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PHOTO CAPTION: Philanthropist and Say Yes to Education founder George Weiss mingles with the crowd at the John Marshall Campus after announcing that Cleveland had been named the nation’s fourth community chapter of Say Yes.

(PHOTO & STORY COURTESY OF CMSD NEWS BUREAU )

The first big story of 2019 — the arrival of Say Yes to Education in Cleveland — was also the biggest story of the year.

But while Say Yes grabbed headlines from start to finish, CMSD had other moments in the spotlight, especially when it came to state and national report cards. The District also set standards for others, inspiring plans to help students nationwide control their emotions and schools in Ohio improve attendance.

Here are the CMSD News Bureau’s Top 10 stories of the year:

1. On Jan. 18, philanthropist George Weiss announced designation of Cleveland as the nation’s fourth community chapter of Say Yes to Education. Say Yes Cleveland provides scholarships that fill gaps in tuition and helps align services, from mental health counseling to after-school programs, that can assist students and families in overcoming barriers to success. In the fall, the Class of 2019 showed a 4-point rise in the percentage of students enrolling in college, the first increase since 2014.
2. A new state report card, released in September, showed CMSD outpacing a majority of school districts in the state — urban, suburban and rural — for growth in K-3 literacy improvement, graduation rate and performance index, a composite of all test scores. 
3. A month later, a new Nation’s Report Card, formally known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress, had CMSD faring well when compared with districts across the country.  For example, District eighth-graders improved in reading and fourth-graders held steady while scores across the country declined sharply.
4. In November, the Board of Education approved a long-term plan for programs and facilities that is designed to maximize use of limited resources, put more students in higher performing schools and modernized buildings and deliver on a promise, made in The Cleveland Plan, to give every child in the District access to a quality education. Based on extensive data analysis and community feedback, the plan included several school closings and consolidations, as well as new construction financed with state funds and a local bond issue. Heeding community input, CEO Eric Gordon delayed a proposal to close the Collinwood high school building. He also withdrew a plan to phase out New Tech West. 
5. On July 1, CEO Gordon began a one-year term as chair of the Council of the Great City Schools Board of Directors. The council represents 76 of the nation’s largest school systems and serves as the country’s leading voice for urban education. 
6. A prestigious national commission called for blending students’ social and emotional learning with core academic instruction. Recommendations that were released in January mirror many practices that the commission had examined in Cleveland.
7. The Cleveland Browns launched a new statewide school attendance initiative that also takes its cue from CMSD. The Cleveland Browns Foundation has served as the lead partner in the District’s “Get 2 School. You Can Make It!” attendance campaign.
8. Campus International High School was officially named an International Baccalaureate school, making CMSD one of three districts in Ohio to offer IB from kindergarten through 12th grade.
9. The Lincoln-West School of Science and Health, the only high school in the country based in a hospital, graduated its first seniors, and all were accepted to colleges. State Superintendent Paolo DeMaria visited the school’s classrooms at MetroHealth’s main campus in September.
10. CEO Gordon, who already ranks as the District’s longest serving superintendent in four decades, received a four-year contract extension from the Board of Education.

The list could have been longer, or other stories could have arguably muscled their way into the Top 10. For example, seven schools — the largest number yet —received state Momentum Awards for academic growth that exceeded expectations. Shoes and Clothes for Kids and school-wear company French Toast launched a three-year pilot program that will provide uniforms and supplies to all K-3 classrooms in five schools in an attempt to improve attendance and reading scores. The Joseph M. Gallagher School chess team won a state championship. Only eight schools started classes with new principals, a testament to District efforts to develop and support school leaders. 

Which stories will stand out in the new year? Follow our ever changing content at clevelandmetroschools.org/news and form your own opinions.

Have a story idea for the CMSD News Bureau? Email suggestions to newstips@clevelandmetroschools.org.

e-mail: Rosemary@westparkkamms.org
Phone: 216-252-6559, Ext. 1100
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @westparkkamms
Web site: www.westparkkamms.org
To receive a twice-a-month e-newsletter, sign up on the web site.
Every resident in Ward 17 is being added to the mailing list for a quarterly magazine, West Park.
The staff includes:
Franchesca Bodnar, Healthy Homes Community Engagement Specialist, franchesca@westparkkamms.org, Ext. 1700
Ben Campbell, Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, ben@westparkkamms.org, Ext. 1200.
JD Smith, Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator, jd@westparkkamms.org, Ext. 1300
Mollie Constanzo Wirtz, Manager of Marketing and Communications, mollie@westparkkamms.org, Ext. 1500

By Jerry Masek

Local fans of Steak-N-Shake food must now drive to Parma or Steelyard Commons.   

