School News

Here’s a chance to turn back the clock and feel like a teenager again. VASJ alumni and alumnae are sponsoring a throw-back dance, a Vikings Classic Mixer at the VASJ gym, aka The Purple Palace. Whether your era was Bobbie sox, Poodle skirts and the “Twist”, Wing Tips or Penny Loafers and the “Hitchhiker”, or bell-bottoms and Disco Dancing, this event is for you.

Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School is excited to recognize the achievements of nine current students who were recently announced as winners in the LifeWorks Ohio Art & Essay Contest.

The LIT and the Women's Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland are co-sponsoring "Cover to Cover", a project to help the students and faculty at Ginn Academy, the boys' high school our neighborhood managed to hang onto.

Hundreds of books have been donated to fill the bare shelves at the school and inspire its students with the power of words. Help is needed to get all those  books on the shelves; volunteers will be hard at it from  9 am to 3 pm on Tuesday, March 8, and 11 am to 5 pm on Thursday, March 10. Choose any two-hour time slot and call Joyce Lisiewski at 216.593.2845

The VASJ basketball team, seeded No. 1 in the Division III sectional at Painesville Harvey, will open tournament play with a sectional final contest Friday, March 4, against the winner of the Independence-Fairview semifinal. The Vikings, ranked No. 20 in the latest Plain Dealer poll, have been playing well lately and took a 12-7 record into their final regular season game against Elyria Catholic.

A key reason for the Vikings’ success this season has been the play of three talented sophomores, including 6-7 Demonte Flannigan, who scored 17 points and blocked seven shots in a recent 63-56 victory over Archbishop Hoban. Duane Gibson, a 6-1 sophomore forward, also scored 17 in that game. Karlton Garner, another tenth grader, made two key free throws in the late stages of the contest.

After falling behind, 36-29, in the third period, Coach Babe Kwasniak’s squad came charging back as the Vikes showed a lot of defensive hustle. A slam dunk by Flannigan on a fast break cut the deficit to two points, 40-38, and the super sophomore displayed a variety of other moves—including a spinning lay-in—as the Vikings gradually pulled away.

It has been an uphill battle, but the Villa Angela-St. Joseph High wrestling program is beginning to make people sit up and take notice. Though small in number--with just 12 matmen on the squad this year--the Vikings now boast a higher level of wrestling talent than they’ve had in recent years.

The unofficial team nickname this year is “The Dirty Dozen,” which was the title of a movie some years back about a group of roughneck soldiers who displayed courage and determination in carrying out a dangerous mission.

Head coach Bob Mullin might not go as far as to compare his grapplers with the characters in that movie, one of whom was played by Jim Brown, although he does sense an enhanced degree of determination being shown by his key wrestlers – especially the core group that accounted for the bulk of the Vikings’ team points in the recent Division III sectional tournament at Beachwood High.

Four VASJ grapplers advanced from that event to the district tournament at Garfield Heights. (You might say that the Dirty Dozen was trimmed to the “Fantastic Four.”)

Leading the way for the Vikings was Phil Wellington, the senior 189-pounder who emerged as a sectional champion with a 4-3 victory in his title bout against Chanel's Johnathan Schafer. In two previous encounters, Schafer had gotten the best of the St. Joe ace, including a 7-4 decision in the North Coast League tournament in early February.

Two VASJ wrestlers survived last weekend’s tough district meets to qualify for the state wrestling tournament in Columbus.The Vikings’ qualifiers were Phil Wellington at 189 pounds and DiAnte Jackson at 215 pounds. This is the first time in more than 10 years that VASJ has produced at least two state qualifiers. Jackson finished in second place at the Division III district at Garfield Heights, while Wellington earned third-place honors.

The Literacy Cooperative sought funding to replicate SPARK in Cuyahoga County and is currently collaborating with Invest in Children -Cuyahoga County’s public-private partnership serving young children and families - and with Family Connections in order to offer SPARK at select schools in Maple Heights, Cleveland Heights, and Cleveland.

