School News

The Job Corps Regional Director, Walt Hall, and William Houston, Cleveland Job Corps Center Director, welcomed seven emerging business leaders from Portuguese-speaking African nations on September 18th. The visitors met with representatives of the Cleveland Job Corps to learn about workforce development programs. This international group is part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program and is being hosted by the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, a local nonprofit that aims to bridge the gap between the local and international communities. 

When the International Guests arrived at Cleveland Job Corps Center they were greeted by the Cleveland Job Corps Center’s Student Ambassadors, and then escorted to the Conference Room. Mr. Houston greeted the visitors, introduced his staff, and went on to explain that Job Corps is a no-cost education and career training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps trainees ranging in age from 16 – 24 improve the quality of their lives through career, technical and academic training. Mr. Houston continued to explain the programs and showcase the Student Leaders' vocational training program and other offerings.

Date:      Opponent:                     Location:         Time:            Result:

08/30      Garfield Heights             Home               7:00 pm         49-6     Loss

09/06      Madison                         Away               7:00 pm         53-0     Loss

09/13      St. Francis de Sales        Away               7:00 pm         41-14   Loss

09/19     Young                              Away               7:00 pm         30-8    Win

09/28     John Marshall                   Away               12:00 pm       42-6    Loss

10/05     Lincoln West                    Away               12:00 pm       ____    ____

10/11     John Hay                           Home               7:00 pm        ____    ____

10/18    Glenville                            Home               7:00 pm        ____    ____

10/25    John F. Kennedy                Home               3:00 pm       ____     ____

11/01    John Adams                       Home                3:00 pm      ____     ____

LaTonya Johnson, or Coach J, is Collinwood High School's new physical education teacher and our volleyball coach. She has been coaching volleyball for Collinwood since 1996. Not only does she coach volleyball but she has also coached basketball and track. Other than Collinwood she has coached for Patrick Henry and Wilson.

Coach J has been teaching physical education for sixteen years at a few different schools such as Memorial, Patrick Henry and Wilson. She is a graduate from Collinwood High School where she was an outstanding athlete participating in sports such as volleyball, track and field and basketball.

I am looking forward to a successful season with Coach J and the rest of my fellow teammates, the Lady Railroaders!

Over the summer I was involved in a program by College Now called Early Action. Early Action is a two week program for rising seniors who wanted to improve their ACT test scores. We took classes at Cleveland State University involving subjects from the test. We also took pre- and post- tests to see what we needed to work on and how much we improved. The advisors worked with students in groups and individually.

ACT coursework isn’t the only thing we worked on. We also started the college application process and figuring out colleges we were interested in. We had the opportunity to visit and tour colleges like Ohio State University, College of Wooster, Pittsburgh University, Carnegie Mellon, and Duquesne.

The ACT prep courses and application processes were informative; the college visits were amazing, and on top of all that we got paid to do it!  I definitely recommend next year's program to any students.

Leon Catney is a senior at Collinwood High School.

CollINwood

Ever wonder of the origin of the Collinwood High School symbol seen above?

Did you know that each Army JROTC Unit is required to design its own “shoulder sleeve insignia,” and that this insignia must be approved by The Institute of Heraldry (TIOH)?

In 1995 Major Jenks and a group of cadets submitted this patch to The Institute of Heraldry and it was approved for wear on the Green Army JROTC left sleeve. There is a subdued version that is to be worn on the field or ACU uniform that the cadets wear at their summer leadership camp.

On July 1, 2013 there was a "Meet and Greet" held at Collinwood High School for the school's parents, staff and students to meet and converse with one another. The new principals and the new building administrator started off the night by introducing themselves and declaring their roles at Collinwood. There was a performance by the school's band and high-steppers. There were also refreshments and snacks served at the event. Although Ms. Nickerson, Mr. Schiebelhood and Mrs. Carlson were there, I was only able to speak briefly with Mr. Schiebelhod and Ms. Nickerson to ask them a few questions.

The St. Vitus Adult Slovenian School is beginning its 2013-2014 Slovenian language classes on September 14, 2013.

Classes are scheduled on two Saturdays each month from 9:15 to 11:45 a.m. and will continue through May 24, 2014.  Location is at St. Martin de Porres High School (formerly St. Vitus School), 6111 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland.

Three levels are taught –

• BEGINNING – New material from Slovenia with emphasis on everyday conversation.  Textbook is up-to-date.
• INTERMEDIATE – for students who have some knowledge of the language.  Continuation from the beginning class using a newly published textbook. Continued conversation
• ADVANCED – for those who have a speaking knowledge of Slovenian and would like to have further knowledge in reading and writing.  Lessons include textbook study along with general information about customs and culture of Slovenia.

Tuition is $50.00 per semester.  Textbooks are purchased separately from the instructor.

For information call Lillian at 216.289.7253 or Majda at 440.255.1178 or email Lillian at elcenta@sbcglobal.net.

