Our mission and passion is to provide the very best possible education for the children who attend our schools.  We work daily to create an outstanding educational environment in which all students can thrive and be successful.

Regrettably, in today's world we must also make certain that environment is a safe one.  Therefore, since 1995 we have had a a Department of Safety and Security staffed by professional law enforcement personnel.

As a result of our efforts toward safety and security, I believe we have done an outstanding job of protecting our children and staff from danger created by a student or staff member, and also from an intruder who would want to harm the children or adults who learn and work in our schools.

Please remember that our district employs a 24-hour safety and security hotline which can be reached at 440-842-2220.  Any type of activity which could be harmful to our students, buildings or community may be reported anonymously at any time, day or night.

In the coming weeks, a special four-page edition of the Superintendent's Newsletter will be mailed to the parents of our students which details other safety measures we currently have in place along with suggestions for keeping children safe while they are away from school.  Copies will also be distributed to staff members throughout the district.

Thank you for your help in keeping our students and schools safe.

The Parma City School District is one of five districts in the greater Cleveland area invited to be a part of a mathematics partnership, the Curriculum Coherence Institute – with Michigan State University’s Promoting Rigorous Outcomes for Mathematics and Science (PROM/SE) and the SMART Consortium in Cleveland. Academic Services has a team of 12 that is participating in a series of daylong workshops from September through February. The Institute is designed to help districts develop a more coherent curriculum that will improve student achievement. Coherence is a new and important lens by which to examine the content we teach and its relationship to student learning.

Everyday Mathematics implementation continues in grades 3 and 4 at all of our elementary buildings. Everyday Mathematics recognizes and builds on children’s’ capabilities by expanding the range of their mathematics experiences and ideas. This program helps children make the transition from intuition to concrete operations and to abstractions and skills and symbols, grades K-3. The program in Grade 4 continues to develop these links so those students will have the foundation they will need for algebra, geometry and data analysis courses.  A framework for dialogue about mathematics between teacher and students and among students themselves is established. Thinking with mathematics becomes as natural as thinking with languages.

Environmental Science – A new course at all three high schools!  All of our high schools are now offering a new science course, Environmental Science which uses an inquiry-based design in combination with a rigorous approach and an engaging, hands-on instruction framework. Students learn to analyze assess and make decision using scientific data. The course uses themes and activities related to local and global sustainability to present key concepts from the life, earth and physical sciences.

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 Parma City School District 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: http://www.parmacityschools.org/gedtesting

GED Preparation Class schedules and GED Testing schedules can be found at: http://www.parmacityschools.org/gedtesting

Please be advised that Central Office and all buildings will observe the following work schedule during the upcoming holidays:

THANKSGIVING 

All buildings will be closed Thursday, November 22, 2007 and Friday, November 23, 2007

CHRISTMAS

All buildings will be closed Monday, December 24, 2007 and Tuesday, December 25, 2007

NEW YEARS

All buildings will be closed Monday, December 31, 2007 and Tuesday, January 1, 2008.  On Wednesday, January 2, 2008, all 52-week employees work even though there is no school. 

Thank you

Everyone associated with Byers Field would like to thank the students, staff, administrators, parents and community members who helped to support our teams, departments and events during 2007.

We trust that you enjoyed the improvements made to the locker rooms, restrooms, running track and seating areas as well as the installation of the new digital scoreboard.

Congratulations to Normandy for last week's win on their home field and best of luck this week as they play Tallmadge in a second-round matchup.  Please join us on Saturday, November 10 at 7 p.m. for another great high school football playoff game featuring Mentor and Solon.

Dental Technologies at Normandy will be selling Crest White Strips for Christmas Gifts. Please try to purchase from our senior dental tech students for $30.00 a box. If you do not come in contact with a student, please send a check to Normandy High Dental with your order and a check made out to Normandy High.

We are also selling Sonicare Elite Toothbrushes for $60.00 each. These sell for $99.00 to $139.00 in retail stores. Please do the same as requested above. End of sale will be November 19.

The Parma City School District has sponsored tuition-based childcare programs since 1983.  We care for children of working parents before school from 7:00 - 9:00 AM in all elementary buildings.  After-school EDC is provided on-site in 10 buildings until 6 PM.  Children from other buildings are transported for EDC to one of the on-site programs.

Three sites offer Kindergarten EDC from 11:45 AM - 6:00 PM, and we provide day 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.  The preschool teachers at Normandy have valid ODE teaching licenses.  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 and www.parmacityschools.org/edc

Day Care/Extended Day Care Enrollment

Enrollment is ongoing and dependent upon space availability.  For Day Care registration details, please call 440-885-2409.

