Like many of his fellow students at Lakewood High School, Olliver Petkac has long been fascinated with the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of the natural world. “Collecting gemstones, fossils, and rocks has been a hobby of his since we can remember,” according to Olliver’s parents. So when students in Olliver’s ninth-grade accelerated geophysics course were given an assignment to create a science project requiring original research, Olliver didn’t think twice about which topic to choose for his project...

Because the Lakewood Observer and I believe in the power of teachers to make monumental changes in a child’s life, the Lakewood Observer will sponsor a contest for individuals to write about the way in which a teacher has touched and changed their life for the better, or their child's life. This can be either a past or present teacher, but must be about a teacher from one of Lakewood's educational institutions. Finalist's submissions will be published in the Lakewood Observer...

The Lakewood City Schools in conjunction with the Lakewood Public Library asks Lakewood to come together for children during the Week of the Young Child April 13 – 19, 2008. As part of the national Week of the Young Child celebrated across the country, Lakewood is honoring young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives...

Students from Garfield Middle School, in conjunction with a group of volunteers from Lakewood Department of Human Services, Division of Aging recently participated in the Legacy Project, a nationwide essay-writing contest. The Legacy Project involved students meeting individually with older adults to learn about their lives: their dreams, goals, achievements and challenges...

“Aaaaw!” The sound of many disappointed spectators filled the natatorium as another boat sank to the bottom of the pool. But this wasn’t just any boat. It was one of the 46 boats created by physics students and clubs from Lakewood High School for the 6th annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. The boats were constructed out of only a double layer of cardboard and clear packing tape. Over 150 physics students had been working hard for 6 weeks to create these boats, and the afternoon of March 12th would be the day to show off what hard work they had done...

March 4th was a banner day at Franklin Elementary School. While election polls were held in the gymnasium, Lakewood ABLE/PLUS (Adult Basic and Literacy Education) held its first annual Community Resource Fair. Representatives from the local community shared their information and handed out pamphlets, giveaways, and more importantly, free advice. Students could access information about health care, resources for their children, and learn about library services and programs. More than sixty students had the opportunity to get their blood pressure checked, and fill their bags with goodies. Two of our staff members, Susan Crane and Lisa Shaver were instrumental in organizing this wonderful morning...

LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AFTER-PROM COMMITTEE is having a PARTY at CLEATS Join the Senior Class Parents and Friends for food, fun and beverage to raise funds for the class of ‘08’s After Prom Event. Cleats will donate 10% of each patron’s bill to LHS’s After Prom Committee. Cleats - 14810 Detroit Ave. Friday, March 7, 2008 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. FYI: The LHS After Prom is funded totally by the senior parents and community contributions. The money that the senior class won from the Prom Raiders contest must be spent only on the Prom itself. Thanks for your support.

Mrs. Eiben, a seventh grade language arts and social studies teacher at Garfield Middle School, had the opportunity to visit a Turkish school in Istanbul. The school she visited is a sister school with Kent Sate University. As a matter of fact it is even named Kent State College (in Turkey college means school). Two Kent State professors have been traveling to Istanbul for the past three years to work with the teachers and share teaching practices. Kent State College is a private school that has been open for three years. The purpose of the school is to teach the children in both Turkish and English. Many of the students hope to attend college in the United States...

On Thursday evening, January 24, 2008, Dr. Charles Greanoff and his American History students from Lakewood High School met at the pavilion at Lakewood Park with twenty or so veterans of the Second World War, their friends, and some family members. Dr. Greanoff is a life-long Lakewood resident, graduate of Lakewood Schools himself, and is now a social studies teacher at Lakewood High School...

As any kid in Maureen Marshall’s class can tell you, Saturday January 12, 2008 was an extremely interesting day. That’s because the Invention Convention was held at the Great Lakes Science Center. If you have never been to the Invention Convention, it’s a contest where kids present a one-of-a-kind invention to the judges. They compete for the Edison Award. The first timers from Lincoln School brought back three of the eight awards...

Dear Commission Members and Community Members,

You are invited to attend the Lakewood Community Recreation and Education Commission meeting that is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, January 29, 2008. The will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Auditorium...

On Saturday, January 12, over 140 of the Cleveland Area’s best student inventors showcased their creations at The Second Annual Cleveland Regional Invention Convention, held at The Great Lakes Science Center. Participants were pre-selected from over 250 schools from districts in Cuyahoga, Lorain and Medina Counties to take part in this year’s competition. Six Lakewood students from Lincoln Elementary brought home awards, including the Grand Prize...

I appreciate the confidence and support of the voters of Lakewood in re-electing me to the Lakewood Board of Education. It has been a great honor to have served on this board for 24 years. It has been personally rewarding and intellectually challenging. I have learned much – about roofing materials, teaching reading, bonds and ratings, special education and school law, computers and new technologies...

As the newest member of the Lakewood City School District Board of Education, I am indeed honored by the trust bestowed upon me by the Citizens of Lakewood...

Why I Am Voting Markling for the Lakewood School Board

With a service commitment to the Lakewood Board of Education that began in 1986, W. Charles Geiger, III exemplifies for many in Lakewood the quintessential servant of civic engagement and public stewardship. He is seeking another four year term on the Lakewood School Board.

On November 6, 2007, I'll be voting Matthew John Markling for the Lakewood City Schools Board of Education. In other articles published by the Lakewood Observer, Richard A. Wair and Teresa Coyne Andreani shared with you that they are voting Markling for the Lakewood School Board in part because Markling is dedicated to improving academic excellence and school safety. I would like to share with you Markling’s dedication to leadership.

The Lakewood Early Childhood PTA will host Lakewood Preschool Night, Monday, October 22, at Taft Elementary School’s gymnasium. The forum will begin at 7:45 p.m. and last one hour.

Lakewood Teachers Association Endorse Beebe, Geiger and Lowell for Lakewood City Schools Board of Education

I am running for the Lakewood School Board because my wife, Kathleen, and I believe that I can offer a fresh perspective. I have experience as a community leader, university professor and school attorney. I also have a strong commitment to assuring a future of excellent education for all of Lakewood's children, even those not yet in school, including my sons, Declan and Nevan.

Consider the absurdity of this headline: "Lakewood Students Perform Well!: Schools Failing”. What gives? How can our schools meet more standards than others (i.e., Fairview Park, Shaker Heights, Parma) and be ranked a category below them? The August 15 Plain Dealer does a good job of explaining this contradiction, as does the August 16 Sun Post. (Also, see a reprint of the Lakewood Observer article from last year examining the historical context and motivation behind Standardized Testing).

Back in the early eighties, Don Henley penned the song “Johnny Can't Read” lamenting the fact that there are many “Johnnys” out there who can't read—and, by inference, can't function well in society. Whatever one thinks of Henley’s take on our nation's “Johnny’s”, few dispute that many of our students perform splendidly, while a certain percentage, to put it charitably, fail to thrive.

The Lakewood Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) Program recently celebrated the completion of the 2006-2007 school year by receiving Exemplary Status from the Ohio Department of Education for meeting key performance indicators. This year, over 300 students participated in the ESL and ABE Programs. More than 100 students obtained a GED diploma this year. A Recognition Ceremony was held on June 28, 2007 to honor those students.