Posted by *REMINDER: THERE IS NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH AND MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH. ENJOY THE LONG PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND!*
OFHS MUSICIAN TO PERFORM WITH ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA
Stuart Englehart will be representing Olmsted Falls at the Ohio Music Educator’s Conference in Columbus this week, February 16-18th. He is playing in the All-State Orchestra under the direction of the cover conductor for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
Out of all 5 regions in the state of Ohio, Stuart was chosen to be one of only two bassoonists who will play with this prestigious orchestra. The ensemble will perform Tchaikovsky’s 4th symphony at 2:00 on Saturday February 18th at the Columbus Convention Center.
Congratulations Stuart!
PRESCHOOLERS VISIT OLMSTED FALLS POST OFFICE
Preschool students from the Early Childhood Center took a field trip to the Olmsted Falls Post Office last week. The visit was the culmination of a special Valentine’s Day unit, which actually focuses on mail.
The children learned about writing letters, making and signing cards, addressing envelopes, the purpose and placement of stamps, sorting and delivering of mail, etc. It was a wonderful hands-on experience for the students.
It is also terrific for them to be able to have these great experiences right here in their own community, in places that are part of their every day lives. Thank you to the staff at the Olmsted Falls Post Office for helping create such a memorable visit for our littlest bulldogs.
To view more photos from the field trip to Olmsted Falls Post Office, please click here.
CONGRATULATIONS TO LES EXCELLENCE, HONOR & MERIT ROLL STUDENTS AT OFMS & OFHS
Congratulations to our Middle and High School students whose academic achievement has earned them a place on the Les Excellence, Honor or Merit Roll for the 2nd Quarter. To view the 2nd Quarter Academic Review Lists, please click HERE for OFHS and HERE for OFMS.
OFHS VARSITY SWIM & DIVE TEAM CONTINUE TO MAKE A SPLASH
The Varsity Swimming and Diving Teams competed in the SWC Championships and in the Sectional Championships held over the past two weekends. Combined, the teams brought home multiple medals and broke multiple school records!
Four swimmers qualified to compete in the District Championships to be held at CSU this upcoming weekend. Good luck to junior Aidan Burton (who will compete in the 100 Backstroke), sophomore Jake Bolton (who will compete in the 100 Breaststroke), junior Joan Dregalla (who will compete in the 200 and 100 Freestyle events), and senior Bridget Liddy (who will compete in the 200 and 500 freestyle events)!
For a complete report on highlights from the many outstanding performances as well as a link to the gallery of photos from these recent competitions, please click here.
BATTLE OF THE SCHOOLS DODGEBALL GAME TOMORROW NIGHT!
Don’t miss this annual tradition! This year we are playing DODGEBALL! Come out and support your school!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
7:00 PM @ Olmsted Falls High School
Tickets are $3.00 for Students & $6.00 for Adults and on sale at the door!
OFHS STUDENT BOWLS PERFECT GAME
On Tuesday, January 31, in a non-conference match against St. Edward, Devin Carver bowled a 300 game. It was only the second perfect game bowled by an Olmsted Falls bowler in the 42-year history of the team. (The other was by Ethan Arnold in 2008). Devin, a junior, leads the team with an average of 211 in all competition. His final average of 210 in the Greater Cleveland Interscholastic League was fourth highest in the league. The Bulldogs defeated St. Edward in the match and enter sectional tournament play on February 12 with a record of 11-2.
Congratulations Devin!
OFHS SENIOR MEMBER OF AWARD-WINNING POLARIS RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT TEAM – WINS TOP HONORS AT STATE CULINARY COMPETITIONS
Congratulations to Olmsted Falls High School senior Daiekl Holton (pictured, back row, second from the right) and his Restaurant Management Team at Polaris on placing first in the recent 2012 ProStart Invitational Culinary and Restaurant Management Competitions in Columbus, Ohio. This annual contest, which is presented by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), allows students from programs around the state to showcase their culinary and academic talents.
In the Restaurant Management competition, the students had to present an original concept to judges that demonstrated knowledge of the operation and success (profitability) of a food service establishment. The team came up with a name and logo design. The presentation included menu design and food costing, facility design and decor, marketing strategies, employment practices and human resources. Finally, the team also had to answer a barrage of critical thinking questions from a panel of food service experts.