Care is available from 7 AM-6 PM each school day.  We also offer and Extended Preschool/Day Care Option from 7 AM-12:30 PM that includes supervised free play, a morning snack, our preschool curriculum component and lunch.

For more information about Extended Day Care, please call 440-885-8301.

Canned Food Drive

The Parma Education Association and the Parma Council of PTAs' annual canned food drive for area families in need is underway.

Nonperishable food and cash donations will be accepted at all Parma City School District buildings beginning November 5 through November 16. The money will be used to purchase gift certificates so that families can buy turkeys, fresh fruit, etc.  Last year, more than 80 area families received assistance.

For more information, please call 440-845-2400 or 440-885-2373.

Holiday Music at Parmatown

Though it's hard to believe, the holidays are coming soon.  That means that our elementary, middle and high school students will once again be presenting holiday music at Parmatown Mall.

Join us December 11, 12 and 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a variety of selections ranging from choirs to jazz bands to string ensembles.  The full schedule will be posted on the district website following Thanksgiving break.

Could you have diabetes and not know it?

In recognition of November as American Diabetes Month, I ask that you please follow the link below to the Diabetes Risk Test to see if YOU could be at risk for Diabetes.

http://www.diabetes.org/uedocuments/RiskTest-English.pdf?WTLPromo=diabetesworkplace_couldyouhavediabetes_eg_notknowit&vms=247561587723

Here's to YOUR Health!

Kristin Cushing, Wellness Facilitator

Leaders Club

If you are pondering whether a leadership job is for you, join us at the monthly “Leaders’ Club” at Arabica Coffee House in Parma Heights. Come on in, purchase a beverage and join other colleagues as we meet one another and learn from guest speakers.

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 from 3:45 to 4:45, our guest speaker will be Dr. Kathe Shelby, Director with the Cuyahoga Special Education Service Center.  Dr. Shelby will informally chat with us about trends in special education, as well as available regional resources. This is invaluable information for all of us! Please RSVP to Beverly Sara at extension 8305.

House Committee Luncheon

A reminder to all Central Office employees that the annual House Committee Holiday Luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 13 from 12-1:30 p.m. at Red Rees. Further information will be coming soon.

Pierogi Dinner

The annual Pierogi Dinner sponsored by the Back the Schools Committee is scheduled for Friday, February 22nd.  More details to follow! 

Looking Ahead

November 21-23              Thanksgiving Break

December 20-January 2     Winter Break

January 21                      Martin Luther King Day

January 22-24                  High School Midterms

Help a Family Enjoy Thanksgiving

The Parma Area Family to Family Collaborative invites you to help us provide families in our community with a Thanksgiving Dinner by participating in our Harvest Giving Tree program.

Take one or more ornaments from the Harvest Tree, which is currently located in the Student Services Area at Central Office, and the next time you are shopping for your family you can select the items listed on the back of the ornament.

Please deliver your donated items to the Parma Area Collaborative Office by noon on Friday, November 9th at the Parmatown Medical Building North, 7441 W. Ridgewood Dr., (Above Antonio’s Restaurant), Rm. 255.  If you have any questions about your donation, please call the Collaborative at 440-887-4873.  Donations not given out to the families will be taken to to one or more local food pantries.

The Student Services Office will also accept donations on behalf of the Collaborative.

Meal TRAC! is Coming to the Internet

The internet access feature of Meal TRAC! is currently being piloted at Hillside Middle School. When we are assured that this feature is running smoothly, we will introduce it to the rest of the school district

Meal TRAC! Online provides parents with two services. The first allows parents to go online and access their child’s lunch account. At the “Meal Trac! Online” site you will be able to view your child’s account balance, see what your child has purchased, and place limits on your child’s spending. To sign up for Meal TRAC! Online you will need your child’s school I.D. number which will be sent to you with detailed instructions when this feature becomes available at your school.

The second service will allow you to prepay for your child’s Meal TRAC! lunches online with a credit card.  This procedure is initiated on the “User Participant Record” page, from which you are directed to PayPal. There is a $2.00 fee assessed each time you place a credit card payment. This fee is for usage of the PayPal system.

Internet prepayment is not required for your child to have a MEAL TRAC! account nor is it the only way to prepay into your child’s account.  This may also be done with cash or check at the cafeteria register in the morning before school starts.

Parma Area Community Television on Cox Channel 74

The district is a member of the Parma Area Community Television (PACT) Network, a broadcast partnership involving the cities of Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills, the Cuyahoga County Public Library system, Tri-C’s Western Campus, and Parma Hospital. A combination of educational and community programming is shown 24 hours daily, seven days per week.