Essential elements of SPARK include:

1)     parent partners who work closely with children and families through monthly in-home interactions;

2)     developmental screenings for all children (including a review of results by a child psychologist and a Responsive Services Team consisting of early childhood professionals);

3)     follow-up assessments as indicated;

4)     individual therapies as needed (i.e., for speech or behavioral issues);

5)     learning plans individualized to each child’s specific learning needs;

6)     home and group visits with prescribed lesson plans based on Ohio’s early learning content standards;

7)     developmentally appropriate books with art supplies and activity cards;

8)     transitional program to introduce children and families to their new school and take the mystery (and fear) out of kindergarten;

9)     backpacks with all necessary school supplies; and

10)  screenings and assessments for evaluation purposes.

Cleveland Job Corps Academy (CJCA) recently attended the Joliet Job Corps Centers’ “There is HOPE” weekend conference in Joliet, Illinois. 

The mission of the “There is HOPE” conference is to "restore communities by helping people walk into their future with character, love, and HOPE."

The two day event, held in early November, was attended by CJCA along with 10 other Job Corps Academies from throughout the  Chicago Region. The youth summit focused on building leadership skills through the participation of attendees in workshops and group presentations.

The individual workshop subjects included Team Building, Entrepreneur Projects, Conflict Resolution, Peer Support, and Career Success Standards. 

Each participating academy was also encouraged to produce and perform a 15 minute leadership presentation in the form of spoken word, song, dance, or mime. The CJCA team’s performance was an interpretive dance that highlighted their accomplishments and Career Service Standards.

The conference capped off a very successful 2010 for CJCA. Throughout the year the young men and women visited with City of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and attended a Cleveland City Council meeting, as well as meeting with local Congressional Representatives  Marcia L. Fudge, Dennis J. Kucinich, Betty Sutton, Steven LaTourette, US Senator Sherrod Brown, and Cleveland city councilman Eugene Miller.

Young people interested in joining Job Corps are invited to visit their recruiting website at: http://recruiting.jobcorps.gov/en/home.aspx or call (800) 733-JOBS today.

While most Northeast Ohio sports fans—and sportswriters—were focused on the big high school state football championship game down in Canton in early December, two area basketball teams staged an “instant classic” that went practically unnoticed.

In front of a large crowd in the Euclid High gym on Dec. 4, the host Panthers survived a see-saw battle against neighborhood rival Villa Angela-St. Joseph, eking out a 55-54 victory in a game with a storybook finish.

The evening’s unlikely hero for Euclid was a substitute player by the name of Don Won Demore, who sank only one basket all night. But what a shot it was—a buzzer-beating three pointer off the backboard as time expired. As the scoreboard clock approached the 0:00 mark, Demore, a six-foot junior who entered the contest when Arthur Cook fouled out, let loose with a shot that area basketball fans may be talking about for years to come. And, importantly from the Panthers’ standpoint, he sent the home crowd home in a happy mood.

As part of the Department of Labor/National Job Corps Inaugural Universal Safety Day, the Cleveland Job Corps Academy hosted a Safety Fair that was highlighted in the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Job Corps’ October 2010 national edition of the Job Corps Safety Circle Newsletter.

This recognition is in line with the Office of Job Corps’ evaluation of the Cleveland Job Corps’ performance rating as “Exceptional.” This category includes “Use of Innovations.”  Of the 124 Centers nationwide, Cleveland ranked number 20 from October 2009 through September 2010, which included its first-place ranking for GED/High School Diploma attainment and second-place ranking for vocational-trade completion.

The Safety Fair gave students, staff and community partners the opportunity to recognize and champion occupational safety, and personal health and safety. Students at the Center have long evaluated the Center as “safe,” a fact attested to by the Students’ Satisfaction Survey. Conducted biannually, this survey measures how students feel about their safety on each of the 124 Job Corps centers nationwide. Cleveland scored a 99.8%; the highest score ever recorded at any center in the nation, in the March 2009 survey, and averaged 96.8% for the three periods covering March 2009 through March 2010. The national average was 83.7% for the same reporting period. The national results for September 2010 are still being tabulated.

f the Job Corps Safety Circle Newsletter.

