Volume 1, Issue 4

Almira News

Almira Pre K-8 Academy •3375 West 99th Street • (216) 838 -6150

Please remember!

Meet your scholar’s

teacher by requesting a

visit in the main office.

Review discipline policies

with your child.

Help your scholar get to

school, on time, in uni-

form, everyday this se-

mester and watch them

improve!

Tips for Dressing for Cold

Weather

2

Meet a Teacher 3

Don’t Hate, Mediate! 4

December Calendar 5

Nation’s Report Card 6

Free Produce Fridays 7

Winter Sudoku 8

Inside this issue:

Dear Almira Parents and

Caregivers,

We are busy here at Al-

mira preparing for our

Winter Assessments.

These tests will deter-

mine how well your schol-

ar is progressing with

mastering their grade

level skills.

These tests will take

place in December and

January and there are

many ways that you can

help your child prepare.

Here are some tips:

Make sure your

scholar reads for at

least 20 minutes eve-

ry night.

Work with your

scholar over the win-

ter break to complete

their winter packets

so they continue their

learning while they

are away from school.

Make sure your

scholar arrives at

school everyday on

time.

On another note, I need

your assistance with

morning arrival and af-

ternoon dismissal. Here

is the procedure:

MORNING ARRIVAL:

Scholars are allowed to

enter the building at

8:45am. Grades K-5 go to

the cafeteria. Grades 6-8

eat breakfast in the atri-

um or go into the gym for

morning recreation. Par-

ents who accompany their

children go into the cafe-

teria with them or wait in

the main office. At no

time are parents or schol-

ars to go to any other

parts of the building be-

fore 9:10am. This is

when classes begin.

AFTERNON DISMIS-

SAL: Parents entering

the build-

ing before

3:40pm

go to the

cafeteria.

As schol-

ars are

being dis-

missed, please take your

child and immediately

exit the building. Please

do not wait in the atrium

because this creates con-

gestion and an unsafe

condition for exiting the

building.

If at anytime you need to

speak with a teacher you

must request a visit in

the main office.

With your cooperation,

consideration, and assis-

tance, together we can

create a smooth and

stress free arrival and

dismissal experience for

everyone.

Happy Holidays!

LaVerne Hooks

Principal

Message from Principal Hooks

December 1, 2015

SAVE THE DATE!

Special Parent Event at Almira

Saturday, January 23rd, 10am-12pm

More details soon...

GLOVES, ETC.)

Dress in layers; this way you can remove layers if you start to sweat when you

exercise in gym class, or are walking quickly. Sweating causes you to lose body heat.

Cover all exposed skin: Always wear a warm hat that covers ears, gloves or mit-

tens that cover your full wrist, and a scarf or ski mask to protect your face and neck.

Did you know that mittens actually keep your fingers warmer than gloves?

If your clothing gets wet, go inside and change into dry clothing as soon as possi-

ble.

Shivering is a sign that it's time to go in because it means that your body is los-

ing heat.

Remember to wear

appropriate footwear to

keep your feet warm and to prevent slipping on the

ice.

Suggested items:

GENTLY USED OR NEW

UNIFORM CLOTHES OF ALL

SIZES

GENTLY USED OR

NEW CHILDREN’S

BOOKS FOR PREK-

8TH GRADERS

Support Almira scholars in

need by donating items you

no longer need to our

school community.

Drop off boxed or bagged

items in the main office.

GENTLY USED OR NEW WIN-

TER CLOTHING AND ACCES-

SORIES (COATS, HATS,

Tips for Dressing for Cold Weather

“Branches of Government” by Jayleena Orozco, 4th grade

Donations Needed

PAGE 2 ALMIRA NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

Fourth grade scholar Jayleena

Orozco illustrated the three

branches of government for her

social studies unit. She learned

that the Executive Branch enforc-

es the

laws, the

Judicial

branch in-

terprets

the laws,

and the

Legislative

Branch

writes the

laws.

