Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools
Community Update INSIDE:
• KIDS FIRST NIGHT • SOUTH HIGH ACADEC • PROJECT UPDATES May 2018
A Message From Your Superintendent The 2017 - 2018 school year has come to opportunities that they would not a close and I would like to thank everyone otherwise have. who supported our students throughout It is a privilege to work with all of you and the year. to serve the students of WilloughbyThank you to our staff; you each play an Eastlake City Schools. integral role in student success. Whether Since our last Community Update, our you work daily to create and teach voters passed our levy renewal, Issue 2. engaging lessons, support classroom The support shown by the community on instruction, make warm meals, bring this issue is greatly appreciated. Thank students safely to our doorstep each day, you voters for securing district funds to clean their classrooms and keep our support classroom instruction. buildings safe, warm and dry, or offer assistance in our offices, clinics or Our district continues to place students elsewhere on our campuses, you are each first, ensure quality instruction and responsible for the student achievements maximize time on task. It is with this laser focus that we Improve Student in our schools. Achievement. Thank you to our parents, family members and community members, who I hope that you enjoy this month’s help our students to arrive each day, Community Update. ready to learn. You show your support each time you attend school events, assist Superintendent with homework, ensure that your children Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools have the necessary tools to complete (440) 975 - 3757 daily lessons and support our staff in their Steve Thompson quest to educate your children. Finally, I would like to thank our community partners. Your collaboration with our schools gives our students
North High Beam Signing
May 2018
Opportunities for Students & Families KIDS First Night The district held its second annual KIDS First Night events and they were a huge success. More than 170 incoming kindergarten students and their families, for a total of 500 people, attended the events on two different nights. In order to allow our littlest learners the experience of going through a cafeteria line, students and their families enjoyed dinner served by Chartwells. Following dinner, there were nine learning stations at which Willoughby-Eastlake teachers taught the children and their families how to play learning games so that they could practice pre-kindergarten skills during the summer months. Each incoming kindergarten student went home with the nine games and school supplies to use during the summer. A special thank you to the Royalview and Edison administrators and staff for hosting the programs, to Chartwells for providing the meals, and to Petermann Transportation for providing the bus at Edison for the students to explore. The event was partially funded by a Title IV federal grant and was organized by Alison Ciferno, Gifted/ Title I Coordinator, and the Curriculum Department. “I would like to extend a special thank you to Melissa Arezone, Kathleen Callitsis, Sandy Cardile, Alison Ciferno, Linda Davidson, Shannon Davis, Jill Deitrick, Diane Dittoe, Lisa George, Connie Heckman, Caitlin Iacobucci, Georgina Koh, Susanne Lane, Sherry Langer, Darci Mateosky, Shannon Metrick, Jeri Mismas, Amanda Neumann, Amanda O'Donnell, Chelsea Poropat, Maria Prayner, Camille Ritt, Missy Rodia, Betsy Sankovich, McKenzie Snyder, Tracy Stapleton, Michele Stitts, Rose Vitullo and Corrie White for their assistance with the planning and execution of this family involvement program. Without their assistance, opportunities such as this would not be possible,� Steve Thompson, Superintendent, Willoughby-Eastlake Schools
Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update
A Message From Your Treasurer Answers to Our Community What is House Bill 920?
Bill Parkinson Treasurer/CFO Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools
School districts in Ohio are funded by a combination of federal, state and local funds. The amount of funding from the state to each district is determined by the State of Ohio, through an arduous process and is not the same for every district. Local taxes used to fund school districts are voted on by voters, and in the Willoughby-Eastlake district, these taxes are paid by property owners.
assessed in the original year of the assessment. As the value of your property increases, property taxes voted on for school levies will not increase. Simply put, House Bill 920 assures tax payers that the taxes voted on for the school district will remain at a constant level, and if the district is in need of additional funding, they will have to seek voter approval.