On October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the community of Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School gathered for a Rosary Prayer Service. VASJ celebrates our Marianist heritage and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade's devotion to the Blessed Mother each year on or around the date of the Feast. This time of prayer is rooted in VASJ's commitment to the Ursuline core value of Spirituality and the Marianist charism of Education for Formation in Faith.

VASJ will be holding an Entrance Exam this Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. in the Ministry Center. All incoming freshman are required to take this test. Please call Admissions at 216-481-8414 ext. 254 or email trichards@vasj.com to register. If you know any 8th grade students who are interested in attending VASJ, please pass this information along to them.

Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School: Transforming lives to transform the world.

On Thursday, September 23, VASJ High School held its very first Service and Club Fair. More than 15 local organizations attended the event, gave brief presentations to the students about the volunteer opportunities at their organizations and set up tables where students could gather more information and sign up to volunteer. In addition to volunteer opportunity presentations, students also heard presentations about the various school clubs and extracurricular activities available at VASJ.

Two days during the week of August 30, 2010, VASJ was closed due to a water pipe issue. On the second day the school was closed, rather than claiming another calamity day, VASJ instituted an "Independent Study Day."

Even though students were not in the building, they still received lessons and assignments from their teachers and the day counted as a regular school day. This was possible due to our new school information system, Schoology. Teachers set up each one of their classes on this website and the students can virtually “log in” to class. On the homepage, students can participate in discussion boards, receive/turn in homework, take tests, etc. They can also privately view their grades.
 
The “Independent Study Day” was well received by the students and teachers. The students were very excited to learn that the day counted as a school day and that the calendar would not have to be adjusted. They also like the online format. Teachers also gave a lot of positive feedback and were happy with the amount of student participation that they received, as well as the percentage of students who turned in all of their online work.
 
While there are some wrinkles that need to be ironed out, overall the first “Independent Study Day” was a huge success and one that has a very bright future here at VASJ.

Next year, the state is doing away with all calamity days, meaning anytime school is closed, for any reason (weather, no heat, no water, etc), the day will have to be made up. Usually, that means shortening a vacation or delaying the start of summer. By using "Independent Study Days," not only will we be able to avoid make-up days, but we will also be able to keep the students working and learning without losing valuable teaching opportunities.

There was a wonderful turnout of guests for VASJ’s Opening Mass on Thursday, September 2, 2010, put on by VASJ’s Campus Ministry. The gym was filled with students, faculty and staff, board members, Ursulines, Marianists, members of The Diocese of Cleveland, VASJ Leadership Circle members and community members.

The peer ministers chose the theme: “Lord Send Out Your Spirit” for the Opening Mass.

The table was set with flowers, candles, napkins, silverware, plates, water, bread wine and salt while the symbolic meaning of each item was explained by peer ministers as it was placed on the table. The Peer Ministers then led a reflection on what it means to be a school in the Ursuline and Marianist traditions.

Father Marty Solma SJ ’66 expressed his delight and honor to come back to VASJ as an alum and celebrate the Eucharist with the school and all of those present. “I loved the time that I was here. It was really because of that that I am where I am today,” Father Marty explained to all present for the Mass.

Well summer is over and I’m back giving the neighborhoods a Sims Raiders update.

The season began about four weeks ago. Seems like the crowds at the Raider games are getting bigger and cheering on the teams a little louder. I’ve been trying to take pictures of different aspects of our team, and make sure I have up-to-date news, and so far it’s looking good.

