Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update, April 2023

COMMUNITY UPDATE Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

W E

APRIL 2023

W E February 2022

New Superintendent Hired NCI Teacher Receives Award South High Top Students Student Athlete Signings

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR SUPERINTENDENT Dear Willoughby-Eastlake Families, Dear Willoughby-Eastlake Families, The end of the school year is just around the corner. This means it is prime awards season at W-E! Our students are celebrating their academic and athletic achievements from throughout the year at banquets. And several of our staff have recently been recognized for their dedication to helping our students Teach - Learn - Grow, including Michelle Peters, administrative assistant and purchasing manager, and Gary Brack, MSN-Ed, RN, NE-BC, and professor at Willoughby-Eastlake’s Northern Career Institute. Learn more about their respective awards later in this newsletter.

From end-of-year band concerts and art shows, to prom and helping our seniors and their families gear up for graduation, the excitement this time of year is infectious. The district has also selected its next superintendent. Dr. Patrick Ward is a familiar face to some at W-E, and I’m confident he is poised to lead the district into the future. Check out page 3 to read more about his background.

I encourage everyone to finish the school year strong — but don’t forget to have fun and stay safe!

Sincerely, Charles Murphy

Interim Superintendent Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Charles.Murphy@weschools.org

W-E UPCOMING DATES May 22 - South High School Graduation May 23 - North High School Graduation May 24 - Last Day of School

W-E RECEIVES 2ND SAFETY GRANT Willoughby-Eastlake was awarded a second safety grant by the state of Ohio through The K12 School Safety Grant Program, which launched in 2021 to help schools pay for physical security expenses. W-E will receive $890,433 to help upgrade 13 buildings with better security.

Eastlake Middle - $68,790 Edison Elementary - $67,790 Grant Elementary - $78,485 Thomas Jefferson Elementary - $72,237 Longfellow Elementary - $65,607 North High - $79,487 NCI - $79,487 March 2023

Royalview Elementary - $50,000 School of Innovation - $73,700 South High - $71,050 Willoughby Middle - $50,000 Preschool - $84,271 Willowick Middle - $50,000 www.weschools.org

DISTRICT INFORMATION NEW SUPERINTENDENT NAMED The Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Board of Education has selected Dr. Patrick Ward as its new superintendent.

Dr. Ward is coming to W-E from Mayfield City Schools where he was the Director of Curriculum. He has more than two decades of experience in education and is no stranger to W-E, having previously served as principal of South High School.

Dr. Patrick Ward New Superintendent Starting August 1, 2023

“We would like to extend our gratitude to the community for their input and support during this search process,” said School Board President Stacy Menser. “Dr. Ward stood out among the highly qualified candidates, and we believe he possesses the vision, leadership, and dedication to take our district to the next level. We are confident in his ability to drive continued success for our students and community."

He holds a bachelor’s in education from John Carroll University, a master’s in education from Walden University and Ursuline College, and a doctorate in K-12 Leadership from Walden University.

Dr. Ward said as a resident of the community, it’s great to be “back home.” His start date is August 1.

The Board would also like to thank Finding Leaders for their partnership in the search for WE’s next leader.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

CONGRATULATIONS MICHELLE

Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools invites parents/guardians to register their children for kindergarten.

Registration opened March 1, 2023 Contact your elementary school or the central registration office at (440) 9753784 to complete the registration process. Check www.weschools.org for school numbers and District boundary map.

Register by June 1st to receive a free gift

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

Michelle Peters, administrative assistant and purchasing manager, received her 2023 Londa Schwierking Treasurer Support Award from the Ohio Association of School Business Officials.

DISTRICT INFORMATION DOES YOUR STUDENT HAVE FEES? Parent Portal The W-E Parent Portal is a secure website where parents can access grades, attendance, fees, and other information about their children enrolled in the Willoughby-Eastlake School District.

Once logged into the Parent Portal, click on "Balance" to see assessed fees.

Need to sign up for the Parent Portal?

Click here to learn how: Parent Portal Guide Instructions.pdf

SCHOOL FEE SCHEDULES The breakdown of what makes up the fees per grade/program can be found on the District website, or by clicking the links below. Questions about your student's fees?

Please reach out to your school building.

2022-2023 Student Fee Schedule - Elementary (includes SOI grades 3-5) 2022-2023 Student Fee Schedule - Secondary School (middle and high school, Excel TECC)

Where are the school fee schedules on the website?

1. www.weschools.org 2. Click on "Parents" sub-head tab (not the dropdown) 3. On green nav bar, click "Fee Schedules" 4. Click appropriate fee schedule link on page

PAYMENT OPTIONS at PaySchools 1. Online www.weschools.org > Parent > Payschools Order 2. Cash/Check/Money Include student's name in the memo PAYMENT DEADLINE Fees are due upon receipt.

If families are unable to pay in full at the time of receipt, payments can be made throughout the year.

Unpaid balances could be sent to collections.

March 2023

www.weschools.org

TREASURER'S UPDATE W-E ON MAY 2 BALLOT WITH ZERO INCREASE TAX LEVY Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools is on the May 2 ballot with a 10-year renewal levy. If passed, the funds will help the District maintain day-today operations, including teachers and staff, technology, supplies, maintenance and utilities.

