Board Update

Good Afternoon:

Wow, what another great week for the North Royalton School District. Last Friday the district celebrated Royal View Elementary School being named as Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. This is such a great time to be here in the North Royalton School District! There is so much to report.


LAST WEEK IN YOUR SCHOOL BOARD

Attended the City Earth Energy Environment Committee Meeting on October 4th. The committee discussed how the new recycling program is saving tax dollars. The Service Director estimated that there is about 30% increase in the city’s recycling program. The city Administration gave an update on its’ energy audit. The city has also applied for and received a NOPEC Powering Our Community Grant to make city buildings more energy efficient. Once completed the improvements are estimated to save the city 10,000 in tax dollars at the current rates on the Police Department Building alone. There was also more discussion about the city’s new recycling calendar and ways to make the new YMCA a green building.

On October 5th attended Northeast Ohio Green Government Caucus meeting at South Euclid City Hall. The main focus of the caucus is to explore ways that local city councils and school boards in the region can work together on various green issues. It was very interesting to learn what other cities are doing to be more green!

The School Board met on October 7th for its’ Board Work Session. The Board got an update on the stadium renovation project and the options for moving forward. So far $125,000 has been raised towards the stadium project. The district continues to explore the possibility of putting up a wind turbine. More companies are being explored regarding the wind turbine project and an energy expert is also looking at the district’s wind numbers to determine the feasibility of such a project if we were to move forward in the future with this. The board received another update about the progress of the district’s new website that will tentatively be launched sometime in early 2011. The board reviewed the district’s lunch and transportation programs to see if there are ways for the district to be more fiscally responsible and efficient. The Board reviewed the Regular Meeting agenda items, and such other matters that came before the Board.


Attended Royal View Elementary School Blue Ribbon Celebration on October 8th at Royal View Elementary. Being named as Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education is such a huge honor for our district to receive such national recognition. Royal View was only 1 of 18 schools in Ohio to get such recognition and was also the only school in the greater Cleveland area to be named as a Blue Ribbon School. The celebration kicked off with a whole school march led by members of the North Royalton High School Band & Flag Team and guest parade with students. There were several presentations by various special guests: Superintendent Ed Vittardi, School Board President Len Reinhard, District Director Liz Walters for U.S. Congresswoman Betty Sutton, State Senate Tom Patton, State Representative Matt Patten, North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik, and a Representative for Broadview Heights Mayor Sam Alai. I just again want to wish congrats to Principal Dr. Andrea Lasko and all the great teachers and staff at Royal View on this major accomplishment! This was such an amazing celebration!

School Green Team Update
The School Green Team meet on Oct 5th and there was discussion about several district wide initiatives that are occurring or in the planning stages such as the Wind Turbine Project, Valley Vista Nature Center, and various department items. Food Service Department is recycling food containers, and reduced the printing of menus. Maintenance Department there are aerators on majority of water faucets, energy saver motors, watering of athletic fields using well water. Tech Department is purchasing of more efficient monitors. Valley Vista has received a grant for 50 seedlings for planting of trees for Arbor Day. The middle school received a grant from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District for $750 and the funds will be used for the purchase of additional recycle containers for the middle school. Some of the building green team goals for the 2010-2011 school year and current initiatives are: Albion- Capri Sun Bag recycle drive, chip bag recycling and monthly theme for recycling. ECC-recycle bins for teachers, Crayon recycling, tip sheets on website on recycling, and recycle scarecrows for Halloween. High School-blue bins in each classroom, applying for Lowe’s for designed containers, and Down Hill Derby with recycle carts. Royal View-Home Depot has donated a tree for planting, Capri Sun container for recycling and Zip Lock bag recycling. Valley Vista-
plant tree seedlings for Arbor Day, and Blue Bag Collection Program. Middle School-
continue newspaper recycle program and putting up additional recycling containers around the school.

Finally here is a great article that gives some more details about the Wind Turbine that the district is exploring:
http://www.cleveland.com/sunstarcourier/index.ssf/2010/09/north_royalton_city_school_dis_1.html

Dress Drive for kids with Cancer
What do you do with your used Homecoming or Prom dresses? The Cleveland Clinic
is looking for used dresses for a Prom for kids with cancer that will not make it to their own Prom. Help make a special night come true!!! Bring your dress to the High School Activities Office from October 4th – 29th. This drive is sponsored by the High School Student Council. For more information please contact NRHS Student Council Advisor Erin Pontikos at 440-582-7816 or by e-mail at erin.pontikos@northroyaltonsd.org.


THIS WEEK IN YOUR SCHOOL BOARD

This week there are various meetings and events.

October Regular Board Meeting on October 11th at 7pm @ NRHS Community Rm
14713 Ridge Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133.

North Royalton Educational Foundation Meeting on October 13th at 3:30pm
@ Board of Education Office 6579 Royalton Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133.

October 15th– NO SCHOOL

SCENE
The next SCENE (School Community Exchange Night for Education) will be held on October 21st at 6:30pm at Valley Vista Elementary School, 4049 Wallings Rd.; North Royalton, OH 44133. SCENE is an informal opportunity for questions and answers about our North Royalton City School District. Hosted by Valley Vista Elementary Principal Beth O’Donnell and Superintendent Ed Vittardi. The Valley Vista PTA Meeting will take place immediately following SCENE.

North Royalton Stadium Fundraiser
North Royalton Stadium Foundation is having a Wing Night Fund Raiser on October 23, 6-9 pm at Jocko's Bar & Grill. Tickets are still available - $20 donation. For tickets call NR Stadium Foundation Chairman Larry Vasil (440) 570-2446.

Monthly Coffee with School Board Member Dan Langshaw
If you are a constituent living in the North Royalton School District, you are invited to attend my next monthly constituent coffee on October 25th at the French Quarter Café located at 5540 Wallings Road in North Royalton from 6pm to 8pm. I hold these coffees in order to stay in touch with fellow residents and listen to their feedback one on one. There is no appointment necessary. Simply stop by and talk to me. Hope to see you there!

NR Health Wellness & Community Expo
The North Royalton City Schools in cooperation with the City of North Royalton and Sports Rehabilitation Consultants will be hosting a Community Health and Wellness Expo on Saturday November 6th from 8am until noon. The event will be held at North Royalton High School. Please see the attached flyer for details of the event, activities and vendors that will be participating. This event is open to all residents and is free of charge.
http://www.northroyaltonsd.org/public/files/healthwellnessexpo2010.pdf?PHPSESSID=d7d1f6f5e1d1571f173c07170e9f32c5

Rush for a Cause
Rush for a Cause is a Ohio non-profit organization (filing for 501(c)(3) status) created to provide community and financial support for seriously injured high school athletes. The campaign enlists other High School Varsity RB's to secure individual and corporate sponsors willing to pledge money for EACH YARD THEY RUSH, starting with the 2010 high school football season. As an alternative, donations are welcome. North Royalton High School RB Logan Pearce is collecting donations this season. Donation jars are at the concession stands at each home football game or you can contact Logan Pearce at 440-582-1806 or check out the organization’s website at www.rushforacause.org.

My Contact Info
If you ever have any questions or concerns please feel free to give me at call at 440-596-0078 or e-mail me at dan.langshaw@northroyaltonsd.org.

Weekly E-mail Updates
If you have any friends or neighbors who would like to receive my weekly e-mail updates please let me know and I will be sure to add them to my e-mail list. Or if they like they can sign up on the homepage of my website at www.danlangshaw.com

Have a Great Week!

Dan Langshaw
North Royalton School Board Member
440-596-0078
www.danlangshaw.com

“Putting Students First”