PERSPECTIVESVolume 5 • Issue 3 August 2014A Newsletter for the Residents of Painesville City Local School District

IT’S ALL ABOUT LEARNING

A Message from our Superintendent

It’s that time of year again! Let the countdown begin for the start of the 2014-2015 school year. It’s been a busy summer preparing and planning for August 18th when students will arrive ready to learn.

Our custodial staff has been working tirelessly to prepare the buildings for our students, teachers, and staff. The new school year at PCLS will bring new faces and changing spaces around the district. We have new programming to meet the challenges of educating today’s students.

Each elementary building will host a new space called a “Literacy Lab”. PCLS was awarded (one of only thirteen) a grant from the Ohio Department of Education’s Straight A Fund initiative. Our new state of the art literacy centers will focus on intense and prescriptive student intervention to ensure reading success for ALL students.

Harvey will launch the new Harvey Academy to better serve students who need credit recovery or seek educational options. Our program will allow students to take advantage of online programs with the support of a teacher while remaining enrolled as a PCLS student.

Heritage Middle School will see a newly revived media center. The redesigned space reflects how today’s students use technology with traditional print materials.

Red Raider Preschool will offer expanded services for students to include transportation and Spanish language support. Thanks to the Ohio Department of Education’s global programming, we will host a full time guest teacher from Spain to support our second language learners in their first language.

Our new Family Resource Center, located at Elm Street Elementary, will serve our entire school community. There will be an onsite family advocate coordinator who will guide and assist families with resources needed to make kids successful. This is a partnership with many community and government agencies for the exclusive benefit of Painesville City families.

Finally, the new school year requires YOUR help! The district will develop a strategic plan to guide us into the future. Please plan to attend a focus group or discussion as your input is paramount to our students’ success.

I look forward to an exciting and productive school year. Go Red Raiders!

Your partner in education, Mr. John T. Shepard Superintendent

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Family Resource Center opens at Elm Street Elementary

A new district Family Resource Center will open this fall at Elm Street Elementary School. The purpose of the center is to provide a central and convenient

point of contact for families to access multiple services to minimize barriers to student academic success. Such services include solutions and interventions to improve social, economic, behavioral and mental well being of our families.

It is understood that a basic level of overall wellness is necessary for children to engage and benefit from academic tasks. Among the barriers that hinder a child’s ability to learn are:

• Physical health (i.e., hunger and poor nutrition)• Mental health (i.e., depression and anxiety)• Exposure to trauma• Negative peer influences• Alcohol, tobacco, and/or drug use• Difficulties with concentration/attention• Behavioral barriers• Social-emotional barriers

While many agencies and services in Lake County exist to help families deal with the above array of difficulties, they are not always readily accessible to the families that need them. Awareness, language, and transportation are common barriers to connecting with needed services. The Family Resource Center provides a solution to minimize those barriers.

A key element of the center is a full time site coordinator that will work and network on behalf of our students and families. Working with school staff, the site coordinator will identify students at risk of under-performance and assess the student/family needs. If needed, the coordinator then calls in the appropriate community and healthcare organizations and healthcare providers and facilitates the delivery of needed services and resources contributing to success both inside and outside of the classroom.

A network of providers has committed to offer a wealth of resources and expertise to the project and to work together for the benefit of the students and families. The partners include:

Lake County Job and Family Services Catholic Charities Lake County Educational Service Center Lakeland Community College Salvation Army Lake County General Health District Lake County YMCA Lake/Geauga Head Start Lake County Chapter of the NAACP Lake County ADAMHS Board

While the program seeks to target students who are most at-risk, our resource center and site coordinator will be available to all of our district students and families. The center will provide a comfortable, safe space and a trusted individual that families can access whenever they want or need to, in a place where they feel welcomed and understood -- their child’s school.

Educational Foundation Awards Grants to Teachers

The Painesville City Schools Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the fall grant recipients for this year. Three grants totaling $3436.00 will be distributed to teachers at Heritage Middle School and Maple Elementary School. The Foundation gives an average of $8000 to teachers

each year to provide financial assistance for challenging, innovative academic projects for students in the Painesville City Local Schools. The following is a list of 2014-15 first semester grant recipients and the projects being funded.

Mark Yocum – Heritage Middle School Students Embrace S.T.E.M. through Robotics - $1346 S.T.E.M. - Students will build robotic machines that perform a guided task while blending learning from Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Each lesson will focus on learning objectives that relate to standards in all core subjects.