Submitted by Lillian Centa, Director

elcenta@sbcglobal.net

216.289.7253

Almost ninety years of rich Railroader history is about to come alive in a year-long 21st century interdisciplinary learning project at Collinwood High School, in partnership with the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County (ESC). 

Under the leadership of media specialist Gail Greenberg, in collaboration with Dr. Regennia Willams, Associate Professor of History at Cleveland State University, technical consultant Michael Rotman, and ESC coordinator, Nadine Grimm, students will have the opportunity to think historically –  locating, organizing, researching and digitizing images from the school’s extensive archives. Students will also interview alumni, family and Collinwood community members to create and preserve oral histories of their neighborhood and school. All of these print, electronic and digital resources will become part of an online database and Collinwood High School history website.  

If you or someone you know would like to participate or assist with this project, contact Gail Greenberg at Gail.Greenberg@clevelandmetroschools.org. Your support is welcome and appreciated.

Gail Greenberg is the library media specialist at Collinwood High School.

Big changes are underway at Collinwood High School as a result of its selection for the first round of CMSD's Investment School strategy.   

One click on the home page of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District's new website gives visitors a glimpse of a District that is making good on its promise to deliver top to bottom reform.

With portals to CMSD's transforming schools and aggressive reform initiatives, the new website is one of many ways the District is working to help Cleveland families to "See and Feel the Difference," at CMSD.

Front and center on the new site, ClevelandMetroSchools.org prominently features the District's portfolio strategy, the heart of the The Cleveland Plan.

It's anything but 'business as usual' at CMSD, and one of the most important features of the user-friendly site is the portals where families and prospective residents can explore the growing number of high-performing school choices available to students.

"In a choice District like Cleveland, families need as much information as we can provide to help them make smart, informed decisions about selecting the right fit for their child's skills, needs and interests," says CEO Eric Gordon.

Seats are available now in three of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s highest performing schools, including three New Technology Academies—the only high schools of their kind in Ohio.

“New Tech isn’t like any other high school,” says graduating senior Jerald Goins. “I want other students to know that New Tech’s technology-based learning program helps students achieve and also to succeed in life.”

That goal is possible, says Goins, when you combine the latest technology with top-notch teachers and a dedicated principal—a winning combination at New Tech East, located at East Tech High School, where project-based learning keeps students engaged in a 21st century school environment.

New Tech East Principal Ryan Durr is hoping students throughout Cleveland will take advantage of CMSD’s New Tech Academy, and he is encouraging parents to choose New Tech East to put their children on a fast track to success.

“I enjoy demonstrating to parents and students what a 21st-century education looks like,” said Durr, whose students have replaced textbooks with iPads and other academic technologies and whose teachers were hand-picked for their knowledge and dedication to the New Technology curriculum.  “Parents are surprised to learn students don’t have to be computer whizzes when they get here. Everything they need, we can teach them.”

I've started a column called "From Our Voices" to represent youth in Collinwood. The first submission is from Cayla Napoleon and she's going to be a junior this upcoming 2013-2014 school year. I asked her about her experience at Collinwood and how she felt about the transformation in the CMSD.

"My experience at Collinwood has been better than most. I am a PSEOP (Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program) student which has also been a great experience for me. The teachers I have at Collinwood really do teach and challenge me to do my best. I feel my teachers really connect with me. A lot of the students there want to do better and want to learn which is a plus.

I feel that the transformation for our school will be worse than it is now. The last time the District had a "transformation plan" the CMSD changed for the worst. Taking away the teachers that really teach, replacing them with those that cannot teach, and leaving all the teachers that do not teach is a horrible way to transform our District.

I feel that District officials should ask the children to select their teachers rather than CMSD selecting them because we know how we learn best-- we know better than someone who has never stepped a foot into our schools, homes, and personal lives."

This year's first-place trophy for the "Read, Baby, Read" Vocabulary Competition was awarded to the 5th grade class at New Day Academy (NDA), thanks, in part, to Shamon Walker, the class representative. The annual competition, sponsored by The Cultural Exchange, took place across 20 schools throughout the Cleveland area all who had hopes of winning the esteemed Andrew A. Venible trophy, named after the former Director of Cleveland Public Library. This year's competition was held on May 28th in the auditorium of Nottingham Library to a cheering crowd of students and faculty.

The recognition provides testimony to NDA’s motto: "All children are entitled to a world-class education." Standing firm in this belief is the proud faculty member who guided her 5th grade class to victory, Nicola Zammit. “Shamon and students from 20 other schools around the Cleveland area competed in the vocabulary challenge…and Shamon won it all!” she said.

New Day Academy, a K-12 school located in Euclid, was founded in 2004 by Terrance Walton. Walton, former Principal of Hope Academy, founded NDA on the premise that all children should be afforded the sort of esteemed, college preparatory education that was once reserved for the affluent few. Integrating rigorous academics with a nurturing character-development curriculum, New Day Academy inspires and empowers its students to discover their potential in 4 key areas: Leadership, Service to Community, Character Development, and Multiculturalism.

