Good Evening:
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
–Martin Luther King, Jr.
If you have any friends or neighbors who would like to start receiving my weekly e-mail updates please let me know and I will be sure to add them to my e-mail list. Or if they like they can sign up on the homepage of my website at www.danlangshaw.com.
SINCE MY LAST SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE
The School Board met on for its annual Organizational Board Meeting on January 14th. The Board re-elected Dr. John Kelly as Board President and Anne Reinkober as Board Vice President for 2013. The Board approved various items required annually by law.
Right after the Organizational Board Meeting on January 14th the Board also met for its January Regular Board Meeting. Some highlights from the meeting. The Board recognized a NRHS student for their involvement in the Young Marine Program and being the Regimental Young Marine of the Year. Semper Fi! Board President Dr. Kelly announced committee assignments for 2013 as follows:
Committees Board Representatives
Business Advisory Council: John Kelly/Barbara Zindroski
City Recreation/Building & Grounds: John Kelly/Dan Langshaw
Curriculum and Instruction: Barbara Zindroski/Heidi Dolezal
Partnership for a Healthy N. Royalton: Anne Reinkober
Financial Advisory: Anne Reinkober
NR Educational Foundation: Heidi Dolezal
Policy: Dan Langshaw/John Kelly
Transportation: Barbara Zindroski/Anne Reinkober
Liaisons
OSBA Legislative Liaison: Dan Langshaw
CVCC Representative: Heidi Dolezal
Board had a brief tax budget hearing and the board adopted the tax budget for Fiscal Year 2014. Board approved an appropriation adjustment for 2012-2013. Board approved various retirements, leaves of absences, and appointments of certificated and classified employees. Board discussed other such matters that came before the Board. The Board also met for an Executive Session to discuss the employment of personnel and then adjourned.
Phone Survey on School Facility Needs
Since the recent failure of the Bond Issue, the district decided to do a survey by Triad Research Group to gather input on the bond issue and information about the school district from residents of both North Royalton and Broadview Heights. Residents will be getting calls the next few weeks. Please consider participating if you are selected for this phone survey. The data will help determine our next step in the process for the school district.
Kindergarten Registration
As we near the holiday season and the New Year, plans for the upcoming school year are in full swing. North Royalton will be offering both the traditional kindergarten classes and two all-day, every day kindergarten classes, with the option for a third all day every day class if there is enough interest. The all day, every day, kindergarten classes will be a fee-based option (with adjustments made for families with a financial need) and students will be selected using a lottery system. To be eligible for the lottery for all day, every day kindergarten for the 2013-2014 school year, parents must begin the registration process on one of the February registration dates and complete the online INFOSNAP process. The dates are February 26, 27 and 28th in the Community Room adjacent to the High School. Hours for registration are 8:00 -8:00 on February 26th, 12:00 – 8:00 on February 27th, and 8-4 on February 28th. The complete online INFOSNAP registration process and deposit must be completed no later than March 5, 2013. Children whose registration process is completed after this date will not be eligible to participate in the all-day kindergarten program.
Crystal Starfish Award Recipients Announced
Karen Legerski, a secretary at RoyalView Elementary, was the recipient of the Crystal Starfish Staff Award. In addition to her Crystal Starfish plaque, she received a $100 gift certificate to Westfield/Southpark Mall, a $75 gift certificate to T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant in Strongsville, and flowers, balloons, and a $50 gift certificate from Independence Flowers & Gifts. Legerski was nominated by a colleague and by the Royal View PTA. She has been with the district for six years. Excerpts from her nominations state, “Karen changes the lives of every person who walks through her door in a positive way. Karen goes above and beyond to help everyone. She is very organized and keeps everything running smoothly and efficiently,” and “Despite how chaotic a school office can become, Karen has always greeted me with a smile or encouraging word. Her calm demeanor and sincerity immediately sets a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere for our school. She is a ‘behind the scenes’ master that holds everything together beautifully.”