Sharon Fitzgerald and Marilyn Vihtelic – Heritage Middle School College Readiness Night for Parents and Students - $1765The Counseling Department of Heritage Middle School will be sponsoring a College and Career Readiness Night in the fall for all middle school students and their families. Experts in preparing students for college will be available to help parents support their children as they plan for their future. Small group sessions will include First in Family, OCIS, Financial Planning, Conversation Starters, College & Athletics, and Making College Connections.

Holly Foecking - Maple Elementary School Reading Program for Parents and Students -$325Beginning in the fall - one hour after school book club for thirty students in grades 4-5. The book chosen for the session will be Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein. Each week, the students will be assigned chapters to read, discuss the chapters and will be completing activities which involve solving a mystery within the book. Our readers can have fun solving clues and answering riddles while engaging readers in a fast-paced competition.

First DayAugust 18,

2014

WHAT’S INSIDE? RED RAIDER PRIDE!

IT’S ALL ABOUT LEARNING

Have You Moved Since Last year?

Painesville City Schools Transportation Department is finalizing the 2014-15 bus schedules and routes. The district is looking

to update information on children that live within school district boundaries. If your family has moved since last school year, or if there is any change that may affect transportation to and from school, please contact the Transportation Department at 392-5670.

Register For Kindergarten and Preschool Now!

Call Lori Skidmore at 392-5080 for information about Kindergarten and Preschool registration.

Attention Parents - School Bell ScheduleSchools Bell ScheduleHarvey High School 7:15 AM to 2:03 PMHeritage Middle School 8:00 AM to 2:30 PMElm Street Elementary School 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMMaple Elementary School 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMChestnut Elementary School 8:50 AM to 3:20 PM

Remember - Late arrival Tuesday bell schedule Students in all buildings will continue to have a 30-minute late arrival every Tuesday. The late arrival does not affect the dismissal times on Tuesdays. They will dismiss at their regular times each day.

Parent Teacher Conferences DatesHeritage Middle School – Sept. 17, Nov 19, Feb 12, April 30Harvey High School – Sept. 18, Nov. 20, Feb 5, April 16Elm Street Elementary – Oct 29, Nov 6, Jan 28, Feb 5, Chestnut and Maple Elem. – Oct 30, Nov 5, Jan. 20, Feb 4

2014

Aug. 18 First day for students

Sept. 1 Labor Day – NO SCHOOL

Oct. 17 NEOEA Day – NO SCHOOL

Nov. 4 Election Day – NO SCHOOLNov. 26 – 28 Thanksgiving Break – NO SCHOOL

Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 Winter Break – NO SCHOOL

2015

Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Day – NO SCHOOL

Feb. 16 Presidents’ Day – NO SCHOOL

Apr. 3 Good Friday – NO SCHOOLApr. 6 – 10 Spring Break – NO SCHOOL

May 22 NO SCHOOLMay 25 Memorial Day – NO SCHOOLMay 26 CommencementMay 28 Last day for Students

PAINESVILLE CITY LOCAL SCHOOLS 2014-15

DISTRICT CALENDARKEY DATES

Prepping for the New School Year

Healthy Snack Prep Class for Students

With funding through a special Smarter Lunch Grant, Karen Henschel provides and surprised a select group of Chestnut 4th and 5th grade students with a one hour Nutritious Snack cooking classes. Judi

Strauss, owner of The Charmed Kitchen, led the class; instructing students on how to make a healthy snack option using fruit, yogurt and homemade granola. She also pointed out the health benefits of eating healthy.

The students selected were rewarded for being leaders and modeling excellent behavior in their classes. The students enjoyed observing and participating in this unique opportunity and cooking experience.

Memorial Stadium Track Openfor Community Use

Painesville City School District is happy to provide opportunities for the Painesville community to utilize district facilities for exercise and recreation. However, in order to properly maintain these facilities,

access must be restricted at times.

The Jack Britt Memorial Stadium in Painesville Recreation Park is open for community use for “walkers/runners” from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday. All other times, the gates will be closed for public use unless there is a scheduled school event.

District Refinances Bonds – Saves Taxpayers Over $3.1 Million

In April, Painesville City School District refinanced the third and final portion of its outstanding School Construction Bonds issued in 2004. Taking advantage of historically low interest rates, the refinance of the

first portion in 2012 saved the taxpayers over $1 million. The second portion was refinanced in 2013 for an additional $1.245 million in savings. The third and final portion added nearly $900,000 bringing the total to over $3.1 million in saving for city taxpayers.

