.

Mrs. Blount & Ms. Mosher

The nursing staff is incredibly understanding of our family. We frequently (almost weekly) need to reach out to them and each time they respond with patience and care. They know enough about our children and their needs, that they know when we need a note and when we need a call. They are indispensable.

Mrs. Gearhart

Our daughter (Madi) sat and cried as she watched the end of year montage that her teacher made for the class. She watched it several times and cried through all of them. That tells us that Mrs.Gearhart does have a heart of gold.

~The Geib Family

We love to spread positivity and spotlight the good work being done by our staff. Use the link below to fill out a spotlight for any staff you would like to recognize and celebrate!

Staff Spotlight Form

YMCA Happenings

Please see below for some very exciting events being offered by our very own local YMCA!

YMCA Financial Assistance

Community Happenings

Check out the flyer below for an amazing event hosted by our very own PTA!

Join the PTA!

Feedback Form

Your voice matters! Use this form to share your thoughts, ideas, or suggestions with us.

Feedback & Suggestions

Upcoming Events

Friday, 10/16 - Homecoming Food Trucks, 4-7PM

Monday, 10/26 - Superintendent's Conference Day, NO SCHOOL

Friday, 10/30 Halloween Parade and PTA Party