PCSD Opening Kick-Off Returns On August 18 Even Bigger Thanks To Drive For Your Students

The Parma City School District will once again celebrate the beginning of the school year with the PCSD Opening Kick-Off. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, August 18 at Byers Field in Parma. “The 2018 PCSD Opening Kick-Off will provide our parents, students and anyone in the community the opportunity to come and learn more about the Parma City School District,” Dan Rajkovich, Supervisor of Public Relations said. “It’s a fun and relaxed setting where parents and kids can meet their principals, meet the administrators, meet our staff, meet our great students and really find out what the district truly is about. We’re proud of our schools and we want to show that to everyone.” Last year’s all-day event featured students, programs, schools and departments from around the PCSD. Over 40 tables featured information and engaging activities for students. Every department in the PCSD was on hand so parents could have questions answered.

In 2017, Career and Technical Education students showed off their skills, equipment and programs. For example, attendees could get a painted temporary tattoo with Visual Communications, have their hair or nails done with Cosmetology or see a 3D printer in action thanks to Engineering.  In all, there was over 15 Career and Technical programs present and it was one of the main attractions of the day.

PCSD athletic teams from throughout the district practiced on the turf at Byers Field. Over 17 different teams participated.  Finally, the marching bands from the three high schools finished out the day as each performed music from their upcoming football season. “Of course, every year we want it to be bigger and better, and this year it certainly will be,” Rajkovich added.

This year’s Opening Kick-Off will feature the Drive For Your Students fundraiser, hosted by Barry Axelrod Buick GMC and the Parma City Schools Foundation. “This event enables each school to earn money for their school,” said Barb Filipow, a trustee with the Parma City Schools Foundation.  “Adults driving for their student can earn $10 per drive for their school.  When we reach 500 drivers, we will receive $10,000 for our schools.” Drive For Your Students isn’t a new event at the Parma Schools. Over the past few years, the annual event has also been held at Byers Field. “This is the first time we will be able to have a captive audience of many participants as all schools will have booths or teams participating,” Filipow added. “Help us help our students. The drive is all right-hand turns, in a car of your choice and takes approximately 10 minutes or less.” Drivers must be 21, insured and have a valid driver’s license. Drive For Your Students and the Parma City Schools Foundation have both provided money for PCSD students. For example, in 2015, the Drive For Your Students event raised $7,420. Barry Axelrod then donated another $5,000 to the school district.

Over the past seven years, the Parma City Schools Foundation has donated over $125,000 to the Parma Schools.  That money helped fund technology, materials, activities and more for students. That money also included over a total of $12,000 directly donated to individual schools.

More information about the 2018 PCSD Opening Kick-Off will be coming in the early summer.  For more information, visit the website at www.parmacityschools.org/kickoff.