The following is a message from Dr. Zatik which will be sent home in a letter to elementary school parents and guardians the week of January 23, 2006.  A news report regarding this information and the combined effort of the City of Parma and the school district to inform the community is tentatively scheduled to air Monday, January 23, on Channel 5 at 5 p.m.

Educating our community to protect our children

The FBI estimates there is a sex offender living within every square mile of the United States.  The crimes committed by this group include, but are not limited to, child molestation and pedophilic acts.

We all want our children to live in a world of trust and love, but we must also protect our children from those who would do them harm.  Ultimately, only you can determine the amount of protection your child needs.  Although there are many agencies that can and will help if the unthinkable occurs, the very best approach is to be as certain as possible that nothing ever does happen.  As a parent, I ask that you educate yourself concerning child sexual abuse.

The school district is fortunate to be able to work with Tim Dobeck, Law Director for the City of Parma, in order to provide you with information designed to help protect your child from these dangers.

We invite you to review this information in one of three ways.  The first is to go to our website at www.parmacityschools.org and click on the “Child Abuse” logo.  The second method is to visit the main office of any of our buildings where a complete copy of the information is available.  Finally, we have made copies of this valuable resource available to the four county libraries within the district.  You may choose any of these three ways to review the materials, but I urge you to please take the time to read this information and to safeguard your child.

Release the Magic of the Mind again!

The Parma City School District is hosting a family curriculum night event called “Release the Magic of the Mind; an Encore Presentation” on Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at Valley Forge High School. From 5:30-8:00 p.m., families throughout the community are invited to participate in hands-on activities that connect fairy tales with mathematics, science, reading, and thinking skills. There will be giveaways, vendors, and food available for sale with proceeds benefiting the Parma Council of PTAs. Three separate flyers will be sent home with students during February and March to encourage increased attendance. More information is available at each of the district’s 15 elementary buildings and on the district website which can be found at www.parmacityschools.org.

GED TESTING CENTER

The GED (General Educational Development) Test provides many Ohioans who did not finish high school an opportunity to earn an
Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma.
Like a regular high school diploma, the GED diploma enables the diploma holder the opportunity to obtain employment,
to apply for career advancement, to pursue higher education goals, or to reach a personal goal.
The test covers the academic areas of language arts-writing (including a written essay), social studies, science,
language arts-reading (literature), and mathematics.
The State GED Office addresses many Frequently Asked Questions at:

http://www.ode.state.oh.us/Curriculum-Assessment/Assessment/GED/

Parma City Schools is a designated GED Testing Center. We offer several avenues for an individual to explore in order to earn an

Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma. These can be found at:

www.parmacityschools.org/gedtesting

GED Preparation Class schedules and GED Testing schedules can be found at:

www.parmacityschools.org/gedtesting

The 2006 Byers Field Football schedule is now available at http://www.parmacityschools.org/athletics/schedules/index.cfm

Please review it and make plans to join us next season!

Graphic Arts Council of Greater Cleveland recognizes students

The Graphic Arts Council of Cleveland recently announced the winners of the 16th Annual Benny Awards student competition.  Several students from Mrs. Weber and Mrs. Wunderle's Graphic Design class were recognized:

Graphic Design Category - Second Place - Jim Zimrazek, Valley Forge High School

Book Cover Design - Honorable Mention - Ginger Portman, Valley Forge High School

Book Design Layout - Honorable Mention - Katie Parland, Valley Forge High School 

Book Jacket - Honorable Mention - Katie Parland, Valley Forge High School

Greeting Card - Honorable Mention - April Andie, Valley Forge High School

Illustration - Honorable Mention - Taylor Keserich, Valley Forge High School

Outstanding Student Award - Honorable Mention - Patrick Hickey, Valley Forge High School

Congratulations to these outstanding achievers and their great instructors!

