With the November 7 election only two weeks away, I want to provide you with an Issue 14 update.                      

Letters in support of Issue 14, the district’s NO-TAX INCREASE renewal levy, have appeared in the past two issues of the Parma Sun Post. The latest copy of the Images newsletter reached the community last week, and the first of three oversized informational mailings detailing our progress and successes also hit homes beginning October 17.                

Cox Communications has been kind enough to run our 30 second Public Service Announcement reminding voters about Issue 14 in random rotation across all of their channels. A 60 second version is running during each of our PACT Network time slots on Cox Channel 45 every Monday-Friday at 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.                       

The Leader Alert phone system will be used to make calls seeking support from residents rather than the phone bank method we have used in past campaigns. This approach enables to be much more efficient and to make better use of our resources. A literature drop consisting of 15,000 pieces will take place across the district from November 4-6, and large signs urging people to vote are being put up at select schools in each cluster.                                                   

There were almost 6000 absentee ballots requested within the three cities, and reminder postcards have been mailed out to these voters. We have also sent postcards to senior citizens as a follow-up to the Freedom Card mailing. A variety of our upcoming athletic, dramatic and musical events are listed and recipients are encouraged to attend at no cost using their Freedom Card.                                                                                                                                 

Passage of Issue 14, a NO-TAX INCREASE renewal levy, is vital to our uninterrupted success, and our quest for excellence among each of our schools. Please remember our students and our schools when you vote on November 7.

ALP Students "Bloom" into Critical Thinking Units

Critical thinking is one of the major topics explored during the ALP day. Using high interest topics connected to the State Standards, students stretch their research skills and become aware of how to use high-level thinking processes to solve problems. These activities are are built around Bloom’s Taxonomy of Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation.

The third graders are the taxonomy as the structure for a research project about a specific animal. They are practicing their summarizing and note-taking skills to learn many things about their animal, applying that knowledge to specific tasks, comparing and contrasting their animal with another, and synthesizing their factual knowledge into a fictional story that teaches, as well as entertains.

The fourth graders are involved in a series of activities called, "The Building Blocks of Great Thinking". They are taking a guided approach through Bloom’s Taxonomy by applying each thinking level to a mini-unit topic, beginning with plants. Each activity emphasizes the necessity for lower-complexity thinking, which leads to strong thinking at the higher levels.

The fifth and sixth graders are beginning the year with Outbreak, a critical thinking simulation. Students will study causes, symptoms, and treatments of many contagious diseases, taking on the roles of community workers who would be involved in identifying, controlling, and educating the community about an infectious disease in their area. Each student will produce a final product that may be placed publicly in the School District.

FREE ESOL CLASSES

English For Speakers of Other Languages  

Classes are offered at six locations:

• Monday & Friday mornings    9:00-11:00AM

• Monday & Tuesday mornings 11:00AM-1:00 PM

        Parma Hts. Library                6206 Pearl Road  

• Monday & Thursday afternoons 12:00-2:00 PM                                                                                       

        Parma South Library             7335 Ridge Road

• Tuesday & Thursday mornings   9:30-11:30AM

        Brooklyn Library                   4480 Ridge Road 

• Tuesday & Thursday evenings   6:30-9:00 PM

        Valley Forge High School        9999 Independence 

• Tuesday & Thursday evenings   7:00-9:00 PM (summer only)

The Parma City Schools has sponsored tuition-based childcare programs since 1983.  We care for children of working parents before school from 7:00 - 9:00 AM and after school until 6:00 PM in all elementary buildings.  We have three sites offering Kindergarten care from 11:45 AM - 6:00 PM, and provide care for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM in our Day Care Center housed in Normandy High School.

Our programs are licensed by the Ohio Department of Education and staffed by trained childcare providers.  Each program offers a variety of activities to support the healthy development of young children in an out-of-school environment. 

For additional information and tuition rates, please visit our websites:

http://www.parmacityschools.org/daycare

http://www.parmacityschools.org/edc

Outreach at its finest...

Parma High Football Coach Balderson and his staff and players were recently commended for their generous donation of time to help community members in need.  The following letter was sent to Coach Balderson from Parma Senior Center Director JoAnn Mason.

