Whitney's Jungle Journal
Mr. Stacho's Newsletter - May 7, 2021
Wild About Whitney!
FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
Strongsville City Schools offers several opportunities for community members to serve on Board of Education committees, with the goal of continued growth for our District. The Facilities Development Committee is focused on the maintenance of our buildings, as well as the vision for future growth and development of our physical space (land and buildings). The Facilities Development Committee is currently seeking new members - click HERE for additional details and contact information to become involved.
5th Grade Recognition - Some NEW information
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.
Dear Parents of 5th Graders:
Please read carefully and discuss the following information with your 5th grade student.
We are getting closer to our 5th Grade Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 28, 2021. On that day, students should pack a snack to eat at 10:30 a.m. before the program.
This day is a day for celebration, for remembering, and for honoring. Certain occasions in life are due the respect shown by dressing in our "Sunday Best." With that in mind, we are asking that all students "dress up" for this event.
Please help your child select appropriate clothing.
Girls
* Dresses/Skirts - MUST BE AT LEAST FINGERTIP LENGTH
* "Spaghetti straps" are allowable as long as a shawl, jacket, or sweater is worn over them.
* High-heeled shoes and/or flip flops are discouraged for safety reasons but may be worn if approved by parents.
Boys
* Nice/dressy pants. NO DENIM
* Collared shirts/polos. NO T-SHIRTS
* Ties, although not required, are appropriate
* Nice shoes. Preferably NOT tennis shoes
We have talked, at length, with the students regarding this special day. If you have any concerns or limitations regarding the above mentioned dress guidelines, please don't hesitate to call me.
Please complete and return the bottom of this form to help us plan for this day. Thank you for your assistance and support in making our 5th graders' final days at Whitney worth remembering.
Sincerely,
Mr. Stacho, Mrs. Bongers, Mrs. Hunter, Mr. Walker, and Mrs. Zak
Please print out and complete this form and return it to school. A paper copy has been sent home with your child as well.
Student Council Spirit Days
May 7: Strongsville PRIDE: Wear green and white or your Wild About Whitney Shirt.
May 14th: National Armed Forces Day: Wear Camouflage.
May 21st: Whitney Pride-Wear your Whitney Reading shirt.
The Strongsville Elementary Food Fight has been cancelled due to the County being in RED.
But, Whitney will be holding an Animal Shelter Drive instead! We will be collecting items for the Berea Animal Rescue from May 5th-May 14th. There will be a box located in each classroom. Items on their wishlist include:
Science Diet Dry Dog or Cat Food
Canned Cat/Dog food (any kind)
Scoopable litter, Nylabones, Benebones, Kongs, Paper towels, Toilet paper, Latex gloves, 30 gallon trash bags, 13 gallon kitchen bags, small blankets and towels.
Whitney Spring Instrumental Concert
"Hear and see the accomplishments of our fifth grade instrumental music students during the LIvestreamed Whitney Spring Concert, on Thursday, May 20, 2:00 pm in the Whitney Gym
A live audience will not be permitted, but the event will be Livestreamed via the SCS TV link Click here to View Concert
The concert will also be shown to all the Whitney students within their classrooms.
We need EVERY student to order a t-shirt. These are paid for by PTA. Please submit order!
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.
Mr. Schibley's May Newsletter
‘RIGHT AT SCHOOL’ TO OFFER BEFORE- & AFTER-SCHOOL CARE IN OUR DISTRICT FOR 2021-22
Jeff Ellis' International Karate After School Enrichment Program
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.
Strongsville Public Library
***Please note the following May 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.
Summer Reading Game Returns: Tales & Tails Summer Reading Game. June 5th – August 15th, 2021. Visit www.ccplsummerreading.org to register to play online. Stop in to your local branch library beginning June 5th to pick-up a game board or download the Beanstack Tracker app to play on your mobile device. Track your reading and win some prizes along the way. Read all summer for a chance to win some great prizes! Go to YouTube now to see our promotional video: https://youtu.be/7L09KKE5ZJI
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.
Take & Make Teen DIY Special Edition – Stress Balls!
Pick up supplies during the month of May while supplies last to make your own stress ball. Perfect for finals week or whenever life stresses you out.
Virtual Studio Orientation. Saturday, May 8th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. or Monday, May 10th 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 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. 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: Healthy Summer Eating. Tuesday, May 18th / 10:00 a.m.
Join us for this virtual Zoom presentation! It's summer. . . Time to relax, but don’t take a vacation from healthy eating. Join Amy Dunbar, Lead Registered Dietitian Nutritionist from Southwest General Hospital, as she discusses ways to improve summer eating. She will share tips about nutrition and how to buy fresh ingredients and cook them on the grill to ensure healthy eating this summer.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, May 19th / 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 The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk of the Strongsville Branch Library.
Podcast 101. Thursday, May 27th / 7:00 p.m.
Have you been wanting to start your own podcast? Well look no further! In this VIRTUAL event, successful podcaster, Matthew Aaron Diemer, will walk you through the steps on how to make your very own podcast. Please note that this workshop is geared towards Apple computer users.