VASJ was fortunate to have Sr. Susan Durkin, OSU, the President of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, visit the school on May 9 to speak to the students.

In her address to an all-school assembly, Sr. Susan brought to life the Ursuline charisms that VASJ students learn about all year long.

Sr. Joan Petersen, OSU, led the school in prayer before introducing Sr. Susan Durkin, who was elected President of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland in 2012.

"Sr. Susan has been blessed with a unique gift," Sr. Joan said. "Her ability to relate to people of all ages and all backgrounds is outstanding."

"You are our legacy," Sr. Susan said. "You are our champions as Ursulines and Marianists."

A group of VASJ students have once again honored local veterans for Memorial Day by decorating graves with American flags at All Souls Cemetery.

VASJ math teacher Gary Minadeo ’74, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, has been taking a group of students to All Souls for the last few years for this worthy tradition.

Duane Gibson Jr. ’13, VASJ’s point guard who helped lead the team to its fifth basketball state championship in March, was named the Plain Dealer’s Boys Basketball Player of the year for 2013.

Gibson, who also represented the school in the North-South All Star game played in Columbus in April, will go on to play Division I basketball at the University of Evansville.

Gibson, as well as his senior teammates Patrick Mastalski and Demonte Flannigan, proved to be a great leader for the team, both on and off the court. He attributes this success to his coach.

"Coach thought I had potential to be a leader," Gibson said of Vikings basketball coach Babe Kwasniak ’94. "He just wanted me to bring it out in myself."

Other team members from VASJ to receive special mention were sophomores Carlton Bragg and Brian Parker, and senior Demonte Flannigan, who will go on to play Division I basketball at Cleveland State.

At the Baccalaureate ceremonies for the Class of 2013, I was struck by thoughts of the thousands of assemblies, games and other functions that have taken place in the same very gym since our building was built in 1950.

I told the graduates that as they joined the ranks of our alumni, they now shared a special bond not only with their classmates but all of us who are graduates of Villa Angela Academy, St. Joseph High School and VASJ.

From this point forward, we are members of one family. And the Viking Village will always be our home.

Scanning the gym, I saw myself as a student at dances, assemblies, basketball games and school plays. I saw memorable teachers such as Tim Robertson, Joe Farrell, Joe Radican, Jack Veasey, Frank Macuga, Gene Oberst, Mike O’Grady and so many others as they enjoyed the functions as much as we did.

I thought of rallies and games where legendary coaches such as Bill Gutbrod, Bernie Guilfoyle, Jim McDonough, Tedd Kwasniak, Bob Straub and Mike Moran shouted encouragement and made our spirits soar. Longtime coach John Storey still does that for us at football games.

For the second year in a row, 100 percent of VASJ’s graduating seniors are heading to college. In addition to this amazing accomplishment, the Class of 2013 earned over $3.4 million in college scholarships!

During the Baccalaureate service held on Friday, May 24, VASJ President Richard Osborne ’69 provided the opening remarks and addressed the graduates.

"In your time among us, the Class of 2013 has shown itself to be a class with class," Osborne said.

"Academically, spiritually and athletically, you are champions in every sense of the word."

The twenty-third annual commencement ceremony was held on Sunday, May 26, at Ss. Robert and William Church and the graduates couldn’t have asked for better weather on their special day.

Valedictorian Julia Humensky, Salutatorian Domenic Nicholas, Jazmine Dowdley and Jasmine Ross were elected by their class to serve as the senior speakers at graduation.

In his biography from his freshman year performance of Godspell, Josh Duke ’13 expressed his hope to someday play the role of Aladdin before graduating. With one month remaining until he receives his diploma, Duke’s dream became a reality.

VASJ’s drama club gave four wonderful performances of Disney’s Aladdin Jr. in front of nearly 500 people, including a dress rehearsal for elementary schools SS. Robert and William and St. Jerome.

A lot of positive feedback was received after the performances and many stated it was one of the best performances they have seen at VASJ in quite some time. The credit goes to the hardworking cast and crew, including a group of seven seniors who wanted to ensure that their last performance on the VASJ stage was their best yet. And it was.

The students weren’t the only ones who shined on the stage. Principal David Csank, President Richard Osborne ’69, math teacher Gary Minadeo ’74 and teacher Chuck Martinko also made guest appearances during the show.

English teacher Mrs. Kristen Scharfeld, Director of Advancement Mary Paxton and Director of Communications Emily Robinson, directed the show.

As is the case with most VASJ activities, the spring musical was clearly a labor of love for all those involved.

Some of my colleagues conned me into making a cameo appearance in our recent student musical production, Aladdin Jr. Principal Dave Csank, as well as teachers Gary Minadeo and Chuck Martinko, were fellow reluctant thespians.

Oh, OK. Not that reluctant. The truth is, each of us got a big kick out of our assignments to play bachelor princes. How much the audience enjoyed our performances, of course, may be another story altogether.
Standing backstage before the curtain was raised, I was struck again with a sense of déjà vu. I had a bit part in the student musical Carousel on the very same stage in 1969.

