News You Can Use (And Where To Find It)

Education/training opportunities & options
From Cleveland Rape Crisis Ctr:
>>  For Students: Up to 11 programs/events spread over these three categories, > Classrooom & After-School Programs for Children & Youth, > Gender Specific Programs, > Youth Leadership Development
>> For Teachers and Staff: Three programs /events
>>  For Parents: Five programs/events
Visit https://clevelandrapecrisis.org/prevention-education/ for details on these programs plus more.

AG’s Human Trafficking Summit coming up on January 9, 2020 in Columbus.
Go here: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Human-Trafficking-Summit for information and/or to register.
Watch for more information re Human Trafficking in the next issue.
Compliments of the Imagine Foundation.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
O  The Parma Heights PACT (Police & Community Together) Youth Group:
     >>  The group’s  next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 7th.  Check their FB page for the topic.
      >>  All area students ages 12 -17 are welcome to join. For announcements & detailed information visit the PACT Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/parmaheights.police; email: pactunit@gmail.com; ph: 440.884.1235.

O  From Achievement Center for Children/Camp Cheerful…. Adapted Soccer Registration is Now Open - Adapted Soccer will start in January….10 am – 11:30, Saturdays, Jan. 18th – Feb 29th at the Force Indoor Sports in Rocky River. Children and young adults 7 years and older with physical limitations and/or cognitive/developmental delays are welcome to learn soccer skills, exercise, and play soccer games according to each player's ability. For more information, visit their website at https://tinyurl.com/ACC-Soccer or call Mike at 440-238-6200 ext. 245.

O  2020 Camp Invention…. For kids entering grades K – 6th, this week-long camp is being held at Pleasant Valley Elementary June 8 – 12, 2020. Visit invent.org/camp or call 800-968-4332 to register. Use promo code SUM25 to save $25 (expires 3/31) or SUM15 to save $15 (expires 5/12).

O  From the Educ. Svc. Center of NE Ohio….The 22nd Annual Summer Camp & Beyond Fair for children & youth w/disabilities is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15th from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at Woodside Event Center, 5025 Mill Rd, Broadview Hts. This is a huge, expo style event popular with districts, families & students alike. Go to http://www.esc-cc.org/, click on the event graphic & follow the links for more information.

O  From Aspire Greater Cleveland….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). BEGINNING IN JANUARY they’ll be offering a GED® /HSE class w/a Microsoft Office Certification component AT THE PARMA LIBRARY. For additional information call 1-833-ASPIRE2 or visit their website at www.aspiregreatercleveland.com.

O  From the Parma Council of PTA’s….
      >>  The deadline to register for the 9th Annual Festival of Tables, scheduled for Feb. 22nd, 2020 at LaVilla Conference and Banquet Center, 11500 Brookpark Rd. Cleveland 44130 is fast approaching. This is a particularly well attended, unique & fun fundraiser for the PTA. It also offers an out-of-the-box opportunity for a business/organization to market/promote itself. Or, how about a ”City Challenge” where Parma, Parma Hts & Seven Hills City Councils each host a table & compete for bragging rights. Visit the PTA Council’s FB page for a video of last year’s event.

O  From Parma City Schools:
      >>  Strategic Consolidation: Visit www.parmacityschools.org/superintendent and click on the Strategic Consolidation link on the left side to review related documents and to register your interest and how you would like to support  implementation.  
      >>  Community Walking Program: This new program invites residents of Parma, Parma Hts. and Seven Hills to walk in the three PCSD high school buildings two nights a week (Monday & Thursday 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm except during school breaks) thru mid-April. Click here: https://www.parmacityschools.org/Page/8800 for details about this & a Community Swim program also being developed.
      >>  Be a Project More reading mentor for a third grader. Go here for details about the initiative: https://tinyurl.com/Proj-More then call the nearest elementary school & tell them you’d like to volunteer.
     >>  College Credit Plus Information Night will be held at 6:30 PM on January 16, 2020, in the Parma Senior High School Auditorium. Tri-C in conjunction with the PCSD will share information regarding the benefits and considerations re. the College Credit Plus program. Parents of students, as well as students who will be in grades 7 - 12 next school year, are encouraged to attend.
     >>  Parma Parent University…. The next session of this PCSD & Tri-C collaboration is scheduled for Jan 22nd  from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Parma Sr. H.S. – Topic: TBD. Visit
www.parmacityschools.org/parentuniversity to learn more. Call Audrey Holtzman at 440.885.8334 to register.
     >>  Take advantage of “Donuts wth Dr. Smialek”, a once-a-month opportunity for a donut, coffee & an informal conversation with the Superintendent. The next session is scheduled for: 8:00 am, Mon, Jan. 13, at 6317 Pearl Rd.
     >>  Mark your calendar for the next two Town Hall meetings scheduled for Wed., Mar. 4th  at Parma Heights Branch Library, Meeting Rm C, 6206 Pearl Rd. beginning at 6:30 pm and May 6th at Parma-Snow Branch Library, Conf. Rm A/B, 2121 Snow Rd. also beginning at 6:30 pm.
 