The restaurant, 17325 Lorain Ave., has been closed since last summer. It will soon re-open as Arby’s #8792, the company has confirmed.   

No timetable has been announced.   

Arby’s describes itself as, “a quick-service restaurant, serving quality meats on hand-crafted sandwiches.”   

Arby’s also operates restaurants in Rocky River, Brookpark, Middleburg Heights, and at 1421 W. 117th St., near Detroit Ave. Those sites are open until midnight or later.   

During a Jan. 14 visit to the store, there were no signs of renovation work or other activity.   

This story will be updated as details become available.

To be featured in the February 2020 edition of the West Park Times.

Remember, Wednesdays and Thursdays are free dryer days at The Wash House and Cafe. Find more information at The Wash House and Cafe web page.

By Jerry Masek
    There are 22,300 persons in Ward 17. New City Councilman Charles Slife looks forward to meeting each of them― but not all at once. Slife, 32, plans to do “Meet and Greet” events throughout the ward.

Communications is key   

“Communications is my number one priority,” Slife says. “It’s important that residents know they are being represented. I want to listen to them. They call because an issue is important to them, so it’s important to me, as well.”   

This month, Slife is mailing an introductory flier to all residents. He has a work phone at City Hall, an e-mail address, and a Facebook page. He uses the hyper-local social media of Next Door, and is trying to get access to all Ward 17 neighborhoods.    

“I want to be an advocate for people who have issues with city services,” he says. “I will be engaged. It’s important to show people how their tax dollars are being used.”

Public policy   

The other half of being a city councilman is dealing with public policy. Council meets on Monday evenings at City Hall. Slife is vice chair of the Transportation Committee, which has oversight of Hopkins International Airport. He represents City Council on the Planning Commission, and serves on committees for:

• Development
• Planning & Sustainability
• Utilities 
• Workforce & Community Benefits

Slife wants to encourage development and create more jobs in Ward 17.   

“I know how things are done in other cities, and I want to bring some ‘best practices’ to Cleveland. Let’s make this area the best it can be. Ward 17 has a lot of opportunities for development, and there is a strong sense of community in our neighborhoods.”

Ties to West Park

Slife has lived in West Park for 5 years, but his family has deep roots on the West Side and Lakewood. He and his wife, Holly, attend St. Marks Church, and live on Montrose Avenue with their young son.    He previously served on the board of the Kamms’s Corners Development Corp., now known as West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development.

Great resume    

Slife has a master’s of public administration in urban economic development. His previous work with the City of Cleveland and The Austen Company has given him experience in economic development, real estate, and urban planning projects; workforce development; attracting business; remediating brownfields; design review, and zoning regulations.

Background   

This is the second time in recent years that West Park residents have an appointed councilman. In December 1996, David McGuirk resigned and Council appointed Michael Dolan. Martin Keane served from 2008 to 2019. When he resigned on Nov. 25, he recommended that Council appoint Slife.   

Slife said he was surprised when Keane “drafted” him, but now he is determined to make a difference in West Park.   

Slife will serve Keane’s unexpired term. He faces election to a four-year term in November 2021.   

Council members are paid $83,000 annually. Issues on the ballot March 17 would reduce both the salary and the number of wards in the city. Slife opposes both measures.

A neighborhood favorite, 5 Points Coffee & Tea serves food, pastries, coffee, and tea, and is located at 3600 West Park Road. They also have a selection of signature drinks. Find their menu items here.

Residents have several ways to contact new Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife.
Phone at City Hall, (216) 664-4239, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
e-mail:. cslife@clevelandcitycouncil.org.
Facebook: Councilman Charles Slife. He lives near Riverside School.
Next Door: The way Next Door is configured, he does not now has access to all Ward residents. That may change.
Profile: https://clevelandcitycouncil.org/ward-17.

What’s coming: Expect an introductory letter from him in the U.S. mail soon. He is planning some “Meet and Greet” events. An article will be posted here, and appear in the next issue of the West Park Times.