The original 2004 bonds were issued following the successful 2003 election which provided $31 million in funding for construction of the five new district schools. Although refinancing does not change the payoff date, the interest rate has been reduced significantly. The savings will go to taxpayers, in the form of reduced taxes collected to pay bond principal and interest.

District Honors 2014 Retirees

In May, the district honored our 2014 retirees at the annual Retirement Dinner Celebration. We thank the following

people for their many years of service to the district.

Central Office – Mrs. Debra Byrnes Central Office – Mr. Greg Towns Harvey High School – Mrs. Gloria Kolovich Heritage Middle School – Mrs. Lorette Franceschini Chestnut Elementary School – Mrs. Judy Kerver Red Raider Preschool – Ms. Jan Scott

We wish all our retiring employees good health and happiness in their retirement and thank them for their service to the district and our community.

WHAT’S INSIDE? RED RAIDER PRIDE!

IT’S ALL ABOUT LEARNING

Golf Coach Request Leads to Generous Gift from Random Benefactor

Harvey High School Golf Coach, Scott Cummings, is always looking for ways to inspire and help his young golfers within the confines of a modest golf team budget. This spring, our innovative coach contacted

the creator of The Purdy Grip Analyzer hoping to get a price break on the popular golf training device. Coach Cummings’ request was received by Mr. Purdy and he in turn posted it on his Facebook page. Thanks to the wonders of social media, the post was read by Mr. David Nocar from Millersville, Maryland who offered to purchase The Purdy Grip Analyzer for the Harvey High School Golf Team.

Mr. Nocar is not from this area and has no link to Painesville or Harvey High School students other than an interest in helping student athletes. It would seem there are no boundaries when it comes to random gifts of kindness for our students.

Coach Scott Cummings, the Board of Education and Harvey High School staff and students are very grateful to Mr. Nocar for his generosity and selfless act of kindness and thank him for his donation to our golf team. The Purdy Grip Analyzer will be used by many student golfers for years to come.

Harvey’s ECity Team Wins Top Two Spotsin Cleveland Competition

Brandon McClain, a junior at T.W. Harvey High School and CEO of B Kind Cards, was named winner of the 2014 ECity Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition. Brandon was supported by his ECity mentors,

Tom Szabo, owner of A Thomas Image and Linda Reed, Executive Director of Painesville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brandon’s cards feature original photographs of landmarks, nature, and historical locations and artifacts around the Greater Cleveland area. He believes that in the age of technology, a handwritten note to a friend, family member, or colleague is a classic and truly personal way to make someone feel special. Brandon plans to network and partner with other local photographers to showcase their work on his cards.

As the first prize winner of ECity, Brandon received $1,000 from Ernst & Young to fund growth of his business and a trip to the national NFTE competition this fall, where he will compete to win $25,000.

Teammate, Byron Alston, a senior at Thomas W. Harvey High School and CEO of Jazzy Scarves took second place at the competition, winning $500. His mentors, Emily Kaduk from Kent State University and Vaughn Johnson from Painesville City Credit Union, were also there to support him in the competition.

The Harvey High School ECity Program is a collaborative effort with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio. HHS Business Teacher, Nell Rapport and BBBS Director, Tim Kehres, coordinate the program and recruit mentors for the students. The program is designed to empower today’s youth to be responsible for their own economic future by teaching entrepreneurship and life skills.

Get Smart Tutoring ProgramVolunteers Wanted

Are you age 55 or older? If so, we have awesome volunteer opportunities for you. The Painesville City School District children can really use your knowledge and enthusiasm for

learning. RSVP of Lake County is looking for people like you to spend a few hours a week in their schools. We have opportunities at all grade levels from 1-8, starting in September (during school hours and after school). If you can spare a little time to help improve childhood literacy, please call the RSVP office at 440-269-3015.

Harvey High School FBLA Team Named Best in State

The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team returned from the Ohio Leadership Conference laden with an unprecedented number

of awards and twenty three students who qualified for nationals. In addition, Harvey High School FBLA chapter was awarded the Gold Seal Chapter of Merit Award, signifying it as the top chapter in the state.

This is the first time the Harvey chapter has won this prestigious award. The Gold Seal Chapter award is presented to the top chapter in the State and signifies it as one of the top 15% of FBLA chapters in the nation.

FBLA Nationals News

The 23 students that attended the national conference did an outstanding job performing their personal best in their competitions. At the conclusion of the preliminary round, the team of Adam Joyner and Andy Abate advanced to the finals in Website Design, and Myles Hammond advanced in Job Interview. The final round consisted of the top 15 from a field of over 100 competitors in each event! Ultimately, sophomore, Myles Hammond excelled in Job Interview and captured 7th place in the nation.

