Whitney's Jungle Journal
Mr. Stacho's Newsletter - April 16, 2021
Wild About Whitney!
School Theme For 2021-2022 and T-Shirt Order Form
Our school-wide theme next year is "Reading Rocks at Whitney!" Below you will see the order form for 2021-22 school year.
These t-shirts are paid for by our fantastic PTA!
Please click on this link and complete the form for each child that will be at Whitney next year.
5th Grade Recognition
We will be holding our 5th Grade Recognition on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 11:15 a.m. We will follow what we have traditionally done, but due to Covid restrictions, parents will not be able to attend. Instead, we will run our program with the students only, but will be live-streaming it for parents. Information with the link to view the program will come to you at a later date.
The students are encouraged to dress up on this day in their "Sunday Best". The students will sing a few songs, they will each be acknowledged and given certificates, there will be special awards, and a slide show at the end. For our Solo and Connects kids, they will be acknowledged in the program accordingly. Mrs. Wynn, our school secretary, will be calling parents of SOLO/Connects kids to see if those students will attend on that day or simply view the program virtually on the live-stream, since they have not been coming to school in person throughout the year.
At the conclusion of the program (around 12:30), we will take the students back to their classrooms and invite parents of 5th graders to drive up to the school and park on our playground. We figure those who are choosing to come up can make it up in 20 minutes. Once parked, parents will be asked to line the bus loop around the staff parking lot. At approximately 1:00 p.m., we will "parade" the 5th grade students out of the building so that the parents can "clap them out" on their last day. At the conclusion of this clap out, parents are welcome to take their 5th grade child home for the day (or out to lunch to celebrate). Closer to the day, we will send home a form so you can let us know if you plan to take your child, and any of their siblings, home at that time.
Check out the video below about the Strongsville High School musical!
"RIGHT AT SCHOOL" TO OFFER BEFORE- & AFTER-SCHOOL CARE IN OUR DISTRICT FOR 2021-22
It’s TALENT SHOW Time… VIRTUALLY!! DEADLINE EXTENDED
We’ve had a year like no other with so many changes. Even though we are not able to gather all together on the stage, the Whitney staff would still like to offer students a chance to showcase their amazing talents this year. We are going to host a “Virtual Talent Show” where students will be able to submit a video of themselves performing their talent and we will compile those into a show that you will be able to watch at home with your family. We will also have a viewing day at school for students at the end of May. Read on for more details!!!
● Videos may be a maximum of 3 minutes in length.
● Please only 1 act/talent per student (Solos, Duets, Trios, or Small Groups)
● Students can show off whatever special talent they would like to share with our school (singing, dancing, gymnastics, sports, martial arts, magic tricks, jokes, poetry or short story reading, music instruments, be creative!!)
● Select music that is age appropriate and look for songs that might not be on the current top ten list. Consider the message that your song conveys.
● Songs that include inappropriate words, violence or adult material will not be permitted!
● If you are singing, select instrumental music to accompany you, if possible. You can go to iTunes or Spotify to get a huge variety of Karaoke music.
● Consider wearing a costume to match your act!
● Original poems and skits are always a big hit!!
Recording Tips:
● You may use a smartphone, camcorder, tablet, etc. to record your video.
● Make sure that your recording space is well lit without a lot of shadows.
● Please make your recording in LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT view (horizontal rather than vertical).
● Try to mount your camera to minimize shaking and moving while recording.
● Watch and listen to your recording before submitting it. Make sure that it isn’t too loud or soft.
● Start your recording and silently count to 10 before doing anything, then also leave 10 seconds at the end where you are just smiling at the camera. We need this space at the beginning and end for editing purposes.
● Don’t forget to bow!!
● You do not need to say your name at the start of your act. We will have a title with your info displayed later.
Please submit your recording to Mrs. Ambroziak at: lambroziak@scsmustangs.org
Include your name, grade and teacher’s name in the email with your video. Video submissions are DUE by Friday, April 30th. Note that all submissions will be reviewed by our staff Talent Show committee. If any changes need to be made, those will be due by Friday, May 7th. Please plan ahead and try to turn in your video well before the due date!
Our very own Whitney Elementary Family Cookbook is here!
The cookbook includes recipes contributed by Whitney families, staff, and community members. Cookbooks may be purchased for $10.00 each. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of a new basketball hoop for our playground! Orders can be placed through May 3rd and returned to school with your student. Use the order form below, or click on the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18yxZqzxmUcAoRGmCjjaz4mpFAJ4Xea2N/view?usp=sharing
Thank you!
Whitney PTA
Student Council Spirit Days
Friday, April 16th: Wear your PJs!
Thursday, April 22nd: It's Earth Day (Wear colors of the Earth)
Fri. April, 30th: Is national superhero day! (If you do not have a superhero shirt/gear, wear the colors of your favorite superhero, wear a cape). But...do not go overboard: It’s not Halloween!
