Calendar _____ _______

October

1 7:30 p.m. – 8th Grade Band Night w/ LHS

Marching Band-LHS Stadium

4 Progress Reports sent home with

Students

8 Student Picture Day

11 3:00-7:00 p.m. – Blood Drive – Cafetorium

13 7:30 p.m. – Pops Concert -

(8th Grade & LHS) – LHS Civic

14 6:00 p.m. – Spirit Parade

15 NEOEO Day – No School

18 Staff Development Day for Teachers –

No School

20 7:00 p.m. – PTSA Meeting – LRC

29 End of first grading period

29 6:30-8:30 p.m. – School Dance/Activity

Night – Gym

November

9 Veterans Day Program

10-12 Middle School Parent/Teacher

Conferences – Report cards will be

given to parents

10-12 PTSA Book Fair

11-12 No School for K-8 students

17 7:00 p.m. – PTSA Meeting – LRC

19 Student Picture Retake Day

24 Non-Instructional Day – No School

25-26 Thanksgiving Vacation –No School

29 School Reopens

GARFIELD GAZETTE October, 2010

Mark Walter Principal

Rod Lake, Assistant Principal

Mary Kay Marcuse, Counselor

Garfield Middle School

13114 Detroit Avenue

Lakewood, OH 44107

Phone (216) 529-4241

Fax (216) 529-4146

Attendance (216) 529-4310

Website www.lakewoodcityschools.org

Lakewood Board of Education:

Betsy Shaughnessy, President

Matthew John Markling,

Vice President

Linda Beebe

Edward Favre

John Kamkutis

A Message from the Principal’s Desk

Garfield Middle School continues to get positive

acknowledgement from the Lakewood Community and

surrounding area. This month Garfield received the Lakewood

Chamber of Commerce ―Beautiful Business Award‖ for 2010 in

the Large Building category. This award was given for the

architectural beauty of the building as well as the visual appearance

of the surrounding grounds and campus. We are very appreciative

to the Lakewood Chamber for this award.

Garfield also has received the Fox 8 News ―Cool School of

the Week‖ award. This is the second time in our four year history

that Garfield has won this award. The morning crew from Fox 8

News came to visit Garfield this month giving us an opportunity to

highlight to the community the wonderful learning and extra-

curricular opportunities that Garfield Middle School has to offer.

If you missed the airing it can be found at the Fox8.com website.

Online Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduling

Now Available

Garfield Middle School will be holding parent/teacher

conferences on Wednesday, November 10th from 5:00 p.m.-8:30

p.m., Thursday, November 11th from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., and

5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., and finally Friday, November 12th from 8:00

a.m.—11:00 a.m.

Signing up for Parent-Teacher conferences is easier and

more convenient using our new internet-based, online scheduling

system. Using your Progressbook username and password you can

easily schedule to meet with your student’s teachers at a time that

is most convenient for you.

A Message from the Principal’s Desk (cont.)

2 The website is: https://workorder.neonetda.org/ptconf/ The site is simple, secure and directly linked to your student’s information. You can use any computer that

has internet access. Sign up as soon as you can to get the best times… appointments will fill up fast.

If you don’t have a computer at home or work, you can visit the Lakewood Public Library’s Technology

Center at either the Madison or main branch. You can also call the school for assistance at 216-227-5759.

Sincerely,

Mr. Walter

MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT:

If you have been following these District Messages over the past year or so, you know that I have stressed the

importance of fiscal restraint in our district and tried to educate the community on the forces beyond our control that

are challenging our budget and planning. We are very grateful for our community’s strong support of our schools

through passage of our 6.9 mill levy last May. This levy is making a significant difference for our students. Yes, as we

indicated during the levy campaign, we had to make $4 million in cuts even with the passage of the levy. But our levy

has enabled us to retain 50 employees who are making critical differences in class sizes and programs for our students.

