Mercer Mailbox
February 21, 2020
Mercer Mailbox is a weekly publication of the   Mercer PTO .  
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Upcoming Events
February 21 - Popcorn/Spirit Day
February 23 - Mercer Skates
February 24 - 4th Grade Exhibition Presentations
February 25 - Chinese New Year Assembly
February 26 - PTO Meeting
February 28 - Conference Day (No School)
February 28 - Sweetheart Dance (PreK-4)
March 5 - 4th Grade Mixer at Woodbury
March 12 - 4th Grade Mixer at Woodbury
March 14-15 - Mercer Play Performances
March 17 - Election Primary Day (No School)
March 21-29 - Spring Break (No School)

Visit the  Online Calendar   and filter by Mercer  for more upcoming events.
Next Week's Field Trips
No Field Trips
A Word From Mr. Florence
Next week will certainly be a busy one at Mercer Elementary. 

Fourth graders will be presenting our 8th International Baccalaureate (IB) Exhibition on Monday, February 24 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The theme this year is “How We Express Ourselves” with the Central Idea “Emotions motivate risk-takers to accept challenges.” Exhibition is the culminating project for 4th graders as they complete the final year of the IB Primary Years Programme. Our students have been diligently researching their topics from ADHD, Blindness, Childhood Cancer, Dyslexia & Dycalculia, Gender Equality, Homelessness, and more with the guidance of their adult mentor volunteers. I’m certain they will provide us with plenty of information to help us be caring and inquiring individuals. 

Our celebration of the Chinese New Year will take place on Tuesday, February 25 at 2:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. Students in grades 1-4 will be performing to celebrate the Year of the Rat. Join us if your schedule allows.

Conference Day is Friday, February 28 and there are no classes for students. Please check with your child’s classroom teacher to confirm or schedule a time to meet.

Our Kindergarten Orientation for the 2020-2021 school year will take place on Thursday, March 5 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Pass on this information to your friends and neighbors who have children of kindergarten age.

Finally, I want to share my Seven Daily Do’s for Mercer students:
  1. Listen
  2. Be nice
  3. Keep your hands and feet to yourself
  4. Walk in the hallways
  5. Use appropriate voice levels
  6. Show what you know
  7. And always remember that you are smart, you are blessed and you can do ANYTHING!



Lindsay Florence
IB PYP Exhibition & 4th Grade 
Mercer School  
Monday, February 24, 2020
4:30-6:30 p.m.

Theme:  How We Express Ourselves

Central Idea:  Emotions motivate risk-takers to accept challenges.

The IB PYP Exhibition is the culminating event of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, which reflects student learning from kindergarten through fourth grade.  

Students research a real-world issue about which they are concerned and use the central idea to guide their research. They are guided by a community member who mentors them throughout the process with the support of their classroom teacher and the IB coordinator. It all culminates on Exhibition day when the students share their collaborative group projects and the action they will take to positively impact their causes.

The causes and action have relevance to our world today and help students see the value of making a commitment to helping to make the world a better place!   

We hope to see you there!
Mercer Class of 2020
Ms. Martin's Class Topics

Anxiety
Bereavement
Blindness
Childhood Cancer
Homelessness
Mrs. Richards' Class Topics

A.D.H.D.
Anxiety
Gender Inequality
Lead Poisoning
Racism
Ms. Wysocki's Class Topics

Bullying
Dyslexia &Dyscalculiaa
E-Cigarettes
Hunger
Mindfulness
Popcorn & Spirit Lunch 

Join your child for lunch TODAY for Mercer's Spirit/Popcorn Day. The Spirit Store will be open and popcorn will be passed out to all children during lunch. Show your Mercer spirit and wear your Red & White!  

Lunch times are:
Pre-K and *Kindergarten: 11:30-11:55am
First Grade: 12:00-12:25pm
Second Grade: 12:30-12:55pm
Third Grade: 1:00-1:25pm
Fourth Grade: 1:30-1:55pm

* Please note Kindergarten lunch period is at 11:30am instead of the 12:30pm only on Popcorn/Spirit Days in order to accommodate everyone.  