Where are you from?

Uniontown, Pennsylvania

Where did you go to college?

I went to Cleveland State Univer-

sity and majored in Music Educa-

tion and Performance.

Why did you decide to become

a music teacher?

I was a musician, but I didn’t

want to travel anymore. I liked

private teaching, so I wanted to

try public school teaching.

What is your favorite instru-

ment?

The trumpet. I also like the trom-

bone and the piano.

What do you want to accom-

plish this year with the Almira

Scholars?

I want to help the younger schol-

ars find their voice. I want to

work with the older scholars on

improving their reading compre-

hension and becoming famil-

iar with music history.

What kind of music do

you like to listen to most?

Be-Bop. Dizzy Gillespie is

my idol.

You are a new teacher

here. What is your favor-

ite thing about Almira so

far?

I like the kids and staff. This is

the first new building I’ve ever

worked in. It’s very nice and

modern.

What is your favorite winter

holiday song?

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

and “Have Yourself a Merry Lit-

tle Christmas.”

special events

Lead an after-school

club or activity (experience required)

Be a classroom assis-

tant

Criminal Records Check re-

quired for all positions

Join the Scholar Par-

ent Organization

Assist Tutors during

Afterschool program

Assist Lunch aides

and Recess Coaches

Help plan and execute

To volunteer, please see or con-

tact: Jocelyn Prince, Almira’s

Site Coordinator, at joc-

lyn.prince@clevelandmetroscho

ols.org or (216) 838-6159 or

Principal

Laverne

Hooks at

(216) 838-

6150.

Winter Coats from Coats for Kids– Cleveland

Meet a Teacher: Mr. Anastasi, Music Teacher Interview by Jocelyn Prince, Cleveland Play House Site Coordinator

Volunteer Opportunities at Almira

PAGE 3 ALMIRA NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

Coats for Kids– Cleveland has

donated new winter coats for

families in need at Almira. A

variety of sizes are available

from 5/6-Adult XXL.

Please contact Ms. Prince at

(216) 838-6159 or

prince.jocelyn@clevelandmetros

chools.org if you are experienc-

ing financial hardship and

your Almira scholar needs a

PAGE 4 ALMIRA NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

Almira Peer Mediators

Almira is taking part in CMSD’s W.A.V.E.

(Winning Against Violent Environments) Con-

flict Resolution Program.

This program provides scholars the right and

responsibility to resolve their own conflicts,

nonviolently, with peer assistance in-

stead of adult punishment.

Scholars are charged with helping to

create a peaceful and healthy environ-

ment at school through problem solv-

ing, respect for cultural diversity, and

positive communication.

Anyone can refer scholars for media-

tion— parents, teachers, other scholars

– with forms available in the main of-

fice. Mediations happen immediately

after the conflict has occurred, if possi-

ble.

Media Teacher Ms. Coats is the faculty

advisor for Almira’s program. Nine

scholar mediators trained in October, and

have successfully completed over 30 media-

tions so far.

“This is not about suspensions or detentions.

You don’t get punished for going to mediation;”

says Ms. Coats, “All mediations are completely

confidential.”

According to Assistant Principal Greene, one

of the best parts of the program is that it

gives scholars a chance to sit together and

talk about the issues they face on a daily ba-

sis. “All sides get to explain what upset

them and what they can do the next time to

correct their behaviors,” he says.,

“Oftentimes after the mediation, the schol-

ars work out their differences and become

friends.”

To refer a scholar for mediation, see the

main office for a form. Parents are encour-

aged to participate and help resolve conflicts

among our scholars.