However, because of the state’s unprecedented budget deficit and decreases in local tax revenue, we are in a precarious

financial situation. We have very difficult challenges ahead, challenges that we can meet only by keeping the

community informed. To that end, I invite you to come to one of two ―Schools: A Community Conversation‖ sessions

to be held later this month. We will update you on our financial status and our strategy to ensure that we continue to

provide quality programming for your children. Then we will listen to you. We want to hear your concerns, your ideas,

and your observations. We are only as strong as the community behind us. I hope to see you at one of the following

sessions:

Tuesday, October 12, 7 p.m., Horace Mann Cafetorium

Wednesday, October 20, 7 p.m., Emerson Cafetorium

Dr. P. Joseph Madak

Superintendent

Board of Education

Betsy Shaughnessy, President

Matthew John Markling, Vice President

Linda Beebe

Ed Favre

John Kamkutis

Teacher Overview:

Bullying Prevention

In times past many people viewed bullying as part of growing up. While it may not have been considered “okay,” it was lodged into a self-made niche in the world of adolescent development. If you were bullied, you might hear your parent’s words echoing, Don’t worry, you’re better than them, just ignore it. This is the type of response that helped nestle bullying into its place of “acceptance” in many adult’s paradigm of life. Bullying has been uncovered as a very serious issue, one worth confronting in young, impressionable lives. We’ve seen a surge of self-hatred, self-abuse and suicide all spurning from the new face bullying has taken in the media and public eye. And research shows that there are many long-term affects for all people involved – bully’s, students who are bullied and the bystanders. Bullying is a damaging behavior that affects the whole person: body, mind and soul. In this month’s Campus Impact presentation, your students were faced with the facts about bullying and the roles one chooses when a bullying situation occurs. A Day in My Life A Day in My Life is a fresh approach created by Campus Impact, based on the bullying roles identified by Dr. Dan Olweus, a bullying prevention pioneer. By playing this giant board game, your students learned more about the roles that everyone chooses in a bullying situation. The following information was disseminated to your students throughout game play.

Bullies: have a normal to high self-esteem and like to hurt or control other people.

Followers of Henchmen: never start the bullying, but once a bully does, they jump right in and most often

make things even worse or take the bullying to a new level.

Supporters: encourage the behavior of the bully by laughing or drawing attention to the situation. They

may also talk or gossip about the bullying later.

Quiet Supporters: Like the bullying behavior, but do not outwardly show signs of support either verbally or

through body language, but they will stop and watch or listen.

Disengaged Onlookers: Dislike the bullying behavior, try and blend in and often are thinking, “at least it’s

not me today.”

Possible Defender: Does not like the bullying and would like to do something to help but does not. Usually

because: 1) they do not know what to do, 2) they are afraid of retaliation, 3) they are afraid they will get in

trouble by being grouped with the bullies, 4) they do not see others willing to stand up and support the

student who is bullied or 5) they may not know or like the student who is getting bullied.

Defender: Always helps the students who are bullied either directly or indirectly.

It is important to remember that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. This means that if you choose to be anything other than a defender, you give power to the bully. It takes one person to shift the scales and start taking power from the bully. This eventually starts a chain reaction where the defender inspires others to stand up and choose to do what is right. Students were introduced to four specific actions they could take to be a “defender”:

1. If comfortable, they could stand up to the bullying using peaceful words. They should not “bully the

bully” with negative or abrasive words or actions.

2. They could remove the person being bullied by inviting them to sit with or walk home with them.

3. A defender could support the person being bullied by being their friend.

4. The defending student could tell an adult that will help stop the bullying.

As a leader in your school, it is important to be conscious of bullying that may happen around you. You play a big

part in creating a safe environment for students to learn. Your action (or inaction) towards a bullying situation could

make or break the atmosphere of your classroom or the school as a whole.

Don’t be afraid to step up and help students see their worth. From the person being bullied to the bully or the

defender. Encourage empathy in your classroom as well as open lines of communication for all students. This creates

a safe learning environment and a blank canvas for growth.

