almira pre k-8 academy •3375 west 99th street •(216) 838 almira … · 2019. 4. 1. · students...
TRANSCRIPT
-
Volume 1, Issue 6
Almira News
Almira Pre K-8 Academy •3375 West 99th Street • (216) 838 -6150
Please remember!
Meet your scholar’s
teacher by requesting a
visit in the main office.
Review discipline policies
with your child.
Please be respectful of
the instructional time
your children engage
in. When you pick
your children up early
(before 3:40pm) it
causes them to miss
valuable instructional
time, which will have a
major impact on their
attendance and their
overall success in the
classroom. Please,
only pick your children
up early if there is an
emergency.
Boys Basketball Team 2
Meet a Teacher 3
Drama Club at Cleveland
Play House
4
February Calendar 5
CMSD News– Snow Days 6
CMSD News– School
Choice
7
Valentine’s Day Cross-
word Puzzle
8
Inside this issue:
Dear Almira Parents and
Caregivers,
As we begin the second
month of the new year, I
want to highlight some
important events at Almi-
ra. Student attendance
on a regular basis is es-
sential throughout the
year for children to max-
imize their learning, but
especially in the second
half of the school year.
Please be sure to help get
your children to school
regularly and on time.
We want the best for your
children and strongly be-
lieve that they gain the
most from being at school
on a consistent (if not
regular) basis.
Each month we have spe-
cial activities and treats
for scholars who have
perfect attendance. Janu-
ary’s celebration will con-
sist of scholars being in-
vited to a “Snow Cone
Party” where they will
see the movie Frozen and
feast on flavorful snow
cones. February’s perfect
attendance scholars will
be treated to a “Red and
White Dance.” These
scholars will be able to
have a dress down day,
wearing red and white, to
stand out from the crowd.
Also, for the month of
February, every scholar
with perfect attendance
with have their name
entered in to a raffle
drawing to win a brand
new bicycle. Each month
we will celebrate attend-
ance with a different
theme and activities.
Here are other important
dates and activities in the
month of February.
● February 8th: We will
kick off an anti-bully pro-
gram “Hello.”
● Febru-
ary 12:
Schools
will be
closed for
scholars.
This is a
profession-
al development day for
staff.
● February 18: Parent
Conferences 12:30-7:00
pm. Please plan to meet
with your child’s teacher.
● February 26: Schools
will be closed for scholars.
This is a professional de-
velopment day for staff.
Questions or concerns?
Contact the office at (216)
838-6150.
Thank you for your contin-
ued support of Almira Ga-
tor scholars and staff.
Educationally yours,
LaVerne Hooks
Principal
Message from Principal Hooks
February 1, 2016
New Pilot Carpool Program
Transportation is a major reason that many schol-
ars miss school days. In an effort to improve at-
tendance and strengthen the Almira community,
we are piloting a new carpool program. If you are
interested in being a carpool driver or if you want
your child to be a carpool rider, please contact
Dean of Engagement Mr. Steward at (216) 838-
6161.
-
Join the School Parent Organization
Assist Tutors during Afterschool program
Assist Lunch aides and Recess Coaches
Help plan and execute special events
Lead an after-school club or activity
(experience required)
Be a classroom assistant
*Criminal Records Check required for all positions
To volunteer, please see or contact: Jocelyn Prince, Almira’s Site Coordinator, at joc-
[email protected] or (216) 838-6159 or Principal Hooks at (216) 838-6150.
Suggested items:
GENTLY USED OR NEW
UNIFORM CLOTHES OF ALL
SIZES
GENTLY USED OR NEW
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
FOR PREK-8TH
GRADERS
GENTLY USED OR
NEW WINTER ACCES-
Support Almira scholars in
need by donating items you
no longer need to our
school community.
Drop off boxed or bagged
items in the main office.
SORIES (HATS, GLOVES,
SCARVES, ETC.)
SCHOOL SUPPLIES (PENCILS,
BOOKBAGS, CRAYONS, ETC)
Volunteer Opportunities at Almira
Almira Gators Boys Basketball Team
Donations Needed
PAGE 2 ALMIRA NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
Almost 30 scholars
tried out for the Almira
Gators Boys Basketball
Team. 15 boys made
the cut. These 7th and
8th graders will prac-
tice two or three times
a day– before school,
during recess, and af-
terschool. To stay on
the team, players must
maintain good grades,
positive behaviors, and
ongoing commitment.
“Our goal is to win all
the games this year. I
have already been im-
pressed by the commit-
ment of the team. They
show up for practice
every day, on time,”
says Head Coach Na-
than Pardon.
Pardon plans to focus on
dribbling, shooting, and
intensity this season.
The team will play
about 10 games and
Almira parents are in-
vited to attend all home
games and cheer the
Gators on! Students
watching games MUST
be accompanied by a
parent or caregiver.
