News You Can Use (And Where To Find It)

O  For residents of Parma Hts., plan on attending the Parma Hts. Police And Community Together (P.A.C.T.) community policing Town Hall meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 6th, from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Cassidy Theater. Officers will report out on progress and representatives from the Parma Area Family Collaborative, Tri-City Parma Area MyCom, Young Professionals of Parma  & the Parma Hts. Library will share information & answer questions regarding the many services they provide to residents (adults & youth) of our community. The next meeting of the PACT Unit’s Youth Group will be 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Wednesday, Mar 7th at Cassidy Theater. Find various sign-up documents for PACT Unit programs and follow its progress at www.facebook.com/parmaheights.police

O
  If you’re a local organization looking for data to support your program or justify a position, consider visiting NEOCANDO (http://neocando.case.edu/) for a suite of innovative data tools of CWRU’s Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development (the Poverty Center). There’s no charge to access the site but you do need to register.  The site has recently been redesigned and is well worth a visit.

Save the date….Cleveland Metroparks will be hosting its annual job fair at Stillwater Place (event center at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) on March 3rd and March 18th. The direct link to the job fair information is: www.clevelandmetroparks.com/jobfair2018. Please share as appropriate.

O  Go here http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/edit/edit02.shtml to view Education World’s list of “Every-Day Edits” for the month of February. There are some really clever exercises that you can have fun doing with your kids.

By now you s/b aware of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Traveling Wall, a 360 foot, 80-percent scale version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. that will be installed on Tri-C’s Western Campus from June 28th through July 1st. To defray costs, in addition to individual donations, 4 levels of sponsorships, from $500 to $5,000 have been established. A significant cohort of volunteers is also required to help man tents and assist visitors to the wall, 24/7 through July 1st. Checks can be made payable to American Legion Post 703 and sent to Tom Mastroianni, 7263 Maplewood Rd., Parma, OH  44130. To volunteer, email tmastroianni@cityof parma-oh.gov or call 440.885.8812. Additionally, a special Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/AVTTParma/ - has been created for the event. As it draws nearer, announcements will be made regarding training, donation updates and associated events.

Don’t forget about the free tutoring for 9th – 12th grade students being offered by College Colleagues. This local for-profit tutoring business (http://collegecolleagues.net/) has stepped up to offer two free hours of walk-in tutoring/coaching on a first come-first served basis  beginning March 1st to May 10th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, on Thursday evenings. Call 216.978.6524; email: contact@collegecolleagues.net for more information. Also, keep in mind that Homework Help is available Mon – Thurs from 4 to 5:15 & 5:15 – 6:30 at the Parma Branch Library (Powers Blvd) for students in grades K – 8….for details: http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/homework.aspx

O
  From the Parma Area Family Collab / Tri-City MyCom….
    >>  The Collab's next Mobile Food Pantry will be Thursday, March 8th. During the afternoon distribution UH/Parma Medical Center, Community Health Nurses will be offering FREE blood pressure screenings and a representative from the Parma Health Ministry will be available to help folks apply for prescription assistance.
    >>  Keep in mind that the Collab also hosts a Clothing Center every Thursday starting at 2:00 pm. And watch for information coming soon re: the Annual Belle of the Ball Boutique & Tax Prep svc. (call 211 to make an appointment), free Money Management Classes and a source for qualifying folks in need of furniture.
    >>  Visit the Collab’s web site at http://familycollaborative.com/ for additional details on available resources, services offered and volunteer opportunities. While there, make your voice heard & click on links to either or both the PAFC Satisfaction or Neighborhood surveys.
    >>  Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) summer and year-round employment registration is now open. Cuyahoga County 14 – 24-year-olds wishing to register can visit the Y.O.U. web site at www.youthopportunities.org and click on the “Registration” tab to get started. The sooner you register the greater your chances of getting selected.  Click on the “Employers” link If you have a business & would like to get involved.
   
O  An FYI from Parma City Schools….
    >>  Save-the Date: March  7 & 8 2018 – PCSD Kindergarten Registration for children age 5 by Sept 30th. Where: Parma Branch Library (Powers Blvd.); Times: 7:30 am – Noon & 2:00 – 7:00 am. Visit www.parmacityschools.org/studentservices for documents required.
     >>  For folks interested in the STEM program at Pleasant Valley Elementary, an Open House is planned for March 5th starting at 6:00 pm.
    
>>  Public schools students who have participated or plan on participating in the College Credit Plus program must register by March 31st. To find out more about this opportunity visit this related ODE web page: https://tinyurl.com/y8uffbnh or visit this page on PCSD’s web site: https://www.parmacityschools.org/Page/2441
     >>  As a “Save-the-Date”:  PECPTA (Parma Early Childhood PTA) Spring Resale event is scheduled for Saturday March 24, 8-1pm at Parma Senior High School. Tables go on Sale February 24 at www.pecpta.org
    >> The next Superintendent’s Open Door Session is scheduled for Wednesday, Mar 14th, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the district’s Admin Offices at Parma Sr H.S.

O  From the Parma Hts Branch Library….
     >>  Reader Boost Camp: Mondays 3/5, 12, 19, & 26, 6:30 PM – 7:30 pm; for parents and children in grades 1-3 who are struggling with their reading skills. For the first part of the program, parents remain with a learning specialist to gain tips for working with their child at home, while children go with a librarian for fun reading-based activities. During the second half, families will participate in an activity together. Space is limited; please register at:  http://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/499736

O  From the Parma Branch Library (Powers Blvd.) special events….
      >>  Meet & Speak English: Every Monday evening from 7-8 pm through May 21st; An adult (over 18), casual conversation group where native English speakers are paired with new speakers to practice conversation skills. Refreshments, discussion prompts, and conversation tools will be provided.  No registration required - drop in as often as you wish.   Sponsored by the Friends of Parma Libraries.
     >>  And don’t forget about the popular Maker Club program for students in grades 5 – 8; Wednesdays at 4:30 pm starting March 21st. Go here for information: http://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/607923

Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Activist

Read More on News
Volume 10, Issue 3, Posted 12:49 PM, 03.02.2018