Daiekl and his team will now represent Polaris and the state at the national competition in Baltimore, Maryland on April 26-29, 2012. Congratulations and best of luck! Note: The Polaris Culinary Team also took top honors and will compete at the national competition in April.
As state champions, each student was awarded $112,500 each in college scholarships to several renowned culinary schools including a full ride to the Chef’s Academy valued at $72,500. In all, Polaris students received scholarship awards totaling $1.12 million from the following culinary schools: Johnson & Wales University, the Culinary Institute of America, the Chef’s Academy, Columbus Culinary Institute, International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes, Mountain State University and Sullivan University.
CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES DAY AT THE ECC
Last week, the ECC held “Celebrating Differences Day” in which students learned about showing kindness toward persons with disabilities, and celebrated ways in which we are all alike yet different. High School students from the Key Club performed a puppet show to reiterate these concepts. Thank you to Key Club members Jackie Swinerton, Megan Doherty, Sam Lewarchick, and Emily Pfisterer!
Also, members of the Girl Scouts involved the kindergartners in several disability awareness activities. Kelly Walker is the Scout leader, and the fifth grade Scouts (pictured below) are Alyssa Veverka, Abbie Katitus, Haley Taylor, Jillian Scott, and Elyse Walker. Thank you to these Girl Scouts for their great work! For more photos from “Celebrating Differences Day,” please click HERE.
LEGISLATOR REACHES OUT TO SUPERINTENDENTS REGARDING FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDING – BURDEN CONTINUES TO BE PLACED ON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Olmsted Falls Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Hoadley, as well as other local Superintendents in the area, received a letter from U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich last week regarding funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). While the federal government is supposed to be responsible for 40% of the additional costs associated with educating students with disabilities, current federal funding for IDEA is less than half that, resulting in a shortfall that places the burden on local school districts to fill the gap. To read a copy of Representative Kucinich’s full letter, please click here.
While legislation is being introduced to increase federal funding to its full, promised level, there is no guarantee that will happen. This is just one example of an unfunded mandate which negatively impacts local school finances and causes an increased burden on local tax payers. In the Olmsted Falls School District, we are working hard to stretch every local tax dollar. The recent passage of the 5-year Limited P.I. Levy – which did not raise the existing level of school taxes – is a good example of how we continue to work to maximize every dollar in an effort to stretch operating funds as far as possible.
If you have any questions about federal IDEA funding, or any questions about local funding / financial operations of the Olmsted Falls School system, please contact Superintendent Dr. Todd Hoadley at 427-6000.
OLMSTED FALLS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PLANS ANNUAL LAS VEGAS NIGHT
The Annual Olmsted Falls Alumni Association Las Vegas Night, featuring gambling, food and fun, will be held at the Irish-American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd., Olmsted Township on Saturday, February 25, from 7 p.m. to midnight. There will be a cash bar, refreshments, door prizes, big wheel, dice, black jack, let it ride, poker, Texas hold ‘em, 50/50 raffle and VitaMix raffle. All profits go towards scholarships for the OFHS class of 2012. Tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at the door. Call the Alumni Office at 440-427-6030 for tickets or more information. 21 and over please. Hope to see you there!!
OFHS KEY CLUB “JEANS FOR TEENS” COLLECTION A SUCCESS
On Friday, the OFHS Key Club delivered 348 pairs of jeans to Aeropostale that will be distributed to homeless shelters around the area! Thank you to everyone who helped and donated to this great cause!!
“LEGISLATOR FOR A DAY” READING CONTEST
State Representative Michael Dovilla is hosting a “Legislator for a Day” reading contest for Olmsted Falls students in Grades 1-6. Children can pick up a bookmark at the Olmsted Falls branch and record five books that they have read on the back of the bookmark. Once the books have been read and recorded, participants should return the bookmark to the library no later than, February, 24, 2012. One child will be randomly selected as “Legislator for a Day”. Winners will receive a VIP tour of the Ohio Statehouse, which will include participating in a mock legislative hearing and lunch with Mr. Dovilla. If you have any questions, please contact Liza Kahoe Arthur at 235-1150.