As the anchor for the PACT, the district handles nearly all of the production duties using the Radio and Television studio located at Normandy High School. Students enrolled in the Radio and Television Career and Technical Education classes are involved with the station throughout the school year.

Please follow this weblink to the PACT homepage on the PCSD website: http://parmacityschools.org/pact/index.cfm

There you will find a history of the network along with program schedules and contact information. 

Thank you for watching the PACT on Cox Channel 74.

Holiday Wishes

The staff of the Print Shop would like to acknowledge the courage and dedication shown each day by the service men and women of our country as our nation recognizes Veterans Day.  We also encourage everyone to enjoy fellowship, food and football over Thanksgiving while finally reminding you that it's probably too late to start impressing Santa.

Membership

Consider joining a Unit near you! The membership drive continues with a contest and a District-wide goal of each Unit gaining 10% more members than last year.

Luncheon

The Council Winter Luncheon is on Wednesday, December 12th. Fellowship starts at 11:00am at Holy Spirit Party Center on West 54th Street. Contact, Event Chairperson, Dianna Kall at 216-741-2888 with questions. Luncheon $18.00 per person reservation deadline November 29, 2007

Reflections

Each Unit will coordinate the annual Reflections contest for students. Deadlines vary in each building. Contact: Nicole Kendall at 440-845-2663.

Meetings

Wednesday, November 7th at 4:30 p.m. at Parma Senior High School Cafeteria.

Wednesday, December 12th at 10:00 a.m. for Unit Presidents only at Holy Spirit Hall (preceeds the luncheon)

Wednesday, January 9th at 9:30 a.m. at the Parma Hospital Health Education Center on State Road (just north of Pleasant Valley and State Roads)

Workshop

Nominating Committee workshop. Open to all PTA members in all units. Tuesday, January 8th at 7:00 p.m. at Parma Senior High and repeated on Wednesday, January 9th at 1:00 pm at the Health Education Center.

Community Scholarship

Don’t forget this on-going opportunity for any member to donate and/or accept a container to distribute at a meeting or two. Loose change benefits the Parma Council Community Scholarship Fund. Contact: Cyndee Bratz 440-888-8889

Remember, PTA advocates for "every child. One voice" Please consult these websites for various resources: www.ohiopta.org and www.pta.org.

The Flex Spending Plan

Open enrollment began on November 1, 2007.  The deadline to enroll is December 5, 2007.

Enrollment options:

1.  Request the brochure and enrollment forms from the Treasurer's Office.  Forms are due back by 12/5/2007.
2.  Log onto the PCSD Website.  This link will take you directly to page to download forms and brochures with FSA Plan information: http://bilbo/treasurer/fsa from work or http://www.ParmaCitySchools.org/treasurer/fsa from the public website.  Forms are due back to the Treasurer's Office by 12/5/2007.
3.  Log onto the NEO Administrators website www.FlexNEO.com. Click on Enroll in Plan and follow the instructions.  NEO will notify our department of your enrollment.

If you would like to order the debit card, please complete the debit card section of the FSA enrollment form and sign the second page.  Cost of the debit card is $18.00 which will be automatically deducted from your second paycheck in January 2008.

These forms are to be used to enroll in the calendar 2008 FSA Plan.  If you are currently enrolled, you need to re-enroll for 2008.

If you have any questions regarding the FSA Plan or enrollment process, please contact our department at 440-885-8773.

First Step Preschool serves children 3-5 years old with delays in the areas of Communication, Motor, Cognitive, Social and Emotional and Adaptive behaviors. We have 10 preschool classrooms (am/pm session) and each class can serve up to eight preschoolers with a Disability and four Peer Models. We currently have two Itinerant teachers who serve children in typical preschool classrooms and/or their home with the option to have them come to First Step for their therapies.

We work with outside agencies such as Help Me Grow, Options for Family and Youth, and United Cerebral Palsy so that children can be identified and services are provided by their 3rd birthday.

Please contact 440-885-8665 for more information.

Veterans Day Activities

Dag Hammarskjold students will take part in two activities that support our troops and veterans. On November 8, all students will take part in a march around the block near Dag Hammarskjold in support of our troops and veterans. Each student will carry a sign showing his/her support for the efforts of our military service men and women as well as the contributions of our veterans of the armed forces, all in the cause of protecting the freedoms we as citizens have come to enjoy.