The Harvey High School FBLA Chapter is under the direction of Harvey Business Teacher, Nell Rapport, and Pat Brown, Executive Assistant to the President of Avery Dennison. Special thanks and recognition goes out to Avery Dennison for their support of the FBLA Team and the mentors who worked with the students all year preparing them for their competitive events.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT – WE NEED YOU !!!

Parent Summit Mark Your Calendars Now

Wednesday, October 15ELD Parent Summit - Thursday, October 16th

The purpose of the Painesville Parent Summit is to find ways to maximize parent engagement in the education of our kids, and to identify what our schools can do to

communicate effectively with families.

We cannot improve our community and schools without a trusting and productive relationship between our schools and families. Please do whatever it takes to be able to participate in this important conversation about how we can build this relationship. This is an important step in our journey to revitalize our community and our schools!

Community Invited to “Raider Roundtable” Series

In May, the Board of Education held the first in a series of meetings intended to provide opportunities for open discussions about our schools and the education process. The public engagement initiative of ongoing

community meetings is known as the “Raider Roundtable”.

The purpose of these meetings includes:• Creating an atmosphere of openness and dialog with the community.• Seeking opportunities for residents to play a role in the education of

our students. • Developing ways to collaborate on complex challenges facing our

schools. • Providing the community with a view into the School Board decision

making process.

The forum is open and informal and is scheduled bi-monthly on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7 PM – located in alternating school library/media centers. The Raider Roundtable will be held on the following dates and locations.

August 28 at Elm Street Elementary School October 23 at Heritage Middle School January 22 at Harvey High School March 26 at Maple Elementary School May 28 at Chestnut Elementary School

On behalf of the entire Board of Education, thank you in advance for your willingness to participate and for your support of students in the Painesville City Schools. We value your perspective and look forward to having productive, informed conversations as we work to improve our district.

Non-ProfitOrganization

U.S. Postage PaidPainesville, OhioPermit No. 575

Postal CustomerPainesville, Ohio 44077

HONESTY • CARING • RESPECT • RESPONSIBILITY

Painesville City Local Schools58 Jefferson StreetPainesville, Ohio 44077

Board of EducationMr. Steven J. Costell, President

Mr. Charles W. Tackett, Vice-President

Mr. James E. DillardMr. Jeffrey C. Powers Ms. Kathleen Powers-Dolney

Mr. John T. Shepard Superintendent

Ms. Sherri Samac Treasurer/CFO

(440) 392-5060Visit Our Website At:

www.pcls.net

CITY LOCAL SCHOOLS

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Engaging All Students TodayFor Tomorrow’s World

In June, each member of the Class of 2014 stepped off the stage, diploma in hand, and raised their eyes to acknowledge parents, staff

and friends there to wish them well and congratulate them on their success. Many were moved by the ceremony, no doubt reflecting on the past four years at Harvey High School and uncertain of what the future would hold.

This coming fall, 75% of the graduates will attend two or four-year college or technical schools. Four percent of our graduates will join the military and 21% plan to enter the workforce. All are anxious and ready for the experiences awaiting them beyond the halls of Harvey High School. Congratulations and best wished to the Class of 2014. We will miss you all!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR VALEDICTORIANSSamantha Ambris, Julia Herendeen, Cruz Flores Villanueva, Kenan Irish, Maria Rodriguez Aguilera, Martin Grice & Tyler Derby

CONGRATULATIONS TO 2014 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTSRed Raider Booster Tony Cimaglio Scholarship – Martin GriceHarvey High Class of 1965 Scholarship – Martin GriceHarvey High Class of 1961 Scholarship – Julia HerendeenDavid Merriam Award – Martin Grice & Constance Wainwright John Toan Award – Kenan Irish & Hasell Reynoso ArredondoRev. John Davis Scholarship – Kenan IrishLogan J. Repko Memorial Scholarship

Samantha Ambris & Martin GriceNatalie Hessler Sportsmanship Award – Elizabeth StangeDick Beeler Award – Lavell MorganArmy Reserve National Scholar Athlete – Vee Sealey & Ashalyn LawyerU.S. Marine Corps – Scholastic Excellence – Martin GriceU.S. Marine Corps – Distinguished Athlete

Maxwell Grundy & Kailey NelsonPhillip J. Garofalo Scholarship – Julia HerendeenPCTA Joe McSteen Scholarship – Samantha Ambris & Martin GriceNAACP Scholarship – Felisha Bibb, Janay Beamer, Hannah Britton & Martin Grice

