Dear Community,

The 2016-2017 school year is off to a tremendous start.  Our theme of  Inspire Great is one in which we are always looking to take our daily interactions with students, staff and the community to the next level.  As author Jim Collins says, "We do not have a lot of great things, primarily because we have good things." To me, that may be ok when saying our car is "good enough" or our shoes are "good enough."  But, to say our schools are "good enough" is not acceptable.  We need to strive each and every day to move our students, and our schools, to that next level.  I encourage you to follow our efforts on Twitter and Facebook by using the hashtag #NRinspiregreat. You can also follow me on twitter @gurkag.

Hand-in-hand with that, is the effort to provide the facilities necessary to allow for student-centered learning.  Issue 116, the North Royalton City Schools bond issue, is a single solution that will allow our students and staff to work and learn in facilities that foster collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication.  Issue 116 is not a facilities issue, but an educational issue.  Extreme temperatures in our classrooms, limitations in collaborative areas and antiquated systems are just some of the issues that face us daily.  As I said, good enough cannot be the mantra for the North Royalton City Schools or the communities of Broadview Heights and North Royalton.  With Issue 116, we have the opportunity to provide the flexible learning spaces that will meet the needs of our communities for generations.  This issue is vital for the overall health and well-being of not just our schools, but for that of our two communities.   I urge you to become informed on Issue 116.   I ask everyone to go to our website at www.northroyaltonsd.org and click on the BOND ISSUE FACTS tab on the top left side of the homepage where you will find a wealth of information to educate you on the plan, costs, and importance of student-centered learning environments.

I hope that you find this monthly newsletter informative and a good way to keep you up to date on the happenings of our schools and the Board of Education.  I would welcome any thoughts and comments that you have in regards to this or anything dealing with the North Royalton City Schools.  Please call me at
 440-582-9030   or email me at  greg.gurka@northroyaltonsd.org.

Sincerely,

Greg Gurka, 
Superintendent
North Royalton City Schools

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Table 1 compares our monthly operating receipts to the prior year actual for the two month of our fiscal year (July 2016 through June 2017).  It further estimates our collection through our fiscal year end.  You will notice two large collection points in our fiscal year which are July and February.  These two months are considerably higher than the others due to real estate collection which represents over 70% of our revenues.

   

Table 2 compares our monthly operating expenditures to the prior year actual for the first two month of our fiscal year (July 2016 through June 2017).  It further estimates our expenditures through our fiscal year end.  You will notice a consistent expenditure pattern throughout our fiscal year due to salaries and wages being evenly distributed throughout our fiscal year.


 
Table 3 illustrates the current actual cumulative monthly operating revenues and expenditures for the first two month of our fiscal year (July 2016 through June 2017).  It further estimates our cumulative revenues and expenditures through our fiscal year end.  You will notice a gradual increase in both revenues and expenditures as we approach our fiscal year end where revenues and expenditures eventually meet.

 
Table 4 illustrates our fiscal year to date operating expenditures by category for the first two month of our fiscal year (July 2016 through June 2017).  Salary and Wages represent approximately 53%, Fringe Benefits 25%, Purchased Services 11%, Materials Supplies Textbooks 4% and the combination of Capital Outlay and Operational Fees 7%.
 
  
LINKS to DISTRICT FINANCIALS:

Click here for the North Royalton City School District five-year forecast.

Interested in reading more?  District financial information such as our annual financial reports, forecasts, tax rates, etc. can be found by clicking here.

Biagio Sidoti,  Treasurer
North Royalton City Schools

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North Royalton City Schools Sets Out to INSPIRE GREAT!



The North Royalton City Schools are kicking off the 2016-17 school year with a theme that sums up the district's mission: to "inspire and empower learners." Launched at the staff convocation meeting on August 22,  Inspire Great , will be two words that everyone in the North Royalton/Broadview Heights communities will see and hear because everything the district does will be focused on inspiring greatness.  

"We hope this new theme sends a positive message to our community of who we are, who we want to be, and what we strive to work at everyday," said Greg Gurka, superintendent, North Royalton City Schools.  "Our district is taking teaching and learning above and beyond, embracing the 4C's for student-centered learning: communications, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.  We want to inspire great education, great opportunities, and great tools and resources for bright futures."

The district plans to chronicle all of its efforts by using the social media hashtag
#NRinspiregreat.  "Each and every time we do something in our classrooms, cafeterias, gyms, fields, and stage that  inspires great , we want to share it with the world," said Gurka.  "We have great expectations...for our students, for our classrooms, for how we teach, and for how we learn. You will see more stories and posts on students collaborating, using technology to learn, or being creative instantaneously."
 
Goals to Inspire Great at North Royalton City Schools include:
  • To empower learners by supporting their passions with the education to allow them to accomplish their goals, whatever they may be.
  • To provide students a well rounded, rigorous education to prepare them for their future in this competitive, global society.
  • To offer programming that exposes students to opportunities that they may not have known they have a passion about.
  • To provide meaningful opportunities and experiences to all students that foster collaboration, encourage communication, develop critical thinking skills, and ignite creativity.  
  • To inspire students, teachers, and staff to exemplify their values and beliefs each and every day through their words and actions in school and in giving back to their community. To have heart and compassion for those around us.
  • To inspire and empower learners! 
"Our beliefs, vision and mission for who we are as a district will continue to guide us and with determination and the passion of perseverance, we will definitely inspire great!" said Gurka.  "We are a district that strives to build positive, meaningful relationships with all students, parents and our community.  We ask the community to join us and ask: How can I help inspire others to be "great" today?"
 