I also was an understudy for one of the lead roles and, back then, the understudies played the leads for one performance. My singing ability was and is such that, for the understudy performance, my character’s songs were cut.

There also was a scene in which I was to walk across the stage as I carried a girl over my shoulder. As my knees collapsed and I struggled to move, the poor young lady became my unwilling partner in an unplanned slapstick routine.

I bring all of this up because it reminded me how the high school experience involves so much more than simply what takes place in the classroom. Whether it is drama, athletics, Student Council or any of the other endless activities our students engage in after hours, extracurriculars bring value – not to mention a great deal of fun – that can’t be graded on a scale of A, B and C.

More than 40 alums and community members, along with the entire student body, gathered in the gym on April 17 for VASJ’s career fair. Careers ranging from law enforcement to engineering, and everything in between, were represented. Students were able to visit the tables of their interests and ask questions about the various professions.

The purpose of the bicycle safety program was to teach people that accidents can happen to anybody. Senator Voinovich was at O.H. Perry School watching a performance by the 5th and 6th grade gifted students. Their performance was both entertaining and informative.                                            

During the play the students gave information about the hazards of not wearing a helmet. They also performed an entertaining story about a girl who didn’t think she needed a helmet and bright clothes. At the end of the play the students made up a rap that was so good that it may be turned into a music video.                                            

After the play Senator Voinovich  gave a speech about his experiences of bicycle safety. He said that when he was bicycling with his wife she fell and would have died if she wasn’t wearing her helmet. Voinovich said that the play was an educational and enjoyable experience.                 

The members of the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) came up to the stage. They told the students that no matter what object you were using, bicycles, scooters, or skates, you needed to wear a helmet. At the conclusion to the program, they gave everybody a free helmet which was incredibly generous. This program will be remembered for a long time.                                                             

When I say safety, you say first - (safety) (first) x2

When riding a bicycle please be smart, safety first, right from the start

Don’t ride your bike on a busy street (safety) and don’t ride your bike while you’re trying to eat (safety)

Sit on your bike put your helmet on tight signal left signal right,

Stop, look, listen when you’re sitting on your bike and when you’re driving safe you’re doing alright (safety)

Adults have to wear helmets, too (safety) It’s the necessary thing to do (safety) Protect your head to protect your brain (safety) Put your helmet on and don’t complain (safety)

safety x4 FIRST!

“Going to Ginn Academy” by William Gore

In a school district that prides itself on offering school choices, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District has given residents of the North Collinwood neighborhood a very attractive choice in O.H. Perry Academy.

Perry, rated effective in the Ohio Department of Education Report Card, is one of the District’s “Gifted and Talented Programs, called the “Major Work Program” for boys and girls in Grades 2-6 and “Honors Program” for Grades 7 and 8.

Programs for gifted children date to October 1921 in Cleveland’s schools. Denison Elementary School was the first in the nation. Within six years, the program had grown to 14 elementary schools and two junior high schools.

By the 1950s, Cleveland educators had developed a gifted program for students from primary grades through high school.

Today, entrance into Major Works is based on a statewide assessment. Students must meet required test scores to be considered for the “Gifted” programming. 

At Perry, students in the Gifted Program benefit from the community partnerships that have blossomed around them. Those partners, including the unflagging support of former U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, contribute their expertise, and they help ensure Perry students face rigorous, enriching challenges.

My name is Tamera Harris and I will be a senior at Collinwood High School this upcoming 2013-2014 school year. I am also a part of a Post Secondary Enrollment Options program (PSEOP) called High Tech Academy where high school students in the CMSD take college courses at Cuyahoga Community College.

The sports or extracurricular activities that I have participated in are volleyball, a math competition, student council and a battle of the classes competition. At Tri-C I had volunteered to participate in a mentoring program for middle school students at St. Adalbert Catholic School but the program couldn't be completed.

Although Collinwood is an investment school it has played a big role in my success and achievements. There were many staff members who encouraged me to do better and who were very helpful in keeping me on the right path. Teachers have volunteered to help with any work that I was given from Tri-C that I was having trouble completing. My guidance counselor always made sure that things were going well for me and she kept me updated on new opportunities such as internships or programs that helped with tests like the ACT or the SAT.

Having Collinwood as an investment school may actually have a positive outcome as long as they are finding out from the students what it is they feel should be changed or isn't being done correctly. Cleveland's Plan for Transforming Schools is going to affect the students more than anyone, which means that their opinion is the most valuable.Instead of asking for our opinions in the form of a survey, the district should have employees come out to our school and talk to our students. I read that they were going to bring in new teachers and principals, retrain old teachers, give special attention to the schools' weak areas and require more classtime.

On May 9, 2013, O.H. Perry students attended a Bicycle Helmet Safety Program. Fifth and sixth grade Major Work students from Mrs. Brunecz’s class put on a play for the program.  Students entertained and informed the audience about bicycle safety. The play ended with a catchy rap that excited the students.