All the teams in the league are doing a bang up job.The Raiders are coming on strong! Unfortunately most of our season will be hosted at Bump Taylor, but that just gives you time to reflect on the game and fun the family had. Isn’t this what it’s about? If you’re interested (I say they play better than I won’t mention that Cleveland team name, but you know?), check out http://www.clevelandmunyfootball.org for dates and time and come support our neighborhood kids and have fun.

The Tri-C Western Campus Recreation center was filled with excited and overwhelmed students and city officials. They were all awaiting the arrival of President Barack Obama.

The loudness of the audience and everyone else made me nervous and anxious at the same time, as I stood on one of the risers with other members of the press pool. I had my camera in my hand and my recorder in the other. I was ready.

As I waited for the president, I did what any smart reporter would have done, I started lining up interviews. I interviewed and got to know Representative-elect for the 12th House District of Ohio, John Barnes, who thinks the economy has a chance to recover.

As time ticked down, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Iraq veteran Duane Evans, followed by Kira Seaton, an assistant professor of music with the National Anthem. Finally Reverend Otis Moss, Jr. led everyone in prayer.

The"Eyes" Have It is a 4-H photography club for Collinwood area youth.

The "Eyes" Have It photography club was funded by Neighborhood Connections. Connie Acoff, a program assistant, says, "I am really impressed how our youth look at things in the Collinwood community. I have learned a lot from our youth to see some things like they do. I look forward to seeing what they will come up with next."

The program is not just about taking pictures but also about character-building. The program has some perks: Kevonna Middlebrooks was chosen to represent the club at an Indians home game and she had the opportunity to go on the field with the Indian's mascot Slider.

Sean McKissick and Shirellda Terry let their leadership qualities show by taking the lead in helping with a clean-up project on Global Youth Day.

The"Eyes Have It" 4-H photography club will be on display at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on October 2nd for the Cuyahoga County 4-H National Youth Science Day. Say cheese!!!

After the unfortunate closing of St. Mary Elementary School, St. Jerome Elementary School is the only Catholic School remaining is the Collinwood community.

Carrying on the tradition of Catholic education, St. Jerome continues to add programs, extra curricular activities and the school also added a preschool this year.

Sue Coan, the principal of St. Jerome Elementary School, said she is very excited about this school year and the school’s new features.

 “It makes us feel good that we are able to service the community with a quality Catholic education,” Coan said.

St. Jerome Elementary School started this school year with 193 students, which is an increase of about 17 percent from last school year.

The school also received some great news from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). According to the 2009 -2010 ODE Ohio Achievement Assessment Test Report, the students at St. Jerome Elementary school are surpassing their Cleveland Metropolitan School District counterparts in 8 of 13 academic areas.

In the August Collinwood Observer's front page article about the Job Corps graduation ceremony, the guest speaker was misquoted. Dr. Blaine Griffin, who is the Director of the City of the Cleveland's Community Relations Board was the special guest at this year's ceremony.  Mr. Griffin spoke about the motivation it takes to pursue an education, and told the graduates that they had all “reached the next level of competition.”  He then quoted Tupac Shakur, but because our editor was waiting for confirmation on actual lines used, the actual quote got away from us, and the story went to print with Tupac's advice being, "Will place quote tomorrow," which is confusing advice at best.

Long before the Miami Heat, the team Clevelanders now love to hate, will ever become a dynasty, the Lady Railroaders of Collinwood High have blazed a trail of greatness unrivaled in local track and field.

The key ingredient to their success is coach Lou Slapnick, who has retired after 32 years of teaching and coaching.

How about seventeen City of Cleveland championships in seventeen years of coaching at Collinwood, along with nine state championships, the result of his drive and dedication to his beloved Lady Railroaders?

Coach Slapnick, or 'Slap' as his students and players like to call him, was a standout athlete at St Joseph High school (for younger readers, St.Joe's and Villa Angela were separate schools at one time). His main sport was baseball, and it earned him a scholarship to Ashland College. Coach Lou was a fine pitcher, who in his words "could really bring it, but that's about all I could do with the ball" began his college studies by majoring in business, thinking that he may be involved in the family floral business. Eventually, though, his love of sports and working with young people led him to change his major to education, with coaching in mind.