The PTO is also looking for 2 volunteers for each lunch period to help pass out popcorn. Please sign up via the Sign Up Genius link.
Chinese New Year Program Rescheduled

Our 2020 Chinese New Year Program that was to take place on January 24 will now take place on Tuesday, February 25 at 2:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. Students in Grades 1-4 will be performing under the direction of our wonderful Mandarin Chinese Language Teachers. Come join us to celebrate the Year of the Rat!  
Mercer Skates

Mark your calendars! Mercer Skates at Thornton Park Ice Arena is this Sunday, February 23rd from 4:15 to 6:15 pm. Admission and skate rental is FREE for Mercer families. We will be selling baked goods and a few other concessions, with proceeds going to support the Mercer PTO.

Speaking of baked goods....we are looking for contributions to the bake sale! Please sign up using the link if you would like to donate some sweet treats or help during the event. Questions? Contact Michelle Arendt McGrath at [email protected] or Hillary Teague at [email protected] .

Volunteers needed to provide treats and help at the event! You can sign up at our Volunteer Sign up link .
Join us for the next PTO Meeting on Wednesday, February 26 from 7-8:30pm in the Mercer Library. We will be discussing recruitment for the 2020-21 school year's PTO Roster, upcoming events at Mercer, community outreach, and an update on EdChoice.


Questions? Contact our PTO Co-Presidents at [email protected]
Clothing Donations Needed

Hello! My name is Jasmine Collier. I am a junior at Shaker Heights High School, and I used to attend Mercer Elementary School. I made lots of great memories there including playing outside with my new friends at recess. 

I am working with Mercer to periodically collect items that the school needs. Mercer greatly appreciates spare clothing items for students who may need them in emergencies or for playing outside. Currently, we are asking for donations of sweat pants, snow pants, and gloves; all sizes 6-14. 

It is easy to participate. Please contact me at [email protected] if you can donate and give me your home address. On March 1, between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. I will come to you and get the items. If that time doesn’t work feel free to email me to arrange a better time. Please leave them in a bag on your front porch. 

Thank you so much,
Jasmine Collier
Storybuilders Registration is Open!

Story Forum’s Storybuilders© uses a collaborative story building process where children build friendships while developing their own complex characters and storylines. They then work together to create a final project (play, podcast, art piece, etc.). Throughout the process, they practice social skills in a wonderfully fun, subtle, yet effective way.

For Grades K-4
Dates: Thursdays, April 2-May 21
Time: 3:30-4:25 pm
Fee: $120
(reduced fee option for SNAP recipients available through in person registration
at Thornton Park)
Registration: Through Shaker Recreation call 216.491.1295 or in person at Thornton Park. Registration Deadline is March 20


Limited Enrollment
Bus available to current riders only with 2 weeks advance notice
Announcing:
Your NYC VIP All Access Pass

Line up the sitter and pack your bags: This year’s Big Raffle for A Night for the Red & White is the NYC VIP All Access Pass! Raffle tickets are on sale now, and only 150 tickets will be sold! 

Get out of town - and go out on the town - in the city that never sleeps: New York, New York! Your VIP pass provides three nights at the Park Lane Hotel overlooking Central Park; round-trip airfare for two; a $250 gift certificate to the iconic landmark restaurant, Tavern on the Green; an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Met Cloisters provided by curator Griffith Mann (former director of the Cleveland Museum of Art); and a special access tour of the 9/11 Museum and Memorial (provided by Shaker graduate Megan Jones, senior director of education at the museum.) And your trip starts and ends in style, with Larry Hill Private Car Service to and from Hopkins airport! 

Raffle tickets   for this package, valued at $3200, GO ON SALE MONDAY for $100 each and anyone may purchase. Still haven’t bought your   tickets to A Night for the Red & White?   Be sure to get them now, as no tickets are sold at the door! You’ll enjoy dinner, student performances, dancing to the 11-piece show band, SHOUT! and bidding on unique silent auction items for every interest. Anyone may bid on auction items  online  beginning one week prior to the event. 