Senator Voinovich gave a speech about how important bicycle safety is. He told a story about how a helmet saved his wife’s life. The Senator also talked about a time when he was riding his bike in a parade. Everyone was yelling at him saying “Where is your helmet?” and “Wear your helmet.”

At the end of the program the representatives from the AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics said how important it was to wear a helmet. When they showed us how to wear a helmet, Nasir Jones, 6th grade Major Work student, was called up to model how you should and should not wear a helmet.  At the end of the program every student who attended received a free helmet.

I learned that about 300,000 kids go to the hospital a year just for head injuries. I also learned that if you don’t wear your helmet you could die.

This was a great program for students to learn more about bicycle safety.  I hope the message lasts for a long time.

Janna Jackson is in the 5th Grade at OH Perry.

Ultimately I will one day become a psychologist for groups, couples or youth.

By becoming any type of counselor you’ll never know what to expect out of your clients, all you can do is embrace them. I find myself being able to understand others' states of mind and ultimately, helping people break free from depression.

Nothing is more pleasing or makes me happier then to see others enjoy life to the fullest. God has a calling for me, I need to participate in changing the world, where there's not a single child being deprived of basic needs (a positive environment love, shelter, care and motivation).

I feel  obligated to change the world as much as possible. 

Desmond L Wilson Jr, A.K.A "Desz" is currently a Collinwood High School senior, soon to be a graduate come May 31st, 2013.

Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School President Richard Osborne ’69 recently returned from Zhöngshän, China, where he was part of a political and business delegation working to develop economic and educational ties between the City of Cleveland and the City of Zhöngshän.“My role was to represent VASJ and the Diocese of Cleveland in exploring potential educational opportunities for Chinese students here,” Osborne said. “For VASJ, the effort is particularly meaningful as an extension of our commitment to give our students multicultural learning experiences.”

A pilot program for Chinese students was inaugurated at St. Peter Chanel High School this year, he explained. The program will transfer to VASJ next year after Chanel closes in June.

Osborne anticipates that three or more students from the Zhöngshän region will enroll at VASJ in the fall. It is expected that the numbers will grow at VASJ and other high schools in the diocese in the future.

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District has launched a new website that will be the doorway for students, parents, teachers, employees, clergy, stakeholders, partners and everybody else in the community to explore all the new initiatives that will grow out of The Cleveland Plan.

And just as the transformation plan is cutting-edge, so is the District’s new website.

While the palette of colors remains unchanged, not much else has. The website sports a different name: ClevelandMetroSchools.org. The site comes with a more contemporary look, packed with new features -- all designed to make navigating the website friendlier for users.

We wanted to go       

we wanted to stay                                                                                            

with different directions                                                                                

to show on our stage                                                                             

with different perspectives                                                                            

for our minds to engage.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Chauffeur I’m ready come take me away                                                  

to a new destiny, a new gateway                                                                  

show me the light on all of these levels                                                      

show me the angels blocking the devils                                            

I’m ready to embark on this journey ahead                                               

give me the strength to carry ahead.                                                                                                                                                                                        

Paparazzi are taking pictures                                                                    

for those who aren’t here and those who are with us                                    

roll out the red carpet  for us to walk                                                

we’ll stop and pose and even talk                                                               

then when it’s over we’ll scream it                                                              

Class of 2013 and I mean it!

Chifaun Smiley will be a junior at Collinwood High School, where she is a member of the wrestling and track teams.              

The Collinwood Observer visted Memorial School a couple of weeks ago, to check in with the students and give them a chance to voice their opinions about issues that are important to them. Here is what some of them had to say:

“Sticking with the Dress Code” by Tarriana Kimbrough

Memorial School is a dress-code school. I think we should stick with dress code because if we didn’t, kids in gangs would be wearing their gang’s color. There would be many fights because people would be repping gangs.

We should also stick with the dress code because some people would probably be talked about because of the clothes they wear. Some people might gt picked on because they don’t have or can’t afford the clothes other kids wear.

So it’s better to have dress code and have all the kids wearing the same uniforms, than different ones, and supporting gang colors.

Representing CollinwoodHigh School, five students in Mrs. Teddy Mwonyoni’s child development class recently were awarded a $465 implementation grant at the Youth for Justice Summit in Columbus, sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education.   

The students – Nautica Bates, Dwayne McGowan, Rajiah Stuart, Legacy Simmons and Quashawn Walker – created a project, “Railroaders Against Teen Pregnancy:  Collinwood R.A.P.” that included research, a school survey and an action plan about the risks and consequences of teen pregnancy. Prior to the culminating event, held at the state capital, these young people were guests at John Carroll University, where they learned and observed how to give a presentation.

From their research, students learned that the rate of teen pregnancy in Cuyahoga County is higher than the whole state of Ohio! Results from the school survey showed that 98% of the students agreed that child development class is important for developing the need for parenting awareness.