Dear Friends,

On behalf of Mayor Dean DePiero, Parma Commission on Aging and President Stephanie Hasson, the staff of the Parma Senior Center, myself, but most of all the needy Parma residents thank you for your more than generous donation of food to the Parma Commission on Aging and our "Project Smile". We were overwhelmed this morning when we saw what you collected. It is so heartwarming to know we'll be able to assist residents during the upcoming holiday season and beyond!

"Project Smiles" inception began with former Director Donna Smallwood and the Parma Commission on Aging. Our Administration is now committed to its success. "Project Smile" is a year round community assistance program. The program is meant to assist seniors to get back on their feet and become independent once again. Cash donations are accepted via our Senior Center and used to pay partial utility bills for Parma residents who have received final disconnect notices. Food and medication assistance is the next important issue we try to resolve. When a call in need is placed to the Center we will respond with groceries from our food pantry. Your thoughtfulness filled our shelves!

Our goal is to keep the lights on, families warm and fed. Because of your help, commitment, and caring "Project Smile" remains alive and helping those in need.

My sincere thank you,

Jo Ann Mason,

Director, Parma Senior Center

PARMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION & PARMA COUNCIL OF PTA's CANNED FOOD DRIVE

EACH YEAR, THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE PARMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (PEA) AND THE PARMA COUNCIL OF PTA'S, TRIES TO BRIGHTEN THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY OF OVER 75 FAMILIES IN THE PARMA, PARMA HEIGHTS AND SEVEN HILLS AREA. THE FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED WITH A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A TURKEY, FRUIT, POTATOES, AND CANNED GOODS, ALL CONTRIBUTED BY THE STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS OF THE PARMA CITY SCHOOLS.

THIS YEAR'S CANNED FOOD DRIVE BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 6 AND WILL END NOVEMBER 17. FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE THEIR THANKSGIVING GIFT ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20. PARENTS ARE ASKED TO SEND VARIOUS CANNED AND BOXED GOODS TO SCHOOL WITH THEIR CHILDREN BETWEEN NOVEMBER 6 AND NOVEMBER 17 FOR THIS CANNED FOOD DRIVE.

Contacts for further information:

Maureen Neville, PEA President - 440/845-2400

Mary Ann Albaugh, PEA Community Relations Chair - 440/885-2373

Jump on your broomstick and join us!

The Greenbriar Senior Living Community, located at 6455 Pearl Road in Parma Heights, invites you to a haunted evening on October 27, 2006 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.  Games, refreshments and treats will be provided along with a visit from the Parma Heights Police Department.  We hope to see you there!

Crafters Wanted

Pleasantview Care Center and Legacy Place is hosting a craft fair on Saturday, November 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Tables are $10 and must be reserved in advance.  Please call Julie Sabo at 440-845-0200 for more information.

A Night at the Races

Please join the folks from Valley Riding Club for a Night at the Races on Saturday, November 11 from 6:30-11:30 p.m. at the Country Lakes Party Center at 8262 Broadview Road.

Enjoy a buffet dinner and cash bar for $30 per person.  Horse sponsorships and naming are available for $15 each.  Tables for 10, which include the buffet, two horse sponsorships and ten drink tickets, can be reserved for $350.

For tickets and information, please call Jill at 216-952-1223 or the Rocky River Stable at 216-267-2525.

ALL PROCEEDS benefit the therapeutic riding program at Valley Riding Inc.

Superintendent's School Bell Award

Sue Sheehan, Supervisor of the Adult Basic and Literacy Education Program, is the most recent recipient of the Superintendent's School Bell Award.

Sue is a longtime district employee, and under her leadership, our district's ABLE program was recently recognized as the top-rated program in the state of Ohio for the 2005-06 school year.

Congratulations to Sue and the entire ABLE staff for a job well done!

Staff Recognition Ceremony

On Thursday, October 12, the district recognized staff members with 20 years or more service in a lovely afternoon celebration at Valley Forge.  The event was hosted by WMVX 106.5 morning jock and Normandy graduate Joe Cronauer.

Honorees enjoyed music courtesy of the Valley Forge String Ensemble, listened to remarks from Dr. Zatik, shared cake and fellowship, and were congratulated by their current principal or supervisor.

School Nutrition Association

The School Nutrition Association is an association of professionals working in the school nutrition field. It has been advancing the availability, quality and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education since 1946. The Association strives to see that all children have access to healthful school meals and nutrition education. SNA has added a parent information page to it's national website. Parents interested in viewing this great resource can go to www.schoolnutrition.org/parent.aspx?id=1981 to learn more about school nutrition programs and childhood nutrition.

