Many of us in Lakewood have probably heard of or even benefited directly from H2O, Help To Others, in some capacity; if not, the name is fairly self-explanatory. However, the width and depth of the impact of the efforts put forth by this youth based community service group, are not as well known as they deserve. This summer, H2O decided to add yet another layer to their message of service to others. By placing their focus on recycling, H2O campers experienced first hand the interconnectedness between stewardship of the earth and the growth of healthy, volunteer based, community-building efforts championed by H2O...

On August 4, 2008, the Lakewood City School District Board of Education unanimously passed the following resolution reaffirming its commitment to “Brake 4 Kids” and Child Safety and Speed Awareness:

See schedule here...

The 2007-2008 school year was one of exciting firsts for Harrison, one of the city’s brand new elementary schools located in historic Birdtown. Among the many highlights were a family movie night, a production of the Wizard of Oz, after school art club, class field trips and track and field day. On May 31, Harrison PTA sponsored a carnival, the largest event of the year. Many students and their families came out to participate in the festivities. Even the weather cooperated by defying a gloomy forecast and providing plenty of sunshine...

Retired teachers Robert and son, Gary Rice, recently received Distinguished Volunteer Service Awards from the Lakewood Schools for their support this year with the Garfield and Harding Middle School music programs...

On June 9, 2008, the Lakewood City School District Board of Education reaffirmed its commitment to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (“D.A.R.E.”) Program and enacted the following resolution:

WHEREAS, this resolution supports the grant application by the city of Lakewood Police Department to the Ohio Attorney General's office for funding for the city's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program and commends the Division of Police for its continued efforts to educate young people of the city as to the hazards of alcohol and drugs;..

Open Swim: Tuesdays/Thursdays 7:00 pm-8:30 pm, Fridays 7:30 pm-9:30 pm, Sundays 2:00 pm-4:00 pm Fees: Student $3.00 per session Adult $3.50 per session Adult $22.00 monthly pass (valid at LHS Indoor Pool only – outdoor season passes not accepted)

Adult Only Swim: Monday through Friday 2:50 pm-3:50 pm Fees: $2.00 per session $22.00 monthly pass (valid at LHS Indoor Pool only – outdoor season passes not accepted)...

For the past 15 years, Lakewood’s Help To Others, or H2O, program has offered middle and high school students the opportunity to discover the power of volunteerism. This summer, 200 middle school students will participate in one of four 2-week long community service-oriented day camp sessions. When combined with the efforts of nearly 250 high schoolers and 80 middle schoolers, H2O students can be found giving of their time and talents at approximately 90 community functions this year...

Are you sitting down for this news? Really? What are you sitting on? Does a great work of art adorn your chair? Was it lovingly painted by little hands? If not, you need to check out the Chairs That Care Auction coming up on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Lincoln Elementary School. At the auction, over 45 unique, colorful, hand-painted chairs will be available for bidding!

Under the guidance of Maureen Marshall, 2nd and 3rd grade students from the Discovery program at Lincoln School have been studying famous artists throughout the year. Renoir, Picasso, Cassat, Monet and so many of the masters have been the focus of these children. From their biographies, the kids were able to learn interesting tidbits including the artists’ hometowns, their favorite subjects and mediums and even other artists with whom they may have been friends...

Patricia Nees Klanac graduated from Marian College in 1968 with major in sociology and a minor in psychology. Since 2000, she has served as a licensed social worker for the Lakewood School District in Cleveland, Ohio. She has also served her community as a psychiatric social worker and foster-care social worker. In her present capacity in the K-12 setting, Klanac has implemented a “lunch buddy” mentoring program in which she enlists local organizations to provide mentoring to youth who lack positive role models. She also works closely with the Catholic Charities refugee program to help mentor and provide basic needs to Burmese refugees whose children attend the Lakewood school system...

FAST Program at Harrison Graduates 15 Families

“See all of these people?” says five year-old Elliot Lockshine as he gestures toward the fifteen families enjoying a home-cooked dinner in Harrison’s cafeteria. “All of these people are my friends.”

“That,” says Toni Gelsomino, Program Manager of Early Childhood for the City of Lakewood, “is what FAST is all about.”

