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Why I Love Lakewood
By: Owen Ross

I love Lakewood for many reasons. Some of those reasons are all the events, the awesome pizza shops and the beautiful parks. Everywhere I go in Lakewood everyone is so nice, it is a community of kindness. I love living here and I feel it is the best city ever.

The first reason I love Lakewood is all the events during the year. Some of my favorites are the Lakewood Arts Festival, Lakewood Summer Meltdown and Light Up Lakewood. Lakewood Arts Festival is fun for me because my mom sells her art there and I like going to see her and all the other beautiful artwork for sale by so many talented people. Lakewood Summer Meltdown is fun because there are sprinklers to play in and lots of good music. I like seeing all my friends there and sometimes I even meet new friends. Finally, I love Light Up Lakewood because there is a parade, beautiful lights, and I get to see fireworks.

The second reason I love Lakewood is all the restaurants, especially the pizza places. I love eating all kinds of pizza and Lakewood has some of the best pizza places in Cleveland, like Angelo’s, Harlow’s, Booms, and Tomari’s. Those are some of my favorites and I love going to them with my family. Everyone that works there is always so nice and the pizza is always delicious. When I grow up I want to open a pizza shop in Lakewood.

Next, I love Lakewood for the parks. Lakewood has so many parks for playing and hiking. I love going down sit on the solstice steps to look at the lake and walking down the path to see the Cleveland skyline. I spend a lot of time in the summer at the Lakewood pool with my friends, the new water slides are my favorite. There are also so many different playgrounds in the parks that I can go to a different one every day of the week. How cool is that?!

Finally I love Lakewood for all the kind and helpful people. Everyone you meet in shops, in your neighborhood or even walking down the street is always so friendly and I love how diverse our city is. The people make Lakewood so special and that is a big reason I love Lakewood.

In conclusion, Lakewood is the best city full of awesome events, great pizza shops, great parks and, of course, great people. I love it here in Lakewood and I hope to live here for a long time.

Please read on for important “start of year” information. Most school updates will be sent via email. If you are not receiving district and school emails, update and submit your information by updating information in the Registration Gateway.  This can be accessed through the Lakewood City Schools website.  If you need assistance, please contact our office. 

Important Dates: 

• August 18: Class lists available in Clever at 4:00 pm

• August 24: PTA Popsicle Night (playground) 

• August 24: Material drop off 5:00pm-6:00pm - enter through Lakewood Hts. doors

  • Class lists will be posted at this time as well outside of the entrance (Grades 1-5)

• August 25: First Day of School for Grades 1-5

• August 25, 26, 27: Kindergarten Screening Appointments 

• August 29th: Kindergarten Curriculum Night 6:00-7:00 pm

• August 30: First Day of School for Kindergarten Students

• August 31: Curriculum Night 6:00-7:00 pm (Grades 1-5)

• September 12: First PTA Meeting 6:30 pm 

• September 28: Picture Day

Staff Update:

Please join me in welcoming the following new and returning staff members, as well as staff members with new roles at Hayes  Elementary! 

• Lauren Katona -1st Grade Teacher

• Greg Ealy - Intervention Specialist

• Beth Saylor - Paraprofessional

• Kayleigh Sykora - Media Specialist

• Brad Karabaic - PE Teacher

• Stephanie Grant - Band

• Pattie Mullinax - Orchestra

School Bell Schedule:

Children that walk to school must enter and exit the school building through the Delaware Avenue doors.  During morning arrival time students are expected to line up on their designated sidewalk lane which is clearly marked by grade level. Upon dismissal time students are expected to use their designated sidewalk lane to access the front Delaware Avenue sidewalk.  Children should stay off the grass and out of the existing flower beds and plantings. 

When it is raining the children may seek shelter underneath the covered entrance areas.  This does not abdicate the need for children to arrive as close to the 8:45 a.m. bell as possible.

Children that get a ride to school may enter and exit the school building through the main entrance doors off the parking lot or the Delaware Avenue doors.  For further clarification on this process, please see the section entitled, Traffic Directives:  Morning Drop-Off & Afternoon Pick-Up.

Children that arrive at school after 9:00 a.m. must enter the building through the main entrance doors facing the parking lot and report to the school office.  They will be given a tardy slip and sent to class.

Children are expected to leave school property upon dismissal and go directly home unless they are involved in a school-sponsored activity/club. Students may not enter the playground area without an adult until 4:00 pm. 

Traffic Directives: Morning Drop-off and Afternoon Pick-up

 Every adult is expected to follow the Hayes School drop-off and pick up plan.

The success of these plans depends on you. We understand that at times, especially in bad weather, you may have to wait, but your patience and cooperation are important for the safety of the children.

1. All children must exit and enter their cars on the curb-side...no exceptions. SAFETY FIRST! The safety of your child is paramount.

2. Enter at the east end of the parking lot. Drive west on the N. Marginal to Olive Ave., turn right onto Olive Ave. and then turn left into the parking lot. Please note that when school is in session, Olive Ave off Delaware Ave is a Do Not Enter from 8:00am.–4:00 pm.

3. Remain in your car and form a single-file line, curb side closest to the building. You need to display your child’s name in the front passenger window (provided by Hayes). As vehicles execute a successful drop-off/pick up, pull ahead to the Main Entrance. Remain in your car. (Your child will be escorted to you). NO PARKING! 

4. Exit at the west end of the parking lot. Exit south and turn right only (One Way) onto the N. Marginal and proceed to the traffic light at the intersection of the N. Marginal and Woodward Avenue.

5. Drivers must not drop-off and/or pick-up students on the north side of Delaware Avenue or the N. Marginal. We ask for your cooperation as children crossing traffic creates an unsafe situation and is an accident waiting to happen.

6.  The parking lot side of the building will be for people remaining in line in their vehicle.  No Parking and no waiting outside the door for your child. 

Specials Rotation:

Elementary students will have five specials this year, one on each day of the week. They are: Information and Digital Literacy, Physical Education, Music, Art, and STEM. Fifth graders who elect to play an instrument will have two days of Band or Orchestra, Physical Education, Art, and STEM. Your child’s classroom teacher will share the class schedule with you at the start of the year. 

Absence Line: Please call 216-529-4304 to report absences. This will help to keep our office line open for other needs. You can call this number and leave a message 24/7.

School Safety Tip Line: The Safer Ohio School Tip Line is a free safety resource available to all Ohio schools. The tip line is an anonymous reporting system that accepts both calls and texts 24 hours a day. Calls or texts to 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) are answered by analysts within Ohio Homeland Security. We encourage everyone in our community to use this tip line if they hear or see something suspicious or unusual. #SpeakUpSaveLives

Medications: If your child needs medication administered during the school day, a parent should plan to bring in the medication and a completed authorization form to Back to School Night or on the first day of school. The form can be found on the Lakewood City Schools website. Click on “Forms” and select the appropriate form (for prescribed medication, EpiPen, and/or inhaler). For further information, please visit the district website, Click on “Departments” and select “Health Services” or contact our school health center. 

I am looking forward to a wonderful 2023-2024 school year!  Should you have any questions or need anything, please feel free to contact me by phone at 216-529-4228 or by email at eric.fortuna@lakewoodcityschools.org. For more information,  please view our family handbook on the school website. 

Sincerely,

Eric Fortuna, Principal

Hayes Elementary School

Lakewood City Schools