O  From “All of Her Design”….Nominations begin January 1, 2020 for the 3rd Annual Best of Parma! Sponsored by All of Her Design & City of Parma. #meetmeinparma #bestofparma
www.bestofparma.org

O  From PCSD Connects (formally CBS Connects):  Go here: http://pcsdconnects.org/ for information regarding: workforce development related programs, tours  of local businesses, college-related information and assistance and special events, i.e.: Entrepreneur Day with links to connect directly w/school counselors.  And, if you’re looking for employment check out their Job Board at: http://pcsdconnects.org/employment-opportunities/

O  From the Parma Area Family Collab: (Parkview Elem., 5210 Loya Pkwy – next to Parma Sr. H.S.)
      >>  Learn how to become an even more positive & proactive parent by registering for a new session of Parenting Partners. Classes are every Tuesday from 4 to 5:00 pm beginning January 21 thru March 3rd.  Free childcare is available. Call 440.887.4873 to register.
      >>  Volunteers are still needed…..the Clothing Center, every Thursday from 2 – 4 pm and other special programs, i.e.: Belle of the Ball, Back to Schools Supply Drive, Coats for Kids, Holiday events, others. Call or visit web site.
      >>  If you need assistance for yourself or your family or looking for area resources call the Collab at 440.887.4873 or visit their  web site at https://familycollaborative.com

O  From the Parma Area MyCom Neighborhood (PAMN):
      >>  Qadriyyah Sultan our new PAMN Coordinator has hit the ground running, meeting w/a number of organizations, youth groups & community influencers.  If you’re affiliated in any way w/a youth-serving organization please reach out to her at 216-749-9413 or by email at qsultan@cuyahogalibrary.org.  And, check out her column appearing in the Observer beginning with this issue.      
     
O  From the Parma-Snow Library:
      >>  Go here: https://tinyurl.com/CCPL-Parma-SnowCalendar to display their event calendar for the current month.
      >>  HOMEWORK MENTOR -  free after-school homework help available Monday – Thursday, 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m..  Our trained mentor provides students in grades K- 8 with homework assistance after school.
      >>  Kids Café - During the school year we collaborate with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to provide children with healthy meals.  Monday – Friday, 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. while supplies last.
      >>  There will be no regular Story Times for the month of December. They will start up again the week of January 6, 2020.  Winter Storytime Schedule.
       
O  From the Parma Branch Library (Powers Blvd.):
      >>  Go here: https://tinyurl.com/CCPL-ParmaCalendar to display their event calendar for the current month.
      >>  The Homework Center is now open - For students K – 8; Monday through Thursday,  4 – 5:15 pm or 5:15 – 6:30 pm. Registration is required; call 440.885.5362 or https://tinyurl.com/HomeworkCenterParma
      >>  Kindergarten Boost Book Club – Saturday, January 18th at 2:00 pm; Children currently in Kindergarten, with a caregiver.  Discuss books and take part in fun activities.  Registered participants will receive a copy of the book to keep.  Register at:  https://tinyurl.com/KBookClubJan
      >>  Sensory/Adapted Storytime – Saturday, January 4th at 11:00 am;. Ages 3 – 5 years with caregiver.  Children with varying learning styles and abilities will learn together in a safe, supportive environment where respect and appreciation for differences is encouraged. Registration at: . https://tinyurl.com/SensoryAdaptedJan
      >>  Storytimes – January – April  (Please note time changes.)
> Baby & Me:  Mondays at 10:30 am  > Family Storytime: Mondays at 7:00 pm  >  Toddler:  Tuesdays at 10:30 am  > Toddler & Preschool:  Wednesdays at 10:30 am  > Preschoo:l  Thursdays at 10:30 am;   https://tinyurl.com/StorytimeCCPL
      >>  Young Musicians – Fridays, January 3rd – 30th at 11:00 am; Ages 4 - 6 with a caregiver.  Explore musical rhythm, listening and coordination skills through body movements with The Music Settlement.  Five-week series.  Free; required registration at: https://tinyurl.com/YoungMusiciansParma
     >>  Brick Builders Meet Up – January 3rd from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Grades K – 5.  Drop into the Children's Room on winter break Fridays to build LEGO with friends.  Register at: https://tinyurl.com/BrickMeetUp      

O  From the Parma Hts. Branch Library:
     >>  Go here: https://tinyurl.com/CCPL-ParmaHtsCalendar  to display their event calendar for the current month.