Whitney's Rockin' Review

Mr. Stacho's Newsletter - October 7, 2021

No School on Friday, October 8, 2021

Reading Rocks at Whitney!

Morning Drop Off

Morning Drop Off

Over the last week or so, I've had some morning meetings that have prevented me from being out at the morning drop off.


Please remember:


1) Whether I'm out there or not, at 8:50 a.m., students in cars that are in the drop off lane along the side of the building should get out of their cars. Please do NOT wait to be at the front of the line. As long as your car is along the side of the building, students should exit cars when the lane of traffic is stopped so we are emptying 9 cars at a time.


2) Do NOT wait to have your child "waved" out of the car. If the traffic lane is stopped and you are along the side of the building, students should exit.


3) When there are no stopped cars in front of you . . . PLEASE . . . pull all the way up - as far as you can so we can get as many cars into that exit lane as possible.

Morning Drop Off
A Message From Mr. Stacho:

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's videos highlight our 1st Grade Teachers.
A Message From Mr. Stacho:
Levy Renewal Information! Please read!

Levy Renewal Information! Please read!

Did you know that our District has a textbook review process that occurs every six years to keep materials relevant and updated? In combination with textbooks, our District also provides students with multiple software programs to enhance learning in the classroom. Issue 68, the renewal levy for Strongsville City Schools, helps support these classroom resources for all students.

Levy Renewal Information! Please read!
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WOO HOO CART Week of 9/27/21

October 18th - Staff Professional Development Day / Student Asynchronous Day

Just a reminder that Monday, October 18th is an asynchronous day for students. Students will not attend school in person on this day. Teachers will post lessons / educational experiences planned for students via their Google Classroom.

Tackling Literacy

The “Tackling Illiteracy” program encourages student-athletes from high schools across the nation to participate in weekly readings in second-grade classrooms. While in the classrooms, they are reading to the kids, passing out FREE books for the kids to take home and reminding the kids why it is so important to read. The 2nd and 7 Foundation created its own book series featuring a group of friends called the Hog Mollies; each book teaches valuable life lessons.

Former Whitney Students/SHS Athletes Reading To Our 2nd Graders!

The Whitney Morning Announcements are now on our website! You can listen to all the news that's worth reporting by going to the Whitney page, click on "Our School" and then "Morning Announcements."

Free Books For Children Birth To Age 5

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

Free Books For Children Birth To Age 5
Mr. Schibley's October Guidance Newsletter

Mr. Schibley's October Guidance Newsletter

Please click here to view Mr. Schibley's guidance newsletter.
Mr. Schibley's October Guidance Newsletter
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Halloween At Whitney

Once again this year we will have classroom Halloween parties. The parties will take place on Friday, October 29th from 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. in the classrooms.


Please remember that ONLY the 3 parent helpers per class, that have signed up in advance, will be admitted. All parent helpers must sign in in the office with a photo ID and receive a visitor's badge.


Parent Helpers: Please send in any food items in the morning to allow us the time to verify if the foods meet the district requirements.


All foods being brought in must adhere to the District's Shared Foods Policy and must be checked in the office before going to the classrooms. Please follow the guidelines. We have had to return candy/treats/snacks to many families because the items were made on a nut line and "may" contain nuts. It is amazing as to how many things are made in a nut factory and may contain nuts. Please read the labels carefully before you purchase. The ingredients must be listed on the packaging for us to share in the classrooms. All food must be free from ALL NUTS and PEANUTS and state on the label that it is a nut free product.


For the safe snack guide:

www.SnackSafely.com

Click on the Safe Snack Guide on the tool bar of the site. Then there is a red box that says "Click to download your copy"

This site is updated regularly.


While we know parents like creating "treat bags," we simply do not have the time to verify each item within the treat bag and thus these will be sent back home without being distributed.


Weather permitting, we will have a short parade through our bus loop and playground from 2:15-2:30 p.m . If you are coming to view the parade, parking will be available on our playground . . . please leave a full "lane" around the perimeter/outside edge of the playground blacktop to allow for the parade. If it is raining or snowing, there will NOT be a parade. With increased security in our schools, we simply cannot coordinate screening every parent/family member that would want to enter our school to view a costume parade inside the building. If the parade is cancelled, we will send out a "School Messenger" message at approximately 1:45 p.m.