The levy is a zero increase in taxes. The ballot issue combines two existing levies.

The first, a $7.5 million levy set to expire at the end of calendar year 2023, was originally passed in 1987.

The second, a $5.9 million levy set to expire at the end of calendar year 2024, was first passed in 2009.

Combining the two issues will decrease how often the District must return to the ballot and save money on election and legal fees.

Again, the levy will result in zero increase to taxpayers. Learn more on the Treasurer page of our website. To find your polling location, visit ohiosos.gov.

Nick Ciarniello Treasurer/CFO Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools nick.ciarniello@weschools.org

W-E REPRESENTATIVES TESTIFIED AGAINST HOUSE BILL 1 Click the link to the left to watch W-E Treasurer Nick Ciarniello and Board of Education Vice President Jaime Shatsman testify against House Bill 1. W-E testimony begins at the 53-minute mark.

Representative Daniel P. Troy 77 S. High St., Floor 10 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-466-7251

Senator Jerry C. Cirino Senate Building 1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor 034 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-644-7718 Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

DISTRICT INFORMATION

SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING GET HELP

www.safeschoolhelpline.com Download the free SSHL Mobile app

March 2023

www.weschools.org

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS W-E NURSE EDUCATOR NAMED NURSE’S TOUCH AWARD WINNER Congratulations to Gary Brack, MSN-Ed, RN, NE-BC, and professor at Willoughby-Eastlake’s Northern Career Institute, for being named a 2023 Nurse’s Touch Award winner by ATI Nursing Education. He was one of only four recipients from a pool of more than 60 of the highest-caliber nurses in the country.

The award celebrates educators who go above and beyond by demonstrating the qualities of professional communication, wellness/self-care, knowledge of nursing informatics/technology, and leadership/management.

Brack has more than 25 years of clinical practice experience. As a nursing instructor, he has designed and implemented numerous case studies, simulations, and classroom activities that allow students to examine evidence-based techniques that promote therapeutic communication and overcome sources of bias. He uses every opportunity to serve as a role model and educate students on the importance of developing personal leadership skills so they are inspired to positively impact their patients at the bedside, local, national, and world levels.

“Teaching is not just a job for me; it is a calling,” said Brack. “One of the things of which I am most proud in my teaching career is the connections I have made with my students. I believe when students feel connected to their teachers and their peers, they are more likely to take risks, persevere through challenges and achieve their goals. I’m humbled and honored to get to be part of it.”

Winners will be honored during an awards ceremony at the National Nurse Educator Summit in San Antonio, Texas, April 25-27.

LAKE COUNTY METROPARKS DELIVERS 100,000TH TREE TO LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY STUDENT Lake County Metroparks has been educating first graders about trees and their importance through the Trees for Wildlife program for the past 34 years. On March 23, they handed out their 100,000 tree seedling - to a Longfellow Elementary student no less! The student was also presented with a unique certificate commemorating the milestone.

The program covers topics like the food that trees produce, the risks of deforestation and the ways that trees benefit animals, humans and the natural environment. Students also enjoy hearing the program mascot, Woody the Tree, read them a story and leading them in a pledge to care for their tree.

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS BUS DRIVER HOSTS EGGCELLENT EGG HUNT FOR STUDENTS We are so thankful for our bus drivers, who get our kids to and from school safely each day. Alice Jackson, driver for bus #71, recently showed her love of her elementary passengers through an egg hunt!

She organized baskets for all students that included toys and candy, filled eggs to scatter around Squire’s Castle, and provided a popcorn and juice refreshment. She did not ask for money or donations and said she simply wanted to show how much she enjoys working with her students and their families.

Ms. Mormino, a participant that day and science teacher at Willoughby South High School, said, “Ms. Jackson definitely went above and beyond her call of duty as a bus driver. It was an unbelievable experience filled with many happy kids and parents.”

EASTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY FOR GOOD CAUSE More than 100 sixth through eighth grade students from Eastlake Middle School put on their dancing shoes April 15 when they cut a rug from noon until midnight at the 13th Annual Autism Awareness Dance-a-Thon.

This is the first year for the event since the pandemic, and everyone was thrilled for its return, especially W-E’s Autism Intervention Specialist Angela Minichello, who runs the dance-a-thon with fellow Intervention Specialist Ellen Murfey. “Everyone comes together — the students who are dancing, past students who return, individual donors sponsoring the dancers, and businesses in the community that donate,” said Minichello.

Since the event’s inception, students, who each pledged to raise $75 this year, and community members, have raised more than $131,000 to benefit local autism awareness and research programs. This year, recipients included Share a Vision, the Miracle League, Footprint Center for Autism and Kent State University’s Career and Community Studies Program.

Families with firsthand experience with autism also shared their stories of perseverance throughout the event to help students build understanding and a sense of empathy, an important component of the event.

April 2023

www.weschools.org

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL TOP 11 STUDENTS Congratulations to the 2022-2023 top seniors at South High! This year there was a tie resulting in 11, instead of 10, top students.

