Posted by ATTENTION: FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN PARENT INFORMATION MEETING – THIS THURSDAY, JAN. 28TH @ 7 P.M. 
Olmsted Falls School District will host an informational meeting for parents of incoming kindergarten students for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year interested in learning more about the District’s new Full-Day Kindergarten Program.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28TH
@ 7:00 P.M.
OLMSTED FALLS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
Administrators, faculty and support staff will make a detailed presentation outlining the new full-day kindergarten option and will be available to answer any specific questions to assist families with information to make their decision regarding the best option for their incoming kindergarten student.
If you are the parent of a student starting kindergarten next year – or know a parent of an incoming kindergarten student – please make sure this meeting is on the radar to learn more about the new Full-Day Kindergarten Program.
To review additional details – including detailed information on enrollment procedures and deadlines, and full-day program tuition costs – please click HERE now.
OFIS STUDENTS TEACHERS SHOWCASES PROJECTS / PROGRAMS AT BOARD MEETING
Kudos to 5th Mr. Rick Vormelker and his team of 5th grade students who made a special presentation about their recent “Motion & Design” Unit at the January Board meeting. The presentation included demonstrations of student-built vehicles and other project materials. Students spent approximately 12 weeks on their projects, which focused on understanding the value of the Scientific Method and how scientists use it to solve problems and answer questions. Students also got to incorporate their own creativity into their projects as they each were able to choose the type of vehicle they designed (i.e. pizza delivery truck) and give it a clever name.
Board members enjoyed seeing the hands-on demonstrations and learning the details of each project during the presentation.
Board of Education members also had an opportunity to learn more about the building’s moderate-intensive classroom from OFIS Intervention Specialist Mrs. Cindy Zahorchak. Mrs. Zahorchak also provided the Board with information about the new Helping Hands program recently launched at OFIS this year! The initial response has been overwhelming with more than 50 students participating! To view a video about the new Helping Hands Program at OFIS, simply click the play button below:
Great job OFIS! To view additional photos of OFIS presentations at the January Board of Education meeting, please click HERE.
BULLDOG STUDENTS EXCEL IN ELKS AMERICANISM ESSAY CONTEST
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, with more than 2,000 lodges, sponsors its annual Americanism Essay Contests for students in grades 5-8. Students from Olmsted Falls, Berea and Strongsville participated locally writing essays on “What I Can Do to Promote Americanism and Love of Country.” A committee of 12 Berea Elks had the difficult job of choosing the top three essays in each of two divisions. More than 400 essays were submitted. All six winners in this year’s contest are Olmsted Falls students! Here are the winners along with links to their award-winning essays:
Grade 5/6 division: Alexis L. McNamara , Jacqueline Huston , and Zowie Hoover .
Grade 7/8 division: Emily Sumerauer, Adam von Glahn , and Amber Blevins.
These local winners will now compete at the NE Ohio District. Those winners will move to state competition and finally, national competition. National winners will be announced at the National Elks Convention in Houston this July.
All local winners and their families and teachers will be recognized at the Berea Elks Lodge’s Annual Youth Appreciation Dinner May 3. Congratulations to these fine students. To read their essays, click on their names. The Board of Education will recognize these students at an upcoming monthly Board meeting. Congratulations to these students and kudos to their teachers for involving them in this annual contest.
DISABILITY AWARENESS WEEK CELEBRATED ACROSS THE DISTRICT; WHEELCHAIR CAVS SHOWCASE TALENT AT FALLS-LENOX ASSEMBLIES THANKS TO PTA
All five OFCS school buildings participated in the annual Disability Awareness Week held January 11-15. Accepting and celebrating differences was the theme throughout the district as each building hosted its own unique activities and events. This was a week to focus on the students, who are so kind and accepting, and celebrate that even though we are all so different, we are also alike in many ways.
Falls-Lenox Primary School celebrated its ninth annual Celebrating Differences/Disability Awareness Week by hosting special guest readers in their classes, watching a video during library time, participating in a poster/essay contest and enjoying exciting Wheelchair Cavs assemblies! A big thank you to PTA for sponsoring the assemblies and to Mrs. Scott, school psychologist, for organizing the week’s activities at Falls-Lenox.
Olmsted Falls Middle School had a day in which students wore specific colors identified for specific disabilities. Students wore clothing, hats and bandanas of the color of the disability they wanted to support and raise awareness of. Students wore stickers to let people know which disability they were supporting.
Students at Olmsted Falls Intermediate School – with the assistance of Intervention Specialist Cindy Zahorchak – produced a video titled “Just Like You!” To view the video, simply click the play button in the window below:
Above is just a sampling of activities and events that took place across the District during this year’s Disability Awareness Week.
Kudos and thanks to all those involved in planning and organizing an amazing week!