He started his teaching career at Myron T. Herrick Jr High in 1975 teaching Physical Education. He transferred to Patrick Henry Jr high in 1978, continuing to teach phys ed, and began his coaching career. He coached boys basketball and boys and girls track where he established a reputation by winning three city titles in basketball, and eight consecutive city championships in track.

July 23, 2010 was a beautiful sunny day filled with hope and joy in Collinwood as the Job Corps Academy celebrated the graduation of 226 students. Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training. Job Corps' mission is to attract eligible young people, teach them the skills they need to become employable and independent, and place them in meaningful jobs or further education.

Hundreds of family and friends filled the sunny auditorium before the graduates entered, and the ceremony began. After graduate Leila Robinson sang the Star Spangled Banner, the Career Services Director, Mrs. Jennifer Morrison, gave a moving opening speech. She is clearly loved by all of the students who call her “Grandma.”

The Head of the U.S. Marianist Province, Fr. Martin Solma, will travel to Cleveland next month to preside at the Opening Mass of Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School on September 2.

“Fr. Marty,” a 1966 graduate of VASJ-predecessor St. Joseph High School, was installed on July 1, 2010, as the new Provincial of the Marianist order of priests and brothers in the U.S. VASJ President Brian Menard travelled to Louisville, Kentucky, for the installation ceremony. “If one of our alums was going to assume the position as the top Marianist in the U.S., I wanted to be there to offer prayers and support from his alma mater,” Menard said.

The Dream On Foundation adopted a first grade classroom at Hannah Gibbons-Nottingham School in 2008. The foundation promises these 25 kids that, if they graduate high school on time (2020), the foundation will grant scholarships for post secondary education that leads to employment.  I help the Dream On Kids succeed in school by offering them opportunities and support for activities such as tutoring, after school programming, summer camp, support to parents and other activities. This summer they attended camp right here in the Collinwood neighborhood.

In the morning, for four weeks, they attended Arts Collinwood Summer Camp directed by Sarah Gyorki. Chris Luciani from Cleveland Recreation taught the art of acting through fun games and led them in writing, producing and presenting a play the last day of camp. The children created all the costumes, sets and props. Parents and others from the Collinwood area enjoyed “The Adventures of Hoop Wimple and the Holy Grail” at the theater in Euclid Beach Park.

The St. Vitus Adult Slovenian School is beginning its tenth year of classes on September 11, 2010.

Classes are scheduled on two Saturdays each month from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. and will continue through May 21, 2011.  Location is at St. Martin de Porres High School (formerly St. Vitus School), 6111 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland.

Three levels are taught –

• BEGINNING – New material from Slovenia with emphasis on everyday conversation. Textbook is up-to-date.
• INTERMEDIATE – for students who have some knowledge of the language. Continuation from the beginning class using a newly published textbook.
• ADVANCED – for those who have a speaking knowledge of Slovenian and would like to have further knowledge in reading and writing. Lessons include textbook study along with general information about customs and culture of Slovenia.

Tuition is $50.00 per semester. Textbooks are purchased separately, from the instructor.

For information call 216.289.7253 or 440.255.1178.

Connect Your Child to adventure and extended learning at The Salvation Army Learning Zone! We are geared up and ready to go. We offer your child an opportunity to P.A.S.S. through life successfully: physically, academically, socially, and safely. Through activities such as roller skating, outdoor play, and relay races, we enhance your child’s physical stamina and endurance. Academically—we help your child(ren) with their homework, and strengthen and tutor them in math, reading, and writing. Children also have numerous opportunities to have fun and socialize in an environment that is nurturing and safe.

Depending on the school your child(ren) attends, we pick them up and bring them to our facility located at 17625 Grovewood Avenue, Cleveland. The Learning Zone is open Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., and on Fridays until 6 p.m.