Mountain Bike Winner

Zachary Stewart was the winner of a Mongoose mountain bike in Parma City School District's "National School Lunch Week" raffle.  Zac is a first grader in Mrs. Must's classroom at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. He like to play basketball, build with legos, and of course, ride his bike.

The raffle was conducted during National School Lunch Week to increase awareness of the benefits of the school lunch program. A typical "school lunch" provides one-third of a student's protein, calories, vitamins and minerals needs for the day, and 30% or less of the calories come from fat.

Congratulations to Zac!

COPY CENTER 

We have had inquires concerning the Copy Center offering “Walk-in” service as we have in past years.  We are currently unable to offer this service because the Copy Center volume has been so great. We are utilizing all equipment to fill the requests that come to us in the Copy Center boxes. 

As of the end of the day on Friday, October 20, 2006, the Copy Center has filled 18,479 requests representing 3,820,894 clicks.  This represents an average of 95,522 clicks per school day, or 40% of the total yearly allocation of 9,600,000 clicks assigned to the Copy Center.   

When the daily volume averages 50,000 clicks or less, we are able to offer “Walk-in” service.  Should we reach that average, we will immediately send an e-mail to all staff announcing “Walk-in” days and hours. 

Please remember that at the present time, we are delivering all requests back to the buildings within 24 hours.  Hopefully, our 24-hour turnaround time results in teachers having their educational materials in adequate time for their classes.

PARMA SENIOR HIGH PTSA is sponsoring their Family Night Dinner on Tuesday, November  14th (early release day) from 3pm-6pm in the high school cafeteria.  The dinner is catered by Carrabba's Italian Grill.  Tickets are $15.00 each for a full meal: House Salad, Bread, Chicken Marsala, Penne Pomodoro, Dessert and beverages. Dine-in or Take-out.  Evening includes Chinese Basket Auction and 50/50 Raffle.  Advance Ticket sales only by Tuesday, November 7th. Call  Jean at 440-886-6267 or Dianne at 440-843-7041.

PARMA COUNCIL OF PTAs
Have you joined a local PTA/PTSA Unit this year?  October is the time to do it. School has started , all of the necessary paperwork filed , and the PTA Units have begun their activities, programs and school-sponsored educational projects.  Contact your child's school office and leave word that "You want to join!"  By joining you are not committed to serve on a committee, help or attend all events and meetings.  Just by joining shows you care about their efforts.  Membership dues vary in each building.  No children in school anymore?  Give a call to the nearest school, they would welcome your support!!

Are your days slipping by and you hear more and more of school events and deadline you are missing?  Make the decision to purchase a 2006-07 school year PTA calendar.  This is a useful tool to find out about individual school as well as District events and special dates.  Calendars feature art work from students.  Cost $5.00 at each school building and the Parma Board of Education (Superintendent's Office).  Stop in a building today and get your calendar before they are sold out.

Peer Model Program

Because all children learn not only from adults, but from watching and interacting with other children, peer models are an important part of First Step Preschool. These children are 3, 4 and 5 year old youngsters without identified disabilities who provide social interaction and motivation for preschoolers with special needs. Peer models experience a positive and supportive learning environment which fosters self-confidence and an appreciation for diversity among people. They participate daily in activities which facilitate cognitive, language, motor and self-help skills as well as social/emotional growth. Peer models are eligible to attend First Step Preschool based on the following guidelines:

* must reside in the Parma City School District

* participate in a screening to determine eligibility

* attend 4 days per week (2.5 hours - AM or PM class)

* pay tuition (under $13 per week)

* parent or guardian provides transportation

We are currently looking for children to serve as typical peer models for the 2006 - 07 school year. Please call the First Step Office at 440-885-8645 for more information and an application.

The students and staff of Dag Hammarskjold will join in the celebration of Veterans Day through the presentation of a formal ceremony on November 10. Our highlighted branch of the military this year is the United States Coast Guard. Students will assemble at 9:30 a.m. in the multi-purpose room for a program which will include a color guard, the pledge of allegiance, guest veteran speakers, student participants, and the singing of patriotic songs. Please have your child dress in red, white, and blue on November 10.

