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Board passes Transformation Plan
Message for CEO
Dr. Eugene T.W. Sanders
As, one-by-one, members of the Cleveland Board of Education cast their votes of approval for the proposed CMSD Transformation Plan on March 9, I couldn't help but feel the hope of thousands of children whose lives and futures will be positively impacted by this defining moment in our history.
To the visionary members of the Cleveland Board of Education who paved the way for true school reform in Cleveland, I owe more gratitude than I can express.
"Vision," some say, "is the art of seeing the invisible." And there is no better way to thank the school board members, city officials, business and community leaders, citizens and school staff who supported and endorsed the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Transformation Plan than to deliver the results we have promised and the success we have envisioned.
Even as students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District focus on the 2010 Ohio Graduation Test this week, our dedicated and motivated staff is already hard at work, laying the groundwork for implementing a plan to raise CMSD graduation rates from 54% to 90% within five years.
Changes in staffing and a focus on new and innovative academic choices for students are already underway, as the entire school community prepares for the most dramatic school reform initiative in the history of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
Transforming Cleveland's schools: The days ahead
The CMSD Board of Education's vote of approval and the community's overwhelming support of the CMSD Academic Transformation Plan is an indication that most citizens understand the urgency of the work that must be done to transform Cleveland's failing schools into the productive learning centers they must be today.
If I have learned anything in more than 30 community meetings the past few months, it is that people in Cleveland are passionate about their schools and their neighborhoods. As we move forward, it is my hope that both supporters and opponents of the Transformation Plan will and work together with a focus not on the past, but on the future, and on what we can do to help every child in Cleveland graduate prepared for college and for the 21st century workplace.
We all have a role to play...
School leaders
At the administrative level, we are moving fast to get the Transformation Management Office up and running and to position the Transition Teams that will assist students and parents with student assignments and transitions to a new school. Our focus is, and will continue to be, on the academic success of all CMSD students. Throughout the transformation process, academic achievement will continue to drive every decision we make at every level of CMSD operations.
School staff
CMSD staff will play a significant role in delivering premier customer service throughout the change process and beyond. At no other time has it been more imperative for our school buildings to be welcoming and inviting for students, parents and volunteers. School staff are challenged more than ever to be attentive, patient and helpful, as we work together to make our schools the vibrant, friendly, productive and inspiring learning centers they must be for children and families.
Teachers
Teachers in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District continue to garner awards and recognition for being among the most dedicated and hard-working educators in the state, and our teachers play critical roles in student outcome and success. In the days ahead, we will collaborate with teachers and others on the most meaningful and productive ways to incorporate the accountability measures inherent in the CMSD Transformation Plan.
Student success is at the heart of everything teachers do. Although parent involvement is critical to a child's success, lack of parental attention or involvement cannot be blamed for the failure of any child in our schools. As we transform the way we do business in our schools, teachers will play the most critical role in reaching the academic goals of their buildings, in raising graduation rates in our high schools, and in achieving the District-wide outcomes we need to become a premier school district. As we transform the CMSD central office, we are committed to supporting teachers in any way we can to help them meet their academic goals.
Families
It is clear, based on what we have heard at every community meeting, that all parents want their child to succeed. While many parents beg us to hold on to school buildings that have been in their neighborhoods for generations, even more parents ask for increased academic choices for their child, for expanded educational opportunities and for higher levels of student achievement.
This week, we begin a new series of community meetings that will focus on safety and security and on transportation of students who will transition to new schools this fall. These issues dominated more than 30 community meetings held before the board voted on the Transformation Plan.
The feedback we receive at community meetings prior to the vote was helpful in refining the Transformation Plan. The upcoming safety and transportation community meetings will be equally as critical, as we work to modify current policies and procedures to accommodate student needs and parent concerns.
In the days ahead, we will be working with families to allay their fears of change and to excite them about the increased choices that await them and their children. Most of all, we will do our best to emphasize the importance of parent and family support in the academic success of CMSD students now and in the future.
Parents will be encouraged to become more involved in their child's school and after-school activities, to establish a homework area and a regular study time in their household routine each day, and to visit their child at school before an incident requires their attention.