Funding for this program from Campus Impact was generously provided by The Lakewood Alumni Foundation.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Coming Soon to the Hallways of Garfield Middle School…

The Scholastic Book Fair!!!

Calling all readers…the Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to Garfield this Fall!!! This year the book fair will be

held the week of November 8th through November 12

th. Students will be given an opportunity to shop during school

hours. The fair will also be open during Parent-Teacher Conferences so everyone will have an opportunity to browse

for great books. What a great way to get holiday gifts and help out our school at the same time. If you would like

to volunteer to help out with the book fair or you have any questions, please contact Amy Kemp 216.521.0056

Teamkemp@cox.net or Tricia Madden 216.521.7365. See you at the book fair!!!

Book Fair Hours the Week of November 8, 2010

Monday & Tuesday 8:30am until 3:30pm

Wednesday 8:30am until 9:00pm

Thursday 12noon until 9:00pm

Friday 8:30am until 12 noon

On Tuesday, November 9th

, we will hold our annual Veterans Program to honor past and present

servicemen and women from our area. This program commences with a breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by

an all-school assembly beginning at 8:45. There will be guest speakers and performances by students to

honor those who have sacrificed for our country.

Students have the opportunity to donate items to send in care packages for active men and women serving

overseas. (See flyer that follows.) These will be packed and mailed by November 5th

. Many students will

write letters to servicemen and women that will be mailed in the care packages. Students with relatives and

friends who are veterans are encouraged to create a ‘Defender of Freedom’ certificate to be displayed on

our Wall of Freedom.

If you know of any active military personnel or veterans who would like to attend this program, invitations

will be available from your child’s social studies teacher. If you would like to contribute breakfast pastry

for the breakfast on Tuesday, November 9th

, please deliver it to the main office that day by 7:30 a.m. For

questions about breakfast donations, please contact PTSA representatives Mary Therber at 216.226.1410 or

Michelle Pennington at 216.228.7115.

Your participation is greatly appreciated! For questions about program activities, please call Mrs. Ellert at

227-5701, 8726#.

CARE PACKAGE COLLECTION - October 18th - 29th

Veterans program – Tuesday, November 9th

Do you know a

DEFENDER OF FREEDOM?

As part of our Veterans Program, we like to honor

friends and family members of our students and

staff. In Social Studies, your child will have the

opportunity to complete a ―Defender of Freedom‖

plaque that will be displayed during our assembly.

Please consider participating in this. Even if you

don’t have a picture, you are still welcomed to

submit one for as many veterans/soldiers that you

know. These will be made available to students at

the end of October, and they will be returned to

students afterward.

Garfield to host

14th annual veterans program

Items to Donate

Non-Perishable Food & Snacks:

Gum, lifesavers, mints, hard candy Tuna lunch kits, tuna, canned sardines, oysters

Beef Jerkey, Slim Jims, Kippered Beef Snacks (may not contain pork) Single-serving canned fruits (in cans, not cups)

Dried fruits, nuts, peanuts, trail mix Cracker packs, cookies Protein bars, granola bars, snack bars, cereal bars, power bars

Single-serving meals or ready-to-eat dishes (pasta meals, ravioli, beef stew, spaghetti, chili)

Powdered Drink Mixes: Powered Gatorade, pre-sweetened powder drink mixes Single-serving pre-sweetened drink mixes like “Crystal Light To Go” and other brands

Coffee mixes, hot cocoa mix, tea bags Personal Items:

Socks (crew or boot socks, white, green, or black) T-shirts (white, all cotton)

Boot laces, 72” brown or tan Single-use or disposable 35-mm cameras AA and AAA batteries

Current magazines and paperback books Pens, envelopes, writing tablets, small notebooks

Quart and gallon size Ziploc® style bags Toiletries:

Sunblock, moisturizers, aloe vera

Toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste, brush-ups Eye drops, Blistex, Chapstick, Vaseline, saline nasal spray

Liquid body soap, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, deodorant Nail clippers, medicated foot powder, Anti-fungal cream Baby wipes, q-tips, Kleenex (small packs)

Single-size or travel-size items work best.

