PCM/PCH Family Newsletter
January 2022 Edition
This edition of the Newsletter is full of information regarding upcoming special events and fundraisers, as well as community resources.
Important Dates/Events
Spirit Wear Sale: January 5 - January 31, 2022 (paper sale)
MS/HS Carnation Sale: From January 31st - February 8th, carnations will be available to buy for $1.00 during lunch periods! Money collected will go towards the Middle School Dance and High School Prom.
College Credit Plus Night: February 1, 2022. Information for college-ready students in grades 7-12 on how to earn credit at local colleges/universities.Middle School Cupid's Bow Ball: February 11, 2022, 6-8 pm. $5 admission fee. MIDDLE SCHOOL ONLY!!!
Kalahari Fundraiser: February 17-18, 2022 Leave behind the gloom of Northeast Ohio winters and join Parma Community Schools as we spend some time in the tropical oasis of Kalahari. Rooms start at just $149/night.
Middle School Aviators of the Month
November
7th grade: Alexandru B.
8th grade: Shyanne R.
December
7th grade: Devonna C.
8th grade: Tre'Vaughn C.
January
7th grade: Angelina S.
8th grade: Chris C.
High School Aviators of the Month
November
- Senior: Emma N.
- Junior: Brandon S.
- Sophomore: Sylvia P.
- Freshman: Avery E.
"Avery is a wonderful student who always strives for the best in class. She is an amazing student."
December
- Freshman: Kaylee O. was nominated by Ms. Addi who had the following to say:
Kaylee always arrives with a cheerful and positive attitude, and her enthusiasm is contagious. She is caring, respectful, diligent, and always volunteers to help the class collectively.
- Sophomore: Zayna A. was nominated by Ms. Antalek who said the following:
Zayna seems soft-spoken and reserved, but behind her introversion is a powerful personality and wit that makes her a joy to teach. She always helps other students, from when they ask her for a pencil (which she always has) to when they don't understand an assignment. She is responsible for her schoolwork diligent in checking her grades and is always willing to ask questions and check up on teachers.
- Junior: Alyssa M. was nominated by Mrs. Knox who said the following:
Alyssa has not let her physical setback hold her back academically. She works hard to complete her classwork and stay on top of her studies despite her injury.
- Senior: Luke S. was nominated by Ms. Kennedy who said the following:
Luke is a pleasure to have in class and is consistent in following school policies, acting appropriately as a member of the school community. Luke works very hard to do well in his classes and gets along with his classmates. PCH is a better place because Luke is a part of our community.
January
Freshman: Trenton F., nominated by Kevin Brown who said the following:
- "Trenton is very respectful in class. He is always honest and responsible in the classroom setting. Show good sportsmanship in all activities."
Sophomore: Lincoln H., nominated by Lucy Van Dyke (nee Antalek):
- "Despite disliking some of the subjects or topics he has to study, Lincoln will cooperate and push through to complete them, and complete them well. It is a pleasure to have him as a student because he challenges me to teach more purposefully, clearly, and better in general."
Junior: Shai R., nominated by Michelle Fredriksen
- "Shai consistently shows all of the character traits! She is very empathetic/compassionate/caring to her fellow students (and staff!) She is always the first volunteer to help other students and staff. Shai always has encouraging words for all of those that she encounters!"
12th Grade: Matthew G., nominated by Mr. Dawson
- "Matthew is one of the leaders of the physics class. He always has high scores on assignments due to his superior effort. He answers and asks questions often during class discussions. He is also always willing to assist his peers when solving new types of problems for the first time."
Middle School Staff Spotlights
Getting to know... MR.MARCUM
Q: What inspired you to want to be a teacher?
A: I was inspired by my longtime baseball coach. He was someone I trusted and looked up to and after years of playing for him, he recommended that I think about teaching. I never considered it until he started talking to me about it and after that, I went to college knowing I wanted to teach.
Q: Why did you come to this school?
A: The best part about this school is getting to work with people from all kinds of different backgrounds. As a Social Studies teacher, I’m very interested in different cultures and our building at PCMS has always been full of students with cultural backgrounds from all over the world.
Q: What is your favorite historical site?
A: My favorite would have to be the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Not only is it a powerful monument to a figure I have a lot of respect for but it’s also the location of so many other famous moments in history. Each time I go I look forward to standing on the spot where MLK Jr. gave his famous speech in front of that amazing crowd.
Getting to Know... Ms. Love
Q: Why did you become a teacher?
A: I didn’t always want to be a teacher. I went to college to study violin performance and International Studies, with hopes of working at a non profit organization, possibly internationally, in order to make the world a better place. I never wanted a desk job, I just knew I had to work in a field that’s main aim is making the world a better place. After spending a year working for a non-profit at an inner-city high school, I fell in love with forming relationships with students and realized I’m pretty good at teaching students as well! Plus, schools DO make the world a better place by pouring into little lives that will one day be our leaders. Likewise, I had SO many powerful, good teachers growing up who truly made a difference in my life. I want to be that person for a student that my teachers were for me.
Q: If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
A: I have so many other interests, so I would either be a Professional violinist, working for a non-profit, working with animals (like a dolphin trainer!), or running my own small cafe.
Q: How do you keep track of everything and stay organized?
A: I don’t….just kidding! I make lists. I make lists for my lists. I LOVE making lists and crossing off accomplishments each day. I also utilize a desk calendar and my phone calendar to remind myself of things I need to do!
Getting to Know... Ms. Carapucci
Q: How do you always stay so positive?