Toward that end, we remain committed to working closely with community agencies on ways to increase family involvement throughout the change process and beyond.
Community
As evidenced by the growing number of endorsements we have received from community leaders and agencies, and by the number of city officials, corporate leaders and citizens who supported the CMSD Transformation Plan, the entire city has a vested interest in the success of our students and the reputation of Cleveland's schools.
To citizens in neighborhoods where schools will be closing, we have pledged to seek cooperation and partnerships with community groups, agencies, and charter schools to make full and productive use of vacated buildings in ways that will enhance rather than detract from the neighborhood. We will be calling on those same citizens, agencies, faith-based organizations and others to join a city-wide effort to make Cleveland's neighborhoods safe and productive for school children and for all citizens.
The business community and our corporate sponsors will continue to play a key role in the success of the Academic Transformation Plan. With the generous support of the Gund Foundation and the Cleveland Foundation, the change process has already begun, and our growing number of sponsors and partners in education will play a significant role in helping us realize the vision we created together.
"We are all in this together," is not simply a cliché being heard throughout Cleveland, as we embark on the most dramatic changes in the history of our schools. It is, in fact, a call to action.
In the days ahead, we will see and feel the difference as we work together to implement the CMSD Academic Transformation Plan. As we move forward on its recommended course, it is my hope that all stakeholders in Cleveland will one day look back and know the critical part they played in making the Cleveland Metropolitan School District a premier school district in the United States of America.
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'Can We Get There From Here?'
Innovative school projects at Margaret Ireland find a place in city hall offices
With the collaborative support of MC²STEM School, the Margaret Ireland Campus completed a project-based learning initiative titled, "Can We Get There From Here?" involving students in a project that will be on display in offices of city council members of their neighborhoods.
In an initiative titled "Can We Get There From Here?" students English classes on the Ireland campus studied city government in Cleveland through lessons in persuasive writing, descriptive writing, and history of their own neighborhoods.
In science, students studied pollutants and their effects on health in their own neighborhoods, creating a graph of daily waste, and in math, students created 3-D shapes to calculate the angles of the neighborhood.
Project assessments in "Can We Get There From Here" included creation of a brochure for each student's neighborhood, in which students were required to prepare landmark descriptions, neighborhood information, a map, and the location of historic places, using persuasive paragraphs and mathematical descriptions using polar coordinates, latitude, longitude and shapes to calculate travel to and from school.
Brochures created by the students will be presented to members of the Cleveland City Council for selection as an addition to their ward offices.
Mixing learning and fun on the ski slopes
In a culminating activity, the entire school participated in a ski trip on March 5, incorporating their lessons as they visualized the angle of slopes and found parallel, perpendicular and transversal angles. As part of the educational ski trip, teachers involved students in studies of Newton's Law and the differences between static, sliding, and rolling friction, and identification of centrifugal force and air resistance on the ski slopes. Students who participated said they had no idea learning could be so much fun.
"It was the best time of my life," said sophomore Tanzania Stephany, whose sentiments were echoed by other students.
"When you are at the top of the hill, it was Newton's Law, with inertia and static friction, because we were just standing there," said junior Charnesha Jefferson. "When we started going down the hill, then it was centrifugal force."
Many of the students had never skied before, said Principal Kimberly Harris, but for the entire student body, studying static and sliding friction while speeding down a hill of snow made the lessons hard for any of them to forget.
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Journal editor gives students head start on testing
Fifth graders at CMSD's Waverly School enjoyed a boost of energy and well wishes this month when Sandra Lee, Editor of Woman's Home Journal in Summit County, surprised them with a candy bar cake and needed school supplies to help them prepare for OAA testing (Ohio Academic Assessments). The editor's gift and accompanying letter of encouragement to CMSD students sent a strong and heartwarming message that the greater Cleveland community believes in them.
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'Touched by courage' Waverly students write letters to officer struck while helping stranded motorist
Clevelanders watched in horror on Feb. 27, as news reporters aired video of a local police officer being hit on the highway while assisting a stranded motorist.
Eighth graders in Sharon Thomas' social studies classes at Waverly School, touched by the courage of the stricken officer, responded with letters of compassion and gratitude.