To Connect Your Child(ren) to the Learning Zone, please call Mrs. Jones or Mrs. Sanford at 216-692-1388, extensions 31 or 32. Hurry! Space is limited.

Cleveland Job Corps Academy has had a very good year; here are some of the highlights:

As part of “National Job Corps Day: 45 years of Building Lives and Launching Careers," the CJCA celebrates with State of Ohio Congressional Leadership and Mayor Frank G. Jackson, City of Cleveland, Ward 10 Councilman Eugene Miller, and State Rep Robin Belcher.

Noble Academy congratulates the graduating Kindergarten class of 2009-2010! Celebrating an excellent school year, families, staff and students participated in the graduation ceremony. The Kindergartners were proud to display their gowns and diplomas.

The 2009-2010 school year was exciting for the upcoming first graders. Numerous field trips offered educational opportunities outside of the school. Learning all about science, social studies, math, and reading, the Kindergartners had an exciting and busy year.

Good luck on the upcoming school year as first graders!

Students, staff, and families celebrated our recent OAA scores by planning a field trip free of cost to students who passed all of their OAA(s).

The curriculum at Noble Academy prepares students to compete globally, earn academic excellence, and be positive citizens in the community. Going above and beyond is valued by staff, students, and families at Noble Academy (NAC). The students and teachers committed their Saturdays to learning through the spring semesters. Believing that class room instruction time should not be interrupted for review of standardized tests, NAC mandates Saturday School for tutoring and review.

As the eighth grade reading teacher at East Clark School, my mission this year was to increase students' reading levels while helping them develop habits that would make them life-long readers. I challenged my students to read 1,000 books, which is about one book per student per week.

We utilized both our school library and the Collinwood branch of the Cleveland Public Library for the best book selections along with the Accelerated Reader program. Students walked to the public library every three weeks with their teacher(s) to check out and return books. All students had to keep track of their own books and library cards. Students learned about lost library cards, late fees and lost book fees, ultimately learning to be more responsible library patrons.

East Clark's highly motivated eighth graders read 1,749 books this school year! Ten students received special recognition for outstanding achievement in reading at our eighth grade promotion on June 9th. Crystal Mays was our top reader with an overall score of 95% and 372 AR points. Zackery Kelley had 352 AR points and increased his reading level by two-and-a-half grades. Dominique Pegues had an overall score of 92% and 342 AR points. Ashli Brewer had 296 AR points and an overall score of 89%. Tatiana Axson had 253 AR points and an overall score of 87%. Tariq Hamilton had 169 AR points and an overall score of 85%. Several students showed improvement in their reading levels. David Dawson and Markus Kyles raised their reading levels 2.7 years; and Je'Ron Robinson raised his reading level by three full years!

In light of LeBron James' departure, we at the Collinwood Observer thought it would be appropriate to run a story we didn't have room for in the regular high school basketball season, that demonstrates the true spirit of the sport and its players. This story was submitted this past Spring, by Arnita Washington, a regular writer for the Collinwood Observer and a student at Collinwood High School.

Earlier this season our Lady Railroaders suffered their first loss when they faced Glenville. The girls played like winners, and shook their hands. The crowds were roaring and taunting. Tranita Mckenzie #21 said all she could do was remember not to get mad. Sheleah Combs #41 also had to remember to keep her composure because she felt cheated out of another game. Although our JV also lost with a deficit of 27, they stayed in the game and finished it because of what their teammate De’shay Smith told them, “We’re all we got, so there is no giving up!”

Monday, June 7 was graduation day at St. Mary's school in Collinwood. It was a happy day for the students but a sad day for the staff. The school at St. Mary's Church will not reopen this fall.