TEAM ROSTER
DeMarko Allen
Taurye Allen
Mekhi Amankwah
Wilfredo Arriola
Jayson Austin
Sean Booker
Sylvester Fuqua
Terry Harris
Cidney “CJ” Johnson
Daniel McCloud
Daniel Perry
Tae’quan Poage
Logan Robertson
Rasheed Rountree
Aaron Vonderau
Head Coach: Mr. Nathan
Parton
-
Where are you from? The East
Side of Cleveland.
Where did you go to college? I
attended Cleveland State Univer-
sity where I majored in Early
Childhood Education. I am cur-
rently working on my master’s
degree in Special Education at
Notre Dame University.
Why did you decide to become
a Kindergarten teacher?
I wanted to be a Kindergarten
teacher since I myself was in Kin-
dergarten in a CMSD school. I
always wanted to work with
younger students. Kindergarten
is where everything begins and I
love being part of the students’
transformation as they grow.
What do you want to accom-
plish this year with the Almira
scholars? Being consistent, and
laying the foundation to get the
scholars ready for the 1st grade.
We are focusing on letter and
number recognition and sight
word identification.
What is your favorite color? I
like orange, tan, and black.
What is your favorite food?
Chicken Chili and Lobster.
What special activity did you
plan for your students for cele-
brating Valentine’s Day? We
will be using candy sweet hearts for
a counting math activity.
How long
have you
been teach-
ing? This is
my third year
as a classroom
teacher, I also
was a substi-
tute teacher for two years before
that. I worked at Euclid Park Ele-
mentary School before coming to
Almira.
GRAND OPENING: Almira PreK-8 Academy Gator Store
Meet a Teacher: Ms. Williams, Kindergarten
PAGE 3 ALMIRA NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
In an effort to improve school culture and scholar
behavior, Almira has opened its own store. Through-
out the week, scholars earn Gator Bucks that they
can spend on Friday afternoons when the mobile
store visits their classrooms.
Teachers pay scholars in Gator Bucks when they ex-
hibit good behavior like following directions and be-
ing a good friend.
Items at the store are donated by teachers, parents,
and community organizations. Many items are also
purchased by the principal and placed in the store.
High priced items include watches, headphones, and
Bluetooth speakers. Lower priced items include pen-
cils, granola bars, and stickers.
According to Dean of Engagement, Conrad Steward,
“Scholars are eager to earn the Gator bucks, and
they look forward to Fridays. The store acts as an
incentive to promote positive school culture.”
Teachers utilize Kickboard to keep track of their
scholars’ behavior. Kickboard is a leading software
program that tracks behavior, goal-based incentives,
points, and rewards.
To donate items to the Gator Store, please contact
Dean of Engagement Steward at (216) 838-6161.
-
PAGE 4 ALMIRA NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
Almira’s Drama Club traveled downtown to Cleveland Play House on Friday, January 15th
and Sunday, January 17th. To rehearse and perform a selection from– Little Shop of Horrors.
Students learned choreography and vocal music for “Skid Row,” the opening number of the hit
musical. On Sunday, students participated in a technical rehearsal with lights and sound,
enjoyed the Cleveland Play House professional production of Little Shop of Horrors, and then
performed their musical number onstage for family and friends. After their performance, Dra-
ma Club members attended a reception in the Cleveland Play House lobby and met the profes-
sional actors in the show.
Education Apprentice Julia Sosa reflected on the day- “The scholars did a wonderful job work-
ing together and they really enjoyed themselves. They worked hard to get the song completely
memorized and were able to perform without their scripts. They were nervous before the per-
formance, but they really owned the stage and had a great moment.”
Almira’s Dra-
ma Club meets
afterschool on
Wednesday af-
ternoons.
Almira Drama Club performs at Cleveland Play House!