Dr. Regennia Williams, Associate Professor of history at Cleveland State University and author of Cleveland, Ohio, recently presented a book talk and program celebrating the rich history of Cleveland’s African-American community to the “Collinwood Collaborative,” a group of Collinwood High School teachers and students, school district and community members.

Through Dr. Williams’ book (part of the Black America Series) – an archive of images from local newspapers, historical societies, and private collections of Cleveland residents – she and the group shared childhood memories and reminiscences of neighborhoods, churches, education, notable personalities, arts and culture. Participants represented not only a variety of generations but also special ties to our city.

CarolinePeak, manager of Cleveland Public Library’s Collinwood Branch, remembered her early years in her Mississippi home and the irony of how they impacted her chosen career. Shanita Horton, CHS English teacher, reflected on her parents and her childhood in the Glenville neighborhood. Coreyaun Robinson, CHS ninth grader, remarked that the photos gave him a new appreciation of the places his passes every day.

Collinwood Intro to Education students have partnered up with Memorial School kindergarten classes and Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland. Junior Achievement provides high school students the opportunity to explore the field of education through volunteering with the elementary students.

Two days a week, three students from Collinwood High School Teaching Professions Academy visit each kindergarten class for 30 minutes. During their visit the students present a lesson to the kindergarten students that are focused on basic economic issues and the roles people play as workers, consumers and family members.

The students have learned valuable lessons about money, banking, needs vs. wants, consumption, and production. In essence, for about 2 ½ hours of time, future teachers have the opportunity to develop presentation skills, learn effective time management, lesson planning and serve as positive role models.

Susan Watson is a Career Tech teacher at Collinwood High School.

Upon learning that members of the Cleveland Teachers overwhelming approved a new 3-year contract with the Board of Education, Board Chair Denise Link expressed her gratitude to both sides for reaching a ground-breaking agreement prior to the end of the school year. 

"This agreement will play a significant role in transforming Cleveland's schools and building on the culture of collaboration that has been so essential to our progress this year," said Link.  

The tentative agreement, came after months of contract talks using Interest Based Bargaining, the assistance of federal mediation services and a Fact Finder.  Both sides were committed to reaching a negotiated settlement prior to the end of the 2012-2013 school year, said CEO Eric Gordon. 

“The negotiating process and the outcome of these talks are a testament to the culture change that is already taking place in the District," said Gordon. "Reaching agreement in our contract negotiations before the end of the school year means that all of us can put our focus on where it needs to be--on fully implementing the Cleveland Plan."

Success breeds success at O.H. Perry Academy. Since achieving its ranking as the only CMSD K-8 school in the area to earn an EFFECTIVE rating on the Ohio Department of Education Report Card, O. H. Perry has become the place to be for accomplished students.

The 7th and 8th grade girls basketball team won the Erie Division Championship. The Girl Eagles soared through their second playoff appearance in two years completing a season of nine wins and one loss. Coach Wilburn anticipates that another good team will take the court next year.

Oliver H. Perry also offers the program for Gifted and Talented students for grades two through eight which continues to perform at a high level. One of the only Gifted and Talented programs in the area, it provides challenging material to students who are preparing for rigorous secondary and post-secondary education. “It is O.H. Perry’s focus on academics and social/emotional learning that makes our school a successful and positive educational environment," said principal Sofia Piperis. She cites the dedicated staff at O.H. Perry as one of the reasons students have been successful there.

Look for O.H. Perry students at the East 185th Street Parade on May 18th. The cheerleaders and drill team will be there, as well as the drum corp which seems to impress and entertain audiences wherever they perform. Oliver H. Perry is fortunate to have the support of Senator Voinovich as he helps to celebrate and encourage the students and staff year after year. Along with the annual “Molly Day” celebration that takes place every fall in the memory of Senator Voinovich’s daughter, Senator Voinovich will be featuring a Bike Safety day at O. H. Perry on May 9th. He and Mrs. Voinovich will meet with the students and give out 80 free bike helmets.

O.H. Perry is a proud member of the North Collinwood neighborhood and always welcomes community partnerships because our students benefit from the expertise of people in the community. If you can contribute to the education and accomplishments of our students please call the office. We look forward to meeting you.

On April 25, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Michelle Pierre-Farid joined CEO Eric Gordon in announcing the District’s selection of 13 “Investment Schools,” for the 2013-2014 school year. 

The CEO sent an email to all staff prior to making the announcement at a press conference held in the Administration Building auditorium, and sent separate emails to staff at Investment Schools informing them of the school’s selection.

The Cleveland Plan requires CMSD to improve student achievement for all of its lowest performing schools within six years, and to do so by identifying and selecting groups of “corrective action” schools to receive intensive resources and supports, the CEO said.

“We chose the term 'Investment Schools,' for the schools selected so that staff, students, families, and our neighborhood communities understand that we are directing resources, time, and personnel where they are needed to help every student succeed,” he said. “We also want families to know that, on every level, CMSD is investing in their child’s school.”

The rigorous process for selecting Investment Schools for Phase 1 involved an intensive review of student achievement data and an analysis of the District’s capacity to find the right supports for particular schools.

