Dear Community,
 
I think the weather is finally changing into fall-like temperatures!  While the temperatures may be falling, the activities in and around the North Royalton City Schools are not letting up at all. Fall concert season has begun for our band and choir programs and once again, our award-winning North Royalton High School (NRHS) Marching Band has qualified for the State Marching Band Finals.  Our fall sports are entering their end-of-season tournaments and our senior student-athletes are being recognized at special events.  We wish them all good luck!  Finally, the North Royalton High School Spotlighters will stage our fall play, entitled TRAP, which is scheduled for three performances November 8 through the 10 at the North Royalton High School Performing Arts Center.  Ticket information will be on the District website in the coming weeks.

This past Wednesday was Senior Exit Interview Day at North Royalton High School.  I had the opportunity to meet with wonderful students and talk to them about their experiences at NRHS and what the future holds for them.  I was impressed with each person I met with and I am confident that our future is in good hands with them.  Many thanks to Career Specialist Jill Larson and the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center for organizing this outstanding "real world" experience for our seniors. 

The North Royalton PTA invited me to sit down with their president, Chris May, to discuss Issue 6, the renewal levy (no tax increase) on the November 6 ballot.  I encourage you to watch the video and be sure to exercise your right to vote either by mail or at the polls.
 
  

I hope that you find this monthly newsletter informative and a good way to keep up-to-date on the happenings of our schools and the Board of Education.  I welcome any thoughts or comments that you have in regards to this or anything dealing with the North Royalton City School s. You can call me at 440-582-9030 or email me at   greg.gurka@northroyaltonsd.org. 

Sincerely,

Greg Gurka
Superintendent
North Royalton City Schools

 
  
Graph 1 compares our monthly operating receipts to the prior year actual for the first three months of our fiscal year (July 2018 through June 2019). It further estimates our collection through our fiscal year end. You will notice two large collection points in our fiscal year, which are July and February. These two months are considerably higher than the others due to real estate collection which represents over 70% of our revenues.  
 
    
Graph 2 compares our monthly operating expenditures to the prior year actual for the first three months of our fiscal year (July 2018 through June 2019). It further estimates our expenditures through our fiscal year end. You will notice a consistent expenditure pattern throughout our fiscal year due to salaries and wages being evenly distributed throughout our fiscal year. 
 
 
Graph 3 illustrates the current actual cumulative monthly operating revenues and expenditures for the first three months of our fiscal year (July 2018 through June 2019). It further estimates our cumulative revenues and expenditures through our fiscal year end. You will notice a gradual increase in both revenues and expenditures as we approach our fiscal year end where revenues and expenditures eventually meet. 
             
 
Graph 4 illustrates our fiscal year to date operating expenditures by category for the first three months of our fiscal year (July 2018 through June 2019).  Salaries & Wages represent approximately 59%, Fringe Benefits 25%, Purchased Services 11%, Materials, Supplies & Textbooks 3%, and the combination of Capital Outlay and Operational Fees 2%.
 

  
LINKS to DISTRICT FINANCIALS:

Click here for the North Royalton City Schools' five-year forecast.

Interested in reading more?  District financial information such as our annual financial reports, forecasts, tax rates, etc., can be found by  clicking here.

Biagio Sidoti, Treasurer
North Royalton City Schools
biagio.sidoti@northroyaltonsd.org




Board of Education Recognizes Students at October Meeting

At the October 8 North Royalton Board of Education meeting, Board members and administrators recognized various students and staff from all five buildings for their commitment to excellence, whether it be through academics, arts, athletics, community service or for exhibiting core values.  

Elementary and Middle School
 
Over the past three years, Albion, Royal View and Valley Vista Elementary have brought the fourth-grade students together for a North Royalton Middle School Spirit Game at Serpentini Stadium. This year's event was held on September 25. Students were bused from each building to the stadium to watch the seventh-grade football team win their game against Nordonia Middle School.  The students cheered, ate wonderful food from the concession stand and had the opportunity to meet their future classmates at the middle school. One representative from each class, in addition to cheerleaders Gabby Green and Abigail Pfeil, spoke at the October Board meeting to explain one special part they enjoyed from the event.

