Garfield Gazette

Dear Garfield Families,

It’s been an exceptional start to the school year. Over the past two weeks, our students have been involved in lessons, both inside and outside the classroom, exploring what it takes to thrive in our school community.

Strong communication and collaboration between school and home are key to our collective success. We encourage you to stay actively involved by keeping up with our monthly newsletters, attending school events, participating in PTSA meetings, and maintaining open lines of communication with teachers.

Your support and feedback are crucial as we work together to achieve our shared goals. We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to a fulfilling and successful journey together.

April Patton

Principal

Greetings,

Welcome to the start of a new school year! We are excited to embark on this journey with you and are committed to making it a successful and rewarding experience for all.

We encourage all students to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them, both inside and outside the classroom. If you have any questions about classwork or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your teachers. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Getting involved in extracurricular activities is a great way to enhance the school experience, make new friends, and develop new skills. We encourage students to explore the many clubs, sports, and activities we offer.

As members of our school community, it is important that all students follow the rules and act as good citizens, both in school and in the wider community. By doing so, we create a positive learning environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.

Together, we can make this a fantastic year filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences. We look forward to working with you and achieving great things together!

Best,

Ouimet Smith

Assistant Principal

9/2 Labor Day - No School

9/3 Board of Education/PTA Ice Cream Social @ 6:15 pm in the Garfield Cafeteria

9/12 The Emotional Lives of Kids & Teenagers: An Evening with Dr. Lisa Damour @ 6:00 pm in Civic

9/18 First PTSA meeting @ 7:00 pm in the LRC

9/21 Marching Band Festival @ 6:00 pm

9/25 LHS Showcase @ 6:00 pm

9/27 8th Grade Field Trip Nelson Ledges

10/3 Orchestra Pops Concert @ 7:00 pm in Civic

10/4 Homecoming Parade @ 5:30 pm

Many of our extracurricular clubs are beginning. All students are encouraged to get involved. Our club offerings will increase as the school year continues.

Our Garfield 8th grade fall play is the comedy Romeo & Winifred.

Are you interested in running or doing yoga?

Whether you're a seasoned member or a newbie, join us for an informational meeting about Cardio and Flow Club on:

Monday, September 9th after school

in Mrs. Duhr’s (Room 114)

We want your input, so please remember to bring your Chromebook or your phone to the meeting so we can take a quick survey. There’s a limited number of spots, so first come, first served. Hope to see you there!

SAVE THE DATE:

Community Yoga Night, November 20, 2024

Reindeer Run, December 14, 2024

All 8th grade students must have this form signed before beginning Health class. If your student has Health quarters 2-4, please complete this form as soon as possible.

https://forms.gle/Z3FfbYEEe27DwcSi8

Keep an eye out for details about this year's exciting field trips! First up will be our fantastic adventure to Nelson Ledges, scheduled for the end of September. Stay tuned for more information!

The planning for the exciting 2025 Washington D.C. trip is underway, and we’re thrilled to get started! During the week of Labor Day, each 8th-grade student will receive an information packet with all the essential details about this fantastic adventure.

The total cost of the trip is $642, which includes transportation, eight meals, two nights of lodging, all admissions, two t-shirts, nighttime security at the hotel, and a tour guide throughout the journey.

To secure your spot, please visit the tour guide's website at www.nowaktours.com. Be sure to register and pay an initial deposit of $214 by November 1 to guarantee your child's participation. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity for an unforgettable experience!

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact Mr. Branco at ben.branco@lakewoodcityschools.org. We look forward to an incredible trip!

Important Dates

November 1, 2024: Registration and deposit of $214 due at www.nowaktours.com

January 10, 2025: Second Payment of $214 due

March 14, 2025: Final Payment due

May 7, 2025: Mandatory Student/Parent meeting @ GMS Café

May 14, 2025: Students report to GMS at 6am to leave for trip

May 16, 2025: Trip returns to GMS by 9pm

Please see below for what's new in 2024:

• Admission Gates are located at Bunts Rd. and Madison Ave. Due to construction the south parking lot gate is closed.

• Tickets may be purchased online in advance or via cash at both admission gates.

• Bags, backpacks, sports bags and oversized purses are strictly prohibited.

• Acceptable sized purses must be no larger than 12” X 6” X 12.” All purses are subject to inspection.

• Students should remain in designated areas and avoid loitering in walkways and aisles.

• Re-entry is strictly prohibited.

• Alcohol, smoking, vaping or tobacco products of any kind are prohibited on all Lakewood City Schools Property.

• No bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, scooters or other vehicles are permitted within the First Federal of Lakewood Athletic Complex.

• Only service animals permitted.

• Balls or other outside sports equipment are prohibited during events.

• Use of the facility is by permit only. No public use of facility allowed during events and instructional time.

• Weapons of any kind are prohibited.

Hello Garfield Families!

Welcome back to another exciting year at Garfield! As we kick off the 2024-25 school year, we invite you to join our Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and be an active part of our school community.

The PTSA plays a vital role in supporting our students, teachers, and staff, and we would love for you to be a part of it. Whether you are a parent, guardian, teacher, staff member, or student, your membership is valued and makes a difference.

Our first PTSA meeting of the year will be held on Wednesday, September 18th at 7:00pm in the Garfield LRC (enter through the flagpole doors). This is a great opportunity to meet other parents, share your ideas and learn more about how you can get involved in the upcoming school year.

Membership Information: Dues:$7 per member

Who Can Join: Parents, Guardians, Teachers, Staff AND Students

Benefits for Student Members: FREE entry to the 2 PTSA dances

Joining the PTSA is a wonderful way to stay connected with our school community, support important programs and events, and ensure that every student at Garfield has the best possible experience. Your involvement, whether big or small, truly makes a difference.

We hope to see you at our first meeting on September 18th and look forward to working together to make this year a successful one for all of our students!

Thank you for your continued support and welcome back!

Katie Collins & Kristen Moran Garfield PTSA Co-Presidents

Like us on Facebook!
If you have any questions, reach out to us at garfieldmsptsa@gmail.com

Lakewood City Schools is pleased to host renowned child development expert and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Lisa Damour on Thursday, Sept. 12 to speak on the emotional lives of kids and teenagers. The event is free and open to the public and takes place in the Civic Auditorium.

Come and learn how to help your child navigate their growing-up years!

Connecting for Kids (CFK) provides resources, support and community to families in Northeast Ohio who have concerns about their child. We serve all families, including those children with and without diagnoses.