OLMSTED FALLS LIBRARY GEARING UP FOR SPRING PROGRAMS
Please click here for a listing of programs planned for Olmsted Falls Library this spring.
FREE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP / FINANCIAL AID ADVICE AVAILABLE FOR OFHS PARENTS & STUDENTS
Is college just around the corner for your student? If so, OFHS is providing the opportunity for parents to meet individually with financial advisor Mr. Dave Minich from College Now of Greater Cleveland. Mr. Minich has more than 40 appointments available to personally meet with parents/students to help connect them with different college scholarship and funding opportunities. Mr. Minich can also help with filing for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Parents are highly encouraged to take advantage of this great opportunity! Below please find the dates and time frames for scheduling appointments with Mr. Minich:
Feb 28 (OFHS Guidance Office) 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
March 3 (Saturday – OFHS Library) 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
March 13 (OFHS Guidance Office) 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
April 10 (OFHS Guidance Office) 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Please call Ms. Tommye Laut in the HS Counseling Department at 427-6116 to schedule your appointment today.
Parents are also encouraged to visit the Counselor’s Corner of the OFHS website for additional scholarship resources. Visit the OFHS Counselor’s Corner by clicking here, and look for “Scholarship Information” under the Forms section about half way down the page on the right-hand side.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BULLDOG STARS OF THE WEEK
A bulldog star has shown exemplary Bulldog Spirit either academically or socially within our school community.
Please click here for this week’s Stars of the Week.
OLMSTED FALLS EARLY CHILDHOOD PTA BARGAIN BONANZA
Bargain Bonanza, Early Childhood PTA’s annual resale of gently used children’s clothes, toys, gear and maternity wear, is the group’s biggest fundraiser. The money raised from this public event allows the PTA to offer parties, programs and outings at minimal or no cost to its members.
The sale will be at Olmsted Falls Middle School on March 10, 2012. The registration deadline is TODAY, February 15, 2012. If you want to sell an item, please return the FORM as soon as possible. Remember, you do not need to be a member to be a seller. Please review the information SHEET for additional guidelines. Visit Early Childhood PTA’s WEBSITE for even more information.
ANNUAL DINNER & RAFFLE TO SUPPORT OFHS SWIM & DIVE TEAM – NEXT WEEK
SAVE THE DATE! Olmsted Falls High School Swim & Dive Team present the Annual Dinner and Raffle NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21st from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the OFHS cafeteria. This year’s event will have a country-western theme! Raffle: 50+ prizes for adults and children donated by local merchants & swim families. (Raffle tickets will be available for purchase the night of the event.) Dinner catered by Angelina’s. To download official invitation flyer / reservation form, please click here.
OFIS PTA PARTNERS WITH OLMSTED COMMUNITY CENTER FOR SATURDAY ACTIVITY NIGHT DONATION PROGRAM IN FEBRUARY
Saturday Activity Nights, a youth program that hosts gym activities, DJ/dance party, craft, games and fun for ages 8-14, from 7-10 p.m. on Saturdays at the Olmsted Community Center (8170 Mapleway Dr., Olmsted Falls) will partner in February with OFIS PTA. All 4th and 5th grade students at OFIS will receive coupons that they can use at each of the Saturday Activity Nights in the month of February. Each coupon allows OFIS Students to receive a free drink. For each coupon used by OFIS students, the Saturday Activity Night program will give $1.00 back to OFIS PTA! Parents please encourage the use of these coupons and help our PTA earn money for OFIS.
OHIO PTA ACTIVITIES
Ohio PTA wants your photos! Looking for pics of members volunteering, social activities, meetings/conferences, PTA sponsored activities with students, etc. They will be made into a slideshow for the Ohio PTA convention in April. Please email to Ana Chapman, Director of Communications, cubana@roadrunner.com.
Ohio PTA is sponsoring a Cooking Together/Cooking Forever campaign, featuring educational videos, enrichment materials, and possible cook-off. It is a free program that is open to PTA parents to do on their own free time.
To sign up go to www.programsfsc.org, click on the sign up button, enter your PTA name and unit ID, the approx. # of families in your school, and your contact information. Everything you need will be emailed to you.
OLMSTED FALLS SCHOOLS Bulldog Blog 