OFHS STUDENTS PERFORM WELL IN ART/WRITING COMPETITION
Congratulations to three OFHS students who were recognized for their creativity in this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Competition.
Ava Ferguson and Desi Jasper received Silver Keys for their short stories. Chloe Zehe received an Honorable Mention for her flash fiction piece.
DECEMBER’S HEALTHY HERO HONOREES
Ethan Prather of ECC and Ciaran Hannon of Falls-Lenox are the December Healthy Hero honorees. They both received a Healthy Hero certificate and a $5 gift card to an area store.
The Healthy Hero program teaches kids healthy habits, such as eating properly, power washing hands, daily exercise, sleeping well and coughing and sneezing into one’s sleeve. Pictured here with Ciaran Hannon, left, is Carol Meszaros, school nurse. Pictured with Ethan Prather, right, are his Dad Michael, brother Andrew, Mom Beth, Mrs. Roberto and Carol Meszaros.
The Hero also earns a prize for doing healthy tasks at home, too.
OFHS STUDENTS TOUR MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Students from the Engineering Design and Development and Computer Integrated Manufacturing classes toured the Beckett Gas Company in North Ridgeville January 15th. Beckett Gas is a leading manufacturer of gas burners used in water heaters, furnaces and dryers.
A special thanks to Greg Blumfield and the engineering staff who took time to act as guides and giving our 
students an all access view of a manufacturing plant. Students also had a chance to ask questions of student interns from the University of Cincinnati and Cleveland State University about what projects they were working on at Beckett and why they chose their specific university.
To view a photo gallery of the tour, click HERE.
OFHS PTA 29TH ANNUAL TALENT SHOW SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 30TH
T
he annual OFHS PTA Talent Show is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, January 30th in the OFHS auditorium. The show features 26 acts, ranging in age from kindergarten through grade 12, demonstrating their musical, vocal, dance, acrobatic, comedic and magical talents. Please come and support these amazing students. Bring your family and friends, too.
Admission is $5. Refreshments will be available. All proceeds benefit the OFHS scholarship fund for graduating seniors. We also have an amazing Judge’s Decision Time performance by some of our extremely talented Bulldog teaching staff. That is something you won’t want to miss!
TALENT SHOW REHEARSAL TONIGHT – TUESDAY, JANUARY 26TH
Attention all Talent Show acts! Mandatory dress rehearsal is Tuesday, January 26th from 6-9 p.m. In the OFHS auditorium. Bring your labeled CD music, instruments, props and wear your costumes, if appropriate. Watch your email for further details.
For information, contact Mrs. Knaggs, 440-463-8106 or Mrs. Ferrini, 440-427-0894.
FALL-LENOX “BATTLE OF THE SCHOOLS” T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE – ORDER BY TUESDAY, FEB. 2ND
In anticipation of the upcoming “Battle of the Schools” Dodgeball event on February 11th, Falls-Lenox Primary School is offering students, staff and parents the opportunity to gear up with an official “Battle Like A Bulldog” T-Shirt. The order deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 2nd. You can download a flyer containing additional details and the order form HERE.
Battle Like A Bulldog!
WEAR PINK TO VARSITY BASKETBALL GAMES: HELP RAISE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Attendees to two basketball games can help raise awareness by wearing pink to the contests.
Hoops for Hope is a two-night event. The first is January 30th when the girls basketball teams play Avon Lake. The freshman team plays at 2 p.m., J.V. At 3:30 and varsity, 5 p.m.
The boy games are February 9th with the freshman game at 4:30 p.m., J.V. At 6 and varsity, 7:30. To view a flyer, click HERE.
GRADES 2-5: COME CHEER AT OFHS VARSITY BASKETBALL GAME FEB. 9TH
Students in grades 2-5 are invited to a Mini Cheer Clinic and Cheer Night. The clinic is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 4. Then cheer during halftime at the Tuesday, February 9th home game that begins at 7:30 p.m. against Avon Lake High School in the OFHS gym. Participants must attend the clinic in order to cheer at the game. The OFHS cheerleaders are sponsoring the clinic.
The cost is $20 for the first child and $15 for each additional child in your immediate family. Each will receive a cheer T-shirt, free admission to the game, a photo with the Bulldog and a snack at the game. The registration form must be received at OFHS by January 26th.
To view more information and download a registration form, click HERE.
COMMUNITY FORUM FOCUSES ON THE RISE/DANGERS OF HEROIN – FEBRUARY 8th
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Astrab will sponsor a Community Forum Monday, February 8 about heroin, a drug that is taking the lives of our youth. It is at 7 p.m. at Falls-Lenox Primary School. The panel also includes Robert Brandt and Dr. Joan Papp. Brandt is the father of Robby, an Olmsted Falls High School grad who bravely fought to try to stay off heroin, but lost that battle. Hear the facts behind the growing heroin addiction among youth in this area and across the country.
