News You Can Use (Or Where To Find It)

Formerly found under the “AROUND TOWN” section of the ASSET CORNER column, included here is summary information about upcoming programs, services, events & opportunities offered primarily by local non-profit organizations having a youth, health and/or safety focus. Contact information and/or web site addresses (URL’s) will be referenced, if available.

O  The District’s grant funded program, CBS Connects will continue career focused activities & opportunities for our students into the new year. Offerings will include mentor luncheons at the high school & middle school levels, field trips, an increase in the number of internship opportunities, and college/career fairs. Check out their web site for more information: www.cbsconnects.org.

The companion program to CBS Connects, is through College Now of Greater Cleveland called GEAR UP.  Services available for 7th through 12th graders include early college awareness, college visits, career readiness & exploration, enrichment programs, high school planning plus a host of others. Parents should visit www.collegenowgc.org for more information a/o contact our local GEAR UP Site Director, Deanna Jarvis at 440.886.7622, email: djarvis@collegenowgc.org. This is a unique and particularly valuable service offered by our District, one that parents need to be aware of.

Bringing national recognition to our school district and community, I’m pleased to announce that Zahraa Al Ribeawi, a senior at Parma Sr. H.S. has been selected to the Ambassador Leadership Program by the National Society of High Schools Scholars - www.nshss.org. A role model to peers and others, Zahraa was selected for this prestigious award out of hundreds of applicants for demonstrating strong academic, achievement and a commitment to community service. Having the pleasure of working with Zahraa on several committees I can attest to the fact that this recognition is indeed, well deserved.

Teaming up with our MyCom Tri-City Youth Council, SOZA Fitness & Wellness will be hosting MYCOM MOVES, a FREE Yoga & Zumba pop-up event from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Open to all ages, this community event will take place at Anthony Zielinski Park Pavilion (near the Splash Pad), 7920 Ridgewood Dr.
  >>  The next MyCom Tri-city Youth Planning Council FAMILY NIGHT will take place beginning at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, October 18th, at Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 6330 Ridge Rd. It’s part of the LOGOS Family Night, open to the whole community & features a free meal, a presentation on the MyCom initiative and an Ohio Guidestone speaker on the topic of Social Media. Contact the church to make reservations 440.885.1360, email: church@rumc-parma.com

Considering the recent spate of riots & natural disasters taking place, either of these two web sites may help equip you to support kids in these tough situations: www.grievingstudents.org and/or www.fema.gov/children-and-disasters.

Child & Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County, a new partner of the Parma Family Collaborative, is seeking volunteers for their Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for Youth program. Briefly stated, the organization recruits, screens, trains, and supports volunteers who act as independent fact-finders for the court in cases involving child abuse and neglect.  If you're interested in becoming a CASA rep, call 216.443.3377 or visit www.cfadvocates.org to apply. While there, click on the “Heroes’ Hop At Hingetown” to learn about their fundraiser coming up on November 9th.

O  Tri-C Western Campus will be hosting a FREE Halloween Extravaganza from 2 – 4:00 pm on Saturday, Oct, 28th. Bring your kids (costumes encouraged) to the Liberal Arts B Atrium for an afternoon of candy, games, crafts & learning activities. A canned or packaged good for donation to the Tri-C student food bank would be appreciated. Contact Jen Skop at jennifer.skop@tri-c.edu  or 216.987.5039 w/questions.

O  If your organization has a safety focus or component of any kind & you’re looking for programs, information or material visit: http://www.injurypreventioncenter.com/. The initiative is a service of University Hospitals Rainbow & Children’s Hospital with the Rainbow Injury Prevention Center working with local, state and national legislators to advance the health and safety of children and families. Their web site contains a host of links to information and resources of all kinds. It’s well worth a visit. Also, membership in the coalition is Free to anyone wishing to volunteer to promote safety in NE Ohio.  Meetings are bi-monthly, generally the first Tuesday of the month @ 10:00 am at changing locations across the county.  Questions or requests for more info can be directed to Cyndee Bratz @ 440-888-8889 or cyndeebratz@aol.com.

O  The Parma Branch library still has slots available for their Maker Mondays Club program, for Gr. 5 – 8, from 4 to 5:00 pm Program is funded by a Starting Point grant in collaboration with Ohio Guidestone - Every Monday till December 11. Upcoming programs include:  10/2 - Makey Makey Lab, 10/9 - Coding for Web, 10/16 - Coding w/Circuits: Arduino. Call: 440.885.5362 for further information.

O  Parma Hts Branch library programming….
      >>  Fall Storytimes at the Library - Tuesday, 9/5 - Wednesday, 11/29. Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and more. For Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers and Families. Please call 440.884.2313 for more information.

O Some FYI’s from Parma City Schools….
    >>  21st Century Grant…. $850,000 will be received over the next 5 years to fund after-school programming at Valley Forge & Parma Sr. High Schools. Programs begin October 2nd; interested students may register at their school’s main office or by contacting their Councelor. Unfortunately, grant funding for the after-schools programs at Greenbriar MS & Ridge Brook Elem was not approved.
    >>  Supt. Carl Hilling reinstates monthly Open Door sessions. The first two are scheduled for Tuesday Sept 26 and Wed, Oct 11th and will run from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Guests should sign-in at the reception desk of the District’s Admin Building , 5311 Longwood Ave.
    >>  Register now for the 2nd Annual Parma Way 5K being held on Saturday, October 21st at Tri-C Western Campus. All proceeds to benefit Parma City Schools student activities and after school programs. Check out the attached form for additional details and to register.
    >>  Senior Passes (for those of us 65 years of age & older), giving free admission to school/district events, are available at the Central Office reception desk. Keep in mind that an ID must be shown at the gate to prove residency in Parma, Parma Hts. or Seven Hills.

O   The Parma Area Family Collaborative’s  Annual Coat Drive has begun & will continue through Friday, October 6th New or gently used coats for area children (and adults for that matter) can be dropped off at the Collaborative (the Hanna building, 11212 Snow Rd), Monday through Friday9 am to 5 pm. NEW hats and/or gloves, as well as monetary donations would be gratefully accepted.
  
>>  To stay current and learn more about Collaborative events/activities, visit their updated web site at: http://familycollaborative.com/, follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Parma-Area-Family-Collaborative or call Bruce Chamberlin, the Collab's Family to Family Supervisor at 440.887.4881 email: chamberlinb@parmacityschools.org.

Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Activist

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Volume 9, Issue 10, Posted 8:44 AM, 10.05.2017