Community Update January 2020

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

INSIDE: • STRONG LIKE A GIRL • CHRISTMAS WITH BLUE • HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

January 2020

A Message From Your Superintendent The first half of the 2019 - 2020 school year has come to an end.

Thank you parents, students and staff for your unending support. Because of this dedication, our schools are the cornerstone of the community and our students experience successes each and every day.

difference in the lives of your children. The ability to make that difference in the lives of today’s young people creates a positive tomorrow.

Our district continues to place students first, ensure quality instruction and maximize time on task. It is with this laser focus that we strive to Improve Student Achievement.

I hope that you enjoy the Community Update.

Superintendent Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools (440) 975 - 3757

Steve Thompson

The failure of our November levy has been difficult for everyone in our district. Whether you are a student, staff member, parent or community member you have most likely experienced some type of impact. Since that time, we have experienced incredible support from our community. I would like to express a sincere thank you to everyone that has come together to overcome our current challenges. With this support, we will move forward to our March election and resolve the financial hardships of the district.

On behalf of Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools, I would like to thank our families for allowing the district to make a

January 2020

Business Academy students, Jovianne Henderson and Jocelyn Barth introduced their boutique at the farmer’s market in Shaker Square.

Students from NCI Willoughby participated in the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge at Cleveland State University.

Grant Elementary Outreach Strong Like a Girl At Grant Elementary School, the district family liaison, Amanda Bromelmeier, worked to obtain a grant through the Emerging Leaders of United Way of Lake County which enabled students to participate in meaningful, leadership activities.

The program is designed to be a “catalyst for change in the lives of Lake County youth through leadership, advocacy, knowledge and education in order to facilitate positive behaviors that will create tomorrow’s leaders.” (United Way Emerging Leaders) Activities that would facilitate leadership skills took place over a six week period in which thirty fifth-grade girls from Grant were able to participate. The activities, such as lessons in yoga, Zumba, and self-defense were intended to help the girls improve self-awareness and empower these young women to reinforce the importance of positive decisions in their lives.

One of the young ladies that participated in the program, Jemirah Shockley stated, “Through the young leaders I learned that you are strong, no matter what gender you are. This helped me to be less isolated. I used to spend less time talking to people and now I feel more comfortable speaking with others.”

As a culminating event, the girls that participated in the series were given personal items such as a “We were very excited to be able to provide this experience for our pair of shoes, t-shirts and book bags. students. The grant given to us by the United Way of Lake County gave us the ability to reinforce the importance of their decisions and how they will affect their future.

I would like to thank our family liaison, Amanda Bromelmier, for making this possible.”

Michael Samber, Principal Grant Elementary School

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

A Message From Your Treasurer Questions From the Community In this community update, Mr. Parkinson, the Willoughby-Eastlake Treasurer, will answer two of the recent questions from community members regarding school funding.

Question: What is House Bill 305?

Bill Parkinson Treasurer/CFO Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

currently in the discussion phase in the House Finance Committee. Once finalized, the proposed bill must be approved by the committee and sent to the Ohio Senate for passage. The proposed bill can be changed at any time or it can be rejected by any of the legislative bodies.

Answer: House Bill 305 was introduced by Ohio Representatives Robert Cupp and Unfortunately, if passed as it currently John Patterson. The bill was introduced in stands, the district would continue to opan attempt to address the inequities in erate in extreme deficits.

Ohio school funding.

To learn more about House Bill 305 click In order to obtain the most current infor- here: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/ mation, we sought advice from Barbara legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133 Shaner, OASBO (the Ohio Association of -HB-305 School Business Officials) Advocacy Question: Where can I find financial Specialist. We were able to obtain the information for Willoughby-Eastlake most recent numbers but, Mrs. Shaner Schools? did caution, “Keep in mind that there will likely be further changes to the bill before Answer: Each month, the financial reports it is adopted, so districts cannot be are posted on the district website. If you assured these projections will be use the link below, you can find the Fiveaccurate.”

Year Forecast along with the monthly Currently, if the proposed bill passes as it financial reports which include current is written, the district would receive an expenditures and revenue. increase in funding of $1,237,634 in fiscal You can find this information here: year 2019-2020 and $1,362,138 in fiscal Willoughby-Eastlake Treasurer’s Page year 2020-2021.

The proposed bill is

Thanksgiving Feast Edison Elementary School

January 2020

Christmas with Blue

Making the Season Bright Students at Royalview Elementary had an opportunity to build new relationships while having the good fortune to engage in a day filled with fun, food and shopping.

With the assistance of local businesses, members of the Willowick Police Department donated resources that enabled more than a dozen students to shop for their families. Once they finished the afternoon of shopping, the students moved to the Willowick Community Center where they had dinner and received assistance wrapping their gifts.

“I am proud to work with such dedicated police officers. Our officers plan this event throughout the course of the year so that they can bring the holiday spirit to the children and families in our community.

We are very fortunate to have such a giving and kind group of people serving our city.�

Mayor Rich Regovich

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

Willoughby-Eastlake Across the District

South High students enjoy the opening of the CafĂŠ at Union Village.

Each month, students from NCI Willoughby assist our community to feed others through End 68 Hours of Hunger.

Willowick Middle School students visited Royalview students to spread Christmas cheer!

January 2020

NCI Eastlake students hosted Opportunity Night for incoming parents and students.

Willoughby Middle hosted their annual Career Day.

Students at the School of Innovation collaborated with the Cleveland Police to provide stockings for 300 children.

Royalview students celebrated their DARE graduation.