A: I drink a pot of coffee a day. And, I end every day by thinking of three things to be thankful for; especially if I had a rough day. Then, I remind myself of those three things when I wake in the morning. Oh, and extreme dot-to-dots. I love those!
Q: What are your favorite hobbies?
A: Buying coffee, drinking coffee, holding coffee, sniffing coffee, talking about coffee, banging my travel coffee mug on a desk or table to wake the kids, reading a book with a warm cup of coffee, and smiling with my coffee-stained teeth. I like coffee-flavored coffee.
Q: Are you currently reading any book right now? And what’s your favorite book?
A: My favorite books are The God of Small Things by Arundanti Roy and Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I am currently reading How Much of These Hills is Gold by Pam Zhang while sipping on a warm cup of coffee.
High School Staff Spotlights
Ms. Formoso was nominated by Kaylee O., Gray F.l, Natasha R., and Alexis I. They have the following to say respectively:
- " I choose to nominate Miss Formoso because she always helps me when I don't understand what I am doing. If I don't get it she will talk to me and slow down and does it a lot of times until I get it. She is great at listening and is always there for you if you need help. She is just a great teacher and she deserves to get this some days are hard but she always knows how to make us happy. also, she is the best algebra teacher ever "
- "She is very sweet and understanding, she helps me when I am confused with my math. I really appreciate her."
- "She's a really nice person, and she likes to try new things. She does a great job at being a teacher and she makes us feel comfortable in most situations. She also helps us whenever we need the help."
- "I choose Ms. Formoso because she will always help you when you need it and she is respectful to her students. She is always cheerful in the morning and will say hello to you. "
Ms. Antalek was nominated by Jada P., Sylvia P., Zayna A., and Brandon W. who had the following to say respectively:
- "This teacher is always willing to put a smile on kids faces and is always there to listen on issues and will try to fix things to make your learning environment easier and will support everyone thru everything and listen to you"
- "She was able to understand me during a difficult time period. I was moving to a different house with my parents, during school. I come home from school, and help put things in boxes then move the boxes in and out of the moving truck. We had to make an essay at the time, and she gave us the ability to do it in class. Plus, she can be funny at gloomy times of my life and is very encouraging. I wish the best to you! Fair winds and following seas!"
- "I chose Miss Antalek because she’s honestly an amazing teacher! She tries her hardest no matter how she’s feeling to make sure we learn & have fun with it too. She makes learning fun so we’d want to keep doing it and it works. She can make anyone's day on the spot because she’s actually funny! The way I’ve watched her go through so much but try to hide it so the student can be happy is crazy that’s dedication! She’ll help us with whatever we need help with any time & doesn't hesitate. She rewards people for doing good instead of other teachers just punishing someone for being bad. As boring as school can be <——(THAT WAS A SIMILE, SHE TAUGHT US THATTT!!!) But as boring as school can be she can always switch it around anytime and make us want to come. She motivates us to do good in school so we can do good in life. She’s an outstanding teacher! and That’s why I chose her"
- "she's the best, she works way too hard for a class that disrespects her almost every day she deserves this and I believe that she is just amazing and just so nice and funny shes is exactly what the school needed to make it a better place."
Karl Kessler
- "He's been a positive impact on my life and influenced me to become an astronaut"
- "He is the best teacher ever. He helps us with all our work. He has a great reflection to me. He helps me with my work and he helps me with my passion."
- "Because he is positive and responsible and he always tries to help when he can"
- "He's a positive person that makes other students also positive."
- "Taught me how to throw a football"
- "I chose Mr. Kessler because he constantly strives to improve his students academically. Mr. Kessler teaches in his own way and keeps his students accountable making sure that they pick up everything so they're ready for tests and quizzes."
Community Resources
Free COVID-19 Tests: Sign up to receive 4 free (per address) at-home COVID tests. Click Here for more information and to register.
Homework Help: The Cuyahoga County Public Library provides homework help to registered students. For more information, click here.
Education and Career Services: ASPIRE Cleveland offers many classes, workshops, and services in relation to education and career help for adults. Click here for more information
Around Town
Indoor/Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks: A list of ice skating rinks offering open skate opportunities in various communities.
Cleveland Museum of Art: Admission to the museum is ALWAYS free! There may be a small entrance fee to see featured exhibits.
DiscoveryWorks: Located at the Avon Lake Public Library, DiscoveryWorks provides a hands-on multisensory experience. There are two areas, one dedicated to ages 0-8 and the other for ages 8+.
Cleveland Kurentovajne: A week-long virtual and in-person event celebrating Slovenian Mardi-Gras, the traditional end to winter and the beginning of spring.
February Character Trait of the Month - COURAGE
What this looks like in Middle School/High School:
- Trying out new skills
- Participating verbally in class discussions
- Standing up and speaking in front of the classroom
- Don't be afraid to fail; failure is how people achieve true success in life
- Take responsibility for action (or inaction in some cases)
- Introduce yourself to someone
- Stand up for someone in need
YOUR PARMA COMMUNITY PBIS TEAM
Administrative Team
Bob Klinar
Todd Luecke
Eric Butler
Committee Members
Kerry Barnier - Character Education Manager
Megan Kennedy - Data Analyst and Tier 2 Rep
Amanda Fogerty - HS Tier 2/Intervention Implementation
Emily Ganzhorn - HS Tier2/3 Behavior Manager
Alec Carey -MS Tier 2/Emotional Supports
Laine Moon - Tier 2/3 Intervention Development and Data Analyst
Michelle Galmarini - Staff Liaison
Judy Hayes - MS Tier 1 Coordinator
Stephanie Shebestak - Family Liaison