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:

www.parmacityschools.org/daycare

www.parmacityschools.org/edc

HOW WE HAVE HELPED OUR OWN

Please review this list of projects that took place in 2005 which benefited the students and residents of the Parma City School District.  Sincere thanks to Academic Services Director Barb Filipow for compiling this information.

1. Adopt-a-Family with severe medical and/or financial difficulties
2. Auctions among staff with proceeds going to needy families or for scholarship funding
3. Baked cookies and provided food certificates for needy families
4. Blankets for the homeless through the ABLE program
5. Churches donating to local families in need
6. District Christmas gift collection for elementary students
7. Field Trip Scholarship Fund
8. Hat and Glove Tree; Giving Tree for needy families; coat and shoe collection for students
9. Project Santa provided gift certificates for needy families
10. School supply distribution to students in need
11. Thanksgiving Food Drive
12. Other areas of altruism include monetary donations and item collection for the following: animal shelter, Berea Children's Home, Cleveland Public Elementary School - Cosmetology Services, domestic violence, Hurricane Katrina, Salvation Army - Coats for Kids, Special Olympics, and the Renwood Elementary USO drive for troops overseas.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to these efforts.  You made a difference in the lives of those who truly needed it.

Hometown Buffet offers fund-raising help

Hometown Buffet, located at 1930 Snow Road inside Midtown Plaza, wants to help your non-profit group raise money.  All your group members have to do is enjoy a great meal at Hometown Buffet on a designated night.  For every full-priced meal purchased by a member of your group aged 12 or older, $1 will be donated to your organization.

Please call Marsha Ryai at 216-661-8992 for more information.  Please support one of our local business partners while helping your group earn money! 

Future publication dates for Images Online:

February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20, April 3, May 1, May 15 and June 5.

The deadline for all submissions is noon on the Thursday preceding publication.  Please contact Kevin Brennan at 440-887-4889 with any questions.

Superintendent's Showcase

Two individuals were honored by Dr. Zatik at the January 9 meeting of the Parma Board of Education which was held at the Parma High Little Theater. 

Kevin Fantis, a junior from Parma High who is enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Normandy, was recognized for finishing second overall in the National Johnson and Wales University Gingerbread House Competition.  Among other prizes, Kevin received over $20,000 in scholarship monies from Johnson and Wales.  Culinary Arts Instructor Steve Hannah attended in Kevin's place as he was working and could not be there.

Staff Development Supervisor Sharon Jones, a graduate of Parma High, was also acknowledged for her recent induction into the Parma High School Hall of Fame.  Respected as an instructor and an administrator, Sharon received a standing ovation from those in attendance for her dedication and accomplishments as a part of the Parma City School District team.

All-City Orchestra Festival

The Parma City School District is proud to present the 16th Annual All-City Orchestra Festival on Thursday, February 16 at the Parma High Auditorium.  Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the program will feature music from 105 Greenbriar, Hillside and Shiloh Middle School students as well as 171 Normandy, Parma and Valley Forge High School students.  Admission is free and we look forward to seeing you there! 

Reading is All-American at the Read-a-Thon!

The Community/Business/School Partnership is proud to present the 7th Annual Read-a-Thon at Parmatown Mall on Saturday, February 18.  From 11 a.m. to 2:30p.m., you can come and enjoy readings by Superintendent Zatik, Mayor DePiero of Parma, Mayor Bentkowski of Seven Hills as well as area principals and business people.

The event will also feature student skits and readers, book giveaways, a used book exchange, community and business information tables, Magic By Richard and costumed characters which are presently scheduled to include Slider, Ronald McDonald and Scooby-Doo!

For further information, please contact Linda Halfacre of the Parma City School District at 440-885-8311.

Come join us for a fun-filled family-oriented celebration of reading!

The Pierogi Dinner is back again!

