News from Medina City Schools

November 22
2010

Welcome to Medina City Schools

Greetings!

Welcome to the Medina City Schools e-newsletter, the Bee's Buzz Broadcast. This publication will be sent out semimonthly sharing highlights, news and important dates.

Many thanks to our sponsors of the e-newsletter.

Medina High School hosting Show Choir Festival

On Monday, November 22, five Cleveland-area high school show choirs will gather at Medina High School's Performing Arts Center for an exciting evening of entertainment - the 2010 Medina Showchoir Festival. Each school attending will perform a choreographed, high-energy production that includes singing, dancing, instrumental accompaniment, costumes, and props. The show choirs are comprised of many of the finest musicians in their respective schools. This year's participants include: North Royalton's "Royal Harmony," Solon's "Music in Motion," Strongsville's "Mustang Express," Twinsburg's "Great Expectations," and Medina's "Encore Entertainment Company."

As a special bonus, this year's festival will also include performances from various a cappella ensembles, jazz choirs, and barbershop quartets from the represented high schools.

The Encore Entertainment Company is under the direction of Tyler Skidmore, with combo director Rob Churgovich. Encore will present for the first time in Medina, their full 2010-2011 competition show. A competition show consists of a variety of popular, jazz, and Broadway-style music, fully choreographed and staged. Audience members of all ages will enjoy the musical precision and variety found in the shows.

The festival begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students/seniors and are available at the door and by calling the Medina Performing Arts Center Box Office at 330-636-3400.

Mark your calendars for Sluggin' with Santa

The Medina High School Baseball Program will be hosting a pre K/Kindergarten Hitting Workshop on December 11 for boys and girls ages 2 ½ to 7 years old at Root Middle School. The first workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. with each new workshop beginning every ten minutes; each workshop will last approximately thirty minutes. Participants can arrive anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to attend a workshop.

The workshop will have an emphasis on having fun, gaining confidence, and learning basic form and fundamentals, while working with the high school coaching staff and players, along with a special visit from Santa Claus. Photo opportunities of Santa tossing batting practice to each participant will be available - so cameras please (be sure to bring your camera).

The cost of the workshop is $20 per child which includes a t-shirt, bat and ball, and instruction. There is a discounted rate of $50 for three children registered and an additional $10 per child beyond three children registered. Parent supervision and participation is requested. For further information or to register contact Ben Stobbs by phone 330-242-4603 or email stobbsb@mcsoh.org.

Districts in county form Collaboration Initiative

School board members across the county came together during an October meeting to unveil the Collaboration Initative and discuss its goals. The Initiative's goals are to work together to save money for all area districts, increase efficiencies, provide more opportunities for students and find ways to increase collaborative activities. The group has met twice and established a number of collaborative projects to be further researched and potentially coordinated for this school year, including:

Develop a common school calendar (no later than the 2012-2013 school year)
Review practices used and develop a curriculum outline with material needs to allow for the joint purchase of materials for all-day kindergarten programs (the Ohio Department of Education has mandated that all districts in Ohio implement all-day kindergarten; however, allowing districts to apply for a waiver for the current school year and next school year)
Review district textbook replacement schedules and develop a common schedule to allow for joint purchasing and sharing textbooks
Coordinate the purchasing of technology and related items by developing common specification for all equipment
Coordinate the rental of office equipment so that bids can be made jointly

The superintendents and treasurers from the districts in the county will work together to assure that the above outlined goals are worked on throughout the year. Medina City School District Board president, Mark Dolan said, "We need to work together collaboratively to increase efficiencies and to continue to implement cost savings measures in all areas of district operations. This Initiative is another means of doing so."

High school language arts teacher runs book drive

Medina High School language arts teacher, Sue Bryenton, is volunteering her time to run a book drive for students living in Appalachia. Bryenton has enlisted the support of the community and children and staff within the district and has received tremendous support. To date, 6,000 books have been donated; with Northrop Elementary School collecting 3,000. Bryenton will be personally delivering the books in early December.

Books can be donated at any of the district's schools or by calling Bryenton at 330-725-5283.