Whitney's Rockin' Review

Mr. Stacho's Newsletter - November 5, 2021

Reading Rocks at Whitney!

Family Groups!

Last Friday, we started a program called, "Family Groups." In essence, this program is meant to bring students together in cross-grade-level groups (K-5) to A) create a stronger sense of community, B) connect students with another caring adult in the building, and C) focus on positive characteristics outlined in our Model Mustang.


Last week's lesson focused on "Resilience." We began by introducing ourselves to each other in our groups. We then played a little game to get to know each other. We then read the book, "Ish" by Peter Reynolds. Finally, students drew a self portrait which will be added to a "quilt" (made of paper) to identify ourselves as a part of group. We will have these short meetings periodically through the year to strengthen relationships in our school community and learn about positive characteristics.


"Developmental research shows that having one or more caring adults in a child's life increases the likelihood that they will flourish and become productive adults themselves."


Key findings of research indicate that:

  • "children and adolescents who have a formal or informal "mentor-like" relationship with someone outside their home are less likely to have externalizing behavior problems (bullying) and internalizing problems (depression)"
  • "This group is also more likely to complete tasks they start, remain calm in the face of challenges, show interest in learning new things, volunteer in the community, engage in physical activities, participate in out of school time activities, and be engaged in school."
  • "Additionally, those who have a caring adult outside the home are more likely to talk with their parents about "things that really matter."
  • "These results suggest that mentor-like adults outside the home can be a resource in promoting positive well-being for children and adolescents."

Spirit Days

11/5: Pajama Day

11/11: (Thursday/ Veteran's Day) Red, White and Blue)

11/19: Wear your Reading Rocks t-shirts

12/3: Tie-dye day

12/10: Whitney Reading shirts

12/16: Ugly Holiday Sweater/shirt day

A Message From Mr. Stacho:

We wanted to do a better job of letting all of our students and parents know a little more about our staff, so each week, I'm going to share a few video introductions so you can get to know us a little better. We are all a TEAM at Whitney, so we want you to be part of our team and know who we are. This week, meet our Guidance Counselor, Mr. Schibley; our Literacy Coach, Mr. Owens, and Mrs. Trimper, our Media Assistant.

WOO HOO CART Week of 10/25/21

Winter Reminders

As the cooler temperatures arrive, here are the guidelines for outdoor recess. Students will go outside for recess when the temperature is 20°F or above and the wind-chill is 10°F or above. Children should always come to school prepared to go outside for recess. So, remember to get out your mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, and heavier coats.


Please also remind your children that they are NOT to pick up snow or ice at school, during recess, or at bus stops. Snowball fights are fun when at home with a few close friends or family, but at school, at the bus stop, during recess, etc., throwing snow often results in someone getting hurt. We appreciate your help in supporting us in our efforts to keep everyone safe by having this conversation with your children. Thanks so much.

MUSTANGS TEAM SHOP - ORDER ONLINE THROUGH NOV. 17

Get a jump on your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home. Visit the online Mustangs Team Shop at https://mustangsteamshop-wn21.itemorder.com/ and shop for the Strongsville fan on your holiday list. Choose from T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, and MORE! Many of the items can be personalized with name, number, and favorite sport. Delivery of items before the holidays! HURRY - the Mustangs Team Shop closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday, November 17!

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Electrify Your Symphony - Friday, November 19

Don't miss the "Electrify Your Symphony" concert with world-renowned violinist Mark Wood, featuring SMS and SHS orchestra performances, on Friday, November 19. Two shows are scheduled - get your advanced tickets for the 6:00pm show HERE & for the 8:30pm show HERE.

Whitney Cookbooks for sale!

Are you tired of eating the same thing? Whitney Cookbook can help!

Today is cold and wet, how about some Hot Sausage and Kale Soup? Tomorrow is game day, up your half time game with Jalapeno Kickers.

These are just 2 examples of recipes from our awesome Whitney Family Cookbook. The cookbook is 112 pages long and contains over 130 recipes!

Cookbooks are for sale for $10. All proceeds go directly to the purchase of a new basketball hoop for the playground. Simply send your Child's/Your name and cash or check made out to Whitney Elementary PTA to school with your child marked Cookbook.