Whitney Elementary school supply kit sale for Fall 2021. Get all of your child’s school supplies in one place. Follow the instructions on the flyer. The orders will be delivered to Whitney Elementary prior to the start of the next school year. Order deadline is April 30th, 2021.
Attention current fifth graders and parents!
OHIO AIR TESTING SCHEDULE - PLEASE TAKE NOTE
Parents: Please do your best NOT to schedule any appointments for your child during state testing. Tests will be administered in the morning, with some make-up testing in the afternoons. The schedule is below for your reference.
Math - Grade 3 - Wednesday, April 21st, Part 1; Thursday, April 22nd, Part 2
Math - Grades 4 & 5 - Tuesday, April 27th, Part 1; Wednesday, April 28th, Part 2
Science - Grade 5 - Thursday, April 29th, Part 1; Friday, April 30th, Part 2
Ala carte snacks now being offered. PLEASE READ for important details.
We are proud to introduce our brand new PaySchools ID card system for purchasing ala carte snacks. Cards will be issued to the students within the school upon returning from spring break.
In this set-up, students present their ID cards to the scanner, which reads the barcode in the same way a grocery-store barcode reader works. It’s faster than pin pads, and though students may tap their cards on the scanner, touch is minimized.
Benefits include:
Eliminating as much unnecessary touching of surfaces as possible.
Minimizing the amount of time students have to spend in lines and common areas.
Maintaining hygiene for students, staff & volunteers.
Purchasing Ala Carte items will only be an option for students in grades two through five due to time constraints. After students are finished eating lunch classrooms will be permitted to go back to the lunchroom one at a time to pick out Ala Carte items using their new ID cards.
If your student does not have their ID card while in the lunch line, please encourage them to write down or memorize their six-digit school ID number.
Our lunch line moves MUCH faster when students have their ID number!
The first card is free, but replacement for lost cards is $2.00. This must be paid by check or cash, we do not have the ability to deduct this charge from a student’s account.
The speed of lunch lines has never been more important. Students in our district have to line up to select and pay for ala carte items so it is essential that the line move quickly—especially since we require students to maintain distance from each other in the line.
The sooner students can move through communal spaces and return to the safety of their classroom, the better.
To put money on your student’s account you may send in a check made out to SCS with your student, and the Cafeteria staff will post that money to your student’s account. Please include their name and ID number on the check. You may also sign up for a PaySchools Central account to fund their account with a credit card or your checking account. The link to PaySchools Central is below. PaySchools Central does charge a fee for their service--however, it gives you access to view their account spending, and you can set low-balance limits to automatically replenish their account so your student never runs low on money. Finally, a student can always pay with cash.
The Federal School Lunch Program has waived all meal expenses so breakfast & lunch will continue to be free through September 30, 2021.
This institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider
Mr. Schibley's APRIL Newsletter
When should I keep my child home?
In order to do your part in preventing the spread of germs, it is imperative that we are frequently doing symptom checks of our children at home. If your child is displaying any of the following symptoms, please keep them home and inform our front office. We will work to ensure that your child stays up to date with assignments and the teaching taking place in the classroom:
- A fever of 100.4 degrees or higher. This is one of the strongest Covid Symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Persistent cough or runny nose
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
We need you to assist in helping us, by monitoring for these symptoms on a daily basis, and keeping your child home if they aren't feeling well.
Responsible Restart Webpage (REPEAT ITEM)
Strongsville Public Library
***Please note the following April 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.
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. 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 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/Virtual-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 and Adult Departments are offering free craft kits to take home while supplies last.
Zoom Virtual Storytime Baby & Me. Wednesdays, April 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th 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, April 8th, 15th, 22nd , and 29th from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.
Virtual Studio Orientation. Saturday, April 17th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Have you ever thought about recording your own music, making a video, digitizing memories and more? The Strongsville 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. During the COVID-19 pandemic these orientations will be held VIRTUALLY ONLY. We will offer orientations on both rooms, however, only the Video Studio is open during this time. The Audio Studio orientation begins at 9:30a.m. and the Video Studio orientation follows immediately after. 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.
Southwest General Health Talk: Stroke Prevention & Awareness. Tuesday, April 20th / 10:00 a.m.
Join us for this VIRTUAL Zoom presentation! Join Maureen Moore, RN, BSN, SCRN, Stroke Coordinator, from the Primary Stroke Center at Southwest General, as she presents the signs and symptoms of stroke, shares prevention strategies, and introduces Southwest General’s Grey Matters Stroke Prevention and Circulation Circuit Programs.
Zoom Virtual Preschool Storytime. Tuesdays, April 6th, 13th, 20th and April 27th 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. Wednesdays, April 7th, 14th, 21st and April 28th from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. You must register online to receive the Zoom link.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, April 21st / 7:00 p.m.
Our Wednesday Evening Book Discussion has gone VIRTUAL and will be live on Zoom at 7p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We welcome all adults interested in reading and discussing great books! Our April discussion title will be Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.