Chris Checkett (left) was recognized by the Fairview Park City School District [FPCS], district officials and Gilles-Sweet Elementary Principal Barb Schutte (right) for going above and beyond.

Checkett has been instrumental in ensuring the success of the Mosaic Project in Fairview Park. He has helped collaborate with staff, students, community members and organizations to develop a model initiative as a positive response to the learning needs of our changing population in Fairview Park. Checkett, along with FHS Principal Cary Wilgren and several staff and community volunteers, have spent the last two years creating and implementing an action plan to address the diverse needs of the FPCS student population and community.

In the Know
The Mosaic Project is a school community enrichment initiative sponsored by the FPCS. The mission of the Mosaic Project is to build a culture of respect in the FPCS through awareness raising, education and relationship building among students, staff and families.

To learn more about the Mosaic Project, click here.

At the Feb. 19, 2008 FPCS Regular Board Meeting, the FPCS Board reaffirmed the pledge installed by the FPCS Board back in November of 2006.

Board Pledge from November 2006

• We will not seek another new money levy for at least five years.
  
• We will continue tight-fisted fiscal management of the district's finances.
• We will continue to support  our superior leadership team as the restructure and revitalize our school system.
• We will fortify our educators with the textbooks, technology and resources they need to best serve our children.
• We will continue to strove for and excellent rating on our local report card.
• We will maintain and properly care for our facilities.
• We will continue to provide opportunities to listen and respond to concerns and ideas of community members.
  
• We will preserve the high quality education we provide to all Fairview Park City School students.

Family Tech Night
The school's first annual Family Technology Night was held on Jan. 30, 2008. Gilles-Sweet First Grade and Technology Teacher Matt Dunlap coordinated the event and presented to the parents different technology topics and issues.

Build a Book
Build a Book Night at Gilles-Sweet was held on Feb. 7, 2008. The event was hosted by the school's library and had over 280 family members attend.

Father/Daughter Dance
Third Annual PTA Father/Daughter Sweet Pea Dance was held on Feb. 15. Over 240 girls and 190 fathers attended.

Harvest for Hunger
Gilles-Sweet has reached 80 percent of their goal for their Harvest for Hunger and Marion Seltzer Elementary School Supply Drive. Over 1500 items have been donated to the local Fairview Park Hunger Shelter, and the rest of the items to the Cleveland Food Bank.

Vet Valentines
For Valentine's day, Janet Lavell's sixth grade class and Peg Fishell's fifth grade class sent over 200 valentines to soldiers in Iraq.

Coming Up
Gilles-Sweet is considering to adopt an extended class time for kindergartners who screen behind grade level during their first month of kindergarten. Children who qualify would attend an extra hour of kindergarten each day in a class between a.m. and p.m. kindergarten classes.

Lewis F. Mayer Middle School

Academic Field Trip
As a reward for their academic achievement, students
earning a 2.25 GPA or above for the second grading
period were treated to a bowling party at Fairview Lanes on
Thursday, Feb. 14. Over 191 students qualified.

Curriculum Night 2008-2009
Incoming seventh grade students and their parents are invited to the annual curriculum night scheduled for Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fairview High School Auditorium. Students and parents will have the opportunity to learn about LFM curriculum, receive information about LFM athletics and more.

Homework Help desk
Starting the week of Feb. 25, students may choose to participate in the new Homework Help Desk program. The program will assist students to help complete their homework, while receiving additional instructional help. The free program is offered to students Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Ohio Achievement Tests
Tests will be administered to Ohio students April 21 through May 1. OAT results are expected back by June 15. For information regarding the tests, practice tests, and copies of previous tests, please visit the Ohio Department of Education website at: www.ode.state.oh.us

Fairview High School

FHS Music
On Feb. 4, 23 FHS band and chour students performed at the Westshore Conference Honors Music Symposium. FHS Chamber Orchestra played the prelude.

Curriculum Night
FHS curriculum night was held on Feb. 20. Topics included: local and state requirements, S.B. 311, course progressions, scheduling process, AP/Honors information, Polaris Career Center and the Post Secondary Education Option.

Youth in Government Week
Fairview Park League of Women Voters hosted the FHS Youth in Government Week Feb. 19 - 21. Events included: speakers such as Fairview Park Mayor Eileen Patton, Criminal Defense Attorney William McGinty, Judge Dick Ambrose and Fairview Park City Council President James Robatin. A presentation by the Board of Election and a mock election. 

Ohio Graduation Test
Tests will be administered the week of March 10 - 14. Monday - Reading, Tuesday - Math, Wednesday - Writing, Thursday - Science and Friday - Social Studies. Sophomores need to report at 7:45 a.m., the rest of the student body will have a delayed start at 9:00 a.m.

Coming Up
March 5 - District Band Concert - FHS Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
March 6 - Chorale Concert - FHS Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
March 13 - Winter Sports Awards - FHS Auditorium 6:30 p.m.
March 19 - District Orchestra Concert - FHS Auditorium 7:30 p.m.