The Willoughby-Eastlake Preschool students received a new stocking and a story!

Progressive Insurance joined our Grant students to help them learn about risk vs. reward.

Edison students participated in the annual “Fun Run.�

Willoughby-Eastlake Staff members helped our families in need.

North High students visited Washington, D.C. for first-hand learning about American history.

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

How & When Will You Hear from Us? When Willoughby-Eastlake has news to send, we will follow the timeline below.

District families and the community will always be informed as soon as possible.

January 2020

Snow Day? How Does W-E Decide?

WHAT FACTORS DO WE CONSIDER? When inclement weather or loss of utilities impacts the District, we make the decision whether to close schools based upon a careful analysis of all relevant factors including: •

Amount of accumulated snow and ice

•

Whether precipitation is expected to continue throughout the day

•

Temperature and wind chill (minus 15 degrees or colder)

•

Impact on our bus fleet

•

Weather predictions from satellite systems, local radar, National Weather and NOAA Weather Radio

•

The timing of the storm

•

Building conditions such as whether there is electricity and/or heat, our ability to clear parking lots of snow and ice

PROCESS FOR CLOSING The determination as to whether school is closed begins at approximately 4:00 a.m.

The Operations Supervisor and the Department of Transportation evaluate the weather and road safety by driving various roads in the District. All individuals consult with District snow crews and form an assessment. The assessment is reported to the superintendent, along with reports from other area schools and any law enforcement officials they have contacted. The superintendent reviews all of the reports and generally makes the decision to close school between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m.

HOW ARE PARENTS/STUDENTS INFORMED? •

Twitter - follow @Thompson_WESup or @WESchools

•

Phone Call*

•

Email*

•

Facebook * You must sign up with School Messenger to receive messages

AS ALWAYS….

If you believe it is not safe for your child to be in the weather, please call the school and report them as absent. Their absence will be excused if you have reported their absence for the day.

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

Willoughby-Eastlake Across the District

The students in the South High anatomy class have created their own skeletons.

At Eastlake Middle School, Faith won the 2 point perspective cake design competition.

Santa paid a special visit to Longfellow.

Success Academy students are creating art from recyclable materials.

January 2020

Jefferson Java is up and running! The Jaguars are successful entrepreneurs!

This beautiful work of art is being completed at South High.

Our NCI students shared their holiday cheer in this year’s musical celebration!

Willowick Middle School shared their spirit!

The North High library is in great shape thanks to the assistance of these great aides!

Willoughby Middle School students worked in teams to create interactive Minute to Win It challenges!

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

Record Breaking Swimmers Congratulations to the North Ranger swim team members, Elizabeth Regovich, Sally Dempsey, Camryn Adams and Annalisa DiCerce.

At the Viking Invitational at Cleveland State University, these swimmers set a new school record of 3:57.94 in the 400 yard freestyle relay.

You can see the Rangers on January 4th in their next meet at Spire Institute.

Good luck swimmers!

Eastlake North Swimmers

PBIS DISTRICT AWARD Ohio Department of Education

Willoughby-Eastlake has been named one of eleven districts in the State of Ohio as a recipient of the 2019 District Wide Implementation Award for its participation and implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

This award demonstrates extraordinary leadership of implementation efforts, creative problem solving and innovative strategies within the district.

2019 Ohio PBIS Recognition Awards Edison Elementary

Bronze Award

Grant Elementary

Silver Award

Jefferson Elementary

Bronze Award

Willowick Middle

Bronze Award

Longfellow Elementary

Silver Award

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools

District Award

January 2020

Royalview students enjoyed lunch with the principal as a recent positive incentive!

“We are proud to receive the 2019 District Wide Implementation Award for the state. Commitment to PBIS improves our school environments and gives all students a sense of belonging. Our staff members are to be commended for their tireless efforts and dedication to PBIS,�

Superintendent, Steve Thompson

Willoughby-Eastlake Distinguished Alumni

Honoring Our Legacies Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Foundation has chosen two outstanding honorees to be added to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. This year, the honor went to Chief Warrant Officer Four, Dana Dennis and Stipe Miocic, UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Dana Dennis, a 1988 graduate of South High School served in the United States Army for twenty-eight years. During this time, his accomplishments included six years of overseas service and fifteen years of service in the 82nd Airborne Division, He was awarded numerous awards and badges including four Bronze Star Medals, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, and the Army Superior Unit Award.

After a long and celebrated career in the United States Army, Dana retired from the military to enjoy spending time with his two children, Taylor and Tyson and his wife Tandra.

Stipe Miocic, a 2000 graduate of North High School defended and again won the UFC Heavyweight Championship title. Included in his many victories, he has earned the most consecutive UFC Heavyweight Championship defenses (3), was awarded “Performance of the Night” five times, “Fight of the Night” three times and “Knockout of the Night” one time.

After graduation from North High School, Stipe was an NCAA Division I wrestler at Cleveland State University and a Golden Gloves boxing champion.

In addition to his career in mixed martial arts, Stipe serves as a firefighterparamedic.

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

Important Updates You can us on YouTube...

W-Efind Schools The district often posts videos of our current events on YouTube. If you would like to view our latest update, you can find it here….. Click here >>>

OUR MISSION D A T E S

T O

R E M E M B E R

IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

January 15

Skating Party, Grant Elementary School

January 17

Professional Development - No School North & South High - Classes in Session

January 22

Family Bingo Night, Edison Elementary School

This is not an inclusive list of all events during the upcoming month. For a more complete list, please check our district calendar or follow us on Facebook. Facebook is now being updated to include weekly events.

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