FAST (Families and Schools Together) is a national program that builds strong parent-child communication and social support. Based on research that embraces family systems theory and risk prevention, FAST has been implemented in more than 600 schools in 40 states. The program, however, is active in only two of Lakewood’s public elementary schools -- Roosevelt and Harrison...

Like many of his fellow students at Lakewood High School, Olliver Petkac has long been fascinated with the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of the natural world. “Collecting gemstones, fossils, and rocks has been a hobby of his since we can remember,” according to Olliver’s parents. So when students in Olliver’s ninth-grade accelerated geophysics course were given an assignment to create a science project requiring original research, Olliver didn’t think twice about which topic to choose for his project...

Because the Lakewood Observer and I believe in the power of teachers to make monumental changes in a child’s life, the Lakewood Observer will sponsor a contest for individuals to write about the way in which a teacher has touched and changed their life for the better, or their child's life. This can be either a past or present teacher, but must be about a teacher from one of Lakewood's educational institutions. Finalist's submissions will be published in the Lakewood Observer...

The Lakewood City Schools in conjunction with the Lakewood Public Library asks Lakewood to come together for children during the Week of the Young Child April 13 – 19, 2008. As part of the national Week of the Young Child celebrated across the country, Lakewood is honoring young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives...

Students from Garfield Middle School, in conjunction with a group of volunteers from Lakewood Department of Human Services, Division of Aging recently participated in the Legacy Project, a nationwide essay-writing contest. The Legacy Project involved students meeting individually with older adults to learn about their lives: their dreams, goals, achievements and challenges...

“Aaaaw!” The sound of many disappointed spectators filled the natatorium as another boat sank to the bottom of the pool. But this wasn’t just any boat. It was one of the 46 boats created by physics students and clubs from Lakewood High School for the 6th annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. The boats were constructed out of only a double layer of cardboard and clear packing tape. Over 150 physics students had been working hard for 6 weeks to create these boats, and the afternoon of March 12th would be the day to show off what hard work they had done...

March 4th was a banner day at Franklin Elementary School. While election polls were held in the gymnasium, Lakewood ABLE/PLUS (Adult Basic and Literacy Education) held its first annual Community Resource Fair. Representatives from the local community shared their information and handed out pamphlets, giveaways, and more importantly, free advice. Students could access information about health care, resources for their children, and learn about library services and programs. More than sixty students had the opportunity to get their blood pressure checked, and fill their bags with goodies. Two of our staff members, Susan Crane and Lisa Shaver were instrumental in organizing this wonderful morning...

LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AFTER-PROM COMMITTEE is having a PARTY at CLEATS Join the Senior Class Parents and Friends for food, fun and beverage to raise funds for the class of ‘08’s After Prom Event. Cleats will donate 10% of each patron’s bill to LHS’s After Prom Committee. Cleats - 14810 Detroit Ave. Friday, March 7, 2008 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. FYI: The LHS After Prom is funded totally by the senior parents and community contributions. The money that the senior class won from the Prom Raiders contest must be spent only on the Prom itself. Thanks for your support.

Mrs. Eiben, a seventh grade language arts and social studies teacher at Garfield Middle School, had the opportunity to visit a Turkish school in Istanbul. The school she visited is a sister school with Kent Sate University. As a matter of fact it is even named Kent State College (in Turkey college means school). Two Kent State professors have been traveling to Istanbul for the past three years to work with the teachers and share teaching practices. Kent State College is a private school that has been open for three years. The purpose of the school is to teach the children in both Turkish and English. Many of the students hope to attend college in the United States...

On Thursday evening, January 24, 2008, Dr. Charles Greanoff and his American History students from Lakewood High School met at the pavilion at Lakewood Park with twenty or so veterans of the Second World War, their friends, and some family members. Dr. Greanoff is a life-long Lakewood resident, graduate of Lakewood Schools himself, and is now a social studies teacher at Lakewood High School...

As any kid in Maureen Marshall’s class can tell you, Saturday January 12, 2008 was an extremely interesting day. That’s because the Invention Convention was held at the Great Lakes Science Center. If you have never been to the Invention Convention, it’s a contest where kids present a one-of-a-kind invention to the judges. They compete for the Edison Award. The first timers from Lincoln School brought back three of the eight awards...

Dear Commission Members and Community Members,

You are invited to attend the Lakewood Community Recreation and Education Commission meeting that is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, January 29, 2008. The will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Auditorium...