St. Mary's Pastor, Father Kumse, said it was a very tough decision: "We were facing a deficit this year of nearly $200,000 and a projected deficit of $280,000 for the 2010-11 school year. By the first of May, only 77 students had registered or indicated their intent to return next year. After the long illness of Principal Luis Pla and his death in January, interim principal Julie Miller, Deacon David Kushner, the very dedicated teaching staff and a handful of committed parents worked hard to shrink the deficit and increase enrollment for next year. But with less and less school age children in the community, it didn't  happen. It was time to make the very difficult decision to close St. Mary School. Only 3 children attending the school were from the parish."

The Collinwood Boys’ Baseball team had a good season for the 2009-2010 school year. The team coach, Mr. Iteyem, coached a decent record of 6 wins -5 losses for the Senate and 8-9 for the whole season. The top players on the team were Richard Dortch, Demario Agee, and Patrick Hython. Richard’s stats were 21 hits, 16 RBI’s, 8 doubles, and11 stolen bases. Demario’s stats were 13 hits, 17 RBI’s, 2 homeruns, and 13 stolen bases. Patrick’s stats were 20 hits, 21 RBI’s 5 doubles, and 17 stolen bases. Jalen McCoy was the team star in the outfield with some great catches. David Harris was the team star catcher who caught everything that came his way. Aaron Cole was the star first baseman who got everybody out.          

Collinwood Art Teacher, Ms. Denise Denega, has always encouraged her students to enter competitions at the local, regional and national level. This year two of her students, juniors, Marks Burns and Anthony Sanders won several awards for their artwork. It was a busy spring as Anthony Sanders placed in the 2010 Ohio Governor’s Youth Competition in March.

Next -  in April - Mark Burns placed Second in Drawing and received an Honorable Mention in Painting at the NAACP Regional Competition. Anthony also received an Honorable Mention in Painting. Then in May both Sanders and Burns entered the Congressional Art Competition (District 11) where Mark Burns placed Second in Mixed Media. Both artists’ pieces are presently on display at the MLK Library in University Circle.

In addition, Akeem Pennicooke placed First in Computer Graphics and will represent Collinwood High School at the National NAACP Competition in Kansas City, Missouri this July. Congratulations to Ms. Denega and her talented students.

Secretary of Education for the Diocese of Cleveland, Margaret Lyons, announced today the appointment of Dave Csank as the new Principal for Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. Making the announcement to the school’s faculty and staff at the end of the school day, Lyons said, “Recognizing the exciting innovation underway at VASJ, Dave Csank will be just the sort of collaborative leader VASJ needs to lead forward the tremendous work begun this year.”

After 43 years of dedicated service to St. Joseph High School and Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, Tim Robertson SJ ’62 is retiring as teacher, friend, administrator, photographer, consultant, statistician and much, much more. 

On Friday, May 20, 2010, Tim’s AP Calculus class bid him a fond farewell with a surprise assembly, highlighting his classroom antics and style while also reminiscing about the positive impact he has had on the school and his students. Everyone in attendance laughed and cried as Tim’s students showcased their affection and admiration for, as his students call him, T-Rob. 

VASJ is offering 3 Summer Athletic Camps:
Lady Viking Middle School Volleyball Camp
 
June 21-24, 2010
Grades 5-7 8am-12:00pm
Grades 8-9 1pm-5:00pm
VASJ Gymnasium
For girls entering grades 5-9
Cost: $125 discounted to $100 if received before June 15, 2010
 
For Information call: Mark Royer 216-731-5683
 
Lady Viking Summer Girls Basketball Camp
 
July 5-8, 2010
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
VASJ Gymnasium
Girls entering grades 5-9
Cost: $100 discounted to $85 if paid in full by June 28, 2010

Camp includes: Camp T-Shirt; fundamental teaching (stations); inspirational/motivational speaking; individual and team games.

The camp seeks to promote/reinforce the importance of education, discipline and teamwork.

Contact Coach Redding for more details by phone at 216.481.8414 ext. 293 or by email at aredding@vasj.com

St. Casimir Parish invites you to attend its first fundraiser $5 Sale, on June 12 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Items are mostly brand new and some gently used, and include clothing, toys, Webkins, and household miscellaneous. Each item, no matter its value, is just $5. Proceeds will go towards the new parish sign fund. 