Don’t Hate, Mediate!: New Conflict Resolution

Program at Almira

Almira Peer Mediators: Tre’Vonne Jones– 4th grade

Daniel Foster-McCloud- 7th grade

Semaj Douglas– 6th grade

Precious Trumble– 7th grade

Jacqualynn Fink– 4th grade

Heaven Lloyd– 7th grade

Natalee Roberts– 4th grade

Kayla Sommerer– 4th grade

Savanna Reyes– 3rd grade

Faculty Advisor: Ms. Coats

PAGE 5 ALMIRA NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 S

UN

DA

Y

MO

ND

AY

T

UE

SD

AY

W

ED

NE

SD

AY

T

HU

RS

DA

Y

FR

IDA

Y

SA

TU

RD

AY

R

1

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

TU

TO

RIN

G

CH

EE

RL

EA

DIN

G

PU

PP

ET

WK

SP

2 1

0:1

5a

m- 8

TH

GR

AD

E D

AN

CE

PE

RF

OR

MA

NC

E

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

DR

AM

A C

LU

B

CU

B S

CO

UT

S

CH

EE

RL

EA

DIN

G

BO

Y S

CO

UT

S

3

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

TU

TO

RIN

G

DE

TE

NT

ION

4

5

6

7

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

GIR

LS

CIR

CL

E

DE

TE

NT

ION

8

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

TU

TO

RIN

G

CH

EE

RL

EA

DIN

G

PU

PP

ET

WK

SP

9

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

DR

AM

A C

LU

B

CU

B S

CO

UT

S

CH

EE

RL

EA

DIN

G

BO

Y S

CO

UT

S

10

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

TU

TO

RIN

G

DE

TE

NT

ION

11

NO

SC

HO

OL

FO

R

PR

E-K

12

13

14

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

GIR

LS

CIR

CL

E

DE

TE

NT

ION

15

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

TU

TO

RIN

G

CH

EE

RL

EA

DIN

G

PU

PP

ET

WK

SP

16

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

DR

AM

A C

LU

B

CU

B S

CO

UT

S

CH

EE

RL

EA

DIN

G

BO

Y S

CO

UT

S

17

Afte

rsch

oo

l:

TU

TO

RIN

G

DE

TE

NT

ION

18

EN

D O

F F

IRS

T

SE

ME

ST

ER

10

:15

am

- PR

EK

DA

NC

E P

ER

FO

R-

MA

NC

E

19

20

21

22

\

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

DE

CE

MB

ER

20

15

W

INT

ER

BR

EA

K W

INT

ER

BR

EA

K

WIN

TE

R B

RE

AK

WIN

TE

R B

RE

AK

AN

ET

TE

ST

ING

WE

EK

A

NE

T T

ES

TIN

G W

EE

K

AN

ET

TE

ST

ING

WE

EK

After more than a decade of flat

and low results in national test-

ing, CMSD now ranks near the

top in academic growth when

compared with 20 other large

U.S. urban school districts, ac-

cording to the National Assess-

ment of Educational Pro-

gress released in October.

The District was one of only

three districts in the group to im-

prove on all four sections of the

2015 NAEP, also known as the

Nation’s Report Card. The test is

given every two years.

The 21-city Trial Urban District

Assessment group represents on-

PAGE 6 ALMIRA NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

ly a portion of the schools

that participate in the

NAEP. But CMSD fared

well even when compari-

sons extended beyond the

TUDA.

Cleveland showed the sec-

ond largest gains in the

nation in fourth-grade

reading and fourth largest

gains in the

nation in fourth-grade

math. Significant gains

made by black male scholars and

disabled scholars fueled the im-

provement in reading.

District eighth-graders had the

fourth largest gains in reading in

the nation and fifth highest gains

in math among TUDA members.

The growth came as peers in the

TUDA and other districts across

the nation saw their scores de-

cline or remain flat.

CMSD must continue climbing to

catch up with many of the other

TUDA members and the nation as

a whole. But the results demon-

strate the impact of The Cleve-

land Plan, a customized blueprint

for education reform in

the city, Chief Executive

Officer Eric Gordon said.

“After years of finishing

last or nearly last among

other big-city school dis-

tricts in the

nation, the 2015 scores

are the best indicator we

have so far that our re-

forms are working,” he

said.