All families are asked to take part in an activity focusing on the recognition and appreciation of veterans. With this letter students have brought home three paper hearts each and on each heart should clearly and neatly write the name, branch of service, and years of service for a family member that has served in the military. Students wishing to submit additional family members should see their teachers for extra hearts. All hearts must be returned to school by October 30. The hearts collected will be displayed on a bulletin board titled "We Love Our Veterans." As a follow-up, all of the Dag family veteran names submitted will be listed on an all-elementary school display that will originate at Pleasant Valley Elementary School and be shared throughout the school district.

As a school-wide curricular connection, students in each grade Kindergarten through six will create a display showing one of the responsibilities of the Coast Guard. After these projects are displayed at our ceremony, they will be donated to the Coast Guard for their promotional and archival use.

Our students are also participating in a monetary collection campaign to benefit the Coast Guard Foundation, Inc. Donations should be brought to school through November 10. A large collection container will be placed in the media center each day so students and guests may see the progress of our collection. The Coast Guard Foundation has undertaken thousands of programs and projects, among which include providing college scholarships, creating family-oriented recreational opportunities for service personnel, establishing morale programs at Coast Guard bases, and improving the facilities at Coast Guard bases and the Coast Guard Academy. To show our appreciation for the contributions of these and all veterans, all financial support will be gratefully accepted.

Throughout the year we plan to continue our citizenship focus and extend it to a variety of service and assistance projects. Your continued support and encouragement of your child’s participation in these activities are appreciated.

The Dag Hammarskjold Veterans Day Committee

Congratulations to our newly elected Dag Hammarskjold Student Council members:

Grade 6: Ashley Friedel,Alayna Luber, Lauren Kubit, Megan Cooper

Grade 5: Lindsey Mlakar, Mark Seymore, Zachary Cole, Caitlin Leyden

Grade 4: Jenna Karaffa, Sam Rapnicki, Elizabeth Dzurisin, Derek Ciha

These students will meet throughout the school year to discuss and carry out ideas that will improve the welfare of the entire student body as well as provide service to the school and community. Some anticipated projects include Spirit Days, Student Welcome Wagon, Children Voting Day, Bake and Candy Sales, helping veterans, and helping the sick and elderly. Congratulations to these students for their willingness to help in these worthwhile endeavors. Thanks also to Mrs. Ginny Ekstrand and Mrs. Vickie Ward, our Dag teachers that serve as Student Council advisors.

Mayor DePiero, George Jetson, and Astro come to Dentzler

Dentzler School received a special treat on October 6th courtesy of Cox Communications.  Students in kindergarten through third grade were read Halloween stories by our reading guests Mayor Dean DePiero and Joe Noga, a reporter from the Sun Newspapers.  Cartoon characters George Jetson and his friendly dog Astro joined in the fun.  As one student said, “This was the best day ever!” 

Fall Festival

On the evening of October 12th, Dentzler’s annual Fall Festival was held.  Festival activities included a variety of children’s games, a cake walk, face painting and crafts including creating Halloween door hangers and decorating pumpkins.  Families enjoyed dinner and treats of caramel apples, cotton candy and freshly popped popcorn.  Cornstalks, pumpkins, chrysanthemum plants and bales of hay were purchased by families as autumn decorations for their homes. 

Green Valley's staff and parents work together to provide our students with fabulous enrichment opportunities.

PTA purchases the majority of our assemblies throughout the year.  This year The Cleveland Opera will present workshops and performances for our students.  The Center of Science and Industry from Columbus will spend two days on the topic of energy.  The Cleveland Museum of Art will be bringing artifacts to share with students. An assembly called, Pillars of Character, will help reinforce our school's citizenship program.  

A recent assembly helped to remind students why we recycle.  The message was to reduce, reuse, and recycle!  Below are photographs from the assembly.  Green Valley has paper recycling boxes in every classroom in our building.

Another fabulous event each year is our Fall Festival.  Although the rainy weather drove us indoors we still had a terrific turn out.    Parents, staff, and representatives from the Parma Morning Kiwanis Club donated their time to provide games, activities, food, and a fall sale (mums, pumpkins, corn stalks, and hay)!  This year well over forty homemade scarecrows adorn our land lab.  In the photographs, The front entrance was decorated by Mr. Peth and Mr. Schliecker.  Dr. Dinklocker, Deputy Superintendent of the Parma City Schools and Immediate Past President of Kiwanis helped a child during the festival.  Mr. Kevin Kelley, School Board Member accompanied his daughters.  A member of Green Valley's K-Club was a volunteer game worker.  Kiwanians brought the hole-in-one game and made sure plenty of members were on hand to help our children!