Thomas, whose son is best friend to Lt. John Lambert, the Brooklyn Heights Police Officer struck by a motorist while on duty, said she delivered the letters to the officer on behalf of her students.
"He was extremely moved," she said. "His eyes welled up with tears when he read all the wonderful things they had to say."
The Waverly students thanked Officer Lambert for risking his life to help a stranded motorist and for dedicating his life in service as a police officer. Many of them, their teacher says, called the officer a "hero."
Lambert, who suffered a broken pelvis, fractured eye socket and cracked tailbone in the accident, is recovering from his injuries.
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Principal kisses pig to promote reading
Students at Riverside School are expected to reach their goal of reading 8,000 Accelerated Reader books as part of an unusual challenge presented by Principal Charles Byrd. Mr. Byrd promised students that if they met their reading goal, he would kiss a "real" pig. Students, delighted with the offer, countered with a request to participate in a parade with the pig, asking to follow pig around the school in a wagon pulled by the school's John Deer tractor. The principal willingly agreed and set the challenge in motion. School officials reported on March 7 that students were only 692 books away from their goal of reading 8,000 Accelerated Readers! By March 10, they were only 172 books short of reaching their goal. By press time, Riverside should already be planning their much deserved and anticipated pig parade. Riverside secretary Scherhera Shearer said Assistant Principal Shari Cleveland has already ordered the pig, and Mr. Byrd will meet his students' request that he dress in farmer jeans with a straw hat and red bandana when he leads them in the parade. You can expect that in the May issue of IDN, we will prominently display photos of Charles Byrd making good on his promise to students to dress as a farmer and to "kiss a real pig right on its snout" to celebrate the school's reading milestone.
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Buhrer students learn tolerance, honor, respect in Dancing Classrooms program
In an innovative social development program, CMSD students at Buhrer PK-8 Dual Language School, students studied ballroom dancing as a vehicle for learning how to break down social barriers, develop self confidence and accept the differences of others.
The fun and educational program, provided by Dancing Classrooms of Northeast Ohio, combines dance lessons with lessons on respect and good behavior while incorporating literacy components in the curriculum.
School Social Worker Sarah Lundeen said the culminating e x p e r i e n c e i n c l u d e d a performance for parents, where students demonstrated the benefits of the program.
"At the very core of the Dancing Classrooms experience is the respect that students develop for one another as ladies and gentlemen," said Lundeen.
"The program demands that children treat each other with respect and encourages them to respect themselves."
The 10-week, 20-session social development program for 5th and 8th graders utilizes ballroom dancing as a vehicle for changing the lives of not only the participating children, but also of the teachers and parents who support them, Lundeen says.
"The dance is the tool for getting children to break down their social barriers, to learn about honor and respect, to treat others carefully, and to communicate and cooperate with others," she said.
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Students at CMSD's Cleveland School of Science and Medicine don their first white lab coats during the school's annual White Coat ceremony, celebrating the students' esteemed path to careers in medicine.
Foundation's 'mega' scholarship creates medicine pipeline for minority students
The annual "White Coat Ceremony" held at CMSD's Cleveland School of Science and Medicine draws not only large numbers of proud parents and avid supporters of the innovative school, but also brings thunderous applause as students at the selective school don their official white lab coats at the event.
What was even more special at this year's White Coat ceremony, held on February 24, was an announcement by representatives of the Cleveland-based Joan C. Edwards Charitable Foundation that their organization is establishing $10 to $12 million endowment fund to provide full-tuition scholarships for minority students to earn bachelor and medical degrees at Case Western Reserve University.
The $10 million to $12 million scholarship, beginning in 2011, includes full tuition, room and board for both college and medical school at Case Western Reserve University. Scholarship recipients will be chosen from the senior class at the Cleveland School of Science and Medicine, one of three specialty schools housed on the John Hay campus in University Circle.
The mission and vision of the John Hay Campus of Science & Medicine at CMSD is to nurture and bridge students into the medical field pipeline. CEO Dr. Eugene Sanders expressed his gratitude to those present for the support CMSD has received from CWRU and the Joan C. Edwards Charitable Foundation as with scholarship opportunities aligned with District goals for students in science and medicine.