On November 9, Dag Hammarskjold will present a formal Veterans Day ceremony that recognizes the veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Our ceremony will include a color guard, the singing of patriotic songs, student contributions, veterans' messages, and a presentation by an active duty officer of the U.S. Army. This annual Dag event not only recognizes the valiant efforts of our veterans to maintain our freedoms, but serves to teach our students about citizenship and their need to be responsible in their actions.

Right-to-Read Week

“Plant the Seed for Reading” is the theme for Dentzler’s Right-to-Read Week which is being held November 5^th – 9^th.  On November 5^th Marlane Kennedy, author of the book Me and the Pumpkin Queen is giving presentations to each of the classes at Dentzler.  Other activities that are occurring include pumpkin reading logs to encourage reading at home, the creation of reading door hangers and D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) time held daily throughout the week.  The Scholastic Book Fair will be held the following week.  All proceeds will be used to purchase books for the Dentzler Media Center.

Veterans’ Day Program

On November 9^th, former Parma High School Principal Gil Fritsche, will be the keynote speaker for our Veterans’ Day assembly.  Sherry Mann, a local piper, will play the bagpipes and all of the Dentzler students have been practicing patriotic songs to sing at this assembly program which will honor our veterans.

Dentzler School’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration

Community members, alumni, friends, parents and students are invited to celebrate Dentzler’s 50^th Anniversary on Sunday, November 18 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Dentzler School.

Relive the past 50 years through the many activities presented at this event.  These activities will include the presentation of a quilt made by all of the students, choir and band entertainment, the creation of a time capsule, a tour of the school to see how education has changed since Dentzler opened its doors 50 years ago and a bakery and punch reception.

Come join the fun and share memories with former and current Dentzler staff and friends at our community celebration!

Building Literacy Initiative 

On November 19^th there will be a kick-off for Dentzler’s building literacy initiative.  This year’s theme is “Rock Around the Clock” in recognition of Dentzler’s 50^th birthday.  Students will be bringing home additional information closer to this date.

Everyday Math Family Game Night

On Tuesday, November 27^th from 6:30-8:00 pm kindergarten through fourth grade students and their families are invited to make math games that can be taken home to play to reinforce math skills learned in school.  Any questions regarding our new math series Everyday Math can also be answered by one of our school district’s math specialists.  Don’t forget to mark this date on your calendar!

Please visit our website calendar at http://www.parmacityschools.org/calendar/index.asp?CalShow=9 

to view December and January events and activities.

Green Valley Walks to Beijing

During Physical Education, taught by Mrs. Cushing, and during the noon recess-walking zone, Green Valley students are walking to Beijing, China where the 2008 Summer Olympics will be held!  This program goes along with our literature theme of Reaching for the Gold.

The grand total mileage updates thus far for first quarter are listed below.  (This mileage is only totaled from the individual student logs that have been turned in to Mrs. Cushing, and does not include grades three through six mileage earned in physical education.  Green Valley is well on the way to Beijing!  We have traveled 702 miles.  We only have 6,505 miles left to China.....and that equals just about 16,785,000 steps!  Join us on our brand new walking path in our land lab!

1st Grade:
Miss Connors:  43,331 steps (17.3324 miles)
Mrs. Van Gelder:  33,952 steps (13.5808 miles)

2nd Grade:
Mrs. Steffas:  64,516 steps (25.8064 miles)
Miss Petras:  59,602 steps (23.8408 miles)

3rd Grade:
Miss Palinkas:  20,970 steps (8.388 miles)
Mrs. Turley:  261,927 steps (104.7708 miles)

4th Grade:
Mrs. Zahniser: 139,060 steps (55.624 miles)
Mrs. Pizon:  118,102 steps (47.2408 miles)
Mrs. Sizer:  no information

5th Grade:
Mr. Peth:  545,824 steps (218.3296 miles)
Mrs. Knerem:  no information
Miss Olenick:  166,569 steps (66.6276 miles)

6th Grade:
Mrs. Blue:  301,240 steps (120.4984 miles)
Mrs. Gibson:  no information
Mr. Schliecker:  no information

Thank you to Mrs. Cushing for designing this program and providing our statistics!

Parents as Playground Partners

Once a month our PTA is organizing a group of parents to develop games and activities for our four zone areas during the recess portion of the lunch hour.  The first day with parents on the playground was October 30, 2007.  Under the leadership of PTA President, Mrs. Laheta, and PTA Health and Wellness Chairperson, Mrs. Kostyack, a group of ten parents worked with the students.  The students were able to choose between The Mummy Wrap, Frankenstein Freeze Tag/Frankenstein Duck, Duck, Goose, coloring contest, or musical chairs.  The students had a great time and the parents and noon monitors spoke very highly about this new endeavor.   Students are looking forward to the next day parents join us on the playground.  Below are several photographs taken by Mrs. Stefan during our recess program, Parents as Playground Partners.

