Contact Information:
Tyson D. Hilkert
Principal
Minerva France Elementary
Westerville City Schools
614-797-7500
HilkertT@wcsoh.org
Contact Information:
Tyson D. Hilkert
Principal
Minerva France Elementary
Westerville City Schools
614-797-7500
HilkertT@wcsoh.org
9/25/26
Minerva France Families,
What a fun Start with Hello Week at Minerva France, sponsored by the Sandy Hook Promise! With October right around the corner I wanted to point out a few important items including Picture Day (October 5th), 3rd Grade Testing (October 20th-21st), and Parent Teacher Conferences (October 21st-22nd). Furthermore there will be no school for students on October 16th, 22nd, and 23rd. The primary purpose of this message is addressing Fall Celebrations. Classroom celebrations are a fun and memorable experience for students during their elementary school years. At Minerva France, we recognize these celebrations in a fun and memorable way that encourages our students to share, listen, and learn.
Through the first quarter of the school year, our students have accomplished so much at Minerva France Elementary and have proudly continued our namesake. Minerva J. France, a former WCS student, set a precedent for women of color in higher education, paving the way for others to follow. France received her Bachelor’s Degree from the West Virginia Collegiate Institute, spent time at Columbia University, and ultimately landed a job as a librarian and English instructor at Wilberforce College. While at Wilberforce, France regularly made the one-hour trip to Columbus to take night classes for her Master’s Degree that she obtained in 1934. To honor her legacy and dedication to education, our staff will wear apparel of their alma mater and/or favorite higher education institution on October 15. Your child is invited to do the same!
On October 30th, our classrooms will hold their fall celebrations. These celebrations will focus on the fall season and incorporate many seasonal, educational, and festive activities. If you have any interest in supporting this celebration in your child’s classroom, please contact your child’s teacher. Our staff will be wearing our favorite Falcon apparel. If you have any interest in purchasing any Falcon Merchandise, you may do so by following this link. Proceeds from each purchase will go to support student activities at our school. Students are encouraged to wear any Minerva France Falcon Gear! A gracious thank you to the many supporters, including the Minerva France PTA, who ensured each student has their own Black and Teal Falcon Shirt.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the MFE PTA Trunk or Treat on October 15th from 5:30-7:00pm or the Minerva Park Trick or Treat activities on October 30th . For those participating, feel free to stop by the main driveway entrance of the school between 6-7pm on October 30th. There, any child can trick or treat for a free book and sweet treat, while supplies last. They will also see a few mystery staff members who will be present and all dressed up! Providing these free books to any child of the Minerva Park Community is just one more way we can honor the legacy of a brilliant librarian and educator such as Minerva J. France.
Students are encouraged to maintain regular dress during the student day during the dates mentioned above. Although we are not encouraging costumes during school hours, students are welcome to express themselves through their personal style while still adhering to the current standards of appropriate public attire. Maintaining this approach will help our school foster a collaborative atmosphere that encourages our students to share, listen, and learn from a variety of diverse experiences.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the main office at 614-797-7500, via Talking Points, or email at HilkertT@wcsoh.org.
Go Falcons!
Mr. Hilkert
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8/10/26
Hello Falcon Families!
It will be a busy week at Minerva France Elementary as we prepare to welcome students back on August 18th! A few items for families...
Find out who your child's teacher is online beginning August 10th via PowerSchool
Parents can access PowerSchool via the below link
https://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/resources/family-resources/parent-apps-portal
Need help getting into PowerSchool?
Come to Popsicles with the Principals
Popsicles with the Principal is August 11th
10am-12noon
4:30pm-7pm
Families can take care of many items such as...
Children of all ages may enjoy a possible in the cafe
Power School Parent Portal Support
Use district computers to complete various school and student forms
Pay applicable school fees
Sign up for Free/Reduced Lunch
Students can complete their finger scan to help make the first day of lunch easier
Sign up for Meet the Teacher
Parents complete volunteer paper work
Volunteer information/requirements are available via the link below
https://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/resources/family-resources/volunteer
Many other items to get ready for the upcoming school year!
Meet the Teacher on August 17th from 2-6pm
Please sign up for a time to Meet the Teacher via the link below
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054BACAA28A5FA7-65057060-meet#/
Sign ups are 20 minute slots
Sign ups are organized by...
Time
Grade
Teacher Room Number / Name
Dont see a time that works for your family?
Email: HilkertT@wcsoh.org
Please do NOT sign up for a Meet the Teacher time until you have confirmed who your child's teacher will be
First day of School
Grades 1-5 = August 18th
Kindergarten
Gentle Start is one assigned day on August 18th, 19th, & 20th.
First day for all Kindergarten students is August 21st
Arrival/Dismissal Information
Arrival for all students = 8:55-9:15am
Students must be in their classroom at 9:15am to not be marked tardy/absent
Dismissal for all students is 3:40pm
If you are picking your child up from school please be prompt
Please communicate with your child's teacher their dismissal plan during Meet the Teacher or before the first day of school
District Transportation schedules will be available via PowerSchool soon
Changes in a child's dismissal plan must be communicated with the main office at Minerva France by 2pm the day of the change
An informal arrival/dismissal video for parents picking up and dropping off is available on our school resource page and via the link below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kMppRs8bhzG4qishdYF_0ao1vZB7WLO3/view
Information about Calamity Days, Delayed Start, or Early Release can be found via the link below
Additional Start Up Information can be found on this link
If you still have questions please do not hesitate to email me at HilkertT@wcsoh.org. We are excited to welcome our students to the 26-26 School Year!