CASH DONATIONS GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED to offset shipping costs!

Thank you for your support!

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

Care Package Drive

Items are being

accepted for two

weeks:

October 18 through

October 29th

Locks for Love Club

We are very excited to be starting a new club at Garfield this year. It is a club which will allow students and adults to make a positive difference in another’s life. On WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1ST, 2011, we currently have at least 9 certified hair stylists who are donating their time to cut and style hair. Hair will be donated to those in need. Students and adults may donate. One who chooses to donate may donate as little as 8 inches, and dyed hair is acceptable. If you or someone you know is a stylist and would also be willing to donate your services please contact Mrs. Sandoval at alina.sandoval@lakewood.oh.us.k12. Students who are interested will begin meeting in Mrs. Sandoval’s room in October. Dates will be announced! Please look for future information!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first dance of the year is coming up on October 29th. If you would like to help out in some way please contact

Stacy Voll at stacy.voll@sbcglobal.net I am looking for people to help set up for the dance after school that day and

also people to help at the dance as chaperones, food helpers and ticket sales. Please consider helping the kids out that

night. The dance will begin at 6:30. Thank you in advance.

Stacy Voll

228-7370

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you JOINED the P T S A . . . . .

Parents, Grandparents, Students, Family and Friends!

Be sure to join GARFIELD PTSA!! Becoming a member gives you access to the organization

supporting your children’s school. The membership fee funds many of the activities at GARFIELD

School and also reaches out to the Lakewood community.

You can send in the envelope in the packet you received at the beginning of the school year, or

simple put the following information on an envelope and send it in!!

Name: Address:

Phone Number: Email Address:

Membership amount enclosed: Donation enclosed:

Students name: (extra funds can be given!!)

Students teacher/grade:

**Be sure to write PTSA membership on the outside of the envelope and include the $6.00

membership fee.

September 20, 2010

Dear Parents, Faculty, and Student Body,

This past Wednesday we held our first PTSA meeting of the year. The meeting was a great start of the new school

year that not only went very smoothly, but also adjourned ahead of schedule! It was great to see all those who

attended, and hope to see many more faces for the next meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at 7:00

p.m. in the LRC.

Membership is off to a great start! We would still like to warmly invite all those who haven’t yet joined, to do so, as

we would love to have you. Attached to the Gazette will be both PTA membership forms as well as volunteer forms,

all of which can be accessed online through the school’s website at lakewoodcityschools.org. Anyone that is

interested can join at any time throughout the school year. It is a great way to get connected with school events and

activities as well as stay in touch with your child’s education. Please keep in mind that you can also sign up to

volunteer for any of the events at anytime throughout the school year as well.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that all spirit wear order forms are due this Friday,

September 24, 2010. If you have not already turned in your order form and would like to place an order, please do so

by this Friday.

We are all very excited about the upcoming first dance of the year to be held on Friday, October 29, 2010. Details will

be sent home as we get closer to the date. We hope to see many of our students there!

Again, please keep in mind that all PTSA meetings are held on the 3rd

Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the

LRC, with our next one being on October 20, 2010. We hope and look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Susanne Neives Stames

` PTSA Co-President

********************************************************************************************

Garfield Middle School PTSA

Meeting minutes

September 15, 2010

Mary Beth Kohl called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm, and the attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Principal’s Report:

Mr. Walter thanked the PTSA members for all the start-of-the-school-year help: envelope stuffing, orientation

help, staff luncheon, open house help.

The state report card for 2009-10 rated Garfield as ―effective‖ because students made the expected progress

but not more than expected.

Online parent-teacher conference scheduling is available.