To view the event’s flyer, click HERE.
TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION NIGHT SERIES HELPS PARENTS STAY INFORMED – NEXT TOPIC: INTERNET SAFETY & SOCIAL MEDIA – FEB. 16TH
As the integration of technology into education continues, Olmsted Falls School District is providing a series of Technology Information invites for parents to learn more about the various tools being used to enhance student learning and success in our classrooms.
The second of four scheduled sessions was held earlier this month and covered the topic of Educational Websites for Students & Accessing Resources Provided by Teachers. To review the information presented during this latest session, please click HERE.
To download information presented during the first session, held in October, which covered Google Apps for Education, Compass Learning, PowerSchool and choosing the best device for your student, please click HERE.
Technology Information Nights for Parents are presented by OFCS Technology Integration Specialists Dawn Carlin and Jeff VanArnhem.
Please mark your calendar for the remaining two sessions currently scheduled for this school year:
Tuesday, February 16th – TOPIC: Internet Safety & Social Media
Tuesday, March 1st – TOPIC: Overview of Online Testing
All Technology Information Nights are held in the Middle School Cafetorium from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. These sessions are open to all parents/guardians of all OFCS students regardless of grade level. Devices will be available for use, but parents are also encouraged to bring their own laptop or mobile device, if available.
To download official Technology Information Night flyer with detailed topic information, please click HERE.
ANNUAL SUPER BOWL HOAGIE SALE ORDER DEADLINE JANUARY 28th
Olmsted Falls Music Association will sponsor its annual Super Bowl Hoagie Sale with pre sale order deadline January 28th. The subs will be available from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, February 6, at Shaker’s MarketPlace on Bagley Road.
Each student has the opportunity to earn a minimum of $2.50 for each $5 hoagie they sell. Funds will be placed in the child’s own account for use for music travel in the high school. Choir students traveling to Nashville this year will receive spending cash per hoagie upon boarding their buses. Students must see their music teacher for an order envelope. Order and monies are due January 28th. No funds will be distributed to students who have not ordered by January 28th with the appropriate envelope.
Extra sandwiches will be available during the February 6th pick up time. Please help our student musicians share their talent and enjoy school travels.
CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY A DAY EARLY WITH POST PROM’S FUNDRAISER
Attention SENIOR parents! Post Prom’s largest event – Wing Night – is quickly approaching. We can ONLY provide Post Prom with the help of parents in our community. Wing Night is from 6-8:30 p.m. February 13th at Molly McGhee’s Sports Pub, 13169 Prospect Road, Strongsville. The night includes wings, pizza, rigatoni, salad and refreshments of all types. Raffle prizes include hotel stays, baskets galore and corn hole boards. You may reserve tables of six or more – the more the merrier!
Teachers, coaches, Olmsted community – come out and support the kids.
Call Lisa Ciechanoski, 440-781-2511, for tickets, which cost $25. Don’t miss out on this fundraiser that supports the Class of 2016.
ROLL THE DICE FOR A GREAT TIME AT LAS VEGAS NIGHT – INCLUDING A CHANCE TO WIN CAVS FLOOR SEATS!
Want to test your luck while raising money for scholarships? Attend the February 20th Olmsted Falls Alumni 
Association’s Las Vegas Night from 7 p.m. to midnight at the West Side Irish-American Club on Jennings Road in Olmsted Township. The night includes a big wheel, dice, black Jack, let it ride, poker, Texas hold ’em and others as well as a 50/50 raffle, side boards and others. There is a cash bar and refreshments by Angelina’s Pizza.
PLUS, JUST CONFIRMED: Get in the Action!! Win CAVS FLOOR SEATS!! We will be raffling 2 sets of CAVS FLOOR SEATS!! Buy a playing card for $10. One in 52 chance of winning a pair of floor seats to 4/13 Cavs v Pistons game.
Las Vegas Night event tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Call the Alumni Office, 440-427-6030 for tickets or more details. The event is for those age 21 and older. For more information, click HERE to see the event’s flyer.
HELPING HANDS BOWLING BENEFIT IS RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY
A February 27th bowling fundraiser will benefit the district’s Helping Hands and OFCS Special Olympics. It is from 9:30 a.m. to noon February 27th at Fairview Lanes in Fairview Park.
The cost is $10 for bowlers, which includes two hours of bowling, shoes and ball rentals, pizza and drink. Non-bowlers’ cost is $5, which includes pizza and drink. There will be raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle and bake sale.
The event is open to all ages and ability levels, whether in the district or not. Lane bumpers and ball ramps are available upon request.