Almira Drama Club
Alicia Azap
Tavaughn Caldwell
Jade Callow
Bianca Couch
Tishawna Decembly
Marci’a Johnson
Brandon Ridgeway
Daila Hughes
Christina Robinson
Myeasha Robinson Faculty Advisors: Ms. Volney and Ms. Smith
-
PAGE 5 ALMIRA NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6 S
UN
DA
Y
MO
ND
AY
T
UE
SD
AY
W
ED
NE
SD
AY
T
HU
RS
DA
Y
FR
IDA
Y
SA
TU
RD
AY
1
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
DE
TE
NT
ION
CH
EE
RL
EA
DIN
G–
CO
MP
ET
ITO
N
2
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
TU
TO
RIN
G
PU
PP
ET
WK
SP
CH
EE
RL
EA
D-
ING
-PR
AC
TIC
E
3
GR
OU
ND
HO
G
DA
Y
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
DR
AM
A C
LU
B
4
5
6
7
8
CH
INE
SE
NE
W
YE
AR
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
DE
TE
NT
ION
CH
EE
RL
EA
DIN
G-
CO
MP
ET
ITIO
N
9
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
TU
TO
RIN
G
PU
PP
ET
WK
SP
CH
EE
RL
EA
D-
ING
-PR
AC
TIC
E
10
AS
H W
ED
NE
SD
AY
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
DR
AM
A C
LU
B
CH
EE
RL
EA
DIN
G-
PR
AC
TIC
E
11
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
TU
TO
RIN
G
DE
TE
NT
ION
12
PR
OF
ES
SIO
NA
L
DE
VE
LO
PM
EN
T
DA
Y–N
O S
CH
OO
L
13
14
VA
LE
NT
INE
’S
DA
Y
15
PR
ES
IDE
NT
S’
DA
Y– N
O S
CH
OO
L
16
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
TU
TO
RIN
G
PU
PP
ET
WK
SP
BO
YS
BB
AL
L
CH
EE
RL
EA
DIN
G
PR
AC
TIC
E
17
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
DR
AM
A C
LU
B
BO
YS
BB
AL
L
CH
EE
RL
EA
DIN
G-
PR
AC
TIC
E
18
Pa
re
nt/T
ea
ch
er
Co
nfe
re
nce
s–
12
: 30
-7p
m
Ea
rly
Stu
de
nt D
is-
mis
sa
l at 1
2:3
0p
m
19
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
BO
YS
BB
AL
L
20
21
22
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
DE
TE
NT
ION
BO
YS
BB
AL
L
CH
EE
RL
EA
DIN
G-
CO
MP
ET
ITIO
N
23
A
ftersch
oo
l:
TU
TO
RIN
G
PU
PP
ET
WK
SP
BO
YS
BB
AL
L
CH
EE
RL
EA
D-
ING
-PR
AC
TIC
E
24
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
DR
AM
A C
LU
B
BO
YS
BB
AL
L
CH
EE
RL
EA
DIN
G-
PR
AC
TIC
E
25
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
TU
TO
RIN
G
DE
TE
NT
ION
BO
YS
BB
AL
L
26
PR
OF
ES
SIO
NA
L
DE
VE
LO
PM
EN
T
DA
Y–N
O S
CH
OO
L 2
7
28
29
Afte
rsch
oo
l:
DE
TE
NT
ION
BO
YS
BB
AL
L
CH
EE
RL
EA
DIN
G-
CO
MP
ET
ITIO
N
FE
BR
UA
RY
2016
-
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6 PAGE 6 ALMIRA NEWS
How you’ll know when we call a ‘snow day’ (or not)
When will I find out?
You will be notified by 6 a.m. When
one school or group of schools will be
closed, the decision to will be made
at least 2 hours prior to the school
opening if at all possible. The chief
executive officer will decide by 5:45
am. Media will be notified by 6 a.m.
Who decides to close school, de-
lay school start, dismiss school
early?
The CEO makes the final decision,
but the chief operating officer and
deputy chief of operations also may
recommend closure, delay or early
dismissal to the CEO after discus-
sions with Safety & Security and
Transportation officials. In the case
of relocation, The CEO, consults
with the academic superintendent
and notifies the school, chiefs of
Safety, Transportation and Commu-
nications. The executive director of
Food Service and central office sup-
port will be assigned to assist the
school to be relocated.
What are the acceptable rea-
sons?
They include hazardous weather,
interruption of water, electricity or
services and other conditions mak-
ing it impractical to open a school
building or conditions that warrant
closing.
Weather variables include wind
chill temperature, precipitation,
visibility, street or sidewalk condi-
tions or city advisories.
Do I have to be told that my
child is being sent home?
1. Parental notification is required
for early dismissal of a student un-
der 18 years old, but all parents,
regardless of their students’ age,
will be contacted and advised of the
early dismissal.
2. Parental consent is required for
early dismissal of any student un-
der 18 years old. Parental consent
may be provided in advance with
written sign-off or obtained via tele-
phone at the time of the early dis-
missal. Written logs of the consent
obtained should be maintained at
all schools. Identification should be
checked for individuals who pick up
students for early dismissal. Paren-
tal consent is not required for stu-
dents age 18 and older.
Go online to
bit.ly/2016_SnowDays for a com-
plete version of these FAQs.
Winter is here, so you’re going to want to know answers to the two
most important questions for CMSD caregivers: Will my child's
school be open today -- or not? And how will I know?
You can go online to bit.ly/2016_SnowDays for greater detail, but
here’s the bottom line about notification: When schools are closed,
you will be told by 6 a.m. in a variety of ways:
• We will immediately post on all social media channels.