TIPS FOR A GOOD PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE

It's hard to believe but our first round of Parent Teacher Conferences is just around the corner on Thursday, November 9th. In order to ensure you have a conference which is meaningful for you and your child, here are some suggestions you may find useful.

Decide what you want to discuss in advance. Ask your child about discussion topics. Write down questions to ask the teacher. For example, parents often want to find out about:

Special programs and services
Discipline policies
Grading policies
After-School activities
Daily schedule
Attendance/absence procedures
Homework policy
Your child's progress
Your child's relationships

Also, list such items you want to share about your child as:

Special health needs or problems
Outside interests and hobbies
Feelings/fears about school
Likes and dislikes
Sibling relationships

* Please know any information you share with your child's teacher is strictly confidential.

Take notes
Ask the teacher how you can help your child, the teacher, the school.
Follow up by discussing the conference with your child.
Start immediately on any action steps you agreed to take.

Teachers will be scheduling conferences soon.  If you are interested in having a conference, please let your child's teacher know.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call me at 440-885-3711 or e-mail me at jonest@parmacityschools.org.

Pre-School Halloween Party

Hillside Middle School continued its long standing tradition to have a Pre-School Halloween Party for siblings of current Hillside students and children of faculty members on Friday, October 20.

Mrs. Yvonne Riddle and her Life Skills classes work for weeks preparing crafts, food and games for the children to participate in before going throughout the building Trick or Treating. The students dress up and partner with a preschooler (38 this year) and spend the afternoon enjoying festivities.

Parents are invited to enjoy some "down time" in the school's Media Center where they can partake in refreshments as well as conversation and reading material. Young and old alike had a wonderful time!

Fall Pep Assembly

On Wednesday, October 4, Hillside Middle School held its fall pep assembly to recognize the 7th and 8th grade football teams, the 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams and the cheerleaders.  The pep assembly was held on the same day as the Hillside/Greenbriar football game and was a "roaring" success.  The assembly was topped off with the crowning of Hillside's own Homecoming King and Queen.  Money was collected during lunch periods the week before the assembly by Hillside's Student Council with the money going to UNICEF.  The top money makers (male and female) were then selected as the winners.  Hillside's 2006 Homecoming King was Mr. Jerry Manganella and our Queen was Miss Heather Doll.

Washington, D.C. Trip

Hillside Middle School 8th graders and chaperones took their annual trip to Washington, DC on October 10, 11, and 12. The trip included a Cruise of the Potomac (dinner and dancing), visits to Gettysburg Battlefield, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and  FDR Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington Cathedral, the Capitol, White House, Smithsonian Museums and Mount Vernon.  The weather was spectacular and a great time was had by all who attended one of the many highlights of the 8th graders year at Hillside.

Fall Festival

While leaves were turning, and a chill was in the air, over 400 John Muir students and family members were enjoying hot chocolate and treats at our annual Fall Festival.  Students picked pumpkins and brought them alive by creating funny and scary designs.  Volunteers joined in the fall spirit by painting children’s faces and transforming them into kittens and pumpkins. For the competitive eaters, a cupcake-eating contest was conducted per grade level.  The winner was whoever ate the fastest.  There was even a cupcake contest for the many teachers who attended and boy could they eat cupcakes!!

Fire Prevention Week

John Muir highlighted Fire Prevention Week by inviting North Royalton firefighter, Mr. Doug Steiger to our school to educate our families on fire prevention and safety.  Families learned they should check their smoke alarms once a month, how to effectively perform stop, drop and roll, and other important safety strategies.  Did you know that President Calvin Coolidge initiated Fire Prevention Week on October 4, 1925?

Upcoming Events

Raising Readers Program – Nov. 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th     9:15-10:30 a.m.

A program offered to parents of students in grades K-3 to gain knowledge of reading strategies, fluency, state standards, and ways to read literature with your child.  Daycare provided for younger children.

Family Fitness Night – Thursday, November 16th   6:30-8:00 p.m.

This active and fun program will be a jumping good time!  Families will learn about exciting games and activities to play and stay healthy together.  Delicious smoothies and healthy recipes will be served after all the activities.

Family Math Night – Monday, November 20th

Teachers will provide information about our new math program, Everyday Math, followed by educational on-line games and hands-on activities for everyone to learn and have fun!