What's new at Greenbriar

Greenbriar Café is up and running.

Peer mediation began on Wednesday, October 10th.

Susan Delahanty will be presenting a program called No Bullies – No Victims sponsored by the Summit County Domestic Relations Court and Summit County Medical Alliance to our 7th grade student body on Tuesday, November 13th.

House A is going bowling at Yorktown Lanes for our First Quarter Reward Activity.

House C's first quarter reward party is on November 5th during 7th and 8th periods. It will be held outside (weather permitting), so please make sure your child dresses appropriately.

House X had an evening Hayride at Skyview Lodge where the students performed skits/commercials they created as part of a persuasive writing unit in English.

House Y End of the Quarter Party was Thursday, November 1st.

House Z went to the Rocky River Metroparks Nature Center for a science field trip on October 10.

Veterans Day Program

Hanna Elementary School like to extend an invitation to join us for our first annual Veteran's Day program. It will be held in our Multipurpose Room on Friday, November 9th from 2 to 3 pm. We do realize that this may be a busy day for events such as these, but we hope to see you there!

Weight Club

The Hillside Weight Club is running strong again this year with over forty members. The club has been running since 1991 and continues to be a hit with the Hillside students. Mr. Pro still opens the doors at 7:20 till 8:50 on Mondays, Wed. and Fridays all year long.

Support Our Troops

Students in Mr. Maxson's Social Studies classes have been e-mailing former Hillside student and Normandy graduate-Kurt Salzgeber while he was stationed in Iraq. He arrived home this week but he gave us the name of a soldier still there and her platoon-who are in need of morale boost. Students in Paws and Claws along with all the teachers have collected donations to send in care packages and sent friendly letters along with holiday decorations to these brave men and women. Mr. Maxson is also continuing his 16 year tradition of sending Christmas cards to the soldiers.

Drama Club

Hillside's Drama Club held a successful fundraiser -- their first "Fall Ball" on Friday, October 26 after school. It was a fall party featuring games, prizes, scary stories, pumpkin painting, bobbing for apples, face painting, and toured the Haunted Classroom. Advisors Dawn Kafiti and Jeanne Goldberg welcomed students and staff volunteers. Hopefully this will become an annual event.

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 26th.

Mrs. Yvonne Riddle and her Life Skills classes worked 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 (36 this year) and spend the afternoon enjoying the festivities.

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

Fall Pep Assembly

On Tuesday, September 25, 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/Shiloh 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 this 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 2007 Homecoming King was Mr. Ziemanski and our Queen was Ms. Pohlchuck.

Washington, D.C. Trip

Hillside Middle School 8th graders and chaperones took their annual trip to Washington, DC on October 9, 10, 11. 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 great for the first two days, and the participants weathered the rain on Thursday coming home. A great time was had by all who attended one of the many highlights of the 8th graders' year at Hillside.

Claws Team-Building Activities

Students and staff spent time getting to know each other as the CLAWS team. Activities for team building included the paper door frame activity where groups of four students had to create a door frame, competing to see who could fit the most students through their frame. The top score was 15. Other activities included a "Getting to Know" bingo game where students had to meet twenty new people who helped them fill spaces on their bingo card. An example question was "Find a student who went to an Indians game this summer.) We also made our CLAWS jigsaw puzzles where each student made his or her own piece that represents who they are.

Veterans Day Salute

The students and staff of John Glenn would like to salute the veterans of VFW Post 7609 of Seven Hills for their work on behalf of our school and community.

We would also like to recognize the work being done by the men and women of our armed forces all over the world.

John Muir students and staff participated in the International Walk to School Day on October 22.  There were more than 300 students who walked to school that day.  Thirty John Muir staff and PTA members volunteered to meet students on their streets and walk with them to school.  This activity emphasized the importance of keeping fit, stranger danger, as well as gave students the opportunity to meet other children on or by their streets who walked to school. 

The week of October 22 was Red Ribbon Week.  Students paid twenty-five cents each day to participate in a dress day.  Students were allowed to wear their pajamas, slippers, hats, backward clothes, and dress like an athlete.  All money that was collected will be put towards fixing up our courtyard.  We raised $248.00.  Way to go!!!

Fall Fest took place on October 11. John Muir Families had the opportunity to paint pumpkins, make holiday crafts, get their faces painted, color, do word searches, enjoy a snack, and participate in or watch a bubble gum blowing contest. It was a blast!!!

We kicked off our Reading Rocks program this month.  Depending on the grade level, s