• We will notify local television, radio and online media outlets
• And we will contact CMSD families by phone, email and text via
our SchoolMessenger app.
But if you want to receive a CMSD text, you’ve got to do two things:
make sure your family contact information, including cell phones, is
updated at your child’s school, and you must “opt in” by texting
“YES” or “Y” to 68453.
Snow Days: Frequently Asked Questions
-
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6 PAGE 7 ALMIRA NEWS
CMSD has achieved gains in two important areas– K-3
literacy and the four-year graduation rate— according to
state report card data released in January by the Ohio De-
partment of Education.
The K-3 literacy rate grew by 4.2 percent, a figure that
Chief Executive Officer Eric Gordon calls significant for a
large urban district. CMSD would have achieved a passing
score in literacy if the state had not raised the threshold for
last year’s students.
The state also changed tests, preventing the kind of compar-
isons that can be made with the National Assessment of
Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report
Card. CMSD showed some of the strongest growth in the
country when results from the NAEP’s fourth– and eighth-
grade reading and math tests were released in October.
“Even though state tests change from year to year and
make it difficult to make the apples-to-apples comparisons
we can see on the more consistent NAEP tests, we are en-
couraged by the gains we are seeing in grades K-3 and by
our gains in the most stable measure of our growth– a rec-
ord-high graduation rate,” Gordon said.
The graduation rate grew from 64.3 percent to 65.9 percent,
setting a District record for the fourth year in a row, and
has increased 13.9 percentage points in four years. The
number is expected to reach 66 percent after removal of five
students whose scores should not have counted. The date
is for the class of 2013-2014.
CEO Gordon said the gains in literacy and continued
growth in the graduation rate are further evidence of the
momentum seen when NAEP scores were released in Octo-
ber. CMSD’s NAEP scores were “uniformly larger and
better than any school district in the country,” according to
Michael Casserly, executive director of the Council of the
Great City Schools. The council represents 68 large city
districts.
ODE is releasing the 2015 report card data in stages. Addi-
tional data is to be released next month.
East Tech leads the way
The graduation rate at East Tech took off like a rocket,
soaring from a dismal 46 percent to 72.9 percent in just one
year.
The school’s spectacular ascent is the latest in a streak of
good news and offers more proof that The Cleveland Plan,
a state-approved blueprint for education reform in the city,
is working.
East Tech is one of CMSD’s Investment Schools, a group
that has received intensive intervention to raise low perfor-
mance, expand community engagement and improve cul-
ture.
Co-Principals Temujin Taylor and Paul Hoover also have
made use of the broad authority individual schools have
been given over spending, scheduling, and programming.
“We know the building better than anyone,” Hoover said.
“Having the flexibility to align resources with need has
been powerful for us.”
CMSD K-3 Literacy, High School Graduation Rates Up
School Choice Season Now Open
It’s time again for eighth-graders to choose CMSD high schools, and this year brings more new options as well as a
new online portal for making the selections.
Under The Cleveland Plan, CMSD operates as a portfolio district, offering students
and families a variety of school models so they can find the one that best fits their
needs. Students may attend any school in the District, provided that space is availa-
ble and, in a few cases, they meet admissions criteria.
The school choice period, also open to students and families selecting K-8 or PreK-8
schools, runs through Wednesday, March 16. Students can still choose schools after
March 16 but responding before the deadline will improve chances of getting their
first selection.
The District has set up a new school choice portal to allow new families to log in and
make a choice. New and current CMSD families can find the new portal by going
online to: bit.ly/CMSD_ChoicePortal
-
Thank you Almira Volunteers!
3375 West 99th Street
Cleveland, OH 44102
MAIN OFFICE: (216) 838-6150
ALMIRA PREK-8 ACADEMY
Special thanks to community organizations for in
-kind and service donations to Almira scholars: ZENworks Yoga
Kids in Need Resource Center
Little Free Library
Cleveland Food Bank
Cleveland Play House
AARP Experience Corps
Aiming Higher
United Way of Greater Cleveland
Boy Scouts of America
Cleveland Housing Network
Dancing Classrooms
Dancing Wheels
Coats for Kids
Centers for Families and Children
YMCA of Greater Cleveland
Ohio City Theatre Project Key Bank
Playworks
Esperanza
Cudell Improvement, Inc.
Community Support for
Almira scholars
WEBSITE: http://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/
almira
FACEBOOK PAGE: Search “Almira Gators” on
Facebook and send a friend request!
Visit Almira’s website
Learn more about school policies and procedures
Access Curriculum Review Resources and Prac-
tice Tests
View contact information for teachers and staff
http://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/almira
Greta Walker
William Island
Bernice Garrett
Rev. Nozomi Ikuta Kenyatta Tatum Ruben Rosado Nora Ibrahim Sheray Harrison Amanda Hennessey