Next Heritage PTSA Meeting is Thursday, June 24th

It's our last official meeting for this school year and it will take place where it all began last August. We'll be meeting at Karen Wivell's home on Thursday, June 24th at 6:30 PM. We'll be closing out the book for this year and turning things over to next year's board. We'll also be discussing a couple of requests for monetary donations, the upcoming school levy, and more. If you'd like to attend, please call me at 350-1477 and I'll give you directions (if you don't already know where I live).

Raider Rack in Need of Donations!

If your child has outgrown some of their school uniforms, the Painesville City Schools' Raider Rack is in need of donations for their summer assistance program. Contact the Heritage Middle School's office to make your donations.

Thanks!

Next Heritage PTSA Meeting is Thursday, May 6th

Please mark your calendar for Thursday, May 6th at 6:30 PM for the next Heritage Middle School PTSA meeting. It will be held in the school library. Some topics include the 8th Grade Formal and Audit Committee formation. Hope to see you then!

Two Heritage Teachers Win Prestigious Honors

Ms. Alison Lampp, eighth grade science teacher, was accepted into the Teacher-to-Ranger-to-Teacher Program through the U.S. National Park Service for this summer. The program was developed to benefit teachers, schools, and the National Park Service. As a Ranger, Alison will participate in experiences and duties assigned by the park such as helping with summer camps, giving interpretive talks, studying with biologists, as well as looking at and evaluating educational programs that the park has in place. When Ms. Lampp returns to school in the fall she will share these experiences with her students and other staff members. Also, during National Park Week Ms. Lampp will present to Heritage as well as other schools what she has learned about the park system. Ms. Lampp will be stationed at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In addition, she will be able to add one more uniform to her collection! Please be sure you congratulate Ms. Lampp on her honor.

Mrs. Deborah Cattell, eighth grade social studies teacher, was accepted to "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" Ohio-Indiana-Kentucky Summer Institute held at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education. Debby is one of only 14 teachers from Ohio accepted into this prestigious week long institute. As a member of this institute, Mrs. Cattell will receive a free classroom set of We the People textbooks, will be able to attend a one-day workshop on We the People this fall, as well as implement a simulated congressional hearing in her classroom. Along with the simulated congressional hearing Heritage students will have an opportunity to compete at the state level based on what they learned. Please congratulate Debby on her acceptance into the "We the People" institute.

Heritage PTSA Meeting Thursday, April 15th

Heritage PTSA will be meeting on Thursday, April 15th at 6:30 PM in the Library at Heritage Middle School. We will be electing next year's officers. Hope to see you there!

Students Could Win a Trip to Washington DC and a Laptop Computer

PTA is partnering with the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation on their Kids for King Education Initiative which inspires youth from grades 3-12 to write an essay, create a piece of art, or produce a short video about the lasting legacy of Dr. King and his ideals of democracy, justice, hope, and love.

Nine finalists will be selected from the entries received who will win a trip to Washington, D.C. and will participate in a live press event on the National Mall. Each of the finalists will also receive a laptop computer. Complimentary meals, travel, and hotel accommodations will be provided for each student and a parent/chaperone. Each Kids for King Education Initiative entrant will receive a blue Build the Dream wristband.

The deadline for entries in April 30, 2010, so act fast! To learn more about the program visit www.KidsForKing.org.

Mr. Steve Ramos Named Ohio PTA District 17’s 2010 Outstanding Educator

Heritage Middle School PTSA and the Ohio PTA District 17 are proud to announce the 2009-2010 Outstanding District Educator Award goes to Mr. Steve Ramos, Principal of Heritage Middle School, part of the Painesville City Local Schools in Painesville, Ohio.

Each year Ohio PTA districts solicit nominations from local units and councils for this award. Ohio PTA District 17 consists of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties.

Nominees are judged on their involvement with the educational process of students and their dedication to the PTA’s Mission and Purposes.

Mr. Ramos was a founding member of the newly formed Heritage Middle School PTSA. He also served on the PTSA nominating committee, regularly attends PTSA meetings and brings his experience in working with former PTA's to this new group. He is now in the process of helping the PTA garner grant funds for a student newspaper. Mr. Ramos' philosophy is to act both legally and morally "en loco parentis" or "in place of parents", to ensure that students in his charge are kept safe.

Ohio PTA is pleased to honor Mr. Ramos at our annual Convention in Columbus on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

Heritage PTSA Receives Grant Funding for Student Newspaper Project

Today, the Heritage Middle School PTSA received approval for a $350 grant request from the Crossroads' Drug & Alcohol Coalition's BOAT Committee to fund their student newspaper project. The newspaper is being written, photographed and designed by Heritage Middle School students working with teacher advisors Mr. Hicks, Mr. Delaney and Mr. Vargo from Heritage Middle School. The newspaper will be distributed to every student, staff member and parent at Heritage Middle School and will be inserted monthly for community-wide distribution in the Lake County Gazette. The first edition is scheduled for distribution at the end of March, 2010.

Thursday, March 11th at 6:30 PM is the Next Meeting

Heritage PTSA will be holding their next meeting in the Heritage Middle School library at 6:30 PM on Thursday, March 11th. The Nominating Committee will be presenting their slate of officers for next year's board, there will be updates on the upcoming dances, our school newspaper project and much more. Please plan on attending.

February 11th is a big night for Heritage Middle School

The next meeting of the Heritage Middle School PTSA will be Thursday, February 11th at 6:30 PM in the library at Heritage. Also that night is a special Curriculum Night at Harvey High School beginning at 7 PM. All 8th grade students are encouraged to attend.