Mercer Mailbox
January 31, 2020
Mercer Mailbox is a weekly publication of the   Mercer PTO .  
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Upcoming Events
February 14 - Valentine's/Friendship Day
February 17 - President's Day (No School)
February 20 - 4th Grade Mixer @ Woodbury
February 21 - Popcorn/Spirit Day
February 24 - 4th Grade Exhibition Presentations
February 26 - PTO Meeting
February 28 - Conference Day (No School)
February 28 - Sweetheart Dance (PreK-4)

Visit the  Online Calendar   and filter by Mercer  for more upcoming events.
Next Week's Field Trips
Tuesday, February 4
  • DeScenna/Feinstein to Cleveland Museum of Art

  • Nosse to SHHS Planetarium
A Word From Mr. Florence
Our annual Scholastic and Used Book Fair was an amazing success thanks to the efforts of the Mercer PTO and numerous volunteers. Our students truly enjoy this wonderful event and it is great to see them excited about books.

We enjoy and welcome you when visit Mercer Elementary School. Please remember that all visitors must first report to the office and sign in via the School Gate Guardian system. This is applicable any time you are in the building whether visiting a classroom, dropping off a lunch or homework, walking your child to class, coming to volunteer or attending a meeting. This procedure keeps us informed who is in the building for reasons of safety and security. We appreciate your cooperation.

Family reports for the Fall 2019 Ohio Grade 3 English/Language Arts Assessment were sent home via backpack mail with 3rd graders along with a letter explaining scores. These results, along with MAP scores for students in Grades K-4, are available through the Abre portal at https://shaker.abre.io/ . Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding these or any student assessments.

Door G on Wimbledon Road and the carpool line at Door F are not staffed after 9:10 a.m. Students and parents arriving after this time in the morning must report to Door A in the front of the building for admittance.

Life reminds us that it is important to appreciate the present, love your family and cherish the precious time we have. The great Walter Payton stated “ Most important thought, if you love someone, tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.”

Have a great weekend.  


Lindsay Florence
NOTE: Chinese New Year Assembly Postponed

The assembly for the Chinese New Year that was scheduled for today, (Friday, January 31) will not be taking place, but will be rescheduled for a later date. Updated information will be posted here, on the Mercer page of www.shaker.org and emails. Contact the Mercer office at 216.295.4070 if you have any questions.  
Black History Month "Heroes with Heart"

Be an inquirer! To help celebrate Black History Month, students and their families can identify a "Black History Month Hero with Heart" they would like to learn more about. This hero can be someone from history, current events, or someone you know! 

During the month of February, students’ Heroes with Heart reflections will be hanging in the Mercer Action Gallery, and Mercer Ambassadors will read from many of the written responses on the morning announcements! You can choose from the suggestions listed  on this document (that was sent home in your child’s folder this week) or choose your own hero with heart! Feel free to use the questions and lines on the back or create your own way to display your hero with heart. 

Please give your project to your teacher to turn in to Ms. Gosses’s mailbox by Monday February 3rd!  



The Mercer Play Needs Volunteers!





We are looking for parent co-chairs and volunteers. Even if you cannot make the afternoon rehearsals, you can still help!

Parent co-chair/volunteer duties will include: organizing auditions, supervising rehearsals on Wednesday afternoons between 3:30 and 4:30pm, coordinating supplemental activities during rehearsals, communicating with teachers and parents throughout the process, organizing additional volunteers as needed, MAKE UP! COSTUMES! SET CREATION-- and supporting the additional needs spelled out by the director.

If you attend rehearsals, you are welcome to bring younger children along.

If you are interested in helping or have any questions, please contact Lauren Klein at
Lauren5841@gmail.com. The show cannot go on without you!
Donations Appreciated
Our school clinic is in need of like-new or new sweatpants for boys and girls in sizes 4 through 12. Feel free to drop off items to the Mercer Main Office. We appreciate your help!
Internet safety presentation for all Shaker parents and guardians

Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m.
SMS auditorium

Shaker Middle School PTO invites all Shaker parents and guardians for a free presentation at Shaker Middle School.

This program is geared towards educating parents and guardians of today’s internet-connected youth about the dangers of the internet, mobile apps, sharing personal information, and online interactions.

The presenter from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will focus on the dangers of popular internet sites and mobile apps, specifically with regard to problem areas and potential red flags. Cyberbullying and sexting, and the consequences associated with these dangerous trends, will also be discussed. The presentation will provide attendees with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves and their children, with time allotted for questions and discussion. Download this flyer for more information or visit this link: https://www.shaker.org/Downloads/Shaker%20Middle%20Feb%2020%202020%20FINAL.pdf


*For Parents and Guardians Only*
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 palda_h@shaker.org .
 
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 ljb8@case.edu . Please let Lydia know if you have topics/areas of opportunity/concern that you would the group to address this school year.
Community Builders
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,  lasley_f@shaker.org  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
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