The Parma Back the Schools Committee is proud to present the 2006 edition of the Pierogi Dinner at Parma High School.  Join us Friday, March 3 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. at the Parma High cafeteria, located at 6285 West 54th Street, for food and entertainment at affordable prices.  Students from the district’s middle and high school bands will be performing for those dining in and carry-out service will also be available.  Five-piece pierogi dinners are $7 and hot dog dinners are $4. Tickets can be purchased at all school locations or in advance by mailing a personal check for the desired number and type of dinners to 5585 Chatham Drive, Seven Hills, 44131.  Only pre-sale tickets will be honored.  No tickets will be sold at the door.  We invite you to enjoy a great meal while supporting the students of the Parma City School District.

BE SURE TO GET TICKETS IN ADVANCE AS NONE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR! 

Nutrition Notes - Sugar Myths

Sweet foods such as candy, soda pop, bakery, etc. are often blamed when children are "hyperactive". Many parents and teachers are convinced that refined sugar causes behavioral changes in children. This was a popular theory in the early 1990's. But well designed double-blind studies have shown that there is no correlation between children's behavior and sugar in the diet.

One reason we might perceive a link between sweets and increased activity is because we expect children to be "hyper-active" if they eat sweets. Often an increased intake of sweets occurs when there is a change in a child's schedule - parties at school and home, trick-or-treating, family get-togethers with extended family at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other celebrations. Adult also tend to experience behavioral changes at parties, celebrations, family get-togethers whether they have had sweets or not.

As in all things, moderation is the key. Sweets in limited amounts can be part of a well balanced diet.

Jackie Rohr, RD, LD

Parma City Schools Food Service Supervisor

440-842-2162

2005-2006 Scholarship Program

The 2005-2006 Parma Council of PTAs Scholarship program has over $100,000 worth of scholarship funds being offered to graduating seniors of the Parma City School District.  There are over 110 scholarships to be awarded by Ohio PTA, Parma Council of PTAs, local PTA and PTSA units, school affiliated organizations and community organizations.  If your son or daughter is a graduating senior at one of the Parma City School District’s three public high schools, he/she is strongly encouraged to participate in the 2006 Scholarship program.

The scholarship booklet containing the instructions and applications is now available on the Parma City School Districts web site at www.parmacityschools.org/pta . The booklet contains complete descriptions of each scholarship offered as well as requirements and deadlines for participation.  All graduating seniors are encouraged to apply for each and every scholarship for which they meet the criteria.

Many of the scholarships are funded from the proceeds of the annual “Geraniums for Scholarships” sale sponsored by Parma Council of PTAs.  Please remember that by purchasing your flowers from this sale, you are investing in the future of our students.  Your support is greatly appreciated and vital.

For additional scholarship information please contact:

Thank you again for the support you have shown this program by your membership in your local PTA unit and participation in the “Geraniums for Scholarship” sale.  Your continued support will keep our scholarships growing and our students’ futures bright.

Laura A. Weber Scholarship Chairperson

Parma Council of PTAs

(440) 845-0370

Tomorrow’s Leaders

     Tomorrow’s Leaders is an exciting program being offered at Dentzler School.  Debi Marks, a social services intern, is the coordinator for this program which is a voluntary group offered to students during their lunch period.  The group consists of nine students who meet once a week for eight weeks.  Each group session is targeted to build upon a certain skill such as goal setting, listening skills and relationship building.  These groups are an excellent way for students to make new friends and learn new skills which can be applied at school and at home.

Families and Schools Together

     Ten families at Dentzler participated in the FAST Program in the Fall.  FAST (Families and Schools Together) is an eight week program with the purpose of building partnerships between the school and families.  Its ultimate goal is to help children succeed at home, in school and in the community.  FAST is for students in kindergarten, first and second grades.  This program invites students and their entire family to participate in the group.  The FAST group is directed by a team which includes two community based agency representatives, two school representatives and two parents from the school.  Our school district’s coordinator for the FAST Program is Mary Wise, ASAP (Attend School and Promote Attendance) Coordinator.

     At every FAST meeting:

·        A family meal is provided so families don’t have to cook!

·        Each week a family wins a prize.

·        There is “special play” between the student and parent.