Medical Mutual Award – Cruz Flores VillanuevaOAPSE Scholarship – Samantha Ambris & Kenan IrishEdward C. Powers Social Justice Award

La’Shown Harris & Martin GriceRed Raider Booster Club Athlete of the Year

Alonzo Turner & Elizabeth StangeCharles R. Elmer Scholarship – Yoanna Rodriguez, Joshua Rice,

La’ Shown Harris, Martin Grice, Samantha Ambris, Kenan Irish,Rodolfo Hernandez Reynoso, Kyle Pillar, Elizabeth Stange, Janay Beamer, Fernando Mendoza Pacheco, Maria Camarillo, Christopher Williams, Julia Herendeen & Constance Wainwright

National Honor Society – Samantha Ambris, Halle Bedyzk, Hannah Britton, Julia Herendeen, Kenan Irish, Ashalyn Lawyer, Shafon Mason, Kailey Nelson, Maria Rodriguez Aguilera, Ashea Saunders, Elizabeth Stange & Anna Zawlinski

Red Raider Booster Club Athlete of the YearAlonzo Turner & Elizabeth Stange

Community Service Awards – Byron Alston, Samantha Ambris,Jonathan Basham, Halle Bedzyk, Hannah Britton, Maria Camarillo, Nicholas Fellows, Cruz Flores Villanueva, Martin Grice, Anthony Hall, La’Shown Harris, Julia Herendeen, Ashalyn Lawyer, Shafon Mason, Kailey Nelson, Jayro Pacheco Mendoza, Lucia Padilla, Oscar Palomino Becerra, Luis Ramos, Hasell Reynoso Arredondo, Edward Rhodes, Ana Roa, Demitrius Robinson, Yoanna Rodriguez, Ashea Saunders, Elizabeth Stange, Markell Stokes, Yesenia Torres, Xavier Walker, Christopher Williams, Karla Zermeno Rodriguez

Attendance Chord AwardsAlex Dickison, Martin Grice, Deondre Martin, Joshua Rice & Samantha Ambris – 4 Yrs. No Absences!

Phi Beta Kappa Award - Samantha AmbrisDiploma with Honors – Samantha Ambris, Martin Grice,

Julia Herendeen, Ashalyn Lawyer, Jayro Pacheco Mendoza,Maria Rodriguez Aguilera & Elizabeth Stange

Harvey High School congratulates 16 students who are attending five different summer business programs this summer. Thanks to business teacher, Nell Rapport, and Avery Dennison employees who assisted with

the application process, and to the Burton D. Morgan Foundation for paying the programming fees, these student will have exciting learning experiences on college campuses all over the country.

Learning About Business (LAB) – Lake Erie College Weeklong hands-on free-enterprise program exposes students to all aspects of the business world including forming a virtual global company, developing a management team and structure, creating and executing a business plan that includes production, marketing, and sales goals.

Molly Anderson - Heather Maltbie - Erica WintersThanks to Rich Previty of Avery Dennison for helping with the application process.

Ohio Business Week (OBW) – Ohio Dominican UniversityStudents have the opportunity to experience college life, explore entrepreneurship, and learn about all facets of business in a way unmatched in the high school setting.

Bonita Williams - Hunter Roberts - Courtney ShawBrooklyn Jones - Andy Abate

Thanks to Rick Nieman and Pat Brown of Avery Dennison for helping with the application process.

Sixteen Harvey Students to Attend Five Elite Summer Business Programs

Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP-Ohio) – The Ohio State University , Fisher College of Business

The program provides opportunities for students to explore careers in accounting and business while spending a week on a college campus.

Sierra Johnson - Brianna Ayala RodriguezThanks to India Jackson of Avery Dennison for helping with the application process.

Hiram Entrepreneurship Academy, Learn to Launch – Hiram CollegeStudents learn skills needed to help develop new ideas and business concepts, including opportunity recognition, market analysis, start-up financials, and personal, professional and leadership development.

Ryan Hyde - Myles HammondThanks to Ken Schwartz and Josh Barnard of Avery Dennison for helping with the application process.

Economics for LeadersGives promising students the skills to be more effective leaders and teaches them how to employ economic analysis when considering difficult public policy choices.

Cornell University -Vanesa GalvanDuke University - Dayzhia BecksUniversity of California at Berkeley - David FloresUniversity of Chicago - Joey Orosz

Thanks to Rich Previty of Avery Dennison for helping with the application process. Special thanks to Avery Dennison for sponsoring the transportation costs to all four Economics for Leaders programs!

Thomas W. Harvey High School Class of 2014