Complete the form by clicking HERE and return it, along with payment, to Mariel Krakowiak at OFHS by Friday, February 19th. Only 20 lanes are available. Lanes will only be reserved once forms and payment are received.
Donations for the event will be accepted by clicking HERE. It’s a great time of year to get out of the house and have some fun with friends and family.
BUY A HORSE, ATTEND MARCH 12TH NIGHT AT THE RACES
The Olmsted Falls Athletic Boosters’ Night at the Races is set for March 12th at St. Demetrios Cultural Center, 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River.
Tickets are $35 each or $280 for a table of eight. It includes a buffet dinner and soft drinks/wash. Bring your own appetizers, goodies and refreshments to share. There will be door prizes, Chinese raffle and more. This fundraiser benefits students throughout the district.
Want to buy a horse? There are 90 of them. The cost is $30 a piece. Does your group want to buy all nine horses in a given race? Contact the group ASAP. Winning horse owners receive a race trophy and $50 in prize money. To buy a horse, contact Terry Atkins, Terenceatkins22@gmail.com. For tickets to the event, contact Brian Fritz, 216-337-4422 or b4421fritz@yahoo.com. Deadline to purchase a horse is February 26th.
To view an event flyer, click HERE. For a flyer detailing a horse purchase, click HERE.
COMMUNITY
NEXT SATURDAY ACTIVITY NIGHT AT OCC IS JANUARY 30TH
Did you know that the Olmsted Community Center hosts Saturday Activity Nights for students in grades 2nd – 6th? Don’t miss out on the fun!
Click HERE to download the registration form and check out this month’s schedule of events!
OLMSTED RECREATION SEEKS FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE COMMISSIONER
Olmsted Recreation has a seasonal part-time job opening of League Commissioner for its Youth Flag Football League. Application deadline is January 31st.
The individual should have experience in running recreational youth athletic leagues, setting up season schedules and supervising youth players and coaches in a game day setting. The candidate also must possess outstanding communication skills, organizational skills and be highly energetic and a positive role model for players and coaches. The post is under the direction of the Director of Olmsted Recreation and under contract during the flag football season. Compensation will be negotiated.
Those interested should submit a resume with contact information to Danny Colonna, Olmsted Recreation director. It may be mailed to Olmsted Community Center, 8170 Mapleway Drive, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138 or emailed to bpdem1@sbcglobal.net.
PACK THE Q FEBRUARY 10 FOR OLMSTED CERT
See Kobe Bryant’s last game in Cleveland, attend a sold-out Cavalier’s game, view a Monsters hockey game AND support your Community Emergency Response Team with just one ticket! CERT is sponsoring all these for just $50. The cost includes a February 10th Cleveland Cavaliers vs Los Angeles Lakers game and a ticket to an upcoming Lake Erie Monsters hockey game.
Olmsted CERT will be the beneficiary of the 50-50 raffle at the game. Come and spend time with friends and cheer on the Cavs! Contact Donna Tindera at donna_tindera@hotmail.com or 440-234-9287 to buy tickets.
SIGN UPS FOR SUMMER BASEBALL/SOFTBALL BEGINS FEBRUARY 1ST
The Olmsted Community Summer League will open its registration February 1st for boys and girls baseball/softball leagues for ages 4-18. There are several ways to register, including online through Olmsted Community Center at www.olmstedcc.com. You also may print the form from its website or that of OCSL – www.ocslinfo.org. And returning it, along with payment, to the Center, 8170 Mapleway Drive, Olmsted Falls 44138. Those registering after March 31 will be charged a late fee. Games begin June 1.
The co-ed league returns this year. Register a team or individually by contacting Jim Masie, jimmasie@gmail.com or OCC, 440-427-1599.
OLMSTED COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL HOLD OPEN HOUSE REGISTRATION NIGHT
Olmsted Community Preschool will have its annual open house registration night for the 2016-17 school year Wednesday, February 10th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Offered classes are for 3 year olds, Pre-K (4 year olds) and extended Pre-K (5 year olds). For more information, contact the officer at 440-235-3869. Olmsted Community Preschool is in Olmsted Community Church, 7853 Main St., Olmsted Falls.
OLMSTED FALLS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION – SPRING SEASON REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Registration is now open for the following programs:
1) Indoor Sessions. Fridays from 8-9:30pm. Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar 4, 11. This is a great opportunity to start working on stick skills, conditioning and getting ready for the season. These sessions include training on cradling, passing, catching, shooting, defense, and goalie play. Groups will be broken out by age and experience. Gear required.
2) Spring Season. This will start once weather and field conditions allow. The practice and game schedules will be posted online soon. Early Spring Season registration closes February 21. Register now to ensure a spot!
Please visit the group’s website at olmstedfallslax.com to register for the “fastest game on two feet”.
OLMSTED FALLS SCHOOLS Bulldog Blog 