In 1976, the Ohio legislature passed House Bill 920, a statute which froze property taxes in the amount they were
What is an Emergency Levy? There are several types of tax levies used to fund schools and one type is an emergency operating levy. Levies generate money to pay the district’s operating costs, such as salaries, utilities and supplies purchased for classroom use. An emergency operating levy is a tax levy that is voted on for a specific dollar amount over a specific amount of time. Because the levies are for a specific amount of time, they must be placed on the ballot and renewed in
order for the funding to continue to support the district. Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools is funded by multiple emergency operating levies and therefore, the district is on the ballot for renewals on a regular basis. When passed, these renewals do not increase taxes and collect the same amount of money they generated when originally passed. LEVIES ARE FOR LEARNING
What is a Bond Issue? A bond issue is a tax levy, also used to fund schools. Bond issues must be voted on by the community and passed in order to collect revenue for the district. By law, funds collected by a bond issue can be used only for capital costs such as building construction, renovations and vehicle and equipment purchases.
BONDS ARE FOR BUILDINGS May 2018
In 2015, the voters passed a bond issue that is currently being used for the construction of new school buildings and renovations and repairs to existing buildings in WilloughbyEastlake.
Willoughby-Eastlake
Jefferson Reading Buddies Celebrating 19 years
Since 1999, the Reading Buddies Program at Jefferson Elementary has played an important role in improving student achievement. During the 2017 - 2018 school year, thirty-five volunteers were able to assist forty-five students. Each week, the visits made by the reading buddies are highly anticipated by both students and volunteers. At the close of the school day, students in grades second through fourth meet with their grownup buddy to read. The volunteers, many of whom are retired senior citizens, help students build fluency and comprehension skills, while building a lasting friendship. Rosie Hixenbaugh and Jackie Poling have volunteered to run the program for nineteen years and continue to do so because of the significant gains made by students. In recent years Kim Nicoletti and Kim Taylor have also come on board to assist with the program. Third grader, Brandon Littlejohn stated, �This is the best thing I have ever done. I made a friend for life!�
Thank you reading buddies! Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update
Willoughby-Eastlake Across the District
Willowick Middle School students participated in the Beauty and the Beast. It was a great musical!
North High School students participated in Project Opiate and presented to students at Eastlake Middle School.
NCI student, Markus DePompei, was honored as a senior student of the year by the Rotarians. May 2018
Willoughby Middle students met with their Breckenridge pen pals.
Royalview Elementary had a great celebration featuring their fifth grade graduates.
Mr. Heising’s Edison Elementary students studied life cycles and raised baby chicks.
NCI Eastlake was recognized as a 2017 - 2018 Cleveland Clinic Banner School! Students in the Willoughby-Eastlake Preschool celebrated their graduation.
Longfellow students finished the year thanking their volunteers. Eastlake Middle School hosted their first annual art show!
Grant students participated in their annual talent show. Students from the School of Innovation finished some great projects in the Fab Lab! Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update
Project Updates At Longfellow Elementary School the plumbing rough-ins have been completed in several areas and the gymnasium steel is in place. The gymnasium trusses have been put in place and the decking will soon begin in this area and in the kitchen. The door frames have also arrived and work will begin on them immediately. When looking into the building, it is now possible to see the beginnings of the walls! At North High School, the work on the auditorium and gymnasium is showing significant progress. The masons have begun working in these areas and the brick veneer continues to be placed on the surfaces. The steel for the kitchen area is scheduled to arrive next week and will be set as it arrives.
SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL possible to see the building taking shape. This summer, the renovations will be completed in the science areas of the existing South High School. The tie in and renovations will enable this area to be utilized by the high school science department once the new school has opened. All construction remains on time and on budget.
LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL At South High, the paving and concrete work near the stadium will begin this week and during that time, construction traffic will be temporarily diverted from the Euclid Avenue entrance to Shankland Road. This change will last approximately two weeks. The steel framing for the front of the high school is in place and when visiting, it is May 2018
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
South High School
ACADEMIC DECATHLON National Competition Success The Willoughby South Academic Decathlon team, comprised of Jarrett Evans, Catherine Johnston and Kiara Clark, scholastic students Gigi Crockett-Tomasio, Brianna Clark and MacKenzie Mramor and varsity students Marion Musgrave, Lee O'Deens and Sophia Madge competed in the national AcaDec competition in Frisco, Texas. The team was joined by independents Zack Burton, Elliott Yoon and Callena Speros who helped drill the starting team with last minute facts and volunteered as speech timers for the competition. To prepare for the event, the students had been studying seven substantive subjects and performing in speech, interview and essay for the past ten months, culminating in the honor of representing their state. Subjects revolve around the theme of Africa this year exploring the art, music and South would finish 5th in Division 4 and 19th overall out of 70 history of Earth's second largest continent. teams. Jarrett Evans and Catherine Johnston had the highest scores on the team while five medals were won by the The speech and interview events opened the competition, team. Gold medals were secured by Gigi Crockett-Tomasio followed on the second day with objective testing, where and Marion Musgrave in music and art while Kiara Clark students were given 50 question tests to finish in half an hour captured a silver medal in art. Lee O'Deens was the only each. The art portion was taken online leaving economics, multiple medal winner with a silver in math and a bronze in music, math, social science, language-literature and science economics. for a grueling three hours. The South High team and the other 69 teams competing finished these portions of the The young men and women of the AcaDec team are to be competition and prepared for the more audience-friendly congratulated for their hard work and grit representing their portion of the competition: Superquiz. school and state at this national event.
Congratulations Laker Artists Avril Linowski and Liv Erickson won first and second place in the Lake County, Fair Housing Poster Contest Congratulations Students!
Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY, LIAM PIOTROWSKI, A W-E SUCCESS STORY Liam Piotrowski began learning to play the fife when he was seven years old with the Jack McDonough Fife and Drum Corps and, from there, was quickly drawn to the beat of the bass drum.
part of many other community activities. His family credits his successes largely to being included with his peers, which they state, is possible at school because of the supports provided by the district and the great teachers and staff who want to see him succeed. Congratulations Liam! You are a great success story!
The undertaking of learning to play “Inclusion in school and the community is important to help musical instruments at this young age individuals reach their full potential, and learning about diversity was remarkable in and of itself, is enriching for others as well,” Mrs. Bridget Piotrowski. however; in addition to the challenge of his youth, Liam is afflicted by William syndrome, a genetic condition characterized by multiple medical complications including cardiovascular disease, mild to moderate learning disabilities and unique personality characteristics With the help of his parents and brother, who also attends Willoughby-Eastlake Schools, Liam has participated in the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade for several years and also enjoys being a
Liam and his brother, Owen, at a Walk for Williams Syndrome.
ABOUT THE DISTRICT Maintaining District Properties 13 SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT 275 ACRES OF LAND 17 EMPLOYEES MAINTAIN OUTDOOR PROPERTIES AND CONDUCT INDOOR REPAIRS
175 ACRES OF GRASS ARE MOWED 1.23 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF BUILDINGS ARE CLEANED AND PREPARED BY 48 CUSTODIANS
May 2018
Save the Date
Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!
North senior, Sean Dowhan was awarded the Ohio Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship from The Ohio State University. This merit scholarship covers the full cost of attendance and is only awarded to two students in each Ohio county. Sean plans to study mechanical engineering.
South High student, Luke Marino, scored a perfect 36 on his ACT, received 5s on all AP exams and is a National Merit Scholar. Luke plans to attend Georgia Tech.
Congratulations to the top ten students from South High who were recently honored at the Board of Education meeting! Best of luck to you next year!
Congratulations to the top ten students from North High who were recently honored at the Board of Education meeting! Best of luck to you next year!
Congratulations South High graduates! Congratulations North High graduates!
May 2018
Congratulations North High graduates!
Congratulations South High graduates!
Congratulations South High graduates!
Congratulations North High graduates!
Congratulations South High graduates! Congratulations North High graduates! Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update
Important Updates Find itW-E on Schools our website... You can register for the 2018 - 2019 school year online using Power School. Click here >>>
OUR MISSION D A T E S
T O
R E M E M B E R
IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
June 3
North High Marching Band - Willowick Parade
August 16
First Day of School
August 20
First Day for Kindergarten Students
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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Teach - Learn - Grow Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools - 37047 Ridge Road - Willoughby, OH 44094