Keep an eye out for more previews of the recipes included!

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Mr. Schibley's November Guidance Newsletter

Please click here to view Mr. Schibley's guidance newsletter.
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Free Books For Children Birth To Age 5

Ohio has taken Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which previously was only offered in certain counties, and now offers it to all families with children birth-five. Using this gives families access to free books so they can develop their own in-home libraries. Click on the link below to register to receive FREE BOOKS!

Ohio Imagination Library

BRIXOLOGY™ is back at the Strongsville Recreation Center for students ages 5 – 12 years & class starts next month!

This class offers a unique application of the engineering design process with custom builds designed with master LEGO® building and our very own Research and Development team! From carnival rides to drawing machines, mechanical animals to soaring towers, you’ll explore exciting engineering careers and develop creative problem-solving skills galore.

Register by calling the Strongsville Rec. front desk at 440-580-3260. Please register at least one week in advance.

Would you like to follow Whitney Elementary on Twitter.... (Repeat Item)

For up to date highlights on Whitney Elementary, follow @WhitneyElement1 on Twitter!

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS (Repeat Item)

COVID-19 prevention strategies remain critical to protect people, including students, teachers, and staff that may not be vaccinated. As we want to provide a safe and supportive environment for everyone, we will continue to implement the following preventive measures for the 2021-22 school year in consideration of the recommendations provided by the Ohio Department of Health.


  1. Vaccination. We will continue to share vaccination opportunities/locations for eligible students and staff.

  2. Wearing Masks. Per the CDC, masks must be worn by all students and staff when riding on the school bus. When at school and indoors, masks are optional for students and staff, yet strongly recommended for those who are unvaccinated. When outdoors, masks are not necessary, but still are optional based on individual/family preference.

  3. Ventilation. We will continue to implement our ventilation protocols to bring in as much outside air as possible and provide air filtration at the highest level possible for our existing HVAC units.

  4. Social Distancing. We will strive to maintain 3 feet social distancing within classrooms, cafeterias, and learning spaces. Cooperative grouping opportunities for students may be phased throughout the fall based on COVID trends in the school district.

  5. Additional Mitigation Strategies. We will continue to provide opportunities for regular hand washing / hand sanitizer use and educate students on proper respiratory etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes.)

  6. Cleaning / Disinfection. We will continue to implement the same cleaning / disinfection procedures as were implemented last school year.

  7. Health Screenings. Families/Staff continue to be required to perform daily health screenings and must stay at home when feeling ill and/or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (CLICK HERE).

  8. Contact Tracing, Isolations, and Quarantines. We will continue to perform regular contract tracing in combination with isolation or quarantine mandates as set by the Ohio Department of Health or other state/local mandates.


Note. The Superintendent may enact further restrictions, such as mandatory masking and increased social distancing by classroom, grade-level, or building based on COVID-related data and trends.


For additional information on the prevention strategies listed above and COVID-related restrictions in our buildings for the 2021-22 school year, click on the link below.


PREVENTION STRATEGY DETAILS


SCHOOL BUILDING OPERATING PROCEDURES / RESTRICTIONS

Strongsville Public Library

***Please note the following November 2021 events being held on ZOOM virtually and presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration and an email address are required for all events in order for us to send you the Zoom invitation. Please call (440) 238-5530 to register or for more information. Customers may also visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org to register and to see more library event information.

**The Cuyahoga County Public Library and Administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, November 11th for Staff Development Day. We will resume normal hours on Friday, November 12th.

**The Cuyahoga County Public Library and Administrative offices will be closed at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24th and all day Thursday, November 25th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Friday, November 26th.

Cuyahoga Works – Need help with your resume or interview skills? A Cuyahoga Works Career Counselor will be at the Strongsville Branch on Thursdays from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. to meet with individuals in need of job search assistance. For more information, visit https://cuyahogalibrary.org/Services/Cuyahoga-Works.aspx To schedule an appointment, please call (216) 475-2225.

English as a Second Language. IN PERSON Thursdays & Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Aspire Greater Cleveland is once again teaching IN-PERSON classes to help non-native speakers learn English and validate their skills. Students must attend an ESOL/Citizenship orientation session before beginning ESOL or citizenship classes. If you are interested in attending these ESOL classes, please call Aspire at 833.277.4732 to register.

