Applause filled the room when these three officers received individual Community Builder Awards at the 2018 Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation Neighborhood Summit, which took place at R.G. Jones. Officers Juan DeJesus, Kerry Adams, and Lyniece Turner were recognized for their community policing efforts.
Cleveland charter school receives nearly $500,000 in new federal funding
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In a highly competitive process, one of Cleveland’s public charter schools has been awarded nearly a half million dollars in new federal funding. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) recently notified Northeast Ohio’s only Mandarin and Spanish immersion school—the independent, public charter school known as Global Ambassadors Language Academy (GALA)—that it would receive $493,277 over a two- year period to support its unique education model and growth. GALA is the only school in Ohio awarded funding this year under the DOE’s Office of Innovation and Improvement program. With additional funding expected if GALA meets milestones during the grant period, the school could receive a total of about $1.2 million from DOE over the next five years.
The additional funding will allow GALA to continue to meet the demands of a growing student population, adding grade levels and building new classroom spaces to accommodate children from kindergarten through 8th grade. GALA is tuition-free, relying on philanthropy and grants to supplement public funding that does not typically provide the resources required for its unique educational model. In year one, 21.6% of the total cost of the program will be financed with Federal money, and approximately $200,000 (11.3%) from non-governmental sources.
The Charter Schools National Dissemination Grant Competition supports excellence in charter schools, providing funds for growth and expansion of high performing schools. In receiving the award, the tuition-free GALA, located on Cleveland’s west side, demonstrated its success in helping its diverse and fast-growing population of young students thrive academically, as well as provide a solid path to become bilingual and bi-literate in both English and in Spanish or Mandarin. These youngsters are already achieving high levels of academic success and developing cross-cultural skills that will help them succeed in years to come.
The new funding will allow GALA to expand and serve more than 500 students, kindergarten through 8th grade, by 2023. Currently, the Cleveland west side-based school draws a diverse body of students from across Northeast Ohio, most of whom are considered low-income (families qualify for free or reduced lunch). GALA’s students bring diverse experiences and cultures to the classroom, coming from Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, White and multi-racial families. They are residents of Cleveland and 25 surrounding suburbs: Avon, Bay Village, Bedford, Berea, Brooklyn, Brunswick, Cleveland Heights, Elyria, Euclid, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Lorain, Maple Heights, Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Parma, Richmond Heights, Rocky River, Shaker Heights, Strongsville, Solon, Warrensville Heights, Westlake and Wickliffe.
The Department of Education first notified Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of the award as the school resides in her Congressional district. “The Global Ambassadors Language Academy, which is the first dual language immersion school in Northeast Ohio, is successfully bringing federal education dollars back to our region,” says Kaptur. “In our ever globalized and interconnected world, any competitive edge we can provide Ohio’s youth will open doors beyond imagination. I congratulate GALA on winning this competitive grant which will help them expand and grow to serve more students.”
“GALA is an extraordinary learning environment for our children. Every day, students are immersed for 4 or more hours, receiving instruction of math, language arts, science, and social studies, in Mandarin or Spanish; while 2 to 2.5 hours are spent learning in English. GALA’s unique model helps students build dual language proficiency, excel in academics, and expand cognitive and socio-cultural skills,” says Meran Rogers, founder and executive director of GALA. “Our mission is to ensure that our students achieve lifelong academic success, bilingualism and appreciation for diversity. We believe that GALA is a successful model for addressing the great disparity in education by bringing the kind of language and cultural immersion experiences normally only available in high income suburban districts.”
“The decision by the Department of Education is an extraordinary vote of confidence in the educational model and the immersion process at GALA,” says Kristen Laughlin, GALA Board Chair. “We believe we are educating and preparing a new generation of engaged citizens of the world, starting in our diverse community of committed parents, students, faculty and staff. This award says we are doing it right, setting new standards, and to keep building on our vision.”
GALA was the brainchild of Meran Rogers, a parent, educator, and entrepreneur who grew up near GALA, in a multilingual immigrant household. She attended and worked in Cleveland and East Cleveland public schools, and was a teacher in Taiwan at an immersion school.