Go Falcons!
Mr. Hilkert
**********************************************
8/3/2026
Hello Falcon Families and welcome to the 2026-207 School Year! We are eager to bring our students back into our classrooms for the 1st day of school on August 18th, 2026.
Below you will find helpful links to start off the school year.
Transportation Information: Schedules will be available August 11th via Power School
Student Home Room & Teacher Assignments will be available around August 10th on Power School and can also be obtained by attending Popsicles with the Principals on August 11th (10am-12Noon & 4:30pm-7:30). This year, our Meet the Teacher event (August 17th 2pm-6pm) will be a little different! We are excited to offer a longer time than in years past with a reduced number of families in the classroom at the same time. This will allow you to have a more personalized interaction with the teacher, better parking, less congestion, and increased access to school staff. Families will be asked to sign up for a 20 minute time slot per child beginning August 11. Be on the lookout for a digital sign up sheet on August 11th or simply attend Popsicles with the Principals to sign up!
Westerville City Schools Power School Parent Portal is live! Families are welcome to go online now and submit various needed forms for the school year, apply for free/reduced breakfast & lunch, and pay any needed fees. If you are having trouble completing these forms online call our school office at 614-797-7500 or simply attend our Popsicles with the Principals event on August 11 and support will be provided to complete these tasks.
Finally please mark your calendars now for two important events. Parent Openhouse / Curriculum Night & our annual Title 1 Parent Meeting on September 9th between 5:45pm - 7:15pm and Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 22nd (4-8pm) & October 23rd (8am-8pm).
If you have any questions about the information or need additional information to start the school year please do not hesitate to contact me at HilkertT@wcsoh.org.
Go Falcons!
Tyson D. Hilkert
Principal
Minerva France Elementary
Westerville City Schools
514-797-7500
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7/27/26
Hello Falcons!
Welcome to the 26-27 school year at Minerva France Elementary! We wish our former Asst. Principal Mrs. Dias well at Whittier Elementary and are thrilled to welcome Devan Williams, a former MFES teacher and coach, as our new Assistant Principal.
To start planning for the school year, Follow this link to review the information to get your family prepared to start the school year. This includes information about our school, supply list, applicable fees, and other important information. Please plan to attend Popsicles with the Principals on August 11th from 10am-12:00pm and 4:30pm-7:00pm. During this event, you will receive additional information to get the school year started while your child enjoys a sweet frozen treat! Meet the Teacher is August 17th from 2:00pm-6:00pm when students can bring their school supplies, and Parent Openhouse/Curriculum Night is September 3rd from 5:45-7:15pm. Look for more information on the expanded Meet the Teacher hours and a new format to Curriculum Night in coming days.
The PowerSchool Parent Portal is live. Please log in to fill out your child’s forms. If you do not have a login, please call 614-797-7500 or attend Popsicles with the Principals and our school team will help you get logged in. Any applicable school fees can also be paid online now. Bus routes are scheduled to be available via power school on August 11th. Be sure to follow the link above to learn more about the upcoming school year. Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 18th. We cannot wait to see you!
Go Falcons!
Mr. Hilkert (Principal) & Mrs. Williams (Assistant Principal)
2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR Info!
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES in August/September @ MFES
First Day of School:
Tues.: August 18, 2026 Students in grades 1-5
Tues, Wed, Thurs.: August 18, 19, 20, 2026 KG Gentle Start
Fri.: August 21, 2026 ALL Kindergarten Students
Back to School Day/Popsicles with the Principals: August, 11, 2026 (10am-12noon & 4:30pm-7:00pm)
Walk-Thru/Meet the Teacher: August 17, 2026 (2pm-6pm)
Parent Openhouse & Curriculum Night: September 3, 2026 (5:45pm-7:15pm)
COMPLETE AND ACCESS STUDENT INFORMATION ONLINE
PowerSchool Parent Portal
Returning Students: Parents and guardians of returning students already should have created a PowerSchool Parent Portal account to access student information. Please contact our school office if you have forgotten your login information.
New Students: For families of students who are new to our district, we have enclosed a letter with information on how to create an account. Please contact the school office with any questions about your Parent Portal account!
IMPORTANT! You must complete the following forms online in the PowerSchool Parent Portal:
Student Information Verification
Medical Information
Parent Permissions
Contact Information
Simply log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal for each student and click the “Forms” icon to the left. All forms must be completed prior to Back to School Days. The PowerSchool Parent Portal opens August 10 2026 @ 4pm.
2026-2027 SCHOOL FEES
Kindergarten: $22.00 Grade 1: $40.00 Grade 2: $40.00 Grade 3: $40.00 Grade 4: $40.00 Grade 5: $40.00
Families should pay their grade-level fees by cash or check (made payable to WBOE) prior to or during Back-to-School Days. Fees may also be paid online by credit card. To pay online, please visit www.wcsoh.org and, under Resources/Back-to-School Information, click “Fees and Services,” then select PaySchools Central.