Campus Impact’s anti-bullying program continues this year, thanks to the Lakewood Alumni Foundation’s

funding in the amount of $20,000 and Vice-Principal Rod Lake’s taking ownership of the program at Garfield.

Blood drive will be held fall and spring this school year; first one in October

Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is awarding Garfield Middle School their ―Beautiful Building‖ award in the

large building category this year.

Garfield has been nominated for the Fox 8 Cool School competition again—voting closes September 16.

County prosecutor’s office to come to the school in the late fall to give a talk to the students on Internet safety.

Co-Presidents’ Report:

Mary Beth Kohl introduced herself and Susanne Nieves, co-presidents, to the attendees.

Lisa Horton from the Lakewood Christian Service Center is looking for volunteers and Mary Beth has more

information for anyone who is interested.

Mary Beth asked Mr. Walter if there was a need for school supplies, because she suggested that the PTSA

could provide some supplies. Mr. Walter indicated that the supplies he purchased using a small grant were

running low, and that Mrs. Marcuse oversaw distributing the supplies as needed.

First Vice President’s Report:

Stacy Voll indicated that planning for the first dance, on October 29, is underway.

Second Vice Presidents’ Report:

Tricia Madden reported that bags and towels were sold at orientation and open house, and that spiritwear

orders are due September 24.

Book fair is scheduled for the week of conferences in November.

No report from Recording Secretary or Corresponding Secretary.

Treasurer’s Report:

Ann Schleckman presented a written report of deposits and payments since the last meeting, along with a

proposed budget for the 2010-11 school year.

In the budget, the Income category ―Consumer Programs‖ includes Box Tops for Education, the Target Red

Card rewards, and a program at Heinen’s for frequent shoppers. Ann and Mary Beth encouraged regular

Heinen’s shoppers to sign up online for this program and designate Garfield as their school—it must be done

each year. Some budgeted expenses have increased because last year more money was made than expected.

Susanne Nieves made a motion that we accept the budget as proposed; Rose Costo and Katie Stadler

simultaneously seconded the motion, and it was approved by voice vote.

Council Delegate’s Report:

Judy Weeber reported that Lakewood Council PTA has waived council dues from units for this school year.

The levy fund contribution requested from units has been lowered from 2% to 1.5% for this school year.

Karen Lee is trying to put together a list of available dates for unit treasurers and others who will be involved

next year so that she can set up a treasurer workshop with the PTA in anticipation of audits.

December 1 will be the deadline for Reflections at each school.

Membership Chair’s Report:

Rose Costo reported that she had 116 members as of the end of August and 156 registered now (with more

received tonight but not yet counted).

Mary Beth reported that the following positions have been filled:

Volunteer coordinator: Ellen Roberts

o Just Between Friends database will be used.

Box Tops coordinator: Laurie Zubal

Reflections chair: Debbi Polen

o The national PTA is taking suggestions now for the Reflections theme for the 2012-13 school year.

Garfield Gazette Report: Deadline for October issue is September 20.

Picture Day is October 8.

New Business:

Ann Schleckman announced that she had received a request from H2O for support for the Pumpkin Palooza

and noted that last year the Garfield PTSA donated $50 to this event, which supports local charities.

Tricia Madden made a motion that the PTSA donate $50 to the H2O Pumpkin Palooza; Stacy Voll seconded

the motion, and the donation was approved by voice vote.

Next meeting is October 20, 2010, at 7 pm in the LRC.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:37 pm.

Haylee Schwenk

Recording Secretary

Please, your help is needed!!!!

CALL FOR HELP……………..last year the PTSA graciously funded an art installation that is

to be installed in the rotunda of our school building. The project was a huge success…and I

mean so huge that I have not found the time needed to be able to pull it off in its entirety…yet!

I am asking for some much needed help if anyone is interested…I need some adult volunteers to help me

―sew‖ (I use this term loosely) the pieces of the large installation together…any takers????? If you are

available to help, please call me or send a note with your child with your name and phone number on it.