This year, five students at the Cleveland School of Science and Medicine have already indicated their desire to attend CWRU, where university medical students and faculty work regularly with CMSD's high school students.
As part of the endowment, money will be set aside to sponsor work-study jobs,
internships and a medical fellowship at University Hospitals' Case Medical Center, where students will be provided extra help and support as they move from high school through medical school and into their careers.
The Physicians Development Program, funded by the Joan C. Edwards Charitable Foundation and administered at UH Case Medical Center, will also fund a summer internship program for Cleveland School of Science and Medicine students and Case Western Reserve undergraduates interested in entering medical school.
A key component of the Cleveland physician's pipeline program is the involvement of University Hospitals physicians who visit juniors and seniors in the Cleveland School of Science & Medicine to engage students in innovative educational events collaboratively developed and delivered through UH Case Medical Center and Cast Western Reserve.
Foundation representatives, in announcing the "mega scholarship" for CMSD students, said it is their hope that the program will soon become a successful physicians pipeline model for schools throughout the nation.
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Rep. Marcia Fudge urges citizens and schools to put children's future first
 Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) has seen her share of change in Cleveland, and in a demonstration of support for the CMSD Academic Transformation Plan, the Congresswoman issued a strong statement in support of change in Cleveland's schools. "Transforming Cleveland schools is a challenging and emotionally charged issue," she said. "Our schools hold our collective memories and stories and it's hard to see them change. But change that positively impacts our children is worth the discomfort. Our children deserve a quality education and we must deliver." Rep. Fudge met personally with CEO Dr. Eugene Sanders for what she called an in-depth and thorough meeting about ways to improve educational outcomes for students. Following that meeting, on February 22, she formally announced her support of his proposed plan for system-wide change in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. "CEO Sanders' Transformation Plan is the kind of radical change school leaders must take today to increase student achievement, raise graduation rates and prepare our children for the global workforce," she said. "We have a unique opportunity in Cleveland to become part of a new direction in education." In an official statement, Rep. Fudge said she believes all Ohioans have a role in improving schools in the state and she encouraged constituents to voice their opinions to the Cleveland Board of Education prior to the March 9 vote. She also encouraged the Cleveland Board of Education to listen and carefully consider public comments. "Only together, can we create an environment that focuses solely on the needs of our children," she said. "If we all put our children's futures first, every school in Cleveland and in Northeast Ohio can provide the highest quality education possible. The Cleveland Metropolitan School District Transformation Plan begins the long term task of ensuring every child's academic growth, development, and success."
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Gund Foundation donates $2.5 million to help launch CMSD Transformation Plan
In a demonstration of support for Dr. Eugene Sanders' proposed Transformation Plan for Cleveland schools, the George Gund Foundation has pledged $2.5 million to help launch the plan, with a promise to add $4 million more as reform initiatives progress and as student achievement levels increase. Gund Executive Director David Abbott and the Foundation's Chief of Education Policy, Ann Mullin, said their support of Dr. Sanders' plan represents an endorsement of his vision to increase the number of innovative schools and programs that have been tried and have proven to put students on a path to success. Under the Cleveland Metropolitan School District's newly adopted Transformation Plan, students will see more individualized academies, focused on a wide variety of topics of interest to them. The Gund Foundation's initial grant is the largest donation ever pledged for education, and Foundation officials cited CMSD's plan for a Newcomer Academy for immigrants as a key area of strength in the Transformation Plan. Gund representatives say they were also encouraged by guidelines in the plan for restructuring the CMSD central office and for making key changes to labor and management policies.
