Whitney's Jungle Journal
Mr. Stacho's Newsletter - April 23, 2021
Wild About Whitney!
Carpool Reminder
As a result, the gate may be up preventing you from entering the pick-up line until 3:25.
Please be courteous to drivers on Whitney Road, as traffic will back up if our playground is being used. We do NOT begin calling names for dismissal until 3:25.
My suggestion is that unless you are one of the first 8 cars in the driveway, that you wait to arrive at Whitney until between 3:30 - 3:35 so that traffic does not back up onto Whitney Road.
We ALWAYS have all students out of our car pick-up line by 3:35 p.m.
Thank you for your cooperation and attention to this matter
HELP US TO PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR!
If you are planning to move or withdraw your child from Whitney Elementary School for any reason, please let us know immediately. There are some papers that need to be filled out and we also need to know in creating class lists for next year. Additionally, if you know of a neighbor or friend who might be enrolling their student at Whitney for next school year, please ask them to contact the school office for details about enrolling. This is especially important for any 1st graders coming to us from other kindergarten programs in the area. The more information we have and the sooner we get it, the better prepared we are to plan for next year. Thanks a bunch.
Some Spring Time Fun At Recess!
Check out the video below about the Strongsville High School musical!
Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. will be streaming via ShowTix4U on Friday April 23 and Saturday April 24 at 7pm. It is based on the 2008 Broadway production and the 1989 animated feature film. The cast contains 35+ SHS students along with 10+ students working backstage.
This classic Disney title contains all of the songs from the Academy Award® winning animated feature film as well as three new songs from the Broadway show. THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she’s the girl with the perfect voice.
Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. is a scheduled content property meaning it had to be pre-recorded and edited for a specific, timed viewing. Students worked tirelessly for two months to bring this together. Rehearsals and filming were scheduled based on the seven set locations, so students got a sneak peek at what it is like to film a movie. Students also recorded their vocals individually and each voice was layered for each track, similar to a true album recording. After recording, the final product will be edited together.
You may purchase tickets by visiting https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/49257
Streaming tickets are $15 + a processing fee.
You must sign in by 7pm on the assigned date to view the stream. There is no open window for viewing.
Each ticket purchase is per device (i.e. you can only view on one device)
Check out the great episode of "60 Seconds With The Superintendent!"
School Theme For 2021-2022 and T-Shirt Order Form (Repeat Item)
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 (Repeat Item)
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.
It’s TALENT SHOW Time… VIRTUALLY!! DEADLINE EXTENDED (Repeat Item)
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! (Repeat Item)
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
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! (Repeat Item)
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 - 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
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.
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.