Computer Classes
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced. Classes are currently being held in-person as well as some VIRTUALLY using the program Screenleap which requires a web browser and an internet connection. There is no additional software to download. Google Chrome is the recommended browser. A valid email address is required for registration. Registrants will receive an email with a link to join the class at least an hour before the start time. Registration opens 30 days before the start of the class and closes prior to the start of the class. To see a full class list, descriptions, and to register, please visit
https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Computer-Classes/2021-Virtual-and-In-Person-classes.aspx

Take & Make At Home Crafts!
Stop into the Strongsville Branch to see what the current take it and make it craft of the month is for All Ages. Each month the Youth, Teen, and Adult Departments are offering free craft kits to take home while supplies last.

Discuss & Design: Millennial Book Discussion. Wednesday, November 3rd / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Attention millennials we're going virtual! Are you looking for something fun and different to do with your friends? How about a book club with a twist. We meet monthly, alternating between children's, teen, and adult books. We discuss the assigned book and design something that complements the title, subject, or book cover. Maker kits will be available as a part of this program and can be mailed to a branch near you for pick up! Our next discussion will be on the book The Girls I've Been Before by Tess Sharpe. Register online to receive your materials and Zoom link to participate.

Young at Heart Virtual Book Discussion. Tuesday, November 9th / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. BOTH VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON.
A book club for adults who love Children's and Teen books. The next discussion title is Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park, 2020. When calling or registering online, please select whether you will be coming in-person or will need the Zoom link for the virtual discussion.

Zoom Virtual Preschool Storytime. Tuesdays, November 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.

Zoom Virtual Toddler Storytime. Wednesday, November 3rd , 10th, 17th and 24th from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.

Zoom Virtual Storytime Baby & Me. Wednesday, November 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th from 3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.

Zoom Virtual Family Storytime. Thursdays, November 4th, 11th, and 18th from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.

Happy, Happy, Happy Virtual Birthday Party. ALL Ages. Saturday, November 6th / 2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
Join us virtually for a fun filled party to celebrate all birthdays! Mr. P. will supply the entertainment with stories, rhymes, and maybe a song or two. All are more than welcome to create a party atmosphere at home if you like! JUST HAVE FUN!

Young at Heart Virtual Book Discussion. Tuesday, November 9th / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. BOTH VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON.
A book club for adults who love Children's and Teen books. At the next discussion, we will talk about our favorite children or teen books from 2020 and 2021. When calling or registering online, please select whether you will be coming in-person or will need the Zoom link for the virtual discussion.

Virtual Studio Orientation. Saturday, November 13th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. or Monday, November 22nd from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Have you ever thought about recording your own music, making a video, digitizing memories and more? The Strongsville Branch Library is home to both Audio and Video Recording studios that can help you do just that! You must go through an orientation in order to use the spaces. These orientations will be held VIRTUALLY ONLY. Patrons 11 & up can participate in the orientation and must turn in the User Agreement form at the branch in order for the orientation to count. Register online to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Teen Virtual Trivia Night. Monday, November 8th / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
This trivia game will cover a variety of topics and is a great way to show what you know. Registration and an e-mail address are required to receive the link to participate. A meeting link will be emailed to registered participants approximately one hour prior to the start of the program.

Southwest General Health Talk: Options for Hip & Knee Arthritis. Tuesday, November 16th / 10:00 a.m.
Larry Lika, DO, orthopedics from Southwest General will discuss current approaches to hip and knee arthritis, from non-surgical to surgical options. Learn how advances in technologies mean a quicker recovery and improved outcomes. Register online to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, November 17th / 7:00 p.m.
Our Wednesday Evening Book Discussion has gone VIRTUAL and will be live on Zoom at 7 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our next discussion title will be The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library. Register online to receive the Zoom link.

Intro to Indian Classical Music. Tuesday, November 23rd / 7:00 p.m.
Sugata Chatterjee will perform the ancient form of “raaga” which is the melodic framework for improvisation akin to a melodic mode in Indian classical music. Registration and an email address are required to receive the Zoom link to participate.