·        Other activities include kids’ time, a parent group, singing and games as well as child care.

     FAST is a fun and positive program that both parents and children enjoy!  Dentzler is looking forward to the FAST Spring session which will begin in March and is held at the Schaaf Community Center.

Breakfast with Dad

On Wednesday, January 18th, about 185 Hanna Dads enjoyed breakfast with their children. Hanna Moms will be invited to join their children for Breakfast on Wednesday, February 15th.

Nutrition Nuggets

Did you know that Hanna Elementary School offers breakfast Monday through Friday, every week of the school year? Meal costs are $0.30 for reduced students, $0.65 for paid students and is free for all free students. The breakfast provides students with ¼ of the RDA for key nutrients. Breakfast is served at 8:45 am.

This is a great economical program for any family with busy mornings or children who are not ready to eat breakfast when they first wake up.

Students who eat breakfast are more alert, focused and ready to tackle the academic challenges of the school day!

Evening Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, February 2nd by appointment only. If you would like to conference with a teacher, please call the office at (440) 885-3711.

Our annual Book Fair will be held during conference evening also. Everyone is invited!

Thanks PTA!

The next time you’re in the building be sure to check out our new electronic sign hanging in the lobby right outside the office. Hanna PTA generously donated the sign to Hanna. We hope this tool will be helpful in keeping you informed.

7th grade house competition

On Friday, January 13, Hillside Middle School held its 8th annual 7th grade Basketball game where the 7th grade houses competed in a variety of activities. Mrs. Debbie Butterfield, the MC, announced that the Basketball game was originally designed as a tribute to a former Hillside student, Maureen R., who was tragically killed in a car accident, but loved basketball when she was a student at Hillside. The competition started with an Art Contest, with the help of Art Teachers, Laurie Clugh and Nancy Martin. Each house walked away a winner with the Claws winning the girls' competition and the Paws winning the boys' competition. The first two periods of the basketball game indicated it was going to be a close game. At half time, the Tigerettes rallied the crowd to support their team in both the pie eating contests and the tug-o-war. Once again, each team had a winning player(s) for the competition. The Claws took the girls' pie eating contest points and the Paws Team had a boy win this contest. Before the end of the half time festivities, the Paws girls won the tug-o-war and the Claws boys won its tug-o-war. In the end the Claws put up more points to be this year's winner -- the Paws graciously said -- WAIT TIL THE SPRING=

Annual Art Show

On Monday, January 9, 2006, the Hillside Middle School Art Department, under the direction of teachers Laurie Clugh and Nancy Martin, held its annual Art Show to showcase students' work for this first semester of the school year. The show displayed work done in the Art Classes at Hillside including ceramics, jewelry, clay and drawings, both conceptual and landscapes. A lot of 8th grade students reproduced places that they saw during their recent trip to Washington, DC. Awards were handed out by the Parma Area Fine Arts Council to the best in the show. Parents, families and friends were able to tour the exhibits which filled the entire Media Center and spilled out into the main showcase of the school.

John Muir students are exploring the "Everyday" benefits of Mathematics

The Parma City School District is beginning action research for Mathematics at the elementary level. John Muir is hosting two teacher inservices for this project which consists of teaching the Everyday Math series in grades K-5. Other elementary schools will be participating but John Muir is the only elementary school in Parma piloting Everyday Math from K-5 beginning at the new semester. The University of Chicago's Everyday Math program teaches students to use different strategies in solving math problems, introduces advanced concepts at earlier grades and is known for using the "spiral" concept which frequently revisits material learned earlier. The spiraling concept allows more students to master math concepts because of repeat exposure. Nearly 3 million students throughout the United States are now using Everyday math.

John Muir's Web Page is a work in progress ! It can be reached from the District Web Page. Keep watching as we continue to develop it in order to improve our communication with all interested parties.