A more complete definition of Inspire Great can be found on the homepage of the district website.  The community also is encouraged to follow the hashtag #NRinspiregreat on Twitter and Facebook for updates.



 

North Royalton City Schools Select Local Businesses for Ohio School Board Association's Business Honor Roll
 

North Royalton City Schools selected Mastro's 3-Spot, Sports Rehabilitation Consultants, First Federal of Lakewood and Lineweaver Financial Group as the 2016 Ohio School Boards Association's (OSBA) Business Honor Roll recipients.

These businesses were selected for their strong support of the North Royalton City Schools. School-business partnerships greatly benefit all involved.  Local businesses play a crucial role in supporting their communities' schools. Just as businesses support their schools, it is equally important that schools and communities support their local merchants and service providers.

Superintendent Greg Gurka and Assistant Superintendent Jim Presot presented each business with a certificate in recognition of their achievement at their places of business this past month.


North Royalton City Schools Holds Community Meeting on Future of Education and Facilities in District
 
On Tuesday, September 13,  the  North Royalton City Schools held a community meeting at the North Royalton High School Performing Arts Center to discuss the future of education in the district.  Topics included how the community and schools can work  together  to meet the long-term  educational  needs of North Royalton students, prepare  them  for life in a global economy and increase the availability of teaching/learning resources, while at the same time ensuring the health, safety and  proper learning environments.  Superintendent Greg Gurka and Treasurer Biagio Sidoti both spoke to the community.  After the presentation, residents participated in excellent small group discussions in the cafeteria.

The presentation was videotaped and will be on the district website within the next few days.  If you could not attend, please take some time to watch the video.





North Royalton Board of Education to be Recognized at 
State Education Conference in November as
"Most Outstanding Board of Education Team"



This past spring,  North Royalton City Schools Board Member Dr. John H. Kelly, earned his Master Board Member status and the Award of Achievement from the Ohio Schools Boards Association (OSBA). Board members Anne Reinkober and Jackie Arendt also earned the Award of Achievement. Heidi Dolezal is a former All Ohio State Board Member and also a Master Board Member.  All of our board members are very active on the federal, state and local levels as a team.  

The North Royalton City Schools Board of Education will  now  be honored at the fall OSBA Conference as the region's Most Outstanding School Board Team.  We congratulate all five board members: Jackie Arendt, Dr. Susan Clark, Heidi Dolezal, Dr. John Kelly and Anne Reinkober for this distinguished and honorable recognition as working together as team for our students, staff and community.


North Royalton High School Student Recognized by Board for Eagle Scout Project at Albion Elementary

  At the September 12 Board of Education meeting, Nick MacKay, a North Royalton High School student was recognized for earning the rank of Eagle Scout.  On the trail to Eagle, a scout must complete a service project.  Nick's outreach was to support his former elementary school, Albion Elementary.  Nick raised money, acquired donations, organized volunteers, planned and implemented the revitalization of the Albion Butterfly Garden.  "The space is now alive and beautiful," said Principal Vince Ketterer.  "We recognize Nick's work, but also want to recognize what a wonderful example he is to our younger students.  Nick provided them with a great example of leadership, volunteerism, and service to our community."


Fourth Grade Spirit Night at Middle School Football Game a Success

 

North Royalton Middle School and all three elementary schools teamed up to host the first annual NRMS 4th Grade Spirit Night during the seventh grade football game against Wadsworth on Tuesday, September 6. More than 150 fourth grade students who chose to participate took a bus from their respective elementary buildings to the middle school at the end of their school day  on Tuesday. Once they arrived, they were greeted by eighth grade WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) leaders at NRMS, who led them to the Purple Gym and eventually Serpentini Stadium.

Current North Royalton Middle School Principal Jeff Cicerchi came up with the idea of hosting "Tailgate Parties" for students to attend middle school athletic events in 2011, when he was an assistant principal at the building. Royal View Principal Kirk Pavelich said he was excited for the event and hopes it becomes a new tradition.

"I'll always cherish the memory of attending the first Tailgate Party when I was principal at NRMS," said Pavelich. "I believe this event will become just as popular, as it is an excellent way to help our students make the eventual transition to middle school."





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Other Useful Links for you . . .  

to read the June 2016 Your Royalton Schools graduation issue.

Click here
to read the spring 2016 Community Engagement Taskforce "Community Input on the Future of Education" presentation

to read the North Royalton City School District's Quality Profile.  

to read the Spring 2016 North Royalton Bear Way magazine.   

to read the Winter 2016 Your Royalton Schools printed newsletter.

for the 2016-17 School Calendar 
 
Click here
for the NR Board of Education meeting minutes and agendas.  Click here for meeting dates for 2016.