Anthony Kleem, a social studies teacher at North Royalton High School, was the recipient of the Crystal Starfish Teacher Award. He receives $250 from First Federal of Lakewood, to be used towards professional development as well as a $75 gift certificate to T.G.I.Friday’s restaurant in Strongsville, as well as flowers, balloons, and a $50 gift certificate Independence Flowers & Gifts. A school family and student nominated him. He has been with the district for 21 years. Nominees expressed that Mr. Kleem showed tremendous compassion and understanding going out of his way daily to make a difference. He has gone above and beyond the role of teacher/tutor by showing the utmost understanding and kindness. The nominations talked about Mr. Kleem’s commitment to students and inspiring them to be the person they are today.
“The North Royalton School District is fortunate to have teachers, staff and administrators who truly care about the development of the students in our community. The recipients of this year’s Crystal Starfish award are special individuals that have made a positive impact on the lives of our young people,” said Tiffany Cardenas, branch manager of First Federal Lakewood in North Royalton. The award honors those that are “making a difference above and beyond” each year. Students, colleagues, parents, and community members were encouraged to submit their nominations of both a teacher and staff member they felt deserves special recognition. Nominations are currently being accepted for the next Crystal Starfish Award that will be given out in May. Congrats to them both!
North Royalton City Schools Schedules Professional Development Day on May 7th – Nonattendance Day for Students
There will be a professional development day for the instructional staff on May 7, 2013. This day will be the culmination of work that has been ongoing in the district over the past two years. School will not be in session on this date for students.The professional development is in response to a number of educational changes put into place by Ohio legislature and the Ohio Department of Education. These new initiatives include the adoption of the Common Core academic standards that are universal with a number of states, and reflect a more rigorous commitment to college and career readiness. According to Bruce Bradley, our Director of Curriculum, other initiatives include aligning student data to instructional practice through the development of common assessments and the use of teacher teams to analyze student data and measure student growth. The district has been working on these initiatives over the past two years using half-day professional development days in November, early release days in September and March, and meetings during the school day and after school. This work is another example of how the North Royalton City Schools continue to provide our students with outstanding educational opportunities, and the commitment to excellence in education. This professional development day on May 7 also was chosen because it is Election Day and the district normally aligns its professional development in-service days on Election days. It also adds the benefit of avoiding disruption to the school day with polls being located in the buildings.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Coffee with School Board Member Dan Langshaw
If you are a constituent living in the North Royalton School District, you are invited to attend my next monthly constituent coffee on February 2nd at Mugshotz Coffee & Smoothies located at 6556 Royalton Rd. in North Royalton from 9am-10am. I hold these coffees in order to stay in touch with fellow residents and listen to their feedback one on one. There is no appointment necessary. Simply stop by and talk to me.
Special Board Meeting on February 7 at 6:30pm @ North Royalton Board of Education Office Conference Room, 6579 Royalton Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133.
February Regular School Board Meeting on February 11th at 7:00pm @ NRHS Community Room, 14713 Ridge Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133.
North Royalton Educational Foundation Meeting on February 12th at 4:00pm @ North Royalton Board of Education Office Conference Room, 6579 Royalton Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133.
E-mail Updates
If you have any friends or neighbors who would like to receive my e-mail updates please let me know and I will be sure to add them to my e-mail list. They can also click on this link on my website to sign up at: http://www.danlangshaw.com/contact/e-mail-newsletter-sign-up/
Stay In Touch with me through Social Networking and the Web
If you like to keep in contact with me you can also check out my Website at www.danlangshaw.com or follow me on Facebook or Twitter at Langshaw4board
My Contact Info
If you ever have any questions or concerns please feel free to give me at call at 440-596-0078 or e-mail me at dan.langshaw@northroyaltonsd.org.
Have a great week!
Dan Langshaw
North Royalton School Board Member
440-596-0078
www.danlangshaw.com
“Putting Students First”