Saturday, April 20th was a big day for Collinwood High School, with members of the community invited to the school to share in the celebration of Earth Day with an Earth Day focused Art Fair, there were poetry readings, crafts, performances, tables-- including the Collinwood Observer's-- sharing their good news.

My name is Mya Morris and I am a sixth grade student at Memorial School located on East 152nd Street. I have been a student here for almost three years. One of the things I noticed when I enrolled was the Memorial Garden located in the front of the building. There was a big thing missing...FLOWERS! After awhile I finally approached the principal, Mrs. Rondo, and asked her if we could start a gardening club. She thought this was a good idea, but time got away from us.

This year when the 105th anniversary of the tragic Collinwood Fire was approaching she told me about a conversation she had with a community member, Ms. Daley, who knew of a group who had a desire to improve and revitalize the Garden. Mrs. Rondo told me to get a group of my classmates and friends together so we could be a part of the effort. My friend A'ja Stacy and I met with Mrs. Rondo and came up with a list of ideas of what we could do and what we would need to get the project going. We even thought of some possible fundraisers we could have at the school.

I had a chance to meet with the community group and they shared some of the rich history of Memorial School and the Garden and what they envisioned. There is a community meeting coming up on May 16th and I along with A'ja look forward to attending and seeing a new life for the Memorial School Garden in the near future! 

St. John Lutheran School is proud that it has, over the years, admitted students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies and admissions policies.

In April, the 7th grade students at Hannah Gibbons STEM School had a contest to decide whose catapult would launch the farthest. The objective was to apply the engineering design process to construct and test a catapult.

Students formed superhero teams to follow and complete a webquest, "The Evil Fire People Are Marching…Defend Your Castle." Through a strong interdisciplinary approach, balancing science with technology, engineering and math, they developed blueprints, measured 2x4s and used power tools to construct their team catapult. 

On launch day students had to track the trajectory and make modifications to get their best range. The winning team’s catapult launched an average of 35 feet. This first place team will be able to present their project at our school STEM Fair on May 9th at 6:00 pm and at the citywide STEAM Festival on May 18th at the Great Lakes Science Center from 10:00am -3:00pm.

 Leora Sullivan teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grade at Hannah Gibbons STEM School.

It feels like just yesterday I was a fourteen-year-old girl entering the door of high school, scared of the unknown. Now here I am a senior getting ready to graduate. Soon I’ll be starting a new chapter, leaving my life at Collinwood behind.

I remember my freshman year of high school, people saying don’t get consumed with everyone and stay focused on your main goals, so that’s what I did. When staying focused, I forgot to be myself, to let go sometimes and be a careless kid who lives in the moment. In ninth grade I was always quiet and reserved, observing everything that “high school has to offer.” I started to open up my sophomore year letting people in, making “friends,” and living in the moment and that got me average grades and a lot of unnecessary conversations and time wasted.

I had to find the line between focusing and still living in the moment and letting my hair down. I found out that it was a thin line that could easily be slipped on. I was determined to walk that fine line, and I did my junior year. I had to become more responsible and I became more able to distinguish the moments when I should be about business from the moments I was able to play and joke around. I started to understand the saying, “There is a time and a place for everything.”

Here I am, reminiscing on my years of high school, thinking of all my years and the different memories I have. I have experienced many feelings throughout my years of high school, such as being proud yet humble, feeling heart-broken, feeling like a nerd or feeling unstoppable and capable of anything. I remember the feelings of the first day of school and not knowing anyone and being nervous and shy; I also remember talking all class period and when you leave you notice you didn’t get anything done.

I now hear from people that I started talking sophomore year and I haven’t stopped talking yet. I don’t regret anything I’ve done or said, I just wish I would have become more social with my peers and seen what they had to offer me.

With the support of a federal grant to improve reading in grades K-3, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District has launched the Gateway to Successful Readers (GSR) program in 20 of its schools.

One of the strongest elements of the English Language Arts program is a strong parent component designed to extend the oral language and guided reading lessons taking place in the classrooms.

Chief Academic Officer Michelle Pierre-Farid said the monthly workshops provide fun and effective lessons and activities for parents to engage their children in reading at home and provide families with take-home books.

With nearly $750,000 in grant funds to promote the teaching of oral language in grades K-3, CMSD trained instructional coaches and teachers are well-equipped to meet their target goals to ensure that struggling readers and, specifically, students who are grade levels behind in their oral language acquisition, get the support they need.

CMSD parents can view their child’s school workshop schedule at cmsdnet.net, and register by calling the school principal.

A highlight of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s “Parent University,” is the addition of free bus trips to colleges, with a goal of helping families “see the future now” by touring colleges with their children.

Parents are encouraged to sign up for a limited number of seats on buses bound for colleges throughout Ohio to get a glimpse of their child’s life beyond graduation. Parent University includes previous favorites and new offerings that Tracy Hill, Executive Director of CMSD’s Office of Family & Community Engagement, says are designed to help parents educate children academically and emotionally and to help parents enhance their own parenting and life skills.