Photo:
Back Row: Greg Gurka, Superintendent; Jeff Hill, Principal, Valley Vista Elementary; Kirk Pavelich, Principal, Royal View Elementary; Vince Ketterer, Principal, Albion Elementary; Jeff Cicerchi, Principal, North Royalton Middle School

Students left to right: Parker Pratt, Royal View Elementary, Kate Mathis, Royal View Elementary, Jillian Fyffe - Valley Vista Elementary, Kamron Liebenguth, Albion Elementary, Miles Hamilton, Royal View Elementary, Ben Hewlett, Albion Elementary, James Candelora - Valley Vista Elementary, Gabby Green, North Royalton Middle School, Conner Townsend - Valley Vista Elementary and Abigail Pfeil, North Royalton Middle School.


North Royalton Middle School
Linda Nickell, a paraprofessional at North Royalton Middle School for 23 years, has been given a Northeast Regional Award by the Ohio Middle Level Association (OMLA). School support staff play an important role in ensuring students are learning in a safe and supportive learning environment. Each year OMLA recognizes educators from around the state with regional awards.

Nickell has worked with many students with a variety of disabilities including severe emotional behaviors, autism, specific learning disabilities, as well as students without disabilities.  "The most important quality that Linda has is empathy, no matter who the student is, with or without a disability, she is there for each and every student in the same way," said Principal Jeff Cicerchi, North Royalton Middle School.  "She is compassionate about helping students whether it is with academics or personal life struggles. She will sit, lend an ear and provide wisdom or encouragement to help those around her find the strength to be successful. Linda leaves a lasting imprint on the hearts of her students, who continue to see her as a mentor and as a friend, even after graduation."
 
"Linda not only impacts all of the students she works with, but the teachers and staff at our school as well," said Sarah Franko, a teacher at North Royalton Middle School.  "Her positive outlook and cheery disposition brighten all lives within our school family. Linda has deeply impacted our instruction by reminding us to think empathetically and to have patience."

"The connections that Linda makes with students and staff are not limited by school walls," said Meredith Stanton, a teacher at North Royalton Middle School.  "Students often see her at community events, running to her with the biggest smile and hug they can muster. Linda is extremely well respected by students, staff, administrators and parents alike. There truly is no one more deserving of this award than Linda, as all who work with her count their blessings each day."

North Royalton High School
Colin Rush, a junior at North Royalton High School (NRHS), was acknowledged for receiving a perfect score of 36 on the ACT test he took in September. In addition to excelling academically, Rush runs on the cross country team, plays piano for the show choir combo band, operates the lights for drama productions and participates as a member of the North Royalton High School Student Council and Kiwanis Key Club.   

Approximately two million students take the ACT college entrance exam and only approximately 2,700 students score the highest score of 36.  That is fewer than .14 percent of students who take it.

A plaque recognizing this accomplishment will be hung in Heritage Hallway at North Royalton High School.
 
 
District Publishes 2017-18 Quality Profile

Click here
 to read the 2017-18 North Royalton City Schools' Quality Profile. The report highlights areas such as academics, digital learning, arts/music, student leadership and activities, parent and community involvement, fiscal stewardship and pupil services.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North Royalton Educational Foundation Upcoming Dates and Donation Information

The North Royalton Educational Foundation (NREF) was established in 1986 to enrich educational opportunities for students and teachers. NREF helps fund District programs recognizing academic excellence, provides Teacher of the Year, Support Staff of the Year, and Friend of Education awards, and yearly Educational Foundation college scholarships to graduating seniors. NREF also serves as a vehicle for individuals and families to set up special memorial scholarships.  Upcoming dates to remember include Friday Night Bites: October 12 (rescheduled), Taste of North Royalton: November 1, and NREF Reception: April 23.  Read more on how you can donate to NREF.  
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
________________________________________


News from Cuyahoga Valley Career Center
 
Click here to read the "News Flash" Update from Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, featuring all the outstanding work and accomplishments of the North Royalton High School students who attend CVCC. 
 
Congratulations, students!  #NRInspireGreat
   
 
 



_________________________________________

Be sure to visit #NRInspireGreat as well as our  
district Facebook page
for pictures and stories from all of our 
buildings.
 

Other Useful Links for you . . .  

to read the District's Quality Profile. 

to read the latest edition of the The Bear Way

2018-19 School Calendar

2019-20 School Calendar
 
Click here
for the NR Board of Education meeting minutes and agendas.  Click here for meeting dates for 2018.