We want to encourage students to dress as characters from books they’ve read or aligned with our "Whitney Rocks" theme. Please remember that even costumes MUST adhere to Whitney’s Dress Code (NO spaghetti straps, NO bare midriffs, NO inappropriate icons or graphics). Students may wear or bring their costumes, simple in nature, to school. We encourage creativity in costuming and NON-VIOLENT and NON-RISQUE costumes.


*Please note: Costumes such as the "Scream" mask or the recent "Joker" character will NOT be allowed due to the graphic violence these characters represent.


Look-a-like weapons (including, but not limited to, swords, guns, and knives) are NOT permitted. This should be a positive experience by encouraging fun and originality that does not frighten our younger students. Masks will not be permitted to be worn throughout the school day, but may be worn at the party. Students who bring their costumes will be given time to change into their costumes before the parade begins at 2:15 p.m. Students must be able to dress and prepare themselves in their costumes independently at school.


I’m certain that we’ll have a “spook-tacular” time!

The Strongsville City Schools “Greet & Treat”

The Strongsville City Schools “Greet & Treat” event returns this fall and will be held outdoors at Strongsville High School on Wednesday, October 27 from 5:00pm - 6:30pm. Dress up in your best Halloween costume and collect candy and treats in an outdoor, family-friendly atmosphere at Pat Catan Stadium. We will also be accepting donations of non-perishable items for the Strongsville Food Bank that evening. We hope to see lots of families at this year’s “Greet & Treat” on October 27!
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Would you like to follow Whitney Elementary on Twitter.... (Repeat Item)

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

For up to date highlights on Whitney Elementary, follow @WhitneyElement1 on Twitter!
Would you like to follow Whitney Elementary on Twitter.... (Repeat Item)

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

Strongsville Public Library

***Please note the following October 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.

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 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, Teen, and Adult Departments are offering free craft kits to take home while supplies last.

Fall Into Health. Tuesday and Wednesdays, October 5th, 6th, 12th, & 13th / 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
CSU nursing students along with licensed RN will provide health screenings, one-on-one chronic disease education and general health education with the focus being overall health and wellness.


Virtual Studio Orientation. Saturday, October 9th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. or Monday, October 11th 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.

Red Cross Blood Drive. Thursday, October 14th / 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.
In just an hour of your time you can help save up to three lives. Make sure hospital patients get the treatment they need. Donate blood today. For more information or to make an appointment visit www.redcrossblood.org or call the American Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).

Declutter and Get Your Home Organized. Monday, October 18th / 7:00 p.m.
Known as the “Marie Kondo of Moving,” Ali Wenzke will help you declutter and get organized. Join us as the Art of Happy Moving author offers tips to make your home beautiful, simplified, and relaxing. Register online to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, October 20th / 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 Heartland: a Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth by Sarah Smarsh. 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.

Southwest General Health Talk: Vaccinations – The Facts You Need to Know. Wednesday, October 20th / 10:00 a.m.
Do you have questions about the flu, COVID, vaccines, or boosters? Are you wondering what you can do to protect your family? A Southwest General Pharmacist will discuss what you need to know now! Register online to receive the Zoom link to participate.

First Page Book Club. Monday, October 25th / 7:00 p.m.
The Strongsville Teen Librarian will read the first page of a few teen books of various genres to help you find your next great read. We will then discuss other books we have read and enjoyed. Register online to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Family Fright Night. Wednesday, October 27th / 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
A Virtual Spooky Storytime for "ghouls" and "goblins" ages 5 & up with an adult. Did you ever experience shivers up your spine? Find a good spot at home, grab your blanket and snuggle up with some silly and spooky stories. Be prepared to be SCARED! Register online to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Strongsville Public Library
Mr. Glen L. Stacho

Mr. Glen L. Stacho

Mr. Glen L. Stacho

13548 Whitney Road, Strongsville, OH, United States gstacho@scsmustangs.org 440-572-7180 whitney.strongnet.org/