Students were recognized at the April Board of Education monthly meeting.

In alphabetical order: Marco Bortnik Tallula Burns Brianna Campbell Megan Carroll Seamus Garry Emma McCue Vyas Pai Kathryn Rupnow (not pictured) James Saracene Christina Stanich Morgan Staska

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE SIGNINGS South High School Congratulations to these student-athletes for committing to further their academic and athletic careers at the next level!

Jason Panich Thiel College Football Alex Azre Marietta College Football

Tommy Funk Wittenberg University Football

Colin Quinlan Baldwin Wallace University Football

Tyrone Singleton Baldwin Wallace University Football Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

SCHOOL VIEWS SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Girls Flag Football Team improved to 8-2 on the season and has qualified for the playoffs

The softball team played in the Ripken tournament over spring break

NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

AP biology students help Willowick Middle 6th graders with their first frog dissection Students enjoyed the summer time temperatures this month during outdoor Ranger Recess

NORTHERN CAREER INSTITUTE

These amazing students passed their written and skills tests and are now STNAs

Students participate in a sensory lab in Medical Assisting

SCHOOL VIEWS WILLOUGHBY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students help the PTO gather donations for a fundraiser

Willoughby athletes run to the finish line

WILLOWICK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Elec Simon was a guest motivational speaker for an assembly put on by the PTSO. Students became energized by Elec and his contagious spirit through music and uplifting encouragement. Elec is an event Emcee/Entertainer and touring musician. He also is a part of the Cleveland Cavaliers entertainment team. Elec tours with the world-famous Pieces of a Dream jazz ensemble, and is a ten-year veteran of wowing audiences in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway show Stomp.

SCHOOL VIEWS THOMAS JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Staff welcome incoming kindergarten students at KIDS First Night event

GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students attend their USA Skates skating party

LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students are engaged with a STEM project

Students had a blast at the skating party

SCHOOL VIEWS SCHOOL OF INNOVATION

Fourth grade students present their biography tea projects Students created their own bubble wands

Students took a trip to the Cleveland Orchestra

WILLOUGHBY-EASTLAKE PRESCHOOL

Preschool students enjoy receiving their book and stuffed bunny from South High School students, as part of the annual "Book & a Bunny" program

ALUMNI & COMMUNITY INFORMATION NORTH & SOUTH ALUMNI GROUPS Click the links below to follow the pages and stay up-to-date on the exciting developments regarding each group.

North HS Alumni Association Website North HS Alumni Association Facebook Page

South HS Alumni Association Website South HS Alumni Association Facebook Page

COSMETOLOGY SALON OPEN TO PUBLIC The NCI Willoughby Cosmetology Clinic is open for business! All students are supervised by Mrs. Conti, our licensed Cosmetology Instructor. Please call 440-602-5140 for an appointment.

Clinic Schedule Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Services Include: Haircuts Blow Dry & Style Manicures Pedicures

Facials Perms Hair Color Highlights

Call for your next appointment!

(440) 602-5140

COMMUNITY CORNER Willoughby-Eastlake Schools serves seven communities: Eastlake, Lakeline, Timberlake, Waite Hill, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills and Willowick. Many of these communities have recreation departments and senior centers that offer multiple events, classes and activities for students and their families. You can find their websites here and become active in your community!

EASTLAKE Recreation Leagues Senior Center

VILLAGE OF TIMBERLAKE

Willoughby

WILLOUGHBY HILLS

Website

Recreation Department Senior Center

*Lakeline does not have a website.

Recreation Department Senior Center

WAITE HILL Website

WILLOWICK Recreation Department Senior Center

ATTENDANCE NUMBERS Please be sure to report your student's absence.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Edison Elementary School

(440) 283-2176

Grant Elementary School

(440) 283-4085

Jefferson Elementary School

(440) 283-2177

Longfellow Elementary School

(440) 283-4086

Royalview Elementary School

(440) 283-2179

School of Innovation

(440) 283-2149

MIDDLE SCHOOLS Eastlake Middle School

(440) 283-4084

School of Innovation

(440) 283-2149

Willoughby Middle School

(440) 283-2182

Willowick Middle School

(440) 283-2183

HIGH SCHOOLS North High School

(440) 283-2178

South High School

(440) 283-2180

NCI Eastlake

(440) 283-4087

NCI Willoughby

(440) 283-4088 Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

Important Info & Updates Questions?

Email us anytime at PR@weschools.org

DISTRICT CALENDAR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR DISTRICT MASTER CALENDAR - allows you to filter calendar events by school and dates, print and export the calendar for transfer to electronic device W-E Tip! Check your school's website for any additional events by the school or parent/booster organizations.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION? Do you have a question about the Willoughby-Eastlake School District and you are not sure who to ask?

STEP 1: Go to the source of your question.

Classroom related - contact your child's teacher Building related - contact your building administrator W-E Website - our website has lots of great information Not sure? Contact the Board of Education Office at (440) 946-5000 or email pr@weschools.org and someone will be happy to assist you.

CONNECT WITH US

Teach - Learn - Grow Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools - 35353 Curtis Blvd. - Eastlake, OH 44095