Come out to support the Shaker Schools on March 7, 2020 at the Cleveland Hilton Downtown and have a fabulous time doing it.
line up the sitter and pack your bags: This year’s Big Raffle for A Night for the Red & White is the NYC VIP All Access Pass! Raffle tickets are on sale now, and only 150 tickets will be sold! 
Homework Help

Does your child need help with their daily homework routine? Does homework take much longer than it should? The  Elementary   Homework Center,  located in Woodbury's library, could be the answer. You can drop your child off for a ONE HOUR session with a certified teacher. There is no cost. No appointment necessary.

The center is open each week Monday-Thursday from 4:30-7:00.
Special Education
Autism Support Group
Did you know the Shaker Heights School District has an Autism Support Group for district families raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? It’s an opportunity for families to be part of a supportive network of individuals who offer each other emotional support as well as practical advice. Click here to see the flyer.

The Parent Mentor Program is a resource available to families who need information, guidance, or support through any phase of the special education process .  The program, which is funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Education , provides assistance to families of children on IEPs at no cost to the family . To receive more information about this program or to request support from the Parent Mentor, contact Holly Palda at
295-4372 or by email at [email protected] .
 
The PTO Special Education/Learning Difference Parent/Caregiver Group is the source for meeting other families of children with special needs and the professionals that serve them. For more information about the PTO Special Education Parent/Caregiver Group, contact Chairperson Lydia Beard at [email protected] . Please let Lydia know if you have topics/areas of opportunity/concern that you would the group to address this school year.
Community Builders
CommUnity Speaker Series

Academic Roadmaps: Your Student's Journey PreK-12
Wednesday, February 26
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Onaway Gym

Join us for a panel discussion on the student academic experience in Shaker from "start to finish." Principals from Onaway, Woodbury, Shaker Heights Middle School, and Shaker Heights High School will share their insights about what an academic experience is like in each individual school across the system. This is a unique opportunity to preview what's to come, whether you have a child who is just starting out or moving to a new building. 
Let's Connect!

Are you interested in creating a friendship with a family from another country? The City of Shaker Heights Human Relations Task is looking for internationally-minded people from the U.S. who are interested in making a cultural connection with an international Shaker family. This could be as simple as a cup of tea or coffee and conversation, inviting an international parent to attend a meeting or event with you at school, or connect with events taking place in the city of Shaker Heights.  

We are helping to create a list of interested folks for the city of Shaker Heights. 
Please email Francine Lasley,  [email protected]  to express your interest. Thank you!
Box Tops Fall Collection Happening Now! 

Clip Box Tops from your favorite products and send them to school during our Fall Collection drive. Each clip brings Mercer 10 cents! 

There will be a box in the Main Office for collecting them.

For more information, visit their website: https://www.boxtops4education.com/
Did You Register Your Heinen's Loyalty Card?

Earn money for the Mercer PTO by participating in Heinen’s Teaming Up for Education Program. Simply register your Heinen’s Tasteful Rewards shopping card and select Mercer Elementary School to help raise funds for the Mercer PTO. Heinen's will donate 1% on qualified purchases made between September 1 and April 30 to the Mercer PTO.  

Even if you registered your card in the past, you must do it again. The Heinen’s program requires participants to register their Heinen’s Tasteful Rewards card and make a school selection each school year.  You can register your card online ( heinens.com/schools ), via phone (1-855-475-2300 extension 2377) or in-store at the Customer Service Desk. 
Earn Dollars from Giant Eagle
Register your Giant Eagle Advantage Card and use it when you shop. Family and Friends can participate too! Register each card at:  http://Gianteagle.com/afts


You do not need to be a Mercer parent to participate in either program. Please encourage friends and family to register their cards and select Mercer Elementary School. Money from both of these programs adds up quickly and helps the Mercer PTO provide additional programming for our kids. 
Note for all Newsletter Submissions

News entries for the Mercer Mailbox should be submitted by 12 noon on the Wednesday before in order to be included in that week's newsletter.
Note that only Mercer-related content can be submitted here. Community information must be submitted through the District's VP of Communications for approval.
For questions, please contact Jill Lipman , Newsletter Editor.
Helpful Links
The Shaker Heights Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is dedicated to facilitating the active and informed involvement of all parents and families to achieving the educational success and well being of children. You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Shaker Heights Schools PTO. 
 
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