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Ohio among 16 finalists for U.S. Dept. of Education 'Race to the Top' funds
 "This is an exciting day for education in Ohio," said Gov. Ted Strickland on March 4, after he and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle received official notification that Ohio had been selected as one of 16 states to compete as finalists for federal 'Race to the Top' grant funding. "The Race to the Top process has been and will continue to be extremely competitive, but Ohio crafted a strong application of which we can all be proud," said Strickland. Delisle said the Ohio team has already begun preparing for a presentation to the U.S. Department of Education in Washingon, D.C., where school districts among the Race to the Top finalist will compete this month for millions of dollars to fund their school reform initiatives. "We've made a major commitment to Ohio schools, because we believe that providing every Ohio child with high-quality educational opportunities will better prepare them for jobs and for life," said Strickland. "Our selection as a finalist moves Ohio one step closer to receiving Race to the Top funds. It also confirms the progress Ohio is making through our transformational education reform plan." The recipients of funds during the first round of Race to the Top funding are expected to be announced in Washington, D.C. on April 1. Strickland said he is grateful to school districts like Cleveland that agreed to be part of the 'Race to the Top' effort by signing the required memorandum of understanding. "These districts have shown the strength of our education system and the opportunities that lie ahead for our students and our schools," he said. "We will continue to work together to ensure all students graduate from high school with the skills necessary for college and careers."
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Legislative Update
President pledges $900 million for nation's 'Turnaround' school programs
 To assist schools in their efforts to curtail rising dropout rates, President Barack Obama pledged $900 million on March 1 to fund turnaround programs in low-performing schools across the nation. The grants will be awarded to districts that demonstrate a commitment to improving their struggling schools, and the reform initiatives already underway in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District puts Cleveland well in line to receive this critical funding. The President, in an address to education advocates in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, advocated for the kind of aggressive reform CMSD is currently implementing, including closing ineffective schools and eliminating ineffective teachers. The time has come, the President said, to do what is necessary, including implementing "last resort" strategies to raise student achievement in America. "Not long ago, you could drop out of high school and reasonably expect to find a blue-collar job that would pay the bills and help support your family," he said. "That's just not the case anymore. Graduating from high school is an economic imperative." In order to receive turnaround grants, state officials must draft a set of criteria to determine their lowest-performing schools, including rankings in the bottom 5 percent on test scores or high school graduation rates below 60 percent. Once the criteria has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education, schools will be awarded funding based on the strength of their district's reform plans in comparison with reform plans of other schools in the state. A 54% graduation rate in Cleveland puts the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in a good position to qualify for a share of this federal grant money, as the District moves toward implementation of the CMSD Transformation Plan. The kinds of dramatic reforms being undertaken in Cleveland appear already to meet the criteria for the most dramatic options included in the President's "turnaround" model, which requires replacing principals and school staff and setting up a new structure of school governance and instructional programming. "Restart" models in the President's turnaround funding initiative include closing schools and reopening under charter management, and "Closure" models require sending students to better schools in the district. As act on the critical recommendations in CMSD Transformation Plan, it appears not only that Cleveland Schools have positioned themselves for a share of the unprecedented support being provided by the Obama administration, but that the Cleveland Metropolitan School District is well on its way to becoming a premier school district in the United States of America.
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Governor Ted Strickland kicks off STEM Education Month with selection of four Ohio school districts, including CMSD, to host 80 Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellows this year. School leaders from districts and universities selected for the program attended.
 | Governor selects CMSD as host for STEM teaching fellows commited to Ohio schools
As part of a statewide conference held to kick off "STEM Education Month" in Ohio on March 2, Gov. Ted Strickland announced the selection of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District as one of four Ohio school districts and four Ohio universities that will serve as hosts for the Woodrow Wilson Ohio Teaching Fellowship Program.
The program, designed to transform teacher preparation programs and bring new talent into Ohio's public school classrooms, is part of the Governor's effort to promote science, technology, engineering math and medicine (STEM) education and to attract exemplary STEM teachers to low income rural and urban schools.
CEO Dr. Eugene Sanders traveled to Columbus on March 2 to meet with the Governor and to express his gratitude that urban school leaders in Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland will be part of the governor's "Educate to Innovate" campaign this year. Also joining the Governor at the event were Dr. Arthur Levine, President of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut of the Ohio Board of Regents, and representatives of the four universities and four school districts selected for participation in the program.
"America's schools of education are being asked to rise to the challenge of preparing a new generation of teachers who can teach the most diverse population of students in the nation's history," said Levine. "Educators are being asked to meet the highest standards ever demanded by our schools. These fellowships will recruit accomplished people to meet that challenge and will engage host universities in rethinking ways to help them do it."