Once I get some ―takers‖ I will put together a day in which we can all meet together in room 203. If you

could bring a needle that would help as well! Thank you so much for answering this call for help!

Sincerely,

Mrs. L. Roudebush (aka. Mrs. Rudy)

Art is half over! Grades have been posted online! Please check your child’s grades and project due dates to ensure al work

has been turned in. Thank you!

Check out our art classroom website!

Please check out our website…we have our class summaries of the completed projects now posted! If you

go to the school’s homepage, down the right side it has yellow tabs, one says ―teacher websites.‖ Click on it

and you will find my name ―Leah Roudebush.‖ Click on my name and it will open the class website. Click

on the grade level of your child to find info including the project summaries!

Band Information Page

Music Department October

Newsletter

2010

216—227—5701 ext. 8311#

julie.tabaj@lakewood.k12.oh.us

Upcoming Events for Garfield Bands

Tuesday, Sept 28, 2010— 8th Grade Band Dress rehearsal with the LHS Marching

Band. Report at 7:30pm @ LHS Stadium. Dismissal @ 8:15pm

Friday, Oct 1, 2010—8th Grade Band performance with LHS Marching Band.

Meet at LHS Band Room @ 6:30pm. This performance begins during the Half-

time Show! Hope to see you then!

Thursday, Oct 14, 2010 – Lakewood Spirit Parade!

All grade level band members may participate. Band members are to report to

Lakewood Park at 5:30pm with their instrument but not its case. Have someone

meet you back at LHS behind the baseball field with your case around 6:30pm.

The 8th Grade Drum line will be using the Garfield percussion equipment. All other

percussionists will have to bring your own drum.

All participants should wear comfortable shoes and a shirt with a Lakewood logo

on the front or back: something showcasing Lakewood spirit. Step-off time is at

6:00pm from Lakewood Park. Once we arrive at LHS there will be a bonfire and

spirit rally. All are welcome to stay for the event. However, transportation to and

from the event is your responsibility.

November -- Veteran’s Assembly at Garfield!

Winter Concert Date is Wednesday, Dec 8, 2010 at 7:30pm -- LHS Civic

Garfield Ski Club / Snowboard Club is GROWING!!! Hello snow lovers! Last year we had a great season at Brandywine. We also grew our club to 28 skiers. Each day

was not too cold and only one day was a little wet. This year we aim to grow by another 10 kids. We even saw Mr.

Walter on the slopes a few times!

Many students are already asking about sign ups. I am attending an Advisor’s meeting this week –Sept. 23- to get

going with all of our paper work. I found a bus company that is less expensive than all the others so we can keep our

rates about the same as last year.

The total cost will be $250 per student who needs the entire package that includes skis, boots, lift ticket and bus rides

for 5 trips. It ends up being about $40 dollars to ski and $10 per bus trip. The cost will be a bit less for those who own

their own skis and boards. Those exact costs will be determined once I receive all paperwork from Boston Mills/

Brandywine. Please note that this year we will ski on Wednesdays and not Thursdays as last year.

We will coordinate a fund raiser to raise enough money to add a sixth week by selling candy bars. Please know that

once your skier/boarder has his documentation form Boston Mills/Brandywine s/he is able to ski without cost on the

day of the week we ski even after ski club ends. Each student also is given a free ski day that can be used when s/he

wants.

So, get out the beeswax to wax the skis and find your mittens and gloves and start thinking about SNOW. By time you

read this we will have had our activities fair at Garfield and your son/ daughter who has an interest in our club will

likely have been given the necessary paper work. So, if your child does not have an application, please direct him/her

to me or the Mrs. Kapsalis in the main office. We will have on hand extra applications. I am looking forward to

another great ski season.

Thank you for helping your child enjoy this thrilling winter sport.

Ski Club advisors: Mr. Corrigan, Mrs. Kapsalis and Mrs. Wade