SpiritBar Fridays

Every Friday at Parkview, we will begin having a "SpiritBar Friday."  This means that your child will be able to purchase a delicious Malley's chocolate bar for $1.00.  If you would like your child to purchase a candy bar, he/she should let the teacher know and pay the money at that time.  The choices are pretzel, crunch or almond bars.  Profits will go toward assemblies and instructional supplies.

Report cards

Second quarter report cards will be sent home on Friday, January 27.  School fees are required to be paid in full or part before the cards can be released to students.  Please call 440-885-2455 with any questions.

Recycle for the good of the Earth and Parkview Elementary!

Soon you will see those recognizable yellow and green Abitibi recycling bins on the east end of our driveway.  They will be emptied on a regular basis with materials being sent to processing centers where they are sorted into various grades and prepared for shipment to de-inking facilities and mills.  It is then used to make 100% recycled content newsprint.  Based on the tonnage picked up from our location, Parkview receives a donation which will be used for assemblies and instructional supplies for students.

Bring all of your newspapers, magazines, junk mail and computer paper.

Please do not bring plastic, glass, metal, trash, laminated paper, food containers, milk cartons, phone books or cardboard.

Thank you for helping us and the environment!

INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL

Mr. Bammerlin, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Seballos will be hosting an eight week intramural basketball program for our sixth graders.  It is scheduled to begin on January 30 and end on March 27.  Please note that this will be after school on Mondays.  Students must return their signed permission slips to be able to participate.  Prompt pickup of all students at 4:45 p.m. is essential.

Check out our website!

Please take time to look at the Pleasant Valley Elementary website.  Power Points on our Happenings page have been newly added!

Earth Dome Assembly

Students at Pleasantview Elementary School participated in the "Earth Dome" assembly. Students learned about geography and many of our earth's wonders. The 22 x 19 foot globe filled the Pleasantview multipurpose room. Students also heard a presentation on volcano eruptions, tornadoes and lightening bolts. Students gave the assembly a 'thumbs up". The assembly cost was graciously donated by the wonderful Pleasantview PTA.

Look at Who's Who!

Our very own, Mrs. Stacy Fyock was recently named in "Who's Who Among American Teachers". Congratulations go out to her on being nominated to this prestigious listing this year!

COSI comes to Renwood

On January 4, Renwood had an exciting day as COSI was here.  The topic was “Investigating Energy” and we started the day with an all school assembly.  After the assembly the day was set up in 40 minute segments for each grade level to come down to the multipurpose room.  There were activities all around the room so the students could engage in hands-on activities to learn more about energy.  Many of our parents, families, and friends volunteered their time to help us out with the stations that were set up.  Many thanks to all of them, as you certainly helped to make the day a success!  Please enjoy the attached photos of our day.

Messages from Ridge-Brook

K-6 Math - As you know, one of our goals at Ridge-Brook is to keep improving our students' math skills. It is very important to help your child study facts daily for 10 minutes. Make it into a game!

In another effort to achieve this goal, we have invited or will be inviting parents to observe a math lesson being taught. The purpose of these classroom visits is to heighten parent awareness with respect to strategies, concepts and the Math Standards for the State of Ohio. We hope many of you will be able to attend. Each Math teacher will send out the letter to parents with specific times to attend. When parents and school work together, it is a win/win situation for Ridge-Brook students!

Mrs. Shaver Reports - The Math Club has been successful during the second marking period. Many students have come for individual help or to practice skills. This group meets every Tuesday and Thursday during recess. Any 4th or 5th grader is welcome to come on either of these two days whenever additional assistance is needed in math. This includes questions on homework assignments and doing practice problems to study for quizzes and tests. Our peer tutors during the second marking period have done an outstanding job! I appreciate the time they volunteered to help others and them for their efforts. Our peer tutors were:

4th Grade: Alyssa Dalic, Taylor Gardner, Alyssa Grygiel, Stephanie Iwaszkiw, Troy Mezera, Danny O'Donnell and Milan Radovanovic.