By Jerry Masek

This holiday season, consider giving the gift of wellness.
One size fits all. The gift is affordable, and whoever receives it will reap healthy benefits for the next 12 months.
It has been reported that the average person spends five hours a day in front of some type of screen. If that trend continues, it could lead to a shorter lifespan.
One gift to consider — an individual or family membership to the West Park-Fairview Family YMCA, 15501 Lorain Rd., (216) 941-5410.
More than 1,500 members of all ages use this YMCA branch.
Pre-schoolers as young as age four can learn to swim.
Adults hit the workout room at 5:30 a.m. to maintain their health before the workday begins.
Parents use child watch services and care before and after school.
Senior citizens stay young by participating in chair yoga, Silver Sneaker exercise class, and open swims.
“Our programs are designed to be accessible to everyone,” says Wellness Coordinator Delinda Hupka. “We want to be relevant to all ages., and offer a welcoming atmosphere with a personal touch.”
Memberships range from $17.50 a month for youths to $61 a month for families. Financial assistance is available.

For details, go to www.clevelandymca.org, and select West Park.

Jerry Masek, a certified hypnotist in West Park, is active in local holistic groups. If you have a topic for a future column, send it to westparktimes@gmail.com.

This holiday, share a gift. 

Currently, toys are being accepted as part of the Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive throughout locations in West Park, including at Athens Pizzeria, 4341 Rocky River Dr., which has been involved with the drive since 2009.

The final pick-up date is scheduled for Dec. 23. 

Items should be new and unwrapped. The age-range for toy donations includes everything from newborns to 18-years-of-age. 

Consider picking up something today, large or small; pricey or not. Because what would the holidays be without a little magic and a surprise–  something of your very own to unwrap and behold? 

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:

-Athens Pizzeria 

-The Wash House and Cafe

-Peace, Love and Little Donuts of Westpark 

-Hatfield’s GOODE GRUB 

-Brothers Pizza 

-Affordable Florals 

-Only in Clev 

-West Park Station 

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By Jessie Schoonover

If there’s any extra room on your holiday shopping list this year, consider adding an item for the Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL).
Their wishlist is ongoing throughout the year/ However, at the moment, our four-legged friends at the APL are currently in need of the following:

• Cat carriers
• Rachel Ray (roasters)
• Pup-Peroni dog treats
• Other soft dog treats
• Canned squeeze cheese
• Paper lunch bags
• Nylabones (all sizes)
• Easy Walk® Harness (all sizes)
• Feliway plug in refills
• Friskies crunchy cat treats
• Cat scratchers
• Non-dust cat litter
• Cat and dog food (particularly wet food)
• Dog treats
• Cat and dog toys
• Office supplies
• Bleach
• Gift cards for Marc’s, as well as gift cards that can be used at any store

For the full wishlist, visit https://clevelandapl.org/donate/our-wish-list/.

“(They) are very much appreciated. That’s what we rely on to care for our animals. But there are many other ways people can help,” says APL Director of Development Judy Hunter. “The wishlist is a great way to collect some items or bring some things in that you have in your home, and then there’s volunteering your time as a volunteer in our shelter, or for foster care.” “We have a wonderful core of volunteers right now who will take the moms and the babies and take care of them until they are big enough to come back to the shelters,” says Hunter. “That really helps us out as well,” she says. Interested in becoming a volunteer for the APL or learning more? Simply go to the Cleveland APL website (https://clevelandapl.org/) and click on the ‘Volunteer’ tab for more information (https://clevelandapl.org/volunteer/). According to Hunter, animals that typically go into foster care include dogs and cats who have just given birth or are about to give birth, along with their puppies or kittens; as well as animals currently being treated for an illness, or recovering from an injury. Those who decide to take in an animal from the shelter as a foster caregiver are given the proper tools and items, such as food, medical care, and amenities like cat litter, which come at no expense to the foster. Individuals are able to purchase things at their own expense, however, if they choose. If this is the case, individuals are often able to write off these expenses on their taxes, as these items are considered to be tax deductible, says Hunter.
For those who become the foster parents of adoptable pets, peer-to-peer as well as staff assistance for questions and more is available any time.
“We have coaches who help fosters,” says Hunter. “Particularly if you are a first-time foster.”
Further information regarding adoption, volunteering, foster care, and more can be found at the APL’s web page, located here. https://clevelandapl.org/