News You Can Use (And Where To Find It.)

O  The Ohio Deparment of Education (ODE) & Job & Family Svcs have partnered up & are reminding parents to visit ChildCareSearch.Ohio.gov when searching for before- and after-school care for their children. Searching the database is intuitive and the information comprehensive – worth a look-see. 

O  The Parma Heights PACT (Police & Community Together) Youth Group….Note that beginning with Sept the group will return to its twice a month meeting schedule. The first one will take place on TUESDAY , Sept 4th.

O  Go here to find information regarding the November School Levy… https://www.parmacityschools.org/levy. Included is the levy’s proposal, a PCSD Facts Sheet and documents relating to the recent Master Planning & Educational Visioning initiatives.

O  Following up on his goal to improve communications & transparency, Supt Smialek has scheduled 5 face-to-face Town Hall meetings as well as live Facebook meetings. Details can be found in the August 20th issue of the Monday Monitor. Click here to find a copy…. https://www.parmacityschools.org/monitor. And, don’t forget that questions or comments are welcome via e-mail at information@parmacityschools.org. If the matter is urgent, contact your school's principal or call the Parma City School District's main phone number at (440) 842-5300.

O  Save the date - Parma Early Childhood PTA’s 4th Annual Touch-a-Truck is coming up on Sunday, Sept 16th from Noon to 5:00 pm at the UH/Parma Health Education Center, 7300 State Rd. This one looks bigger & better then ever. Go here for more details:  https://tinyurl.com/PECPTA-TouchaTruck.

O  Coming soon….Information/details regarding two new initiatives coming out of the CBS Connects grant funded program: 1. Financial Literacy Nights and 2. Young Entrepreneurs’ Day. Both promise to great opportunities for both our students and families.

O  After coordinating the purchase, stuffing, delivery and distribution of supplies & backpacks for 1,000+ students, the Parma Family Collaborative could use your help to inventory & store leftover supplies for students in need during the year. With the backpack project winding down, holiday program planning is beginning to ramp up. Watch for details.
     >>  Parenting Partners, the popular 8 week program that shares “…practical tools for positive parenting…” will begin its fall session on Sept 10th. Classes are held every Monday from 4:00 to 5:00 pm; cost is $20 & child care is provided for ages 1 & above. Call 440.887.4873 to register.

O  A couple of Save-The-Dates from Camp Cheerful (off Royalton Rd (Rt 82), midway between I-71 & W. 130th)….
     >>  The 12th Annual Timberland Boot Giveaway & Horse Expo goes from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, Sept 20th. This is a free, family event, providing an opportunity to cheer their riders, enjoy refreshments, meet their horses & learn about the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding.
     >>  Cheers to Camp Cheerful will be on Saturday, Sept 22, beginning at 5:30 pm. The evening includes Happy Hour at the Barn, silent auctions, raffles & “Horse Bingo”, DJ & dancing, a great meal & depending on the weather, an outside bonfire. Call 216-292-9700 x-226 for sponsorship opportunities. For tickets & info go to www.achievementcenters.org/cheers.

O  If your organization has a Youth Safety component/focus of any kind & you’re looking for programs, information or material visit: https://www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-greater-cleveland . 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. Questions or requests for more info can be directed to Cyndee Bratz @ 440-888-8889 or cyndeebratz@aol.com.

O An update/status of the Parma Town Center Strategic Master Plan was presented at the third & final public meeting on August 21st. Results from previous meetings/surveys were reviewed and minor modifications noted. Identified goals were place into near-term, medium-term & long-term categories & attendees were asked to prioritize the goals within each category. For meeting detail and an opportunity to contribute to the process go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/parmapm3.  This survey closes this Friday, Sept 7th but you can still follow progress by going to: www.countyplanning.us/parma.

O  From the Parma Snow Library….
      >>  Go here: https://tinyurl.com/Parma-Snow-Events to display the event calendar for September.

O  From the Parma Branch Library (Powers Blvd.) special events….      
       >>  Grandparents Festival– Saturday, Sept. 8th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m; Preschool – Grade 5 with Grandparents. Celebrate everything that grandparents and grand-friends do for their families. Live music, crafts, health and family resources, genealogy, special storytimes, light refreshments and door prizes.  Learn more at: http://tinyurl.com/grandparentsfestival
        >>  Ready Set Create! Building Challenges for Kids-- Saturday, Sept. 15th at 2:00 pm; Grades 2 – 5.  Hands-on building and technology challenges give you the chance to solve problems, be creative and work with real engineers. Sponsored by STARnet and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).  Learn more at:  https://tinyurl.com/ReadySetCreateSept
       >>  Maker Club (Fall Session): Wednesdays starting Sept 5 – Dec 12, 4:15 – 5:30; Grades 5 – 8. Program includes photography, batik & mask making, electric art, social and emotional learning. Click here for more information and/r to register: https://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/853657

O  From the Parma Hts Branch Library….
         >>  Play, Learn, and Grow Toddler Club:  Ages 1 to 3 & caregivers; Wednesdays, 8/15-9/12 at 10 a.m. Boost your toddler’s brain through play! Join us for a 5-week club and, connect with your kids and other families, plus get answers about your growing child. Please register at: http://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/635599
        >>  Eleanor Roosevelt: Wed., 09/19/2018, 7:00 - 8:00 PM;  Join us for a dramatic portrayal of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt -- first lady, humanitarian and activist -- by Ruth Pangrace of Women in History.  Click here to register.
        >>  Fall Storytimes at the Library: Saturday, 9/1 - Wednesday, 11/28.  Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and more. For Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Families. Please call 440.884.2313 for more information.