An April 20 full-day session of Parent University at John Adams will offer courses on parent empowerment, computer basics, career exploration, advocating for your child and urban farm diets, which are only a few of this semester’s offerings. Hill said she expects the Latino Parent Institute to be among this year’s favorite courses.

Free parent-centered workshops are in session from April 8 through May 31. Call the Family and Community Engagement Office at 216.858.0117 to register for Parent University, or register online at cmsdnet.net. Reserve your seat on the free College Bus Tour by calling 216.436.5369.

Early testing for kindergarten is one of the ways parents can ensure the best possible placement for their children in the coming school year.

Accelerated learners, or students who show signs of being gifted and talented at an early age, can learn through kindergarten testing whether they qualify for early admission to kindergarten.

A student whose 5th birthday falls between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 of the school year he or she plans on attending kindergarten is eligible for early testing. Students whose birthdays fall after December 31 with written referrals are also eligible. 

For additional information go to the CMSD website, cmsdnet.net, look for ENROLL TODAY and click on the link that says “Early Entrance Testing For Kindergarten Referral Form.”

On Wednesday March 27th 2013, the eighth grade students at Hannah Gibbons STEM launched rockets in our playground area. The objective for the students was to apply the engineering design process to construct, test and launch a water rocket using a real world problem solving simulation.

Teams of students formed rocket companies and completed a commercial endeavor to construct a rocket capable of lifting payloads into the earth’s orbit. Through a strong interdisciplinary approach, balancing science with technology, engineering and math, they developed a budget, purchased constructional materials and tracked expenditures while designing and constructing their rockets.

During this process students worked with Progressive Arts Alliance, who showed the students how to document their entire process. Students created a documentary video which will be shown at our STEM Fair and STEAM Festival in May.

On launch day students had to track the height of the rockets. The winning team's altitude was 39 meters. This team gets to launch their rocket again at the end of our STEM fair on May 9th at 7:45pm.

Sean Patton is the Principal at Hannah Gibbons STEM school in Collinwood.

Dr. Richard Ross, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, traveled to Cleveland on April 8 to announce his decision to waive the appointment of an Academic Distress Commission for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. 

At a news conference held at the CMSD Administration Building, CEO Eric Gordon joined Mayor Frank G. Jackson in expressing gratitude to the State Superintendent. In doing so, he acknowledged the many people across the city that created The Cleveland Plan that Ohio's Superintendent affirmed is the "Right Plan, Right Now" for Cleveland, and a model for school districts throughout the state.

The visit to Cleveland by representatives of the Ohio Department of Education gave CEO Eric Gordon an opportunity to share CMSD's progress in the last year, and the CEO described the 2012-2013 school year as anything but usual.

“This time last year, we knew that if we did not take serious action to improve our schools, we would face an Academic Distress Commission, a financial takeover, or both,” said Gordon. “Through the unprecedented efforts of people across the city, The Cleveland Plan legislation passed in Columbus with strict accountability measures that mirror any plan that would have been imposed by a Distress Commission. The difference is, the Plan for Transforming Cleveland’s Schools is our work, not the work of an outside commission.”

CSA bass player’s passion, drive leads to European tour with Youth Orchestra

Wesley Bacon, a senior and valedictorian at the Cleveland School of the Arts, spent last summer traveling and performing in Europe with the prestigious Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. He plans to let his musical talent take him a lot farther.

With the youth orchestra, Bacon, the group’s principal bassist, and other music students from the region performed in Prague, Vienna and Salzburg -- three European cities at the epicenter of classical music. It was Bacon’s first trip abroad.

Classical musicians don’t often come from urban schools, and Bacon might not have been an exception had he not run into Dianna Richardson, music director of CSA, when he was in seventh grade. Richardson taught the teenager the artistry of the double bass, an experience that led Bacon to a seat in the youth orchestra in the eighth grade, and to Europe to showcase his developing talent.

Through his music, Bacon says he has learned that passion and hard work are the tools every student needs to reach and surpass his life’s goals. CSA’s Wesley Bacon appears to have an ample supply of both. 

Two CSSM students admitted to Harvard

In time to celebrate with their families over spring break, two seniors at the Cleveland School of Science & Medicine at John Hay received their acceptance letters to Harvard University. Cyril Creque-Sarbinowski and Janae A. Hughes, both standouts at one of CMSD’s highest-performing schools, will attend the prestigious Ivy League school this fall and will be featured in the next edition of E-Communicator, as we join them in celebration of their accomplishment.

Celebrate Earth Day at Collinwood High School's Spring Art Show.

Student Art Work will be displayed and is for sale, $10 for each piece. There will be face-painting; crafts with an Earth Day theme; refreshments including a Chocolate Fountain; student performances; dancing; Earth Day vendors; community organizations and prom displays.

Come to Collinwood High School at 15210 St. Clair Avenue, on Saturday April 20 from 1 to 4pm to take part in the festivities.  Admission is FREE.