In 2012, GALA established a Board of Directors and 501c3 status. In December 2015, GALA submitted a charter application (Academic, Operation, and Financial Plan) to the Ohio Council for Community Schools (OCCS) and received sponsorship in May 2016. After nearly five years of planning, on August 3, 2016, GALA opened its doors to 60 K-1 students Today, GALA has more than tripled enrollment to 186 K-3 students this 2018-2019 school year.
Lenny Schafer, Executive Director of the Ohio Council for Community Schools congratulated GALA leadership: “The recognition is well-deserved. There simply is no school like GALA. It is changing the face of public education while providing a unique educational experience for almost 200 kids in Cleveland. We are extremely proud and looking forward to continued growth and progress.”
This year, there were 32 charter schools across the country awarded funding through the DOE’s Office of Innovation and Improvement program. GALA was the only school in Ohio.
‘Leaders & Legends’ night celebrated at West Park Academy
By Jessie Schoonover
West Park Academy held its second annual ‘Leaders and Legends Night’ from 6 to 7 p.m. on October 30th.
A total of 60 students were honored during the ceremony.
“In order to be here tonight,” West Park Academy Principal Michael Jaissle, said, “it came down to how students performed on state achievement tests.”
“It is the result of a lot of hard work that students and staff put in day-in and day-out in West Park,” he said, adding the support and commitment of students’ families played a humongous role, also.
“I’m hoping next year we honor 70… 75… 80 (students), and just keep going from there.”
The tests students received evaluations for included ELA (English Language Arts), Math, and Science.
To be named to the 2017-18 ‘Legends and Leaders’ list, a student had to score ‘proficient’ or higher on one or more of the AIR Assessments (American Institutes for Research).
“Imaginations Creations” opens door to amazing gifts
Did you miss the Christmas Boutique?
It’s not too late!
What is “Imaginations Creations?”
It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.
At “Imaginations Creations” in West Park, you can purchase a desk for your study, a large wall-clock made from lacquered wood, a small stand for books, knick-knacks, and much, much more.
Words really don’t do it justice. The work owner and craftsman Ron Bonoan does, has to be seen to be believed. So, below, take a look at some of the local items Bonoan has available for sale now.
If you are unable to make it to a showing, it’s not a problem. Call and make an appointment with Bonoan at, (216) 870-7332, to stop in at a time that is convenient for you.
Sweeney takes office early as new State Rep
“The first few days were a complete whirlwind,” Sweeney said. “I’ve already voted on a few bills.”
District 14 includes Cleveland Wards 16 and 17, Parma Heights, Middleburg Heights, Brooklyn and Brook Park. Republicans hold a majority in both Houses of the General Assembly.
Phone: 614-466-3350
Mail: 77 South High St., Columbus OH 43215
E-mail: Go to www.ohiohouse.gov/Bride-
Three outdoor ice rinks to open
West Park residents have their pick of multiple outdoor ice rinks this winter.
On Public Square, the Cleveland Foundation will provide free ice skating tickets on Saturday, Nov. 24, as part of Downtown’s Winterfest celebration. Free tickets will be distributed starting at 7 a.m. and continue until they run out. The facility, known as the Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink, is located in the Southwest Quadrant, close to Tower City and the RTA Rapid Transit Station.
Winterfest runs from 1-7:30 p.m., and ends with the holiday lighting ceremony and fireworks.
Free ice skating lessons begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.
The Rink at Wade Oval in University Circle is open Nov. 23-Feb. 18. Adults pay $2 to skate, can $3 to rent skates size 4-13. Students pay $1 to skate and $2 to rent skates size 4-13.
Hours are 3-9 p.m. Fridays, noon-7 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Extended hours in December are 3-9 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12, and noon-9 p.m. Dec. 19 and 26
From Dec. 24-Jan. 6, the rink is open daily. It is also open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Free skating lessons are offered from noon-1 p.m every Saturday.
To reach either ice rink from West Park, ride the Red Line to Tower City, and walk out onto Public Square. You can skate there, or transfer to the HealthLine on Euclid Avenue, exit at University Circle, and walk north to Wade Oval.
Halloran Park will also have open skate Monday through Friday, from 3 to 5 p.m.; Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Park officials say they are working on conditioning the ice for public use right now. They expect work to be finished by this weekend and open shortly thereafter.
“Pennie the Pickle” Holiday Coloring Contest
Local children’s author Tony Marini and The West Park Times will have a local coloring contest for children of all ages.
