News You Can Use (And Where To Find It)

O  The Parma Hts. PACT Unit’s Youth Group is active, doing well and continues to meet every other Wednesday from 6:00 – 7:30 pm usually at Cassidy Theater. Their next meeting will be April 4th. Find various sign-up documents for PACT Unit programs, i.e.: the Senior Knock and Talk service, and follow its progress at www.facebook.com/parmaheights.police

O  Saturday, April 28th  from 9 – 4 pm -Baldwin Wallace University Center for innovation & Growth in Berea will be  hosting “Girls In Motion” – a free, fun filled day of empowerment for young ladies grades  8 – 12. Questions: Contact Teresa Stafford at teresas@clevelandrcc.org, ph: 216/658.2786.

O  College Colleagues is offering free tutoring for 9th – 12th grade students. This local, for-profit tutoring business has stepped up to offer two free hours of walk-in tutoring/coaching on a first come-first served basis on Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, now through May 10th. Call 216.978.6524; email: contact@collegecolleagues.net.  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  The Parma Chapter of Get WISE  (Women In Science & Engineering) will be hosting its first Annual Get WISE program at the GM Parma Metal Center on Thursday, May 10th, 2018. This free program is looking to engage upwards of 125, 7th grade girls from Parma City Schools. Activities will include an educational plant tour, interaction w/professional women, hands-on competitive challenges, lunch and prizes. Watch for more information coming soon.

O  The latest issue of the Project Aware newsletter recognizes March as being Gender Equality & Women’s History month. In so doing it references an amazing collection of sites describing related programs, services, blogs and events taking place locally (highlights the well regarded & popular “Girl Power” program at Parma Sr H.S.), nationally & around the world. Go here to check out a copy: https://tinyurl.com/ya632hd4

O  An FYI from Parma City Schools….
       >>  As you should already be aware, PCSD will be seeking passage of a 7.4 mill levy on the upcoming May 8th ballot. A great deal of time and effort has gone into the analysis & development of information explaining why this levy is so particularly important at this time. Visit either of these two web pages for answers to any of your related questions & please share this information with your friends & neighbors….. https://www.parmacityschools.org/levy; https://www.parmacityschools.org/facts.
      >>  Valley Forge High School will be hosting a Career Expo from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm, Friday April 27, 2018. This is a perfect opportunity for Colleges, Trades & Businesses to connect and promote careers and entrepreneurship to students in our District. The cost to participate is just $30 which includes the table, chairs, a light breakfast & box lunch.  Contact Carolyn Holt Balis at 440.885.8440, fax: 440.888.0239 or email: holtbalisc@parmacityschools.org. 
     
O  From the Parma Area Family Collab / Tri-City MyCom….
     >>  The Collab's next Mobile Food Pantry will be Thursday, April 12th. 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.
     >>  If your daughter is looking for a Prom outfit consider visiting the Belle of the Ball Boutique taking place at the Collab on April 21st from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. This is where our Senior High School students attending their Prom can “shop” for dresses and accessories, shoes, make-up, etc. Call 440.997.4873 for details. Cash donations and/or of accessories, in particular would be appreciated.
    >>  Also being offered is a Free Money Management workshop offered the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. See attached flyer for details.
    >>  Free tax prep is also available at the Collab by calling United Way’s Info line 211 or visiting http://www.211oh.org/how-we-help/featured-programs to schedule an appointment on-line.
    >>  A new addition to the Collab’s Resource Directory =  Recovery Resources (www.recres.org) offers a broad range of support services to include Addiction, Recovery, Criminal Justice & Reentry, Housing, Mental Health, Education, etc.
    >>  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.   

O  Here’s another article (https://tinyurl.com/ycq677n6 ) in the “Start Talking “ series from the Ohio Dept of Education. It’s an interesting piece offering, among other things, some good tips on how to control your anger especially when it involves a child who continues to defy his/her parents. It’s short & worth a read.

O  Keep in mind that ASPIRE, a service of the County Library system, offers FREE year-round classes for adults seeking GED® /HSE Test Preparation, Adult Basic Education, English Language/Civics Education, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Flyers showing current schedules for GED®/HSE and ESOL programs are attached. If you have acquaintances or perhaps even employees who may benefit from these programs please post and/or otherwise share this information. For more visit www.aspiregreatercleveland.com.

O  From the Parma Branch Library (Powers Blvd.) special events….
     >>  Brecksville Theatre on the Square: How I Became a Pirate - Grades K – 4; April 5th at 2:00 p.m.  The group will perform the musical based on the book written by Melinda Long and illustrated by David Shannon. Register at:  https://tinyurl.com/PirateTheatre.
     >>   Adapted Storytime – April 28th at 2:00 p.m. Children with varying learning styles and abilities will learn together in a safe, supportive environment where respect and appreciation for differences is encouraged.  Register at:  https://tinyurl.com/AdaptedApril
     >>   Brick Builders Club – Grades K – 3. Do you love LEGO®? Come build with us! We supply the bricks, you supply the imagination. Last Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at Parma Branch Library. (3/27, 4/24, 5/29)  https://tinyurl.com/BrickBuildersSpring
    >>   Master Builders – Grades 4 – 6. Are you a LEGO® fanatic? Want to tackle building challenges with friends? Bring your imagination and we'll supply the bricks. Third Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Parma Branch Library. https://tinyurl.com/MasterBuildersMarch