5th Grade: Ameera Elghaffar, Kevin Kaiser, Kaylee LaManna, Julie Molotkovskiy, Billy Petersen, Scott Sasena and Jessica Stastny.

Award-winning artist

Aaron Jakuszewski of Shiloh Middle School won a prestigious Scholastics Gold Key Award for his achievement in fine arts. His self-portrait painting was selected to be in the distinguished Scholastic Art Show, which will take place at the Cleveland Institute of Art. This is a juried show in which hundreds of entries are sent from schools throughout Ohio. On the opening day of show, Aaron will be called onstage to receive his Gold Key Award. The show will run from January 22 until February 2. After this show, Aaron’s work will be sent to The Scholastics National Show in New York. Congratulations, Aaron!

National Geography Bee Contest

Our school participated in the National Geography Bee contest. Every student in the school took the Qualifying Test in their Social Studies classes. The TOP 30 from each grade moved on to a Second Round of competition. From that round, we found the TOP FIVE seventh graders and the TOP FIVE eighth graders who advanced to the FINAL ROUND of competition that was held on THURSDAY, January 5th in our Media Center. Parents were invited and about 15 or so actually came even though it was the middle of the day! The RUNNER UP for the 2006 National Geography Bee at Shiloh was JENNIFER MASLACH, a seventh grader! And the 2006 Shiloh CHAMPION was 8th grader THOMAS IPPOLITO. Both his mom and grandmother were in the audience to cheer him on to victory! Thomas will take a written test next week which will be sent to the state to see if he advances to the next round of competition. We want to wish him good luck on this endeavor!

School Clinic Needs Help Getting the Message Out:
Steps to Avoid the Flu   
(by Mrs. Karen Lawer, Thoreau Park  Clinic Aide)  

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Get plenty of rest and stay home from school or work.
• Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. This is often how germs spread. 
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. 

PTA Council Report January 2006

Over $2500 of donations were received from our families, teachers and students and the balance of $3000 from Valley Forge’s student council to Project Santa.  60 Wal-Mart gift cards were purchased and sent with cards made by hand from our special education students to 60 needy families of our feeder schools.  Wal-Mart also gave an additional 10% off purchases.

Also in keeping with our community involvement, our Family and Consumer Science classes, working with the ABLE Program, made and donated 20 blankets to needy families.  Student Ambassadors ran a “Toys of Tots” campaign and Holly Link’s Spanish class raised $237.00 for the Lansky family featured in the Sun Post prior to the holiday’s.  Finally the Unity Club created candy gift bags for the children in the Berea Children Home while the Key Club sponsored a Hanna family, got the family’s wish list, went shopping and delivered the gifts.

Our SADD club participated in the RB&C Safe Communities Mocktail Party.  Their recipe is available from Officer Sirl, Valley Forge for anyone interested.

Our Senior Financial Aid night will be held tonight at 7 PM in the VF Auditorium.  In addition to regular financial aid information, completion the Federal FAFSA form will be discussed.

Congratulations to the following Vis-Com students for their success in the highly acclaimed Benny Awards form the Cleveland Graphic Arts contest; 2nd place, Jim Zimrazek and Honorable Mentions; Katie Palrand, April Andie, Taylor Keserich and Ginger Portman.

More winners: in the Life Services Foundation contest, Why Sexual Abstinence has Future Health Benefits, 2nd place, Sarah Shanfelt and Honorable Mention, Heba Mostafa.

Our final visit for private school 8th graders and their parents will be held on January 25 at 8:30.  Just have those interested phone the unit office at VF to RSVP.  At this program, student ambassadors take the 8th graders on a tour of the building, answering any questions, viewing classes and change of class, while the parents are taken on a separate tour.  This gives both parents and kids the opportunity to get straight info right from our students.  There is then a general question time, though there are rarely questions left to answer.

Then on February 15 at 7:00 PM we will host our orientation for all incoming freshmen and their parents to generally review procedures and registration.  Parochial families can also officially register in the District that night.