Look for Marini’s character, “Pennie the Christmas Pickle,” to appear in print during the months of October and November. The winner will be announced in December’s issue.
Marini says he came up with the idea for the story after being a long-time fan of the famous prose, “Twas the night before Christmas…” featured in the novel A Visit from St. Nicholas, by Clement C. Moore.
“I wanted to bring a new tradition to life,” says Marini. “I also wanted something that encouraged families to get together and to do activities together with their children— and of course— to read.”
Pennie the Christmas Pickle comes with her own book, which can be found at Barnes and Noble and PenniePickle.com. Pennie also has her own smile-inspiring, sing-a-long song, which can be found here at Amazon. The book also includes activities in the back, such as recipes, song lyrics, and a way to make your own Christmas ornament.
How election affects West Park
Ceremony and Parade Planned to Honor Veterans Nov. 9
City Hall lights up in green to show support for Veterans
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Mayor Frank G. Jackson and other city officials will participate in the 2018 Veterans Day ceremony and parade on Nov. 9 to honor those who bravely served in the armed forces. Cleveland City Hall will also shine in green to show recognition and support for Cleveland-area veterans.
Greenlight A Vet
City Hall will shine in green as part of the Greenlight A Vet initiative. The Greenlight A Vet initiative is a national campaign to establish visible, national support for veterans by changing building lights to the color green. For more information on Greenlight A Vet, visit http://www.greenlightavet.com/.
Veterans Day Ceremony
The 2018 Veterans Day theme is “100th Anniversary of the World War I Armistice.” On Friday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m., a special Veterans Day recognition ceremony will be held inside Cleveland City Hall rotunda. Speakers at the ceremony are Mayor Frank G. Jackson; President, Joint Veterans Council of Cuyahoga County Tom Jenks,; Chaplain, U.S. Army (Ret.) Father Joe Piskura,; Mistress of Ceremonies Monica Robins; and Guest Speaker Judge David Matia.
Veteran Awardees
During the ceremony, three individuals will be recognized for their service to the nation: Allen Bray, “Outstanding Student Veteran of the Year”; Taras Terry Zacharyj, “Veteran of the Year”; and Judge Charles Patton, Cleveland Municipal Court, Veterans Treatment Court, “Civilian of the Year.”
Parade
This year marks the fifth annual Cleveland Veterans Day Parade. The parade immediately follows the ceremony and will step-off in front of City Hall, 601 Lakeside Ave., at 12:30 p.m. The parade route will proceed east on Lakeside Avenue to East 9th Street, south towards Superior Avenue, west towards Roadway Drive, north toward Rockwell Avenue, west to Ontario Street, north to Lakeside Avenue traveling east and ending at City Hall. Find a copy of the route map here.
The Co-Grand Marshals for this year’s parade are: Allen Bray, “Outstanding Veteran Student of the Year”; Taras Terry Zacharyj, “Veteran of the Year”; and Judge Charles Patton, Cleveland Municipal Court, Veterans Treatment Court, “Civilian of the Year.”
Reminder: To enter City Hall, visitors must bring a valid photo ID.
About the City of Cleveland
The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life of its residents by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing diversity and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, play and do business. For more information on the City of Cleveland, visit online at www.city.cleveland.oh.us, Twitter at @cityofcleveland or Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofcleveland.
West Park ‘Trash Talk’ Video
Bellaire-Puritas hosts annual Neighborhood Summit Oct. 18
By Jerry Masek
The Bellaire-Puritas Development Corp. (BPDC) will host the annual Neighborhood Summit from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Robinson G. Jones Elementary School, 4550 W. 150th St. Admission is free and a light meal will be provided.
“Our community is stronger when people participate,” says Ian Heisey, Community Engagement Director at BPDC. “The strongest assets in our community are the people who live and work here. At the summit, people can meet other neighbors who care, connect to resources that are available, learn ways to get involved and stay informed about the strategic plan that BPDC is implementing.”
Residents will hear about the impact of the successful Wraparound Strategy at the R.G. Jones School, and the power of community-school partnerships.
Ward 16 City Councilman Brian Kazy will speak briefly, and community awards will be announced.
You must register to vote by Oct. 9
By Jerry Masek