As part of the Governor's "Choose Ohio First" initiative, the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship program is the state's premier model for recruiting and retaining talented ohio residents in STEM education fields. The institutions selected will host 80 Teaching Fellows each year who agree to spend a year in exemplary teacher education programs and to teach for three years in low-income rural and urban secondary schools.
"STEM education is crucial to creating an innovative workforce," said Chancellor Fingerhut.
"The Woodrow Wilson Fellowship program will give Ohio's teachers the ability to provide an unparalleled education to students in subjects critical to our state's and nation's future."
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Greater Cleveland Partnership briefed on details of CMSD Transformation Plan
CEO Dr. Eugene Sanders provided details of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District's Transformation Plan to members of the Greater Cleveland Partnership on March 8, the day before the Cleveland Board of Education approved the reform initiative and cleared the way for what the CEO called the most dramatic and significant work of his life.
The CEO a n swe r e d questions of representatives at a morning meeting of the GCP, a membership association of Northeast Ohio companies and organizations committed to creating a more vibrant economy in Northeast Ohio.
Dr. Sanders challenged those present to look beyond Cleveland's current unacceptable graduation rate and to envision quality schools in Cleveland with graduates prepared to enter Ohio's workforce.
"The knowledge and skills students need to succeed in the 21st century workplace are far different than the education we provided our students in the last decade," he said.
"Students can't leave high school for manufacturing jobs or jobs requiring basic skills anymore. For every technological innovation, we must be prepared to respond with a corresponding educational innovation so our students can compete in this world."
The CEO's vision for Cleveland's schools and the goals of the CMSD Transformation Plan correlate well with the mission of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, an organization committed to economic growth and job creation in Northeast Ohio.
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PSC endorses Transformation Plan
In a letter to CEO Dr. Eugene Sanders, Michael L. Walker, Executive Director of Partnership for a Safer Cleveland, endorsed the Transformation Plan and pledged his organization will work in conjunction with CMSD officials "to promote and implement policies, programs and activities that support safety in and around our schools."
The Partnership for A Safer Cleveland dedicates its efforts to promoting safe schools and neighborhoods in Cleveland, and is expected to collaborate with both public and private partners on safety issues as CMSD moves forward with implementation of the aggressive school reform plan in Cleveland.
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Seton students donate uniforms, school supplies
 In a show of both unity and support for students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, students at Seton Catholic School donated blue and white uniforms that correspond with dress codes in both school districts.
Among the items that Seton students collected for students in CMSD schools were more than 200 long and short-sleeved shirts, more than 300 pairs of pants and shorts, jackets, sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, boots, shoes and lunch boxes. All items donated were blue and/or white to correspond with the CMSD uniform policy.
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Perfect attendance qualifies CMSD students for free tickets to I-X Amusement Park
The day is approaching when Radio Disney, in conjunction with the I-X Center will announce the names of CMSD students who qualified for free tickets to the I-X Indoor Amusement Park as part of the sponsor's "Attendance Counts" promotion.
Every student in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District that has perfect attendance from February 1 to March 25 is eligible to win two free tickets to the Park in the annual drawing.
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CMSD's Demitra Turner named Social Worker of the Year
The Ohio chapter of the National Association of Social Workers has recognized Demitra Turner as Region III Social Worker of the Year. This is quite an honor, considering CMSD is in the largest region in the state, with over 800 members of the organization. Turner will be honored at an awards banquet on April 9.
Whitney Young student is Teen Leadership Finalist
Denzel Lamothe, a senior at Whitney M. Young School, was selected as a finalist in the Top Ten Teens in Project Love's annual Teen Leadership Program. A panel of teens make the selection, based on demonstrated leadership skills and acts of kindness. At Whitney M. Young, Lamothe is a mentor and morning announcer. Also recognized was Laverne McLain, English teacher at Whitney M. Young, who received an honorable mention for her leadership skills.
CSAD students' art on display at statehouse
The artwork of three students at the Cleveland School of Architecture and Design at John Hay High School has been selected for the 2010 Arts Day Statehouse Exhibition in April. The artwork of Edward Hardy, Britton Jackson and Joy Childress will be seen by thousands of arts advocates expected to visit Capitol Hill on April 21 to attend Ohio's Annual Arts Day and the Governor's Awards for the Arts in Ohio, hosted by Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council.