What better way to get to know Collinwood's newest Catholic parish? Stop in, show your support, and get a deal. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

St. Casimir is located at 18022 Neff Road (used to be Our Lady of Perpetual Help)

GRADS (Graduation, Reality and Dual-Role Skills, is a high school class for teen parents, both young men and young women.   The purpose of this for-credit class is definitely not to encourage teen pregnancy. The purpose of GRADS is to support young teens who have already become pregnant or are already parents. GRADS is about encouraging young parenting teens to learn about their pregnancy, parenting, relationships, child development and economic independence.

A Jubilee Academy announces sponsorship of the USDA funded Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals are available to all enrolled participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and will be served at no separate charge. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410  or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

A Jubilee Academy is located at 15751 Lakeshore Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio 44110.

Ms. G. Brown’s and Ms. E. Donley’s 6th grade classes worked diligently with the City of Cleveland’s Positive Action Program, run by Lydia Hill, to make different products to raise money for Haiti.

The students designed and sold the items during their lunch hour at prices ranging from $0.50 to $2. Items included necklaces, headbands, hair clamps, erasers, etc.  This project was not only fun for the students, but meaningful as well. 

Cleveland Job Corps Academy student, Jessica Hall, 21, created the official memento of the G20 Labor and Employment Ministers' Summit Meeting.

Recently a lot of Collinwood’s finest teachers have been laid off due to financial problems in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Our students are speaking up about the future of Collinwood and where it lies. These students have been asked, “What is the future of Collinwood?”

But a lot are not sure.

Collinwood has always been a school dedicated to the learning and success of young scholars. Is that not worth protecting, the education of students? The students are worried about their education. How will they learn with fewer teachers and more students? 

"He Calls You by Name," was the theme of this school year’s school-wide Lenten retreat at St. Jerome Elementary School.

All approximately 150 students attending the all-day activities designed to help the students make a greater personal connection with God.

Retreat coordinator and third grade teacher at St. Jerome Elementary, Cathy Pawson, was honored to put together a retreat that the students would not soon forget.

On Friday April 16, 2010, Lakita Garth, the world known best-selling author of the “Naked Truth,” visited Collinwood High School to speak to the student body about abstinence and saving sex until marriage. Garth has spoken to millions of students around the world and loves to encourage the high school students by her famous quote ‘’NO RINGY NO DINGY.’’ So why does Garth do this? To let all students know that it’s ok to say, “No,” and it’s ok to practice abstinence.

On April 21st, thirteen young scholars from Ms. Haney’s English I classes were given a wonderful trip to John Carroll University.

The scenery was beautiful and the student tour guides put a lot of pride and joy into their work. They even had coffee, chips, and other goodies provided for us to enjoy.

As we walked around the campus, our Collinwood High School students got to see the lives of ordinary college students who live in dormitories. The dorms were pretty small, but there was more than enough room for two students to share. The Grasselli Library that we visited was very attractive and very well-organized.

We also went to a lecture given by Michelle Scott Taylor from the JCU Admissions Office. She talked to us about how there are a lot choices for higher education. There are over four thousand  colleges and universities in the United States. Ms. Taylor’s presentation was very professional and unbiased.

Noble Academy Cleveland was honored with the presence of Senator Turner, accompanied by her father and her husband, at our International Dinner.

Noble Academy Cleveland congratulates 8th grader Alexus Johnson on having received three different scholarships for her high school education. Alexus will attend Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in the fall.

Iowa Maple School's Teachers Educating and Mentoring group has been up and running strong. "TEAM" is a mentoring group that matches 7th and 8th grade students with an individual staff member (teachers, custodians, cooks, secretaries, paraprofessionals, and SPO officers). Once paired with a mentor, students are encouraged to meet with their mentors whenever they have an issue or need someone to talk to.