Mayor Frank G. Jackson

said: “This year’s Nation-

al Assessment of Educa-

tion Progress shows posi-

tive growth for Cleve-

land’s schools. We are

making good gains in

many areas, but we also

know that more needs to

be done. I am encouraged

and believe we have the

right programs in place

to sustain these gains.”

District ranks high in growth on 2015 NAEP, Nation’s Report Card CMSD’s gains are “uniformly larger and better than any dis-

trict in the country…The community should be encouraged

and confident that more improvement is in store, as the school

system is clearly on the right track.” ~ Michael Casserly, Exec-

utive Director, Council of Great City Schools

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 PAGE 7 ALMIRA NEWS

CMSD and Cleveland part of pilot program to expand STEM learning ecosystems

Free Produce

Fridays!

Stop by Almira on Fridays be-

tween 3:30-4pm and receive a

free 5lb bag of produce. Recent

items include pears, apples, and

sweet potatoes.

Produce provided

by Cleveland Food

Bank. Produce

will only be dis-

tributed to parents

and caregivers.

District, community to plan small schools for Lincoln-

West, Rhodes

CMSD will seek to sharpen the instructional focus and

raise achievement at Lincoln-West and James Ford

Rhodes high schools with new designs that will change

each institution into a campus of new, small schools that

better meet the needs of today’s scholars and staff.

Lincoln-West and Rhodes possess strengths, but scholar

data shows much more room for academic growth, said

Christine Fowler-Mack, the District’s chief portfolio officer.

The District also hopes to use the new direction to better

market the schools.

Three new small high schools, the latest in a series being

developed by CMSD, will open next fall. Teams represent-

ing the District and community, including parents, teach-

ers and scholars, will spend the year planning the new de-

signs with the help of $3 million in philanthropic support

from Carnegie Corporation of New York.. The grant also

includes support for implementing the plans to help ensure

a successful rollout.

The new schools will open with younger scholars and grow

to include all four grades. Adding scholars over time will

help the schools develop cultures, build relationships be-

tween staff and scholars, and clearly define “what we teach

and why we teach it,” said Fowler-Mack.

CMSD and Cleveland are part of a pilot group in a national effort to

strengthen and expand education in science, technology, engineering and

mathematics.

The group, which includes Cleveland and 26 other communities, met Nov. 11 and 12 at the

STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice conference in Washington, D.C.

CMSD graduate David Boone, who went from being homeless as a teenager to attending Har-

vard University, delivered the keynote address. Boone, whose inspiring story has been widely

told, graduated second in his class from Cleveland’s MC2STEM High School. Now a senior at

Harvard, he told the conference audience about the impact STEM education has had on his life.

Thank you Almira Volunteers!

3375 West 99th Street

Cleveland, OH 44102

MAIN OFFICE: (216) 838-6150

ALMIRA PREK-8 ACADEMY

Special thanks to community organizations for in

-kind and service donations to Almira scholars:

Zenworks Yoga

Kids in Need Resource Center

Little Free Library

Cleveland Food Bank

Cleveland Play House

AARP Experience Corps

Aiming Higher

United Way of Greater Cleveland

Boy Scouts of America

Cleveland Housing Network

Dancing Classrooms

Dancing Wheels

Coats for Kids

Centers for Families and Children

YMCA of Greater Cleveland

Ohio City Theatre Project

Key Bank

Playworks

Community Support for

Almira scholars

WEBSITE: http://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/

almira

FACEBOOK PAGE: Search “Almira Gators” on

Facebook and send a friend request!

Visit Almira’s website

Learn more about school policies and procedures

Access Curriculum Review Resources and Prac-

tice Tests

View contact information for teachers and staff

http://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/almira

Greta Walker

William Island

Bernice Garrett Sheryas Suresh

Rev. Nozomi Ikuta Shanda Davis Kenyatta Tatum Kaitlin Cole Ruben Rosado