CMSD students: 'Great Minds Don't Learn Alike'
Two CMSD students earned recognition in the Learning Disabilities Association of Northeast Ohio's annual 'Great Minds Don't Learn Alike' art competition. Kaeron Johnson (Louis Agassiz School) placed first in the Middle School Division of the art competition and Dominique Davis (Jane Addams Career Center) earned Honorable Mention in the High School Division on March 5.
Addams senior wins MLK Community Service Award
 Ebony Summers, a senior at Jane Addams Business Careers Center, has earned recognition as winner of the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award, given to individuals who positively impact Cleveland in the spirit of the teachers and example of Dr. King. Summers is president of Key Club at her school, where she leads numerous volunteer activities that support the Cleveland Food Bank, clothing drives for CMSD elementary schools, Cleveland's beautification day and suicide prevention walk and other charity work.
CSA student's art honored at two events
Keith Scott, Jr. a sophomore at the Cleveland School of the Arts, brought honor to CMSD with the selection of his artwork for recognition in the 30th Annual Scholastic Art Award and Exhibition Competition at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Keith was also a winner in the City of Cleveland's Division of Waste Management Art Contest for which he was recognized by the Mayor in January.
Moskal, Metz recognized as 'Model Educators'
The work of two teachers at Tremont School have been recognized as "Accelerated Reader Model Classrooms." Renaissance Learning notified principal Heather Grant that third grade teacher Katherine Moskal and second grade teacher Meghan Metz had been named Reading Model Educators for their work in implementing an Accelerated Reader program at Tremont. The two teachers and their programs will be featured in the April issue of IDN. |
THE CENSUS IS COMING...THE CENSUS IS COMING!
 The good news is, it's safe, easy, and fast to do. The better news is, if you fill out the census right, you will be making a true statement about the resources your community needs as it goes forward for the next 10 years. The census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is conducted every ten years, as a mandate of the Constitution, to make sure the government serves the needs of the people. Accurate data is critical for reflecting the number of people who need services in the community and is especial critical for determining the number of Congressional seats a community has representing them in the U.S. House of Representatives. These representatives will decide how more than $400 billion per year is allocated for projects like new hospitals and schools for your community and the last thing a community wants to do is under-report the number of people who live in their neighborhoods. Any time a household fails to report the true number of people living in that household, it will under-cut the number of people the government believes needs to share more than $4 trillion over the next 10-year period for new roads, schools, job training and other community services. The goal is to count everybody, count them only once, and count them in the right place. |
10 Questions, 10 Minutes
That's all it takes to complete the census!
With one of the shortest questionnaires in history, the 2010 Census asks only for your name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. It takes only about 10 minutes for the average household to complete.
The census used to include a longer form that also asked questions about HOW we live as a nation-our diversity, education, housing, jobs and more. These questions are now covered in the American Community Survey that goes out every year.
Only the Census (short questionnaire) is required by law and is used for statistical purposes. All responses are confidential.
Help government serve our diverse population
To help ensure the nation's increasingly diverse population can answer the questionnaire accurately and completely, about 13 million bilingual Spanish/English forms will be mailed to housing units in neighborhoods identified as requiring high levels of Spanish assistance.
The U.S. Census Bureau does not ask about the legal status of respondents in any of it surveys and census programs.
Census information is confidential and safe
· Federal law protects the confidentiality of all your information and it is illegal for the Census Bureau to share your information with any other agency.
· Private information is never published. It is against the law to disclose or
publish your name, address (or GPS coordinate), Social Security number or
telephone numbers.
· All Census Bureau employees take the oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for
life to protect the confidentiality of the data. Violators face a fine of up to
$250,000, up to five years in prison or both, so your information is SAFE & CONFIDENTIAL
· Your information is used ONLY to produce statistics. These statistics help government to know how many people in our area need services and what kinds of services and representation we need. Hiding information hurts our region!
Your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.
Count EVERYBODY.
Count them only once.
Count them in the right place.
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DON'T MISS THESE UPCOMING EVENTS!!
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